Note: All travel is subject to frequently changing governmental restrictions—please check federal, state and local advisories before scheduling trips.

COVID has likely put your holiday plans in a tailspin. Most people are worried about making long trips to visit family and social-distancing around the dinner table, plus there’s also the concern about guests of guests dropping in unexpectedly.

If your family wants to self-isolate this holiday season, one sensible option is to find a private vacation rental, which can be booked easily on Orbitz.  You can easily filter and select the number of bedrooms, a centralized location, and also a rental with lots of space for extended family, and even amenities like a spacious yard for a friendly flag-football game. In some cases, pets can come too, providing the rental permits them.

Read on to learn why booking a vacation rental this holiday season may just be the reason of the season to start a new tradition.

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1. You’re in charge of the location

Unlike hotels, you can choose a vacation rental outside of downtown areas and away from the highway, so you can stay right in the neighborhood where your friends or family are. And, if you’re family is spread out, you can pick a location convenient to everyone—a definite plus in the vacation rental column! A central location means less travel, and less time spent on crowded roads, in busy airports and other hassles. One way to keep the location fairer is to poll family members about their thoughts. Maybe this is the year you enjoy your turkey somewhere warm!

2. You have control over cleaning

In these times, cleanliness might be a concern when staying at a hotel and resort, especially for guests with underlying health conditions. Although hotel cleaning staff are usually diligent, a private vacation rental booked through Orbitz puts you in control of the frequency and thoroughness of cleaning. Plus, no one else will enter your space, and there are no shared elevators or check-in counters to contend with.

3. You can select homes by their flexible cancellation policies

If in these uncertain times your plans change suddenly and you’re no longer willing or able to travel, many vacation rentals bookable through Orbitz offer flexible cancellation policies. You can even filter your results by checking the “Free cancellation” option when you search. Rest assured, we realize that plans change during these uncertain times.

4. Rentals give large and multi-generational families more space and more time together

Holiday dinners are a wonderful tradition, but most guests eat dinner, watch the game and then depart that evening leaving you with dishes to wash and too many leftovers. If you book a vacation rental with enough bedrooms, everyone can be together longer to enjoy more family time together—think cooking together, crafting together, watching movies, taking walks and just shooting the breeze as a family. When you search for properties, select by number of bedrooms and number of bathrooms, so that no one is fighting for the shower in the morning.

5. You get outdoor space for recreation

Depending on the location, November/December may be pleasantly mild. Proximity to outdoor recreation is something most vacation rentals provide. Whether it’s walking a rural trail, hiking in low mountains, browsing through a local farmer’s market, or strolling a festive Main Street, fresh air is something great for all your guests. Additionally, you can pick a vacation rental with large enough grounds for outdoor entertaining, or other social activities.

6. They offer a true DIY experience 

There’s something truly special about the quintessential Thanksgiving or Christmas tradition: cooking at home. Vacation rentals usually provide a full kitchen, and can be a backdrop for unique family time—sharing heirloom recipes and stories about prior generations, and cooking among extended family. A self-contained retreat is a perfect choice to bring everyone around the table together.

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