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Timeshare vacation: Where to go, where to go
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Picking a timeshare vacation. How do you make the selection?
Different people have different methods. Many factors go into the decision.
We are receiving some interesting responses to our survey, which will run for the entire month of July, and many of them touch on the influences behind their choices. We will preview some of them in future columns.
Meanwhile, the Timeshare Examiner has just booked an exchange. Let’s look at the process.
First, we had a week in the exchange bank that was close to expiring. Before readers think that it sounds odd that the TE had a week that he couldn’t find an opportunity to use from a few years ago, let me explain. One of the perks of the books and columns, the TE receives invitations to visit many, many timeshare resorts, all over the country.
In fact, whenever I travel, for any purpose, I try to find a suitable property to visit and review.
I also do many short trips, rather than full weeks. That’s why.
So we have a week, and we’re going to use it.
Start with timing. As the kids are now in high school and college, with terms beginning and ending at different times, part time jobs and their own social lives, it becomes a little more challenging to find the time window that works for everyone. The ideal window becomes the first three weeks of August, so that’s our starting point.
The combination of short time for planning, and family obligations has us looking for drive to vs. flying, so we look a thousand miles or less from Northern California – benefit of three four potential drivers expands our circle.
Now it gets a bit fuzzier, the criteria more fluid. There are a number of destinations, in any of three directions that offer terrific destinations. Some we’ve visited frequently, some once or twice, others not yet.
Checking the exchange companies availability, I find several resorts in most, though not all, the areas on our list, with availability during the three weeks we have targeted.
The final decision – the nicest one-bedroom resort showing availability. We could have had a two-bedroom, but the location wasn’t as high on our list. Could have picked a location we liked a bit better, but the studio unit isn’t as usable for us now that the kids are adults.
The combination of a well regarded property, with the preferred, for us, Sunday check in, good location, amenities, the whole package. And if you want to get out the crying towel, and feel sorry for me...I'm gonna end up doing as much behind the scenes sruff as possible, so that I can write a review. No pure vacation for the Timeshare Examiner, boo hoo, boo hoo.
That’s how we made our choice. How do you make yours? Check out the survey, and shoot me an email.
