Vacation Home Vs Vacation Ownership
Vacation Home Vs Vacation Ownership
In today’s economy it makes plenty of sense to own a timeshare. Have you checked out the prices of vacation homes lately? It’s just out of reach for today’s average families.
Most families really have 2 to 4 weeks vacations a year making the vacation home more of a burden the rest of the year. Let’s not forget that an average family will only use the vacation home only a percentage of the time while they bear 100% of the cost of purchase as well as 100% of the maintenance costs. Another big disadvantage of owning your own vacation home is the fact that every year you get to go to the same place year in year out.
Enter the world of vacation ownership or timeshare. Timeshare solves all the negative problems of owning a vacation home. When you purchase a timeshare you only purchase the time that you really need. So let’s say you have 2 weeks vacations a year, then you would purchase 2 weeks of timeshare. Remember about the vacation home being a burden the rest of the year when it’s not being used because of the costs involved in the up keep of your property? Well timeshare has solved that problem also. If you own 2 weeks of timeshare, then you’ll only pay for that portion in maintenance upkeep. That includes taxes, heating, insurance, lawn care and or snow removal as well a refurbishing the furniture and appliances every 5 to 7 years. How about having to go to the same vacation home every year? Would that really be vacations? Well timeshare has the answer for that problem also! How about having the option of choosing your next vacation from over 85 destination countries and over 5500 properties worldwide.
Vacation Property vs Vacation Ownership
100% purchase cost 200K+ % of purchase cost (2wk)
100% maintenance cost % of maintenance (2wk)
Usage small % 100% Usage (2wk)
In your opinion which option make the more sense?…
Kykkos Monastery – The Richest Monastery on the Mountain
Kykkos Monastery – The Richest Monastery on the Mountain
The Holy, Royal and Stavropegic Monastery of Kykkos is said to be the richest and most exuberant of all monasteries in Cyprus. It is based in the region of Marathasa, situated on a mountain peak, at an altitude of 1318 metres north west of Troodos.
Founded between the end of the 11th century and the beginning of the 12th century, by Byzantine emperor Alexios I Komnenos (1081 – 1118AD). A Cypriot Hermit Isaiah cured his daughter from an incurable illness, so as an award the emperor sent his precious treasure the icon of the Theotokos to Cyprus and constructed the Monastery, as a place where the relic would be kept. The hermit also got the emperor to send a representative to get the monastery and three villages endowed. The first president of Cyprus, Arch bishop Makarios III who served as a novice monk at the monastery, became fond of the place and he returned several times after. He loved the place so much that he requested he’d be buried there and he was at the summit of Throni.
The location of the monastery is in Marathasa Valley, which is an area that is located that takes up the northern slopes of the mountain range. It is a very fertile area in which the Marathos plant grows, which is where it got its name from. Cherries also grow in this area as well and are said to be the best in Cyprus and when the cherry blossoms in Spring it is a sight for sore eyes so it boasts some of the most luckiest villas in Cyprus as you would have a great scenery and snack nearby.
The Monastery unfortunately doesn’t have any remains of the original structure, as years have gone by it has been burnt down several times, so it is a monastery that looks modern. Some people would feel that the monastery’s museum would be similar to modern museums but they are wrong. As they say themselves it is not a museum that is completely separate from the functional space of the items it exhibits and neither is it a museum that contains exhibits only on the strength of their artistic value as are the museums of ancient Greek art. It is a museum situated inside the monastery itself and like its treasury it forms an integral part of it. Its exhibits such as icons, holy objects, woodcarvings, vestments, embroideries, manuscripts etc., are exhibited as part of the living adoration and the history of the monastery. Although it still follows all the specifications of a modern museum, the museum does feature several items that have survived the numerous destructions that the monastery has faced.
They usually hold two religious fairs on September 8th which is the Birth of the Virgin and another one at August 15th that is the Dormition of the Virgin. The Monastery produces Zivania and various other alcoholic drinks. Zivania is a traditional Cypriot beverage, made from pomace. The grape skins, stems and seeds are press during a wine making process then are mixed with high quality dry wines which are produced by the local grape varieties of Cyprus (but in Kykkos case in house) The mixture is then distilled in a special distillation apparatus which produces the Zivania. The drink is a colourless and very alcoholic with an aroma of raisins.…
The Wonderful City on the Circle
The Wonderful City on the Circle
The spectacular views and remarkable places in Florida have certainly attracted a lot of visitors to stop by the place for both a long and short time vacation. And it is not just only for once but rather twice, thrice or more. To name a few of these are the exciting activities and events that serve as highlights in certain towns or districts, both the customary and the contemporary views and spots that everyone would surely love to see, and the major sports and leagues are just few of these essential elements responsible for the perceptible increase in tourism in the state of Florida.
The Circle Plan
One of the most impressive and remarkable places in Florida that is worth a stopover is the City on the Circle, officially referring to the city of Sebring, a unique downtown in the state of Florida. It is referred to as “the city on the circle” because of the magnificent circle plan, which distinctively entails that every road in the place should lead from and to the heart of the district. The original concept of the design is based on an Egyptian city named Heliopolis.
Depicting the all-American city, the city on the circle still remains intact despite the modern changes implemented within Sebring’s vicinity. Truly it brings a remarkable highlight to the sunshine state of Florida.
What’s more in Sebring?
While the circle plan undeniably emphasizes the center of attraction, getting in to the downtown Sebring still has a lot to offer you. Compared to the contemporary downtowns and cities, every visitor can see a difference with Sebring. What makes the difference is its uniqueness. It is a kind of downtown that would let you step back in time. There you can see assorted antique shops, boutiques, stylish shops, restaurants and many more.
The Circle Park — When you get tired of shopping and strolling, a circle park situated at the heart of the town offers you a free shade where you can sit and relax.
The Cultural Center — If you want to find out more about the place, then the Cultural Center of Sebring offers you with eclectic blend of the Floridian culture and arts. For a great cultural experience, you can spend quality time visiting the cultural center of the town Sebring catering the Highlands Museum of Arts and also a must-have public library for further discovery of the unique culture of the locale Floridians. One of the major highlights in Sebring Florida is the Highlands Fine Art Festival, which is commemorated in every month of November.
Indy Car Racing — You might think that Sebring is just a mere quiet district. Well it is not. Just lately, Sebring is considered as the winter home of Indy Car Racing. The widely known International Raceway is proudly owned by Sebring for over half of a century now. The oldest racing track of America is also in this town. It is on this famous racing track when the premiere event on the well-known Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Endurance Race and the American Le Mans Series are held every March of every year.
Besides all the aforesaid highlights of the town Sebring, there are still more you can do when you get there. To name a few more, the weekend golf at the Spring Lake Golf or camping at the Highlands Hammock State Park.…
Solve a Mystery, Have a Great Dinner and Lots of Fun at Sleuths Dinner Show
Solve a Mystery, Have a Great Dinner and Lots of Fun at Sleuths Dinner Show
There are many possibilities for night time entertainment in Orlando. Over the years dinner shows have proven to be very popular with Orlando vacationers, and one of the best is Sleuths Mystery Dinner Shows which provides two and a half hours of scripted mystery, improvisation, audience participation and dinner. Let’s take a look at what you can expect to experience at these shows.
Comedy and mystery are the themes that run through the shows presented at Sleuths. The website for the theater lists 14 different shows, which are rotated with about five different shows being performed on different nights each week.
What are the shows all about? Without revealing “who did it,” here are some of the plots of the shows. In “Iron Mansfield’s Fox Hunt Banquet” you and other nobles are invited by Lord Mansfield for a fox hunt banquet in his mansion. The butler brings you into a lavish banquet room and amidst the “feast” one of the characters meets a sad fate, and it is your job to solve the mystery.
In “Squires Inn” you are in a bus that has been touring in the north of England but your bus breaks down in a remote country village. You enter the Squires Inn for food and lodging and get involved in a mystery that involves an old pensioner who is hiding a treasure. It is done in a hilarious way and once again you have to use your skills of deduction to solve the crime. The other shows combine the same ingredients, a far away place, funny characters, mayhem and a mystery that must be solved. After you witness the “crime” you get to enjoy you dinner with unlimited drinks. While you are dining you can think about the evidence, analyze and then ask questions to the suspects and finally you can make your “accusation.” If you successfully find the culprit you will be given a prize. It is a format that is a lot of fun and has proven popular with theater goers for close to thirty years.
For your dinner you will be served hors d’oeuvres, green salad, dinner rolls and crackers with a special cheese spread. The menu choices include prime ribs, Cornish hen and cheese lasagna. There is also a vegetarian meal available, and all of the meals are served with unlimited wine, beer and soft drinks.
Dinner shows in general and Sleuths in particular are good places for group outings. Sleuths offers special group rates for parties of 15 or more. Sleuths also offers birthday parties for kids with a special show designed for children aged 6-12. The kids become the investigators in their own detective agency. The detective agency is named for the birthday child and they are all treated to a dinner of pizza, ice cream and unlimited drinks.
The restaurant is handicapped accessible. If you need to make a reservation you or find out about show times then call 407-363-1985 or 800-393-1985. Sleuths is located at 8267 International Drive right next to “Ripley’s Believe It or Not.”…
Simple Guidelines in Choosing the Right Luxury Vacation Rentals
Simple Guidelines in Choosing the Right Luxury Vacation Rentals
.jpg/275px-Roxette_(6891043653).jpg)
The perfect choice for people who want to spend a good quality vacation time without any hassles is through luxury vacation rentals. Luxury condos or apartments are becoming a more preferable choice as compared to the traditional hotels for the peace and value to money that they offer. The tips listed below will further help you with choosing the right luxury vacation rentals for your highest satisfaction.
Get insights about luxury vacation homes firsthand from people who have actually stayed there. Pictures that are depicted in websites are not enough as a confirmation. You can even more information from various internet forums that will give you a much clearer idea on the level of luxury that you are going to get from a certain vacation home.
Even if it is a luxury weekend away, some luxury vacation places are surprisingly affordable. Try to get the best deals by checking our rental vacation listings from many websites and select the best deal that works for you. Remember that negotiation is vital. Understand that if you know how to roll out a good bargain, you can always get the best deals. Every other cost mentioned is negotiable, so don’t be afraid to have a fair and hard negotiation.
Facility check is important especially if you are going to really use them. Most luxury condos come with a fully equipped kitchen. However, you may want to find out about other details to ensure that you will be able to take care of your culinary needs mainly if you are going to cut the cost of eating outside at overpriced restaurants.
Pay attention to hidden charges that are sometimes left out in contracts. You need to find out what are the charges for utility bills, Wi-Fi service, cable and housekeeping bills. Get a clear idea by clarifying everything before you sign up a contract and get surprised by the extra costs that you have to pay.
Choose the luxury vacation rentals wisely by using these useful guidelines to help you get the best experience for a thoroughly enjoyable vacation.…
Boring Yard? Give It A Facelift With These Landscaping Tips
Keep up with trends on landscaping, even though it may be difficult to do. Even though it has an immediate impact and makes an impression on everyone who sees a home, many home owners do little or nothing to preserve and enhance their landscaping. Follow the advice in this article to create a landscape design you can be proud of.
If you want to transform your yard, try re-edging your flower and rock beds using a soft, curved design. Curved beds are more contemporary and up-to-date than sharp corners and straight lines. An inexpensive project, which makes a big impact is cutting fresh edges.
Use granite for the surfaces in the outdoor kitchen you are installing. There are many different attractive kinds of stone available, but granite provides the best value in terms of durability and low maintenance requirements. Hot cooking utensils will not damage a granite surface, for instance.
Prior to launching your landscaping initiative, get the soil analyzed. Getting your soil examined is a good way to decide whether or not it Home & Home needs adjustments before you start introducing new plants. Your plants will be healthier ,and your garden will be successful by doing this.
It is very had to do landscaping for your entire yard at one time. Instead, divide the project into several phases. This will be less overwhelming and easier to afford. It will also be easier to implement any design changes that become necessary.
While landscaping may be seen as something practical, it should also be seen as something fun to do that involves the whole family. So make sure you go out and have a fun time with your landscaping while bonding with the family. Not only will you be creating great family memories, you will create a beautiful home that you all will be proud of.…
The Pros and Cons of Holiday Cottages
The Pros and Cons of Holiday Cottages
There is no denying that renting a holiday cottage is a fabulous way to enjoy a holiday with your family and other loved ones. Holiday cottages have a lot of advantages and also a few disadvantages and it will be helpful to know about cottages in greater detail to determine whether you should opt for a cottage next time you plan your vacation.
Pros
As almost all cottages are independent buildings, the accommodation will ensure a greater degree of freedom and privacy. There are cottages galore and you can pick the one that suits your requirements best.
You can easily identify a cottage at a location you will feel comfortable. They are located in the heart of the town or close to sightseeing spots or near shopping centers or maybe in the countryside away from all maddening crowd.
Holiday cottages will invariably be quite commodious and you will have a lot of floor space comprising of living room, kitchen, a separate dining area, bedrooms, bath etc. The children will be excited as they will have ample space to play around. Since your holiday cottage is like your second home, you have the freedom to do whatever you want with your leisure hours.
They come in all different sizes – from a small place just to accommodate two people for a romantic break to up to even 20 people. There can be greater bonding with your family members as all of you will be together and sharing the same space. At a hotel, if your group has more than four persons, then you will be constrained to avail multiple rooms making coordination difficult.
Eating out regularly during the entire holiday period can be very costly. In a cottage, you can cook your own food and that will mean heavy cost savings. The money saved can be better utilized to meet some additional holiday expenses.
Cons
Holiday cottages with a pool or deep water dock can pose safety problems for a family with young kids and toddlers. The absence of support staff in holiday cottages could be a real problem – more so, if you rent the property directly from the owner.
Some cottages may not include linens and towels and in all such cases, you have to bring these items along. This could be inconvenient if you are traveling to your holiday destination by air.
You may be constrained to hire a car, if you are renting a cottage in peripheral areas as shopping and restaurants may not be in the vicinity. You may as well be frittering away in transportation charges the amount you save in the holiday cottage rentals.
Holiday cottage rentals seldom offer maid service or cleaning staff. You will also have to make your own travel arrangements, as there will be no front desk staff or concierge services.
Conclusion
The pros of staying in a holiday cottage rental instead of hiring hotel rooms are more floor space, increased freedom of movement, greater degree of privacy, kitchen facilities, cost savings etc. But renting a holiday cottage has its shortcomings and may not be the right choice for everyone. It is wise to examine the pros and cons of holiday cottages before finally deciding.…