Posts Tagged ‘vacations’

Over the period of decades the popularity of timeshares has grown by leaps and bounds. So much so that over two million Americans have timeshare properties in country and out of country. But the rise of timeshare industry saw the rise in scams and frauds. More recently the timeshare industry has been plagued by unscrupulous activities of frauds and scammers. Notwithstanding, these serious problems with timeshares have a new breed of alternatives that are emerging. One of the main reasons why people were attracted towards timeshares was that it will be an expensive affair for a big family to vacation every year at a hotel or a resort. Timeshares proved to be an economical solution to all that.

But on the flip side of it, buying a timeshare requires large upfront fee and the timeshares typically range anywhere from ten thousand dollars to fifty thousand dollars. On top of that the buyers have to pay the annual maintenance fee, property taxes, management fee etc. which could range from few hundreds to over a thousand. People have begun to realize why pay more money and still use the same property every year for only one week plus people get bored of going to the same place again and again. Although some timeshares offer exchange program which would allow owners to exchange their timeshare units across different resorts and locations but it is not that easy with exchange costing more bucks. And when the owner wants to sell a timeshare unit it is not that easy task. Timeshares are one of the most difficult properties to sell. Even when they sell they sell at 30%-50% lower than their original price.

Now a new era of concepts is taking the vacation industry by storm. And this era is represented by concepts such as resort memberships. A resort membership is a one time investment i.e. you have to pay the membership fee only once and you can enjoy the benefits of the resort life long. And what more you are not required to pay any maintenance fee or taxes. Resort memberships can cost anywhere from few grand to few hundred grand. Some resort memberships may also have a yearly fee. But if you do your research there are some resorts within the range of affordability. The best deal that one can get is may be a lifetime member ship for around three grand and a limited five year membership for two grand. And the members have access to not only the resort they have membership in but they can choose from hundreds of resorts worldwide available in the resort company’s network. And there is no limit on number of times you want to go and at what time you want to go, your vacation is always assured.

Another concept that is getting popular is condo hotel which is a relatively new concept and only very few people own condos in hotels. But the concept is receiving good reviews and is gaining popularity with the time. The way it works is it allows people to buy condos in luxurious hotels and utilize the benefits of all the amenities available in the hotel. If the owner is not using the condo he can put his condo for rent and can receive percentage of the revenues it produces. A condo hotel in comparison to a timeshare offers more flexibility, is better furnished, and has better amenities, better services and many locations.

Technorati Tags: timeshares, vacations, memberships, resorts, condo hotels, maintenance fees, alternatives to timeshares

Twitter This

Usuario: Password:

Bookmark This:

Solitude out, socializing in…

It cannot be denied that traveling is fun, fun, fun… but it is much fun if you go out on a group trip. A whole lot of excitement, bonding and adventure awaits you. A group may mean your family, circle of friends, old-high school classmates, co-workers or relatives. Whatever it is, no matter what size- it is sure to be a memorable experience to spend time somewhere new with these people.

Planning might be easy for one but organizing it is sometimes a tough task and it entails a lot of flaws along the way. On the other hand, there is an immeasurable feeling of reward in the end if the cruise turns out to be one smooth thing.

How could one make the best cruise as an organizer?

Choosing and seeking the help of a reliable travel agent is a determinant if the trip would be hassle free or the other way around. Make sure that you will choose according to the credibility the agency owns due to its experience in handling group trips or travel.

After a research on the possible ships, buses, cruises or other forms of transportation that could provide the amenities and accommodation that would meet majority of the needs of your group, you must have enough time comparing the prices.

Be sure to seek a copy of the contract you have with the agent you have chosen. Have everything in paper, like the summary of your itinerary and reservations as well as all the necessary information.

When there are shore tours, have a copy of the list of buses, timetable of the tour and assign somebody to be responsible for the seating arrangements and if ever the honorarium for the drivers are included in the fee.

Assure that the cruise activities are exclusively for all the members only. Outsiders must not be allowed to join or meddle on the affairs of the group and the ship or line must provide the security the group deserves to have on the entire trip.

If the group comes in a bigger number, ask for the help of those responsible and choose a part of the ship where you all could sit down and talk. If there are concerns or problems, this would serve as the venue for that too.

A list of all the important contacts in case of any problem and the list of room assignments must be secured too. Activities, if pre-arranged must be in coordination with the Guest Relation Officer.

For meals, the group must be in contact with the restaurant manager. Group leaders may be assigned for larger groups.

With all these, points to ponder- make the best out of your GROUP TRIP!

Technorati Tags: group travel, group trips, group vacations, travel tips, vacation tips, traveling, vacations

Twitter This

Usuario: Password:

Bookmark This:

The Philippines, with the over 7000 islands that comprise them, can easily boast that they are one of the best scuba diving vacation sites in the world. Low cost rentals and inexpensive food costs allows them to also claim to be one of the world’s most cost effective scuba diving vacation destinations.

There is a place, North Pandan Island, located off the west coast of Mindoro Island that is one of the better kept secrets of the scuba diving world. Since it is a bit off the beaten path, it has not been over developed and it is not over-run with scuba diving enthusiasts and yet scuba diving is its main attraction.

There are coral gardens and drop-offs at many sites in the Philippines and the marine life is everything that a scuba diving enthusiast could hope for. Sea snakes, turtles, sting rays, mantas, barracudas, garoupa, schools of jacks, white sharks, black tip sharks, white tip sharks, and even lionfish and scorpionfish abound.

Philippines Scuba Diving Vacations Continues Here.

Technorati Tags: Philippines Travel Tips, Philippines vacations, Philippines, travel tips, vacations, travel

Twitter This

Usuario: Password:

Bookmark This:

Knowns as the perfect beach town, Cocoa Beach is an hour drive east of Orlando on Florida’s amazing Space Coast. The drive here is almost as beautiful as the beach – offering you endless ways to enjoy your leisure and recreation.

Whether you are going on a family beach vacation, leisure travel, business trip, or just a day at the beach, you’ll find exactly what you’ve been looking for in Cocoa Beach and the Space Coast area to make your stay one you’ll never forget.

Cocoa Beach is one of the most affordable beach vacations in Florida. There is never a lack of things to do or see in and around Cocoa Beach. Besides the fun in the sun, Space Coast offers you the chance to go deep sea fishing or parasailing, try your luck aboard a casino cruise ship, or just take a river tour and get up close and personal with the awesome wildlife of Florida.

While at Cocoa Beach, you can also visit the Kennedy Space Center, the Brevard Zoo, or spend some time shopping. You’ll be within short driving distance to all of the Orlando attractions, and you can even drive back to Cocoa Beach at night to enjoy dinner in one of the many dining spots on the beach.

When night sets in, you can kick back and enjoy the nightlife on the beach that ranges from cool jazz clubs to beach side cafes. Then, you can stay the night with perfect accommodations and wake up to a breathtaking sunrise on the beach.

With plenty to offer you and your entire family, Cocoa Beach provides an excellent beach vacation or getaway. There is plenty to do on the beach, with enough nearby to keep you coming back for more.

For more great Florida vacation information, please visit Teri Champigny’s Florida Travel Tips web site.

Technorati Tags: Cocoa Beach travel tips, Cocoa Beach vacations, visiting Cocoa Beach, Florida travel tips, Florida vacations, Florida beaches, travel tips, vacations, beaches

Twitter This

Usuario: Password:

Bookmark This: