Timeshare
 

Has anyone used an RCI timeshare in Belgium, Netherlands, Scandinavia or Finland? If so, how was it?

I have use RCI at other locations in Europe and all were top rate . You can go to the RCI website look up the ones you want they have review by guest that have stayed there simillar to this sites .

Could you please recommend a couple.

The only experience I have with a timeshare (RCI) was in 1990. We traded for one in France & one in Italy. Buyer beware! I knew the one in France was in the Alps (only place available in September) but didn't realize the one in Italy was on top of a mountain and this was the last week it was open. Very long drive so we left it after one night and got hotel rooms.

The problem is you may be stuck out in nowhere and have really long drives into the areas you want to see.

The reason I mention this (maybe things have changed with timeshares) is that you need to know where exactly you will be located. It takes a long time to drive down/up mountain roads to sightsee. Be sure you are booking way in advance with lots of options.

I stayed in very comfortable,plush, spacious condos in Florida and Texas.
Unfortunately I could never get a timeshare for Europe, I even tried a year in advance, but did not have any luck..

We exchanged through Interval International in Cannes, Algarve, Paris and Mallorca. We also have RCI but have not had any success with them. The timeshares were fine but very small, nothing like Hawaii or Mexico. No swim-up bars for sure...

Treesa,
Do you must be a member of the Interval to be able to exchange timeshare from RCI?

Kismet: Interval International and RCI are two separate exchange companies. Some resorts are both in the RCI and II inventory. In my experience, II is easier to work with or at least we've had more luck with them. Some people may disagree with me on that.

Through RCI, I have made the following exchanges to Europe and can recommend them:

Venice: Palazzo del Giglio, 5 minutes from St. Mark's square

Rome: Carpe Diem Roma Golf Club, just outside the city's circular highway, not in the city itself

Cap d'Ail (Monaco): Grands Séjours International

Recommend with reservation (units are hit and miss): Paris-Vincennes, Royal Regency. Best to stay in Paris due to the distance needed to travel into the city...adds about 45 minutes to your day.

Already secured an exchange to Kilkonquhar in Scotland (7 miles to ST.Andrews golf and close to Edinburgh for July 2005. Half the fun the travelling is the planning and anticipation!!!