Timeshare Information

For a one-of-a-kind family vacation, head to Gatlinburg, nestled beside the Smoky Mountains in eastern Tennessee. Snug timeshares are available for rent at beautiful resorts starting as low as $70/night. Most have decks or patios where you can relax in the fresh mountain air, or enjoy a cozy fireplace on a cool autumn night.

Gatlinburg and the surrounding area is a hidden treasure with a mind-boggling number of things to do all year round. For example explore Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies which exhibits over 350 different species of sea creatures. A 340-foot glidepath takes you through the Shark Lagoon's acrylic tunnel. Or visit Stingray Bay where the family can experience the touch of several different gentle species of rays.

Take advantage of the chance to enjoy a nostalgic "Old Fashioned Wagon Ride" that winds through Gatlinburg providing views of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. From November through January your wagon ride will also take you past the renowned "Gatlinburg Winter Magic" experience. Gatlinburg's entire downtown area is transformed into winter enchantment with a spectacular $1.5 million LED lights display.

Gatlinburg is the gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park which was established in 1934 and covers 814 square miles. The park offers over 800 miles of hiking trails that range from easy walks to more strenuous backpacking treks. Part of the famed Appalachian Trail passes through the center of the park.

Anglers will enjoy the park's 700 miles of trout streams. History buffs will find plenty to explore in the 80 historic structures preserved in the park, including homes, barns, churches, and schools. There are cross-country ski trails open in the winter. In the spring the park is known as the "Wildflower National Park" when it is covered in a spectacular display of colorful blooms.

Just 6 miles from Gatlinburg in Pigeon Forge is Dolly Parton's popular "Dollywood." This Smoky Mountain amusement park offers everything from the award-winning wooden roller coaster "Thunderhead" to live entertainment of country, bluegrass and mountain music. Dollywood also presents four seasons of festivals. October is the National Gospel and Harvest Celebration with autumn activities and free gospel concerts. During November and December the family can cuddle up to a Smoky Mountain Christmas.

Spring brings the Festival of Nations with international music and dance performed amidst tulips and blooming dogwood trees. And in the summer Kid's Fest is great fun for the entire family, including 40 exciting rides, and a thrilling version of PBS's Zaboomafoos series "Creature Adventures."

Rent a timeshare in either Gatlinburg or Pigeon Forge for a budget-friendly vacation that quite simply has something for everyone.
See Gatlinburg timeshares.
See Pigeon Forge timeshares.
See all Tennessee timeshare rentals.

(Photo shown is the Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort at Gatlinburg)

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)

Colorful Sedona is located in the northern Verde Valley area of Arizona. World famous as Red Rock Country, the rock is formed out of unique red and orange-colored sandstone found only in the Sedona area. The huge rock formations glow dazzling orange when struck by the rising or setting sun, creating vistas of enchantment.

Sedona is made to order for a family vacation. Rent a timeshare and take the time to immerse yourselves in the area's unrivaled natural beauty. There are many budget-friendly timeshares in resorts that not only offer swimming pools and spas but amenities that range from golfing to horseback riding to fishing. In the winter you're less than an hour's drive from downhill and cross-country skiing in the San Francisco Peaks near Flagstaff.

Begin your exploration of Sedona by choosing from the many different types of tours available. Start with an overview of the area by riding the Sedona Trolley on its narrated tour. Then choose from guided or unguided Jeep or Hummer tours, or even tour by ATV. Once you've delved into the countryside on land, take an exciting aerial tour - by hot air balloon, helicopter or small plane.
However you choose to investigate Sedona, your family will have fun hunting for the various rock formations by name. See if you can spot "Snoopy" lying on his doghouse. Watch for the landmark formations that include Coffeepot Rock, Bell Rock, and Courthouse Butte. And keep an eye out for the Mittens, the Cow Pies, and the Rabbit Ears!

You'll want to take a drive through beautiful Oak Creek Canyon, a 12-mile long gorge between Flagstaff and Sedona. Along Oak Creek stop and enjoy the natural water slide at the popular Slide Rock State Park. There are several areas in the Canyon suitable for swimming, and anglers will want to be sure and try for trout, bass and catfish. Many hiking trails will take you through side canyons, or even up to the top of the canyon rim.

Your Sedona timeshare can be a great hub for day excursions to surrounding areas. Visit the old historic mining town of Jerome which used to be a ghost town and is now an art community and popular tourist destination. Have rip-roarin' "Old West" fun at the chuckwagon supper and live Western stage show at the Blazin’ M Ranch in Cottonwood. And ride the Verde Canyon Railroad from Clarkdale through Sycamore Canyon, home to majestic eagles. See all Sedona timeshares. See all Arizona timeshares.

(Photo from ian-whitehead.com as shown on visitsedona.com)

Glitz, Glamour, Gambling, Golfing, Gastronomy - Las Vegas has it all! Including price tags to go with it. Here are some tips for enjoying Las Vegas on the cheap. You really can afford to treat the entire family to this fun and exciting town, or have a memorable vacation on a retiree's budget.

First of all, rent a timeshare. Timeshares in Las Vegas can be as inexpensive as $50/night for a unit that sleeps 4. You'll get relaxing space (forget cramped hotel rooms) and resort amenities such as pools, hot tubs and tennis for one low price. A kitchen is also included - full-size and fully equipped, often including a dishwasher - to cut down on the cost of meals.

Yes, there are wildly expensive headliner shows in abundance, but did you know that there are also many attractions that are just plain Free? Start with the spectacular Freemont Street Experience. Held after dark in downtown Las Vegas, this light show, accompanied by sound, is projected on a permanent canopy 90 feet high that covers 5 blocks. Just prior to the starting of a show all of the bright downtown casino lights are turned off - an interesting experience in itself! A variety of shows includes "Lucky Las Vegas," which pays tribute to famous Las Vegas entertainers, and the wonderfully patriotic "American Freedom."

You'll find lots of free events on the Las Vegas Strip, too. The most famous is the spectacular Fountains Water Show at the Bellagio. All you have to do is walk over to the lake in front of the Bellagio and see a different fountain show every 15 minutes. The dazzling fountains dance to all kinds of music from country western to opera.

The free outdoor show "The Sirens of Ti" at Treasure Island has thrilling acrobatics and exciting pyrotechnics. Stroll up the sidewalk and catch the Volcano Show at the Mirage. From what is normally a beautiful waterfall a booming volcano violently erupts, throwing red "lava" 100 feet into the night sky.

For more tranquil activities wander through a Tropical Rain Forest, enjoy the relaxing 20,000 gallon saltwater Fish Aquarium, and become mesmerized by the striking beauty of rare animals in the open air White Tiger Habitat, all at the Mirage. The magnificent felines at the MGM Grand one-of-a-kind Lion Habitat lie on panes of glass above your head.

Just off the Strip is Sam's Town, where you can experience the excitement of the Sunset Stampede Water Show. Spotlighting the thrilling story of the western pioneer, fountains shoot eight stories into the air to the accompaniment of music, lasers and lights.

Whether you're lounging by a pool at your inexpensive timeshare, or enjoying a free live circus act, you can't beat Las Vegas for a cheap vacation that is full of fun. See all Las Vegas timeshares.

Rent a budget timeshare and treat the family to a true west coast maritime vacation. Port Townsend, Washington, was founded in 1851 and prides itself on its Victorian maritime heritage. Located on the northeast tip of the Olympic Peninsula, just 40 miles from Seattle, you'll discover plenty to do here all year round.

When you visit Port Townsend, you'll find a delightful "Victorian Seaport and Arts Community." The downtown has been designated a National Historic Area and offers many examples of exquisite Victorian architecture. Downtown you'll also find galleries and artist collectives and the monthly Arts Walk during which you can attend art classes and workshops.

The main focus of this bustling waterfront community, however, is boating and maritime life. Regattas, boat races, boat building, and even a Dungeness Crab Festival, all vie for the attention of anyone who loves the smell of salt air.

The Northwest Maritime Center, whose slogan is "connecting people, boats and the sea," sponsors many fun family activities. Family members can choose from sailing lessons, boat charters and even youth and adult sailing camps. The entire family will get excited about the Family Boat Building Program where you actually "Build It, Row It, Take It Home." An activity for 2 to 12 people that takes between 3-5 days, master ship builders will help your group build a real "Skunk Island Skiff" from scratch. If you prefer a one-day boat building experience, you are invited to join in the Community Boat Building Day held every Saturday from October through May. This year the community is building a 24-ft Africa/Franken dory, a companion to the Journeyman built last year.

There are a myriad of other things to do and see during your Port Townsend stay. Fort Worden State Park has a number of large, abandoned bunkers to explore, as well as the Port Wilson Lighthouse. Movie buffs will recognize Fort Worden as the location for the film "An Officer and a Gentleman."

A fun day outing for the family is a ferry ride to nearby Whidbey Island. Here you can explore Deception Pass State Park, Washington's most popular state park. Hike along both salt water and fresh water shorelines while watching for abundant wildlife that includes soaring bald eagles. You can enjoy superior fishing on Cranberry Lake and traverse a magnificent suspension bridge over a breathtaking fjord.

Timeshare rentals are available in Port Townsend at two resorts. The WorldMark Discovery Bay Resort (see photo above), located right on the waterfront of picturesque Discovery Bay, offers a playground and game room for the kids. Tucked in a secluded wooded area beautiful Kala Point Village is pet-friendly for just a $30 additional fee. See all Washington timeshares.

Looking for suggestions on where to stay and what to do on the tiny Caribbean island of St. John? A great place to start is the Weston St. John Resort and Villas. Rental timeshares start at a budget-friendly $143/night, and are available at both phases of the resort: Westin St. John Virgin Grand Villas and Westin St. John Bay Vista Villas. The sparkling turquoise waters of the Caribbean define the extraordinary beauty of this resort. You can relax on the white sand beaches or beside the resort's waterfall pools, or be more active and go kayaking, scuba diving, and even play tennis on a turf court.

The kids will love the ocean trampolines and the floating wall in the center of the beach. A must-see is the exciting iguana feeding each afternoon when wild iguanas race in from all over to feast on left-over salad fixings. At night let yourself go and dance to the lively reggae and calypso music in the resort's lounges.

During some of your days on St. John you'll want to rent a jeep and explore the awesome Virgin Islands National Park. The Park's 7,000 acres covers two-thirds of St. John Island, encompasses breathtaking hills, valleys and beaches, and has miles of hiking trails through tropical forests.

Along the Cinnamon Nature Trail you'll come across the ruins of sugar plantations. At the top of the Boudreaux Mountain Trail you'll be at the highest point on the island at 1,277 feet above sea level. The view from there has been very poetically described as "what you must see from heaven." The most popular hike is Reef Bay Trail, along which you'll see the remains of sugar mills, as well as thousand year-old petroglyphs put there by ancestors of the island Taino people.

At Trunk Bay you'll find the famous underwater snorkel trail, a good beginners spot, and great for anyone interested in learning about marine life. Amazingly there are plaques placed along this underwater trail explaining the different species of tropical fish.

On land there is a variety of wildlife to enjoy as well. Nesting across Virgin Islands National Park are over 30 species of tropical birds. Besides the thrill of catching a glimpse of these colorful birds on the wing, the entire family will have fun looking for green iguanas, scampering geckos, turtles, and even wild donkeys.

The temperatures on St. John Island can get into the hot 90's during the summer months. So the best time to rent a timeshare is December through April when the days and the ocean, too, are just deliciously warm. Get away from gloomy winter doldrums and treat the family to a sun-splashed Caribbean holiday at the Weston St. John Resort and Villas.

The Marriott Newport Coast Villas in southern California offers an exciting opportunity to rent a timeshare and experience a fabulous California beach vacation. Perfect all year round, this getaway resort has something for everyone - families and retirees alike - at any time of the year. Perched on a cliff, spectacular views of the blue Pacific, glorious sunsets, beaches, tide pools and easy driving to many southern California activities are all included in your one low price.

The resort itself offers so many amenities that you may just want to stay local. Besides two pools (and a third is under construction), you can enjoy a sauna, a hot-tub, spa services and tennis. For the children there is a kiddie pool and a game room. Babysitting referral, and child care with a great kid's program, are available as well. With a fully-equipped kitchen and a BBQ area, you can save on meals and enjoy great beach cuisine you prepare yourself.

If you venture out, you'll find plenty to do within short driving distances of the Villas. You are planning your visit this fall, the Annual Oktoberfest will be held at the Balboa Bay Club & Resort. Available for both lunch and dinner, Chef Josef Lageder creates authentic German and Bavarian specialties and many of the ingredients are flown in from Germany and Austria. The Pacific Symphony Presents “Halloween Spooktacular" a concert of "spooky thrills and musical chills" - to which you are invited to wear your Halloween costume!

Only a half-hour drive north is Disneyland, where you can enjoy more Halloween merriment. See our previous article: “Disneyland and Halloween for Family Fun” for all the details. Sea World and the world-famous San Diego Zoo are just an hour south. Beach hop from La Jolla all the way up the coast to Redondo Beach and become an expert on the art of luxuriating in surf and sand.

Laguna Beach is well-known as an art community, and any time of year you'll find art galleries and even artists' studios to visit. If you plan to rent your Villa timeshare during the summer, see our previous post: “It’s Art Festival Time in Laguna Beach” to learn more.

The Marriott Newport Coast Villas will be undergoing some construction through 2009, so when renting be sure to check with the timeshare owner to see if that will affect your stay in the unit you want to rent. Learn more about the Marriott Newport Coast Villas.