Have You Considered Travel Insurance?

Anyone who has missed a connecting flight or had to cancel a trip knows that vacations do not always go as planned. But when do you really need to consider travel insurance?

Your homeowner's or renter's insurance policy probably covers your possessions, so you don't have to worry about lost luggage. The same applies to renting a car—if you are a car owner, your auto insurance most likely covers you when you rent a car. It is worth it to take the time to check these policies before you travel, however.

Arranging trips takes a good deal of time and often we don't think beyond getting flights, checking timeshare availability, and researching activities. One key reason that many people get traveler's insurance is not to protect possessions, but to protect the investment they've made in the booking of the trip itself. Travel insurance can give you peace of mind and save you money if for some reason your vacation plans change. You could need to cancel your trip, your cruise could be delayed until a later date, or the weather at your destination could prevent travel.

Travel insurance is not necessary for every trip you take. If you know that a cancellation or other interruption to a trip, especially a short one, will not set you back too much, then perhaps you don’t need it.

If you travel often or are planning a really big trip, such as your honeymoon you may want to consider getting travel insurance to cover your bases in the event of an unplanned alteration to your travel itinerary.

For people who travel often and visit timeshares around the world, it is possible to get year-round coverage. Like anything you buy in bulk or large quantities, you can save money by getting a travel insurance policy to cover the various trips you take in a year.

If your travel plans include a cruise, the cruise line will likely offer you their own travel insurance. You can take this, but it may be a good idea to shop around and see what else is out there. A company that is not connected to the cruise you are taking may provide better coverage or offer a better rate.

What Color is Your Timeshare? Why Color Matters

For those new to timeshares, the dizzying array of color designations that designate how desirable a timeshare is can be very confusing. In the color game, it is also important to know that, for example, not all reds are created equal.

Here is how the system works. Timeshare exchange companies rate timeshare property desirability by seasons. The value of some timeshares is highly dependent on seasonal demand. For example, most people only want to go to Vermont in the summer or during ski season. In the fall or spring when the weather can be dicey, there is not a lot of interest in going there. So for some Vermont timeshares, the summer and ski season color would be red, the most desirable designation. In places like Paris or London where there is no seasonality in terms of people wanting to go there, many of these timeshares will be rated red all year round.

A designation of blue or green indicates the time of least demand, depending on which of the two main ratings systems is used (RCI or II). Similarly, white or yellow are assigned to the shoulder seasons, depending on the rating system of choice. Timeshare ownership during the red season will generally cost more and be worth more on exchange than ownership during one of the less desirable seasons. For people wanting timeshares primarily for their exchange potential and who want to make the best exchanges, they should be astute in their choice of color and time interval.

What makes all this color business so tricky is that you can not just look at the color of a timeshare and directly compare it with another timeshare of the same color. This is because some resorts are more luxurious, and therefore have higher exchange desirability than others at the same destination. It can also depend on availability. For example, in the Florida Keys where a timeshare might be red all year round, demand in the hot, sweaty, summer will not be as high as it is in the middle of winter. As a result, the exchange points for the winter occupancy will be worth more than those at the same place in the middle of August.

Remember also that blue or green and white or yellow ratings are not all created equal either. If you are in the right location, right on the cusp of the white/red or yellow/red season, then your white timeshare in Scottsdale, Arizona might be worth more in exchange points than a red one in Orlando Florida because there are just too many available timeshares in Orlando. So you see, color does matter. But keep in mind it is only good as a first cut in terms of what you want to look for.

New to Timeshares? What to Consider in Making a Purchase

For people who love resort vacations, wanting to stretch their vacation dollar further, and wanting to step away from the 4-walled limitations of a hotel room, timeshare ownership is a ever-growing popular alternative. More economically sound than renting hotels, timeshare ownership allows its owners not only to maximize your investment dollars but also offers the ability to either establish a family vacation tradition in a really nice place or can provide you with the flexibility to vacation in the lap of luxury in the vacation locale of your choice. So if you are considering buying a timeshare, but haven’t done so yet, here are some tips on what to look for.

Timeshare owners make their buying decisions based on 2 reasons: (1) They buy to experience a family tradition each year at a special location, or (2) They buy with thoughts of exchanging time at their home resort for time at thousands of other resort timeshares around the world. You might also want to consider the flexibility of buying a timeshare that would achieve both goals so that as you get older and your lifestyle changes, as your kids grow up, and as you and your spouse finally get the time to travel the world, you can make the most of your investment.

If you are buying for a family get away and aren't very concerned about exchanging then ask yourself these questions: Is the resort location in a place special to your heart, that you would really like to experience as a tradition each year? Do you enjoy the amenities and activities the resort location offers? How nicely appointed is the resort? Do the amenities and furnishings in the condo residences fit your vacation lifestyle? Do you like the grounds? Your answers to these questions will guide your decision and also help you maximize your investment in your timeshare vacation lifestyle.

If you are looking at your timeshare purchase primarily to be used for exchange with timeshares elsewhere, chose your location carefully; The your success with your timeshare exchanges is often hinged on the desirability of the resort, the resort location, unit size, supply, and demand.

I've found most timeshare buyers are attracted to the timeshare concept for both reasons. They have a special connection or affinity to the resort location they chose for their home resort, and they also love the flexibility of exchanging their time for time at other timeshare resorts as an added bonus to their ownership.

You can research timeshare options in your favorite corner of the Earth at www.TimeshareGiant.com. You can search for properties, sell your timeshare, or even rent a timeshare.

North Pole Timeshares a Hot Property!

It's holiday joy, not global warming, that is making the new North Pole Gingerbread Timeshare Villas such hot sellers. Driven by their inner child, people are snapping up the new offering like Christmas cookies disappearing from Grandma's dessert plate. It's a childhood dream come true for many -- and the ultimate timeshare vacation for those with children and grandchildren. Imagine spending Christmas with the Jolly Old Elf himself!

Your North Pole timeshare vacation starts when you board the Polar Express, the exclusive travel arm of the North Pole. You will be greeted by elves and taken by sleigh (of course, pulled by reindeer) to your Gingerbread Timeshare Villa. Quaint gingerbread villas are laid out along candy cane-fenced lanes. Icing sparkles from cookie-shingled roof tops and the sun glints off peppermint drop windows. Marshmallow snowmen grin from the yards and spun-sugar trees shade the gumdrop shrubbery-lined walkways.

Each gingerbread villa is made from Mrs. Claus' fabulous secret recipe and snacking is encouraged. Naturally (Santaland is a magical place, after all), everything is self-regenerating so if Junior eats a hole in the chocolate chip cookie door, you'll never know. Gingerbread Timeshare Villas come in several luxurious configurations from spacious two bedroom, two bath units on up to villas big enough to accommodate extended families of 20 or more. Each unit features a soothing melted chocolate hot tub, a wide variety of exotic hot chocolates on tap, the resort's famous never-ending plate of Christmas cookies, and, of course, a beautifully decorated Christmas tree next to the massive fireplace. (Santa puts on a few pounds this time of year sampling Mrs. Claus' cookies and the resort likes to make Christmas Eve a little easier on the big guy.)

You're in the heart of Santaland, Gingerbread Timeshare Villas are just moments away from the North Pole's many wonderful attractions. Sledding, tobogganing, ice skating and snowman making are family favorites; but you can also try your hand at ice sculpting, igloo making and a host of other winter activities. Children young and old flock to the elves' workshops where you can help make toys, bake cookies or wrap gifts. No visit the to the North Pole is complete without a ride in Santa's magic sleigh. After your ride, you're invited to pet your favorite reindeer and give them carrots to munch.

The highlight of a Christmas timeshare vacation to the North Pole is the annual packing of the sleigh on Christmas Eve. Then the magical moment arrives as Santa boards the sleigh, Rudolf's nose starts to gleam, the reindeer paw the ground and the sleigh lifts off the ground, flying toward the moon, as Santa's booming voice cries out: Merry Christmas to all and to all a Good Night!

Merry Christmas from Timeshare Giant.

Condo Hotels: Does This Timeshare Hybrid Have a Future?

When SUVs appeared on the scene, some people got excited, and some turned up their noses. There were debaters who questions and championed their usefulness, while some people just stayed on the fence. We wondered: are they a fad or are they here to stay?

This is also the case with another hybrid: the condo hotel or condotel, as some call it. As hybrids go, this one combines many of the good and bad features of both ancestors.

Because they combine the luxury of high-end hotels and the spaciousness of a condo, you can expect to be more than comfortable. You get the conveniences of a home, like appliances, that don’t get in every hotel. You can also take advantage of services-like a concierge, restaurant, and spa-that few people have at home.

One of the prime motivations for buying into a condo hotel is also one of the major factors in all real estate: location, location, location. As the owner of a unit in a condo hotel, you would have access to lodging in the destination of your choosing. You also reap the benefits that come when this same property is rented out to others. Staff is charged with booking reservations for your property. A prime location means that your prospects for sizeable rental income are very good.

On the flip side, the popularity of the destination means that you may not be able to use your unit whenever you want. If someone else has booked the time slot you want, you have to choose another, even though you are the owner. Travel hot spots attract business and developers, so if similar condo hotels go up, you may find your rental income actually decreasing when travelers have more choices.

There is a condo association and you will have to pay fees. However, the staff coordinates repairs, so you don’t have to worry about that. The good news is that you do not have to pay hotel taxes when you stay in your own unit.

Municipalities are still not sure how to regulate them, although some are starting to put limits on how much time an owner can spend in their own unit (typically 60-90 days).

For New Year's, It's Vegas, Baby

Las Vegas is calling! It's time to make your New Year's reservations. If you want to ring in the new year with glam, glitz and fabulous entertainment, there is no place more exciting than Las Vegas.

Las Vegas offers lots of fun shopping, gourmet restaurants, premium entertainment, world class golf courses, delightful spas and, of course, opulent casinos. You can tour the world from the elegant Italian Riviera to the mysterious Mayan empire by visiting the many themed casino resorts along "the strip."

In Las Vegas, timeshares come in every shape and flavor. From the newly remodeled Jockey Club (right), located right on the exciting neon-bathed strip, to the secluded desert oasis provided by the Cliffs at Peace Canyon (below, left), your perfect New Year's getaway is available on Timeshare Giant. Just click the post title to preview all 30 outstanding Las Vegas timeshare properties.

While the opulent casinos are still the big draw in "Sin City," modern Las Vegas offers so many other exciting attractions that it's become a major vacation destination. You may be so busy going to the amazing shows, shopping in the unique shops, relaxing at the spas, sampling the gourmet fare or soaking up the sun around the pool that you may never shake the hand of a one-armed bandit!

Vegas has been called the adult's "Magic Kingdom," but it offers plenty of family activities and entertainment, too. On the strip you can watch an exciting water battle between pirate ships, paddle through Venice in a gondola, walk the storied streets of New York City, screech down a giant roller coaster, swim amid waterfalls -- if you can dream it, you can do it in Las Vegas!

Make sure you get off the strip long enough to tour historic downtown Las Vegas. You won't want to miss the dazzling light show on legendary Fremont Street. If you need a change of pace, Hoover Dam, Red Rock Canyon, the Valley of Fire, the Grand Canyon, Death Valley and Lake Mead make easy day trips.

Check Climate When Planning a Vacation

When you plan a timeshare vacation, it's helpful to know what the weather will be like, particularly if you're planning months or a year in advance. You don't want to pack a suitcase full of shorts and t-shirts for a winter vacation in Tucson, Arizona and arrive to find the daily temperature is closer to 50 than 80!

When you're making travel plans months in advance, you should look for information on climate rather than weather. Climate data provide long-term averages for temperatures, rain, snow and sunshine. You can even find out how many clear versus cloudy days to expect during your stay.

Researching an area's climate will tell you what the weather conditions are most likely to be when you visit. If you were thinking of visiting a Tucson timeshare in February to bask in the hot, desert warmth, you might want to rethink things. The average temperature in Tucson in February is a chilly 55 degrees! (Shown above left: Starr Pass Golf Suites.) If you want to toast in the sun, you'll have to head for the Virgin Islands where the average February temperature is a toasty 79 degrees. (Shown below right: Bluebeard's Beach Club & Villas.)

My favorite site for climate information is www.weatherbase.com which provides up-to-date climate information on 16,439 locations worldwide. A great vacation planning aid, the site provides annual as well as monthly data. You can find out everything you ever wanted to know about a site's temperature fluctuation: average high, average low, highest recorded, lowest recorded, average number of hot days (90+), average number of warm days (70+), average number of cold days (-32) and average number of frigid days (-10).

When you're within a week to 10 days of your vacation, that's when you want to check the weather. Weather forecasts give you short-term predictions that focus on current weather conditions in the area. Check the climate of your timeshare vacation site when you plan your trip; check the weather just before you leave.

Last Minute Gift Ideas From Timeshare Giant

The Christmas countdown is nearing the panic zone. Only 7 shopping days left! If fighting the crowds at the mall drives you crazy, we have the perfect solution. You'll find lots of great last minute gift ideas at the Timeshare Giant Store. And the best part is, you can shop in your jammies while you sip hot cocoa!

Here are just a few of the great gifts you'll find at the Timeshare Giant Store; just click the link or post title to start shopping:

• The Everything Family Guide to Timeshares. This excellent book by Kim Kavin tells you how to buy smart, avoid the pitfalls and enjoy your timeshare vacations to the max. It's a comprehensive handbook to choosing, purchasing, using and selling the perfect timeshare for your family.



• Endless Vacation Magazine. An upscale magazine for the discerning international traveler on your holiday list. Columns and articles offer sound, useful advice about fabulous destinations around the globe.



• The Insider's Guide to U.S. Timeshares. Author Robert Dittrich takes an in-depth look at 635 timeshares across the U.S. in this informative and detailed review. You'll find detailed information about each resort, as well as information about area attractions, golf courses and ski venues.



• USA Eyewitness Travel Guide. Whether you're a native or a visitor, you'll find the popular Eyewitness Travel Guides a great planning resource and valuable addition to your travel library. The USA Guide highlights national parks, scenic routes, wilderness areas, top museums and our countries greatest cities. Regional chapters provide information on history, as well as local sights and culture. You can find a complete line of the popular Eyewitness Travel Guides on Timeshare Giant, including guides for Hawaii, Florida, Arizona and more.

At the Timeshare Giant Store you'll also find links to beautiful luggage, fun travel games, portable GPS units, electronic language dictionaries and many more useful gifts for the timeshare traveler on your holiday list.

Nominations Sought for 7 New World Wonders

Nominations are being sought for a new list of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. In a global poll scheduled to begin in January 2009, people all over the world will be able to cast a vote for their favorite natural wonder. Nominations are now being solicited over the internet. So far 300 suggestions have been received from six continents, but there's plenty of time to enter your favorite site. For more information or to make a nomination, visit http://www.new7wonders.com/. More than 100 million people around the globe participated in the first contest to replace the ancient Seven Wonders of the World, most of which no longer exist. That contest, which concluded in July, asked voters to choose seven existing structural wonders of the world. Voters selected:

1. Taj Mahal in India
2. Great Wall of China
3. Colosseum in Rome
4. Manchu Picchu in Peru
5. Statue of Christ the Redeemer in Brazil
6. The rock city of Petra in Jordan
7. Chichen Itza pyramid in Mexico

The contests are sponsored by the nonprofit foundation New7Wonders. The organization was formed in 1999 by Swiss-Canadian adventurer Bernard Weber to, in his words, "create respect and enthusiasm ... for the beauty of our planet. The closer we bring the beauty of our planet ... to the people, the more likely they will say, 'Oh, we have to do something to conserve it.'"

It is expected to take several years to winnow the nominations down to a list of finalists, conduct the vote and tally the results. In early 2009, the 77 sites receiving the most nominations will be reviewed by experts who will select a list of 21 finalists for a global vote. Winners will be announced in 2010. America is a land filled with natural beauty. What will you nominate? The Grand Canyon? Brice Canyon? The Everglades? The Great Smoky Mountains? The giant Sequoias?

Wrapping Up Your Timeshare Gift

A timeshare vacation property makes the perfect holiday gift, but how do you wrap something that is definitely bigger than a breadbox? Don't worry; this is the fun part. It's time to unleash your creative muse and craft a magical holiday moment that will live forever in the annals of family storytelling. A timeshare vacation property is the ultimate WOW! gift. When you present your gift, you want your children's eyes to light up and give you a smile that stretches from ear to ear. Here are a few suggestions:

• Arrange a timeshare vacation with your children at the new property. As you're all gathered around that first evening, pop open a bottle of champagne, make a toast and casually hand them the keys to their new timeshare.
• If the timeshare is somewhere warm and sunny, give your grandkids beach buckets and shovels and give your children beach wraps. Tuck the keys to the timeshare in the pocket.
• If you're giving your children a ski country timeshare, make up an apres ski gift basket of gourmet coffee and hot chocolate, fancy cookies, nut bread and other tasty goodies. Hang the timeshare keys from the basket handle with a big bow.
• Create a mini road rally for a timeshare within driving distance. Give your children a marked map and a series of envelopes to open at different points along the way. Clues or riddles inside each envelope might direct them to stop at an interesting sight along the way or do something fun or silly. Place the key to their new timeshare in the last envelope.
• Will your children be flying to their new timeshare? Wrap up a carry-on bag. Inside place airline tickets and the key.

Be creative! Have a little fun giving your gift. For tips on timeshare gift giving, read our posts over the past two weeks and visit the Timeshare Giant website (just click the post title). Happy Holidays!

Great Family Timeshare Destinations: Branson, MO

The family that plays together stays together. If you're looking for a special holiday gift with a huge WOW factor, give your adult children and their families the gift of a timeshare property. You'll be guaranteeing them the time and place to spend many happy hours playing together -- now and for years to come.

The Midwest's playground, Branson, Missouri is just one of many great family timeshare destinations we've been showcasing in recent posts. Visit Timeshare Giant to preview hundreds of fabulous timeshare resorts available from coast to coast and all over the world.

If your family likes to play, Branson is the perfect place to vacation. Bicycle trails, boating, sailing, waterskiing, golfing, fishing, scuba diving, tennis, canoing, swimming, horseback riding, hiking -- Branson offers plenty of fun for the whole family. Dubbed the Vegas of the Midwest, Branson offers plenty of first class entertainers and more theater seats than Broadway. You'll have to keep coming back to sample all of what Branson has to offer!

Tucked amidst the verdant Ozark Mountains, the Villas at Lantern Bay (above, right) are situated on the lush, green shores of beautiful Table Rock Lake. From this peaceful scenic oasis, you and your family can easily enjoy the many outdoor delights Branson has to offer. And when the sun goes down, you're just 10 miniutes away from the bright neon lights of 76 Country Music Boulevard, one of Branson's great entertainment districts.

At the Villas at Lantern Bay, you can bring the whole family, Fido included. The Villas are known to be "pet friendly;" however, make sure you notify the resort early that you plan to bring your pet and review the pet policy prior to your arrival to avoid unwelcome surprises. Happy Holidays!

Great Family Timeshare Destinations: Carlsbad, CA

Search your memories with your parents. Parent-child relationships are built on the small things like playing catch, baking cookies, learning to ride a bike, trips to the playground -- all sorts of ordinary, daily activities you did with your parents as you grew up. Those are the things that build the foundation of a relationship. But when most people think back, they first remember those extraordinary times when they and their parents did something unusual together, when their parents' attention wasn't split between work and household chores but was focused entirely on them, when every day was fun and exciting -- they remember vacations.

This holiday, give your grown children the opportunity to start building some great vacation memories with their own children, give them a timeshare property. There are timeshare properties available in every corner of the U.S. that can offer your children and grandchildren delightful opportunities to build memories that will last a lifetime. Visit Timeshare Giant for a complete listing and read our recent posts for a review of some of the country's great family vacation spots.

One of my favorite places to vacation in Southern California is Carlsbad. A short drive north of San Diego, the quaint village of Carlsbad perches on the sun-drenched Pacific coast. Gorgeous Pacific beaches offer plenty of sun, sand and water activities. Spend blissful days playing with your children on the beach or boating along the coast from the Carlsbad Inn Beach Resort (right).

Set amid towering palms and lushly landscaped grounds, Carlsbad Inn Beach Resort is an oasis from the cares of everyday life. A lovely pool and wonderful children's pool offer a pleasant change from the beach, and there's a playground for running off steam and energy. You'll find plenty of family friendly activities within a short drive of Carlsbad, including Knott's Berry Farm, Disneyland, San Diego Zoo, Wild Animal Park, Seaworld and Legoland. Tours to Ensenada, Mexico, the J. Paul Getty Museum and Hollywood are also available from the resort.

Great Family Timeshare Destinations: Lake Tahoe

Only two more weeks until Christmas! Don't panic. You don't need to rack your brains trying to think of something to give your grown children. You don't need to elbow your way through the mobs at the mall trying to find something you're not even sure they'll like. The perfect gift is just a mouse click away. This year, give your grown children and their families the gift of togetherness. Give them a timeshare vacation property.

In recent posts, we've been showcasing some of America's great family vacation spots to give you some ideas for holiday giving. For a complete listing of timeshare vacation properties located across the U.S. and all over the world, click the post title to visit Timeshare Giant.

Straddling the California/Nevada state lines, Lake Tahoe is a year-round vacation wonderland that offers plenty of activities for the whole family. The natural beauty and serene peacefulness of what locals refer to as "The Blue World" has attracted vacationers since the early 1900s. Silver mining may have put Lake Tahoe on the map, but it was the area's scenic wilderness that drew wealthy San Francisco families to her shores as the Comstock Lode dried up. In the mid-1940s, gambling turned the area into a recreational playground, and the 1960 Winter Olympics defined Lake Tahoe as a major skiing center. Today, Lake Tahoe's pioneer charm and restful scenery lure vacationers to relax and play in this fabulous year-round wonderland.

Nestled in the heart of Incline Village, Nevada on Lake Tahoe's north shore, the Hyatt High Sierra Lodge (left) is a leisurely stroll from the shores of Lake Tahoe, minutes from the areas best ski slopes and mere steps away from the fabulous Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Resort and Casino. Hyatt High Sierra Lodge offers beautifully appointed two-bedroom, two-bath units with a toasty fireplace for warming up after a day spend hiking or skiing. All the fun of Lake Tahoe is within easy reach: bicycle trails, fishing, racquetball, boating, golf, horseback riding, skiing, scuba diving, tennis, swimming, waterskiing, and more. There's always something exciting to do at Lake Tahoe. Spend the day in outdoor play, then come indoors at night to enjoy Lake Tahoe's fabulous casinos and live entertainment.

On Lake Tahoe's southern shore, the Tahoe Beach & Ski Club boasts a luxurious 400-foot private beach along the lake. Beautifully appointed rooms offer stunning vistas of the mountains or the lake. The famous ski slopes of Heavenly Valley are just a mile away, and vacationers can also enjoy cross-country skiing, great sledding and snowmobiling. Summer pursuits include fishing, sailing, scuba diving, river rafting, golfing, horseback riding, biking and hiking. At Tahoe Beach & Ski Club you can swim in the outdoor heated poor year round or relax your muscles in the sauna or hot tub. If you crave a little nightlife, the casinos and exciting live entertainment are nearby.

Great Family Timeshare Destinations: Florida

As a parent, you've been there yourself. You know how it is when your family is young and you're struggling to climb the corporate ladder. There's never enough time to do all the things you need to do, much less all those things you'd like to do. Family time is a jumble of hurried schedules, activities and chores. It's hard to find time to just sit back, relax and enjoy being with your spouse and your children. So this year, give your grown children and their families what you couldn't afford back then. Give them the gift of time together. Give them a timeshare vacation property.

This week we've been talking about great timeshare vacation destinations, particularly fun places to vacation with a family. So take a look at our earlier blogs to get those creative juices flowing. You'll find a complete and easy-to-navigate listing of timeshares available for sale on Timeshare Giant; just click the link or post title. Happy shopping!

The entire state of Florida is a timeshare vacation paradise. Young adults might enjoy a timeshare in funky Key West or perennial party town Daytona Beach. The gorgeous beaches of Marco Island might provide the perfect romantic getaway for new marrieds. Empty nesters might relish the tropical luxury of Fort Meyers. But for families, you'll want to be within an easy drive of every child's dream vacation: Disney World. Fortunately, Orlando is home to an amazing selection of 36 timeshares and neighboring Kissimmee offers 52 more outstanding timeshare options, each and every one just a short drive to the magic kingdom!

Summer Bay Resort in Kissimmee (see photos) is a relaxing oasis located in the center of Central Florida's exciting attractions. While it's just minutes from Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, Sea World, world class golf courses and much more, Summer Bay Resort has so much to offer your family may never want to leave. On the resort's beautifully landscaped grounds, you'll find several heated pools, including a fun-filled kiddie pool and a luxurious hot tub; a beach with water sports activities; miniature golf; volleyball, basketball, shuffleboard and tennis courts; a well-equipped exercise room; a dynamite playground; a fishing lake; a fun games room; family and children's activities and much more. It's the perfect place for a fun vacation for the whole family.

Great Family Timeshare Destinations: Myrtle Beach, SC

The gift of a timeshare vacation property is a gift that lasts a lifetime. It won't break down. The batteries won't wear out. It won't get shoved to the back of the closet after a few days. A timeshare vacation property is a gift that your grown children and their families can enjoy for the rest of their lives. In selecting a timeshare gift, think about what your children's families like to do and choose a location that suits their interests. Remember, as their children get older, family activities will necessarily change, so select a timeshare that will offer fun recreational opportunities now and in the future.

This week we're sharing with you some of our favorite family vacation destinations to get you started. You'll find a complete and easy-to-navigate listing of timeshares available for sale on Timeshare Giant; just click the link or post title. Happy shopping!

The beautiful sandy beaches of the mid-Atlantic coast offer myriad delights for the whole family. Easily accessible to those living east of the Appalachians, resorts like Virginia Beach, Williamsburg, Hilton Head Island and Myrtle Beach are only a day's drive from many cities in the Midwest.

Myrtle Beach, South Carolina offers some of the finest sand beaches along the Atlantic seaboard. Many timeshare resorts sit right on the water and have their own private beaches, but you'll also find plenty of clean, wide, beautifully maintained public beaches. The whole family will find plenty to do in Myrtle Beach. Spend a day on the beach soaking up the sun, building sandcastles with the kids, hunting shells, playing sand volleyball and splashing in the ocean. You can rent bicycles or rollerblades for an energetic day cruising along the beach or through one of the nearby state parks. Or rent a power boat, sailboat or jet ski for a day on the water. Try your hand at deep-sea fishing. Excellent tennis facilities will get your body moving and your heart pumping. Or enjoy a challenging round of golf on one of the area's more than 120 championship golf courses.

For fun and excitement cruise the Grand Strand, an area packed with restaurants, theaters and other entertainment. Myrtle Beach is known for its many family amusements such as the famed Broadway at the Beach shopping and entertainment complex, Fantasy Harbour, Barefoot Landing and a slew of amusement parks and water parks. Brookgreen Gardens, historic Georgetown and local museums and art galleries are other popular attractions. Make sure you take in a show at one of Myrtle Beach's many popular dinner theaters; it's a signature Myrtle Beach experience that shouldn't be missed and you'll enjoy top-notch entertainment. You'll find plenty of shopping both in town and at the numerous discount outlets in the area. Savor fresh seafood at the area's great restaurants, many situated right on the ocean with a beautiful view of the water.

The Peppertree Ocean Club in North Myrtle Beach sits right on the surf's edge. Completely renovated, many timeshare units feature ocean views with private patios where you can relax and catch the cool ocean breeze. No matter the weather or time of year, the family can enjoy swimming year round. The Peppertree Ocean Club has both indoor and outdoor pools as well as a children's pool and hot tub. There's even a playground where the kids can run off their excess steam and energy. For more information about the Peppertree Ocean Club, click the link.

Great Family Timeshare Destinations: Gatlinburg, TN

If you want to give your grown children and their families a gift that will be cherished for years to come, consider the gift of a timeshare vacation property. (See our last post.) If your children have children of their own, a timeshare vacation provides the opportunity to establish some wonderful family traditions and build lifelong memories. And with the spaciousness of most timeshares, you might be invited to join in the fun!

If you're looking for a good family vacation destination, this week we'll give you some ideas to get you started. You'll find a complete and easy-to-navigate listing of timeshares available for sale on Timeshare Giant; just click the link or post title. Happy shopping!

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park area in southeastern Tennessee has all the ingredients for a great family vacation. Hiking, biking, horseback riding, fishing and, especially, tubing are among the favorite local pursuits. You'll find plenty of spectacular views as you hike the park trails. You can even hike a section of the Appalachian Trail (or at least pose for pictures by the sign). You'll find hiking trails for all energy levels, including paved trails that accommodate strollers or wagons. The park offers excellent daily (and nighttime) ranger programs. For the kids, the wildlife watching may be the most fun.

If the kids want to shop for souvenirs or you thirst for a little honky tonk, cruise into Gatlinburg and take a gander at all the fun shops and tourist activities. You can go bungee jumping, space flying or fathom the unimaginable at Ripley's Believe It or Not. Grab a bite to eat and ride the ski lift to the top of the mountain for a bird's eye view. Dollywood theme park is only 10 minutes away.

The Gatlinburg side of the Smokies is where more of the tourist attractions and carnival delights are located. Neighboring Pigeon Forge is a little quieter and offers super tubing and rafting. You can rent giant tubes almost anywhere in the area, including gas stations and front yards near the best creeks. The fun doesn't stop when summer ends. The fall foliage is gorgeous in the Smokies; and winter brings skiing, sledding, skating and a magnificent holiday light extravaganza.

If you want to get away from it all but still be close to everything, the villas at Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort in Gatlinburg (above, right) provide the perfect place to enjoy a week in the mountains. Adjacent to the national park, each log cabin luxury villa offers either a serene creekside or breathtaking mountainside view. A fully equipped kitchen with microwave and dishwasher makes for easy meals. Two large swimming pools and in-ground hot tubs give everyone a place to cool off and relax after a day in the outdoors. For complete details, click here.

Tomorrow: Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

What to Give the Kids for the Holidays

Every year the conundrum repeats. What do we give the kids this year for (pick your holiday) Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa. Once they grow up, our kids are like us. If they need it, they buy it. They don't wait for "Santa" to come across with the goods any more. We wind up racking our brains for something to slip under the tree or end up handing them a check, hoping they really will spend it on something special and not just use it to pay their own holiday bills. Well, this year I have the perfect solution. Give them the gift of time. Time to be together. Time to relax, to play, to have fun, to build happy memories together. Give them a timeshare property. No matter what your children's age or situation, a timeshare can add richness to their lives. People who own timeshares look forward to their vacation time with greater enthusiasm and spend more time vacationing. In your child's hectic, stress-filled, over-programmed life, the gift of quality vacation time will provide a relaxing, rejuvenating and much cherished oasis. If your adult children are single, hard-charging and career-motivated, give them a timeshare that attracts a younger or a well-mixed crowd. Think about what they like or yearn to do in their leisure time and pick a vacation spot that will offer them the opportunity to indulge themselves. They might enjoy the sun and sand of the Caribbean with days spent lazing on the beach, snorkeling or jet skiing and nights spent dancing in hot clubs. If they live to ski or snowboard, a ski resort might be just the ticket. If they work in the high powered concrete jungle, perhaps a week of riding, cycling, swimming and hiking in the fresh air would be rejuvenating. If your children are newly married, you might think of secluded, romantic getaways. Hawaii might beckon or a luxurious villa in Mexico. Maybe they'd like the laid back, quirky lifestyle of Key West or the jazz and oyster bars of New Orleans. Perhaps the glitz and glamour of Las Vegas -- gambling and some dynamite shows -- would be exciting. If your children have started a family, you might give them a timeshare closer to home. As their family grows they may not always have the resources for air travel for the whole crew. Give them a timeshare within a day's drive of their home. The opportunity to return to a loved vacation spot every year gives a family a chance to establish traditions and build memories that last a lifetime. Children (and their parents) look forward to doing the same things year after year. It's those expectations that build continuity in a family's life. If your children are empty nesters, give them a retirement legacy. Give them a timeshare that reaffirms their commitment to each other and the things they enjoy together. Choose a location they have always loved or one that gives them the opportunity to participate in activities they enjoy together. No matter what age your grown children, the gift of a timeshare will be a cherished gift for years to come.