Shopping for a digital camera is intimidating. Models change by the month, online research is complex, and camera enthusiasts have so many opinions on brands and features that it can be tough to sift through the noise. To simplify things, we've read a number of great posts from magazines, hobbyists, and professionals and culled a list of four solid performers at three different budget points.

On a Budget: Samsung WB350F ($180) - At under $200, the lightweight Samsung is a perfect travel companion. The camera has a 21x optical zoom for solid close-ups, shoots full HD video, and image stabilization. It weighs less than eight ounces, and while you should buy it if you're looking for perfect image quality, it's a great upgrade over your iPhone for a beach vacation or family outings.

Small, but Powerful: Sony Alpha 6000 ($750) - This portable mirrorless camera boasts the fastest auto-focus in the world, and is targeted to upscale photo enthusiasts. Good low-light shooting, a tilt screen for unconventional angles, and superb image quality. Great for those who don't want to compromise on quality but don't wish to lug a DSLR around. A selection of lenses make it adaptable to a range of uses.

DSLR for Hobbyists: Nikon D5200 and D5300 ($850) - The D5300 is the choice of several tech magazines as "Best Entry Level DSLR." At just over a pound, the weight is reasonable, and the 3+ inch screen is beautiful. It gets high marks for speed, shoots HD video in 1080p, and has both GPS and Wi-Fi functionality. Nikon remains the gold standard for DSLR cameras, and this model is no exception.

Money is No Object: Nikon D800 ($2,990) - This is meant for professionals, and is priced accordingly. If you're starting a portrait or wedding business, this is the go-to equipment. The camera is a bit heavy, but is sturdy and easy to hold. The 36 megapixels, in-camera HDR, and USB outputs. The image quality is excellent, and digital images are vividly detailed. It's worth noting that the features here are advanced and will require some study for non-pros - but the work may be worth it if your budget is willing and you don't wish to compromise on image quality.

It’s that time of the year. The first cool days of fall are arriving and it’s time to stow the sundresses in favor of cozy fall fashions. And you know what that means – time for a wardrobe update! To show up at your favorite Timbers Resort in style, embrace these right-from-the-runway trends. And for a growing list of what to wear this season, visit our Falling for Fall Fashions Pinterest Board curated by friends and staff of Timbers Resorts.

Must have Item

If there’s one item you absolutely must purchase for fall it’s a big, chunky knit. Celine, Michael Kors and Stella McCartney showed some especially enviable ones. Best of all? It’s a trend absolutely every woman can pull off and there’s nothing more comfy for this winter's après-ski at Timbers Bachelor Gulch, One Steamboat Place or The Sebastian - Vail.

Color

Forget all of your standard neutrals and earth tones this winter. The Fall 2014 runways were full of winter pastels! All of the top designers from Gucci to Marc Jacobs embraced shades more frequently associated with spring like lavender, mint green, pale pink and sky blue. They also transition well if you run off for a warm weather escape to The Preserve at Botany Bay or Timbers Jupiter in Florida. Purchase them in a swinging 60's silhouette to stay especially on trend. Prefer something with more impact? Bright, intense shades of red were also all over the runway and are sure to turn heads.

Coats

Every woman’s favorite fall purchase is a new coat. Because it’s a piece you can layer over anything, it instantly updates your entire cold weather wardrobe. This year’s style are especially cozy and covetable. The blanket coat is a fresh style that you probably don’t have in your closet yet. Burberry Prorsum’s take on the trend is arguable the most coveted coat of the season but loads of other designers like Etro and Roberto Cavalli have incredible options. For something less voluminous but equally comfortable, try a robe-style coat instead. The waist-cinching belt will give you a more shape than a blanket coat as well as more closure in cold climates. Whether you're in Wine Country at Mayacama or Castello di Casole, this is an essential for every travel wardrobe.

Footwear

Footwear trends were all over the map this season so there are likely lots of great styles to choose from. Many of this fall's trends carry over from last season – over-the-knee boots, flashy sneakers, oxfords, and ankle booties of all kinds– so you probably don’t need many new basics. Take this as an opportunity to play with some of the more extreme trends like sculptural heels, luxe skins and, if you’re adventurous, clunky, 90's-esque lug soles.

Furs - Faux and Astrakhan

Fur - both faux and real - has been hot for the last few years and designers have gotten especially creative this season. The statement fur is the ultimate splurge purchase. Look out for intense colors, patterns and oversized hoods. Astrakhan fur is also having a moment this season. This short fur has a natural, swirling pattern and was mostly shown in neutral tones. For a more casual look, go with one of this season’s many shearlings. Designers put lots of creative twists on the material with the fur facing outwards instead of lining the coat as is traditional. You'll fit right in with this style at Dancing Bear Aspen and The Timbers Club.

When you're on vacation, on location with Timbers Resorts, you'll be in close reach of boutiques and stores. Just ask your concierge for tips on the latest and greatest places to shop. And if you buy more than you can bring home, Owners can take advantage of a Timbers Collection perk with Luggage Forward and ship your bag(s) ahead to await you at your next destination.

To learn more about Timbers Resorts, please contact us at 800.941.4579 (toll free) or 970.963.4626 (direct) or via email at [email protected].

Aspen doesn't get more family-friendly that at Dancing Bear where "the cubs" are front of mind. With kids' amenities and activities in full supply, parents can rest assured infants to tweens will be welcomed with open arms. Age-appropriate arrival gifts are the first of many perks, awaiting guests in each luxurious residence. Even a "baby menu” offers necessities like diaper dispensers, cribs, bed rails, and outlet covers, as well as souvenirs and conveniences like soft toys, swings, and itty bitty bathrobes. For older kids, they'll find board games galore in the common areas and sporting equipment to take to the park like sleds, bikes, badminton, footballs, Frisbees and more.

When it comes to programming, the concierge can arrange guided outings with ACES, the Aspen Center for Environmental Studies, including summer hikes and winter snowshoe tours. Other unique outings include tours of sustainable farms, mushroom foraging trips and lavender field visits. In the summer of 2015, Dancing Bear Aspen will also be expanding family programming to include Jeep tours, fly fishing excursions and horseback riding - all classic Colorado activities.

After a full day of play, there's still plenty for kids to do at Dancing Bear Aspen at night. Enjoy movie screenings with pizza and popcorn, make your own s’more nights, whip up your custom sundae parties, and passes to go ice skating or out for mini-golf.

During rooftop receptions, parents can relax with a glass of wine and a view, while kids play and have a pizza party in the game room, supervised by a babysitter. The fully-stocked game room features foosball and ping-pong, puzzles and puppets, and video games on Wii and Xbox.

It truly is a family affair at Dancing Bear. Come see why for yourself.

To learn more about ownership opportunities with Dancing Bear Aspen, please contact the sales team at 970.920.2510 or [email protected].

The idea of a luxury vacation home is attractive to many buyers, but concerns about usage, maintenance, and costs can give some prospects pause. The fractional ownership model available at Timbers Resorts has proven to be an attractive alternative for those who intend to visit a property less frequently or don't wish to hassle with ongoing upkeep on a home.

Unlike the traditional 'timeshare,' fractional ownership gives a larger ownership percentage and usage - often something from three to six weeks per year. As with a regular property purchase, the fractional ownership can be resold if plans or goals change - it does not expire.

Convenience is another key point converting some to fractional ownership. Timbers Resorts offer concierge service, airport transfers, a shopping service, and spa services to complement the residence. Since residences are fully furnished and updated, the inconveniences of second home ownership are reduced to the greatest degree possible.

For those who don't wish to limit their stays to one location, Timbers ownership privileges allow Owners to trade time to visit other properties in other locations through the Timbers Reciprocity Program. Many find this to be a valuable factor, giving the second home ownership added flexibility from year to year.

Before purchasing a fractional ownership, there are a few questions to ask. Among them are how the annual maintenance fees are set, how usage will be determined, and what percentage of the resort is sold. Working with a company with a history is the fractional business is encouraged, as there are intricacies to getting the balance right to ensure all fractional owners are satisfied.

For those looking to spend all summer in one location, a fractional ownership may not be ideal. But for Owners who value flexibility, convenience, and a more reasonable cost of entry, fractional ownership can be the key to the luxury vacation home they've been dreaming of at a palatable entry cost. With research, conversations with sales executives and visit(s) to the resort(s), you can make a decision for what works best for you and your lifestyle.

To learn more about Timbers Resorts, please contact us at 800.941.4579 (toll free) or 970.963.4626 (direct) or via email at [email protected].

Just announced: The results of Condé Nast Traveler's 2014 Reader’s Choice Awards with Timbers Resorts receiving top honors in Italy and Colorado! Among the distinguished winners:

The Sebastian -Vail
No. 1 – Best Hotels in the West

Castello di Casole
No. 2 – Top 25 Hotels in Europe
No. 26 – Top 100 Hotels & Resorts in the World

With over a million votes from nearly 77,000 readers, Condé Nast Traveler's Readers' Choice Awards define the discerning tastes of its worldwide audience, judging their favorite cities, islands, hotels, resorts, and cruise lines. As always, the destinations cover the gamut - from luxurious safari lodges in Africa to elegantly restored palaces in Italy, perennial favorite cities Charleston, South Carolina and Florence, Italy, and far-flung islands in the Orient. Whatever your tastes may be, you’ll find something and somewhere to inspire you to pack bags and follow your fellow travelers. We invite you to visit Timbers Resorts' award-winning properties and celebrate the many reasons why they are honored time and again by our wonderful Owners and guests.

For hotel availability and reservations at The Sebastian - Vail, please contact us at 866.782.4883 (toll free in the US) or via email at [email protected]. For availability and reservations at Hotel Castello di Casole, please contact us at 888.927.2580 (toll free in the US) or +39.0577.961501 (in Europe) or via email at [email protected]. 

If you enjoy the game of golf, you're likely familiar with the parlance of the sport. But have you ever considered how these phrases entered the golfing lexicon? The stories of origin for many of these terms are both interesting and amusing - read on for trivia you can employ during your next trip around the greens.

Bogey: Yes, the Bogey Man is involved. This term comes from Scotland, though stories vary. Some say that Major Charles Wellman remarked that a player was "a regular Bogey man," while others credit Scottish slang for goblins or devils. Regardless, the Scots can lay claim to the idea. A Bogey means one over par.

Birdie: In the 19th century, the term "bird" was the equivalent of "cool" or "excellent" - golf scholars believe this is where the term came from. An Atlantic City, New Jersey, course claims that the term originated there in 1903. The meaning being a score of one under par.

Eagle: American in origin, this play on birdie essentially upped the stakes. If a good score of one-under was a bird, a great score of two-under was a more prestigious bird. The excellent Scottish Golf History website posits that the Americans simply inserted their national bird here.

Albatross: This term means three under par, but the "double eagle" synonym is simply a continuation of the aviary theme of good scores. The albatross is rare, as is a three under par.

Fore!: 200 years ago, golf balls were quite pricey, so an assistant called a "forecaddie" was used to work in front of a golfer and retrieve errant shots. Eventually the word's etymology diverged - the assistant simply became a caddie and the warning call became "fore!"

The fractional ownership residences at Timbers Resorts offer up some of the best golf access in the world. Sonoma's Mayacama hosts a Jack Nicklaus course that has been named to Golf Digest's Top 100 In America, and is set in the tranquil and beautiful climate of California Wine Country. Timbers Jupiter, just north of Palm Beach, also features a Jack Nicklaus course, and is within easy driving distance of a litany of top-tier courses that rank among the best in America. Scottsdale's The Rocks Club is situated within minutes of both Troon North and Talking Stick, and the area has an embarrassment of riches - over 150 courses are available to play within driving distance.

Other golf properties in the collection offering preferred tee times or premier golf access nearby include The Residences at Kapalua Bay, One Steamboat Place, Dancing Bear Aspen, and The Timbers Club. All can help you make golf a focal point of your next sabbatical - and give you the chance to utilize all of your golf slang.

To learn more about Timbers Resorts, please contact us at 800.941.4579 (toll free) or 970.963.4626 (direct) or via email at [email protected].

Golf Trivia Credit: Scottish Golf History

Celebrate the Timbers Resorts lifestyle by entering our #TimbersGiveaway contest on Facebook in November!

Each week offers a chance to win a unique Timbers Resorts prize pack filled with fun travel accessories from our Beach, Mountain, Golf or Leisure destinations.

1. Go to Timbers Resorts' Facebook Page and “like” the page, if you haven’t already.

2. Every Thursday in November, you’ll find a new photo post with the #TimbersGiveaway of the week. Share the post and you’ll be entered to win that week’s prize.

3. Each Monday a winner will be randomly chosen, notified on Facebook and shipped the Timbers Resorts gift of the week!

Check back every Thursday in November for another chance at winning. One entry per person per week accepted.

Good luck + thanks for playing!

The excitement around Colorado ski vacations is at an all-time high. From the Denver Post to the water cooler, there's agreement that last year's record-setting ski season was one for the ages. As California struggled with weather conditions, Colorado's consistent snowfall and high-quality resort access made it the destination of choice for winter sports and leisure.

Skiing is highly dependent on weather, and winter travelers often monitor conditions in anticipation of their trip. To better serve their guests, Dancing Bear Aspen - A Timbers Residence Club now sponsors a multi-media weather wall at the Aspen Airport showing the area's ski report and 3-day forecast to help prepare guests for their holiday. They've also signed on as a sponsor of AspenWeather.net, meaning that Dancing Bear Owners and guests have access to the special members-only forecast to better plan their ski sojourns.

This attention to detail likely comes as no surprise to return visitors to Dancing Bear. The resort isn't simply a fractional ownership or resort; they strive to provide a complete experience at each turn. From a dedicated concierge service to the local seafood served at Brexi Brasserie, the resort cares for guests in each facet of their travels. There's a private screening room for movie nights, a private wine room for birthdays and special occasions, and even a rooftop lounge with fire pits and cocktails. These features and more have made Dancing Bear a preferred choice for frequent Aspen visitors - there's a lot to love. The notable Timbers Reciprocity Program also means that when Aspen isn't in your yearly plan, destinations like Sonoma or Maui await via an online trading system. It's the best of all worlds.

To learn more about ownership opportunities at Dancing Bear Aspen, please contact us at 855.920.2510 (toll free in the US) or 970.920.2510 (direct) or via email at [email protected].

Thanksgiving's a festive time that brings the whole family together for a feast and lots of fun. Keep everyone busy and engaged with group games such as these classic crowd-pleasers to play at Timbers Resorts this Turkey Day.

Chess

The art of playing chess requires developing a strategy from the get go; the goal being to control the board from the very first move. Taking on seasoned opponents offers a chance to challenge yourself. Teaching beginners provides the opportunity to introduce a game they can play for years. Other board game favorites that appeal to groups and a variety of ages include Monopoly, Sorry, Life, Battleship, Taboo and Murder Mystery Mansion.

Charades

The object of this game is for one person to look at a word on a card and get their team to guess it without saying a word, and instead gesturing in imaginative ways. Keep the kids occupied longer by having them create the game cards (by writing words on a grid on paper and cutting out the cards with scissors). It also ensures the game is played at an age-appropriate level, since kids are the ones providing the words.

Pictionary

Make your own version of Pictionary with an easel loaded with plenty of paper and a few packs of markers. Refresher: This game is the same as charades, but with drawing instead of gesturing.

Flag Football

It’s just good-ole, classic Americana Thanksgiving. Ask the concierge at your Timbers Resort to suggest a nearby park or outdoor area most suitable for family football.

Chopstick Pass

Bring as many sets of chopsticks with you on your trips as are family members, then play the chopstick pass game. Have everyone sit around close to one another, break into two teams (if there are at least eight people) and select an item that is tricky that both teams have to pass with chopsticks, down the line and back up the line to the starting point.

Cards

When in doubt, play cards. Stick with faithful standbys like Uno, Crazy Eights, Go Fish and War.

Freeze Dance

Trying to tucker out the troops? You can never go wrong with freeze dance. Put on some thumping music and have one take turns controlling the music. When it stops, the dancing stops. Each time you’ll end up having people fall over, or stop too late, until there’s one person left. Just be sure to have the video camera handy to capture some priceless footage.