Rentalo.com, the very well-known online directory of vacation rentals, shows the findings of a new survey conducted on 7,670 vacationers who were looking for vacation rentals in Virginia Beach, Virginia from July to January 2010.

This study validates recent forecasts by travel experts on consumers’ interests in comparison shopping.  In addition, Rentalo.com shares some significant findings on traveler’s vacation planning habits and destination’s vacation themes for Virginia Beach.

Comparison Shopping Trends for Virginia Beach: The examination showed that 58 percent of the vacation planners who searched for lodging manifested interest in comparison shopping among Virginia Beach vacation rentals, bed and breakfasts, and hotels. 49 percent of the vacationers were interested in staying close to Virginia Beach in places like Sandbridge Beach, Salem, Norfolk, Chesapeake, and Portsmouth.

Planning Trends for Virginia Beach: In this kind of surveys, we always find those diligent tourists who like to began their vacation plans one or two months in advance and they represented the 47 percent. 34 percent were from the classic last minute tourists inquiring within the last month prior to the arriving to their Virginia Beach lodging, and the remaining 19 percent were travelers planning one to two months prior to arriving to Virginia Beach.

Vacation Themes for Virginia Beach: Virginia Beach’s preferred vacation theme is family reunions with 50 percent of the inquiries requesting rentals for groups of more than 4 adults or families kids, 15 percent for couples on romantic getaways, and 3 percent for people touring alone.

It is not common that an online directory facilitate comparison shopping for travelers. Rentalo.com makes it very easy and simple for people to compare offers from vacation rentals, hotels, and bed and breakfasts to meet their specific lodging needs.

For example, compare these three great deals, a condo, a cottage and bed and breakfast.

First, an ideal two bedroom condo at Virginia Beach’s ‘South End’; just two blocks to the Ocean. Less than a five minute walk to get on the Beach , even with kids, beach chairs, and coolers in tow. Plus, this Virginia Beach Condo is located across the streetrom Rudee Inlet where they offer jet-ski rentals, para-sailing, fishing trips, and several waterfront restaurants. For more info, pictures and a practical inquiry form, please log into Rentalo.com property ID#7397.

Second, Surf Lhasa in Outdoor Resorts of Sandbridge is your Virginia Beach vacation cottage. Surf Lhasa is in Out door Resorts of Sandbridge, just south of the boardwalk of Virginia Beach. Sandbridge is a quiet, relaxing family vacation area , for those who enjoy wide, clean beaches. Great for surfing the waves of the Atlantic Ocean. Fishing is 2 blocks from Little Island Fishing Pier. Surf Lhasa is newly remodeled and decorated for the 2007 season. Surf Lhasa has 3 bunk beds in the rear bedroom, queen bed in front bedroom and a sleeper sofa. For more information, photos and a effective inquiry form, please log into Rentalo.com property ID#161893.

And third, from our Virginia Beach bed and breakfasts, a 1895 Victorian with 2 story wrap-around porches 2 blocks from beach in residential neighborhood. It is located nearby to everything and it feels like home. One of only 2 buildings at the Virginia Beach oceanfront still extant from the 19th Century – the other is a museum! Barclay Cottage Bed and Breakfast is named for Lillian Barclay, who purchased the property from the Williamsons in 1916 and supported herself and her parents by running a boarding house and private school. Miss Barclay shut the school after 50 years, but continued to take in boarders until her death in 1989. In 1990, developers bought the property and built 5 houses on the gardens and grounds but preserved the old house and it became a bed and breakfast in 1991. The present owners, Stephen and Marie-Louise LaFond bought the property in 2003 and have made numerous renovations. For additional details, pics and a practical inquiry form, please log into Rentalo.com property ID#117464