However, I don't find the long vacancy particularly enjoyable, and I'm hoping to gain some insight and grow from the experience.Has anyone else experienced this, and what did you do to avoid it?

Both @Nathan Gesner and @Lauren Stark have provided valuable insights on this.One potential path for you is to join an established team to gain experience.

Since this would be my first long term rental property do you recommend starting with a property manager from the beginning or managing the property myself.I understand that there are pros and cons to all of these scenarios, I'm just looking for various insights.

Leverage your existing equity to invest in smaller properties, such as a mixed-use or retail space, to gain experience and cash flow.

My main question is whether it makes more sense to go the seller financing route and pay off the principal in 8–10 years or stick with a standard 30-year loan.My thinking is that the tax deductions from a mortgage wouldn’t outweigh the potential equity I could gain over those 8–10 years.

@Dylan Jeluso see if you can join a team in your real estate office to gain experience.

I'm eager to learn from experienced investors and gain valuable insights into the world of STRs.

Managing a property hours away can be challenging if any issues arise, but having a third-party property management company could help handle those situations and make things more manageable.I think you are in the right place to gain some insight on what would make you successful. 

US, UK, Australia and other parts of the world are more for "traditional" investing in real estate for capital gain.

There should be some financial advisors or real estate attorneys on here around your area who specializes in hospitality ventures and might provide valuable insights tailored to your situation.