During the summer months, it's always nice to be able to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city for a little R and R – whether for a few weeks or only a weekend – which is why the idea of owning a vacation property is so appealing to many Calgarians.

Thankfully, there are no shortage of options here in the province for vacationers of all stripes.

The booming U.S. Sun Belt, a drooping Canadian dollar, and a new speculation tax applied to popular B.C. vacation areas could all benefit Alberta's recreational property market this year.

When the Alberta economy was firing on all cylinders, Albertans were known throughout the country as the one demographic that was sustaining the recreational residential property market in Canada.

Owners and experts explore the ins and outs of operating a vacation rental property

The Gierke family has seen just about everything while renting out their Sylvan Lake vacation home over the past 20 years.

They've housed families, business people and youthful tenants who turned their 840 square foot cottage into a party house.