Chihuly Art Glass: A Must See When Traveling to Florida

Everyone is intrigued with the way light and color plays on glass. A person who can turn all of that into art is a creative genius. Rent a timeshare in the St. Petersburg/Tampa Bay area in Florida, and give yourself the treat of seeing the extraordinary Chihuly Collection of blown glass art at the Morean Arts Center in St. Petersburg.

A permanent collection of world-renowned artist Dale Chihuly’s unique artwork is housed now in a magnificent 10,000 square foot setting designed by award-winning architect Albert Alfonso. The Collection is located on the city’s waterfront in downtown St. Petersburg on Beach Drive, in the heart of the most vibrant tourist area in St. Petersburg.

This presentation is unique as it is the first installation of Chihuly art in a building designed specifically for that purpose, so that the art and architecture work together to create a unique visitor experience of Chihuly’s art. The exhibition includes Chihuly’s spectacular large-scale installations, such as "Ruby Red Icicle Chandelier" created specifically for the collection.

A pioneer of the studio glass movement, Chihuly studied glass in Venice on a Fulbright Fellowship, and is credited with transforming the methods of creating glass art. You can enrich your experience further by visiting the Morean Arts Center Glass Studio & Hot Shop where you can watch glassblowers create one-of-a-kind pieces, have your own personal glass blowing experience, and shop for unique glass art created by local and regional artists.

St. Petersburg itself has long been known as a top Florida vacation destination. The city is located on a peninsula between Tampa Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. It is connected to mainland Florida and Tampa by causeways and bridges across Tampa Bay.

While in St. Petersburg the kids will enjoy Great Explorations - The Children's Museum, an interactive museum featuring a Children's Village, water exhibits, and other hands-on fun with science, music and art.

Lots of fun activities on the water are waiting for you in St. Petersburg, as well, including learning to sail in the calm waters of Tampa Bay. Or you can hang out on the many beautiful white sand beaches that are kissed by turquoise Gulf waters, or go fishing - the 244-mile long shore is abundant with great fishing haunts.

With an average of some 360 days of sunshine each year, St. Petersburg is nicknamed "The Sunshine City" - perfect for a Florida timeshare rental vacation this winter!

(Photo credit moreanartscenter.org)

Disney Timeshare Vacation Photos Wanted

Disney wants YOU! All of those many photos and videos that you've taken over the years from your Disney timeshare rental vacations are now wanted - by Disney! On September 23rd Disney Parks officially launched “Let the Memories Begin” – a special celebration of family vacations and magical memories - with you and your family as the stars!

A new online site has been created where you can upload your Disney vacation memories captured in photos and videos and share them with the world. Mickey's pals promise that getting started is easy - just follow these simple instructions:
  1. Choose to share your memory on DisneyParks.com/Memories

  2. Describe your memory. Memories can upload as photos, videos or text-only.

  3. Then all it takes is hitting the “submit” box and, once reviewed, a lifetime Disney memory is stored and shared.
Who else can best represent the Disney experience than their guests, and there's no better way to do that than to share your favorite memories. When you participate in “Let the Memories Begin” you just might find that your “guest-generated content” is featured in a Disney television spot, in print ads, vacation-planning materials, and in online communications.

So relive your favorite Disney moments, dust off the pictures, and upload them to the new site. Whatever your memory is will work - were you laughing so hard you couldn't breathe on Splash Mountain? Did you think you were going to die on the Tower of Terror? Did your "too cool" teen melt when he saw Tigger? How about when your little princess met her first Real Disney Princess? There's no limit to what your imagination, and your memories, can bring to Disney's share-the-memories campaign.

The Let the Memories Begin site will be a fun place to immerse yourself in all sorts of Disney experiences as you look through the content and share the memories of other Disney guests, too.

And there’s more - beginning in January of 2011, you can also become the star of a nightly spectacular at the Disney Parks. Photos of magical memories made in the park during the day will be projected that night on Cinderella Castle at WDW and at It's a Small World at Disneyland. In both locations Disney photographers will provide images of guests shot during the day. The producers estimate as many as 500 photos will be shown in each location every evening.

So make plans now to head to a timeshare rental near a Disney Park, and your face could be as well-known as Mickey's!

Where Will You Travel on Free National Parks Day?

Did you know that our National Parks are open year-round? Did you know that there are certain days during the year when admission is Free? Did you know that one of the best ways to enjoy a National Park is by renting a timeshare? It's the perfect way to have lots of time and lots of space - to relax and really become immersed in the beauty and wonder of our National Parks.

The next free admission day to the National Parks is November 11 - Veteran's Day. And what better time to head to a National Park than during the Autumn, when so many of them are decked out in their Fall Foliage Finest.

If you think our "Wildflower National Park," aka Great Smoky Mountains National Park (see photo), is spectacular in springtime - wait until you see it in the Autumn! Undulating ridges of flashy crimsons and oranges as far as the eye can see. Rent a timeshare in Gatlinburg, TN, the "gateway" to this National Park.

From a Washington, D.C. area timeshare rental you can easily drive to Shenandoah National Park where the Skyline Drive winds along the Shenandoah River. You'll delight in the many waterfalls that sparkle like diamonds in the autumn sun, against the rich colors of fall that only the east can deliver.

Fall colors are no less beautiful out west, though. Rent a timeshare in Jackson, Wyoming, and check out the shimmering golds of aspen stands in Teton National Park. The dazzling white of geysers shooting into the air against the backdrop of a brilliant blue autumn sky is a thrill at Yellowstone National Park with a timeshare rental in West Yellowstone.

Of course, not all Parks have to be seen just for autumn colors. Rent a timeshare at the Wyndham Pagosa Resort in Pagosa Springs, CO, and take a short drive to Mesa Verde National Park. Here you'll see the incredibly well-preserved cliff dwellings of the ancient Anazazi Indians. In soft autumn air you can climb ladders to high lofts or down into sacred kivas.

A Hawaii timeshare rental on the Big Island will put you in good position on November 11 for free admission to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Get up close and personal with some of nature's most awesome power. You can even hike to a point along the shore where molten hot lava meets cold sea water with some very dramatic crashing and boiling.

Wherever you chose your timeshare rental, enjoy our rich heritage of National Parks this November. They are resplendent in autumn dress and exciting with unique natural and archeological wonders.

(Photo credit odesseyinlight.com)

How John Steinbeck can Help Choose Your Timeshare Vacation

Are you looking for some really fun ideas of where to take your next timeshare rental vacation? Fifty years ago this month (on September 23 to be exact), Nobel Prize winning author John Steinbeck drove out of town with his magnificent standard poodle named Charley, and began a road trip that resulted in a travel literature classic, "Travels with Charley."

To celebrate the golden anniversary of this amazing travel duo, travel journalist Robert Reid has compiled a list of some of the spots where you can follow in the footsteps - or rather the tire treads - of John's and Charlie's pickup camper. Here are three, each near timeshare rentals.
  1. Wisconsin
    Rent a Wisconsin Dells timeshare - and fall is a good time for it. This state is as covered in the rich tapestry of colorful autumn leaves as anywhere in New England. While Steinbeck and Charley actually spent more time in Wisconsin hunting for the elusive "Swiss Cheese Candy," you can stay at the Dells and enjoy the incredible variety of activities and events there, or venture out on some day trips to try the famous Wisconsin cheeses. Also indulge in the state's lesser known but just as tasty product - maple syrup - perfect for those fall apple pancakes you'll be mixing up for your timeshare breakfast.

  2. New Orleans
    The Big Easy was a favorite of Charley's, and who could blame him with all of the fantastic tastes and smells that emanate from this delicious town. Rent a New Orleans timeshare and indulge in the favorite pastime of locals and visitors alike - eating. There are few other places in the world where such a diversity of dishes is available in one single city. From rich paninis to spicy gumbo to the famous King Cake of Mardi Gras fame, you'll find it all in New Orleans.

  3. Salinas
    There are a number of California timeshare rentals within easy driving distance of Steinbeck's home town, and Salinas is justly proud of its famous favorite son. The historic downtown, called Old Town Salinas, is home to the National Steinbeck Center, the Steinbeck House, and the John Steinbeck Library. The beautiful Salinas Valley has some of the largest growers for the international floral industry, as well as rolling hills of famous vineyards. Charley, by the way, is buried outside the family’s former cottage in Salinas.
When you follow the travel trails of these two intrepid vagabonds you're sure to discover the America that Steinbeck and his dog set out to find. And by renting a timeshare you give yourself the time to get to know each spot just a little better.

(Photo credit Steinbeck.org)

Take Duffy the Disney Bear on Your Timeshare Vacations

Rent a Disney timeshare in California or an Orlando timeshare now and plan to be part of a great Debut at either Walt Disney World in Florida, or Disneyland Resorts in Anaheim, CA. On October 14, 2010, Duffy the Disney Bear will make his long-anticipated debut at the U.S. Disney Parks.

Never heard of Duffy? Well, he made his first official appearance at Tokyo Disneyland where he's become quite a phenomenon. See, what happened was that when Mickey Mouse was getting ready to go on a trip, Minnie knew he would need a traveling companion, so she got him the perfect one - his own teddy bear! And believe it or not, Duffy has actually gotten to be more popular in Japan than even Mickey!

But there's no denying who Duffy really belongs to. He has a "hidden Mickey" face shape, Mickey's silhouette is on the bottoms of his feet, and he has a very special birth mark on his hip.

In Anaheim Duffy will be introduced at Disney's California Adventure at Paradise Pier. Duffy's debut at WDW will be at a newly created venue inside Epcot across from the Mexico boat ramp. At Epcot the Kidcot program is involved as well. Kidcot Fun Stops are colorful craft stations for preschoolers located in World Showcase at Epcot. On October 14 your youngsters will be able to go to the Kidcot stops and get a unique Duffy that they can take from country to country to color, decorate, and receive country specific Duffy stamps.

In both parks, special activities and events will mark the October 14 celebration. The day will not only introduce the Duffy teddy bear itself, but also other related souvenir items such as key chains, magnets and zip pouches. The launch will also consist of some special treats like Duffy's crispy treat, chocolatey cake, molded dessert cup, a menu placemat with activities, and coming later, Duffy’s very own molded popcorn bucket.

Although Duffy is actually a small toy teddy bear that Mickey carries with him, he will now be inducted into the full-size, walk-around, character family. During his daily visits, he’ll dress for the occasion but he'll also frequently be seen in many of his own outfits, including a sailor outfit and a baseball uniform.

Disney plans to position the Duffy the Disney Bear as a direct competitor to the popular "Build-a-Bear" franchise. You'll be able to dress Duffy in a full line of costumes, including Christmas and Easter, and for special occasions such as birthdays and graduation.

Duffy is a bear of magic and great luck and the perfect traveling companion for your family. Take him along on all of your timeshare rental vacations!

(Photo credit blueskydisney.blogspot.com)

Travel to Disney this Halloween to Meet Your Favorite Villain

It will soon be Halloween time, and that means its Disney Villains time! You'll want to rent a Disney timeshare, an Orlando timeshare, or a California timeshare and join in the Halloween fun. Hear your own "screams" - of delight at meeting your favorite Disney Villain!

Who is your favorite Disney Villain? Have you ever really thought about it? Well, now is the time to do some soul-searching, and then Vote! Following are the campaign crusades from some of the most deliciously evil villains Disney ever produced, straight from Disney's Campaign Headquarters. Each one is "dying" to become your favorite:

Jafar – The all-powerful sorcerer from “Aladdin” is full of wicked magic tricks.

Maleficent – Self-proclaimed “Mistress of All Evil” she lures an innocent maiden to prick her finger on a spindle and fall into everlasting slumber, then transforms into a monstrous, fire-breathing dragon!

Ursula – This dreadful sea witch will sink to any depths to carry out her evil deeds! She torments undersea creatures, steals King Triton’s crown, and captures Princess Ariel’s beautiful voice. Could you “cast” your vote for someone this slippery?

Evil Queen – Mirror, mirror on the wall, who’s the most jealous of them all? When the Magic Mirror reveals that Snow White is alive and still the “fairest in the land,” the Queen transforms herself into a hag and convinces the innocent princess to take a bite of a poisoned apple.

Captain Hook – This elegant but vengeful villain anchored his ship and crew in the waters of Never Land, to seek revenge upon Peter Pan. Hook locks up Tinker Bell, sends a ticking package to Peter Pan, kidnaps the Lost Boys and forces Wendy to walk the plank, all the while repeatedly attacking Peter Pan and his crew with swords and schemes to exact lasting revenge.

Cruella De Vil – This devilish lady stops at nothing when it comes to satisfying her need for greed. She plots! She steals! She dognaps 101 Dalmatian puppies just to make the perfect fur coat. The only thing perfect about Cruella De Vil is her name. Like the song says, “If she doesn’t scare you, no evil thing will.”

These villains will be battling each other for the title of the baddest villain of them all, now through October 28. Cast your vote at disneyland.com/halloween. Then rent a timeshare for a great Disney Halloween Adventure to meet your favorite Disney Villain!

(Photo credit disneyland.disney.go.com)

Plan Your Caribbean Timeshare Rental Vacation to Visit Bimini

Hang in there - hurricane season is almost over - and you can start making plans for your next Caribbean timeshare rental vacation. One of the most dreamed of vacations is to the Bahamas - how long have you been yearning for that? And a vacation to the Bahamas is not such a reach as you might have thought. Budget timeshare rentals abound throughout this island nation.

Numerous islands make up "the Bahamas," including well-known ones such as Grand Bahama, New Providence (home to the Bahamas' capital city, Nassau), Cat Island, and Bimini. All the islands are low and flat, with ridges that usually rise no more than 50-60 feet. Actually the highest point in the country is Mount Alvernia, formerly called Como Hill, which has an altitude of 207 feet, on Cat Island.

Bimini is called the "Gateway to the Bahamas," although it is a tiny island just 700 feet wide and only 7 miles long. It's said that "on Bimini Island, you'll find more fishing, diving, sailing and more to do per square mile than anywhere in The Bahamas." It lies along the warm Gulfstream current, and has a remarkable preserve of coral reefs, white sand beaches, and very intriguing marine life. The reefs and accompanying shallow lagoons are full of colorful but strangely-shaped tropical fish, as well as sea fans and brain coral, and even ship wrecks. If you are a diving enthusiast, diving off of Bimini is a must and getting there is just a quick day trip from the other islands.

Bimini still offers that wonderful laid-back lifestyle that so captivated Ernest Hemmingway in the 1930s. And the chance to go after the same kinds of fierce game fish that Hemmingway wrote about. It also offers the extraordinary experience of cavorting with the Atlantic spotted dolphin. Or kayaking out to the "Fountain of Youth," an amazing fresh water spring bubbling up through a mangrove mud swamp that spits out lithium and sulfur.

Some of Bimini's mystique lies in the fact that many people consider it to be remnants of the lost civilization of Atlantis. Some believe that the mysterious underwater "Bimini Road" is what remains of a man-made causeway built by Atlantis’ own civil engineers. What do you think? A timeshare rental in the Bahamas will give you plenty of relaxed time to explore this intriguing idea further.

(Photo credit bahamas.com)