Timeshare Information

"How to Rest on Your Vacation." That seems a no-brainer. Except that in this day and age half of you find it hard to "turn off," and instead turn your vacation into a mini work week. The other half of you come back from vacation bushed and exhausted from trying to cram too much into your few precious vacation days. Dr. Matthew Edlund, author of "The Power of Rest," offers these 6 great tips on how to turn your timeshare vacation into the rejuvenating, relaxing, and pleasurable experience it was meant to be.

1. Get enough sleep. Most Americans are sleep deprived, so your vacation is a good time to work off some of your "sleep debt."


2. Spend time enjoying food. Food, Dr. Edlund points out, is more than fuel - it's also love, pleasure and celebration. On your vacation try dining rather than feeding by enjoying food socially. And a timeshare advantage: Being able to cook in your timeshare kitchen will eliminate the hectic rushing to get out and get fed.


3. Get outside. Dr. Edlund states that studies prove that moving in nature, especially when surrounded by greenery and water, markedly and quickly improves mood. Even if you are in the most urban of environments, get to a park or waterside if you can. "Nature is high, wide, vast, and deep, and moments spent in nature can make us feel better physically, mentally, and spiritually," declares Dr. Edlund.


4. Emphasize experiences. "You don't want to treat a vacation like it's a job, where you manage to run through 17 palaces, 24 museums and 11 amusement parks in 8 days," says Dr. Edlund. "Take time to look and see the unexpected. Let serendipity take its eventful course. The great fun of travel is to experience the new."


5. Figure out your desired level of adventure and go for it, but don't forget that rest is a critical part of a healthy lifestyle, so be sure to schedule down time. "Rest renews, rebuilds, and rewires our brains and bodies," points out Dr. Edlund, "which can make us look better, feel younger, and be healthier."


6. "And please," pleads Dr. Edlund, "turn off the cell phones, forget the emails, hide your blackberry, and only use your iPad for directions on how to find the closest park."

Daytona Beach, Florida, is a unique beach vacation destination with much to offer travelers. The sand, wonderfully powdery-soft to the touch, packs hard enough to allow motorized vehicles to safely traverse along the beach in specified areas. The area of Daytona Beach stretches for 23 miles, 11 of which are drivable by car. To most beach-goers being able to drive a car along a beach, windows down, smelling the salt air, is a rare experience.

This wide beach of hard-packed sand is what created the motor sports capital of Daytona Beach. The first motorized vehicles drove along the beach in 1902 when engineers of the new fangled automobile used the area to safely test their inventions. The Daytona Beach Road Course was created in 1936 for the first stock car races. Races continued to be held on the beach until 1959 when NASCAR was created and the Daytona International Speedway was built.

Today racing draws millions of people to Daytona Beach. The Daytona International Speedway seats 168,000 spectators, and hosts races all year long with just about every motorized vehicle you can imagine, from go-carts and modified pick-up trucks to the greatest NASCAR race, the world-famous Daytona 500.

For hands-on fun, racing enthusiasts flock to the "Daytona 500 Experience." Here you can test your racing skills in a stock car motion simulator. Riding the Speedway Tram Tour gives you first-hand experience of what racing along a 31-degree banked turn is like. The 3-D Imax Experience puts you in the driver's seat in another highly realistic racing encounter.

Of course, the beautiful Daytona Beach area has much more to offer. Take a break from motor sports and jump into water sports. There are a number of great surfing beaches, and surf lessons are available. Rent kayaks or jet skis, experience the thrill of parasailing, or join a charter boat for deep sea fishing. Enjoy a relaxing pontoon ride across Mosquito Lagoon where you'll see playful dolphins and manatees. Take a river cruise up the shallow backwater of the St. Johns River and learn about such native wildlife as turtles and alligators.

The Ponce Inlet Lighthouse is a must-see. This historic structure rises 175 feet in the air, the second tallest lighthouse in the country, and can be seen as far as19 miles out at sea. And treat yourself to the enchanting experience of a Daytona hot-air balloon ride at sunrise.

Rent a timeshare at one of the many beautiful resorts and discover how truly unique the Daytona Beach experience is for a fabulous family vacation. See Daytona Beach timeshare resorts.

(Photo shown is Wyndham Ocean Walk, Daytona Beach, Florida)

One of the most popular vacation spots in the country is Cape Cod, Massachusetts. It's like the songs says:

“If you're fond of sand dunes and salty air
Quaint little villages here and there
You're sure to fall in love with Old Cape Cod.”

Most people think of Cape Cod as the quintessential sun-splashed summer getaway. But how about in the autumn? Now is the time to enjoy this area, when the summer crowds have gone and it's just you among the sea grass and the dunes! October temperatures are still in the 60s during the day, but can get chilly at night - just make sure you have a good jacket with you. The temperate climate actually makes November quite moderate. You may not want to actually bask at the beach, but you'll still enjoy a good stroll along the shore.

Rent a timeshare and immerse yourself in the wild beauty of this unique “hook” of land. For the nature lover and the outdoor fan there are many ways of enjoying the peninsula.

Cape Cod National Seashore covers over 43,000 acres and is run by the National Park Service. Here you can enjoy six beaches, nature trails, and freshwater ponds, as well as historic lighthouses.

Provincetown is called the "Capital" of Cape Cod and is where the Pilgrims actually made their 1620 New World landing on the Mayflower. The historic Mayflower Compact, which developed their unique self-governing community, was signed here and put into effect when the Pilgrims settled across the bay in Plymouth.

Rent bicycles at Arnold's in Provincetown and ride the Provincetown Bike Trails. There are numerous well-marked entrances to these well-maintained trails which twist and curve across the windswept sand dunes and through surprising areas of dense woods.

The Cape Cod Museum of Natural History in Brewster sponsors the Family Field Walk year round. Guided by a trained naturalist, your family will enjoy an easy walk along the John Wing Trail, while learning about salt marshes, the Cape's oak and pine forests, and beach habitats. In the village of South Wellfleet, The Wellfleet Wildlife Sanctuary also offers miles of beautiful walking trails.

Back at your timeshare enjoy having a kitchen and cook up a big pot of lobster stew - the delicious smells mingled with the salt air will create a memory that will always take you back to the days you spent on Cape Cod. See Cape Cod timeshares.

(Photo provided by capecodchamber.org)

There are so many things that are iconic to San Francisco, California, that a vacation to the world-famous City by the Bay absolutely requires the visitor to experience every one of them!

The first thing you notice is that San Francisco is very hilly! The city is well known for its famous hills, there are over 50 within the city limits. Also, many neighborhoods are named after the hill on which they are located. Russian Hill, for example, has Lombard Street - billed as "the crookedest street in the world."

Located on Nob Hill is the Cable Car Museum where you can see historic cable cars, and learn about the inventor and the technologies that support this unique public transportation system. First opened to the public in 1873, the cable mechanism for moving the cars remains very much the same today. Riding a cable car up and down steep hills to the joyous tune of clanging bells is a must for every San Francisco visitor!

For a rather gruesome but fascinating tour escape from the city and take the boat over to Alcatraz Island. A federal prison from 1934 until it closed 29 years later, Alcatraz housed such notable prisoners as Al Capone and Machine Gun Kelly. Its isolated location out in San Francisco Bay, plus the bay's cold waters and treacherous currents, all worked to prevent any successful escapes from this famous prison.

The Golden Gate Bridge is perhaps San Francisco's most famous landmark. You can rent a sailboat and float directly under the bridge, or drive over the bridge to a look-out point in Marin County. Let the family actually walk across the bridge and enjoy an unprecedented view of the water, the city, and the remarkable bridge itself.

If you’re on a budget, try timeshare rental. You can find them right in the center of the city. Most rentals are for 1 week, which is a good thing because there's still plenty more to do: indulge your chocolate cravings at Ghirardelli Square; walk through the Dragon Gate and enter the world of Chinatown; view the many little fishing boats while you feast on steamed crabs at Fisherman's Wharf; visit Golden Gate Park with its museums, gardens, lake - and even a bison herd!

A San Francisco family vacation will give everyone enough memories to last until the next time you visit the City by the Bay! See all San Francisco timeshares.

Jamaica is a wonderful vacation destination. A beautiful, big island in the Caribbean, (140 miles long in fact), with stunning white sandy beaches and azure seas. Sounds like paradise. Deliciously exotic with a kind of down to earth practicality thrown in. Here’s just a taste of all there is to do for the vacation traveler.

Kingston
Kingston is the capital of Jamaica, on the southern edge of the island. You can visit the museum of the famous reggae singer Bob Marley while in Kingston.

Port Royal
Port Royal is the famous hang-out for all of those dastardly pirates a few centuries ago. It was founded by the British, who began fortifying the settlement next to the deep harbor that now holds as many as 500 ships.

Montego Bay
On the NW coast of Jamaica, Montego Bay is “where the parties never stop” according to the Jamaican Tourist Board. But, there are also wonderful sites to see like: Dunn's River Falls, 600-foot waterfall. A very striking site, with the mountains surrounding it. Or, swim with the dolphins at Dolphin Cove. You can even sail through the air above the canopy of the rainforest on a “canopy tour”. Visitors are provided with a helmet and a harness, then you are attached to ropes rigged between platforms and you whiz through the sky across the tops of the trees and ferns! Can anything get more fun that that?

Meet the People
Here’s something very unique you might enjoy. The Jamaican Tourist Board has sponsored a program called “Meet the People”. Sign up, and you get to spend some time with a “host” family sharing a meal in their home, attending church with them, or enjoying a picnic on the beach. This is a great way to get to know the real Jamaica!

And, if you’ve been there before and are ready to own a vacation spot of your own, check out this timeshare resale at Sandals Grande Ocho Rios Beach & Villa Resort and enjoy 5 star service all the way. (see photo of the resort above)

As reported on Forbes.com, if this economy has you feeling stressed, financially strained or in need of a break, it’s not that you just want a vacation, you really need one! Giving your mind a body a time to rest and re-charge does wonders not only for your physical well being, it also helps you perform daily routines and jobs better once you return.

Patricia Gerbarg, M.D. and assistant clinical professor of psychiatry at New York Medical College says, "Vacations are important. People are constantly surrounded by demands, constantly adding stress, so our stress response is overactive." Gerbarg, who also co-authored the book "How to Use Herbs, Nutrients and Yoga in Mental Health Care", is referring to the balance in our body between the sympathetic part of the nervous systems, which give us those fight-or-flight responses and keep us alert, and the parasympathetic, which allow us to rest. By changing your environment or routine, the latter can be restored.

Unfortunately Expedia reports that about one-third of employed adults (34 percent) usually do not take all of the vacation days they receive each year. And, interestingly, another statistic shows that 34 percent of adults who do take a vacation claim they feel better about their job and are more productive when they return.

So, how can you make sure a vacation is part of your future? You don’t have to plan something elaborate to get the rest and relaxation you need. Think about a vacation in your own town, or a destination that’s just a few hour drive so you are out of your normal routine, but, not paying too much for gas to get there. Maybe you have some previous frequent flyer miles built up for a longer distance adventure? In this economy, it pays to be creative. It’s doesn’t have to be the vacation of your dreams to be relaxing and restorative. The most important thing is that it reduces your stress, not adds to it.

And, for those who are budget conscious, and who isn’t these days, take a look at timeshare rentals. Renting directly from a timeshare owner can really save you money when you travel, and with resorts available worldwide, you’re sure to find just what you are looking for. With your health and well being as stake, you can’t afford not to take a vacation.

Its vacation time and you’re about to undertake your planning process in the usual way. Pick a destination. Find a hotel. Book airfare. Done. But, did you know that your favorite hotel chain may also have timeshare rooms available? And, what’s different about these rooms is the extra space and amenities you get, at a rate that is probably half of what you typically pay for a standard hotel room. Why is this? Hotel resorts created timeshare rooms and vacation clubs for timeshare owners who want to stay in home-like accommodations with family amenities. These rooms can be located right in the hotel, or at a separate resort right next to the hotel and are available for rent by the public from the timeshare owners themselves. In doing this, you’ll save a lot of money on your next vacation, which is a big plus, and on top of that you’ll have great comforts of home with extra space, kitchens and washer/dryers too.

Let’s take a look at just some of the hotels that offer timeshare resorts. You’re sure to see some you recognize and most likely have stayed there before:

• Marriott
  Marriott, a world-renowned hotelier, began offering timeshares in 1984 through their division called the Marriott Vacation Club International. They have developed exquisite timeshare properties in the most sought-after destinations around the world. The resorts are considerably large, providing guests with all the amenities of home - including one to three bedrooms, living and dining areas, master bedroom and bathroom, full kitchen, laundry facilities in the unit, and often private balconies. See all Marriott Timeshare Resorts.


• Hilton
  Hilton Hotels Corporation develops and operates timeshare resorts through the Hilton Grand Vacations Club. HGVClub offers their owners expanded exchange and travel benefits on a points-based system called ClubPoints. These points allow them to stay at a variety of participating Hilton HHonors hotels around the globe and enjoy other travel-related bonuses like discounts on cruises and airfare. See all Hilton Grand Vacations Club Timeshare Resorts.


• Hyatt
  The Hyatt Hotel offers timeshare properties under the Hyatt Vacation Club. Their resorts are known for having high-quality amenities in their locations throughout the United States and Puerto Rico. The HVC gives their timeshare owners access to their collection of luxurious, boutique, timeshare resorts and hotel properties through a points-based program. See all Hyatt Vacation Club Timeshare Resorts.


• Wyndham
  Wyndham Vacation Ownership, formerly Fairfield Resorts, is the world's largest vacation ownership business with a approximately 140 resorts to choose from throughout North America, the Caribbean and the South Pacific. You'll find Wyndham Vacation Resorts in America's most scenic and popular destinations. Every unit is fully furnished, and many feature special amenities such as washers and dryers, private whirlpool spas, fireplaces and VCRs. See all Wyndham Vacation Ownership Timeshare Resorts.

Want to know if one of your favorite resorts offers timeshares? See this website for a directory of Timeshare Companies. Now that you know timeshare rentals are possible at your favorite resort, consider renting a timeshare for your next vacation. You’ll save money and love the home-like accommodations that are perfectly suited to family travel.

In general, when you are looking to rent a timeshare, you’ll notice there are two different types of weeks: fixed and floating. With a fixed week, the owner will have the same week each year (i.e. week 52 or week 35). Alternatively, the owner of a floating week can choose any week they want, within a given season, and dependent upon availability at the resort.

When planning your vacation and searching for timeshare rentals online, you can tell if a week is fixed or floating by the availability dates listed. Fixed weeks will have a specific seven-day period shown, such as Dec. 21, 2009 - Dec. 28, 2009. Floating weeks display a much longer timeframe of availability, such as Sep 25, 2009 - Dec 31, 2010.

When renting a floating week, you’ll want to be sure to contact the owner and ask them to check with the resort to determine if there are any date restrictions (i.e. holidays). Also, keep in mind that just because the week you want is listed on the site, it does not necessarily mean that the unit is available at that time. This is because the resort is also taking requests from other floating week timeshare owners. You must have the owner contact the resort to verify that your preferred week is still available. Weeks fill up early, so it is best to plan your vacation and attempt to book floating weeks as far in advance as possible.

When you think about sun, sand and relaxation, a vacation in Mexico definitely comes to mind. And, if you are travelling with family, a Mexico timeshare rental is what you should be looking at. In case you didn’t know it, renting a timeshare from an owner can save you money on your vacation, up to half as much as you’d pay on a travel website. And timeshare units are much more spacious. Here are some of our favorite resorts, in the top three cities in Mexico, that are sure to provide a wonderful travel experience for you and your family.


Acapulco
The Grand Mayan Acapulco hotel is located in the exclusive Acapulco Diamante Zone, which features beautiful gardens, a lake, and the majestic "Mayan Temple." Swim in the largest swimming pool in the world, or play tennis on one of 12 different courts. This hotel also features a spectacular 18-hole par-72 golf course, restaurants, and all the amenities you need to enjoy your best vacation. See Acapulco timeshares.


Mazatlan
Pueblo Bonito Resort in Mazatlan, is nestled on a natural bay of the Pacific Ocean and a scenic peninsula. The interior of the rooms is decorated with a casual, elegant Mediterranean style. When visiting Mazatlan, you’ll enjoy a wide variety of outdoor tours, activities, and shopping. Because this resort is right on the beach, they offer all kinds of water sports as well. Two huge courtyards surround free-form swimming pools, and when dining, you won’t want to miss trying the local seafood fare. See Mazatlan timeshares.


Puerto Vallarta
Club Regina Puerto Vallarta at Westin sits in a charming old city that is rich with history. Overlooking the Bahia de Banderas, Puerto Vallarta, once a quaint fishing village, is now one of Mexico’s most enticing and vibrant seaside resort towns. Enjoy the beauty of the coconut palms, take advantage of the daily planned activities and enjoy the tranquil pools. For more attractions, the resort is just 15 minutes from downtown. See Puerto Vallarta timeshares.

Why should you visit Myrtle Beach, South Carolina for a great vacation? Because you’ll find endless entertainment and attractions, both on and off the beach. Yahoo! Travel voted it one of the top 10 places for families to visit in the U.S. Naturally, the fun in Myrtle Beach starts on the beach, which is the area's most popular attraction. There are sixty miles of sandy beaches that provide endless things to do such as: Jet Skiing, Banana Boat Rides, Parasailing, Kayaking, Dolphin Watching Tours, Sailboat Tours and Rentals, Scuba Diving, Surfing, Sunset Cruises, as well as Ocean and Bay Fishing.

But there's also a wide range of other activities awaiting you. The kids will love the miniature golf courses, or you can head out to one of 100 scenic and unique golf courses to play 18 holes. For amusement parks and attractions, try: Family Kingdom’s seaside amusement park where you pay per ride, Ripley’s Aquarium, Pavilion Nostalgia Park and Myrtle Waves Water Park, to name a few.

Myrtle Beach is also home to a number of award winning annual festivals such as the Canadian-American Days Festival, the Sun Fun Festival which kicks off summer, the Beach Boogie & BBQ Festival, the Grand Strand Fishing Rodeo which runs from April to October, and the Christmas Towne holiday festival. All of these Myrtle Beach festivals are free to visitors.

So, now you know why you should travel to Myrtle Beach, but where should you stay? Try renting a Myrtle Beach timeshare for a spacious room with all the comforts of home. Here’s a few suggestions:


Marriott Oceanwatch Villas
When you arrive at the Marriott’s Oceanwatch Villas, you’ll be in awe of the majestic oaks lined up along a canopied walkway at the entrance. This property, located in the exclusive Grande Dunes master-planned community, is unlike any resort you have ever been to before. Set amid stately southern homes, it promises to be the finest luxury vacation you and your family will ever experience. Enjoy all the activities that water and land have to offer at this beautiful resort which combines the feel of a southern mansion with a Mediterranean-style villa.


Wyndham Ocean Boulevard
In North Myrtle Beach, the Wyndham Ocean Boulevard timeshare is the perfect choice for a vacation rental any time of the year. You’ll love to have the whole family pedaling up and down the beach on bikes, stopping for ice cream cones and yummy boardwalk burgers. Pick up shells and sharks teeth on the beach and enjoy a beautiful sun rise over the Atlantic. The resort is fully furnished, and many feature amenities such as washer/dryer, private whirlpool spas, fireplaces, and VCRs.

Like the tide of the Atlantic ocean, you’ll find yourself drawn back to the shores of Myrtle Beach, again and again, bringing new expectations and welcoming new memories each time. Visit the Official Myrtle Beach web site for more things to do and places to see.

Summer is here and many people are getting ready to pack their bags and go out of town on vacation. It’s always fun to plan for and go on a trip, but, many worry about leaving their homes unoccupied. One item on your preparation checklist should be to call, visit or go online to your local Police Department to sign up for their free "Vacation Watch" program. Many don’t realize that their police department may offer this free service.

When you sign up for this program, a police officer will check the exterior of your residence daily during the dates you specify when you are out of town. If any sign of forced entry or unexpected change (such as storm damage to your property) occurs, the police officer will refer the information provided on the form you filled out, and notify the emergency contacts you provided.

Chief Dwight Ingle, of the Clarksville Indiana Police Department, said that his department offers this free service. Police officers will drive by and check a house between one and three times a day while a family is out of town. “It makes people feel a lot more comfortable,” Ingle said. “It’s a good service for people.”

Extra police presence in neighborhoods can assist in deterring burglaries, but the biggest benefit of the Vacation Watch service is that people can be notified quickly if there is a problem. They also recommend that mail and newspaper delivery is stopped while you are on vacation and that you remember to leave key with one of your specified emergency contacts.

To see if your police department offers a service like this, give them a call, or do a search online for “vacation watch” or “police department vacation house checks”. Many of the police departments who do offer this service have a form you can fill out online, or you can stop by their office to fill out and submit your form. You must also notify them if you come back early for any reason. So, rest assured, relax and have a wonderful vacation.

If you're looking for a vacation destination that has it all, then plan a trip to Lake Tahoe. Straddling the states of Nevada and California, this popular destination offers amazing views from pristine mountain tops, world-class skiing and of course, the largest alpine lake in North America.

As you’ll learn from the Official Lake Tahoe Visitors Bureau web site, Lake Tahoe is “a gorgeous result of cataclysmic volcanic and glacial master planning. Lake Tahoe’s North Shore, in particular, is a stunning 180 degree panorama that vividly narrates the impact of that ancient earth shaping. With an average annual snowfall of over 400 inches, 12 world class alpine ski resorts, and the largest concentration of ski resorts in the country, Lake Tahoe winters are the whitest and brightest in North America.”

In addition to winter skiing, throughout the year, you’ll find all kinds of music, art, culinary and athletic events that draw visitors from across the globe: hiking, sailing, canoeing, swimming, water skiing, fishing, camping, golf, tennis, mountain biking, shopping, dining and more. You can also ride a: gondola, speed boat, paddle wheeler, or a hot air balloon. There’s always something to do in Lake Tahoe.

Lake Tahoe Timeshare resorts are available in the North on the California or Nevada side, and in the South as well. Wherever you stay, you are no more than an hour away from any of the 23,000 acres of ski terrain, or the incredibly beautiful Lake.

(Photo from gotahoenorth.com.)

It’s that time again. Vacation time!! The weather is getting warmer, those tropical destinations are calling you. Fun and relaxation await, but, this year you might be finding that you travel budget is reduced. What’s a traveler to do when looking for discounts and deals on accommodations? Timeshare rental is the answer, because it can save you hundreds of dollars over the publicly quoted prices on travel web sites, like Travelocity and Expedia.

Don’t believe it? Just try this exercise for yourself to see how the savings stack up. Search for a timeshare rental online and then go to a travel web site for the same dates and resort and continue through the process (as if you plan to book), so, you can see the very last page. What you’ll find on that last page is the FULL price for that booking, which INCLUDES taxes and fees, (some of which can be over $80 per night!). That may not be what you expected when you did a simple room rate query for availability. Don’t be surprised by hidden fees. Try a timeshare rental, right from the owner, and pay the rate they’ve listed. Period.

As VacationBetter.org reports, there are more than 5,000 timeshare resorts in 100 countries. You’re sure to find a timeshare owner looking to rent their resort at just the destination you were looking for, and at a fraction of the price you’d pay elsewhere. Do yourself a favor and take a look at what timeshare rentals have to offer. With the money you save, you’ll be glad you did.

Have you ever considered timeshare rental for vacation travel? In a new article from KOMOnews.com entitled “5 Secrets for Cheap Travel”, renting a timeshare was 4th on the list of ways to save money.

“A timeshare is like a shared ownership in a condominium except it's often at a resort hotel.” Says reporter Matt Markovich. “Many timeshare owners are very willing to rent their unused weeks. “Redweek.com is like the Switzerland for renting, buying and exchanging timeshares. It is a subscription based service, not run by any of the big hotel chains or timeshare companies. You can browse timeshare resorts located all over the world, see descriptions of the properties, availability, and rental prices. The information is posted by the timeshare owner. But if you want to make contact with the owner, you need a subscription with Redweek.com, which costs $15 per year. Its well worth it when compared to the savings you'll get. By renting a timeshare directly from owner, you can save hundreds, if not thousands of dollars over the nightly prices the resort charges for the same exact unit.”

Here’s what a RedWeek.com member had to say:
"We were skeptics of course on renting from a timeshare owner. BUT, we stayed at The Omni Cancun for 5 nights and [the timeshare owner] was a wonderful owner to work with. Everything went according to plan, no problems what so ever. Just want everyone to know that we had a pleasant experience using this website and quite honestly could not have taken such an expensive vacation without the affordable rates timeshare owners can offer by renting out their weeks. I say a big thank you to this website and all the owners." – Gaye M.

When it comes to planning your vacation this year, do yourself a favor and look into timeshare rentals. You’ll find beautiful resorts available all over the world at a fraction of the cost you’d find a typical travel web site. Save money today.

In a new study from the American Resort Development Association (ARDA), ninety percent of people are suffering from “Guilty Vacation Syndrome” (GVS). Instead of looking forward to and enjoying the idea of their annual summer vacation, a recent survey conducted on ARDA's consumer Web site, VacationBetter.org, shows that people are either not taking or are delaying their summer vacation this year because of guilt. People these days are really being affected by the negative economic news. Even if their own financial situation is stable, hearing about companies cutting salaries and laying off employees leaves people feeling uneasy.
The biggest problem for those who are timeshare owners is that they already have their beautiful vacation resort waiting for them and they really want to go, but guilt and indecisiveness are taking their toll, making them feel they shouldn't take a vacation at all.
Here’s what one survey participant had to say:
“We always take two weeks at the beach each year to refresh and rejuvenate," says Pete J., a GVS sufferer. "This year we've decided to cut back since we don't want to appear insensitive to the economic situation."
"People with 'Guilty Vacation Syndrome' must put their health first," said Howard Nusbaum, ARDA president and CEO. "There has been substantial research affirming the physical and mental benefits for taking time to get away and recharge. And in stressful times like these, it's even more important." It's proven that one to two weeks away from the daily routine leads to better job performance and productivity. And, happy, motivated employees are a great way to do your part to help the economy.
What ARDA’s survey is helping us understand is that stressful times call for relaxing measures. People need good thoughts and a positive outlook that planning for and using their timeshare resort can provide. Research shows that vacations are a necessity and not a luxury. Those who invest in their personal happiness reap the rewards of reduced stress, better health and stronger bonds with family and friends. So, forget the white out and keep your vacation penciled in on the calendar this summer.

Welcome to the new Timeshare-info.org blog. We will be bringing you the latest information on the timeshare and travel industry as well as offering you a wealth of news and information about what you need to know as a timeshare owner, as someone considering buying a timeshare, or as someone who enjoys using timeshare rentals for vacation travel.

Timeshare owners already know that vacationing in a timeshare is the best way to travel, and so much different than a hotel experience. When you travel with timeshare, there are no surprises, so it takes the stress out of vacation planning and ensures your vacation needs are met. With more than 5,000 resorts in 100 countries, timeshare owners and renters can reserve their favorite vacation spot to return to year after year or exchange their week for a different location and a new experience.

With a standard hotel you get just one room with a bed and a bathroom. Those who travel with kids or as a group of four or more, know that cramming into a single hotel room or trying to arrange adjoining rooms can be a challenge. Plus, this setup is particularly difficult for families with small children. When the kids go to sleep, mom and dad's options are limited, as the whole family is sharing one room. But with a timeshare you typically get a full condominium unit with: one, two, or three bedrooms; a central living room (usually with a sleeper sofa); dining area; a complete kitchen (with full-size stove, oven, microwave, and dishwasher, as well as dishes and utensils); washer and dryer; one, two, and sometimes even three full bathrooms. This difference can really enhance your travel experience by making you feel at home with the additional space and privacy. And for families, mom and dad can put the kids to bed in one bedroom and continue to enjoy themselves in the spacious living areas.

Also for family travelers, many timeshare resorts offer complimentary children's activities, such as arts and crafts, pool games, t-shirt making, karaoke, and more, giving parents a chance to spend some quiet time together. And, typically, great activities are close by the resort as well: water parks, miniature golf courses, bowling, family game shows, and movie nights, in addition to the standard tourist attraction or theme park you may have travelled to see.A timeshare resort also opens up a host of options that are not available at a hotel. The full kitchen allows guests to eat meals in their unit, rather than in restaurants every night, for a major cost savings. The washer and dryer in the unit means you don't have to pack as many clothes, which means less bags to haul around for an improved travel experience. Plus, many timeshares offer movie rentals on-site and VCRs or DVD players in the units, so you can save money on entertainment as well.

Timeshare usage for vacation travel is truly the best way to go. You can simply focus on relaxation, spending time with your family, and making memories -- which is what a vacation is really all about.