ln Search Of The Holy Grail In Europe! Well, Kind Of...
By Michael Broussard
Published November 1, 2022
I just got back from an amazing 16-day European vacation with my wife, daughters, and son-in-law. As an expert in the Vacation Rental Industry (as I have claimed to be on Linked-in -whatever that really means)... I must pass along 4 key findings that I learned along the way as we toured: Switzerland, Italy, France, Monaco, and Spain.
Pre-trip planning began first, with finding stellar airfare deals and then deciding on specific properties that fit our group's needs. Our criteria included: safe location, proximity to train stations - is it walkable, easily accessible, size of the property (how many beds/bathrooms, etc.), access to washer and dryer, and finally, do reviews support pictures and property description. All said, we would be renting 5 different properties in 4 countries.
Our primary mode of transportation would be the Eurail pass - an all-in-one train ticket giving us access to travel by train throughout Europe. The user-friendly app allowed us to create daily excursions. The first stop was Switzerland. After a long flight, we boarded our first train to old town Zurich. 4 out of 5 of us opted to use backpacks. I chose my roller bag. Cobblestones and all.
Key finding number #1 - Make sure pre-arrival details are sent in advance (48 hours) well before check-in - including those all-important access codes!
Locating your accommodations in a familiar city is one thing. Finding it in a foreign country - is more than a challenge. Add to it; jet lag, dark streets, and no wifi - it's arduous! I suddenly felt like I was on "The Amazing Race" with a roller bag at age 52. While my kids navigated the streets using Google Maps, I navigated my steps attempting to avoid trips and falls on uneven ground while dragging my roller bag which was getting heavier by the second. In total, we would walk over 125 miles averaging 7-8 miles a day! Not for the faint of heart.
Our host for our property in Spietz, Switzerland went radio silent over the weekend with check-in details. We would be going in blind after multiple attempts to communicate with her along with reaching out to VRBO for assistance. Tired and frustrated, we began mapping out plan B if we could not access our flat. Would we end up sleeping at the train station? Would my roller bag be stolen?!? After wandering the streets for a bit of time trying to locate our house number a kind gentleman offered his assistance. He was watching this spectacle of 5 weary travelers walking back and forth searching for house numbers looking for any indicator of this property we had viewed online. Thankfully this gentleman knew exactly where this property was and he directed us to our modern Swiss flat.
When arriving in Nice, France, our host would not provide access codes until we were at the gate of the property. This meant we also needed access to wifi which was spotty, to say the least. The gate was located on a narrow sidewalk next to a major thoroughfare. Cars were flying by and this was really not a great spot to be standing and waiting for lockbox codes. At one point, I placed my trusted roller bag in the street to shield us from any oncoming vehicles and/or dangers. It would have been nice to have received these details in advance to avoid check-in stress and provide peace of mind upon arriving at our destination.
Vacation rental in Zurich, Switzerland = Happy travelers with clear access and arrival info!
Key finding number #2 - Quality linens matter!
It turns out that the standard for linens (sheets and towels) can be wildly inconsistent from country to country. Upon arrival at our flat in Spietz, we discovered the 5 of us had only 2 towels. Yes, that's right, 2 towels. Although this apartment had been newly renovated with incredible views overlooking Lake Thun, drawing straws for a towel caused a bit of unnecessary drama amongst our traveling group.
Consider this one of the most important details of your vacation rental. I hear feedback on this often. Linens do matter. So take time to provide quality (and ample) towels and bedding for your guests.
Key finding #3 - Up your game by providing coffee/tea options for your travelers. Make the coffee/tea experience stand out in your rental.
As someone who loves coffee, especially Starbucks's Pike Place, traveling to Europe was a bit of a challenge in the coffee arena. Who knew that "drip" or "filtered" coffee wasn't a thing in Europe? I didn't. Whenever I approached a bakery or coffee shop I would ask the barista for drip coffee only to be answered with a question, "Cappuccino or espresso"? Of course, the next suggestion was always, "Americano" - one has to wonder if the name is derived from Americans in search of drip coffee. True to its meaning, coffee became my holy grail.
As defined, the "Holy Grail" is something that you want very much but that is very hard to get or achieve. For the next 2 weeks, I inquired of every baker and barista that I came into contact with if they indeed sold drip and/or filtered coffee. This came at a cost of course. I endured a fair amount of eye rolls from my fellow travelers as I made my inquiries to no avail. Our alternative solution was found in Turin, Italy. Our host, Azzurra provided us with a hutch full of varying espresso pods and tea options. This was good for the soul even when the "holy grail" could not be found.
Key finding #4 - Provide a list of suggested dining recommendations for your guests.
Our time in Barcelona was filled with incredible food, amazing attractions, and breathtaking beaches. Our host Raquel greeted us at our flat, gave us a tour of our apartment, and shared a list of dining recommendations that did not disappoint. As a local, Raquel recommended one such restaurant named, Cabo. It was just a short two-mile walk (each way-yikes) and this would allow us the added bonus of exploring other area attractions in the city. I have to admit, I was a bit of a skeptic per this recommendation. Located outside of a warehouse, next to a busy road my expectations were literally blown away once I sipped on a glass of their spectacular Sangria and began my tapas journey. These weary (and hungry) travelers ordered a group meal of four tapas to share. However, I insisted on ordering the $49.00 Rib-eye steak just for me. When in Rome...or Spain etc...
This decision was met with a lot of sarcasm and grief from my fellow travelers for not participating in the shared tapas meal. The tapas arrived (along with more liters of Sangria) and our group immediately devoured them. Raquel was spot on! The food was authentic and absolutely amazing. My steak arrived and it looked a bit different than what I had expected. I remained open-minded and it was delicious nonetheless. I graciously shared my little steak-lets with my family even after they mocked me for going rogue and ordering an entree on my own. We finished our food and I thought maybe we needed one more tapas to tide us over. We did in fact have a 2-mile walk to look forward to after our meal. I asked our server for a suggestion. This was met with an inquisitive look. She simply said, "Maybe wait until you're finished first". We were just as surprised at her comment when a huge, bone-in, rib-eye steak appeared at our table on a platter the size of Texas. We put two and two together only to realize that our first ribeye was a steak tapas. Let's just say we had many laughs and were thankful for Raquel and her recommendations.
Owners know where to find the best pizza (or sangria) or even where to find drip coffee! Provide a printed list for your guests. Those recommendations will go a long way and give them an authentic experience during their stay.
For those of us who love travel and the hospitality industry let's keep improving. Our goal in the vacation rental industry is to provide a seamless experience for the guests from the time they book your property to the time they depart for home. Good communication, top-notch experiences and a comfortable place to lay their head enhance their travel experience. This European adventure was an adventure of a lifetime. I survived - and so did my roller bag. The memories made with my wife and kids - are priceless! And as far as the Holy Grail...found it in the Barcelona airport.
