The TRAVELER'S JOURNAL: March twenty-eighth, with a short seminar on renting summer homes.

For many travelers, especially small groups or families with children, renting a house, cottage or condo somewhere special is a great alternative to spending a week or two in a hotel. Good rentals offer many benefits and are available most places, here and abroad.

Unfortunately, few elements in travel are as unpredictable, or as irreversible, as renting a place sight unseen. If you arrive to discover the reality doesn't match your expectations, not much can be done. Repairs may take a long time, and finding another place to rent at the last minute probably won't be an option. Landing a suitable vacation rental takes both luck and skill. Here are tips on the latter.

Six months or a year ahead isn't too early to start planning. Once your destination is determined, get listings from rental agencies, whether local, regional or international. They'll provide details and expedite the process, for a fee. Tourist offices can suggest suitable brokers, as can friends and on-line searches. Private home owners often run ads in Sunday newspaper travel sections, or publications like the New York Review of Books or college alumni magazines.

Photos and catalogue descriptions seldom convey a complete story, so ask for a floor plan with dimensions before making a decision. Ditto for details on items like bathrooms, bedrooms and swimming pools. Ask about deposits and what's included in the price. Taxes, utilities, cleaning and telephone are usually extra. The best way to avoid surprises is to make an advance planning trip to check out the possibilities personally.

FMI A company called Interhome has a directory of 19,000 rentals throughout Europe, 800-882-6864 or www.interhome.com