Great Destinations for a Romantic Getaway
Great Romantic Destinations Do you have someone special in your life? Whether you’ve been married for forty years, or you are a newlywed, bringing romance helps keep the relationship alive and going strong. One of the best ways to do that is to take the occasional romantic getaway. Let’s look at some of the best […]
Where to Snorkel in Hawaii
Snorkeling is a rite-of-passage in Hawaii. No Hawaiian vacation is complete without exploring the colorful and strange undersea world sitting just below the surface.
There are dozens of places to snorkel in Hawaii. From the big healthy reefs of the Big Island to the convenient coves and parks of Oahu, you’ll find incredible snorkeling wherever you up.
However, for many snorkeling enthusiasts, Maui stands above the rest as the best island for snorkeling in Hawaii.
Snorkeling in Maui
Maui has more miles of swimmable beach than any other Hawaiian island. The best Maui snorkeling beaches are on South and West facing shores which are hidden from the trade winds by the Maui mountains – keeping the water stays clear and calm.
Treat yourself to a trip to Turtle Town Maui for gorgeous beaches and a high population of Hawaiian green sea turtles; or check out Honolua Bay boasting a diversity of marine-life 
second to none.
Maui is also home to the incredible Molokini Islet, a partially submerged volcanic crater located about three miles offshore. With crystal-clear waters (visibility usually exceeds a hundred feet) and abundant sea life, snorkeling Molokini is an experience unlike any other.
Snorkeling in Oahu
Oahu is no slouch when it comes to amazing snorkeling opportunities. With 112 miles of pristine coastline, Oahu is the second most popular Hawaii island for snorkeling.
Don’t miss Kahe Point Beach Park, offering exceptionally clear waters and lots of colorful fish; or head to Hanauma Bay – the most famous of all Hawaii’s snorkeling beaches because of it’s high population of fairly tame fish, calm shallow water, and picture-perfect white sand.
Snorkeling in the Big Island
The Big Island offers 266 miles of raw coastline. With smooth lava-flats (convenient for easy entry) the Big Island is perfect for those looking to snorkel Hawaii away from the crowds.
Check out Honaunau Bay for calm waters, high visibility and lots of colorful coral where myriad tropical fish congregate.
Or visit Mauna Kea Beach, considered by many to be the most picturesque and relaxing beach on the Big Island. Mauna Kea offers shallow, calm and convenient conditions perfect for beginners.
When you’re planning your next Hawaii snorkeling vacation, consider a Hawaii timeshare rental. Right now, we have especially great deals on Wyndham timeshare rentals. You’ll secure spacious, villa style accommodations for about the same price as renting a hotel room for a week.
SOURCES:
http://www.hawaiisnorkelingguide.com (TONS of great information!)
Travel the Globe with a Timeshare (Video)
Off the Beaten Path in Oahu
There’s a reason Oahu is known in Hawaii as “The Gathering Place.” Though Oahu is actually the third-largest Hawaiian island, it is the most populous and visited of the islands, and is home to the state’s capital, Honolulu.
But just because Oahu is one of Hawaii’s most well-traveled vacation destinations, that doesn’t mean there aren’t plenty of sites and attractions off the beaten path, if you know where to look.
Of course, there’s nothing wrong with enjoying any number of typical “touristy” attractions when you visit Oahu. By all means, you should hike Diamond Head, tour Pearl Harbor, explore the Dole Plantation, attend a traditional luau, dine at a shrimp shack or lounge on the shores of Waikiki.
But if you’re a Hawaii timeshare owner who has been visiting the island for years, you may be looking for something new. Likewise, some travelers – even Oahu first-timers, like to enjoy the natural splendor of a tropical paradise away from all the hustle and bustle.
If either of these sound like you, rest assured: there are dozens of ways to enjoy Oahu, just outside the city lights. Below, we’ve outlined a few, in no particular order, for you to explore on your next trip to Oahu.
Tour the City on the Cheap: One of the best-kept secrets on Oahu is the public bus ride! No, really! The public bus route around the entire island of Oahu costs only $2, and follows a route that is over 150 miles! But the best benefit to riding “the Bus” is that you can get off and on at different beaches or towns for up to two hours without incurring a second fare! The bus is a cheap, fun way to escape the cement of Waikiki and discover the lush island’s more remote shores and unique neighborhoods.
Picnic on a Secret Beach: “From Here to Eternity Beach” is a secret hideaway located below the Halona Blowhole parking lot kept private due to the admittedly treacherous climb down to the sand. Still, for the brave, young or athletic, this semi-private beach is never crowded and offers breathtaking views.
Located below the Halona Blowhole parking lot, this special spot is never crowded. The break in the ocean cliffs and the surrounding crags provide protection from the wind, while gentle waves tumble ashore. Turtles frequent the small cove, seeking respite from the otherwise blustery coast. “From Here to Eternity Beach” is great for packing a picnic and holing up for the day.
Enjoy Natural Splendor with Gorgeous City Views: Just north of downtown Honolulu are a half dozen hiking trails in the Tantalus area. One of the most scenic is the two-and-a-half-mile Makiki Loop Trail, which affords some of the best views of the city below. During the steep walk up the mountain you’ll appreciate the fragrance of wild ginger, mango, guava, eucalyptus and bamboo.
Snorkel amid Green Sea Turtles: East from Waikiki, past Hanauma bay, past Sandy Beach and then just past Sea Life Park you will see a long pier with a building on the end, the water is clear and the snorkeling is pretty nice on the left side of the pier. If you park about 1/8 mile before the pier the snorkeling is also good and you will probably see Green Sea Turtles.
Enjoy Authentic Affordable Cuisine: The Kapahulu Ave restaurants are famous for their affordable and authentic, yet still diverse dining opportunities. From Japanese ramen houses to local Hawaiian grills, you can eat like the locals do on Kapahulu Ave.
Honorable Mention:
- Hike Mt. Olomana
- Hike Puu Manamana (for experienced hikers)
- Kayak out to the Mokulua Islands
- Explore Ho’omaluhia Botanical Garden
Got questions about where to buy or rent timeshare in Oahu? Give us a call today!
Find Your Dream Vacation with Frommer’s and TBS
As summer winds to an end, we’re already dreading the cold-weather blues. We know the best way to get through the winter doldrums is to plan a fun, sunny vacation to look forward to; but where to go? With so many choices out there, it’s sometimes hard to narrow our options. That’s why we’re having so much fun with Frommer’s “Dream Trip Recommender.”
What started as simple curiosity (where can we escape to this year?) has now turned into a bit of an obsession. Looking for a romantic vacation, beachside with plenty of outdoor adventure? How about a family trip to that ranks high on both luxury and fun?
Simply plug your preferences in, rate other factors (cuisine, nightlife, culture and luxury) as most or least important to you; and wait for your customized vacation destination recommendation.
Here are just a few of the fun combinations we came up with (our selections in bold):
- Family vacation on the Beach with lots of Outdoor Activities: Mexico’s Los Cabos; Hawaii’s Big Island; and Cape Cod’s Nantucket.
- Solo Adventure trip, Off the Beaten Path, Great Food & Drink: Rio de Janiero, Brazil; Buenos Aires, Argentina; and Cannes, France.
- Very Luxurious, Relaxation-Oriented, Spa Resort with Great Cuisine: St. Tropez, France; Puerto Rico; St. Marten, Caribbean; and Maui, Hawaii.
- Romantic vacation with Snow Sports, lots of Luxury and Excellent Dining: Vail, Colorado; Aspen, Colorado; Banff National Park, Canada; and Jackson Hole, Wyoming.
Since we’re travel-nerds, we could have played this game for hours (full disclosure… we did); but more relevantly, we were happy to find that many of the recommendations are hotspots for vacation property ownership.
Whether you’re looking for a one-time, weeklong timeshare rental in Maui (suggested for that romantic, adventure, beachside search), or you’re looking to buy a family-friendly timeshare in Orlando (also recommended), you should have no problem securing spacious accommodations.
We can’t urge you enough – give it a try! Once you find your dream destination, contact us. We’ll check our inventory for rentals or timeshare resales in your custom locale, and we’ll help you through the whole rental or purchase process.
Live in NYC? Rent a “Timeshare Backyard” for Your Next BBQ.
The concept of timesharing has been around since the 1960’s as an innovative alternative to paying for hotel accommodations while on vacation. Today, timesharing comes in many forms, from vacation clubs to fractional ownership. Yet, never before had we seen the concept of timeshare rentals by the hour. Until now.
What was once an empty lot at 145 Ludlow Street in Manhattan is now home to the world’s first “Timeshare Backyard.” For $100 an hour (with a two hour minimum), New Yorkers who don’t want to make the trip out to Brooklyn, the Bronx or Queens can enjoy a private, fenced-in backyard fully equipped for lounging, grilling or even hula-hooping.
Wedged between two buildings in the East Village, the yard’s high wooden fences and brick walls are decorated with street art; giving the spot a modern, and decidedly New York vibe, even with its grass, trees and lawn furniture.
Rooted in a personal nostalgia for the backyards of their childhoods, business partners Jessica Resler and Jacqui Kavanagh dreamed up the Timeshare Backyard as a respite from the sweltering concrete jungle of NYC in the summer.
The two discovered the stalled construction site and inquired with the managing real estate company (Misrahi Reality) about renting it out. A year later, the yard is stocked with coolers, lounge chairs, backyard games and even a charcoal grill.
“If it could stay vacant forever, it would be the best secret little garden in all of Manhattan,” said Lorence Dippolito, vice president of leasing for Misrahi Realty. “People love outdoor space,” Dippolito said. “And no one has it. It’s a luxury.” Best of all, the backyard is open to the public to use free of charge on Friday afternoons.
Unfortunately, as licensed real estate brokers, we can’t help you book time at this NYC [anti] hot-spot. We just thought it was too cool not to share. We can, however, help you secure luxurious timeshare accommodation in New York City. So give us a call, and if nothing else, peek through the fence (like this guy) to see what this Timeshare Backyard is all about!
Top Destinations of 2012: Summer, Autumn, Winter
We found a great infographic on the “Top Destinations of 2012: Summer, Autumn & Winter.” With the unique destinations, relevant tips and adorable color palate (we’re nerds for that kind of thing), this infographic begs to be referenced again and again.
Some destinations of note:
- Kenya, Greece, Egypt, Kenya or the Bahamas in the Summer
- New York, Shanghai, Marrakesh or Tennessee in the Fall
- The Caribbean, Austria, Dubai or Boracay in the Winter
Be sure to check it out at the link above to see all the cool destinations featured, with brief explanations of why you should visit.
If you’re thinking of exploring any of these 2012 hot-spots, consider renting a timeshare. Renting a vacation property makes it easy to travel and lodge with a large group; and many can be rented for less than the cost of a hotel room for a week, despite their drastic difference in size and accommodations.
Timeshares are generally larger and more luxuriously appointed than hotel rooms of similar cost. The average hotel room is just 300-400 square feet, while the average timeshare is a more spacious 1200-1400.
Often, a hotel offers just a room with a bed and bath. If you’re lucky, there’s a small common area. Vacation ownership rentals on the other hand, are like more condos. They offer private bedrooms, large common areas, a kitchen, laundry facilities, and usually a balcony or patio offering fresh-air and scenic views.
Want to learn more? Please feel free to contact us with any questions. Happy Travels!
Infographic provided by: http://www.capeportfolios.com/
Our Best Tips for a First-Time Long-Haul Flyer
This afternoon, @TripAdvisor asked their Twitter followers for any “tips for a first time long haul flyer.” Having learned from experience during dozens of 24 hour+ trips, we’ve made our fair share of mistakes (peeking into first-class being, perhaps, the most regrettable). Please, we implore you: Learn from them! Below, we’ve compiled a list of our most cherished essentials and hard-won tips for enduring a long flight.
Request an Aisle Seat – This one definitely requires some advance planning, but may be well-worth the effort. While you won’t be privy to the majestic aerial views, an aisle seat provides a measurable increase in leg-room; plus easy access to the rest-rooms, which you’ll need if you’re following our next step.
Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate – Perhaps the most uncomfortable aspect to a long-flight (assuming you’ve been spared the chatty seat-mate or tight middle-seat) is the dry air and inevitable dehydration with your jet-lag. When the cart comes around, try to forgo the wine in favor of water. To refresh your skin, bring along pre-packaged face-wipes and a moisturizer that’s appropriate for your face and hands. If you really want to get fancy, bring along a “facial mister” (just remember, TSA rules: 3oz. or less).
Don’t Expect Time to Make Sense – When we fly to different time zones, it’s kind of like entering another dimension. For example, when you’re crossing several time zones it can be difficult to time meals with traditional “meal times.”
Bring Snacks – Unless you’re lucky enough to be dining in first-class; you’ll want to bring snacks. Airline food is notoriously bland; and for big eaters, the portion sizes are disappointing to say to least. Bring along healthy(ish) snacks like nuts and dried fruits to satiate your appetite when “dehydrated olives” just aren’t cutting it.
Don’t Rely on In-Flight Entertainment – Unless you feel like watching the same movie three times on a loop, bring a book. Go with a relatively easy-read that hooks you right at the start. And don’t go looking for a book at the airport bookshops; their prices often are notoriously jacked-up.
Bring a Travel Pillow – Spring for a plush one, even if that means you have to carry it. The inflatable versions tend to have sharp-plastic edges that you’ll find yourself cursing come 3am when your face is chaffed with red stripes.
Check for Sandwiches between Meals – This was a fun surprise! Once, while pacing the in the middle of the “night,” one of our tipsters stumbled upon a platter of sandwiches at the back of the plane. They were set out for the few insomniac flyers to snack on before breakfast was served in a few hours.
Get Up Often – We can’t stress this one enough. Get up and walk around. Then stretch a lot. Then, walk around some more. Not only will stretching and walking prepare your body to sleep more soundly before ‘lights-out’, but it will reinvigorate your senses when it’s time to wake up. Walk around as much as you can…
But, Whatever You Do, Don’t Peek into First-Class – Just don’t do it. Once you see their spacious, reclined seats, plush linens and fresh fruit, all the wet-wipes in the world won’t clean up your stewing!
America’s Best Beaches 2012
Every year, Florida International University professor Stephen P. Leatherman (aka. “Dr. Beach“) releases his now famous list of America’s Best Beaches. Dr. Beach bases his decision on a number of factors, including: the look and feel of the sand, water quality and temperature, weather, facilities and crowds. So, which beach took the title of 2012’s Best Beach?
San Diego’s Coronado Beach has been named the nation’s top beach. Blessed by 1.5 miles of sparkling sand (made possible by Mother Nature’s hearty helping of glittery mineral mica), Coronado Beach is located on a peninsula across the bay from San Diego and boasts sunny Mediterranean weather and a “postcard backdrop.” Leatherman notes that Coronado Beach is great for skim boarding and walking, in addition to popular activities including: swimming, surfing sunbathing and beachcombing. The wide, flat beach is lined by majestic mansions and the famous Hotel del Coronado.
Interested in checking out the nation’s Best Beach for yourself? Consider a timeshare or a timeshare rental in a San Diego. We love the breathtaking Four Seasons Aviara Private Residence Club, located amid the coastal hills of Carlsbad less than an hour’s drive from Coronado Beach.
Now we know you’re still wondering – what other beaches made the cut? Is your favorite beach listed? Check out the rest of Dr. Beach’s assessment, below:
2. Kahanamoku Beach in Waikiki, Honolulu, Hawaii
3. Main Beach, East Hampton, N.Y.
4. St. George Island State Park, Florida Panhandle
6. Coast Guard Beach, Cape Cod, Mass.
7. Waimanalo Bay Beach Park, Oahu, Hawaii
8. Cape Florida State Park near Miami
9. Beachwalker Park, Kiawah Island, S.C.
10. Cape Hatteras in North Carolina
We’ve got timeshares for sale and rent near a number of the gorgeous locations listed above. Want to get your beach on? Give us a call – we’ll help you find a timeshare near one of the nation’s best beaches for a fraction of the retail cost.
Got a timeshare to sell? Location on or near any of these breathtaking beaches is a major selling point. So don’t wait, contact our licensed timeshare brokers today to buy or sell timeshare on one of the nation’s best beaches!
Three Tips to Sell Your Timeshare TODAY
Selling a timeshare can be a tricky business; and there is all sorts of conflicting advice about how to sell a timeshare on the internet. So we thought we’d help. We put together our top three tips for selling your timeshare:
- Always Pay an upfront fee to sell your timeshare – it’s important to get the ball rolling. Plus, paying an upfront fee is a great way to ensure that a company already has your money; so you know they’ll do the right thing and work quickly to sell your timeshare.
- Don’t bother checking licensing or BBB accreditation – these things can waste precious selling time. If they have a website, or their agents sounded professional on the phone, there’s no reason to worry about their reputability.
- Don’t waste time with contracts – In today’s digital age, nobody uses contracts anymore. Besides, signing piles paperwork can delay proceedings, and could cost you the sale of your timeshare.
Bonus Tip: April Fools! Want to sell your timeshare safely and securely? Don’t follow any of the advice on this page.
Instead, contact one of our licensed (and BBB accredited) timeshare brokers. We’ll help you sell your timeshare on the resale market, and we never charge an upfront fee for our services.
