Want to get the real scoop on time shares? Here to shed some light on what actually goes on inside the industry is Lisa Schreier, author of Timeshare Vacations For Dummies and Surviving A Timeshare Presentation…Confessions From The Sales Table.

What is your background in the timeshare industry?

I started in the industry as a total “green-pea” out of necessity in 1998 as the Owner Referral Manager at a timeshare resort in Orlando. I earned my Florida Real Estate License in 1999 and for the next 6 years, I was a salesperson, a sales manager and the manager of the trial program at a few resorts around town before deciding to dedicate myself to educating people about timeshare. [Read More]

Other Resources:
Lisa’s Web Page
Why Resales?
Timeshare Frequently Asked Questions
Holiday’s Free, Information-Packed Webinars
Timeshare Library

On the museum front, the Tahoe Maritime Museum has a brand-new 5,800-square-foot facility with interactive exhibits, children’s visiting area and community gathering area. The museum, reminiscent of an old boathouse, showcases the history of boating in Lake Tahoe.

Summer brings the vibrant farmer’s market on Thursdays through October 16 in Tahoe City and at Kings Beach through August 26, with small farmers offering fresh, high-quality produce to visitors and locals alike. Truckee’s farmer’s market is Tuesdays at the Truckee River Regional Park through September 30.

Located in Tahoe Vista at the North Tahoe Regional Park, the new North Tahoe Disc Golf Course is a fun and challenging 18-hole course that provides a variety of shots that complement nearly every style of play. The last nine holes were finished last fall. Travelers can purchase their own discs at the Sports Exchange in Truckee.

For families looking for fun and learning, the Tahoe Center for Environmental Sciences offers self-guided and docent-led tours, hands-on activities and a monthly lecture series. Here, visitors can take a 3-D virtual reality flight through Lake Tahoe, peek through a microscope and view tiny aquatic creatures and learn how scientists study water quality.

Off the lake, the Village at Squaw Valley in Olympic Valley recently welcomed two new eco-friendly shops, Maud Olson and Patagonia. Maud Olson Eco-Friendly Clothing features a line of high-end apparel, such as hand-knit baby alpaca sweaters, mittens and gloves, as well as a wide selection high-fashion jeans, hoodies and t-shirts made from organic cotton. Patagonia, who leverages their resources to create a healthier planet, opened a new location at the base of Squaw Valley and offers a great selection of outdoor wear and accessories for women, men and children.

The Village at Northstar in Truckee also has expanded its retail and restaurant offerings. Mikuni Japanese Restaurant and Sushi Bar is known for its fresh sushi creations. Kids love Ambassador Toys, which strives to promote understanding and respect for cultures around the world through the beauty and creativity of toys, books and music. The Tahoe Creamery’s motto, ‘Keepin’ It Pure,’ might be the mantra for the entire North Lake Tahoe destination. Here, visitors will find natural, premium, gourmet ice cream.

Orlando attracts families annually with its mega theme parks, but there’s lots to do in the area besides hang out with Mickey Mouse and ride roller coasters. Check out Orlando’s sophisticated side if your timeshare vacation takes you to Central Florida without children.

Walt Disney World

Indeed, half the visitors to Disney’s theme parks are less than four feet tall, but the massive resort complex actually offers activities and attractions for adults only. Eat at Victoria & Albert’s at the Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. This elegant eatery does not allow children under 10, and requires a dinner jacket for men. The menu is pricey, but it makes a great romantic evening for a special occasion. In Downtown Disney, see Cirque du Soleil’s La Nouba, hit the dance clubs or comedy venues at Pleasure Island, or listen to music at the House of Blues.

Universal Studios

CityWalk is Universal’s 30-acre entertainment complex offering loads of entertainment, including performances by the Blue Man Group, concerts at Hard Rock Live, plus jazz, comedy and dance clubs. Top choices for sophisticated dining here include Emeril Lagasse’s restaurant or Bice Ristorante at the Portofino Bay Club.

Parks, Gardens & Forests

Take a picnic to the pretty 43-acre oasis of green in downtown Orlando, Lake Eola Park. Stroll along the paved walkways that take you through 50 acres of gardens at Harry P. Leu Gardens, also downtown. In Ocala National Forest you can hike along the Florida National Scenic Trail, or canoe, swim and even snorkel in the streams, lakes and springs.

Art Museums

See the impressive collection of art and antiquities spanning centuries at the Cornell Fine Arts Museum at Rollins College. The Morse Museum of Contemporary Art in nearby Winter Park houses a stunning collection of Tiffany glass, jewelry, pottery and lamps. Permanent exhibits at the Orlando Museum of Art include American Art, Art of the Ancient Americas and African Art.

Dance, Opera & Orchestra

The Orlando Ballet is Central Florida’s only resident ballet company that performs September through May, and also hosts visiting dance troupes. The Orlando Opera Company celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, and the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra typically appears in more than 115 performances each season.

For more activities, see this blog entry: Destination Orlando: Beyond Disney.

The 55-acre theme park, located just three miles from the beach off of U.S. Highway 501, boasts more than 50 rock-n-roll-themed attractions, including live shows, entertainment, roller coasters, retail shops, and children’s play areas. The complex is divided into sections honoring various music genres, aptly named: Rock N’ Roll Heaven, British Invasion, Born in the USA, and Cool Country.

General daily admission is $50 per person, but there are loads of ways to save with discounted tickets (some promotions only available through June 30):

· If you’re visiting Myrtle Beach for a week, consider buying a seven-day admission ticket to the park, for just $65 - that’s less than $7 a day!
· A two-day pass is priced at $50 per individual -bringing the price down to just $25 a day.
· General admission for families of four or more is just $40 each.
· Military personnel (show I.D. at the park entrance) can enter the park for a daily admission of $40 per person.
· If you purchase your one-day ticket online at least two days prior to visiting, you’ll pay $45 instead of the regular $50 per person.
· Annual passes, with unlimited entry for a year, are $150 each.
· South Carolina residents with a valid I.D. can enter the park for $39.
The Hard Rock Park is open daily from 10 a.m. to 1 a.m. through September 7, 2008, with limited hours in the fall, winter and spring. For more info, visit www.hardrockpark.com.

FLORENCE, OR: Final design plans for WorldMark by Wyndham’s new resort near the Florence Events Center have been submitted for review with the city of Florence. The design package was submitted by the Myhre Group Architects on behalf of Worldmark by Wyndham, and no major obstacles to the plan are expected.

The plan comprises 3 four-story buildings overlooking the Siuslaw River, along with several smaller one-story buildings and an outdoor pool. [read more]

… of course, you can always find Worldmark resales over here…

Besides simply enjoying the desert playground with kid-friendly hikes (check out Indian Canyons), gentle mountain-bike rides and off-road jeep tours, there are a number of attractions ideal for families spending a timeshare vacation in Palm Springs.

Palm Springs Aerial Tramway

Children are especially good at reminding us that getting there is half the fun. So, adventurers of all ages appreciate the scenic, 10-minute ride on the world’s largest rotating tram cars into pristine mountain wilderness at 8,500 feet. In the warm-weather months, air temperatures at the top are much cooler than the blazing desert, which can reach 100 degrees Fahrenheit or more at summer’s peak. But at the top of the tramway, it’s perfectly comfortable for traipsing around the hiking trails or eating a picnic lunch. Winter brings cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.

Knott’s Soak City USA

This mammoth water park in Palm Springs is a family-oriented water playground with a giant wave pool, several twisting water slides, a lazy river and a section reserved just for small fries under 4 feet tall. Open daily mid-March through Labor Day.

Palm Springs Air Museum

Any child-young or old-with a fascination with planes, or World War II history buffs, will love this museum dedicated to combat aircraft used in WWII. Children just like checking out the historic planes, located outside and in hangars, some of which they can actually climb in. Flight demos are held on occasional Saturdays.

The Living Desert

In nearby Palm Desert, this 1,200-acre zoo showcases the animals and plants that make their home in the desert, including flora and fauna native to Africa and North America. At the Wildlife Hospital visitors can watch vets tend to animals. Preschoolers love the giant model train. Erected as part of a Christmastime Wildlights display, the network of tracks and trains was so popular, it’s now a permanent exhibit.

Children’s Discovery Museum of the Desert

On a rainy (rare) or really hot (common in the summer) day, an excursion to this indoor museum in the nearby town of Rancho Mirage can keep young children entertained for hours. Ideal for kids age two to 10, the more than 50 hands-on exhibits include science experiments, art projects, imaginary play, a book nook, rope maze and much more.

Learn more about family-friendly attractions at the Palm Springs Bureau of Tourism.

You’ll have plenty of room to dip your toes into the Atlantic during a timeshare vacation at Virgina Beach - the main stretch of beach is 300 feet wide! When you’re not sunning yourselves, making sandcastles or frolicking in the waves, visitors of all ages can spend their time along the oceanfront boardwalk, a 28-foot-wide concrete path that winds its way three miles along the beach. A distinct foot path makes it ideal for strolling, running, rollerblading and biking.

If you visit Virginia Beach anytime between January and March (perhaps during your children’s spring break), consider a whale-watching cruise with the Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center. On an afternoon tour, you can learn why the amazing, mammoth creatures swim so close to the Virginia shores, and what’s being done to protect them. Afterwards, tour the Virginia Aquarium to get up close and personal with harbor seals, sharks and sea turtles.

For still more family fun, play 18 holes of mini-golf, hit the giant water park, go crabbing, kayak with the dolphins, take a deep-sea fishing cruise or climb to the top of a lighthouse. And when it’s time for a break from the sunny outdoors, you can visit an indoor rock-climbing gym, sign your children up for cooking classes or play a game of laser tag inside a multi-level arena.

Scottsdale is home to the Sonoran Desert where pristine expanses and fascinating wildlife make it a perfect place for visitors of all ages and fitness levels to explore. One of the best locations to experience and appreciate the wonders of the desert is the McDowell Sonoran Preserve (www.mcdowellsonoran.org), which will be one of the largest urban preserves in the nation upon completion, encompassing a total of 36,400 acres. Take a free, three- to eight-mile hike with a knowledgeable guide. The pace is easy and relaxed with plenty of stops to admire the lush landscape.

Another great place for hiking is Pinnacle Peak Park in north Scottsdale. The trail here is at a moderate incline with a smooth tread, and the highest peak reaches 2,889 feet. Your reward: a picturesque view of the city and some of the Sonoran Desert’s most inspiring flora and fauna.

Art lovers can enjoy Scottsdale’s Public Art Program, which consists of 65 permanent and 26 temporary artworks throughout the downtown area. Downtown parking is free, so visitors can enjoy strolling through the outdoor gallery while taking in works by Louise Nevelson, Robert Indiana and Jamie Carpenter. Every Thursday night, more than 100 art galleries open their doors to welcome visitors during the weekly ArtWalk, a 30-year tradition in downtown Scottsdale. Enjoy free refreshments and often live music and contest giveaways.

Most Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, from January through the beginning of April, the outdoor amphitheater at the Scottsdale Civic Center comes alive with Native American music, dance, art and traditional foods. From noon to 1:30, visitors can explore the rich and varied cultures of the first nations of Arizona and North America-all for free!

(Washington, May 21, 2008)—While many people across this great nation get ready to celebrate the first weekend of summer, most people don’t have any plans to vacation this year. Based on the recent Expedia Vacation Deprivation™ survey, Americans not only receive the smallest amount of vacation time among their counterparts abroad, they often fail to use it. The American Resort Development Association (ARDA) challenges the vacation-deprived among us take the first step to recovery and admit there is a problem.

“I’m dismayed but not surprised at these findings,” said Howard Nusbaum, ARDA president and CEO. “People need to realize that taking time to unwind is an important health benefit. Relieving stress, spending family time and re-energizing will pay dividends throughout the rest of the year.”

The second step in vacation deprivation recovery is to ensure that the vacation is the best possible experience it can be. ARDA member resorts provide spacious accommodations in stunning locations with all the comforts of home. A timeshare resort offers hassle-free second home vacations designed with the sole purpose of making the most of precious leisure time together.

Expedia found that despite reporting an average of 14 paid vacation days again this year, the same as 2007 and two more than in 2005, an estimated 47.5MM Americans will not use all of their vacation days. Again this year, employed U.S. adults will leave an average of three vacation days on the table, in essence giving back more than 460 million vacation days in 2008.

Everyone deserves not only a vacation, but a better vacation. For more information contact ARDA at www.arda.org. (Link to article)

>>All the more reason HOLIDAY should be your resource for VACATION FULFILLMENT!

Ocean City’s proximity to major East Coast cities is also appealing. It is just a short drive from Washington, D.C., Philadelphia and Baltimore. But even if you fly into the area, you don’t need a rental car to get around; the bus system makes it easy to get from one end of the famous boardwalk to the other.

Recreational opportunities abound here. Ocean City is known for having some of the best sport fishing in the world, due to its proximity to the Gulf Stream. Action-packed water sports include jet skiing, kite boarding and speedboat rides. Strolling the boardwalk or the miles of beach is a “must do” while you’re in Ocean City. Kids love the Ocean Bowl Skate Park, the mini-golf courses and the many amusement park rides along the boardwalk.

And perhaps what’s extra appealing to families is the number of activities that are available for free in Ocean City. Check out these fun events that are taking place this summer:

Family Movie Nights, Mondays & Fridays, 7:30 to 10:30 p.m., June 30-Aug. 15. Gather for fun, kid-friendly activities and a movie right on the beach at 27th Street. Activities include arts and crafts, games and sing-alongs for the first hour, with the movie starting at 8:45 p.m.

Family Beach Games, Tuesdays, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., July 1-Aug. 12. Meet at the 27th St. beach, which is at the northern end of the boardwalk, for such activities as sand castle contests, tug of war and relay games. Children must be accompanied by parents or guardians.

Sundaes in the Park, Sundays, 6 to 8 p.m., July 13-Aug. 24. Free concerts at Northside Park, at 127th St. and the bay. Family-friendly music ranges from country to rock. For a small fee, create your own delicious ice cream sundae then sit back, listen to the tunes and watch the sun set over Assawoman Bay.

Beach Concerts, Wednesdays, 8 to 9:30 p.m., July 9-Aug. 20. Enjoy free concerts right on the beach, just steps from Ocean City’s world-famous Boardwalk at North Division Street. The music varies from week to week.

Evening Bonfires, Thursdays, after dusk, July 10-Aug. 28. Hang out with friends and family around the bonfire on the beach at North Division Street. Each week features a different guest speaker, making bonfire hour entertaining as well as informative.

Museum Programs, Mondays through Saturdays, 10:30 a.m., mid-July-August. Gather outside the Ocean City Life-Saving Station Museum at the south end of the boardwalk for fun facts on topics that include beach safety, aquarium feeding, knot tying and sharks.