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Archive for May, 2008

Instant Software and Visual Data Systems announce
ten year anniversary on collaboration for real-time online bookings

BASALT, Colo. – May 28, 2008 – 2008 marks the ten-year anniversary of the collaboration on providing a real-time online booking solution to the vacation rental industry between Instant Software and Visual Data Systems.

In 1998, Instant Software, the leading provider of software for the vacation rental industry and Visual Data Systems, a leader in online marketing and design services, worked together to provide the needed link between software and website that would allow their mutual clients the ability to offer real-time integrated bookings. The benchmark success of this endeavor was immediately felt throughout the vacation rental industry and in the ten years since, over 500 million dollars of online bookings through Visual Data System’s integration of Instant Software’s open API (Application Program Interface) into client websites has been realized.

Real-time booking in the vacation rental industry, which encompasses the short term rental of individually owned homes and condominiums, has allowed the member companies to compete with the hotel and resort industry on a more equal basis. The integration between software and website to provide real-time online bookings for this industry is much more complex than the traditional hotel/resort industry as the properties rented are treated as individual entities, with specific features, amenities and availability. Vacationers generally rent a specific property as opposed to a room type making real-time information on pricing and availability critical to success.
This milestone shows how far we’ve come in helping vacation rental management companies distribute their properties to potential guests on the internet,” says Dave Hopcroft, CEO of Instant Software. “Our technology simplifies the complex processes that a property management company goes through to advertise, book, and manage their portfolios of rental properties through the internet.”
Our work with Instant Software paved the way for our clients to gain a competitive advantage in the marketing of their services to vacationers. From the launch of the industry’s first real-time booking solution – to the most current Instant Software technology, ISILink, our companies have collaborated on over 150 integrations representing well over 50,000 vacation rental properties for use in our mutual client’s custom designed private brand web sites. We are pleased to have reached this ten year milestone and look forward to working closely with Instant Software during the next ten in continuing to provide outstanding value for our mutual clients”, stated Paul Herman, CEO and Founder of Visual Data Systems.
As internet travel bookings continue to grow at a record pace, Instant Software’s ISILink technology integrated into custom websites continues to be the preferred real-time booking technology for property management companies and the industry. This milestone continues to demonstrate the vision, experience and leadership in this market by both Instant Software and Visual Data Systems.
About Instant Software
Instant Software, Inc., based in Basalt, CO. is the nation’s leading provider of vacation rental management software and related services. The Instant Software solution suite includes First Resort Software, PropertyPlus, Entech Data Systems, V12.NET, ISILink, Weblink/OwnerLink, and Stay-USA. More than 1500 property management companies and vacation rental resorts throughout North America, Central America, and the Caribbean run their businesses on Instant Software. The company, which was the first in the vacation rental industry to bring real-time booking, serves more than 200,000 vacation rental properties. For more information visit: www.instantsoftware.com.

About Visual Data Systems
Visual Data Systems, based in Columbia, Maryland is a leading supplier of online marketing, technology and consultation. Founded in 1993 with extensive experience in the vacation rental industry, Visual Data Systems has clients throughout North and Central America and the Caribbean. Visual Data Systems supplies clients with design services, online marketing tools including online survey management, managed email solutions, search engine optimization & marketing, integration with rental/property management software and business and technology consultation. Visual Data Systems can be found on the web at:
www.VisualDataSystems.com and can be reached via email: marketing@VisualDataSystems.com or via phone: 410-964-8665.

For more information, please contact:
Scott Gerber
Vice President of Marketing
Instant Software, Inc.
Tel: 888-534-7555
www.instantsoftware.com
Robert Gray
Senior Business Analyst
Visual Data Systems
www.VisualDataSystems.com
410-964-8665
RobertG@VisualDataSystems.com

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News ImageVisual Data Systems & Escapia Launch OregonBeachVacations.com: Site Integrates Visual Data System Design & Escapia Rental Management Software

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Portland, OR – May 2008 / Oregon Beach Vacations / Press Release – Oregon Beach Vacations, the leader in vacation rentals along Oregon’s Northern and Central coastlines, has announced the launch of their new website: www.OregonBeachVacations.com.

Oregon Beach Vacations manages over 150 privately owned vacation homes and is headquartered in Portland, Oregon. They also have offices in Lincoln City and Cannon Beach, Oregon to better serve their clients and homeowners. Oregon Beach Vacations offers vacationers a variety of different properties to suit every vacation need from cottage to condominium to luxury home with several different view options including Mountain View, Ocean View and Waterfront. Some select properties even allow pets.


The completely redesigned website includes a multitude of features to enhance the vacation rental experience for visitors to the site. These features include:

  • Real-time availability and booking
  • Full descriptions of all properties and their associated amenities including pictures
  • The ability to search for vacation rentals based on dates, location, view, property type, amenities and much more
  • The ability to email family and friends descriptions and pictures of rental properties
  • MyBrochure™ which allows visitors to build print and email brochures of their favorite properties
  • Google Maps of each property showing their exact location
  • Interactive Maps of the area – allowing vacationers to view properties by location
  • Information for homeowners wishing to list their property with Oregon Beach Vacations for Rental
  • Access to a special section reserved just for homeowners where they can see information about their property, see availability and view homeowner Statements

When we decided we wanted to redesign our website, we knew that we wanted to enrich the booking experience for our vacationers as well as provide even more booking opportunities for our homeowners. We believe that we have not only met this challenge but far exceeded it. OregonBeachVacations.com will become the premier website for people who want to vacation in a privately owned home or condominium along the Oregon Coast. We have already been praised by both our homeowners and perspective guests on the new site design, its features and ease of use,” stated David McElveen, President of Oregon Beach Vacations.

David continued, “Our new website is the result of the hard work and expertise of the Oregon Beach Vacations team as well as our partners, Visual Data Systems and Escapia. OregonBeachVacations.com is the first integration of a Visual Data Systems designed website and Escapia Rental Management Software. Both companies were committed to giving Oregon Beach Vacations the customized web site that we need to stay successful in a very competitive marketplace. We are very pleased with the results and look forward to working with both companies for many years”.

About Oregon Beach Vacations
Oregon Beach Vacations was founded in 2004. The owners, David McElveen and Joe Murray, envisioned building a premier vacation rental company on the Oregon coast. Today, Oregon Beach Vacations operates three offices and manages over 150 vacation rental properties. The company is owned and operated by River City Travel, Oregon’s second largest travel agency which includes a staff of over 80 reservation team members whose combined sales is over 40 million dollars per year. Benefits for homeowners include an aggressive marketing campaign that reaches over two million potential guests weekly; marketing agreements with over 4,000 travel agents worldwide and 24/7 availability. For more information, please visit www.OregonBeachVacations.com or call 800-723-2383. This press release was submitted by Visual Data Systems on behalf of Oregon Beach Vacations.

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For Immediate Release

Visual Data Systems is now able to offer you the opportunity to further your company’s marketing, public relations and search engine management efforts through the use of press releases. The service used by Visual Data Systems specializes in hospitality industry news and posts new releases every Tuesday and Thursday. The press releases are generally indexed by Google News within hours of being distributed*.

The press releases are emailed to over 50,000 hospitality industry professionals and reporters each week to gain significantly more exposure than other services.

Why Press Releases: In conjunction with your current marketing efforts, press releases, if properly formatted and marketed, are a valuable tool in publicizing your company and the products & services you offer. Press releases bring you needed exposure in a competitive marketplace. In the electronic age, a press release is not only aimed at gaining exposure in traditional media but also with online news services and thus increases your search engine optimization.

Frequency: Press Releases submitted and posted online can bring about exposure. They also help with rankings by search engines. The key is to have relevant news which will help with Google News and other online news services indexing the release. The more relevant press releases the better. The most prevalent opinion at this time is the more press releases the better – of course it has to be relevant information. Most experts suggest a minimum of one per month, but optimally a press release every other week.

The Service: Visual Data Systems is offering a variety of

different packages and options for you to take advantage of press releases:

  • Choose from multiple package quantities: ala carte; three; six or twelve
  • We can provide copy writing and editing or you can write the entire release
  • Up to two (2) .jpeg images included with each press release
  • Optimum releases are 300 – 800 words with one (1) link per 100 words

View our complete PRESS RELEASE SERVICES

*See Our Online Materials For Further Details

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Los Sueños, Costa Rica – May 2008 – Costa Rica Luxury Rentals, located on the Central Pacific coast of Costa Rica within the confines of the world renowned Los Sueños Resort and Marina has experienced a surge in reservations and rental inquiries from both vacationers and business groups due to recent media exposure. Costa Rica Luxury Rentals was recently featured on Steve Gruber’s Wildlife on The Outdoor Channel and Florida Sportsman Magazine. These two media outlets have given Costa Rica Luxury Vacations exposure to over 4 million people over the last two months.

“It has been a whirlwind of excitement and anticipation over the last several months working with both print and television media to expose CR Luxury to such a large audience. We are very pleased that our hard work has created so much excitement for not only our organization and the properties we manage but for tourism in Costa Rica. Because of this media exposure, over four million people now know that just a short trip from North and Central America is a vacation and business paradise. Whether it is for sport fishing, eco-tourism, beach going, fine dining, sailing, hiking, championship golf, a world class resort, the casino or any combination of these amenities – Cost Rica Luxury Vacations is the place to book your next vacation or business conference. We want to thank all of those people who have booked online through our website (www.CRLuxury.com) or called us (866-525-2188) asking for even more information on our services – we look forward to your trip and we know it will be a memorable event”, Stated Marcela Laborde, President of Costa Rica Luxury Rentals and Tours.

Steve Gruber’s Wildlife, a featured program on the Outdoor Channel just finished airing a special two part episode on sport fishing in the pacific waters of Costa Rica. Each episode aired three times. Response to the episodes was so overwhelming that Steve Gruber and his producers have decided to do another show on fishing in the area; of course they are using Costa Rica Luxury Vacations as their base of operations. Steve had this to say about CR Luxury, “Costa Rica Luxury Rentals is a first class operation and the first place I call before planning the trip of a lifetime!”

Costa Rica Luxury Rental features one to three bedroom luxury condominiums and villas and a variety of packaging services that will fit your every need. Costa Rica is a short direct flight from many major North American cities (Atlanta, Los Angeles, Denver, Chicago, Charlotte, Houston, Newark and others) and is served by a variety of major airline carriers including: American Airlines, USAir, Continental, Delta and United. They welcome your vacation and business inquiries – please visit their website for more information.

About Costa Rica Luxury Rentals and Tours

Costa Rica Luxury Rentals and Tours (CR Luxury) offers an exclusive portfolio of privately owned vacation properties within the world-renowned Los Sueños Resort and Marina. Vacationers and business guests enjoy access to the resorts world-class amenities including a 200 slip international marina; championship golf; private beach club; casino; spa; meeting facilities; shopping and fine dining restaurants of the Los Sueños Ocean & Golf Resort, the Marina Village and the Los Sueños Beach Club. CR Luxury condominiums and villas offer the perfect base to explore the riches of Costa Rica’s Central Pacific Coast including national parks; sport fishing; canopy tours; river rafting; surfing and much more. Costa Rica Luxury Rentals is proud to partner with Visual Data Systems (www.VisualDataSystems.com) for their online marketing needs. For more information or to book online, please go to CRLuxury.com or call toll-free 866.525.2188.

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Columbia, MD – May 2008 / Visual Data Systems / Press Release – Visual Data Systems, the leader in online marketing and technology solutions for the vacation rental industry, has announced that Survey Scout – the Online Comment, Opinion and Survey Management System for the vacation rental industry is now available.
Survey Scout (http://survey.vdsys.com/survey-scout.htm) was designed and built by Visual Data Systems to help its clients in the vacation rental industry better understand the perceptions, opinions and habits of guests. Traditionally, the vacation rental industry has used pre-printed forms or questionnaires handed out at check-in to find out about the guest experience in the properties they manage. The forms were used to find out how the guest felt about the check-in procedures, the booking process, the cleanliness and general maintenance of a property, amenities offered as well as a myriad of other questions that were important to the rental manager.

Too often, these forms were not turned in; only filled out only by guests that experienced some negative experience; completed at the beginning of their stay or completed by someone other than the renter of record. The rental manager has had a difficult time keeping statistical records of results, hindering the true potential and purpose of this gathering of information – to increase guest satisfaction and retention, improve marketing and customer service by making better management decisions based on researchable statistics. Survey Scout eliminates many of these issues by providing online customizable surveys (departure and/or booking) with rich and robust historical reporting that includes alerts and automatic emails to key team member based on criteria that the rental manager determines.


Survey Scout Features:

  • Customizable Surveys – Booking and/or Departure
  • Email notifications sent to key team members based on your criteria
  • Surveys linked to individual properties
  • Quick reports: ‘All Critical’; ‘Critical Pending’; ‘All Surveys’; ‘Critical Acknowledged’
  • Sort reports by ‘Survey Date’; ‘Stay Dates’; ‘Property Id’ and more
  • Advanced sorting includes the ability to include multiple criteria
  • Easy to use and intuitive interface for viewing of surveys and comments

Survey Scout Benefits:

  • Easily Identify and focus in on issues affecting guest satisfaction
  • Improve guest retention with the ability to respond directly and immediately to guest concerns
  • Ability to compare time periods to measure improvement
  • Real-time summaries keep you up to date on company health
  • Access information about specific properties
  • Build a historical database of guest perception
  • Better understanding of guest likes/dislikes as well as needs and value perceptions
  • Eliminate paper surveys – reduce time to decipher, manage and store departure surveys

Our extensive experience in the vacation rental industry has led us to develop Survey Scout in order to provide our clients with the guest opinion and perception they need in order to make informed decisions – when they need it. We believe Survey Scout will enable rental managers to improve services and customer satisfaction by responding to guest concerns as they are reported. Rental managers will also be able to measure results over time and determines future initiatives based on having a complete database of customer opinion and comments at their fingertips. Too often, we have heard our clients comment that after the initial review for maintenance issues, the guest departure questionnaire was filed away in a box and never touched again. Survey Scout was designed to provide real-time guest satisfaction analysis while at the same time, lowering operational costs. We’re thrilled to offer our clients a product that will not only help immediately, but provide years of historical analysis on guest behavior and inventory management”, stated Kelly Hurley, Vice-President of Visual Data Systems.

Sand ‘N Sea Properties of Galveston, Texas was one of the beta testers of Survey Scout by Visual Data Systems and has seen tremendous results with this innovative tool. Claire Reiswerg of Sand ‘N Sea Properties had this to say about the product, “Since initiating Survey Scout, our guest response to customer surveys has increased 72% year to date. This has a tremendous impact on our vacation rental business because we pay attention to each and every customer survey.”

For a demonstration of Survey Scout, please email Visual Data Systems (Marketing@VisualDataSystems.com) or call 410-964-8665.

About Visual Data Systems
Visual Data Systems, based in Columbia, Maryland is a leading supplier of online marketing, technology and consultation. Founded in 1993 with extensive experience in the vacation rental industry, Visual Data Systems has clients throughout North and Central America and the Caribbean. Visual Data Systems supplies clients with design services, online marketing tools including online survey management, managed email solutions, search engine optimization & marketing, integration with rental/property management software and business and technology consultation. For more information, please go to
www.VisualDataSystems.com or call 410-964-8665.

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Steve Gruber’s Wildlife Television Show Features Cost Rica Luxury Rentals See The Special Two-part Episode The Weeks of 5/5 & 5/12/08

Los Sueños, Costa Rica – May 2008 –
Costa Rica Luxury Rentals, located on the Central Pacific coast of Costa Rica within the confines of the world renowned Los Sueños Resort and Marina is featured in a two-part episode of Steve Gruber’s Wildlife on the Outdoor Channel starting the week of May 5th.
Steve Gruber’s Wildlife is seen by over two million viewers weekly. Each episode will be repeated three times each week will feature the excellent
sport fishing opportunities that waters of Costa Rica have to offer, including:

  • Sailfish
  • Marlin (Black and Blue)
  • Yellowfin Tuna
  • Wahoo
  • Dorado
  • Rooster Fish
  • Snapper

Please check your local cable or satellite listings for the Outdoor Channel and more information on these episodes:

  • Thursday, May 8th – 3:00 PM EST (Part I)
  • Sunday, May 11th – 3:30 PM EST (Part I – Repeat)
  • Monday, May 12th – 11:00 AM EST (Part II)
  • Thursday, May 15th – 3:00 PM EST (Part II – Repeat)
  • Sunday, May 18th – 3:30 PM EST (Part II – Repeat)

The episodes while featuring some of the best sport fishing in the world also highlights the many other recreational amenities that Costa Rica Luxury Rentals has to offer its guests, such as championship golf, world class beaches, an internationally renowned marina, casino, fine dining restaurants, shopping and much more. Mr. Gruber was so impressed with the facilities and accommodations that he is currently planning a second show in Los Sueños and stated, “Costa Rica Luxury Rentals is a first class operation and the first place I call before planning the trip of a lifetime!”

More Information about sport fishing in the waters surrounding Los Sueños and on booking a sport fishing package can be found on the Costa Rica Luxury Rentals website or by clicking here. These fishing grounds and CR Luxury were also featured in the April issue of Florida Sportsman Magazine.


Marcela Laborde, President, of Costa Rica Luxury Rentals and Tours had this to say about the television episodes and the recent magazine article, “Our entire team at Costa Rica Luxury Rentals (www.CRLuxury.com ) is very excited the public will get to see and read about the treasures that Costa Rica Luxury Rentals has to offer to vacationers and business travelers. From our portfolio of luxurious accommodations to our first-class amenities, this positive media exposure will increase the opportunities for expanding the client base not only for CR Luxury and our homeowners but also for the whole vacation rental industry of Costa Rica. Our condominiums and villas are the perfect base for your next dream vacation or business conference. Cost Rica is only a short flight from many North American cities and is served by major airline carriers. We invite everyone to visit our website and discover what our area has to offer and of course we have real-time online booking as a convenience to our guests.”

About Costa Rica Luxury Rentals and Tours
Costa Rica Luxury Rentals and Tours (CR Luxury) offers an exclusive portfolio of privately owned vacation properties within the world-renowned Los Sueños Resort and Marina. Vacationers and business guests enjoy access to the resorts world-class amenities including a 200 slip international marina; championship golf; private beach club; casino; spa; meeting facilities; shopping and fine dining restaurants of the Los Sueños Ocean & Golf Resort, the Marina Village and the Los Sueños Beach Club. CR Luxury condominiums and villas offer the perfect base to explore the riches of Costa Rica’s Central Pacific Coast including national parks; sport fishing; canopy tours; river rafting; surfing and much more. Costa Rica Luxury Rentals is proud to partner with Visual Data Systems (
www.VisualDataSystems.com) for their online marketing needs. For more information or to book online, please go to CRLuxury.com or call toll-free 866.525.2188.

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Over 20 Years of Customer Service, Marketing and Sales Experience Brought To Position

Columbia, MD – May 2008 / Visual Data Systems / Press Release – Visual Data Systems, the leader in online marketing and technology solutions for the vacation rental industry, has announced that Lori Lewman has joined their sales team.

Lori Lewman comes to Visual Data Systems with extensive experience in the field of online marketing. In the early to mid-1990’s Lori worked with Visual Data Systems through the company she co-owned, Kelori. During this time, Lori worked closely with the founder of Visual Data Systems, Paul Herman, and helped bring aboard some of Visual Data System’s earliest clients.

“I am very pleased to accept this opportunity that Visual Data Systems has offered me. Getting to work once again with the great team at Visual Data Systems and renewing relationships with clients that I have worked with in the past is very exciting. Visual Data Systems has always been a leader in online marketing and related services and I am looking forward to the challenges that await me in this new endeavor” stated Lori Lewman.

Paul Herman, CEO and Founder of Visual Data Systems, had this to say about Lori Lewman joining the Visual Data Systems team, “Lori has always been a member of the Visual Data Systems family and it is with great excitement that we welcome her home in an official capacity. Her experience, professionalism and genuine concern for the client will serve to only increase the already great service we extend to our clients. We believe Lori’s appointment will help us reach new levels of success.”

Ms. Lewman has over six years of sales and sales management experience with the Cintas Corporation. Lori’s last assignment for Cintas was that of Sales Manager for The Northern Virginia Sales Team where she was directly responsible for eight sales representatives. During her time with Cintas, Lori won many awards and accolades including the Summit Award for exceeding all sales and management goals.

Lori is a graduate of the University of Miami and a Division I scholarship athlete who has a proven track record of success and will be a definite asset for Visual Data Systems and their clients. She will be based out of the Visual Data Systems corporate offices in Columbia, Maryland and can be reached via email at LoriL@VisualDataSystems.com or via phone at 410.964.8665, extension 211.

About Visual Data Systems

Visual Data Systems, based in Columbia, Maryland is a leading supplier of online marketing, technology and consultation. Founded in 1993 with extensive experience in the vacation rental industry, Visual Data Systems has clients throughout North and Central America and the Caribbean. Visual Data Systems supplies clients with design, online marketing services including online survey management, managed email solutions, search engine optimization tools, interaction with rental/property management software and business and technology consultation. For more information, please go to www.visualdatasystems.com or call 410-964-8665.

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Los Sueños, Costa Rica – April 2008 – Costa Rica Luxury Rentals, located on the Central Pacific coast of Costa Rica within the confines of the world renowned Los Sueños Resort and Marina has announced that it will play a prominent role in a two-part episode of Steve Gruber’s Wildlife that will spotlight the outstanding sport fishing opportunities that Costa Rica has to offer. Steve Gruber’s Wildlife is seen by over two million viewers weekly.

The television episodes will feature some of the best sport fishing in the world and of course show off the many other recreational amenities that Costa Rica Luxury Rentals has to offer its guests, such as

championship golf, world class beaches, an internationally renowned marina, casino, fine dining restaurants, shopping and much more. Mr. Gruber was so impressed with the facilities and accommodations that he is currently planning a second show in Los Sueños and stated, “Costa Rica Luxury Rentals is a first class operation and the first place I call before planning the trip of a lifetime!”
Marcela Laborde, President, of Costa Rica Luxury Rentals and Tours had this to say about the upcoming television episodes, “Costa Rica Luxury Rentals is very happy that after working closely with Wolf Creek Productions, the Outdoor Channel and Steve Gruber over the last several months, the viewing public will finally get to see some of the treasures that Costa Rica Luxury Rentals (
www.CRLuxury.com ) has to offer to vacationers and business travelers alike. This has been a total team effort and the positive media exposure will only serve to increase the opportunities for CR Luxury and our homeowners but for the whole vacation rental industry of Costa Rica. Our luxurious condominiums and villas are the perfect accommodations to base your next dream vacation or business conference. Cost Rica is served by major airline carriers and is only a short flight from many North American cities. We invite all interested parties to visit our website and discover what our area has to offer and of course we have real-time online booking as a convenience to our guests.”

The first episode will air the week of May 5th and be shown three times:
Monday, May 5th – 11:00 AM EST
Thursday, May 8th – 3:00 PM EST
Sunday, May 11th – 3:30 PM EST

The second episode will air the week of May 12th and also be shown three times:

Monday, May 12th – 11:00 AM EST
Thursday, May 15th – 3:00 PM EST
Sunday, May 18th – 3:30 PM EST

Please check with your cable or satellite provider for The Outdoor Channel.

About Costa Rica Luxury Rentals and Tours
Costa Rica Luxury Rentals and Tours (CR Luxury) offers an exclusive portfolio of privately owned vacation properties within the world-renowned Los Sueños Resort and Marina. Vacationers and business guests enjoy access to the resorts world-class amenities including a 200 slip international marina; championship golf; private beach club; casino; spa; meeting facilities; shopping and fine dining restaurants of the Los Sueños Ocean & Golf Resort, the Marina Village and the Los Sueños Beach Club. CR Luxury condominiums and villas offer the perfect base to explore the riches of Costa Rica’s Central Pacific Coast including national parks; sport fishing; canopy tours; river rafting; surfing and much more. Costa Rica Luxury Rentals is proud to partner with Visual Data Systems (

www.VisualDataSystems.com) for their online marketing needs.

For more information or to book online, please go to CRLuxury.com or call toll-free 866.525.2188.

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