Relax and Recharge on Florida's Sanibel Island

In recent polls of timeshare owners, half planned to vacation in Florida and nearly 60% favored a beach vacation over other environments. In the winter (especially if you live in cold, snowy states), the lure of sun, sand and water is particularly enticing. Florida has much to offer the timeshare vacationer, but its wide, sandy beaches are the prime draw.

If you long for leisurely walks along beautiful sandy beaches, breathtaking sunsets and the opportunity to commune with nature and recharge your batteries, you want to head over the causeway to Sanibel Island on Florida's Golf Coast. Sanibel has one of the best seashell beaches in the world -- 12 miles stretching along the island's south shore -- so be prepared to spend some time doing the "Sanibel stoop" as you search the beach for treasures washed up by the surf. Make time to visit the fascinating Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum. The museum not only houses fabulous informational displays on hundreds of different types of shells and mollusks, but shows the many ways in which humans have used shells over the century: money, jewelry, tools, architecture, art, etc. Children will enjoy the hands-on learning lab.

Another must-see is the J.N. "Ding" Darling Wildlife Refuge which covers nearly a third of the island. The refuge covers 6,000 acres and provides shelter from more than 300 species of birds. A lovely 4-mile drive winds through the park with plenty of pull-outs for observing and photographing wildlife. Ranger-guided tram tours, biking and hiking trails are also available. For those who prefer to explore the park from the water, canoes and kayaks can be rented at the park.

You'll find plenty of fine restaurants and interesting boutiques on Sanibel, but it's the extraordinary natural beauty of the island that draws vacationers. Enjoy everything Sanibel Island has to offer from your spacious condominium at Sanibel Beach Club II. Two-bedroom, two-bath units include a living room with cable TV and DVD player, a separate dining area, eat-in kitchen and full-sized washer and dryer. A gorgeous palm-fringed pool, wide, shallow beach (perfect for shell collecting), bike trails, tennis courts and more provide plenty of activities for the whole family. You'll find excellent golfing, deep sea fishing and boat rentals located nearby. Click here for complete information on Sanibel Beach Club II timeshare condominiums (photos above, left and right) To preview additional Sanibel Island timeshare properties, click to post title.

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.

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.

Foreign Shores Beckon for the Holidays

In our last post we talked about popular holiday destinations here in the U.S. But if you yearn for foreign shores, there are a number of popular holiday destinations close to home where you can still get a decent return on the dollar. According to online travel site Orbitz, this year's most popular international holiday destinations are Puerto Rico, Cancun, Mexico City, London and Puerto Vallarta.

With the value of the dollar struggling these days, it's not surprising that Puerto Rico, a U.S. territory, is the top sun and sand destination. Mexico's closeness and generally affordable air rates, coupled with the fact that the peso hasn't made much of a dent in the value of a dollar, make its sunny resorts a good value. London is a bit of a surprise, particularly now with the pound trouncing the dollar. Apparently, Americans will always love London (they speak our language, sort of), but just now your money won't go very far (a 40-pound cab ride equals $81.70 U.S.-- ouch!). If foreign shores beckon, your best bet for the holidays is a timeshare in Puerto Rico or Mexico.

Gorgeous views of the Atlantic Ocean are one of the highlights of a stay at the Hyatt Hacienda del Mar timeshare in Dorado, Puerto Rico (above, left). Just 22 miles from San Juan International Airport, the Hacienda del Mar is located on the island's beautiful north shore. Cool Atlantic breezes brush across the warm sands of the timeshare's magnificent beach. A relaxing river pool meanders through lush gardens, cascading over 14 waterfalls. Biking, horseback riding, tennis and golf are among the delightful activities available. For complete information, click the link.

Ocho Cascades in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico (right) is one of my favorite timeshare destinations. Its award winning architecture and lush tropical landscaping provide a dramatic setting for an adult escape. Because of its unique architectural design, Ocho Cascades is not recommended for families with children under the age of 16. But if you're looking for a place to honeymoon or rekindle the old romance, Ocho Cascades will prove a delight. Each villa has its own very private swimming pool or spa. Nearby you'll find wonderful restaurants, exciting entertainment and delightful shopping. Among the activities you can enjoy in Puerto Vallarta are magnificent beaches, deep water fishing, diving and sailing. For complete information, click the link.

Vermont Ski Resorts Opening Early

Wax up your skis and book your timeshare now, Vermont ski resorts are opening early this year. Mount Snow opened November 10, its earliest start in more than a decade. The resorts at Killington and Okemo Mountain just opened last Friday and a whole slew of others are getting ready to start the ski season at the end of the month -- that's next weekend!

Vermont is the East Coast's winter wonderland. Skiing, snow boarding, tobogganing, ice skating, snow shoeing, cross country skiing, snowmobiling -- if it happens on snow or ice, you can enjoy it in Vermont.

The Killington, Vermont ski area is the largest ski area east of the Rockies. Extensive snowmaking capabilities allow skiing from November through June. It's six snowy mountains offer 23 lifts and more than 200 ski trails. You'll discover many delightful timeshares in the Killington area (click the above link to peruse the complete list), several within walking/skiing distance of the slopes. When the ski season is over, the Killington area offers plenty of hiking, golf, horseback riding, water sports, cycling, mountain biking and other enjoyable outdoor pursuits that make Killington a year-round vacation paradise.

Cedarbrook Resort (right) is centrally located and just minutes from everything. There's nothing like a dip in the resort's heated outdoor pool to loosen the muscles after a day on the slopes. Retire to your spacious, comfortable suite for a hot toddy or cocoa in front of the fire for the perfect ending to a perfect day.

Or ski home to Trail Creek Condominiums (top, left) which are nestled at the foot of the mountain. Enjoy the indoor pool, jacuzzi and sauna when you get back from the slopes. When the snow melts, these delightful condos overlook the 18th hole of Killington's championship golf course, one of many in the area. If you need a break from the slopes, Killington offers many delightful restaurants, activities, shopping and nightlife.

Make Your Cruise Dreams Come True with Timeshare Giant Travel

Some folks may wonder why, in addition to providing a platform for buyers, sellers, and renters to transact with one another, Timeshare Giant also offers its users the ability to book luxury cruises. The logic is simple: We timeshare owners like a variety of vacations. Although we timeshare owners value high quality vacation destinations and accomodations, our vacation aspirations are not just one-dimensional. Many of us dream of taking a luxury cruise (or two or three) during our lifetimes. The excitement of a new port-of-call every morning, idyllic sunsets slipping into the sea, the romance, the clubs, the activities, the entertainment, the pampering and the food! Who hasn't dreamed of someday stepping up to one of those decadent midnight buffets, or having room service deliver your breakfast to your cabin every morning?

Timeshare Giant Travel can help you make your cruise dreams come true with our one-stop shopping travel services. Timeshare Giant Travel has teamed up with the high-octane power of Hotels.com to offer some of the best pricing and the latest cutting-edge functionality available to the public. On Timeshare Giant Travel, you can book a fabulous cruise vacation and even the flight to your port city. Want to lengthen your vacation and spend a few days sampling the pleasures of your port city prior to your ship's sailing date? Timeshare Giant makes it easy to confirm reservations at just about any hotel you can think of. Need a car rental? No problem! Just click on the post title and take Timeshare Giant Travel for a spin. You'll love our prices and ease-of-use.

If you're taking your first cruise, you probably have a lot of questions. I've provided some great tips for beginners that will help you cruise like a pro. Bon Voyage!

Cruise Tips for First-Timers

1. You don't need to pack formal wear unless you want to. Many cruisers enjoy the old tradition of dressing for dinner and that can be part of the fun. Don't worry if you don't own a tux. A suit or dress is generally all that's required for formal dining. But if donning tie or heels isn't your idea of a vacation, cruise ships offer a wide variety of restaurants in addition to the formal dining room. You'll find the food equally delicious and bountiful at the ship's many buffets, cafes and specialty restaurants.


2. Bring enough mix and match clothing for your trip and don't forget to pack weather-appropriate outdoor clothing for when you're on deck or in port. You'll want to pack flip-flops or slip-ons and a robe or coverup for strolling to and from the pool. If you plan to snorkel or scuba, you can bring your own gear, but it's usually easier to rent what you need than lug a lot of heavy extras. Some ships have washers and dryers and many provide a retractable clothesline for drying swimwear.


3. Remember to pack necessary toiletries. Many ships provide some toiletries but it's generally limited to tiny bars of soap and little bottles of shampoo. You'll need to bring your toothbrush, hand lotion and conditioner. If you do forget something, ships usually have a ship's store where you can pick up necessities along with some postcards and other mementos.


4. Cruise prices include your room, food and some beverages. Free drinks usually include coffee, tea, iced tea, lemonade and juice at breakfast. Most cruise lines offer beverage packages ($6 a day is typical) that allow you to get unlimited soda and sometimes other beverages. Except on luxury lines which don't usually charge for wine and alcohol, you'll usually have to pay for alcoholic drinks, including beer.


5. There are plenty of free activities on ship and in port and budget-conscious cruisers may want to stick to those. Every cruise boasts its share of interesting excursions -- at a price. But if there's an experience you've been dying to have -- say, watching grizzlies cavort in Alaska -- book it in advance through your cruise line. You don't want to miss the one experience that could define your trip. This is a vacation, after all, and you should be prepared to splurge a bit. Booking through the cruise line guarantees your space if the excursion is fully booked and you don't have to worry about transportation or timing. All you have to do is show up!


6. While some luxury cruise lines forbid tipping, tipping is standard on most ships. Many cruise lines can provide you with a prepared sheet of suggested tip amounts which can be a great help to first-time cruisers. Other lines offer a prepaid gratuity option so you don't have to deal with tipping. Be aware though that prepaid plans generally charge a set amount for each person in your party per day, whether you use the facilities or not. If you're traveling with kids who never set foot in the dining room, you'll still pay for them on a prepaid plan. Typically, tips for stateroom attendants are $3.50 a day; for dining room staff, $5 to $10 per day.

Vail Timeshares Beckon Skiers

Winter is coming. The first errant flakes of snow have been sighted in the mountains. Skiers across the country have heard the first soft shushing sigh of their siren call. Vail is calling and your ski season timeshare is waiting.

Just 100 miles west of Denver, nestled amidst the towering peaks of the Rocky Mountains, Vail is the home of some of America's most challenging ski slopes. A host of timeshare condominiums and resorts awaits skiers and winter sports enthusiasts, offering a warm, cozy oasis from the chill winds of the busy slopes. Located near Vail Village, The Wren timeshare (left and below) is a favorite with ski enthusiasts.





With the grandeur of Vail's spectacular ski slopes serving as a breathtaking backdrop, The Wren offers beautiful accommodations with cozy fireplaces and first class amenities. Downhill and cross-country skiing, snowmobiling and snowboarding are within easy reach of your vacation timeshare.

After an active day on the slopes, ease your tired muscles in The Wren's heated pool or hot tubs. In the evening, all the delights of Vail Valley are at your fingertips: fabulous restaurants, chic shops and exciting nightlife. Click here for more information about The Wren. Click the post title for information about other Vail Valley timeshares.

If you're a serious skier, you may want to consider signing up for one of Vail Mountain's MasterCamps sessions. The intensive ski immersion camps focus on turning intermediate skiers into experts -- in a matter of days. While not cheap -- the six-day SKIimmersion program costs $1,500 plus lift tickets for a total of $1,830 -- the program has developed a wide word of mouth following from satisfied customers who credit the camps with marked improvement in their form, ability and enjoyment of the sport. For more information about Vail MasterCamps, call 970-754-4328 or 970-754-3243 or visit vail.snow.com.

Experience Ultimate Thanksgiving in Massachusetts

Looking for the ultimate Thanksgiving experience? Take a closer look at Massachusetts. Approximately halfway between Boston and the Cape Cod area, Plymouth, the site of the original Thanksgiving celebration, is an easy hour drive from your timeshare in either location.

If you want to immerse yourself in American history, stay at Marriott's Custom House timeshare in Boston (left). Dating from 1849, the Custom House wraps you in the grandeur of a by-gone era. An architectural gem and historic Boston landmark, the Custom House combines history with contemporary sophistication. Conveniently located in the heart of Boston on the harbor, the Custom House timeshare puts the delights of the city at your feet. Free valet parking and wireless internet add to the convenience of modern visitors.

You may prefer to get away from the city and head for the quiet and beauty of Cape Cod in the fall. The Cove at Yarmouth timeshare (below, right) provides a convenient central location from which to launch excursions. Spacious suite-style accommodations offer plenty of space and comfort for the whole family. You'll find lots to do at the resort too. Enjoy the beautiful indoor pool, soak in the sauna, exercise with a game of racquetball or indoor tennis. For information on more Cape Cod timeshares, click the post title.

From your Cape Cod timeshare you can roam deserted beaches, visit the cape's many picturesque lighthouses. Without the crowds around, I've had some pleasant chats and a nice cup of tea or two with lighthouse keepers on the cape. Many of the summer beach attractions and food stands will be closed, but you'll find wonderful restaurants and excellent seafood up and down the cape. And prices are cheaper and service even more attentive during the off season.

A visit to historic Plymouth makes a pleasant day trip from your timeshare in Boston or the Cape Cod area. In Plymouth, you can tread in the footsteps of the Pilgrims. The oldest street in North America, Leyden Street dates from their original settlement. To truly appreciate the bravery and perseverance of these early settlers, walk the decks of the Mayflower II (below, left) docked in downtown Plymouth harbor. An accurate recreation of the ship that brought 102 colonists to the shores of America in 1620, the ship is surprisingly small. In high seas and storms, the journey to America must have been a wild and terrifying ride.

Just 3 miles south of downtown Plymouth, at the site of the original colony, lies historic Plimoth Plantation, a can't-miss attraction. The fascinating living-history museum recreates an English settler colony circa 1627 and a Wampanoag Indian home site of the same era. In 1621, Plymouth settlers and Wampanoag Indians gathered for an impromptu, if uneasy, harvest celebration that became known as the first Thanksgiving. Costumed, role-playing actors dispense history and dispel myth as they show visitors what life was like for the hardy settlers who colonized America.

A visit to the plantation's craft center allows you to watch artisans demonstrating pottery-making and woodworking skills of the 17th century. Pieces made at the plantation make a nice souvenir of your visit. You'll want to drop by the visitor's center to take in the fascinating exhibit, Thanksgiving: Memory, Myth and Meaning, which explores the reality behind our first Thanksgiving stories. For the ultimate Thanksgiving experience, call ahead and reserve a spot at one of several traditional Thanksgiving dinners or buffets. The kids will especially like the eat like a Pilgrim dinner where you eat with your hands.

Plymoth Plantation is open from early spring through the weekend after Thanksgiving Day. Wood smoke mixing with the crisp autumn air makes November the perfect time of year to visit and get a true feeling for that early Thanksgiving celebration.

You'll find the town of Plymouth overflowing with historic sites and some very nice restaurants. Locals call the Colonial on Main Street which serves traditional American fare "the best restaurant in town." If you have a taste for fresh-caught lobster or fish, try Wood's on the docks. Wood's lobster rolls are a local legend. For a quick lunch with a great view of the harbor, stop by 14 Union Dockside Bar and Grill for traditional English fish and chips.