Send me your friends who are thinking about joining the Marriott Vacation Club International family and when they buy, you may be eligible for 40,000 Marriott Reward points or $400 credit towards your villa maintenance fee! Let's team up by spreading the good news on how to enjoy vacations more efficiently the Marriott way and you may never have to pay maintenance fees again!
If eligible* they can come down on one of our fabulous Marriott packages:
2008/2009 Platinum Season Package
December 15th, 2008 - May 15th, 2009
5 Days 4 Nights in a Guest Room Accomodation
$599
2009 Gold Season Package May 16th, 2009 - December 14th, 2009
5 Days 4 Nights in a Guest Room Accomodation
$399
*Details of Participation: Income of over $100,000, and if married, both husband and wife must attend a 90 minute presentation together. Minimum purchase price of $15,000 to qualify for package refund. Owners eligible for up to 40,000 Marriott Reward points or up to $400 credit towards maintenance if referral buys on that trip.**Check for participating states...some states my be Tour only or Purchase only states. Call for details to confirm your state's eligibility.
Thursday, October 30, 2008
2008 Owner Bring-A -Friend Events
Owner Exclusive
2008
Bring~A~Friend Events
4 Days & 3 Nights
(Share a Spacious 2-Bedroom Villa)
Including a Memorable Dining Event
Only $399 for Both Couples
Reservations are limited to 25 Owners per Event
Please call me or Guest Relations Team today at 1-877-882-3050, ext.1516
Event Dates:
November 6-9, December4-7
Friday, October 24, 2008
Announcing No More Blackout Dates
Imagine taking off for your dream vacation to a European castle or a romantic weekend getaway to San Francisco. With no blackout dates, you can go where you want, when you want. Wherever your heart longs to go, whether it's Springtime in Paris or playing the historic golf course of St. Andrews, from Australia to Zurich, your Marriott Reward Points can take you there at a moment's notice.
Friday, October 17, 2008
Wacky Presidential Election Hotel Promotions
Hotels are capitalizing on the U.S. presidential election in an unprecedented way, offering special packages and drinks for the occasion.
The unprecedented interest has also prompted the Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island in Florida to offer its first ever election special—an election-night package that offers real presidential perks: a private jet, motorcade, even fireworks. (At $15,000, though, paying for it may require taxpayer dollars.)
Candidate-inspired cocktails—the “Obamarita” (Patron silver, blue curacao, fresh lime juice, and prosecco) and the “McCainade” (Jim Beam, Amaretto, lemonade, iced tea, and grenadine) offer politically charged diners a fun and playful way to support their favorite candidate.
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Over 4.7 Million housholds own one or more Timeshare weekly intervals totaling 6.5 Million
Year 2007 sales totaled $10.6 Billion, growing 6% over 2006. Florida dominated geographically with 23% of all timeshares owned in the US.
The predominant Resort category is a beach destination, with 46% on or near a beach.
(Source: Ernst & Young, LLP)
The predominant Resort category is a beach destination, with 46% on or near a beach.
(Source: Ernst & Young, LLP)
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Boise gets earliest snow on record
Big snow flakes fell early Friday evening, turning Downtown Boise into a giant snow globe for people on their way home from work. The snow caught many people off guard, including this bicyclist heading down Idaho Street between 8th and 9th around 5:45 p.m. Across the Treasure Valley, tree branches heavy with wet, snow-covered leaves fell on power lines, causing scattered power outages. This is the earliest measurable snowfall in Boise since recordkeeping began in 1898, according to the National Weather Service. At 10 p.m., the Weather Service said 1.7 inches of snow had fallen. The previous earliest recorded snowfall was Oct. 12, 1969, when a little more than an inch fell. And if the snow wasn't enough, meteorologists say winds across southwestern Idaho will average 25 to 40 mph through Saturday afternoon, with gusts up to 55 mph. Sustained winds of 30 to 40 mph are expected, which can make driving difficult. 
Friday, October 10, 2008
Construction Tour of Marriott's Oceana Palms
Last week, a group of us from Sales were given a personal and up close "sneak peak" of the magnificent views from the top floors of Oceana Palms.
Yes, we went up via that tiny caged elevator, some holding on for dear life, as we went up and up......to the 18th floor.
What a view awaited us! You could see forever, and the beautiful shades of blue were like something from a painting.
Here, as you can see, are some photos I took looking north, east and south towards the Atlantic Ocean.
Theme trips on Marriott.com
Select A Trip Theme 
Tans fade, but knowledge lasts forever! If you like to learn while you travel, select this trip to find places and happenings that encourage you to create intellectual memori
Our City Experts have suggested places within each destination based on "Trip Themes." Each theme is defined below. Choose a theme and then click on Select. You might discover a whole new way to experience a destination.
Action / Adventure
The opposite of a lounge-chair vacation, take an energetic trip filled with thrills and adventure.
Adult Escape
Avoid the family circus and escape to the adult world of travel, entertainment, relaxation, and a real vacation.
Artsy
Discover museums, architecture, theater, and other places where creative energy and aesthetics decorate your destination.
Cupid (Romantic)
Find recommendations that satisfy your romantic travel desires, from bare seclusion to decadent luxury.
Family Time
Visit sites where adults and children have fun, learn together, and make lasting family memories.
Connoisseur
We'll help you find what's elegant, intriguing, and hard to come by: the exquisite treasures of your destination.
History Buff
These sites and events house the artifacts and legends that have obsessed historians throughout the ages.
Inner-Einstein
For science whizzes of all ages and disciplines, we will guide you to the attractions that satisfy left-brained travelers from botanists to mechanical engineers.
Local Culture
Learn about the locals who live in your vacation destination by visiting places that reveal the social culture and heritage that separates the inhabitants from the tourists.
Musical Journey
Music lovers of all kinds and ages will know where to go to find live music, historic performance venues, and musicians' current and past haunts.
Must See
What no traveler should miss! These sites and events are acclaimed attractions that give the destination part of its spirit and visitors fabulous memories.
On the Town
Explore trendy shopping and business districts by day and then get ready for a hip night out on the town.
Outdoorsy
For those who prefer mountains to skyscrapers and grass to sidewalks, this trip style will lead you to the wonders of The Great Outdoors that beautify your destination.
Take it Easy
Whether you want to lie on a beach, stroll through a garden, or unwind in a spa, these sites offer uninterrupted peace and tranquility.
Shop 'til You Drop!
Brandish your credit cards while we recommend a variety of stores and shopping districts that contain unique products that will commemorate your trip or make thoughtful gifts.
Sports Enthusiast
Athletes and sports fans: this trip style sends you to live games, famous stadiums, lessons with the pros, and places to play while you're away.
Where the Expert Goes
Take our City Experts' insider advice and visit the attractions they love and would recommend to their best friends.
World Scholar
Make Your Family Reunion Special
Take Time for Togetherness
Family reunions continue to grow in importance and according to a recent Orbitz study, 50 percent of respondents said their favorite group to travel with is their extended family. And although the survey respondents wanted to be together for activities and meals, when asked about preferred sleeping arrangements, most said they wanted privacy.
While many families are making hard budgetary decisions when the economy is tight, timeshare owners are still able to enjoy time away every year. Now more of these travelers want to share their vacation experiences with their extended families.
Family reunions have always been popular, especially in the summer months. But today reunions are going in a different direction than sleeping on Grandma’s couch or having a few hours in a park. Families are celebrating each other and renewing relationships between generations by taking long weekends or more to stay together.
From spacious accommodations to activities for everyone, many travelers are turning to timeshare products as vacation options for family reunions. Take Time for Togetherness offers travel options and suggestions to help make family reunions fun, affordable and stress-free.
Be Sure to Prepare!
Talk to Your Family
Like any major event, communications is a key component to planning the reunion. With families being spread out, it increases the challenge. Luckily, there are some great online resources that can be used as your communications clearinghouse for the family. There are several website resources that can help you manage details and communications between family members. Check out sites www.myevent.com or www.triphub.com for help. This way everyone can easily stay involved without placing too much burden on one person.
Select the Right Time of Year
Is it more likely that you’ll get people together over the summer? Or maybe over the Christmas holidays? It’s important to understand when your family members can take the time to participate in the family reunion. Some families prefer ski vacations in the winter, others opt for the beach and yet others are happy to meet somewhere in between so that everyone can be accommodated.
www.Surveymonkey.com can give you a tool to create a quick and easy survey that you can send to everyone on your extended family list to determine the best time and place to go.
Be sure to leave enough lead-time to do the proper amount of planning. It’s often difficult to find the perfect date for everyone, but starting a year in advance is usually time enough for anyone to make sure their calendars are clear.
Who to Invite….and How to Invite Them
One of your first jobs is to decide whom you want to include in your family reunion. Do you want to invite aunts, uncles and cousins or just your immediate family? How many can you easily track down?
The number of people on your guest list will be a factor in many of your other early decisions, such as location and activities. In general, the more people you have, the more planning you’ll have to do.
Begin by making a list of people to invite. Contact those people that you already have addresses or phone numbers for and seek their assistance in gathering the names of those you’re missing.
The last step is to begin the invitation process. Whether you want to keep it informal and make the calls yourself or use one of the online resources mentioned above to send out invites, you now have the tools to get the word out.
How Long Do You Want to Be Together?
The length of a family reunion is an important decision and is best answered by consulting as many family members as you can. For families who live close to each other, a few days may be plenty of time to share the fun, activities, visit, and social aspects. However, if most of the people must travel a significant distance, a longer stay is often warranted….and welcome.
Now that you have some of the basics planned, let’s take a look at where you can go and what you can do when you’re there!
Decide Where to Go!
Distance
Will the family reunion be just one day, an entire weekend, or a full week? If you're planning a short reunion, most people probably won't be as willing to travel long distances to attend. Select a location close to the majority of family members - possibly a neighborhood park, family member's home or local hotel or restaurant. Longer gatherings, especially special “one-time” reunions, map warrant a more elaborate location, such as a cruise or family resort.
Convenience
How far will guests have to travel to get to your reunion location? If a number of them will have to travel by air, consider holding your family reunion in an area convenient to a major airport. A location that’s accessible and easy to find means that more people will likely attend.
Accessibility
Do you have people with limited mobility attending your reunion? Elderly relatives in wheelchairs or young children in strollers? Make sure that the location you choose will comfortably accommodate everyone who will attend.
Affordability
Travel budgets can be a significant factor for most family reunions. Make sure that the location you choose fits into your budget, as well as that of your relatives.
Accommodations
People attending family reunions want both togetherness and privacy. Having a resort that enables shared mealtime and social time, while providing private sleeping accommodations and bathrooms, can go a long way in making everyone happy. Timeshare resorts offer the perfect balance of living accommodations for large groups.
Features and Activities
What attractions and activities does the reunion site and nearby area provide? Recreational activities such as boating, swimming, golf and camping can be fun when incorporated into a family reunion. People attending from outside the area may enjoy a location with nearby museums, historic sites, amusement parks, sports facilities and other attractions. Find a location that makes your reunion less of a meeting, and more of a destination.
When choosing your location, be sure to look into several options in order to find the perfect one for your group.
Have Fun While You’re There!
Theme It
Creating a theme for a family reunion is a great way to get some excitement generated around your event. Themes can also make things more fun when it comes to being imaginative with food, games, activities, invitations and just about every other aspect of the reunion. Family history themes are popular, as are reunions that celebrate a very special family member’s birthday or anniversary, or the family’s cultural heritage.
Icebreakers
You don’t need to occupy everyone all the time, but planned activities and ice-breakers at your family reunion will provide an easy way for people who haven’t seen each other for a while feel more comfortable together. Some great ideas for icebreakers can be found at
http://family-reunion.com/icebreak.htm.
Make mealtime fun again. Be creative.
Turn your kitchens into a traveling dinner. Let everyone share by creating a specialty from their hometown. Appetizers can be hosted by the cousins, dinner by the grandparents and dessert by the children. Timeshares provide full kitchens in every unit, making dinner an event in itself.
Games & Activities
Be sure to have games for all ages. From ping-pong to shuffleboard, many vacation ownership resorts offer countless activities for all ages. Not to mention the variety of activities in your resort area – swimming, skiing, shopping or museums.
Other fun ideas you may want to consider include:
Take pictures
While many family members will no doubt bring their own cameras, it helps to also make plans to record the overall event. Whether you designate a specific relative as the official reunion photographer, or hire a professional photographer to take photos or videos, you should prepare a list of the people and events that you want recorded. For spontaneous “moments,” purchase disposable cameras and hand them out to guests. Then you can put together an album to send to everyone after the event.
Family talent show
Set aside some time for family members to entertain with skits, singing, juggling or whatever their special talent may be. This can provide a lot of laughs and some very special moments.
Guess Who?
Ask everyone to bring baby pictures with them. Place them on a poster board and have guests decide who they are.
Awards ceremony
This can be held on the last night and you can award prizes for special distinctions such as oldest family member or longest distance traveled to attend.
Make a Family Tree
Utilize the reunion to connect the family’s lineage as a treasured memory for all generations. Create a poster board with attending family and ask that they trace their immediate family lines back as far as they can remember with maiden names, birth dates and marriages. After the reunion, put together the poster board and make copies for everyone.
Vacation Deprived?
Over 460 million vacation days will go unused this year in the U.S.
Are you one of the Vacation Deprived?
According to two recent studies, Americans are not taking the vacation time they need to rejuvenate and the results are affecting job performance, stress levels and overall wellness.
One survey, conducted by Expedia, found that an estimated 47.5 million Americans will not use all of their vacation days. On average, Americans receive approximately 14 paid vacation days through their employers. Further, employed U.S. adults will leave an average of three vacation days on the table, in other words, they will be giving back more than 460 million vacation days in 2008.
The second survey conducted by Take Back Your Time, a U.S./Canadian initiative to challenge the epidemic of overwork, over-scheduling and time famine that now threatens health, families, relationships, communities and environment, asked respondents how many weeks of vacation are best needed to prevent “burnout.” Of those questioned, 52% said they need three weeks or more and 82% said two weeks are necessary. Startlingly, 28% of those surveyed took no vacation time at all last year; 52% took one week or less; and, two-thirds received less than two weeks off.
A growing body of evidence suggests that burnout is just one of the negative consequences of too little vacation time. Studies have firmly established that men who don’t take vacations are 32% more likely to die of heart attacks and women are 50% more likely. Lack of vacation time doubles the rate of depression for women. Whereas after vacations, workers gain an hour per night of quality sleep and their reaction times are 30 to 40% faster, improvements that last for several months.
What Can You Do If You’re Vacation Deprived?
Step 1: It’s ok to admit that you, and those around you, would benefit from much needed time off. Realize that you need to set aside time to step away from the daily routine, spend time with your family and reenergize for the rest of the year.
Step 2: Plan ahead of time to allow for work coverage, family schedules and travel savings.
Step 3: Look for accommodations that fit your lifestyle and those you’re traveling with – is there enough space for everyone to feel like they can relax?
Step 4: Prioritize what’s important in a vacation to you – destination, proximity to town, remoteness, amenities, activities, short plane ride.
Step 5: Commit to a vacation and enjoy. Bask in the memories and plan your next one!
How does timeshare provide for a better vacation?
When you travel with timeshare, there are no surprises – you know the room, view and amenities ahead of time. It takes the stress out of planning a vacation while ensuring that every traveler’s vacation desires are met. Vacationing with timeshare provides for better family time because everyone has a place to unwind and activities to participate in.
Whether reserving a favorite vacation spot to return to every year or looking to trade for a new experience, vacationing with timeshare ensures that you’ll vacation every year. From romantic to rejuvenating to action-packed, vacation ownership products are about investing in a vacation lifestyle that best suits your needs.
With more than 5,000 resorts in 100 countries, the possibilities with timeshare are endless. Your destination, your choice, your vacation.
Why do I need a Vacation?
According to a recent survey (Expedia.com), an estimated 47.5 million Americans will not use all of their vacation days and despite an average of 14 paid vacation days, three days will be left unused.
And those 14 days are the fewest among any advanced economy, according to a Conference Board poll in April as reported by Robert Reich, former Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education.
There is clear evidence that a lack of vacation can lead to health risks, higher stress levels and lower productivity at work. Let’s face it—a relaxed mind makes for a happy person! Vacations promote creativity to reconnect with ourselves and stave off burnout, making time at work more productive. Vacationing not only keeps us healthy and lowers stress, but gives a chance to spend time enjoying life with loved ones that can keep relationships strong. Relieving stress, spending family time and re-energizing will pay dividends throughout the rest of the year and make you better equipped to handle whatever comes.
Americans recognize vacations are much needed “sanity breaks” to prevent burnout from their jobs and daily life yet according to a recent study, they don’t take all of their vacation time each year yet. Other studies point to increased stress levels, health risks and strained relationships as contributing factors from too much work and not enough vacation.
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. In fact, the need for vacationing is fast becoming a topic among leading authors, health experts, scholars and others as a means to reviving ourselves.
Joe Robinson, a work/life balance consultant in Santa Monica, California, and author of Work to Live recently said: “Taking a holiday restores emotional resources and a sense of mastery that helps people bring energy, enthusiasm, and satisfaction back into their life and puts a stop to chronic stress, which increases their productivity and lowers turnover.”
At the same time, many travelers feel stressed at the thought of a vacation. From paying for meals every day to the uncertainty of room size to ensuring that everyone has something to do while on vacation, often times vacations are as stressful as daily life. Even worse, travelers frequently bring work along with them, keeping themselves essentially still in the work mindset they are trying to escape.
Vacationing with timeshare is about providing a better vacation for the rest of your life. Timeshare products offer better family time because there is space and privacy for everyone. Luxurious amenities allow families to eat in or out as much as they want, and most timeshare resorts offer activities for every member of your family.
Scope of the industry
The scope of today's time share industry in the USA is well-documented. The ARDA International Foundation ("AIF"), which is the research arm of the American Resort Development Association ("ARDA"), reports there are 1,604 timeshare resorts, with 154,439 units, in the USA as of January 1, 2006 (AIF 2006). Though reportedly fewer than six percent of U.S. households own one, the prevalence of vacation ownership continues to expand[4]. Approximately 4.4 million households own one or more U.S. weekly intervals or points-equivalent as of January 1, 2007, an increase of sixteen percent from the prior year.
About half of the resorts in the USA are currently selling, generating sales of $8.6 billion in 2005 (AIF 2006).
The global scope of the industry is not as readily quantified. Interval International, one of the two major exchange companies, reports there are 5,400 resorts in nearly 100 countries, with 2004 worldwide sales estimated at nearly $11.8 billion (Interval International 2006).
Looking for local events in Palm Beach county?
Find local events in Palm Beach county area online with the Palm Beach Post.
Timeshares - The Way Vacationing Should Be!
Thinking About Buying a Timeshare?
This may be your chance to relax and enjoy your vacations again. Isn't that the only purpose of a vacation, anyway? Imagine not having the stress of months of planning and searching for the best bargains for suitable accommodations during the busiest times of the year. A timeshare can put an end to the madness and help you discover the way vacationing should be, make it affordable to treat yourself and your family to vacations every year from the extraordinary to the exotic. Soak up the Caribbean sun, immerse yourself in different international cultures, or marvel at the beauty of the French Alps from your timeshare condo balcony! With our help, not only will you reach those places for your next vacation, you'll save a suprising amount of money along the way.
Luxury Timeshare Vacations Every Year!
Unlike renting a pricey hotel room with rates only increasing year after year, buying a villa timeshare property enables you to "lock in" at today's dollars and realize a lifetime of dream vacations for as long as you own the villa. Rather than worrying about spending hundreds of thousands of dollars on a luxury vacation home, you are able to spend only a minute fraction of this sum for the same caliber property by only paying for the time you're actually using.
Furthermore, this same timeshare can be exchanged for other timeshares in over 80 countries around the world! Owning a timeshare cond gives you the luxury of vacationing in world-class resorts with all of the comforts and privacy of your very own vacation home. Virtually any timeshare vacation owner will tell you that vacation property ownership not only makes sound financial sense, but also provides for a far more secure, relaxing, and enjoyable vacation experience!
Flexibility
Timeshare ownership provides the space and flexibility to meet the needs of any size family or group of vacationers. Size of a typical timeshare unit is similar to that of a condo or deluxe apartment. Marriott vacation villas are far more deluxe than standard hotel rooms and range in size from studio to 3 or more bedrooms, up to 2 baths and can often sleep up to 10 or more guests.
Nearly all timeshares come with a fully equipped kitchen, dining area, and generous living areas. Units are professionally decorated, fully furnished and come equipped with all the niceties of home such as towels, linens, dishes, silverware, TV's, dvd players, and more. Our customers have found the stability, flexibility and savings gained through purchasing their villas to be excellent. As we come across new timeshares every day, our inventory is constantly updated.
Timeshare Exchange Opportunities
What kinds of benefits can you expect from vacation property ownership? Buying a villa property is an incredible way to travel and see the world! It has been said that over 80% of timeshare owners buy with the specific intention of traveling to more than one destination. Here is how timeshare resales make it happen:
- Just because you own at a particular resort doesn't mean you have to keep going to the same place over and over again.
- Interval International makes it possible to visit both renowned and remote areas with ease.
- In fact, you can trade your week at your home resort for a vacation at any of thousands of other world-class resorts with Marriott Rewards.
- Pick from over 70 different countries.
Whether you plan your vacations well in advance, or only at the last minute, a villa exchange is a wonderful and unique way to travel and see the world first class!
Timeshare Ownership
Stop throwing away your money on hotels and rented vacation property! The money saved here quickly pays back the low initial purchase price.
You can enjoy them for as long as you'd like and if there ever comes a time when your lifestyle changes and you're no longer able to vacation yearly, you can always sell, rent, or simply give the week away to family or friends. One of the most appreciated gifts you can give someone is that of a week at a luxurious resort. Imagine being able to tell a parent or son or daughter, "I've booked you a week at a fabulous resort at an exotic destination! Go and enjoy, its on me!"
Deeded timeshares can also be willed to loved-ones making it possible for generations of your family to enjoy the benefits of timeshare ownership. What a wonderful legacy to leave to your family and future generations!
No Time Like The Present
What are you waiting for? Now you understand all the reasons that people have timeshares. You can see yourself enjoying those same benefits, and best of all, we are here to help you. Browse our large collection of ads for something that strikes you, or search specifically for what you know you want. You're so close to that dream vacation, don't stop now and don't hesitate to give us a call with any questions.
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