For a trip last year, Mayer used VRBO to find a great apartment in Paris and a villa elsewhere in France.

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On VRBO since 2010, the property is more homespun luau than generic Margaritaville, with rooms blending contemporary furnishings with native artwork.

BBC: Prime time for golf holiday homes

It aims to take on HomeAway (which has its own iPad app, launched in August 2011 ) and its portfolio of websites, including the popular VRBO.

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Many online agencies list descriptions, photos and ratings of international holiday homes, such as AirBnb, Cluttons Resorts, FlipKey, HomeAway, Roomarama, Owners Direct, Vacation Rentals by Owner (VRBO) and West Coast Villas.

BBC: Prime time for golf holiday homes