Timeshare Information

No matter where you vacation in a timeshare rental this summer it's always fun to find free things to do, and your vacation in beautiful New England is no exception. New England is known for its natural beauty, historical sights and quaint villages. You might be surprised at what else there is to see in New England - and for free!

Let's start with Food. When you rent a Cape Cod timeshare you'll get "sand dunes and salty air," old lighthouses, and - potato chips. Enjoy a free tour of the Cape Cod Potato Chip Factory in Hyannis. Its fun to see how these crunchy snacks are actually produced, and you get a free sample at the end of the tour

While you're vacationing at your Vermont timeshare, stop by the Vermont Teddy Bear Factory in Shelburne. Your little ones aged 12 and under can get in for free, and will love seeing how their fuzzy little friends are created. They'll enjoy the Bear Museum, too.

Vermont also offers a free activity that you can do with your dogs. You'll all enjoy Stephen Huneck's Dog Chapel in St. Johnsbury. Stroll through the chapel, with Fido, of course, and see the original art work by world famous artist Stephen Huneck. Built on Dog Mountain, this little chapel is surrounded by 400 scenic acres of nature trails, and even swimming ponds, especially designed with your dog in mind.

From your Boston timeshare, the adults in your party will enjoy the free tour - and tastings - at the Samuel Adams Brewery in Boston. You'll hear about the history of Boston's favorite beer and about founder Jim Koch. Another free brewery tour is the Anheuser-Busch Brewery in Merrimack, N.H. Their easternmost plant in the United States is also home to one of the five stables for the Budweiser Clydesdales. Your youngsters will thrill to up-close and personal encounters with these gentle giants in Clydesdale Hamlet. See New Hampshire timeshares.

Spectacular scenery, both of ocean views and magnificent mansions, is yours when you take the Cliff Walk in historic Newport, R.I. When you stroll along this 3 1/2-mile pathway you'll see the legendary mansions built during Newport's gilded age, and enjoy some nature when you encounter parts of the walk that are a rough trail over the rocky shoreline. See Newport timeshares.

A unique free activity is touring the US Navy Submarine Force Museum and USS Nautilus in Groton, Connecticut. Here you'll be able to peer into a periscope, watch films about submarines, and actually go onboard the USS Nautilus. See Connecticut timeshares.

New England has many beautiful timeshares for rent, and the area is small enough that you'll find it an easy drive from your timeshare to many fun - and even free - activities.

There is a lot of history on Oahu. This Hawaiian island is more than a south Pacific beach destination. Certainly you can get the sand and the surf, the beautiful turquoise waters of the tropics, palm trees swaying in soft trade winds - the entire package. But, when you rent an Oahu timeshare, you also get the unique opportunity to explore history that literally changed the world.

When the Japanese Imperial Navy attacked the U.S. Pacific fleet in Oahu's Pearl Harbor, the United States was forced to enter WWII. The United States then participated in not only the war's Pacific theater but in Europe as well, and the result created a different world order.

To get a good feel for what that horrific day in December, 1941, was like when Japanese Zeros bombed American ships, visit the U.S.S. Arizona Memorial, set out in Pearl Harbor. The U.S.S. Arizona Memorial marks the resting place of 1,102 of the 1,177 sailors killed on that battleship during the attack. The Memorial, dedicated in 1962 and visited since by more than one million people annually, is built directly above the sunken hull of the battleship.

In a section of the Memorial known as the Shrine, an opening in the floor overlooks the sunken decks. If you choose, you may toss flowers into the water here in honor of the fallen sailors. Tossing leis is not allowed as the string poses a hazard to sea-life, but leis may be placed on the guardrails located in front of the marble wall that bears the names of those killed.

Historical information about the attack, boat access to the memorial, and general visitor services at the Visitor Center have been provided by the Arizona Memorial Museum Association (AMMA) since it was founded in 1979 as a non-profit cooperating association with the National Park Service.

The AMMA officially changed its name to Pacific Historic Parks (PHP) in 2010 to reflect its expanded role. On Oahu, the PHP operates the World War II Valor of the Pacific National Monument which covers not only the U.S.S. Arizona, but other WWII sites including the U.S.S. Missouri, the battleship on which the Japanese signed surrender papers ending WWII.

On shore the PHP's new $58 million Pearl Harbor visitor center complex, scheduled for completion in December, 2010, will feature more than 6 acres of landscaped grounds and wayside exhibits. The new 24,000 square foot Visitors Center building includes a museum and an education and resource center.

A Hawaii timeshare rental vacation on Oahu will give the entire family a chance to re-live history, and understand how the world as we now know it came to be.

(Photo provided by nps.gov)

Everyone wants to stay healthy on vacation, and Dr. Oz has some airplane travel health tips to help the process. Who hasn't heard of Dr. Oz? With a name like that you certainly can't forget him! Mehmet Cengiz Oz was actually born in Cleveland, Ohio, but of parents who had immigrated from Bozkur, Turkey. He's a cardiac surgeon performing over 200 open heart surgeries each year, and he is a complementary health expert. He has made frequent appearances on Larry King Live, CNN, and other networks. After guest staring on The Oprah Winfrey Show for five years Oprah's company, Harpo Productions, together with Sony Pictures, launched the "The Doctor Oz Show" on syndicated television in 2009.

Dr. Oz travels the world over, and offers some travel health advice that we'll pass on to you here. If you'll be flying to your summer timeshare vacation, these are some tips that will go a long way to help you arrive at your destination in fine shape and ready for the fun ahead.

Before You Travel
First of all, before you even travel, Dr. Oz says to "plan some prior protein." The last meal before traveling should contain a good balance of protein and starch (concentrate on the protein, he says), so you will feel satisfied.

At the Airport
At the airport and on the plane be sure to avoid salt and calorie-laden snacks. Extra salt will make your legs swell even more than they're already going to as you sit for long stretches of time with little exercise or movement.

On the Airplane
You'll want to do what you can to avoid leg swelling, and the possibility of blood clots in your legs, which, Dr. Oz says, even healthy people can get on a long flight. Try to walk up and down the length of the plane every now and then to increase circulation in your legs. And remember to stretch your calf muscles even while you're sitting.

Airplane air is very dry, so you'll want to keep well hydrated during the flight. Drink lots of water, unsweetened juices that might be offered such as apple juice and orange juice, and other non-caffeinated beverages. Drink alcoholic beverages very sparingly, if at all, as alcoholic drinks can be dehydrating.

Nobody likes to talk about it, but everyone who has traveled knows that constipation can be a real problem. It's a natural response by the body, says Dr. Oz, to unfamiliar environments, unfamiliar foods, and especially to an unfamiliar routine. Dr. Oz suggests being vigilant about taking in plenty of fiber and water. One reason why taking fresh fruit onboard the plane for snacks is a good idea.

Follow Dr. Oz's healthy travel tips, and have a wonderful vacation wherever your timeshare travels take you!

South Africa begins hosting the World Cup this month, shining the spotlight of world travel on not only that nation but all of Africa as well. In a previous post we talked about how international tourism is rebounding, especially in the Asia and Africa markets, and in another post we highlighted the month-long World Cup competition. A timeshare exchange can get you on board with the world's newest travel hotspot - Africa.

If you're wondering where in this huge continent to go, keep an eye out for the results of the "Travel Oscars," which will take place during the World Cup. Twelve hundred of Africa’s key "movers and shakers" will attend the most important event of the year for Africa's travel and tourism industry, on July 7, 2010, in Johannesburg, South Africa.
The gathering for the World Travel Awards “Africa and Indian Ocean Ceremony 2010” will include CEOs and directors of some of the region’s leading travel companies, government ministers, heads of tourism departments and destinations, as well as industry association leaders.

“This is Africa’s finest night for tourism,” explains Graham E. Cooke, Founder and President, World Travel Awards. “It’s a once-a-year opportunity to recognize the exceptional quality, creativity and leading edge performance of Africa’s top operators. And because consumers use the awards as a benchmark of quality, the winners receive significant commercial benefits from the honor."

During the past few months, industry professionals around the world have been voting for the African companies and brands that they believe deserve to be recognized. The nominees are among 5,000 nominated African companies, spread across more than a 1,000 categories, including airlines, cruise companies, destinations, resorts and hotels.
World Travel Awards, described as the ‘Oscars’ of travel and tourism, was established 17 years ago and is the only global organization that encourages and supports improvement and development of the travel and tourism industry.

So pay attention to the winners, and give yourself the unique opportunity to explore this fascinating continent by taking advantage of your timeshare exchange program, one of the great bonuses of being a timeshare owner.

Forbes has put out a list of America's Top 10 Tourist Sites. If you're wondering just where to rent a timeshare for your family's vacation this year, this Forbes list has some great suggestions for where to travel.

Forbes, Inc., is a main source of information for the world's business leaders and is among the most trusted resources for business executives. This list was compiled by Forbes to assist business leaders in the tourist and travel industry, giving insight into. what lures a tourist to a specific place, observing that "A city's tourism industry is dependent on various factors including safety and crime rates." You, too, can use this very list - to make your own travel plans, knowing that many criteria went in to making the list which is all helpful to ensuring a great family vacation destination.

1. Times Square, New York City - dazzling billboards, street performers, and even a grandstand where the family can sit and take it all in; also entertainment venues such as M&M World, and Madame Trousseau's Wax Museum.


2. Las Vegas Strip - many free, family-oriented entertainment sites including the famous Bellagio Fountains and The Mirage's exciting Volcano eruption.


3. National Mall and Memorial Parks, Washington, D.C. - Nine major museums of the Smithsonian including the American History Museum and the Air and Space Museum, bookended by the Capitol on one end and the Washington Monument on the other.


4. Fanuel Hall Marketplace, Boston, MA - 250 year old historic marketplace offers shopping, dining and a cast of street performers so famous that there is an annual Street Performer Festival.


5. Magic Kingdom, Walt Disney World, Orlando, FL - upcoming attractions include the new Fantasyland expansion, Ariel’s Adventure and Star Tours II 3-D.


6. Golden Gate National Recreation Area, San Francisco, CA - spreading 60 miles along the Bay's coastline, includes Alcatraz Island, historic military forts and installations, and stunning views of the Golden Gate Bridge.


7. Disneyland Resort, Anaheim, CA - Disneyland offers perennial favorites such as Pirates of the Caribbean and the Haunted Mansion. California Adventure is undergoing a multimillion-dollar renovation that will include Ariel's Undersea Adventure, and attractions based on the popular "Cars" film.


8. Fisherman's Wharf, San Francisco, CA - three cable car lines converge here for easy, and fun, transportation to this bustling bayside area with its seafood restaurants, lines of moored fishing boats, and sea lions sunning on the pier.


9. Hollywood Walk of Fame, Los Angeles, CA - stretching 2.4 miles, this sidewalk contains 2400 stars, and runs past another famous attraction, Grauman's Chinese Theater. In 2010 the Walk's 50th anniversary will be commemorated by a street festival in July.


10. Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee and North Carolina - the most visited of all of America's National Parks.

You can find a budget timeshare for rent at each of these sites, allowing the extensive research by the Forbes team to guide you this year to a truly fun and memorable family vacation.

See New York City timeshares.
See Las Vegas timeshares.
See Anaheim timeshares.
See Orlando timeshares.
See San Francisco timeshares.
See Washington DC area timeshares.
See Boston timeshares.
See Tennessee timeshares.
See North Carolina timeshares.

With "The Wizzarding World of Harry Potter" opening June, 2010, at Universal Orlando Resort, in Orlando, Florida, now is a good time to take a closer look at this theme park of Universal Studios. Now is also a good time to rent an Orlando timeshare so your family will have a vacation that is not only memorable, but easily affordable.

Universal Orlando Resort actually consists of three different theme parks: Universal Studios Florida, Universal's Islands of Adventure, and Universal CityWalk.

Universal Studios Florida is where visitors can "Ride the Movies." Many of the park's movie-themed attractions are developed with the actual creators of the films on which they are based. For example Steven Spielberg helped create "E.T. Adventure," and "Twister - Ride it Out." Often the films' stars reprise their film roles as Christopher Lloyd did for "Back to the Future, the Ride." Rip Torn and Will Smith can be seen in "Men in Black: Alien Attack," and the entire cast of Shrek participated in creating "Shrek - 4D."

The overall theme of Universal's Islands of Adventure (see photo) is that of a "Journey of Exploration," where guests visit different islands, each having its own distinct adventure theme. Marvel Super Hero Island has rides inspired by Marvel comic books and focuses primarily on thrill rides such as the Incredible Hulk Coaster, and The Amazing Adventures of Spider Man. The Jurassic Park Island has both thrill rides and discovery-based exhibits. This island's theme takes place under the guise of a "real" Jurassic Park

A brand new island is where you'll find "The Wizzarding World of Harry Potter." Both the production designer and the art designer of the film series have guided the creation of this Harry Potter themed adventure. J.K. Rowling, the author of the books, has also been involved, down to determining the taste of the Butter Beer served at The Three Broomsticks in Hogsmead.

Universal CityWalk is an exciting night time entertainment venue and includes a 20 screen AMC Universal Cineplex, and numerous shops, restaurants and clubs. It is home to Margaritaville, NBA City Cafe, NASCAR Cafe, and Hard Rock Café. The clubs include Latin Quarter, Bob Marley's, and the Red Coconut.

Universal Orlando Resort is a fun place that certainly has something for everybody, and a budget timeshare rental will give your family plenty of time to explore it all.

Timeshare is a wonderful vacation alternative, regardless of some negative publicity over the years. Owning a timeshare offers families the opportunity to not only go back to a favorite vacation spot year after year, but also the flexibility to choose different destinations and times of the year through timeshare exchange, all the while staying in spacious accommodations at exciting resorts.

Most timeshare offers ¬are legitimate, but unfortunately scams and shady deals have ensnared enough unsuspecting people that timeshares have developed a bad reputation. Here are some tips on how to: avoid timeshare scams, do your own research and be informed.

Most timeshare scams are part of high-pressure, incentive-induced sales pitches that are most often encountered in a "timeshare presentation" by resort developers or timeshare companies. If you are offered a prize as an incentive, either through the mail or at a resort, read the fine print, and don't pay for anything. And don't ever call a 1-900 number to book a trip you've been offered, as that most likely is also a scam.

If you do attend a presentation, sit on your hands, put duct tape across your mouth, or whatever you must do to ensure that you don't buy "on the spot." Sleep on it and take the time you need to make a proper evaluation on whether this is really a good deal or not. Chances are that your research will point you in the direction of legitimate timeshare resales that you can purchase for much less.

If the sales presentation becomes too high-pressured, leave. You have the right to go, and with no arguments. One way of diffusing the situation fairly quickly is to ask for references of happy customers. If the presenter balks at giving you references, that's a good sign that it's time to get out of there.

Here is what we suggest you do instead - find a legitimate company through which you can purchase a timeshare resale. The American Resort Development Association (ARDA) provides three timeshare resale advisories that will help you navigate through the secondary market, to ensure a safe and positive buying experience.

RedWeek.com, the largest on-line marketplace for timeshare rentals and resales, holds the coveted A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau, and is an excellent resource for timeshare resale listings. The website offers an easy video instruction on How to Rent, Resell or Exchange Your Timeshare, along with a resource section that will answer many of your questions.

With these tips, you are now well on your way to joining the over 4 million people who already are happily enjoying timeshare family vacations all around the globe.