Free to Explore
Some of the best vacations begin with a cup of coffee, a pastry, a good pair of walking shoes, and a map. Exploring a town's boutiques, historical areas and restaurants can result in unparalleled discoveries and stories to regale your friends with for years to come.

Consider Timeshare
Another way to get more out of your vacation is to consider timeshare rentals. Whether you're traveling alone or with a group, you can rent accommodations that fit your needs. Many resorts can be found in the downtown areas of major cities, making it a convenient place to start your explorations. Others are located beachside or in more remote areas. Resort rentals aren't as expensive as you'd think. If you are staying a week at a time, the prices are usually a bit less than a hotel room.

Finding the Perfect Timeshare
Sometimes resort owners, for one reason or another, can't use their suites. Some of them rent out their week to others. Try looking through a resort resale website and you'll probably find a section on renting a timeshare. Don't limit your travels to the U.S., however. Timeshares are located all around the world. You can choose your destination and how grandiose or cosmopolitan your resort is. It's up to you.

How to Plan
If you rent a timeshare, consider how far a resort may be from venues you'd like to see. Will you need a car rental? Is there one close by? How far is it from the airport? Do they provide discounts on items like local tours? Lastly, most resorts number their weeks instead of using dates. If you're unfamiliar with this, print out a timeshare calendar from the resort you're interested in or a general one from a timeshare reseller site so that you can verify the dates you would like to reserve.

So, keep your travel journal and your camera at hand. Remember, as J.R.R. Tolkien wrote, "Still round the corner there may wait, a new road or a secret gate."