International Travel

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One of the more popular ways to access a resort these days is through owning a timeshare at one. But there are many factors to consider. If you decide to get brave and go to a presentation, be sure to go with an open mind. But also be careful.

Often, the first exposure we receive to timeshare ownership comes from filling out a coupon to win a vehicle or receive a cheap or free vacation in the sun or at a ski resort. For some this happens at fairs, in restaurants or at car dealerships. For others first contact is through a (not-so-well-timed) phone call interrupting dinner and offering a free or inexpensive short hotel stay in exchange for a couple of hours of your time. Occasionally, some well-meaning or profit-motivated relative, friend or associate will give out your co-ordinates. On vacation in Mexico, it is not unusual to be stopped in the street of a coastal vacation city and offered a free day of island hopping on board a boat, with stops for horseback riding, meals and a “happy hour” in exchange for foregoing some time in the sun for a presentation.

As long as you understand that accepting these offers can be the prelude to several hours (they usually tell you two hours – take that with a grain of salt) of presentations – slide and/or film shows, discussions, property-viewing and – in some rare cases – browbeating, there is a benefit versus detriment ratio to look at. You need to weigh the benefits of initiating the process required to receive the offer/prize against the cost in travel to and from the resort presentation site, time in the presentation and negotiation.

It may seem surprising that so many people with absolutely no intention of purchasing a timeshare property end up walking away the owners of an annual week of tropical heaven or cool skiing. But then, perhaps it shouldn’t be that surprising. The salespeople are usually chosen to be compatible with or complementary to the average timeshare client – they aspire to create a climate conducive to making a sale.

Even if you intend to turn down the offer (you only want to try for the prize!) the timeshare salespeople are trained in the best ways to turn your NO into a YES. In most instances, the salesperson will bring in a more senior person (usually the sales manager) either to use their superior persuasion skills, use psychology skills on you, try a different personality type, exercise fluency in making deals, fast-talking or merely utilize their ability to sweeten the offer. Sound like buying a car? Well, resorts and cars have that in common.

Usually there’s a meal provided at the presentation – more dangerous to the negative attendee perhaps being the champagne breakfast. Those little bubbles tickling the nose will often loosen the tighter pocketbooks and wallets. And what better than a good meal to move the prospective resort property owner into timeshare convert. It’s a poor salesperson that does not make a non-buyer feel badly for failing them! Few resort salespeople starve – the sales manager can often provide the addition purchase incentive – and there’s usually a free meal available until the resort seller gets consistent good results.

Where does the resort get the money to pay for the prize SUV, vacation dollars, delicious meal or tickets to Sea World? Well, obviously the resort company needs a marketing budget. This is derived from the eventual profits to be made from each sale. Actually, it’s the resort purchasers who pay for both successful and unsuccessful sales efforts. So, if you actually intend to purchase you should hold out for the best deal possible.

This means don’t accept the first, or the second, or even the third offer you hear from the sales team. Invoke every opportunity to have them make you a better offer. Don’t worry, as long as you are in some kind of negotiation – even if it looks like you are very negative on the value of the deal – there is someone on site who can improve the offer in some way. This can go on until the sales manager is reluctantly closing your car door for you after spending 4 or 5 hours of hard bargaining.

THIS IS THE POINT AT WHICH YOU SHOULD CONSIDER ACCEPTING THE LAST DEAL BUT WITH ONE MORE UPGRADE.

You have outstayed most all of the presentation attendees, the salespeople want to go home, and you have heard pretty much all the offers they have to make. The sales team is ready to go as far as they have ever gone before – maybe farther. Make your last pitch to hear their best and final offer – that last one-week stay in Atlantis in the Bahamas or that vacation certificate that can be used every year, which the sales manager was going to use to take his significant other for a sun-and-sea-filled week as a surprise.

Remember the power of negotiation. Resort owners are not used to dealing with hard bargainers. So take advantage of it. Get every penny out of it you can, then let it go and enjoy your new resort.

Tropical cruises are best way to get out of your busy schedule and have a little break. These cruises also serve as a best trip for honeymooners since they can spend a lot of time together. With a tropical cruise you need not worry about your stay or a place to have your lunch and dinner which is done when you go for some onshore locations. Everything you need is made available in the tropical cruise itself. Pack your bags for set out for an exciting vacation on a tropical cruise!

The tropical cruises have a lot of activities going on during the travel and this gives you the perfect evening to romance most of the time. These cruises serve as a floating resort. If you go alone then you are sure to get a few friends in the cruise. This might even be a turning point for you in your life. Cruises for couples and singles are operated separately sometimes. These are meant to give the perfect setting for the perfect escape from the busy schedule you have regularly. There are people who found their partners on such escape trips in tropical cruises. So why don’t you try it?

Choosing the type of cruise for your travel is an important part of your trip. There are different types of cruises available. The types are standard, first class, and luxury. These have different facilities for the comfort of the passenger. Everything you have in your home can be provided in the tropical cruise also. Most of the time you get more than that!

The standard tropical cruises carry a lot of passengers and hence these are more crowded than the other types of cruises. However you get lots of activities going on in there with nice entertainments and cabins. These standard cruises are suitable for people who want to spend their vacation within their budget. You can start your trip with this budget cruise and then book on other cruises on the successive years. If you have not traveled on a cruise till now, these standard cruises can be tried now.

The first class cruises have more attractive rooms for staying with different dining choices and options for romantic evenings. The luxury cruises have the exciting facilities for your stay. Rooms with balconies or suites are available in these cruises. Spas and health clubs are also available in these cruises. Exquisite dining is available. If you want a romantic experience then you can choose these luxury tropical cruises.

More than your average sailboat, mega yacht charters offer all the luxury of a five star hotel, more room than most city apartments around the world, and the freedom to go where you want without having to pack and unpack at every stop. In addition, mega yacht charters come fully staffed if you so desire making this one vacation you won’t need another vacation to recover from!

The Secrets to Affordable Yachting

Mega yacht excursion can run the gamut of prices. Some fully-loaded and staffed luxury yachts can cost in the hundreds of thousands of dollars for a single week. So how can the average person afford such luxury? The key is to make it a family affair, choose the right destinations, and time things to get the best rates. If you are willing to do some of the cooking, cleaning, and even sailing responsibilities yourself, you will find it even easier to afford a vacation at sea.

Most luxury motorboat vessels can accommodate dozens of people. If you have a large extended family or close friends that you enjoy travelling with then it’s easy to share the expense and make an affordable week-long trip. With six sleeping cabins, for example, you can accommodate up to six separate families. If the week’s voyage runs about $30,000 (an easy to find fare) then each family is only spending $5,000 for a week of luxury and exciting site seeing. You can hardly get into the Disney theme parks with a family of four for that!

Another way to cut costs is to choose a destination that is more contained. A trip through the Bahamas or Caribbean Islands will be more affordable than an excursion that spans the seas from one continent to another. Three or four days on this kind of cruise is easy to travel and visit many different ports representing several countries.

If you don’t hire a cook or cleaning crew, you can save on the rent as well. A trip from Miami to the Bahamas is short enough that you will not have to worry about major cleaning and can save money on housekeeping services.

The Advantages of Private Cruising

Mega yacht charters are unlike regular cruise ships. On commercial cruises there is a social element many people enjoy, but the private cruising really puts you in the captain’s chair. A professional captain does the navigating of course, but you are in charge of the destinations. You choose when you will depart and how long you will stay.

In addition to choosing the itinerary you also get to decide who will be seated next to you at dinner since a chartered cruise has only your invited guests. You can even choose the menu and select the wine, and when the day is done, you retire to a suite as luxurious as those found in the finest hotels.

Private quarters on a mega yacht charter means you won’t have to worry about lugging a suitcase from one vacation spot to the next. Your room goes with you everywhere! Most yachts of this calliper also have full sized baths, exercise facilities and several parlours for evening entertaining that never has to end.

Paris

Paris is the capital and largest city of France. A stylish, sophisticated and romantic city, it boasts many sights to see, such as Notre Dame, Eiffel Tower, Louvre, Arc de Triomphe as well as some of Europe’s best shops and restaurants. Located on the River Seine in the country’s north, Paris maintains much of its traditional architecture, with hidden squares, churches, cathedrals and palaces mixing in well with more modern designs. Access to Paris is fairly simple by car, rail or air.

Rome

A vibrant city with timeless architecture and a passionate culture, Rome is the largest city in Italy and also the capital. Located on the Tiber and Aniene rivers near the Mediterranean Sea, Rome enjoys a warm, comfortable climate in which visitors can explore the city. In addition to a rich history, Rome is also home to the Vatican City, a sovereign enclave within Rome, it is the seat of the Roman Catholic Church and the home of the Pope. Traveling around Rome is fairly easy on a network of trams, buses and trains, although travel by car is not recommended.

London

One of the world’s major business and financial centres, London is also a cosmopolitan and energetic centre for arts, culture, politics and entertainment. London’s population includes an extremely diverse range of peoples, cultures and religions, and with over 300 languages being spoken it is the most linguistically diverse city in the world. In addition to this, the city boasts a great number of important buildings and iconic landmarks, including world-famous museums, theatres, concert halls, galleries and palaces.

Venice

The “city of canals”, is the capital of the region of Veneto and of the province of Venice, in Northern Italy. The city stretches across numerous small islands in the marshy Venetian Lagoon along the Adriatic Sea. Venice has a very rich history and in previous centuries the Venetian Republic was a major sea power and a staging area for the Crusades, as well as a very important centre of commerce and art during the Renaissance. As Europe’s largest car free area, traveling around the city can only be done by boat or on foot.

Barcelona

Barcelona offers a range of tourist attractions, from Roman remains and a historic city centre, the old harbour, museums and the famous Sagrada Familia church. It is the capital city of Catalonia and the second most populous city in Spain. Located in the comarca of Barcelonès, along the Mediterranean coast, Barcelona benefits from a temperate Mediterranean climate.

Central Australia is located in the heart of the Australian continent, and is home of the most significant icons of Australian and Aboriginal culture including Uluru (Ayers Rock) and Kata Tjuta (The Olgas), the outback town of Alice Springs, the Ghan railway, and Aboriginal art centres such as Papunya and Hermannsburg. Central Australia is also home to the true Outback spirit of Australia. Whether you’re visiting from elsewhere in Australia or from overseas, Central Australia epitomises the vast and unspoiled wonder of Australia’s desert interior.

Nature is overwhelming in Central Australia. Red sand and rock dominates the landscape, and crystal clear skies are alive with a million-star display almost every  night of the year. The enormous range of unique flora and fauna found in the Red Centre is proof that, while the climate is arid, the land is rich and bountiful. Kangaroos, wallabies, dingoes, emus, echidnas, perenties, goannas, geckos and huge eagles are just some of the animals found in Central Australia, as well as imported species such as camels.

The unofficial capital of Central Australia is the town of Alice Springs, established by 19th century European and Afghan pioneers who opened up Australia’s interior. Today, Alice Springs is a modern outback town with all comforts and none of the hassles of a major capital city, and is the perfect base from which to tour the region, from Uluru and Kata Tjuta in the south to Tennant Creek in the north.

The Aboriginal presence in Central Australia is strong, with living cultural and spiritual traditions connecting indigenous people to the region’s landscapes and landmarks. A visit to Central Australia will provide ample opportunities to learn about and understand both traditional and contemporary Aboriginal culture. For anyone interested in authentic Aboriginal dot painting, Alice Springs is home to a large number of Aboriginal art galleries.

To get the best out of a Central Australian tour, visitors should allow at least seven to ten days. While Uluru, Kata Tjuta and Kings Canyon are undoubtedly major Central Australian tour destinations, visitors can appreciate an enormous variety of stunning natural locations all within an hour or two’s drive from Alice Springs. Popular destinations in the Eastern and Western MacDonnell Ranges include Trephina Gorge, Arltunga, Simpson’s Gap, Standley Chasm, Ormiston Gorge, Glen Helen and Palm Valley.

Attractions right in Alice Springs itself include the Olive Pink Botanical Gardens, the Desert Park, and the Old Telegraph Station where Alice Springs was first established. For visitors who wish to experience the true heart and soul of the Australian continent and its history and cultural diversity, a week in Central Australia is an experience not to be missed!

Tips before you reach the airport

Please allow yourself and your family extra time to get through security – especially when traveling with younger children.  Allow even additional time if you are traveling overseas.

Call your airline or travel agent for their recommended check-in times for your departure airport.

Talk to your children before you come to the airport and let them know that it’s against the law to make threats such as, “I have a bomb in my bag.”  Threats made jokingly (even by a child) can delay the entire family and could result in fines.

If you are traveling with an infant, try to book a bulkhead seat so that you can access the infant carrier that attaches to the bulkhead.

Tips at the airport

Speak to your children again about the screening process so that they will not be frightened or surprised. Remind them not to joke about threats such as bombs or explosives.

Tell your children that their bags (backpack, dolls, etc.) will be put in the X-ray machine and will come out at the other end and be returned to them.

Let your children know that a Security Officer may ask to see their shoes, but that they will get these back as well.

You may want to consider asking for a private screening if you are traveling with more than one child.

If you are traveling with an infant, a collapsible baby stroller is ideal.

Tips on the plane

Have some gum or a pacifier for an infant.  Chewing the gum or sucking on the pacifier will help with ears popping during take off and landing.  If your child is old enough, explain what air pressure is.

Ensure that you have toys and games for the kids to play with.  The airline will have a small selection, but it is better to bring your own.

Airplane food isn’t the best, so make sure that you have some of your children’s favorite snacks handy.

Baby formula, breast milk, juice, and other liquids
Medications, baby formula and food, breast milk, and juice are allowed in reasonable quantities exceeding three ounces and are not required to be in the zip-top bag. Declare these items for inspection at the checkpoint.

All items including formula, breast milk, and juice will be inspected, however, you or your baby or toddler will not be asked to test or taste breast milk, formula, or juice. Our Security Officers may test liquid exemptions (exempt items more than 3 ounces) for explosives.

Travel rules can change so make sure that you check the TSA web site before you fly.  If you and your family abide by the rules, your trip will go a lot smoother.

Ontario is the second-largest in area of Canada’s ten provinces and is found in east-central Canada. Its capital is Toronto. Ottawa, the capital of Canada, is also located in Ontario. Ontario has a population of 12,449,502, representing approximately 37.9% of the total Canadian population.

It’s excellent transportation links to the American heartland has contributed to making manufacturing the principal industry, found mainly in the Golden Horseshoe region, the most industrialized area in Canada. Important products include motor vehicles, iron, food, electrical appliances, machinery, chemicals, and paper.

Culture wise, you can enjoy Broadway blockbuster shows or innovative local theater on Toronto’s diverse stages. Be dazzled by Ontario’s myriad museums and their signature collections including rare ceramics, classic canoes, fantastic footwear and more. Whether you are moved by old masters or inspired by avant-garde installations, you’ll delight in wide ranging art galleries.

Ottawa is the federal capital and is situated on the south bank of the Ottawa River facing the French-speaking city of Hull in Québec. The imposing Gothic-style Parliament Buildings overlook the confluence of the rivers Ottawa, Rideau and Gatineau. The colorful Changing of the Guard ceremony takes place here daily in July and August.

The National Arts Center, a hexagonal complex on the banks of the Rideau Canal, houses an opera company, theaters, studios and restaurants. The Rideau Canal and the Rideau-Trent-Severn Waterway are part of a complex of recreational lakes and canals linking Ottawa to Lake Ontario and Georgian Bay.

Outstanding among the city’s many museums and galleries are the National Gallery of Canada, the National Museum of Science and Technology, the Canadian Museum of Nature, the Canadian War Museum and the Museum of Civilization (over the bridge in nearby Hull).

Toronto is the provincial capital and is Canada’s largest city. Its accelerated growth in recent years, with a huge influx of immigrants, has resulted in one of the most vibrant and cosmopolitan cities on the continent. The city is laid out on a rectangular grid broken only by the Don River and Humber River, the banks of which provide a host of recreational amenities.

“Must See” tourist attractions in Toronto include The CN Tower, the world’s tallest free-standing structure with its glass-fronted elevators rising 553m (1815ft) to indoor and outdoor observation decks that afford a 120km- (75 mile-) panoramic view on a clear day.

Also in Toronto is Niagara Falls. The Falls provides a vast array of year-round activities for the entire family. Beautifully-maintained biking and walking trails line the world-famous Niagara gorge while numerous golf courses, ball diamonds, playing fields, swimming pools and rinks are also here. The Falls has excellent accommodation options with over twenty Bed and Breakfasts’s listed with prices to suit all needs.