How to Market Your Timeshare

So you have decided to sell your timeshare property. How do you get started? Well, there are a couple of ways, you can sell your timeshare using free web tools, promote it yourself online, or contract with a timeshare realty broker. In this blog we are going to speak only about doing it yourself and the free tools that we have online that allow you to market your property using the power of the Web. We'll do another post in the future on selling your timeshare through a timeshare realty broker. The first thing that you should have is some great photos of your unit and the timeshare resort property. You can get these from your resort property's website and property manager or snap some pictures the next time that you visit. Without photos your property will simply sit there so make sure that your photos are great! On our sponsor's site, Timeshare Giant, we have two types of timeshare resale listings, a totally free one -- no strings attached -- and a paid listing. The difference is that with the paid listing you will get ad-free space to advertise your site. The free listing will have an ad at the top. Both types of listings will allow for great exposure and allow visitors to find your listing through our site search features. When you write the content for your advertisement, keep in mind what potential buyers want and need to know. Take time to "romance" your listing. Romancing your listing means focusing on the features and how they benefit your potential buyer. Make sure that your listing is truthful and that the photos are current. If you are not sure what to price your timeshare resale at, ask your resort property manager for advice. Remember price will be one of the most important features for your advertising content as well as location. Potential buyers will be shopping by price, time of year, or by location most frequently. If you are priced too high, your listing will sit. When it comes to price, be realistic, it is better to move to a close on the property than to sit for months without even a nibble. If you feel like you want to sell your timeshare quickly a timeshare realty broker may be the best bet for your need. Professional timeshare real estate brokers will understand the market from a professional level and able to offer more authoritative guidance as well as selling comps to help determine the best price for your timeshare resale. In addition to advertising your timeshare on our site, you may want to consider promoting your site yourself by creating a mini website for it. Many Internet service providers provide free web space and even site building tools to allow you to post some photos and content as well as a link to your email. Also check with your resort's management to see if they have a list of local units for sale that they can add yours to as well. You may even want to consider online advertising although it would not be free in this case pay per click may be a very cost effective way to get the word out that you have a timeshare unit for sale. One of the big things to keep in mind as you sell your timeshare is what is it that made you want to buy it in the first place? Was it the location, was it the week that matched your schedule, was it the amenities of the property? Whatever it was that clinched the deal for you, make sure to cover that in your advertising content in your listing text or your other marketing materials. Let your buyer know what made you fall in love with your timeshare, they may just end up sharing your enthusiasm and be your buyer.

Tranquil Outer Banks Offer Unique Fall Getaway

North Carolina's Outer Banks are a delightfully quiet haven for a romantic getaway or a carefree family vacation. Tranquil, scenic beauty defines the popular barrier islands strung like jewels along the state's Atlantic coast. Gorgeous beaches, diverse parks, history, culture, culinary delights and environmental beauty combine to create a distinctive vacation destination.

Surrounded by 900 miles of ocean, the barrier islands protect North Carolina's coastal mainland from the Atlantic's fury, creating the largest estuary system in the world. The unique environment is a birder's paradise. Miles of pristine beaches, sand dunes and salt marshes are home to more than 400 species of waterfowl, shore and song birds and nesting areas. From fall through spring, birders and nature lovers flock to the Cape Hatteras National Seashore and Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge for the migration and nesting seasons.

Hiking is just one of the activities you can enjoy on the Outer Banks. Cycling, equestrian adventures, hang gliding, kayaking and some of the country's finest golf courses delight visitors. Temperate weather, shallow sound waters and rolling waves make the Outer Banks a a water lover's playground. Known as the windsurfing capital of the east coast for its steady, consistent breezes, you can also try your hand at surfing, boating, sailing, jet skiing, diving and fishing. Equipment rental and lessons are readily available.

Restaurants feature fresh-caught seafood, plucked from the cold waters of the Atlantic that morning. Spend the day gallery hopping or poking in the islands' eclectic variety of unique shops. Tour the islands' charming lighthouses.

If you're a history buff, you'll find plenty of historic sites and museums where you can while away lazy afternoons. The Outer Banks are the landing site of Sir Walter Raleigh's Lost Colony, the new world pioneers whose mysterious disappearance from Roanoke Island has never been explained. The Frisco Native American Museum and Natural History Center provides a fascinating historic view of the barrier islands. Lose yourself in the Civil War and World War II relics and artifacts at the North Carolina Maritime Museum. Visit the Kitty Hawk site of the Wright Brothers' historic airplane flight.

Click here to view the great timeshares available in North Carolina and start planning your vacation now.

Advantages of Buying a Resale Timeshare

You may have noticed that resale timeshare prices are considerably lower than prices for new timeshares. When you buy new, the cost includes the developer's construction and marketing fees. Marketing generally accounts for nearly 50% of the sales price. By buying on the resale market you don't pay for the original marketing which can save you 40% or more. When owners sell a timeshare, they benefit primarily from use, not generally financially. It's like buying a new car, the minute you drive away from the dealership, the resale value drops. You balance that against the pride and pleasure you derive from owning and driving the vehicle. In much the same way, timeshare owners have enjoyed years of memorable vacations in their timeshare. However, because it is not new, its resale value will be less. When you buy a resale timeshare you will benefit both from its use and financially. Take into account too that prices are driven by supply and demand. This year's hot resort may lose its "nouveau" status five years down the road which will decrease its desirability in the market and, therefore, its price. Also, at resorts with thousands of owners, several timeshares may be on the market at the same time which will also keep prices lower. When you purchase a timeshare, you will realize a savings on vacation costs. Timeshares are generally more affordable than hotel rooms, meals, etc. and often provide more luxurious accommodations for a similar price. Purchasing a timeshare is much more than planning your annual vacation. It is an investment in your lifestyle and a promise of quality leisure time that you can look forward to all year long.

Timeshare Term Glossary

Accrual Program, A.R.D.A., Blue Weeks, Day Use, Fractional Interest, Lock-off unit, White Weeks... If you don't know what these terms mean, then let me invite you to check out our Timeshare Glossary of terms at our main website http://www.timesharegiant.com/. You'll be speaking like an expert after you peruse our online glossary. In our Timeshare Glossary we list definitions of over 69 different important terms that are common in the timeshare industry and in the timeshare resale marketplace. Here are the definitions of a few that you may find interesting to pique your curiosity further: Accrual Program: Some resorts offer their owners the ability to move unused weeks from the previous year, for use in the current year. Day Use: If a resort offers day use, a timeshare owner can access the resort’s services and amenities 365 days per year, such as the pool or health club, even while not in residency. White Weeks: A color-code designation used by R.C.I., indicating moderate demand weeks at a resort. R.C.I.’s color-coding is as follows: Red = High Demand, White = Moderate Demand, Blue = Low Demand. Lock-off unit: Also known as a lockout unit, a type of timeshare unit consisting of multiple living and sleeping quarters designed to function as two discrete units for purposes of occupancy and exchange. The unit can be combined to form one large unit or can be split or "locked-off" into two or more separate units, allowing the owner to split the vacation into multiple stays or bank all or a portion for exchange purposes. These are just a few of the terms that you will find in our glossary. We invite you to learn more about timeshares and to identify if buying a timeshare is right for you. Buying a time share may just be the perfect alternative to buying a vacation home. Visit http://www.timesharegiant.com/ now for information on vacationing in a timeshare resort or for more information on buying or selling your timeshare.

We're Up and Running! Come Visit Timeshare Giant's New Website

Timeshare Giant's new website is up and running and ready to serve your vacation needs. A global timeshare travel resource, Timeshare Giant links timeshare owners with timeshare buyers and renters. Click the link or post title to take a look at all the exciting features available to help you plan your next vacation.

These are just some of the things you'll find on Timeshare Giant's new website:

• Home page. Keep up-to-date on the latest industry news. Find out about special promotional getaways to the world's swankest resorts. Enjoy the convenience of one-stop shopping with our travel service. Book airline flights, hotels, cars and cruises in just minutes. Peruse our fabulous travel store where you'll find helpful books about timeshare, excellent travel guides, and many other items carefully selected to make your vacation more enjoyable.


• Buy or rent a timeshare. Search for timeshares available for sale or rent by resort name, location or listing ID number. Browse for timeshares by clicking on the world map or select from a list of countries or a list of states for U.S. listings. You can even search by venue: mountain, beach, yacht, motorhome, theme park, golf, metropolitan, pet friendly, etc.


• Sell or rent out your timeshare. No commissions, no upfront fees, with Timeshare Giant you have complete control over the sale or rental of your timeshare. Timeshare Giant gives you a 6-month basic ad listing absolutely free at no cost or obligation. For those who desire more exposure, additional services are available at very reasonable rates. Using our simple automated online system, your listing can be crafted and posted in a matter of minutes.


• My account. Set up an account to track your timeshare activity. It takes only seconds and requires minimal information.


• Helpful toolbox. At the bottom of each page you'll find a helpful toolbox containing a 4-year timeshare calendar, seller's checklist, owner's rental checklist, quick and easy loan calculator, prompt and accurate escrow services and a glossary.

Visit Timeshare Giant's new website today and start planning your next dream vacation. We look forward to serving you.

Why Vacation in a Timeshare?

Timeshare vacations provide you with incredible choice and flexibility. Choose from 52 weeks in the year, 5400 fabulous sites around the world, every climate from chilly snow-covered ski slopes to hot sandy beaches, every environment from big glittering cities to cozy secluded cottages -- whatever your definition of paradise, there's a timeshare there waiting for you. What are the advantages of a timeshare vacation?

• When you vacation in a timeshare, you can stay at some of the world's most popular resorts and luxury condominiums without paying exorbitant hotel rates. Using timeshares, you can even vacation on a yacht, a luxury motorhome or at an exclusive spa.
• Timeshares provide an affordable way to explore the world's exotic vacation spots while you search for your personal piece of heaven on Earth.
• You enjoy the priority status of an owner when you stay in a timeshare.
• You can find an amazing timeshare vacation to fit any budget.
• Timeshares allow you to book your favorite vacation spot years in advance.
• Condo timeshares have kitchens, private bedrooms with baths and may sleep up to 10. You'll have plenty of space to share with friends and family and still have the privacy you enjoy.
• Resort timeshares provide plenty of activities and tours, many of them free. It's like having your own personal tour director do all the planning for you.
• Timeshares allow you to experience unparalleled luxury. Depending on the timeshare, you can pamper yourself with a private swimming pool, personal sauna, private beach, maid service, personal chef, daily massage and much more.

To find out more about timeshare vacations, visit Timeshare Giant.

What Is Your Vacation Personality?

Most Americans only get two or three weeks vacation each year. That's not much time to kick back, relax and recharge your batteries. It's helpful to know what kind of vacationer you are before you rent a timeshare, book your flight and take off into the wild blue yonder. You'd hate to waste your time and money on a vacation that turned out to be more stressful than relaxing. It's particularly important to know yourself and your vacation personality when you plan to vacation with other people. To determine your vacation personality, ask yourself these questions before you start planning your next trip:

• What level of comfort is important to you? Do you prefer to vacation in pampered luxury? Or would you rather be left alone in peace to take care of yourself?
• What kind of environment do you enjoy? Do you crave the excitement of the city with its theaters, nightclubs and fine restaurants? Or does the peaceful quiet of green forests and babbling brooks soothe your soul?
• What kind of people do you like to be with? Are you a party person who likes to groove with a happy, noisy crowd? Or would you rather share a quiet conversation and a bottle of wine with a few intimate friends?
• What types of activities do you enjoy? Do you love wandering through museums and poking in obscure little shops? Or do you like to hike trails, cycle through the countryside or go riding in the mountains?
• How adventurous are you? Do you love to try new things, make plans on the spur of the moment, turn down a road just to see what's there? Or are you happier knowing what's coming, having a plan and sticking to it, always knowing where you are going?

When you're planning your vacation -- and choosing your fellow travelers -- think carefully about your expectations. Of course, things like time and money will play a part in your vacation decisions, but even on a budget you can find timeshares that let your fulfill your vacation dreams.

Want to find out more about your vacation personality? Click here to take a fun little quiz from the U.S. Tour Operators Association.

Travel Insurance Can Protect You from Disaster

Hurricane season has started in the Atlantic. Weather news has been focused on Hurricane Dean, the massive storm relentlessly chugging toward Jamaica and the Cayman Islands. Views of the Category 4 storm taken from the International Space Station show an alarming whirlpool of angry clouds spinning over a huge section of the ocean. No wonder frightened tourists are mobbing Caribbean airports trying to flee Dean's path. When you plan a vacation, sometimes renting a timeshare months or even a year in advance, there's no way to plan for the weather or natural disasters. No one plans to vacation in the eye of a hurricane, on a tropical island during a tsunami, in the midst of a crowded city when an earthquake strikes or during any of the other myriad disasters that befall our planet. You can plan your vacation down to the minute, but you can't plan on the weather. Mother Earth has a mind of her own! What you can do is consider purchasing travel insurance. There are various types of travel insurance to cover the host of unpleasant emergency situations you may find yourself in when you are far from home:

• Travel Medical Insurance and International Medical Insurance pay for major medical expenses including doctor and/or hospital care, emergency surgery and extended hospital stays for sickness or injury, even medical evacuation back home, if necessary. Deductibles and co-pays may apply. Travel assistance may also be included.
• Travel Accident Insurance and Accidental Death Plans pay a lump sum if you are killed or seriously injured (loss of limb or eye) in an accident. Repatriation of remains in case of death if usually included. You can purchase insurance for travel by plane, common carrier or 24-hour coverage which pays a benefit for accidental death or dismemberment no matter how or where they occur during travel. Terrorism is usually included, though some policies require a separate rider. War is generally not covered, but you can purchase War Risk Insurance at very high prices.
• Emergency Evacuation Insurance covers the cost of transporting a seriously ill or injured person to either the nearest medical facility, a hospital near home or a hospital of his choice. Often included in travel medical and trip protection plans, emergency evacuation insurance can also be purchased as a stand-alone policy.
• Travel Protection Plans and Trip Cancellation Insurance cover the cost of unreimbursed travel expenses if you are forced to cancel your vacation due to an unexpected crisis (death, accident, illness, airline strike, travel company bankruptcy, etc.). Some policies also provide travel assistance, lost or damaged luggage, and limited medical coverage (sometimes with a co-pay).
• Post Departure Trip Protection covers you against travel delay, trip interruption, trip cancellation, and baggage loss or delay.

While most insurance covers only a specific vacation period, Multi-Trip Travel Insurance may be a cost-effective investment for frequent travelers. Multi-trip insurance is usually sold as a package that includes medical, emergency assistance, medical evacuation, accidental death, baggage and trip delay protection. Plans are available for both domestic and international travel.

New Seven Wonders of the World Announced

With the exception of the pyramids at Giza, the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World are so much dust blowing in the wind. The most amazing manmade architectural constructions of antiquity, the seven wonders once regaled Greek sightseers. (You can still read their graffiti near the pyramids in Egypt!) While other seven wonders lists have appeared over time, the classic Mediterranean sights selected by the ancient Greeks are revered as the traditional Wonders of the World. Time, fire and earthquakes have demolished the storied Hanging Gardens of Babylon, the immense Colossus of Rhodes, the towering Lighthouse of Alexandria, and the others. Only the Great Pyramid at Giza in Egypt, built from 2650 to 2500 BC, remains standing today. Over the centuries, other feats of human engineering have been awarded World Wonders status, including Stonehenge, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, and the Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa. More recently the American Society of Civil Engineers compiled a list of modern wonders that include the Channel Tunnel under the Straits of Dover, the Empire State Building, the Golden Gate Bridge, and the Panama Canal. The search for the recently released New Seven Wonders of the World was initiated in 2001 by the Swiss New Open World Corporation. From a list of 200 monuments, 21 finalists were announced in January 2006 and put to a global internet vote. While some may argue with the selections -- Stonehenge and the Easter Island monoliths didn't make the cut -- the seven new sites chosen are truly deserving of man's admiration. In deference to its inclusion in the original list of Seven Wonders of the World, the pyramids at Giza were included again as an honorary, eighth, wonder. The new Wonders of the World are:

• Colosseum in Italy
• Taj Mahal in India
• Petra in Jordan
• Christ the Redeemer statue in Brazil
• Manchu Picchu in Peru
• Pyramid at Chichen Itza in Mexico
• Great Wall of China
• Pyramids at Giza in Egypt

Unlike our ancient ancestors, modern travellers can plan to visit the World Wonders in their lifetime. The new list makes a good start to an eclectic life travel list. Mexico's Esencia Resort now offers a special 7th World Wonder travel package to vacationers who want to visit Chichen Itza. Flight by private jet cuts travel time from an arduous seven to a very accessible three hours, placing the Mexican architectural marvel within the reach of many more travellers. A day trip to the massive 79-foot tall stair-step pyramid (365 steps if you climb to the top!) is the centerpiece of a 5-night, 6-day luxury vacation at the beautiful resort. Click here for more information.

Girlfriends Only Vacations Draw Rave Reviews

Girls' Night Out has moved to the next level: the Girlfriends Only Vacation. The popularity of women only vacations is growing. Unattached women, mixed single and married friends, widows, sisters, neighbors, co-workers: they're all leaving -- without so much as a boyfriend, husband or child in tow -- to spend some quality time together laughing, playing, sharing secrets, revelling in the chance to toss away their responsibilities for a few days of relaxation and gossip with the girls. In a survey, a Maryland tour company, Women Traveling Together, found that 65% of their clients had left husbands or boyfriends to vacation with other women. The women polled ranged in age from 40 to 65. Of those surveyed, 80% felt men and women had different interests when vacationing, which meant both had to compromise when travelling together. Their solution: separate vacations! Single, divorced or widowed women in particular are banding together to travel or vacation. If family can't join them, they'd rather go solo than stay home. Since 1970 the number of unmarried women has increased, the earning power of women has grown, and the medium age at which men and women are marrying is older. The result is more single, unattached women with greater disposable income and a yen to travel. In fact, 40% of women age 35 and older do not have a built-in travel partner. Check out the award-winning website JourneyWoman. You'll find it chock full of information, advice and links for women travelers, whether you're traveling for leisure or business. You'll find suggestions to share with your girlfriends on great places to go that cater to women travellers. Marvelous spas, delightful restaurants, exciting adventures, fabulous shopping -- whatever makes a vacation perfect for you.

Quaint Maine Island Draws Art and Nature Lovers

The wild, windswept, rocky coast of Maine calls to vacationers seeking peace and relaxation. Its raw natural beauty also provides plenty of subject matter for artists who seek their inspiration in nature. If you're enjoying Maine's idyllic summer or planning to take in Maine's dazzling fall foliage, consider visiting the eccentric art community on picturesque Monhegan Island.

It's easy to plan a day trip from your Rockport or Rockland timeshare. The ferry trip from Port Clyde to tiny Monhegan Island 10 miles off the mid-Maine coast will take you through a wonderland of frolicking sealife for a thoroughly pleasant day in the quaint art community. If you paint, bring your brushes. (Best place to buy art supplies: the Lupine Gallery near the ferry dock.) Every turn is filled with picturesque scenes -- craggy cliffs, surf washed rocks, tall blue lupines, weatherworn lighthouse, a host of waterfowl -- awaiting your brush.

"There is something intangible in the culture of Monhegan that makes it completely unique," said painter Elizabeth Torak of Pawlet, Vermont. "It really feels like an artists' paradise. People don't disturb you when you are working; it seems that people see a working artist as simply another part of the landscape."

Just one square mile in size, Monhegan is a panorama of rock, sea and forest that lures nature lovers and artists alike. Home of a primitive fishing village and 70% a dedicated nature preserve, there are no roads on the island, just footpaths connecting the town, so wear your walking shoes and pack light. Also bring a flashlight to light your way as you'll find no streetlights on Monhegan.

What you will find is about two dozen delightful informal art studios and galleries. There is a wonderful variety of art to enjoy (and purchase) and a host of interesting local artists always ready for a nice chat. Studio hours are posted on community bulletin boards on the main path and by the post office. The island gained notoriety when landscape painter Rockwell Kent (1882-1971) moved there in 1905 and immortalized the rugged landscape, capturing the moods of the every-changing light on the sea. Among the artists who have flocked to Monhegan Island over the years are George Bellows, Kate Cheney Chappell, Robert Henri, Don Stone and threee generations of Wyeths.

Monhegan Island is a quiet place. Your cell phone won't work, there's no place to plug in a laptop, you won't find the NY Times or a Starbucks on the corner, and you have to pack out your own trash. You will find peace, quiet, gorgeous scenery, delightful easy walking trails, wonderful art and friendly, interesting people. For creature comforts there is a quaint lodge and an inn where you can get a bite or even a bed if you've booked ahead (rooms are very limited). Make sure you stop by the Novelty snack shop for a taste of the local delicacy: mocha whoopie pie. Click here for more information.

Getting there: The closest ferry is the Monhegan Boat Line (207-372-8848) which casts off from Port Clyde at the tip of St. George peninsula. Cars are left in the ferry lot as Monhegan has no roads. A round trip fare will run about $30. Be sure to make advance reservations as ferry space is limited. You'll find ferry schedules and information on nature excursions on the boat line's website. Muscongus Bay off the mid-coast of Maine is home to puffins, harbor seals, porpoises and minke whales.

You'll find a wide selection of timeshare resort properties to call home during your Maine vacation. Click here to view a complete list of timeshare resort properties in Maine.

What Do All the Colors Mean?

If you've been looking into renting or buying a timeshare, you've probably wondered what's with the colors? Red weeks, white weeks, green weeks? What does it mean? Perhaps a timeshare is the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. The colors are an easily understood way of indicating level of demand at various times during the year. Since timeshares are located all over the world, the most desirable vacation season will vary from location to location. Certainly more vacationers will flock to the warm beaches of the Caribbean during the winter to escape the frigid snows back home. Likewise, Aspen may be pleasant in the summer, but the high season is in winter when its magnificent ski slopes draw hordes of vacationers. Every vacation destination has its season when demand will be highest, which is what the colors indicate. Colors were developed by timeshare exchange companies as a way of trading value for value. There are two major exchange companies in the world: Resort Condominiums International (RCI) and Interval International (II). Exchange companies operate banks where timeshare owners can deposit their week at a given resort (see our last post for more information on timeshare banking). This creates a pool of weeks at various resorts around the world from which members can select a resort and vacation time of their choosing. To assist in determining the value of each timeshare for the purpose of exchanging them, the exchange companies divide the 52 weeks of the year into periods of high and low demand at each resort and color code them for ease of use:

• Most popular = Red (RCI & II)
• Medium demand = White (RCI) or Yellow (II)
• Low demand = Blue (RCI) or Green (II)

You can use the color codes not only to determine the most desirable times to visit a resort, but also to find bargains. If you want to enjoy most of the prime advantages of a resort (weather, temperature, etc.) but avoid the crowds, shop for white or yellow properties. If you want to try somewhere new and your budget is tight, look at blue and green properties. Vacations are always cheaper in the off season.

What Is Timeshare Banking?

In the timeshare industry, you bank time not money; and transactions are made in weeks, not dollars. But the basic idea is the same. You deposit timeshare weeks today so you can withdraw them later -- maybe next month, six months from now, even next year.

Developed by timeshare exchanges, banking (sometimes called space banking) allows timeshare owners to better manage their investment. A timeshare bank is a data base listing the availability of timeshares all over the world. Timeshare owners who don't plan to use their allotted week can deposit it in the bank. They may also make a deposit if they want to exchange their timeshare location or date for a different location or date. This allows someone else to withdraw and use your timeshare during your appointed week. For every week you deposit in the bank, you receive a credit on your balance sheet which allows you to use that week at some time in the future. Weeks you banked in a previous year that are available for use during the current calendar year are called accrued weeks.

For example: Say the timeshare you own is for the first week in September at a Caribbean resort. This year, however, that's the very week your daughter will be giving birth to your first grandchild. Of course you want to do the grandma thing, so you bank your timeshare. By banking it you allow someone else to withdraw your timeshare and use your allotted week in the Caribbean. You now have a week in the bank to use at another less hectic time in your life. Or perhaps you own a timeshare in the mountains but you prefer to go to the beach this year. You deposit your week in the mountains so you can exchange it for a week at the beach.

Sometimes owners new to timeshares misunderstand their banking and/or exchange rights. When you bank your timeshare, you give up your right to occupy your property for your given week. That right transfers to the exchange company (bank) which will offer it to someone else. If you sell your timeshare after it has been banked, the new owner will not be able to use the timeshare during the banked period. However, the new owner may have the right to the previous owner's exchange. That is, he may be able to withdraw a different timeshare location or time from the bank. Sometimes, however, the seller maintains his exchange right and does not transfer it to the buyer. This is an often misunderstood concept between timeshare buyers and sellers. When you purchase a timeshare, it is always important to clearly understand your rights and read the fine print. Owners typically have two years to use or exchange banked properties.

You may also hear the terms block or bulk banking. To ensure that their rooms don't go empty, some resorts will designate a certain number of rooms for timeshare exchanges. They deposit a large number, or block, of weeks into the timeshare bank early in the year. Their goal is to entice timeshare owners to select their resort when the owners make a withdrawal from the bank.

Italy Tops 10 Hot Honeymoon Destinations

Move over Paris, Italy is the new hot place for lovers. Italy took the top spot in Modern Bride magazine's 11th annual World's Best Honeymoons survey. More than 6,000 luxury travel agents were asked to rank their 50 favorite honeymoon sites. Third last year, Italy moved into the No. 1 spot for the first time. Hawaii, which has reigned as the top honeymoon destination for a decade, ran a close second. This is the first year in some time that beach destinations did not sweep the top 10, though they still made a strong showing. Warmth, water and sand will always have a romantic allure for honeymooners. Survey results are available in the August/September issue of Modern Bride. The top 10 honeymoon destinations are:

Italy Hawaii Tahiti Costa Rica Mexico France the Maldives Anguilla Fiji Greece

My favorite section of the survey was the "bests" list:

• Best beach: Caneel Bay, St. John, US Virgin Islands
• Best bar: The Setai, Miami
• Best resort spa: Four Seasons, Chiang Mai, Thailand
• Most luxurious bathroom: Mandarin Oriental, San Francisco
• Ultimate honeymoon suite: Premier Overwater Villa, St. Regis Resort, Bora Bora, French Polynesia.

On my next trip to San Francisco, I think I'll have to check out that bathroom! The most affordable honeymoon destinations were Mexico, Las Vegas and the Dominican Republic. If you and your new spouse thirst for adventure, try Costa Rica, South Africa or New Zealand. A few tips for planning the perfect honeymoon:

• Plan together. Talk about where you want to go and what you want to do. You may be thinking mai tais on the beach while he's thinking jet ski and surfing lessons. This is may be your first opportunity to practice compromise!
• Set a budget. This is your first major expense as a couple. Remember to factor in transportation, lodging, meals, transfers, sight-seeing, activities, souvenirs, tips, taxes and those little luxuries that make you feel pampered. Be realistic about what you can afford. A memorable honeymoon doesn't have to be an expensive one.
• Passports. If you plan to travel abroad for your honeymoon, make sure you apply early for your passports. It can take 10 to 12 weeks for your passport application to be processed. Beginning January 1, 2008, all persons travelling outside the US, including Canada and Mexico, will be required to present a passport to re-enter the country. Click here for more information.
• Pamper yourselves. A honeymoon is a lifetime event. Splurge a little. Get the massage, have champagne and strawberries delivered to your room, take the midnight cruise -- make your honeymoon a memorable trip and start building memories together.

Lush and Beautiful, Hawaii Beckons

Brilliant sun, sparkling sand, lush palms waving overhead, crystal clear turquoise water as far as the eye can see -- aaahhh. You lean back, the frosty glass in your hand providing a delightfully cool counterpoint as you wriggle your toes into the soft warm white sand. Aaaahhh, Hawaii, paradise on earth!

Located on the stunning southern coast of Kauai, 51 lush, verdant acres stretch languorously along the soft white sands of Kalapaki Beach, beckoning vacationers. The Kauai Marriott Resort & Beach Club surrounds you with extraordinary beauty and luxury.

A vacation ownership resort, Marriott's Kaunai Beach Club offers a full-service luxury hotel and spa as well as spacious one and two-bedroom villas. Three stellar restaurants, a spectacular 26,000 square-foot swimming pool, a full range of beachfront activities and two superb golf courses nearby (designed by master golfer Jack Nicklaus) assure a pleasurable day -- and evening -- no matter what your mood. Click here for more information.

This is just one of the 5,500 stunning timeshare resorts available in more than 90 countries around the world. Timeshare is such a fast growing area of the travel and tourism industry that major brands like Marriott, Hilton, Hyatt, Four Seasons, Sheraton, Ramada and De Vere are joining the international timeshare community. More than 12 million people from 200 different countries take timeshare vacations every year. You could be one of them.

For more information, click here to visit Preferred Timeshare Resales or click the post title to rent a timeshare on Timeshare Giant.

What's on Your Travel Life List?

"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do, than by the ones you did. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream."

Mark Twain is said to have penned those prophetic words years ago when travel to distant places was by ship. A wanderer himself, always seeking new experiences, Twain often wrote about the joy of discovery -- places, people, ideas. Discovery is what fires the imagination and warms us when we can no longer roam, he said in Innocents Abroad. Travel is a process of discovery, as much a journey of self-discovery as of exploring new landscapes, which ranks it high on the life lists that are so popular now. You've heard of them, important things to do before you die. Everyone has a life list these days, from Oprah to my 8-year old neighbor. (Her list runs heavily to Disney: go to Disney World, sleep in Cinderella's castle, go to Disney World again ...)

I saw a great book in my local bookstore recently, 1,000 Places to See Before You Die: A Traveler's Life List by Patricia Schultz ($13.57 on Amazon). For those who prefer to travel closer to home, Ms. Schultz has also complied 1,000 Places to See in the U.S.A. & Canada Before You Die ($11.97 on Amazon).

The world's wonders exist well beyond the current vacation hot spot, Schultz reminds us. She writes with passion about unforgettable travel destinations. In choosing her list, she says, "the common denominator I chose was a simple one: that each place impress upon the visitor some sense of the earth's magic, integrity, wonder and legacy." On her list: Oregon's Lewis & Clark Trail; the Alhambra in Andalusia, Spain; the Great Wall of China; Ipanema Beach; Oaxaca's Saturday market; Jordan's lost city of Petra; Venice from a gondola; bungee-jumping into a New Zealand gorge; the Corn Palace in Mitchell, South Dakota. Wrote St. Augustine of Hippo in ancient times, "The world is a book, and those who do not travel, read only one page." There are timeshares in every corner of the globe, everywhere you want to travel. What's holding you back?

What's Coming on Timeshare Giant

Timeshare Giant is out to change things in the timeshare industry. Our goal is to bring vacationers and timeshare owners together. We want to give vacationers the opportunity to experience the excitement and delight of vacationing in a timeshare and to make it easy and affordable for timeshare owners to sell or rent their properties. Timeshare Giant is getting ready to roll. We're just putting the finishing touches on our website and will be up and running very soon. (Click the post title to check on our progress.) Once we're open for business, these are some of the advantages Timeshare Giant will offer you. One-stop shopping for vacationers There are 5,400 timeshares around the world and you'll find them all on Timeshare Giant, including:

• exclusive private resorts where you can relax on your own secluded strip of pristine white sand beach, far from prying eyes;
• exciting, action-packed resort playgrounds where you can meet and cavort with other active adults;
• fun family destinations with loads of activities for kids of all ages -- young and old;
• quiet mountain hideaways where you can hike or ski all day, then enjoy the sunset while soaking in the hot tub;
• vibrant big city condos right in the center of the entertainment district, mere steps from gourmet restaurants, fabulous museums and first-class theater;
• and much, much more.

If you can dream it, you can find it on Timeshare Giant. We take all the pain and effort out of vacationing. We offer one-stop shopping for a carefree vacation. Let us take care of your airfare, car rentals, cruise bookings, tickets to attractions and more. All you have to do is enjoy yourself!

Easy, affordable advertising for timeshare owners

Timeshare Giant makes it easy to rent or sell your timeshare. We offer a variety of very affordable services to fit every need and budget:

• A free 6-month basic listing displays your timeshare ad on its own web page with a resort photo and text at absolutely no cost or obligation. Other ads and Gallery listings may also appear on your page.
• Our premium listing increases your exposure and results by displaying only your timeshare ad on your page, including resort photo and text. Your ad will be listed ahead of the free ads and no other ads will display on your page. This way you don't have to worry about your ad competing against ads for other properties.
• The premium + gallery listing provides the best possible exposure and results. Your timeshare ad is displayed on its own web page, furnished with a resort photo and descriptive text about your property. All premium listings appear first on the Timeshare Giant web site to maximize your visibility and exposure to the greatest possible number of renters and buyers. In addition, your property will be showcased in a special Gallery banner that will rotate throughout the Timeshare Giant website, calling even greater attention to your property.

These are just a few of the exciting features you'll find on Timeshare Giant. Stay tuned. We guarantee it will be worth the wait!