Five Free Christmas Activities on Oahu

There are many budget-friendly timeshares available to rent on Oahu, the third largest, and the most populous, of the islands of Hawaii. Taking the family to Honolulu for a Hawaiian Christmas vacation is an easy decision to make when you see how much you can save by renting a timeshare.

Once you are settled into your Honolulu timeshare, you'll have time to seek out the many free things to do that bring the magical Christmas season to life, even on a tropical island. You'll find most of these Christmas festivities easily accessible in Honolulu and along Waikiki Beach.

  1. Honolulu City Lights. Honolulu celebrates Christmas all through December by lighting up the city from the financial district to downtown with dazzling Christmas light displays. While enjoying the city lights also stop in at the Honolulu Hale (City Hall) to view the spectacular Christmas trees and wreaths in the lobby.

  2. At the Ala Moana Center's Centerstage, you'll delight in afternoon performances by keiki (children) as they earnestly strum their ukuleles. Dressed in colorful aloha shirts and mumus, these little performers will put a smile on your face with their renditions of fun Christmas songs.

  3. The Iolani Palace is where you can watch "lovely Hula hands" as dancers perform beautiful Hawaiian dances to traditional Christmas music. Held by the gazebo on the lawn in front of the Palace, these free presentations are usually held every Friday afternoon during December.

  4. The Honolulu Boys Choir holds a concert of Christmas music on the Sunday before Christmas at the fourth floor Grand Lanai of the Embassy Suites-Waikiki Beach Walk. Free and open to the public as seating allows, the beautiful strains of holiday music will put you in a wonderful Christmas mood.

  5. The Kawaiahao Church in Honolulu holds Sunday services in the Hawaiian language. Made from hand-carried coral reef rocks, it took 1000 men to build this historic church in the mid 1800's. Sit in on a December service, enjoy the celebrations of the season in the melodic Hawaiian tongue, and discover the true essence of Hawaii.
And don't miss Santa's arrival on Waikiki Beach - in an out-rigger canoe! (The reindeer are enjoying their sun-splashed Hawaiian Christmas vacation too much to join him!)

For an Affordable Bahamas Vacation Rent a Timeshare

The Bahamas is perhaps the most famous Caribbean vacation destination, known all over the world. Renting a budget timeshare makes a family vacation here very affordable. No matter what island you visit or at what resort you stay, your timeshare rental will give you plenty of time to relax, unwind, and explore this amazing country. The water activities are unsurpassed, the activities on land are numerous and unique.

When you talk about vacationing in the Bahamas, you're biting off a pretty big chunk. This Caribbean archipelago is made up of 29 main islands, 661 cays (low-level sandy islands formed on the surface of coral reefs), and 2000 smaller islands spread out over 100,000 square miles of sparkling blue ocean, starting just 50 miles off the coast of Florida. It has the third largest barrier reef in the world, in what many consider the clearest water on the planet.

An English-speaking country, the Bahamas was a part of the British Empire until 1973 when it gained its independence. It is still a member of the British Commonwealth. Although the Bahamas is not technically located in the Caribbean, it is considered a Caribbean nation and is a member of the 15-nation CARICOM organization of Caribbean states.

Be sure to attend any of the festivals that are plentiful through-out the islands. Junkanoo, a street parade festival of music, dance and art, is held in many towns on both Boxing Day (the day after Christmas) and New Year's Day. Regatta festivals are held to celebrate special social events through-out the year, and often feature one or more days of sailing by old-fashioned family "work boats," along with on-shore entertainment including music and dancing, as well as mouth-watering local food. Speaking of which, also check out the frequent festivals celebrating local food such as the Pineapple Fest on Eleuthera and the Crab Fest on Andros.

See all Bahamas timeshare resorts.

(Photo from Bahamas.com)

Budget Travel to Orlando

Most families head to Orlando for the theme parks. There is every conceivable type of entertainment available in this Florida city. The Walt Disney Resorts include the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, and the Disney's Hollywood Studios. Universal Studios, Sea World, and even Gaterland also vie for your attention. All of this can create quite a headache when figuring out your travel budget.

What if there was an Orlando resort where the kids had so much fun they didn't even think of going to the expensive theme parks? A budget family winter vacation in sun-splashed Florida can be yours when you rent a timeshare at the Sheraton Vistana Resort.

The Sheraton Vistana Resort facility spreads out over an astounding 135 acres. The "Wow!" factor is definitely present! The lush tropical landscaping and numerous waterfalls, fountains, and even lakes (complete with paddling ducks) all make this a special world of its own. Just visiting all 7 outdoor swimming pools, 8 outdoor hot tubs, 3 video game rooms and 4 children's playgrounds, not to mention the 12 lighted tennis courts and numerous other activity areas including basketball courts, volleyball courts and an 18-hole miniature golf course - will keep you and the kids busy for the entire week!

If all of this wasn't enough, there are many unique activities as well. Attend an astronomy viewing class at night. Your teenaged daughter will enjoy the modern dance classes offered. And, to further save money, send your youngsters to the "Kid's Mall" - everything there is under $5.00!

Your timeshare villa will give you everything you need to have a real home-away-from-home experience. Each villa comes with a fully-equipped kitchen, its own washer and dryer, a Jacuzzi and a patio or balcony. Renting a timeshare is easy on the pennies, too - try a unit for just $139 that sleeps eight!

Here are a few testimonials from previous guests: "The staff was very friendly and we thoroughly enjoyed our time here." "Vistana is the Greatest!" "This resort is a real Gem!" See for yourself, and enjoy a true budget-friendly family vacation in Florida! See all Orlando timeshares.

Winter Timeshare Vacation in Maui

Winter in Hawaii is special and December on the island of Maui is like December no where else! It's easy to take the entire family for a special winter vacation by renting a timeshare, which can be as low as $71/night at the Kamaole Beach Club, or just $100/night at Marriott's Maui Ocean Club (see photo at right). Can you think of a more exciting Christmas present for the family?! And, perfect for the family looking for budget travel deals!

All during the month of December you'll find Christmas holiday activities and events on Maui. The first weekend in December ushers in the Christmas season with the "Holiday Lighting of the Banyan Tree" in Lahaina. This holiday celebration Hawaiian-style also includes the exciting World Culture Exchange Hula performances, as well as traditional Hawaiian music and an arts and crafts fair. The kids will delight in the children's holiday art activities and cookie decorating workshops held at the Old Lahaina Courthouse.

Tchaikovsky's beloved The Nutcracker is performed by Ballet Hawaii at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center in Kahului. Also during the December holidays at the Cultural Center is the Maui Film Festival "First Light" during which Award-worthy films of 2009 will be screened.

On December 19th, the 2009 Christmas program by the Maui Pops Orchestra will feature famed guitar virtuoso and singer Willie K. Conducted by Music Director James Durham, the orchestra will offer traditional Christmas music and Hawaiian favorites.

Just to remind you that you are, indeed, in Hawaii, be sure to attend the 11th annual "Billabong Pro Maui" where the world's top professional female surfers compete. Held during the month of December at Honolua Bay at the Kapalua Resort on Maui's northwest shore, on days when the surf is rolling its biggest, this very-Hawaiian event is open to the public at no charge.

Enjoy this wonderful budget Christmas family vacation in Hawaii - and Mele Kalikimaka! See all Maui timeshares.

Travel to the Treasure Coast of Florida

Looking for a new place to visit? Try the spectacular Treasure Coast of Florida - a place that the locals say is the "Real" Florida! It's located on the east coast of the state and stretches from Hobe Sound to Sebastian. The area is so named because of treasure-laden Spanish galleons that were ship-wrecked off the coast of Vero Beach, one of the several towns that make up the Treasure Coast area.

Rent a budget timeshare in Port St. Lucie, Vero Beach or Jenson Beach and have a fun family vacation exploring all of the activities the Treasure Coast has to offer. To start with, there are plenty of white sand beaches for relaxing, and a number of sheltered bays for great snorkeling. During June and July join eco-tours in Sebastian with the Inlet State Recreation Area for viewing of nesting loggerhead turtles.

For a different kind of excursion, cruise the Florida backwaters on the River Lilly out of both Port St. Lucie and Jenson Beach. On this tour you'll be able to see alligators in their natural habitat, view manatees and dolphins, and beautiful wild birds.

The town of Fort Pierce is home to the U.S. Navy SEAL Museum that chronicles the exciting history of the SEAL (Sea, Air and Land) branch of the US Navy. You'll also find plenty for the family to enjoy at Fort Pierce Inlet State Park, including surfing and scuba diving. Nearby Jack Island Preserve offers hiking, bicycling and nature trails.

Port St. Lucie is home to several sports-affiliated activities. The New York Mets have their spring training center at Port St. Lucie. The town is also home to the Treasure Coast Galleons, a semi-pro soccer team; the world-renowned Mixed Martial Arts School; and the popular PGA Village - a golf complex of 54 holes of golf, a training school and a golf history center.

Up and down Florida's Treasure Coast you'll find water parks, zoos, museums, go-carts, arcades, skating rinks, and so much more! Rent a timeshare and enjoy the hidden treasures of this special Florida vacation spot. See all Florida timeshares.

(Photo shown is the Driftwood Inn Resort, Vero Beach, Florida)

A World of Possibilities with Timeshare Exchange

There are many ways to enjoy owning a timeshare. Of course, knowing that every year you have your own place where you can spend your vacation at your favorite destination is one way. Another is to use the timeshare you own as the chance to vacation someplace completely different. You can do that through timeshare exchange.

A very simple procedure will expand your vacation choices. Points are assigned to the value of your timeshare, and to the timeshares of others who also want to exchange. Using those points, you "trade." If the timeshare you want to use is worth more points than yours, you just pay a certain established fee per extra point. If the timeshare is worth less points, you won't owe any extra point fees. Some companies allow you to keep the extra exchange points you don't use.

When you do a timeshare exchange, you'll be using a timeshare exchange company to assist in the legalities. That company will charge an "exchange fee" for administering the process. Some companies require a surcharge on international exchanges, while others charge a simple flat fee whether the exchange is domestic or international. Most companies also charge a nominal annual membership dues fee.

Do your research and find the best companies to work with. As a timeshare owner, you'll find the entire world open to you through the exciting timeshare exchange program.

Get Hooked on Timeshares

It’s not hard to get hooked on timeshares, especially for family travel. After years of traveling with our children - from our toddler to teenagers we finally discovered timeshare rentals and it saved our sanity, and our family vacations!

In the early days, renting a timeshare was not so easy because it was hard to find a listing in the area you wanted to vacation. I’m sure a lot of people may have been scared away from the process, even though the savings were great. But now that there are so many online resources for timeshare rentals, it’s just like booking a reservation at any other travel web site.

Timeshares are available all over the world and they are typically less than hotel rates, (sometimes even up to half the price!) and the best part is: with multiple bedrooms and separate living areas there's plenty of space in which the kids can sprawl out. The kitchens also help enormously in saving money on meals when trying to feed constantly hungry kids.

Timeshares are attached to resorts where you get to use the amenities, too. Generally included in the price are swimming pools, hot tubs, tennis courts, sometimes golf or snorkeling or wind-surfing. You can also find kiddie pools and children's playgrounds and often arcade game rooms. Downtown NYC and San Francisco are the only two places so far where we've rented timeshares that didn't come with resort amenities. But with the savings from hotel and restaurant costs and all of the activities these sparkling cities had to offer right out our front door - who needed a resort? Truly, once you've vacationed with your kids by renting a timeshare, you'll be hooked!

Good Travel Deals in Hawaii – Rent a Timeshare

Looking for good travel deals in Hawaii? We found this great deal at the Pono Kai Resort on Kauai where you can take your family on a vacation to Hawaii, spending only $68 night for accommodations. With timeshare rental, great deals are not too good to be true.

Spread out over 13 lush acres on Kauai's "Coconut Coast," the Pono Kai Resort's luxurious landscaping is loaded with fresh fruit papaya and banana trees and, of course, coconut palms. Staying here you'll enjoy timeshare units that are decorated in colorful tropical motifs of pineapples and flowers, and that include kitchenettes or full-sized kitchens, separate living areas, and lanais.

There is plenty to do for all ages of the family. Besides the pool and jacuzzi, activities at the resort include tennis, shuffleboard and a putting green. Nearby are all the favorite water sports found in Hawaii, including scuba diving, wind surfing and boating.

Pono Kai Resort is a kid-friendly place with child care available, as well as a game room, and activities for kids such as croquet and volleyball, and arts and craft classes (learn the hula dance or make a flower lei). Close by are two kid-safe beaches with life-guards on station.

Kauai is a kid-friendly island, too. Salt Pond Beach Park has a gentle lagoon perfect for toddlers to splash around in. Lydgate State Park has a great wooden play structure that keeps kids busy for hours. And youngsters will enjoy the fun hands-on Children’s Discovery Museum in Kapaa. You can take the children on any one of a number of easy hikes where they can look for the many fantastical species of wild tropical birds, climb around splashing waterfalls, and even spot fish in the ocean at the end of the pier at Hanalei Bay.

Renting a budget-friendly timeshare at Pono Kai Resort and vacationing in Hawaii will make family memories of the richest kind. See all Hawaii timeshare rentals.

Travel to Cancun – The Caribbean Jewel

Cancun is known as the "Caribbean Jewel" of Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula. A world-famous destination for honeymooners, and college students on spring break, the beaches, water parks and other amusements make Cancun a great place for a family vacation as well. Rent a timeshare and jump right into the joys of Cancun!

This famous tourist destination was entirely master planned, resulting from a 1967 study by Banco de Mexico to determine the feasibility of tourist development on the Yucatan Peninsula. Unbelievably, at that time the three caretakers of a coconut plantation on Isla Mujeres were the only residents of the area. A nearby fishing village and military base had a total of 117 people, the only other people living nearby.

Today 150 hotels, supported by over 350 restaurants and nightclubs, bring millions of tourists a year to the Cancun area. The island, shaped like a number "7," is where the hotels are located, and is connected to the main city of Cancun by causeways. Beaches on the short end of the "7" have offer gentle surf, while the long side of the "7" has rougher and more active waves.

The beautiful tropical beaches are what draw vacationers, but Cancun offers much more for a truly memorable vacation. The crystal clear waters are teaming with colorful fish and underwater wildlife - a haven for snorkeling and scuba-diving enthusiasts. Sportsfishing is available from small motorboats to large charter expeditions - great for bringing the catch home and frying it up in your timeshare rental kitchen!

For history buffs and admirers of ancient culture, touring the Mayan ruins is a must. The nearby towns of Tulum, Coba, and Chichen Itza offer unrivaled glimpses into what was once the magnificent Maya civilization. A ferry trip to the island of Cozumel will give you both the adventure of exploring Mayan ruins, and the thrill of experiencing some of the best snorkeling and scuba diving in the Caribbean. See all Cancun timeshares.

(Photo shown is The Royal Islander timeshare resort, Cancun)

Five Free Activities to do in Hawaii

You're a smart budget traveler. You've researched and found cheap airfares to get you and your family to Hawaii. You've wisely rented a Hawaii timeshare, which has saved you money over hotel accommodations, given you a kitchen to help further save money when feeding those constantly hungry kids, and you get to enjoy all of the resort's amenities to boot. Now, you wonder - how to really experience Hawaii without it costing an arm and a leg?

  1. Beach Fun
    Many of Hawaii's best beaches are practically empty during mid-day in the off season. Give the kids an exciting treasure hunt along the beach - who can find shells, scuttling crabs, even coconuts fallen overnight from the swaying palms. Or have a sand sculpture contest. Forget the sand castle - who can build a mermaid, or a pirate's chest, or a sailboat?


  2. Snorkeling
    Most of Hawaii's snorkeling bays are free. You don't need to pay a fee to be able to enjoy a spectacular underwater adventure! If you don't already have snorkel gear, you can get an inexpensive set from a local convenience store. The colorful fish, slippery eels and occasional fascinating octopus all await you.


  3. Hiking
    Miles of free hiking trails will take you across tropical rain forests, through towering stands of bamboo, and past splashing waterfalls. You can find easy beginner walks along the surf to advanced hikes across jagged cliff tops. Pick up trail information at visitor's centers, on the internet, and even at your own resort. Do your own research and you won't have to pay for a guided tour.


  4. Waterfalls
    All of the islands of Hawaii are blessed with abundant waterfalls - you can swim around them, walk behind them, slide down them, float in their sparkling swirls. A good guidebook will tell you exactly where to find the best waterfalls - many you can just pull off the road to see, and others will reward you at the end of a hike.


  5. Driving Tours
    Before your trip, so some research and learn where the special places are for viewing awesome vistas, and finding hidden treasures. For example, a drive across Oahu will take you past Dole pineapple fields - stop in for a free taste and a close up look at how pineapples grow. Driving around the Big Island you'll see everything from fresh lava flows to a working cattle ranch. The Hana Highway on Maui is the most popular for spectacular tropical beauty.

Rent a California Timeshare and Watch the Christmas Parades

The day after Thanksgiving officially opens the Christmas season, so it's not too early to start dreaming of those sugar plums and make plans to take the family to see Christmas parades. You'll find an exciting and unique selection in California. Rent a timeshare for a budget-friendly vacation and have a great kick-off for your family's holiday season!

Hollywood
The Hollywood Christmas Parade has been marching right through downtown Hollywood for years. This is one of the most anticipated holiday parades in California because of the many big-name celebrity participants. You never know which ones of your favorite stars will show up! This year's Grand Marshall is Susan Lucci. The 2009 parade will be held on Sunday, November 29th. For best viewing plan on purchasing grandstand seats (tickets are now on sale). Proceeds from this parade go to the Feed the Children charity organization.

Disneyland
Of course one of the most entertaining Christmas parades is the Christmas Fantasy Parade at Disneyland. Looking great in their finest holiday outfits, every one of your favorite Disney characters will help you get in the Christmas mood. Read Disney’s Winter Wonderland for more details on how to have a magical family vacation. See Anaheim timeshares.

Newport Beach
Just down the coast is the Newport Beach Boat Parade with hundreds of boats of all shapes and sizes decked out in dazzling Christmas lights. This parade actually began at the turn of the 20th century with 9 small water craft, and has grown into a world-renowned holiday event with over 1 million spectators. The boat parade is a 5-day event beginning the 3rd Wednesday in December. Learn more about staying at the Marriott Newport Coast Villas.

Santa Cruz
A fun variation on Christmas parade viewing is when the "parade" is stationary and the spectators move! Try it yourself by riding the Roaring Camp Railroads in northern California at Santa Cruz, just over an hour's drive from San Francisco where you can rent a timeshare. Travel on the "Holiday Tree Walk" train, an old-fashioned steam engine train that takes spectators past festively lighted Christmas trees atop Bear Mountain. The "Santa Cruz Holiday Lights" train carries you in vintage train cars adorned themselves with thousands of brightly lit Christmas lights. You'll roll past Santa Cruz houses bedecked in their holiday finest. On both train rides you'll sip hot cider and munch on delicious Christmas cookies while hobnobbing with Santa and Mrs. Claus. See San Francisco timeshares.

Branson, Missouri - A Top Family Travel Destination Year Round

Ever heard of Branson, Missouri? It's known as one of the top family destinations in the country. Staying in the area is budget-friendly when you can rent a timeshare at a great resort for as low as $75/night. Then you can head out and sample live musical shows in over 50 theaters! What a surprise tucked in the quiet Ozarks!

Nicely located in the central part of the United States, Branson is a vacation destination for all seasons. Recreational opportunities abound with the area's three lakes just minutes from downtown Branson, and include everything from scuba diving to fly fishing, from water-skiing to wakeboarding.

Fall
The Ozarks are spectacular in the fall with hills covered in crimson autumn colors. There are many popular ways for leaf-peepers to enjoy the scenery, including train and boat tours. If you want to do your own driving, the Branson visitor's center has drawn up several driving tours to help you find the best views.

Winter
The Christmas holiday season sparkles in Branson with the “Branson Area Festival of Lights Drive-Through”. For a full mile you'll drive past 175 dazzling holiday light displays that will tickle your Christmas fancy. Since 1948 the Adoration Parade has illuminated the "reason for the season" as it winds through Historic Downtown Branson.

In January attend the Annual Professional Ice Sculpting Competition and marvel as ice sculptors from all over the country transform 250-pound blocks of ice into astonishing creations. Or try your luck at the Masters Trout Championship held on Branson's Lake Taneycomo where anglers fly-fish for award winning rainbow and brown trout.

Spring
Plan a family spring-break trip to Branson when the hills are awash with brilliant spring colors. The blooming dogwood and wildflowers turn the Ozarks into an area of true enchantment. Train and boat and driving tours for viewing this spring beauty are available as they are in the fall.

Summer
Activities and fun explode at Branson during the summer, starting in June with the National Kids Fest and the banana split eating contests! Of course, the kids' favorite will be the thrill rides including the multi-looping "Wild Fire" and the corkscrews of "Thunderation."

Oh, and remember those fifty theaters? The dazzling "Strip" rivals Las Vegas but offers wholesome family entertainment. Here you'll see live performances by world famous entertainers. How about Dolly Parton and Andy Williams and the Osmonds and the Lennon Sisters and the Oak Ridge Boys? Or try the tribute shows: Jim Reeves, John Denver, Roy Rogers, and Red Skelton. See Branson timeshares.

(Photo shown is of the Branson Yacht Club)

Eat Your Way Through Disney Theme Parks

If your intention is to get really stuffed this Thanksgiving Day - and that's a laudable goal! - you can do it while also having a whole lot of fun by eating your way through the Walt Disney Theme Parks, one turkey drumstick at a time! Each area offers its own version of the traditional Thanksgiving turkey dinner. Here is a sample:

Magic Kingdom
Liberty Tree Tavern - you'll get an authentic New England inspired meal
Tony's Town Square - traditional Thanksgiving with savory Italian tossed in

Epcot
Akershus - everything from chestnut sage stuffing to pumpkin apple crème brulee
Le Cellier - try the herb-crusted roast turkey with mushroom and cornbread stuffing

Disney's Hollywood Studios
Hollywood Brown Derby - traditional Thanksgiving served Hollywood glamour style
50's Prime Time Café - roast turkey dinner is finished off with a spicy pumpkin tart

Disney's Animal Kingdom
Theme ParkTusker House - your turkey is sliced just the way you like it at the Carving Station
The Lodge Boma-Flavors of Africa - roast turkey smothered in a cranberry chutney flavored with special African spices

Disney's Boardwalk Resort
Flying Fish Café - roasted North Carolina Hills free range turkey
Spoodles - Thanksgiving Tradition with a Mediterranean influence

Disney's Yacht Club Resort
Captain's Grille - your traditional Thanksgiving meal begins with a serving of international and domestic cheeses and wild rice salad with apple cider vinaigrette

Disney's Contemporary Resort
Chef Mickey's - for starters, roasted pumpkin bisque with caramelized onions!

Disney's Polynesian Resort
Spirit of Aloha Dinner Show - traditional Thanksgiving meal served with a south-sea island flare includes roast turkey with pineapple coconut stuffing, and for dessert the Kilauea Pumpkin Volcano Delight!

Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort
Mickey's Thanksgiving at the Fort - here your traditional turkey feast is accompanied by a live country-western band and line dancing with your favorite Disney characters!

Rent a Disney timeshare so you'll have plenty of room in which to sprawl out and relax once your eating fest has ended and you can move on to the best Thanksgiving tradition of all - the nap! Bon appetite!

Have a Warm Thanksgiving Vacation on the Beach

There is absolutely no reason why you have to be bundled to the cold to enjoy your turkey! Rent a timeshare and soak up the sun on a sandy beach. For a great, and warm, family Thanksgiving vacation or a holiday getaway for you retirees - think sun at one of these beach locations!

Miami, Florida, provides several sunny beaches for autumn warmth and relaxation. Rent a Miami timeshare and explore the numerous beaches available right out your backdoor. On Thanksgiving morning be sure to attend the City of North Miami's Winternational Thanksgiving Day Parade, complete with marching bands, colorful floats and laughing clowns. For more ideas, read this article which talks about Miami sightseeing ideas.

San Diego, California, is the west coast's choice for a sun-kissed Fall beach vacation. You can rent a timeshare in San Diego right on the beach. From November 25 through November 29th is the world-renowned San Diego Thanksgiving Jazz Festival. Jazz bands come from all over the globe to what jazz affionados call "the crown jewel of jazz festivals." Enjoy a jumpin' jive turkey dinner to the beat of all kinds of jazz music from traditional jazz to Dixieland to swing styles!

Virginia Beach, Virginia - sun, sand, surf - it's all here. So are non-traditional Thanksgiving dinners such as crab cakes shaped like turkey drumsticks! Ever wonder what happens to retired balloons from the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade? You can see them all here at the Thanksgiving Day Beach Parade along Atlantic Avenue! Beginning November 20th you'll be able to enjoy the unique McDonald's Holiday Lights at the Beach along the beach and the boardwalk. You are invited to actually drive through the dazzling 30-block long light display out on the beach. See Virginia Beach timeshares.

South Padre Island, Texas, is a great place for a tropical Thanksgiving. Rent a South Padre Island timeshare at a luxury resort and invite the entire family to meet on the sun-splashed Gulf Coast. The timeshares' fully-equipped kitchens will allow you to cook your family's favorite traditional turkey dinner, and share it with family members around a diningroom table - or out on the patio or the lanai or the deck or the beach! For more ideas on what to do, see our previous article South Padre Island a Warm Winter Getaway.

Traditional Thanksgiving Travel Destinations

Although America's Thanksgiving is quite traditional, you'll find that "tradition" is celebrated in many different ways through-out our country. Here are a few travel destinations you may want to consider for your traditional Thanksgiving vacation.

Old Sturbridge Village, Massachusetts, is the largest outdoor museum in the northeast. Covering 200 acres this living museum revives life in New England from the 1790's to the 1830's. Rent a timeshare in Boston and just an hour's drive will deliver you to one of the most comprehensive Thanksgiving Day celebrations in the country. The Village re-creates an early 19th century traditional Thanksgiving meal prepared over a hearth. After dinner watch the men-folk enjoy a customary shooting match, and join the costumed Village members at an authentic service at the Center Meetinghouse to give thanks.

Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia, offers a full day of authentic Thanksgiving traditions. The day starts early in the morning when costumed bakers deliver baskets of special Thanksgiving baked goodies to the Raleigh Tavern on Duke of Gloucester Street. Later enjoy the lavish Thanksgiving feast at the King's Arms Tavern which includes wines from French vineyards favored by Thomas Jefferson. Rent a Williamsburg timeshare and you'll have the time to enjoy traditional Thanksgiving activities at nearby Jamestown and Yorktown as well.

Disney Theme Parks Thanksgiving Day celebrations are held both at Disneyland and Walt Disney World. Rent a timeshare in Anaheim or find an Orlando timeshare rental and see how Disney magic cooks up Thanksgiving. Disneyland offers the Disneyland Thanksgiving Day Feast, an all-you-can eat buffet with all of the traditional turkey dinner fixings. Held in the Grand Ballroom of the Disneyland Hotel it's attended, of course, by your favorite Disney characters.

At Walt Disney World many of the popular eating places scattered through-out the Resort will be offering traditional Thanksgiving Day fare. An example is the Liberty Tree Tavern that prepares a New England inspired Thanksgiving meal served family-style at the table. See Disney timeshare resorts.

Great Ideas for Thanksgiving Holiday Travel

Trying to come up with a great Thanksgiving holiday trip? Here are some ideas for a budget-friendly, family-friendly Thanksgiving vacation. Keep in mind that no matter what the destination, by renting a timeshare you have a homebase from which to explore the surrounding area, all of the amenities of a resort, a fully-equipped kitchen for cooking the important turkey dinner if you choose to "eat in," and all of that for a great low price. Can't beat it!

New York City is one of the most popular Thanksgiving destinations because of the world-famous Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade . You can rent an inexpensive timeshare at the Manhattan Club and still be in the heart of the city. See New York City timeshares.

Ski Colorado where Colorado's famed ski resorts will be up and running by Thanksgiving, thanks to good snowfall already this year. Rent a timeshare at resorts in Aspen, Copper Ridge, Vail or Breckenridge to name just a few, and enjoy early skiing with great conditions but without the bitter cold temperatures of winter. See Colorado timeshares.

The Outer Banks of North Carolina offer several choices for a warm Thanksgiving beach vacation. Rent a timeshare and explore interesting towns such as Nag's Head. At Nag's Head the entire family will enjoy Jockey's Ridge - the highest sand dune on the East Coast. Climb it, slide down it, or hang-glide off of it! See Outer Banks timeshares.

San Antonio, Texas, offers unprecedented beauty for Thanksgiving as fragrant flowers bloom in a colorful array along the famed Riverwalk. At the Wyndham Riverside Suites, in the heart of the Riverwalk, your timeshare will put you in the middle of the many activities San Antonio has to offer, including boat rides along the San Antonio River, a visit to the Alamo, and theme parks such as Six Flags Fiesta Texas. Be sure not to miss the dazzling Holiday River Parade and Lighting Ceremony held the day after Thanksgiving. See San Antonio timeshares.

Plymouth, Massachusetts, is of course the quintessential destination for a Thanksgiving vacation. Rent a timeshare a half-hour away on beautiful Cape Cod, or just an hour's drive in historic Boston, and re-live the beginnings of colonial America with the Pilgrims. Be sure to make reservations to attend the authentic Thanksgiving Feast held at near-by Plimouth Plantation. Learn more about Thanksgiving in Plymouth. See Massachusetts timeshares.

Wherever your Thanksgiving vacation plans take you, it's a special time for family bonding, and your rented timeshare will give you all of the comforts of home for a memorable holiday time together.

Spend Christmas Where the Surf's Up in Australia

Thinking about a Christmas vacation? Think out of the box. Spend Christmas where the roses are blooming and the surf's up. Head to Queensland, Australia!

Queensland is one of Australia's six states and takes up a large chunk of the Australian continent on the northeast corner. Its long shoreline borders both the Coral Sea and the Pacific Ocean. For a full vacation Queensland has it all, from golden beaches to the Outback, from the Great Barrier Reef to tropical rain forests. Use your budget timeshare as home base, and start exploring!

Rent a timeshare at the Surfers Royale resort sits right on the beach on the Gold Coast in Surfers Paradise. Does that give you a hint as to what you might want to do first? Up and down the Gold Coast are some of the best surfing beaches in the world and often you can spot world-class surfers practicing their "cutback on the curl." Each year the Quiksilver Pro at Coolangatta is held as one leg of the ASP World tour of Surfing.

You can also treat yourself to sailing, boating, parasailing and fishing. Not to mention just relaxing on the beach enveloped in warm sun, the smell of salt air, and the sound of crashing waves on the shore.

The famed Australian Outback is right at your back door. The wild beauty of this stunning wilderness is like nowhere else on earth. You'll be able to get a taste of the Outback on a day road trip from your timeshare.

For exciting nightlife, alfresco river-front dining, and cosmopolitan shopping visit Brisbane, just an hour from your timeshare. Brisbane, Queensland's capital, is Australia's third largest and fastest growing city. Or head to the glamour of Gold Coast City, Australia's "Hollywood." Here 75% of Australia's films are made at the many movie studios and sound stages. The latest in the Chronicles of Narnia series is currently being filmed at the Warner Bros. Studio.

Also at Gold Coast City the entire family will "have a blast" at Dreamworld, Australia's largest theme park. Besides thrilling rides for teens and adults, Dreamworld also offers Nick Central, a Nickelodeon-sponsored kid's area, and Wiggles World for toddlers and infants. Or keep your feet on the ground and explore Tiger Island, The Australian Wildlife Experience, and Gold Rush Country. Since Christmas is in the middle of summer in Australia, you can cool off on a hot day at Dremworld's new waterpark, White Water World.

Happy Christmas! And remember - there's always shrimp on the barbee and learning to talk like a fair dinkim Aussie! See all Australia timeshare resorts.