The definition of "vacation home" is a broad one, says Rick Fisher, president of Vacation Home Expo, which takes place April 12-13 at the Cobb Galleria Centre. It can be a beach house, mountain cabin, condo or Tuscan villa. Vacation rental homes are generally found wherever you find resort hotels.

For example, there are about 20,000 rental vacation homes in the Walt Disney World area, says Steve Trover, head of All Star Vacation Homes and an expo seminar panelist.

An increasingly robust World Wide Web — capable of delivering photographs, floor plans and video tours — makes it easier for would-be renters to search for a vacation home.

"Historically, it has been relatively difficult," Trover says, adding that research was generally limited to a catalog printed by a real estate management company.

Now vacation home management companies provide details and photos of their listings. Travel Web sites such as Expedia.com and TripAdvisor.com have visitor reviews of some rental properties. A relatively new Web site — Flipkey.com — focuses on vacation home rentals and includes reviews submitted by guests.

IF YOU GO

Vacation Home Expo:A look at what the vacation home rental industry has to offer. In addition to booths manned by rental management companies, there are seminars scheduled throughout the day.

Where: Cobb Galleria Centre, Two Galleria Parkway, Atlanta

When: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. April 12; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. April 13

Admission: Adults, $10, discounted tickets available online at www.vacationhomeexpo.com