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Puglia (or Apulia in Italian), the heel of the Italian boot, has long been a firm favourite with travellers looking to lose themselves down the cobbled conical-roofed Trulli-lined streets of its medieval towns, and sample the bountiful food and wine on offer. 

With flight times of only 2.5 hours from London, and a plethora of fully stocked ‘flexi-board’ villas on offer, its popularity looks only sure to increase.  Now’s the time to ditch Spain and Greece for your next family holiday and head to the rugged beauty of the southern Italian coast.

Reasons to Visit Puglia, Italy

What is it about the simple pleasures of sun, sea, sand and good food that makes Italy so alluring?  Without stating the obvious, we aren’t exactly blessed in the UK with sun (on any more than a handful of days per year), sea (that would be warm enough for anyone but the hardiest of bathers) or sand (fancy squeezing onto a cramped pitch the size of a postage stamp, having sat in hours-long traffic jams to get there…?  Didn’t think so).

So far so obvious, Italy is ticking all the right boxes; but then Greece and Spain are similarly blessed with the 3 S’s.

Read More: Guide to the Best Places to Visit in Puglia, Italy

Cuisine in Puglia is Suitable for All Ages

Here Italy has an obvious advantage over its Greco-Spanish rivals. Each Italian region has its own culinary stars, Puglia’s being mozzarella, orecchiette pasta, and focaccia (amongst other things).

But regardless of where you are in Italy, you are bound to find two kid-friendly staples on the menu of pretty much every restaurant – the 2 P’s – pasta and pizza. This allows parents to venture confidently into almost any restaurant without the sub-conscious pre-dining concern that their ‘discerning’ (read, picky) nippers may be unenthused with the menu.

However, dining out in Italy isn’t necessarily suited for particularly young ones, as you may struggle to find many restaurants open before 19:30.

What Makes Puglia a Good Family-Friendly Destination?

So what is it that makes Puglia stand out as the Italian family-friendly destination?  It’s the range of family-oriented ‘flexi-board’ villas on offer and the plethora of sights in close proximity. 

Flexibility is the name of the game when you have small kids in tow, as is an abundance of distractions to keep them occupied.  Our party counted five adults and three kids under four years old. 

Where to Stay in Puglia

We stayed in the Trullo Negli Alberi, a trulli-clad villa halfway between the beautiful medieval towns of Alberobello and Locorotondo. 

The villa benefitted from a large outdoor swimming pool and outdoor play area, including a swing set and sunken trampoline, all set in the safety and tranquillity of the walled grounds.

There were plenty of sunny and shaded areas so that we never felt like we were on top of each other. The indoor games room was particularly welcome when we had two days of unseasonably bad weather – the games and toys, cinema room, table football and table tennis were more than enough to keep small and big kids alike entertained.

The standout feature of the villa was in the catering options.  Whilst the villa was self-catering, and we certainly made the most of the fully stocked kitchen and outdoor BBQ, there were ‘flexi-board’ options on offer.

Luxury Villa Dining

For a supplement, the next-door neighbour, Lucretia, will come and bring you a traditional three-course meal.

The antipasto, followed by aubergine parmigiana with salad and finished with a light lemon cake really hit the spot for the first evening after a long journey. This really was home-cooked Italian comfort food at its simplest and finest.

When enjoyed sitting on the veranda under the graceful billowing shade sail, sipping a crisp local Negroamaro, the weight of tension and fatigue from travelling was instantly lifted.

The real star of the culinary show for the trip was saved for the final evening.  The villa boasted an outdoor pizza oven, and frankly, it would have been rude not to take it for a spin. 

Again, Lucretia was on hand with pre-prepared dough and toppings aplenty to supervise our DIY pizza-making evening. The kids loved getting stuck in with making the pizzas – flour and ingredients inevitably ended up everywhere – and they tasted great too.  Plus, what’s better than leftover pizza the next morning…? Leftover homemade pizza.

Read More: Blissful Mountain Escape at ADLER Spa Resort DOLOMITI in the Italian Alps

What to Do in Puglia

Venturing out and about from the villa, we were spoiled for choice of day trips. 

No visit to Puglia is complete without a visit to Alberobello, the UNESCO World Heritage “Trulli Town”.  The low hillsides of the old town are covered with the traditional conical roofed Apulian homes, set like a veritable forest of slate-clad spruce trees against the azure blue of the sky.

We found the early evening the best time to visit, when the swarms of tourists had buzzed off for the day and the narrow, cobbled streets are awash with the heady scents of jasmine.

The Town of Monopoli

Venturing slightly further afield, we particularly enjoyed Monopoli, a town around a 30-minute drive from the villa.  The old town boasted a veritable warren of winding narrow streets serving up visual delights around every corner, with plenty of restaurants on offer serving up seafood delights overlooking the Adriatic. 

It is worth checking with the locals to ensure that you visit the towns on market day. This is partly because you are guaranteed the freshest ingredients for your own self-catering endeavours; but primarily because there are few better ways to feel the pulse of a place than to experience the bustle of market day, with locals going about their daily business.

Markets, Beaches, and Relaxation

We found that the markets in Locorotondo and Alberobello (both around 6-7km from our villa, albeit in opposite directions) were particularly vibrant, engaging and well-stocked with fresh fruit and vegetables.

For a classic bucket and spade experience, the kids particularly enjoyed the beach at Lido Bizzarro, which was one of our closest seaside options (around 45-minute drive from the villa).

Sandy beaches are in short supply on the Apulian Adriatic coast, but Lido Bizzarro offered a semi-empty (as we were out of season) expanse of sand, with sun loungers & umbrellas to rent, changing facilities and an excellent beachfront snack bar.

Despite the kids’ best endeavours, there was much relaxation to be found in the simple pleasure of sipping an Aperol spritz and gazing out on the vista of the gently lapping waters of the Adriatic.

As we waited in the airport to head home, munching on a tin-foil-wrapped homemade calzone from the night before – which surprisingly made it through the security scanners without so much as a raised eyebrow –  we found ourselves already planning our Apulian return.

If You Go:

• Tom and his family stayed for 7 nights at Trullo Negli Alberi .
• Flights to Brindisi from London Gatwick with EasyJet start from $30. 

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Author Bio: Tom is a freelance travel journalist based on Jersey in the Channel Islands. His passion is getting off the beaten track to explore places that are misunderstood or not on the average traveller’s radar. He loves immersing himself in the local culture so that he can provide readers with an informed narrative about the local quirks of everyday life.

As a timeshare owner, paying your annual maintenance fees is one of the most vital components of holding the vacation ownership title. Timeshare maintenance fees cover the upkeep of timeshare resorts along with many other factors of vacation ownership. So, what do timeshare owners do if they experience financial difficulties and are no longer able to pay their maintenance fees? Well, we’re here to help answer all of your questions! Continue reading to learn about what happens if you don’t pay your timeshare maintenance fees and how you can legally get out of paying them.

What are Timeshare Maintenance Fees?

Unsure of what timeshare maintenance fees are? No problem! We’re here to cover all of the logistics of it. Timeshare maintenance fees are annual fees that owners agree to pay when purchasing a timeshare. Payments can be annual, monthly, or quarterly, depending on the developer. These fees are mandatory and cover a lot of necessary functions like regular upkeep, regular maintenance of the property, and employee wages.

When purchasing a timeshare, timeshare management companies will provide cost reports, so owners can receive an estimate of how much they will owe every year.

Why Owners Pay Maintenance Fees

Maintenance fees cover updates for amenities, unit upgrades, and compensation for workers to help keep your timeshare resort looking spectacular. Additionally, this includes regular maintenance of the property and employee wages. Property taxes and insurance are additional factors within timeshare fees.

To put this into perspective, think of your car. It’s necessary to bring it into the shop for routine checks and tire rotations, right? Well, the same goes for paying annual maintenance fees for timeshares. Paying fees help to ensure your timeshare is maintained and covers the upgrades of the units, like new appliances and new beds.

How Much Do Timeshare Maintenance Fees Cost?

Timeshare maintenance fees vary in cost and depend on several different factors. Maintenance costs depend on the timeshare company and timeshare resort. Even individual timeshare resorts within the brand’s portfolio might also have different fees. Fees also depend on unit size and the time of year you vacation.

To put into perspective, the average fee in 2022 was $1,120, according to ARDA‘s State of the Industry Report. But, unfortunately, fees tend to increase every year.

What Happens When You Don’t Pay Your Annual Timeshare Maintenance Fee?

So, what happens if I don’t pay my timeshare maintenance fees? As you may know, timeshare owners should never stop paying maintenance fees. Not paying your timeshare maintenance fees will result in a default of your ownership and can negatively impact your credit report.

Not Paying Maintenance Fees Can Hurt Your Credit Report

Refusing to pay timeshare maintenance fees may result in them being forwarded to collection agencies and ruin your credit reports. If you default on your ownership, it will appear on your credit score. Missing payment is risky as your credit score will decline significantly. So, it is critical to never stop paying your timeshare maintenance fees.

If you’re in the market to purchase a new car or a new home, you may require a credit check, and if they see you have bad credit because you stopped paying maintenance fees, this will decrease the chances of your buyer eligibility. Neglecting to pay your fees will creep up on you in the long run.

Each timeshare developer differs, but if you stopped paying your fees, it may be written in the contract that they have the right to take legal action against you, resulting in possible foreclosure of your timeshare ownership.

Timeshare Cancellation Companies

Timeshare exit companies are typically scams. They declare they can get you out of paying your maintenance fees. But oftentimes, they are unsuccessful. In most cases, timeshare exit companies contact your timeshare developer and suggest a timeshare foreclosure. Ultimately, this fails you because it negatively impacts your credit score and decreases your chance of buying a house or car.

If a timeshare exit company contacts you, proceed with caution and don’t take any advice that forces you to stop paying your timeshare fees. Unfortunately, this timeshare scan happens often to too many timeshare owners. It’s best to do your research before trusting these companies. Additionally, timeshare exit companies require costly upfront fees, which in itself defeats the purpose of not paying fees.

In light of this, continue paying your fees or talk to your timeshare developer for a solution.

Learn more: Timeshare Maintenance Fees 101: How to Deal With Your Fees!

Want to Get Out of Paying Maintenance Fees Legally?

Owners no longer interested in preserving their timeshares may be tempted to stop paying maintenance fees. Or, folks may not afford to pay the maintenance fees as they go up. So, for some, these extra costs may impact their day-to-day life and cause financial strain. So, if you’re an owner looking to legally get out of paying your timeshare maintenance fees, you’ve come to the right place. And, good news! There are alternative options to choose from.

Timeshare Companies Can Help

Have you decided that vacation ownership isn’t for you? That’s okay! The first step to legally getting out of paying maintenance fees is to contact your developer or timeshare company. Each resort and company differ, but many obtain in-house options to get out of a timeshare if you no longer want it. Some timeshare companies might buy the timeshare contract from you directly.

Consider Selling your Timeshare

If the above option doesn’t work for you, consider advertising your timeshare for sale on the timeshare resale market! The secondary market allows you to control your timeshare ad and how much you’d like to sell it for. You set the terms and price as well as decide who the timeshare goes to.

So, forget about those shameful timeshare exit companies that leave you with empty promises and demanding upfront fees. Sell your timeshare with a reliable company to be free from ongoing fees and to protect your credit score.

Consider Renting Out Your Timeshare!

For owners wanting to keep their timeshare but want help paying maintenance fees, renting out your timeshare might be the best option for you! By renting out your timeshare, you’ll still obtain ownership status without the overload of maintenance fees. The rental marketplace is similar to the resale marketplace. You have control and set your price.

You can also rent your timeshare while you are waiting for it to sell. This is a great option because sometimes buyers want to try before they own. Who knows, maybe someone will rent your timeshare and love it so much they want to buy it from you. Or, maybe they just want to rent it, but you get money back in your pocket that you can use towards your timeshare maintenance fees.

How To Sell A Timeshare On The Resale Market

The timeshare industry has many great opportunities. Enjoy endless savings and checking off bucket-list destinations with a timeshare. But sometimes, we outgrow a specific resort or location and want to hand off our ownership to a new family. For others, selling a timeshare is an excellent way to legally opt out of a timeshare ownership status and stop paying timeshare maintenance fees. Partnering with Timeshares Only to sell your timeshares means you’ll be working with a specialist who can help you through the entire resale process. So, continue reading to learn how to sell your timeshare in three easy steps!

Gather Ownership Details

To start the resale process, you must gather all of your ownership details, and if you’re having trouble locating them, we’re here to help! Details can include the resort or vacation club you own, week number, point allotment, unit number, and more.

Advertise Your Timeshare For Sale

Your advertisement must include all the essential components to make it eye-catching to potential buyers. So, creating an ad that includes the unit type, resort, and location is vital. As for pricing, we will work with you to set the perfect price. For pricing measures, it’s important to obtain a realistic pricing mindset and understand that a timeshare isn’t an investment, and you’ll most likely receive less than what you initially purchased it for. We offer an easy form to help determine what your timeshare is worth.

Although you won’t get as much as you initially paid for your timeshare, it is still one of the best actions to take if you want to get out of your timeshare and stop paying timeshare maintenance fees.

Review Offers

Once someone makes an offer that you want to move forward with, our Recommended Resale Brokerage, Fidelity Real Estate, can assist with the entire closing process. After you go through the right of first refusal stage, you will then transfer the title out of your name, and the buyer will become the new owner. Once that is finalized you are free from having to pay maintenance fees.

Timeshares Only is the #1 recommended timeshare resale marketplace. So when you’re ready, we’re here to help you sell your timeshare. One of our timeshare specialists will gladly walk you through the timeshare resale process. Call us at 1-800-610-2734 to get started today!

How to Set up a Rental Ad on the Rental Marketplace

Many owners choose to rent out their timeshare for a variety of reasons. Whether they simply aren’t using them or need help covering their annual timeshare maintenance fees, Timeshares Only is the perfect rental marketplace.

Advertise

Advertising your timeshare for rent is similar to advertising your timeshare for sale and is easy as 1, 2, 3. Start by gathering your ownership details, including resort, week number, unit number, and other necessary details. Secondly, advertise your timeshare for rent with a trustworthy company like Timeshares Only. We’ll make sure your timeshare reaches target audiences worldwide with our multi-channel marketing strategies.

Get Paid

Lastly, get paid! Once your timeshare is reserved by a guest, our representatives will confirm the details and handle the transaction. Once the confirmation has been received and the timeshare is officially booked, you can use the proceeds toward your annual maintenance fees!

Rent or Sell With Timeshares Only

Now that you know what happens if you don’t pay your timeshare maintenance fees, you may be ready to sell or rent. If so, Timeshares Only is here to help! Timeshares Only has been in the timeshare industry for 30 years, with advanced expertise in timeshare reselling and timeshare renting to help guide you through each process successfully and efficiently. Timeshare Only’s timeshare specialists are experts in major resort developers and obtain credible authority in the secondary market.

If you’re a timeshare owner and have questions about selling or renting out your timeshare, feel free to reach out to us at 1-800-610-2734 or email us at [email protected].

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American Resort Development Association (ARDA) has been working to better track and understand the behavior of travelers in the United States. Through this research, they have developed the Vacation Ownership Sentiment Index, which officially launched today.

This index provides continuous data and insights into the travel preferences of timeshare owners versus the average leisure traveler. It will help to measure the general heath of the overall leisure travel space.

“Domestic travel and tourism create economic growth, which is vital to our nation, states and local communities,” said Jason Gamel, president and CEO of ARDA. “Having a tool that gives industry stakeholders information on how leisure travelers think about, plan and take vacations will better equip them to anticipate future consumer behaviors and trends for this important economic sector.”

Since the initial launch in February 2023, there have been some takeaways, including:

• Timeshare owners have a positive overall sentiment, indicating positive industry sentiment from owners.
• Timeshare owners continue to have more of a positive attitude regarding leisure travel than a sample of general US travelers.
• Timeshare owners remain more active travelers, get more enjoyment from vacations, and have higher expectations for future travel service quality.
• For the fifth straight month of 2023, more than 75 percent of timeshare owners felt that their most recent vacation was significantly better than a typical vacation.

“The most significant insight from the index so far is that timeshare owners generally express more positive attitudes and behaviors,” said Gamel. “We know that’s because today’s timeshare products allow for flexibility in where owners go, for how long, and even provide the ability to take a cruise or embark on a different travel experience altogether. Additionally, timeshare by its very nature is built for times of uncertainty and high levels of inflation, meaning owners can continue to enjoy their vacations without concern for market pricing and other macroeconomic fluctuations.”

Additionally, the index revealed that timeshare owners are more likely to spend more time and money on vacation within the next six months compared to non-timeshare owners. Notably in October’s index, there was a 45 percent greater possibility that timeshare owners would spend more time on vacation over the next six months and 36 percent greater chance that they would spend more money locally than non-owners.

“Because owners have essentially pre-paid for vacations, they’re likely to take advantage of this by scheduling more vacations and/or spending more time on vacation,” said Gamel. “They’re also likely to spend more money during their vacation outside the resort, which means they create a positive impact in those local communities and businesses surrounding them.”

The future ARDA indexes will be released every month and will be posted here. Learn more about ARDA by visiting their website.

Ghouls, witches, and glowing Jack-O’-Lanterns

Halloween in America has transformed from an ancient Celtic ritual to a vibrant celebration marked by ghouls, gourds, and glowing Jack-O’-Lanterns. Rooted in rich traditions and stories from various cultures, this beloved holiday now embraces joy, creativity, and community spirit.

Let’s explore the evolution of Halloween in the US and the significance of its priceless traditions.  

The evolution of Halloween in America

Halloween, as we know it today, is a tapestry woven with threads from various cultures and historical epochs. Its origins trace back to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, marking the end of the harvest season and the onset of winter. It was believed that on the night of October 31st, the boundary between the living and the dead blurred, allowing spirits to return. To ward off these restless souls, bonfires were lit, and costumes made from animal skins were worn.

When Irish and Scottish immigrants brought their Halloween traditions to the US in the 19th century, these customs merged with American culture, evolving into the modern celebration we cherish today.

Pumpkins: A symbol of Halloween

Pumpkins have become an iconic symbol of Halloween in America. The connection between Halloween and pumpkins began when Irish immigrants, who originally carved lanterns from turnips to repel spirits, found that pumpkins were more readily available and easier to carve. This shift led to the widespread use of pumpkins for creating Jack-O’-Lanterns, combining practicality with symbolism. Jack-O’-Lanterns were not only decorative but also served as a protective symbol, believed to ward off malevolent spirits and light the way for those venturing out on Halloween night.

From serious to fun

Halloween in America underwent a significant transformation from a solemn, spirit-warding ritual to a day of joyful celebration. As the holiday evolved, the somber undertones gave way to whimsy, costumes, and fun. The serious intent of warding off spirits remained in the background, but Halloween became a time for community participation, laughter, and creativity.

Trick-or-treating: A sweet tradition

One of the most community-based Halloween traditions is trick-or-treating. This delightful custom has its roots in medieval Europe, where “souling” involved people going door-to-door, offering prayers for the dead in exchange for food. As Halloween evolved in America, the concept of trick-or-treating took on a different form.

In the early 20th century, Halloween was still a rather rowdy occasion, with pranks and mischief prevalent. To curb this behavior, communities encouraged children to go door-to-door asking for treats instead of playing tricks. Over time, this tradition caught on and became a central aspect of Halloween celebrations. It transformed into an opportunity for children to dress up in costumes and collect candy from neighbors, making it a relished family-friendly activity.

Scaredom across the US: 5 picks for your travel itinerary



• Sleepy Hollow, New York: Sleepy Hollow, immortalized by Washington Irving’s “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow,” hosts “The Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze” annually. This event showcases over 7,000 intricately carved pumpkins along a mesmerizing path.
• Salem, Massachusetts: With its dark history of witch trials, Salem enthusiastically embraces Halloween. Visitors can enjoy haunted tours, ghost walks, and elaborate street decorations. The Salem Witch Museum offers a captivating exploration of the town’s eerie past.
• New Orleans, Louisiana: New Orleans adds its unique voodoo-inspired celebrations and elaborate costumes to Halloween. The Krewe of Boo parade, featuring stunningly crafted floats and costumed revelers, is a highlight. The city’s historic cemeteries take on an extra layer of mystique during this season.
• Anoka, Minnesota: Anoka, known as the “Halloween Capital of the World,” hosts a month-long festival. Parades, house decorating contests, and a giant pumpkin contest are among the festivities that make this town a Halloween enthusiast’s paradise. 
• Disneyland, California: Disneyland offers a family-friendly Halloween experience with “Disneyland Halloween Time.” The park transforms during the fall season with special parades, character meet-and-greets, and elaborately decorated attractions, making it a magical Halloween destination for all ages.

Send your Halloween articles and photos: [email protected]

Photo credit: seamartinin – iStock

By TST October 11, 2023 24 Comments