Florida's Top Five Holiday Resorts

The pulling power of Florida for tourists is undeniable. For Brits in particular, it is the sort of big, blockbusting holiday that they look forward to all year – or for those who are less lucky – a lifetime. The great thing about securing a Florida timeshare is that the big trip needn’t be a one-off – you can keep coming back every year. Here is a rundown of five of the best resorts in the Sunshine State.

Marriott’s Legends Edge
As the name suggests, this resort truly is the stuff of legend. Situated in Bay Point just across the water from Panama City, Marriott’s Legends Edge resort is the ultimate American adventure for those who love water sports, marina life and Northwest Florida’s famously white and sandy beaches. Decked out in true Marriott style with elegant touches all around the resort to compliment the lavish and spacious suites, Legends Edge brings real sophistication to the Florida timeshare scene. With scenic golf courses, marine life and glamorous coastlines all within easy reach, Bay point really is the ideal location.

Vistana's Beach Club
Offering an island-style getaway without the extra hassle of ferries or connecting flights, Vistana’s Beach Club sits proudly on Hutchinson’s Island, a thin stretch of land that hangs off Florida’s famous East coast. With stunning balcony views back across the bay towards Jensen Beach and the mainland on one side and miles of quiet, unspoilt golden shoreline on the other, the Beach Club’s location is bordering on heavenly. Just 45 minutes north of Palm Beach, there is something wonderfully serene and uncomplicated about this incredible resort.

Marriott Harbour Lake
A holiday haven for young families, Marriott’s Harbour Lake is perfectly located for those that want to explore the treasure trove that is Orlando, Florida. Just a couple of miles away from the vast and bountiful world of Walt Disney, Harbour Lake also offers plenty of on-site entertainment to save you having to visit Mickey Mouse and co every day of your stay! With a brilliantly executed pirate theme throughout, the resort is totally child friendly, with water playgrounds, mini golf and kids clubs to keep them busy, while the adults enjoy all the trademark Marriott finer touches.

South Seas Island Resort

"Lounging on the undisturbed beaches"

A truly breathtaking resort that offers a unique getaway for either a wholesome family break or a romantic couple’s retreat, the location of the South Seas Island Resort is truly something to behold. Only attached to the mainland and the beautiful Florida region of Cape Coral by the two mile-long Sanibel Causeway Boulevard, this secluded and exotic resort village is the perfect vacation sanctuary for both adventure and relaxation. From lounging on the undisturbed beaches to swinging your golf club, tennis racquet or fishing rod, there is a great variety for timeshare visitors.

Orange Lake
Featuring four challenging golf courses, Orange Lake Resort is bound to appeal to those who want a break from all the theme parks and burger bars on their visit to Orlando. The resort itself provides great family fun with a huge range of pools, slides and lazy rivers to keep the kids splashing around all day. All the big attractions are just a few miles away however, making Orange Lake the best of both worlds. Known for its great value and wholesome approach to the timeshare concept, the resort is a remarkably well kept secret and an incredible size, meaning there is always plenty to see.

Timeshare is still thriving in the American market and is little wonder given the sheer scale and quality of resorts in Florida and further afield. British holidaymakers can make the most of timeshare exchange networks to ensure that their weeks and maintenance fees aren’t wasted, meaning it remains a good time to sell timeshare or utilise the rental market.

10 Popular Arizona Destinations

After negotiating with a multitude of RV dealers, you find yourself happily purchasing a Heartland RV, ready to hit the road. Arizona RV dealers are more than happy to help you find your way to some amazing areas in the state. Although Arizona might initially seem like an unforgiving place, completely covered in desert and an overbearing sun, it is actually filled with some amazing landscapes, rife with a variety of flora and fauna.

RV Camping this way!

Here are ten popular tourist destinations in Arizona.

1. Grand Canyon National Park
This is probably one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world, not just Arizona. Grand Canyon is a massive geological wonder cut into the land and measures 277 river miles in length, 18 miles at its widest point, and over a mile deep. Featuring camping, hiking, photo opportunities, and breathtaking scenery, the Grand Canyon has something for everyone.

2. Lake Mead
Named after Elwood Mead, the commissioner of the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation from 1924 to 1936, Lake Mead is the largest reservoir in the United States. The lake is formed by water impounded by the Hoover Dam and holds about 28.5 million acre feet (35.2 cubic kilometers) of water.

3. Petrified Forest National Park
Containing one of the largest concentrations of petrified forests, this national park is well-known for its fossils of both flora and fauna. Home to the Painted Desert, Petrified Forest National Park is perfect for sightseeing, photography, hiking, and backpacking.

4. Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument
This park is the only place in the United States where the Organ Pipe Cactus grows wild, though the park also has a large number of other cacti and desert flora specimens. The park acts as a wonderful preservation of the American Southwest’s natural treasures.

5. Coronado National Memorial
This memorial commemorates the first organized expedition into the Southwest by Spanish conquistador Francisco Vasquez de Coronado. The memorial is located on the international border, just south of Sierra Vista, Arizona. The Coronado National Memorial features numerous hiking and spelunking opportunities for amateurs and experts alike.

6. Saguaro National Park
This national park is named for the wealth of Giant Saguaro cactus in the area. The cactus, a symbol of the American West, can only be found in a small portion of the United States. Saguaro National Park preserves some of the most impressive saguaro forests in the world.

7. Phoenix: Valley of the Sun
The state capital, Phoenix is the state’s largest city and the sixth most populated city in the United States. The city is filled with some wonderful sights for all ages.

8. Tucson: The Old Pueblo
Tucson is the second largest city in Arizona next to Phoenix and is well-known as a home for the manufacture of optics and optoelectronics systems. With such a huge metropolitan area, Tucson is sure to attract tourists of all kinds.

9. Sunset Crater
Born in a series of volcanic eruptions between 1040 and 1100, Sunset Crater is now home to some dramatic geologic features, beautiful trees and wildflowers, and thriving wildlife.

10. Navajo National Monument
Navajo National Monument perfectly preserves three intact cliff dwellings of the Puebloan people, some of the first inhabitants of the land. The monument features a museum, self-guided trails, campgrounds, and a picnic area.

Visiting Lake Buchanan in the Highland Lakes Region of Texas

Visitors that come to visit the central Texas cities of Austin and San Antonio may not realize they are in for a special treat! The beautiful Texas Hill Country is a short, picturesque drive away from both of these major cities and make the perfect side trip to enjoy the gorgeous lakes, rolling hills in the countryside and small town charm of the Highland Lakes region.

The Landscape

This area of Texas is beautiful and is far different from the dusty, dry Wild West images that tend to be conjured up when one thinks of Texas. The rolling hills are populated with cedar trees and grasslands, and the small, quaint towns boasting local artisans, antique shops and local cuisine are scattered throughout the region. In the springtime, guests to the Texas Hill Country are treated to an explosion of color as the famous Bluebonnets and Indian Paint Brush wildflowers burst into bloom, covering the landscape. The geography of this region also forms the underground aquifer that supplies drinking water to all surrounding areas and also provides water for agricultural production. The Colorado River cuts through the region and also supplements the local need for water. In 1940’s and 1950’s, the Lower Colorado River Authority completed a series of dams and man-made lakes, the Highland Lakes, for flood management, to regulate the water supply and to generate electricity. The surrounding communities experienced the bonus of now having recreational lakes to enjoy fishing, swimming and boating, and also brought local tourism to the area. This is a relaxed area that is quite enjoyable for vacationing, as it is very accessible from major urban areas, yet removed enough to enjoy the best that nature has to offer.

Natural Wonders

The Texas hill country is situated on granite, an extremely resistant type of rock. Underneath the surface, the limestone that lies below this area of Texas formed magnificent caverns. A walk into one of these caverns is truly a walk into another world. One of the more unusual caverns is Longhorn Caverns that houses an exceptionally large chamber that was once used as a speakeasy featuring live music during the Prohibition era of the 1920’s. The caverns here were formed by running water, creating unique, curvaceous passageways that are truly special. Another unique protrusion of granite rock is known as Enchanted Rock. This granite dome rises 425 feet into the air, and visitors can climb to the summit to experience sweeping views of the Texas Hill Country. Visitors to Enchanted Rock State Natural Area will also be treated to a moderate hike through the meandering, Cedar-lined pathways that provide shade along the hike, and hikers may cross paths with Texas wildlife, like the famous armadillo.

A Day At Lake Buchanan:

Lake Buchanan is the largest of the Highland Lakes, covering over 22,000 acres. For visitors that want to enjoy a day at the lake, perhaps visiting the Highland Lakes region as a day trip, Lake Buchanan offers a fun-filled day. Guests driving in from Austin along Highway 281 can stop at the Bluebonnet Café, famous for its generous breakfasts and mouth-watering pie, for a tasty breakfast before continuing on to enjoy the lake for the day.

Visitors have their choice of a number of boat rental companies, where motorboats, Jet skis, pontoon boats, kayaks and canoes can be rented for a couple of hours or by the day. Many rental locations also have water skis and inner tubes. A great option for day guests would be to rent their boat of choice, and then make their way across the lake toward the confluence of the lower Colorado River and Lake Buchanan. Close to the mouth of the river lies Fall Creek Vineyards, an award winning vineyard and winery. Guests can leave their boat on the shore, bring their picnic lunch and take a short walk to the vineyard to sample wine with their picnic lunch on the outdoor patio. After leisurely wine tasting and enjoyable lunch, visitors can head back to the lake for some more play time before returning the boat.

Fall Creek Falls on Lake Buchanan

In the evening, consider winding down the day with a guided river boat tour with Vanishing Texas River Cruise. The Sunset Cruise takes guests on a guided tour of beautiful views of waterfalls, towering cliffs and lots of local wildlife along the Colorado River Canyon. The cruise culminates with breathtaking sunset views that vanish over the lake horizon. Dinner with live, local musicians is also an option on this cruise, an enjoyable finale for a fun-filled day at the lake.

Tracey Louis is a former innkeeper at Lake Buchanan. She likes sharing this hidden gem with visitors, and works with the Burnet County Tourism office to promote the area. For more information on upcoming events at The Highland Lakes on Facebook or on Twitter.