An article in this weekend’s New York Times summed up in a single headline what many of us believe: “Sure it’s frustrating and expensive, but travelers just have to travel.”

It’s really not an option for many of us. We travel to see new places. We travel to experience new lands and cultures. We travel to see friends and family. For many Americans (just as it is for many Europeans), travel is part of who we are, and we won’t give it up easily.

According to the NYT, “Despite the many flight cancellations in recent days, the slowing economy, rising gas prices and the weak dollar, Americans appear to be sticking to their summer vacation plans… The only change from last summer is the new emphasis on finding ways to cut costs.”

The article cites a Smith Travel Research report which says hotel room rates in the United States increased 5 percent in the first quarter of this year. Since hotels don’t appear to be accommodating our wallets, one way for us to reduce our lodging costs is a vacation rental home.

The selection of vacation rentals around the U.S. and the world is plentiful, and not only is it more affordable for a weekend or longer stays, but it’s more spacious and way more fun for families and groups of friends traveling together.

Travel on.