DALLAS, April 4 /PRNewswire/ -- If the last time you saw your first cousin Julie was at your sweet sixteen and you're now pushing 40 ... it's time to hold a family reunion. The task of planning a reunion may seem daunting: Where should the event take place? Where should everyone stay? What should we do once we get there? To answer some of those questions, VacationSpot.com(R), the most comprehensive resource for booking vacation rentals worldwide on the Internet, teamed up with "Reunions Magazine" to offer planning tips and lodging know-how needed to ensure a successful family reunion.

1. Plan ahead. According to a recent survey conducted by VacationSpot.com, more than 70 percent of respondents said they needed at least five months to plan and organize a family reunion.

2. Look for locations that can accommodate a number of people. The VacationSpot.com survey also revealed that nearly 50 percent of all reunions have more than 20 attendees. Rick Fisher, vice president of vacation rentals for http://www.vacationspot.com/, said, "Vacation rentals are a great choice and present reunion planners with numerous accommodation choices and booking options."

3. Don't do it alone. According to Edith Wagner, editor at "Reunions Magazine," a well-run family reunion is usually the result of a group that held planning meetings in advance of the event.

4. Make sure there is something for everyone. "Family reunions have everyone from babies to centenarians in attendance. Think through what will make everyone comfortable and happy," Wagner suggests. "Plan games for the kids and provide time and accommodations for elderly relatives to sit around and talk."

5. Plan for a lot of together time. "You will find that there are people who have never met. A good reunion should include some icebreakers to make sure everyone gets introduced to one another," Wagner says. "Also, it is important to incorporate interaction between the different generations."

6. And don't forget to incorporate some family history into your event. "There are some relatives who haven't a clue about family history and others that are genealogists," Wagner says. "Plan for activities that allow the family historians to strut their stuff. "

"Vacation rentals come in a variety of shapes and sizes, from one large house or villa to 100 units at a resort property," says Fisher. "In addition, vacation rentals span the spectrum in terms of cost. Some rentals are appropriate for the more budget-conscious and others can be quite luxurious. All in all, vacation rentals are a great choice for reunion planners because they offer so many options."

Vacation rentals give family members the opportunity to enjoy space, privacy and comfort while out of town. They can be loaded with amenities like multiple bedrooms and bathrooms, recreation or family rooms, even private pools, hot tubs and outdoor grills. "And don't forget the kitchen," Fisher says. "Kitchens not only represent potential savings, but more importantly, provide a central area where relatives can further bond and socialize."

And, for those without the luxury of time and/or a large extended family, mini reunions can be half the size, but double the fun.

"VacationSpot.com can easily take the stress out of planning a smaller, last-minute reunion," adds Fisher. "We easily accommodate a group looking to book a handful of condos with all the amenities just a few weeks from the event date."

About "Reunions Magazine"

"Reunions Magazine" is the only publication that focuses on helping individuals plan family, class, military and other reunions. It is estimated there are approximately 350,000 reunions in the U.S. each year.

About VacationSpot.com

Vacationspot.com, powered by hotels.com, is the most comprehensive resource for booking vacation rentals and bed & breakfasts worldwide on the Internet. Vacationspot.com offers thousands of properties in hundreds of the most popular destinations. Travelers can book vacation rentals through the Web site, http://www.vacationspot.com/, and through travel specialists available 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 1-888-290-SPOT (7768). hotels.com is an operating business of Expedia, Inc. CST: 2059975-40.

NOTE: Vacationspot.com is a trademark or registered trademark in the U.S. and other countries.

Contact: Liz Greene of The Powell Group, +1-214-363-7763, or lizgreene@greenecomm.com, for VacationSpot.com; or Edith Wagner of "Reunions Magazine", +1-414-263-4567, ext. 6, or reunions@execpc.com.

CONTACT: Liz Greene of The Powell Group, +1-214-363-7763, or
lizgreene@greenecomm.com, for VacationSpot.com; or Edith Wagner of "Reunions
Magazine", +1-414-263-4567, ext. 6, or reunions@execpc.com

Web site: http://vacationspot.com/

Web site: http://www.hotels.com/

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