Helen

We have stayed at:<BR><BR>1. Carpe Diem (Assisi) - a wonderful resort - and there is always units available! The catch - it is about 5 km outside Assisi (in the direction of Gualdo Tadino)If you have a car - NO problem. The units are smallish, but new, wonderfully decorated, and staff so friendly!<BR><BR>2. Le Golfe Bleu (Roqebrunne Cap Martin)<BR>NOT nice! Although location is wonderful - on the French Rivira - easy to reach a lot of smalltowns, villages, Nice etc with own transport.<BR><BR>3. Portofino Est (Rapallo) = Tops<BR>This resort is unbelievable - the location cannot be better - the view looks like all the postcards you see of the Italian Riviera. The units are very nice! Each has a balcony or little courtyard where you can sit outside and enjoy this incredible coastline! Own transport recommended, although you can get along without it!<BR><BR>Although I have been only to 3 resorts in Europe, I want to tell everyone about the high standard of resorts here in South Africa - especially those in the Game Reserves - spacious, luxurious, and defenitely worth a try!<BR><BR>Best regards - Helen Malan (Pretoria, South Africa)

tania

Some info about timeshares we've exchanged to:<BR><BR>Palazzo del Giglio, VENICE, Resort of International Distinction, not Gold Crown" Our unit was very nice, clean and spacious. It's best asset is the 5 minute walk to Piazza San Marco. Two minute walk to vaporetto.<BR><BR>Carpe Diem Roma Golf Club. ROME. Gold Crown. Absolutely the best!!! Spacious, king bed, jacuzzi, dishwasher, etc. Need a car here; short drive to metro with car park. . Short drive to Tivoli. On a beautiful private golf course with access, very reasonable green fees.<BR><BR>Grands S&eacute;jours Internationals, CAP D'AIL, next to Monaco. Gold Crown. Very nice, great views. Excellent proximity to Nice. Need a car.<BR><BR>Someone asked about availability. The system RCI uses rewards you for depositing your unit early (you're allowed to do this up to 2 years in adavnce) and owning a high-demand unit. Our Gold Crown unit in the Caribbean during the Christmas holidays is always on the waiting list.<BR><BR>Question for Canary Island visitors: Most of the timeshares do not have air conditioning. Don't you need it? <BR><BR>Parag,<BR><BR>What did you think of the Schloss Grubhof? It's location close to Salzburg makes it very interesting to me.<BR><BR>Thanks,<BR><BR>Tania

Doug Weller

Twice we've managed to get the Carpe Diem in Assisi, twice we've had to cancel to visit my elderly parents.<BR><BR>So this year we made sure we had free time. And couldn't get it. Trying again for next year now!<BR><BR>Doug

Susan

AJ, I realize your post is almost a year old, but if you're still around, could you tell more about the places you stayed in Italy? Thanks.

Susan

Also, Helen, if you're still around, could you tell me if you took day trips from Carpe Diem in Assisi? If so, where did you go and how long did it take to drive there? Thanks!

xxx

ttt

Helen

Hi Susan<BR><BR>I hope this reply does not come too late! We did not have acar while staying at Carpe Diem, Assisi, so we made use of public transport - still managed to do a lot! If you have a car, you can really reach a lot of villages and towns, that are more difficult to reach with public transport! <BR><BR>I would reccommend trips to Deruta (pottery!!), Gualdo Tadino (pottery) - the beautiful village next to Foligno(which is not nice!) Sorry, I cannot remember the name now - going to Paris and Central France in September, so I am so focused on France right now!Ah, have it - Spoleto! Half way between Assisi and Firenze is Arezzo - the old part is beautuful, and they are well known for their antique market once a month! You can also easily drive to Orvieto (wonderful Duomo) and Gubbio (pottery again!)<BR><BR>But even with public transport, we managed to do day trips to Firenze, Arezzo and Orvieto - just make sure you catch the earliest train possible!<BR><BR>Feel free to e-mail me for more info!<BR><BR>Helen<BR>

roco

Whenever a post on the United States talk forum mentions RCI, a person named JoAnn ([email protected]) answers with this info: "For people who want some excellent information on timeshares-exchanging, buying, selling, general chit chat and excellent info on areas and resorts, I suggest they go to www.tug2.net. This is a bulletin board set up by timeshare owners for timeshare owners to discuss a variety of subjects on timesharing.....check into this very informative website."<BR><BR>I have no idea whether European exchanges are mentioned, but it's worth a look.

Susan

Hi Helen, I'm glad I caught this posting! I've been looking more into this area and really appreciate yur feedback. Thanks. Susan

KarenK

Roco - on TUG there is a forum specifically for Europe. If you want to join for 10 or 15 per year, use my name as a reference (My screen name is KarenK.)<BR>There is a bit of chat about Europe, but the other message boards are also good.

tania

Roco. Thanks for mentioning TUG. After reading the boards for a few days, I decided to join. Best $15 dollars I've ever spent.<BR><BR>Tania