disneymom

Trying to plan a vacation for 2013. What are the best RCIs in Europe? Most interested in England, France, Italy, Germany or Greece (but will just go to one this trip). We want to sightsee as well as relax. We will have 2 kids ages 12 and 14. Thanks for any help. We are new to this!

jo_ann

For I believe $10/year, I've joined TUG2, short for Timeshare User Group. They have reviews a la Tripadvisor from travelers who've used the different resorts around the world, as well as lists, such as "10 Best RCI Resorts" (we have Marriott resort ownership and Diamond Resorts.). 19 years ago, DH and I honeymooned on the Costa Brava as an RCI trade - don't recall the name of the resort at this point, but we loved it!
You might look in to this if you don't get enough responses here.

janisj

There are sooooooo many I doubt many people will have visited more than a handful. I've stayed at 8 or 9 different properties in England and Scotland (one of them - 4 different times) and would be more than happy to stay at any of them again.

It is much harder to get trades now then in the 'good old days' - so it is often a matter of where you <i>can</i> get in rather than where you'd <i>like to</i> stay.

It is most important to research the specific location of the resort. Some are fairly remote/inconvenient for touring/sightseeing. Fine if you want to chill and stay on site -- not so good if you want a base for sightseeing.

There was a recent thread by someone who booked at the Moness County Club in central Scotland -- a lovely property -- but I personally wouldn't pick it. On a map it looks to be right in the middle of Scotland and the perfect location. But in reality is it a minimum 2+ hour drive from just about anyplace.

GreenDragon

We had a lovely time in Ireland at Knocktopher Abbey, near Kilkenny - my dad had RCI points that we spent, it was an old 15th century Abbey recently renovated into a resort.

treplow

The RCI in Maria Alm in Austria, (train station Saalfelden) is a nice property, in a gorgeous countryside, with many hiking and sightseeing oppportunities..

disneymom

I will check out the TUG2. I am planning on booking 2 years in advance, so I hope that helps. Any other feedback would be great. I would love for the kids to see some history. We had a car in southern spain, so we don't mind driving when there isn't good innercity transportation. Again, I truly appreciate any help!

goldwynn

....... and here I was all set to give you the times and locations on Sirius Satellite and the Internet only to find out you didn`t want information on RCI ....... that is Radio Canada International which broadcasts worldwide since 1942.

indy_dad

Hmmm. I'll have to keep this in mind as well. I've not found RCI (points) to be conducive to my type of travel generally (very much buyer's remorse).

Janisj -- interested in more detail if you have it.

janisj

more detail about what?

There are several terrific RCI properties in the UK that would be good for your family- Cameron House on Loch Lomond, Craigendarroch in Ballater on the Dee, Elmer's Court in Lymington near Southampton/Isle of Wight/the New Forest, Kilconquhar near St Andrews/the Fife fishing villages, and many others.

Others in Rutland/Yorkshire/Warwickshire are probably too close to where you are to make a week's holiday worthwhile.