7 Tips for Saving Big Money when Renting a Vacation Apartment in Paris

According to "Visit Paris Research," more than 80 million tourists visited Paris in 2006.
Of those tourists, 17 million visited during the months of April-July, which is considered
the "peak" season. In other words, sleeping accommodations cost considerably more.

Tip #1: One of the easiest ways to save money when renting a vacation apartment in
Paris is to rent during the off-season. Paris's off-season falls between November-
February while the peak season falls between March- October.

Tip #2: Vacation with friends and share the expenses. Many Paris vacation apartment
rentals can accommodate up to 10 or more people. These larger homes oftentimes
provide extra amenities such as swimming pools, gyms and saunas. While you might
not be able to afford to rent a $10,000.00 per week vacation apartment on your own, if
nine more of your buddies join in, you could be living the lifestyle of a celebrity for only
$1,000 a week.

Tip #3: Cook in your vacation apartment rental. It can become quite costly to dine out for
every meal during your vacation. Most vacation apartment rentals include kitchen
appliances and cookware. Fresh produce and fish can be purchased year round in
Paris. Visit local farmer's and fish markets and indulge in a variety of fresh fruits,
vegetables, and seafood. By cooking just half of your meals in your vacation apartment
rental, you could potentially save up to $1,000 or more for a family of four.

Tip #4: Rent from a private owner instead of an agency or property management
company. When you rent directly from the vacation apartment owner, you have a better
opportunity for negotiation than if you work with a property management service or
agency. You'll want to verify references, conduct research on the area of the rental home,
and use additional precautions to insure you aren't being scammed. However, if you
use common sense and trust your instincts, chances are good that you will have a
rewarding experience.

Tip #5: Rent in non-popular arrondissements. Some of the best vacation apartment
rental deals can be found in less tourist  driven areas. An added bonus these
neighborhoods are less congested and you can have more peace and quiet.

Tip #6: Invest in a vacation package. There are many travel services available via the
Internet, or work with a travel agent to arrange a vacation package. Vacation packages
can include airline, rental car, rental homes or hotel arrangements, cruises, sightseeing
adventures and more. Oftentimes, you can save 50 percent or more by packaging your
vacation needs.

Tip #7: Exchange your home for a vacation apartment rental. Home Exchanges are
quickly becoming a popular option for people who love to travel. How it works is you
allow an individual or family to stay in your home while you stay in their home. There is
no cost involved, making home exchange a win-win situation. There are many reputable
home exchange companies available via the Internet. Make certain you thoroughly
research the company and understand their policies before committing to using their
service.