Donald Trump’s planned golf courses and timeshare resort have attracted attention from environmentalists and economists alike.

When Donald Trump announced plans to build Trump International Golf Links in Scotland, the Scots were supportive of the idea—at least in theory. In Scotland, the birthplace of golf, people are always up for another great golf course, and with Trump’s reputation for building championship facilities, enthusiasm for the project was high. That is, until some area residents and environmentalists found out just how big Trump’s plans are.

Trump, whose heritage is half Scots, describes his mother as, “seriously Scotch.” Trump’s vision for the proposed, Trump International Golf Links in Scotland, can only be described as, “seriously Trump-like.” Project designs for the approximate-1000 acres, call for two championship golf courses to be co-designed by Donald J. Trump Signature Designs and golf course architect, Tom Fazio II. Additionally, the resort would have a clubhouse, a 450-room luxury hotel, between 500 and 1000 timeshare villas or vacation residences, a golf academy, and a turf grass research center. Work was scheduled to begin on the golf resort and timeshare villas project in September 2006, with a target opening date planned for early 2008. Reports indicate that the project is now at least one year behind schedule.

As with any situation, there are two sides to it. Here’s a look at some of the key issues of the proposed development:

• AGAINST: An article by Craig Better of GolfVacationInsider.com says, “Trump’s plans call for stabilizing a network of sand dunes so they don’t encroach on his golf courses.” The sand dunes in question are part of a chain of dunes that runs along the North Sea; it is the largest dune system in Scotland. According to Scotland’s Daily Record, “Scottish Natural Heritage said it (the planned development) would ‘seriously damage’ an important nature conservation area. They also warned (that) the proposal would destroy a third of a crucial site of special scientific interest just north of Aberdeen.”
• AGAINST: Scottish Natural Heritage warns that the golf course and timeshare resort construction plans could wipe out crucial habitats because of the loss of rare plants.
• FOR: Scottish Natural Heritage says they are not opposed to the construction of one championship golf course; their objections are to the scope of the project.
• FOR: The Trump Organization was quoted by TheScottish-Enterprise as saying, “Our goal is to create the greatest links golf courses in Scotland as part of a golf development that will become the finest in Europe, if not the world.”
• FOR: The geographical location of Trump International Golf Links would position it so that golf enthusiasts could plan a holiday at the resort with side trips to other renowned courses including Cruden Bay, Murcar, and Royal Aberdeen. Trump International Golf Links could even be home base for golfing excursions that include the legendary courses of St. Andrews, Carnoustie, Prestwick, Turnberry, Royal Troon, Nairn, and Royal Dornoch.
• FOR: BBC News says the project could, “…generate tens of millions of pounds for the local economy and secure hundreds of jobs.” In the same report, BBC News went on to say that the project could, “create 6,000 jobs”.

Because this topic is so very complex, I am going to continue with more on the issues in tomorrow’s blog, looking at still other aspects of the “pros” and “cons” of building the Trump International Golf Links, timeshare resort and hotel in Aberdeen, Scotland.

Harborside Resort at Atlantis is a top destination in the Bahamas and it’s no surprise that Harborside is on the Sell My Timeshare NOW 2007 Hot Property List.

Harborside Resort at Atlantis ranks #10 on the Sell My Timeshare NOW Hot Property List for the first quarter of 2007. No surprises here, since Harborside Resort at Atlantis is a perfect “10” timeshare destination, located just across the marina from the vacation playground of Paradise Island, Bahamas.

Between the amenities on property at Harborside Resort, and those at the neighboring Atlantis Resort, timeshare owners, renters, and their guests can enjoy the incredible Mandara Spa, a sports center, restaurants that range from poolside casual to fine dining, eleven swimming pools, golf, diving and snorkeling, tennis, the Atlantis Kids Club, the largest casino in the Bahamas, water slides, rides, and the world’s largest marine life habitat. As if that is not enough, 2007 marks the beginning of expansion at Atlantis Resort, as they develop phase III, planned to include more dining, four water slides within a seven-story tower, a mile-long wave river with five-foot tall waves and the Dolphin Cay, an interactive dolphin habitat and lagoon.

The timeshare villas at Harborside border the marina and beautiful Nassau Harbour. One, two, and three-bedroom floor plans are available, as well as both two and three-bedroom lockout timeshare units. All Harborside timeshare units include a jetted tub, fully equipped kitchens, washer and dryer, and an airy, tropical plan and décor.

Part of the Starwood Vacation Network, you can become a vacation property owner at this fast-growing, top demand location by purchasing new timeshare at the developer’s market price, or by shopping the large inventory of Harborside timeshare resales and rentals at Sell My Timeshare NOW.

Reminder: With the new US passport laws now in effect, US citizens must have a passport to reenter the US when traveling from the Caribbean.

Be creative in planning your timeshare vacation…consider celebrating a few of the “lesser-known” holidays.

Typically, I write this blog to give you practical tips about timesharing and news about the timeshare vacation industry. But sometimes the practical has to give way to the poetic nature in all of us. Tomorrow, June 7, is the birthday of the post-impressionist artist, Paul Gauguin, (born in Paris, 1848; died in Tahiti in 1903).

Copyright laws prevent me from posting images of Gauguin’s beautiful paintings on this blog, but you can see many examples of his work at the website for the Metropolitan Museum of Art. In addition to the Met, some of the best collections of his work in the US are at the J. Paul Getty Museum in Los Angeles and the National Gallery in Washington, D.C.

Paul Gauguin, who struggled to manage his business career as a stockbroker in Paris, and later in Copenhagen, found the peace and freedom his spirit craved by leaving his routines and responsibilities behind, and escaping to the islands of French Polynesia. It is almost impossible to look at Gauguin’s paintings of Tahiti, and not long to go there, where you, too, can feel the tropical breezes, listen to the wind rustle through the banana palms, and leave your worldly cares behind—at least for a little while.

Most of us will never have the luxury of living our lives entirely on, ‘island time,’ but that doesn’t mean we can’t claim the lifestyle for a week or two. French Polynesia includes the islands of Tahiti, Bora Bora, Moorea, and the smaller isles, known as the Society Islands. You can enjoy your own island escape in a French Polynesia timeshare resale or rental. You can snorkel, scuba dive, sail, or hike the mountains. Now is a great time to visit a French Polynesia timeshare, because June is the month-long celebration of Heiva I Tahiti, a festival famous for its street dancing, pageants, music, and cultural displays. And the French holiday of Bastille Day, observed on the fourteenth, adds one more reason for the islanders to celebrate.

So tomorrow, break out of your usual routine. Add a new holiday to your calendar. In observance of Paul Gauguin’s birthday, make a tall, cool drink with a wedge of fresh pineapple in it. Then sit down to your computer and peruse Sell My Timeshare NOW’s inventory of French Polynesia timeshare resales and timeshare rentals. Plan a Tahitian holiday where you can kick back and let your troubles drift away on a warm tropical breeze.

Who knows? You may even find yourself inspired to pick up a paintbrush and create your own artistic masterpiece.

Stay on top of highway closings if your timeshare vacation involves highway travel.

With drought conditions in much of the southeast US, wildfires have been a serious problem this spring. Already, roughly a half million acres in Florida and Georgia have burned during some of the worse wildfires in many years.

If your timeshare vacation plans include destinations in states affected by the fires, and you are traveling by automobile, stay alert for intermittent road closings that may interfere with your travel. Not only have some smaller state roads been closed, sometimes for periods of up to one day at a time, but major interstates have also been affected. In south Florida, smoke and limited visibility has repeatedly closed parts of Alligator Alley, the section of Interstate 75 that crosses the Everglades from Ft. Lauderdale to Naples. And on several occasions in recent weeks, portions of Interstates 75 and 10, near the Georgia-Florida border, have been closed for extended periods, sometimes shutting down both north and southbound interstate traffic and east-west interstate traffic at the same time. The St. Petersburg Times quoted Florida Transportation Department spokesperson, Pamela Griffiths, as saying, “As dry as Florida is, the wildfire situation changes every half-hour.”

Even if your timeshare vacation plans do not take you into the areas directly affected by the fires, smoke and diminished air quality can affect outdoor activities, especially for children, the elderly, and anyone with allergies, asthma, or other types of breathing problems. Shifting wind conditions and the large land area involved in some of the wildfires have resulted in poor air quality, sometimes hundreds of miles (and several states away) from the actual blaze.

Most states now offer the “511” system for providing up-to-the-minute information about travel conditions. While people know to call “911” in case of emergencies, many people are just beginning to learn about “511”. Dialing 511 is a free phone call from most phones; however, some cell phone providers may charge you for the call. Each state or municipality maintains its own 511 service, so features vary depending on your location, but in general, a phone call to 511 gives you information on road closings, traffic conditions, accidents, driving times, and alternate routes.

Another helpful resource to call is the timeshare resort or timeshare company where you are headed. Ask them about road situations and air quality in the local area, and for any advice on the best roads for getting there.