Posted by: sunsetrentals | January 26, 2012

How to Take a “Green” Vacation

As you plan your family vacations for 2012, consider taking steps to make them “greener.”
We found a great list on eponline.com that outlined several easy ways to reduce your carbon footprint while traveling. Check them out!

Offset your flight: Calculating the carbon footprint of your trip is the first step to reducing its impact on the environment. If you’re traveling by air, you need to factor in the plane and engine type, cargo load, passenger weight and fuel usage. The good news is that many major airlines will do this for you and also offer to offset your flight’s emissions as an add-on to the ticket price. If your airline doesn’t have a carbon-offset program, there are easy online calculators to do it yourself, like TRX Travel Analytics.

hilton head vacation rentalsOffset your drive: If you’re opting for a road trip instead, you not only need to factor the trip’s total mileage but also your vehicle’s year, make and model when calculating emissions. TerraPass offers an easy-to-use vehicle emissions calculator. Then you can balance out your trip’s emissions by purchasing carbon offsets. Here’s a list of reputable offset retailers.

Locally-grown/harvested foods: Vacations and road trips can mean more meals out. Look for seasonal, local options on restaurant menus. Transporting food over long distances requires large quantities of fossil fuels and generates significant carbon emissions. Eating locally-grown foods has the added benefit of supporting the local economy and helping family farmers and fishermen stay in business.

Green sightseeing: In order to minimize your carbon footprint, consider sightseeing by bicycle, public transportation or on foot. And when driving between sites, smart driving practices – like driving at the speed limit and turning down the air conditioner – can increase your car’s fuel efficiency and lower emissions.

Hilton Head Island has more than 50 scenic miles of public bicycle pathways and nature trails. The town of Hilton Head Island has a great map of the island and its “multi-use” pathways.
What tips do you have for a “green” vacation? Please share them with us!
For more information about Sunset Rentals, visit www.sunsetrentals.com.

Leave a Comment

Posted in tips | Tags: , , , ,

Posted by: sunsetrentals | January 23, 2012

Hilton Head Restaurant Week Jan. 21-28

If you’re visiting Hilton Head Island this week, you have perfect timing, because it’s … Chamber Restaurant Week! If you live nearby, you might want to head over this weekend to enjoy the mild weather we’ve been having combined with some great food.

This weeklong celebration of food and local restaurants is modeled after restaurant weeks in New York and other cities. Here, it features more than 50 restaurants in the area that set value-priced, prix-fixe menus.

Hilton Head vacation rentalsAll you have to do is make reservations. Browse the many restaurants participating in Restaurant Week on the Hilton Head Island Chamber’s website. Click the link below each restaurant to view the special menu they are serving. Meals typically include three courses. The list also provides phone numbers to easily make reservations.

Here’s just one sample of the many selections being offered by various restaurants:

Appetizer: Fire-roasted sweet corn and potato chowder; Main course: grilled filet mignon with gorgonzola butter, wild mushroom risotto and herbs; Dessert: chocolate “Twix” bar (vanilla ice cream and caramel filling on a shortbread cookie topped with a crisp chocolate crust).

With so many restaurants participating, you should be able to take advantage of a prix-fixe menu every night of the week! It’s a great way to try out a new place. And you never know; it might be your new favorite!

Bon appétit!

For more information about Sunset Rentals, please visit www.sunsetrentals.com.

Leave a Comment

Posted in Events | Tags: , , ,

Posted by: sunsetrentals | January 19, 2012

Stargazing on Hilton Head Island

Love looking at the stars? Then bundle up and head on over to Coastal Discovery Museum Monday, Jan. 23 from 6-8 p.m. for an evening of wintertime stargazing.

Hilton Head Vacation RentalsBilled as a “tour of the night sky,” instructors at Coastal Discovery Museum will first help you locate the Orion constellation, which will be the basis for locating the brightest star in the sky, Sirius. You’ll then learn to “star hop” to locate constellations in the winter hexagon. You’ll focus on Taurus, Canus Major, Canus Minor, Gemini and Auriga, among others.

While the temperature may be a little chilly during the evening, wintertime is the best time of year to go stargazing because the cold, dry conditions make for a very clear sky. And heck, if you have to stargaze in the cold, you might as well do it in Hilton Head’s mild winter temperatures.

Hilton Head Vacation RentalsAccording to this calendar of the phases of the moon, it should be pretty dark out there Jan. 23 because there will be a new moon. A new moon occurs when the moon is positioned between the earth and sun. The three objects are in approximate alignment, so the entire illuminated portion of the moon is on its back side, the half that we cannot see. Here’s another interesting graphic that shows the phases of the moon.

Reservations are required for the two-hour program. Simply call 843-689-6767 ext. 223. The fee is $12 per person. Be sure to bring a flashlight and binoculars for the field portion of the evening.

Have fun looking at the stars!

For more information on Sunset Rentals, please visit www.sunsetrentals.com.

Leave a Comment

Posted in Activities | Tags: , , ,

Posted by: sunsetrentals | January 17, 2012

DIY Shadow Boxes are an Artistic Memento of Your Hilton Head Vacation

Hilton Head Vacation RentalsWhether you hang it on the wall or lay it on your coffee table, a shadow box is an artistic way to remember and showcase your Hilton Head vacation.

It’s easy to make one of your own, so while you’re visiting Hilton Head, you might begin to put aside little things that will later spark memories of your getaway. You could save, for example: a menu from a special restaurant, a post card, shells, pebbles, pressed leaves and flowers, a plane ticket, an event ticket, a book of matches, tiny trinkets, tiny flags or a map.

Also be sure to take lots of photos so you can select one or two for your shadow box. Depending on your style, it might be fun to have your photos developed with a retro border around them, or perhaps in black and white.

Martha Stewart’s website has some great DIY shadow box ideas. And if it’s good enough for Martha, it’s good enough for us! She says to make your shadow box you’ll also need:

Sturdy gift box with lid
Glass cut to fit inside box lid
Utility knife
Fine sandpaper
Scissors
Map or decorative paper (for the outside and top)
Spray adhesive
Bone folder
Contact cement
Sheet of colored paper (for the inside)
Craft glue or museum wax
Jewelry boxes (optional)
Paper label (optional)

Here’s how to do it:

1. To create a frame for a glass insert, draw a rectangle in the center of the box lid. Carefully cut out the rectangle with a utility knife; smooth any rough edges with sandpaper.

2. Cover the box lid with a map or decorative paper. Also cover the outside of the bottom of the box. Cement the glass pane in the box lid; weigh it down with a book and let it dry according to directions.

3. Line inside of the box bottom with colored paper; secure with spray adhesive. Affix the items you’ve collected in position with glue or wax. You can also line and mount small jewelry boxes for dividers and use paper labels to create captions.

Here are more details on putting together a shadow box of your vacation memories. Have you ever made a shadow box? We’d love to see your pictures!

To learn more about Sunset Rentals, please visit www.sunsetrentals.com.

Leave a Comment

Posted in Activities | Tags: , , ,

Posted by: sunsetrentals | January 12, 2012

Sand Dollars by the Seashore

Hilton Head Vacation RentalsWhether you live near the beach full-time, or only visit while on vacation, the simple act of walking along the seashore and picking up treasures from the sea is fun at any age.

Hilton Head is a great place to find sand dollars, especially at low tide or in rough, muddy surf after a storm.

A sand dollar is actually a keyhole urchin. Most of the time when you find a sand dollar, it’s white, cream or grey in color. This is the skeleton of a deceased keyhole urchin that has washed ashore. Sand dollars are distinguishable by their circle shape and a star pattern on the top. They also have five pore points on their shell.

If you find a shell that’s still brownish green in color, it’s a live sand dollar and it’s illegal to remove it from the island. There is a $500 fine for removing any living creature from the island (hermit crabs, starfish, sand dollars, etc.). You can turn over the shell and you may see hundreds of tiny little hairs moving on the underside. This is how the keyhole urchin gets around. You’ll need to help it out and place the creature back in the water. Place it underwater on the sand with the star shape facing the sky.

If the shell you’ve found is not live, there are ways to preserve it as a keepsake. First, soak the shell in fresh water, changing the water whenever it becomes murky.

Then soak the shell in a 30-to-70 bleach and water solution for 10-15 minutes at a time until it achieves the color you prefer. Remove and rinse thoroughly. You can then let the shell dry in the sunshine or simply air dry on a surface.

If you prefer, you can always just clean the shell and leave it in the sunshine to dry and bleach naturally.

Either way, you may choose to strengthen the shell by spraying it with clear acrylic. You can then display the shells on a bookshelf, in a clear vase, or even on the Christmas tree next year! And every time you look at the shell, you’ll remember your vacation to Hilton Head Island. Send us a picture of how you’ve used your preserved sand dollars!

For more information about Sunset Rentals, please visit www.sunsetrentals.com.

Leave a Comment

Posted in Activities | Tags: , , , , , ,

Posted by: sunsetrentals | January 10, 2012

Sunset Rentals Unveils Two New Hilton Head Rental Properties

Finding the perfect rental property for a vacation is a big deal and Sunset Rentals knows it. There are some folks who will barely lay their head on the pillow at night during their go-go-go vacation and may require a smaller space for touching down. While others truly relax on their getaway and enjoy padding from room to room to read, snack and nap.We know that a home has the ability to make or break a vacation, and that’s why we only list certain properties. Two of the newest homes joining the ranks of our vacation rentals are 6 Sutherland Court in Palmetto Dunes and 7 Lark St. on Forest Beach.

Here are a few details about each home. For more information, click on each address and let us know if you have any questions. You can book these homes online, or call us at 800-275-8991 for assistance.

Hilton Head vacation rentals6 Sutherland Court
This newly remodeled, professionally decorated four-bedroom home sleeps 10, is within a short walk to the beach and has its own private pool.

The first floor features an open and spacious kitchen with fully stocked custom cabinets and granite counter tops; a family room with a 50-inch flat panel TV; and a sitting room with a desk for those who may have a tiny bit of business to attend to. The master suite also is on the first floor.

Upstairs are three bedrooms, all with private baths. The home has a lot of sunlight and is decorated using calm, beachy tones. Outside, the home is beautifully landscaped. A bevy of trees, including Palmetto trees, provide privacy for a relaxing afternoon on the deck or a swim in the private pool.

Hilton Head vacation rentals7 Lark St.

You can bring your extended family to stay at this vacation home, which has six bedrooms and sleeps 21. Located on North Forest Beach, 7 Lark St. has an ocean view, a private pool and plenty of large, airy rooms to accommodate a big crowd.

There are two living areas, one off the entryway with a kitchenette and direct access to the pool deck. The main living area is upstairs with a full chef’s kitchen, a family room, dining room and breakfast nook.

Plenty of large bedrooms, many with private bathrooms, are located throughout the home. It also has a loft with a game table and wet bar. The loft opens onto an observation deck, from which you have panoramic views of the ocean.

This home also features a hot tub and private pool where you can relax surrounded by the natural beauty of the Lowcountry.

For more information about Sunset Rentals, please visit www.sunsetrentals.com.

Leave a Comment

Posted in Homes & Villas | Tags: , , , ,

Posted by: sunsetrentals | January 5, 2012

Save Money by Reserving Your 2012 Hilton Head Vacation Early

Hilton Head vacation rentalsIf you’ve been thinking about booking a vacation in Hilton Head, now’s the time to take action, as Sunset Rentals has a special reward for those who book by Jan. 31, 2012. Sunset Rentals is offering a savings of 5% on home rentals and 10% on villa rentals, as well as a reduced deposit of only 25% (balance due 30 days prior to arrival).

Sunset Rentals has just about any type of vacation rental you are looking for, from economy to elegant. We’ve been managing rental properties on the island since 1993 and have a large selection of properties to choose from, including homes, villas and pet-friendly properties, too!

It’s easy to book online. Simply click here to visit our main page and then select the property type of your choice. We have many options to choose from to help match a property to your needs. If you know the area you’d like to be in, Forest Beach, for example, mouse over the Forest Beach tab in the center of the screen and then choose the rental size you desire, from 1 to 8 bedrooms.

If you don’t have a preference for the exact area you’d like to be in, you can select from the top of the screen: Featured Properties, Pet-Friendly Properties, Houses or Villas.

Then browse and click on homes that interest you. By clicking on a home, you’ll be able to see an array of photos, as well as a description, a list of amenities, a map of the location and rates. You can also check availability and book a property.

You can always call us at 800-276-8991 if you have questions or would rather book over the phone.

We’re excited to be able to offer discounted rates, as well as a reduced-rate deposit through the end of January. Please note, normal cancellation fees apply. We look forward to helping you book your next vacation!

Leave a Comment

Posted in Events | Tags: , , , , ,

Posted by: sunsetrentals | January 2, 2012

Make Room on Your Plate for the Hilton Head Island Food & Wine Festival

Hilton Head vacation rentalsThe popular Hilton Head Island Food & Wine Festival is back for its 27th year.

Pre-festival events begin in January 2012 followed by the main event in March. Buy your tickets ASAP to save a little dough and make sure you secure tickets for pre-festival and the main events, because they sell out quickly.

The first event, Uncork the Festival, will be Friday, Jan. 27 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Bomboras Grille. Tickets are $35 per person. BYO bottle of wine and celebrate during this festive party that brings locals, visitors and wine enthusiasts together to sample outstanding wines and gourmet treats. International Wine Judges, who will prevail over a private event Jan. 28 and 29, will be among the crowd during this event.

Make plans to return in March for the week-long festival. March events include:

March 5-9, 2012
Great Chefs of the South Wine Dinners
Location: TBD around Hilton Head Island
Prices range from $55 per person to $125 per person for an evening of award-winning wines and a melt-in-your-mouth meal.

March 9, 2012
Grand Tasting & Silent Auction
Location: Harbour Town Conference Center, Sea Pines Resort
During the Grand Tasting, sample high-quality, domestic and international award-winning wines and gourmet delights, and bend the ears of wine representatives from vineyards and distributors. The Silent Auction features an upscale selection of wines. Souvenir V.I.P. wine glass included. The two-hour event begins at 5:30 p.m. and is $65 per person.

March 10, 2012
Wine & Food Festival
Location: Coastal Discovery Museum at Honey Horn
From Noon to 3 p.m., enjoy access to all of the free tastings from domestic and international wineries, vineyards, wine distributors and more. Admission includes a souvenir wine glass. Advanced online ticket price$39.99 (through Feb. 5, 2012). Regular ticket price $45.

The event also will feature the following:
• Culinary court
• Bartender’s challenge and waiter’s race
• Outdoor gourmet

• Award-winning local and regional chefs offering cooking tips, demonstrations and free samples of cuisine throughout the day.
• Special demonstrations/events
• Health & Wellness stage
• Celebrity authors

Have you been to the Food & Wine Festival? What was your favorite part?

For more information about Sunset Rentals, please visit www.sunsetrentals.com.

Leave a Comment

Posted in Activities, Events | Tags: , , ,

Posted by: sunsetrentals | December 29, 2011

Legends and Luck Influence New Year’s Day Meals in the South

Hilton Head vacation rentalsTo Southerners, preparing a meal on New Year’s Day is a way to pay tribute to the past while celebrating the promise of a new year.

It’s a meal that reflects what our ancestors ate for good luck in hard times: “Peas for pennies, greens for dollars and cornbread for gold.” This practice has been handed down for generations, and while the recipes vary slightly from family to family, the sentiment and ingredients are still the same.

The peas served are either black-eyed peas or cowpeas in most areas cooked with a ham hock or fat back and served with rice, chopped onion and sliced bacon, seasoned with a bit of salt. This dish is often called Hoppin’ John and some believe you should eat one pea for every day in the New Year. Since the peas symbolize coins, sometimes coins are placed under the bowl of Hoppin’ John, or even added to the pot.

Greens can be collard, kale, chard or turnip greens. You can cook them with smoked bacon and the more pork they are cooked with, the more luck. Greens represent “folding money,” and who can’t use a little more folding money?

Cornbread not only represents the prospect of gold and wealth, it also represents the humble times our ancestors experienced. Golden cheese and bits of corn are said to intensify prospects.

People around the world have various traditions for New Year’s Day meals, and if you look carefully, there are many similarities as we all wish for wealth, health and prosperity in the New Year. What are your traditions?

Happy New Year!

For more information about Sunset Rentals, please visit www.sunsetrentals.com.

Leave a Comment

Posted in Activities | Tags: , , ,

Posted by: sunsetrentals | December 27, 2011

Get Out and Celebrate New Year’s Eve

Hilton Head vacation rentalsWhat’s your style for New Year’s Eve? A family celebration, a quiet dinner for two or a night on the town? There’s so much going on in Hilton Head, you can probably do all three!

For your family celebration, ring in the New Year at noon at The Sandbox, an interactive children’s museum. From 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Dec. 31, The Sandbox is hosting an event featuring special games, activities (including a bounce house!) and a chance to play in the snow. Throw in some arts and crafts, lunch, party favors and a balloon drop at noon and you’ve got a party. Admission is $10 for adults and children. Children under 2 are free.

Even if you close down this celebration at 2 p.m., you’ll still have plenty of time to catch a nap before heading out for a quiet dinner for two. Almost every restaurant in town is offering a great New Year’s Eve menu. The Hilton Head Island Convention and Visitors Bureau posted a great list of restaurants that will be open New Year’s Eve.

An early dinner reservation will still leave you time to party like its 1999 with the masses. The island is home to some pretty fun-filled night clubs and bars. A few include Jazz Corner, Oceans at the Westin Hilton Head Island Resort & Spa, Signals Lounge at the Crowne Plaza Resort Hilton Head Island, The Electric Piano Bar and XO Lounge.

If you’d like to hire a limousine for the evening, or call a taxi to bring you home safely, here are a few links for your convenience:

Limousine Rentals

Camelot Limousine & Tours
G.R.A.C.E. Limo & Luxury Private Sedans Inc.
Hamilton Coastal Limousine Inc.

Taxi & Shuttle Links

Diamond Transportation – 843-247-2156
Yellow Cab of Hilton Head, Bluffton & Beaufort – 843-686-6666

Now, go have some Hilton Head style fun!

For more information about Sunset Rentals, please visit www.sunsetrentals.com.

 

Leave a Comment

Posted in Activities, Events | Tags: , , ,

Older Posts »

Categories

Follow

Get every new post delivered to your Inbox.