Through her growing restaurant empire, Lisa Dahl has helped transform Sedona to be as much of a dining destination as it is a spiritual haven and outdoor-lover’s paradise.
read more
culture
top 5
dining
FEATURE
Itinerary
Feature
MEMBERS
Members
international
Why settle for the familiar when you can see the world from a new perspective? Whether pedaling across picturesque landscapes, riding historic railways, or taking in the views of an amusement park from the front seat of a roller coaster, there’s something magical about experiencing life with fresh eyes. Here are six exciting ways to begin.
Would you rather see Impressionist paintings or a historic mission? Visit an alpine lake or an old-growth forest? Go on a bike tour or hot-air balloon ride? Choose your preferred Pacific Coast adventure, and we'll recommend what to see and do.
Keep your competitive streak alive wherever your fall travels take you. These colorful and practical pickleball accessories will inspire you to get out and ace your opponents in style.
Lower airfares, fewer crowds, slightly cooler weather, and festive celebrations make fall an ideal time to visit Hawaii. Here are five of the best things to do in Hawaii this autumn.
Read More
Changing leaves in the Shenandoah Valley. Historic downtown districts. Stress-melting massages. On your next long weekend in Massanutten, combine natural wonder and exploration with well-earned relaxation.
Coastal Discoveries Quiz > Bring Your A-Game > An International Culinary Journey Through Orlando’s Neighborhoods > Let’s Roll >
close
issue contents
contents
5 Must-Do Activities in Hawaii This Fall > Three Perfect Days in Massanutten, Virginia > Dear RCI > Planning for 2025 Travel > Experience the Romance and Old-World Charm of Lisbon >
RCI Magazine is published quarterly by RCI. ©2024 RCI, LLC. All rights reserved. CORPORATE OFFICE 6277 Sea Harbor Drive, Orlando, FL 32821 EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Kylee Krizmanic PROJECT EDITOR Allison Vancura GRAPHIC DESIGNER Ruby Pierce CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Austin Cannon, Erin Gifford, Gary Thompson, Karla Walsh COPY EDITOR Diane Penningroth RCI EDITORIAL TEAM Anna Reinert, Leslie Johansen, Jenny Rains To Our Subscribers: The annual subscription cost of RCI Magazine is $109USD or $143CAD for RCI Weeks® members and $134USD or $176CAD for RCI Points® members. Send your renewal together with your name, address, telephone number, email address, and RCI member ID to: RCI Magazine Subscriptions, P.O. Box 2099, Carmel, IN 46082-2070. For address changes, subscription inquiries, or cancellations, call an RCI Travel Guide. RCI Weeks members, please call: United States: 317-805-8000 or 800-338-7777 Canada: 800-338-7777 (English) 800-527-5219 (French) RCI Points members, please call: United States: 317-805-9941 or 877-968-7476 Canada: 877-968-7476 (English/French) No part of this magazine may be reproduced without written permission from RCI, LLC (or its affiliates). RCI Magazine® and Design and RCI® and Design are trademarks of RCI, LLC (or its affiliates), and are registered in countries throughout the world and may not be used without permission. For editorial and advertising inquiries, email magazine@rci.com. The publisher reserves the right to accept or reject any editorial advertising matter and accepts no responsibility for advertising content or the damage tht may arise from these advertisements. Publisher assumes no responsibility for the return or unsolicited manuscripts or art. Unsolicited manuscripts and art will not be returned unless accompanied by return postage and envelope. In no event shall such material subject this magazine to any claim for “holding fees” or similar charges. Merrill #022022400.
Learn More
For over 25 years, Christel House has been dedicated to empowering children from under-resourced communities to realize their potential and transform their futures. We've done this by providing the comprehensive support system they need to thrive, both in school and beyond.
Make a gift
More than a school
For over 25 years, Christel House has been dedicated to empowering children from under-resourced communities to realize their potential and transform their futures. We've done this by providing the comprehensive support system they need to thrive, both in school and beyond. Our holistic model supports each of our students for 18+ years. This in-depth, whole-child approach integrates rigorous academic learning with nutrition and healthcare, life skills, social support, and college and career guidance. It's a deep commitment that helps students demonstrate that they have limitless potential.
From the shores of Myrtle Beach to sunny Orlando and beyond, Holiday Inn Club Vacations® offers more than two dozen resorts with all the comforts you love: spacious villas, private kitchens, in-room laundry, and resort-style amenities.
OVER TWO DOZEN RESORTS
Plan next year’s adventure at sea now to secure the best rates, your preferred itinerary, and your ideal stateroom. Plus, set sail with our exclusive up to $1,500 to spend on board. Splurge on gourmet dishes at specialty restaurants, exciting shore excursions, savory cocktails, soothing spa treatments, and more.
Save Your Spot
If the chiming trolleys, tile-adorned buildings, and soulful Fado music don’t have you swooning over the idea of exploring the City of Seven Hills, the rich history and bountiful food scene awaiting you in Lisbon, Portugal, sure will. Ahead, discover how to make the most of a long weekend in and around the city.
We’re the champions of bonuses and savings, helping you make MORE travel milestones while getting the most bang for your buck. This issue marries passion points — like culinary jet-setting and active adventure — by featuring a few of the diverse and dynamic locations your membership grants access to. You can read about relaxation in Massanutten; cultural events in Hawaii; old-world charm in Lisbon; and planning resources to expand your travel horizons in 2025. Where will your ambitions take you?
Every city is a mosaic of distinct neighborhoods, each a unique piece shaped by geography and history. In these Orlando enclaves, global cuisine provides big helpings of local color and character.
Let Your Appetite Guide You on
Let Your Appetite Guide You ON
Champions Of
MORE
You own it. Make MORE of it with RCI.
Plan Ahead. Get More.
You Deserve a Suite Escape
Christel House
Get lost in a maze of white stucco and red-tiled roofs in Santa Barbara, a city on California’s Central Coast whose Spanish roots extend back more than 400 years. Franciscan friars founded Old Mission Santa Barbara in the late 18th century, and its stately pair of bell towers stand sentinel over the Pacific Ocean. Book a self-guided tour of the historic church, museum, and grounds before visiting the marble-lined mausoleum. For an evening of jazz or a film screening, head to Lobero Theatre, California’s oldest continuously operating theater. Downtown ends at the ocean, and the beaches are hubs for local activities: sand volleyball on East Beach, kayaking at West Beach, and sunset walks along the Santa Barbara Coastal Trail.
Downtown Santa Barbara
California
Balboa Park
OR
Click to learn more!
Downtown Santa Barbara, California
Calling this swath of downtown San Diego a park could be considered a disservice to its 1,200 acres of intricate architecture, lush gardens, and fascinating animals. You’ll also find more than a dozen museums, including The San Diego Museum of Art. Wander through its vast collection of ancient Persian art, portraits, and Impressionist paintings before viewing the sculptures in the Plaza de Panama. Catch the roly-poly giant pandas and see the state-of-the-art Elephant Care Center at the San Diego Zoo, where you can soar above the animals on the Skyfari Aerial Tram. Stop to smell the roses at the Inez Grant Parker Memorial Rose Garden, which features 130 varieties. And dine beneath the Spanish Colonial towers and arches at The Prado at Balboa Park, where Prado Paella — a savory mixture of mussels, fish, shrimp, calamari, chorizo, and chicken — with a refreshing glass of sangria awaits.
Balboa Park, California
Washington
Mount Rainier National Park
Oregon
Mount Hood National Forest
This central Washington park surrounds Mount Rainier, another volcano in the Cascade Range. But you don’t have to climb all 14,410 feet to experience awe. Ancient fir and cedar trees fill the Ohanapecosh area in the park’s southeast corner, where it’s usually sunnier and drier than the park’s west. Bubbling hot springs await on the 0.5-mile Hot Springs Nature Trail while the Ohanapecosh River rushes down a 75-foot cliff on Silver Falls Trail. Farther upwards, Skyline Trail winds through subalpine meadows, where marmots roam through wildflowers. Ascend to Panorama Point (nearly 7,000 feet) before retreating to Myrtle Falls, where interwoven streams of Edith Creek tumble down the rockface, and snow-capped Mount Rainier makes a cameo in the background.
Mount Rainier National Park, Washington
Outside of Portland, Oregon, Mount Hood National Forest’s 1.1 million acres house a vast network of hiking trails in the shadow of the 11,245-foot mountain at its center. At Trillium Lake, an easy, mostly flat 1.9-mile hike encircles the placid water, offering dramatic views of the volcano and opportunities to see wildlife, such as deer and black bears. On the southeast side of the mountain, the East Fork of the Hood River tumbles down a pair of multistory waterfalls. The Umbrella Falls Trail crosses through a meadow and a pair of small creeks along with the 59-foot falls. Only a few miles away, the Sahalie Falls Trail traces a canyon rim to the viewpoint of the 78-foot waterfall. After a day of hiking, stop at Timberline Lodge — the exterior of which you may recognize from 1980’s The Shining — for snacks and cocktails at its Ram’s Head Bar and Restaurant.
Mount Hood National Forest, Oregon
Napa Valley
Willamette Valley
Napa Valley in California is one of the world’s most-famous wine-producing regions, where grapes thrive in the dry Mediterranean-like climate. There are more than 400 wineries to choose from, like Hess Persson Estates, where you can pair a tasting of estate-exclusive wines with a tour of the on-site contemporary art museum. For breathtaking views, book a high-flying hot-air balloon tour with Napa Valley Aloft in Yountville. The morning flights lift off as the sun rises, floating over the vineyards and between mountain ranges. Back in Napa, hop aboard the Napa Valley Wine Train, the beloved locomotive that pulls Pullman cars across the valley. You’ll disembark for tastings at several wineries and enjoy a four-course meal as the train rumbles past seemingly never-ending rows of grapes. If you can’t make it to as many tasting rooms as you’d like, Michelin-star PRESS Restaurant in St. Helena is a fine stand-in — its collection of 2,700 Napa Valley wines is the largest such assortment on the planet.
Napa Valley, California
With mountain ranges on either side, Oregon’s Willamette Valley fosters pristine grape-growing conditions for some of the world’s best Pinot Noir. Try a glass on the patio at Raptor Ridge Winery, in Newberg, Oregon, where on clear days you can see the far-off peaks of Mount Rainier and Mount St. Helens. Absorb viticulture basics during a tour through its Tuscowallame Vineyard — named for the Indigenous word meaning “place where the owls dwell.” When you’re not pedaling along rolling valley roads in the cool autumn temperatures, you can visit a trio of wineries during a bicycle tour with Wine de Roads, located outside of Newberg. About 45 miles south in Dallas, Oregon, Andante Vineyard applies a rhythmic, deliberate approach to making wine that befits its music-inspired name. Andante refers to a moderate tempo, and you can often pair live bands with sips of Aligoté or Chardonnay. For an even larger selection, The Joel Palmer House in Dayton, Oregon, houses a collection of Oregon wines that surpasses any other restaurant in the world. Another glass of Pinot will surely complement your multicourse, locally sourced dinner.
Willamette Valley, Oregon
click one of the options above
You missed question #1!
You missed question #2!
You missed question #3!
This or That?
Shop Now
Put your own spin on your pickleball game with nostalgic stripes, breezy botanicals, or another jubilant print that strikes your fancy. Tangerine’s high-quality designs make a statement on and off the court.
This Duluth Trading Company T-shirt’s versatile shape and weight make it a great pick for pickleball, the beach, or adventuring. Pack it for a day of play or exploration – it’ll keep you dry and layer easily.
No shade to your current specs, but goodrs are a cult fave with the running community for two reasons: The price is right, and they actually stay in place while you move. So go on, turn up the heat on those volleys.
Don’t sweat it – just drape this lightweight, superabsorbent Sprints towel over your vehicle’s seats for extra protection (essential if you’re renting). A built-in pocket fits over headrests so the polyester towel stays exactly where you want it.
Look stylish and sporty in this packable REI cap made for movement. UPF-50 sun protection, a built-in sweatband, and adjustable cords ensure a perfect fit, and it tucks into its own travel bag.
MORE matches! Pack your paddles and play wherever you are. Many resorts have pickleball courts right on the property.
TRAVEL GUIDE TIP
If you’re craving Latin food:
Orlando is a mosaic of distinct neighborhoods, each a unique piece shaped by geography and history. Get MORE out of your visit in these enticing enclaves, where the rise of global cuisine provides big helpings of local color and character. World-class restaurants, Michelin-star eateries, and up-and-coming spots beckon you to be a culinary jet-setter, but other attractions are worth exploring too.
About 16 miles northeast of Universal Studios, Winter Park was developed in 1887 as a resort town for snowbirds seeking a warm sanctuary. Today it boasts serene canals, a lively shopping district, stately museums, and acclaimed dining. Pull up a chair to chef Mario Pagán’s Chayote Barrio Kitchen, where contemporary and legacy Latin flavors fuse into a flavorful new genre. Enjoy black Chilean sea bass and adobo lamb confit in a sophisticated setting. MAKE A DAY OF IT: The Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art houses an expansive collection of famed glassmaker Louis Comfort Tiffany’s windows, lamps, and jewelry. Find more artistry in boutiques on Park Avenue. Check out your next read at Writer’s Block Bookstore or bird-dog home decor at The Partridge Tree Gift Shop. Explore Winter Park’s chain of lakes on an hour-long Scenic Boat Tour. You might spy cranes beneath the palms and alligators seeking sun.
CHAYOTE BARRIO KITCHEN
CAMILLE
Once anchored by the Orlando Naval Training Center, Baldwin Park is now a neighborhood of manicured green spaces, trails, mixed-use buildings, and upscale eateries. One of those, Camille, has quickly risen from French-Vietnamese pop-up concept to Michelin-star status. Taste buds thrill to chef Tung Phan’s tasting counter experience, a progressive meal spanning two hours. Watch the staff carefully prepare dishes in the kitchen, then let them guide you through complex courses, like a deconstructed banh mi, the classic Vietnamese sandwich. MAKE A DAY OF IT: Take a lap around Lake Baldwin on the Lake Baldwin Trail, a 2.6-mile asphalt path. It’s near shady Lake Baldwin Park, where dogs can go off-leash all day. Pedestrian-friendly Baldwin Park Village Center is modeled after a small Southern town, including street-level shops below residences with balconies. East End Market, in the nearby Audubon Park Garden District, showcases local food entrepreneurs, makers, artisans, and chefs.
If you’re craving French-Vietnamese food:
NATSU OMAKASE
South of Lake Ivanhoe and north of downtown, the North Quarter blends the convenience of urban proximity with the character of a vibrant village. Many young professionals inhabit the neighborhood’s condos, high-rise apartments, and office towers. They also frequent its hip new restaurants, like Natsu Omakase, a 12-seat sushi omakase counter with only two nightly seatings. Start on dishes like chawanmushi (egg custard) and truffle kampachi (yellowtail), then progress to skin-on barracuda and soy-marinated salmon. MAKE A DAY OF IT: Perk up with coffee or tea and light bites at Downtown CREDO on the street-level of the NORA apartments. The shop hosts a rotating exhibit of local art curated by Artscape. Hop on the Orlando Urban Trail, a 3-mile route that connects to lakes and parks and promises picturesque vistas and shade from live oaks. Get your groove on at El Donut Shoppe, a vinyl record store specializing in jazz, funk, soul, and hip-hop, as well as global dance sounds like Latin, Brazilian, and African.
If you’re craving Sushi:
PAPA LLAMA
The established part of this neighborhood is known for its wide mix of home styles, while the newer Hourglass District has brought fresh energy and eateries along Curry Ford Road. Papa Llama, hidden in a strip mall, boasts a Michelin star and Peruvian cuisine as polished as the mod interior. Kevin and Maria Ruiz’s tasting menu might include shrimp anticuchero (head-on shrimp in a ají panca marinade) or lomo saltado (Peruvian stir-fry with steak). MAKE A DAY OF IT: Relax in Hourglass Park, a little gem of green space surrounded by Hourglass Lake. (Yes, it’s shaped like the ancient timepiece.) Or find your center during a yoga class at The Peaceful Peacock. The studio offers drop-in classes for all skill levels and abilities. Top off your excursion with a craft beer from Hourglass Brewing, which prides itself on using all-natural ingredients, often locally sourced. Their flagship 2 Million Bees and Some Hops is brewed with orange-blossom honey.
If you’re craving Peruvian food:
A road trip along California’s Pacific Coast Highway is your ticket to the Golden State’s sandy beaches, dramatic cliffs, and glistening ocean vistas. Why settle for the inland route of Interstate-5 when you can revel in coastal bliss, stopping for quaint towns, scenic state parks, and local produce (like olallieberries in Cambria)? Take it slow, and be mindful of detours in the Big Sur area as you wind along CA-1 between San Francisco and Los Angeles. TIP: Reach MORE travel milestones by booking a car rental.
By Car:
Leavenworth’s beauty is undeniable, but relishing the majestic Cascade Range from the saddle of a bicycle takes the experience to new heights. Embark on a 2.5-hour e-bike excursion with Leavenworth Electric Bikes and soak in the breathtaking mountain peaks, charming alpine architecture, and vibrant valleys. At Lake Wenatchee State Park, immerse yourself in lush pine forests, then pause for eye-pleasing sandy beaches and crystal-clear waters as you celebrate nature’s splendor on this two-wheel adventure.
By Bike:
A journey on the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad offers a nostalgic return to the 1880s, allowing you to relive a golden age of rail travel. This scenic adventure through Southwest Colorado unfolds at a leisurely pace, slowly revealing the untamed beauty of the San Juan Mountains, including dramatic cliffs, deep gorges, and dense forests. As the vintage steam train clickety-clacks across the wilderness, revel in mountain breezes as you connect with the unspoiled landscape from open-air gondola cars.
By Train:
A walking tour in Washington, D.C., offers a more intimate way to explore the nation’s capital. Stroll historic neighborhoods, such as Georgetown and Eastern Market, and admire iconic landmarks like the U.S. Capitol. Knowledgeable guides with DC by Foot share captivating stories that shed new light on the city’s monuments, memorials, and local treasures. Learn about President Abraham Lincoln’s assassination and Georgetown’s ghostly legends, or savor the diverse flavors of Eastern Market. Every step offers a fresh discovery.
On Foot:
Universal Orlando Resort has long been a thrill-seeker’s paradise, boasting eight roller coasters across its Florida parks. Among them, a top speed of 67 mph on The Incredible Hulk Coaster and the heart-racing Jurassic World VelociCoaster offer unique perspectives on the parks’ worlds. Soar, dip, twist, and flip for bird’s-eye views of the park’s design and layout. The latest addition is the Trolls Trollercoaster, a family-friendly ride for all ages that debuted in June. TIP: Access MORE member discounts on park tickets and entertainment.
By Roller Coaster:
Wisconsin Dells is famous for its water parks, but it’s also home to an unforgettable amphibious experience with Original Wisconsin Ducks. Vehicles that seamlessly transition from land to water offer an exciting way to explore the region’s rugged terrain and scenic waterways, including the Wisconsin River, Lake Delton, and Dell Creek. One-hour tours navigate across dense forests, towering sandstone cliffs, narrow gorges, and pristine lakes, in ways that few tours can match.
By Duck Boat:
Lower airfares, fewer crowds, slightly cooler weather, and festive celebrations make fall an ideal time to visit Hawaii. Plus, the islands experience their warmest ocean temperatures in September and October, so those are great months to hit the water. Here are five of the best things to do in Hawaii this autumn.
Though a Hawaiian vacation is cause for celebration any time of year, fall is especially festive on the Islands. September ushers in Aloha Festivals, the largest Hawaiian cultural celebration in the U.S. that dates to 1946. Today, more than 100,000 people attend, with the major events happening on Oahu. Three take place in Honolulu: The Royal Court Investiture and Opening Ceremony on Waikiki (September 7), the 70th Annual Waikiki Hoolaulea — Hawaii’s largest block party (September 21), and the 76th Annual Floral Parade (September 28). The party continues in October with the Hawaii Food and Wine Festival, which spans three weekends and three islands — Hawaii, Maui, and Oahu. Two of Hawaii’s James Beard Award-winning chefs, Roy Yamaguchi and Alan Wong, cooked up the event to showcase the state’s agricultural diversity and culinary chops. More than 150 master chefs, winemakers, and mixologists from around the world take part in tastings, seminars, and classes at various sites.
Napali, translated as “the cliffs,” is an extraordinary 17-mile stretch of coastline on Kauai’s northwest shore. Millions of years of natural erosion worked their magic on the steep cliffs and plunging valleys that are practically inaccessible by land. Komohana Charters, family-owned and -operated for more than 20 years, offers a chance to view it up close on a 4.5-hour boat tour. Expect dolphins to escort your smooth-riding catamaran (named Koali Anona for owner Koa Fuller’s daughter) as you cruise toward cliffs where wild goats roam the rugged terrain, turtles and seals dive into the shallows, waterfalls cascade thousands of feet into the ocean, and sea caves beckon for exploration. Along the way, you may spot seasonal whales, and you’ll definitely hear about the area’s cultural history: Fuller is the grandson of a boat captain who plied these waters for years. The tour includes a chance to snorkel in the warm waters for a close-up view of undersea life (gear provided).
Keeping your eye on the ball can be understandably difficult at the Ocean Course on Kauai’s southeastern coastline, Hawaii’s longest continuous stretch of oceanfront golf. Beauty frames every hole, emphasizing groves of mango trees, seaside cliffs, and even the historic Ninini Point Lighthouse. The course is a Jack Nicklaus design, so you know the layout is up to par with the Golden Bear’s high standards. The front nine is lush and jungly, and the par-3 fifth hole requires carrying a ravine of dense greenery that feasts on a steady diet of golf balls. The back nine, hugging the ocean, is the course’s moneymaker, with the 15th and 16th standing out among a string of holes with million-dollar views. Vistas that encompass the lighthouse, mountains, and ocean beg you to pull out your phone for a shot before you pull out a club for a shot.
Nicknamed the Grand Canyon of the Pacific, Waimea Canyon on Kauai’s west side is a geological wonder carved out by the flow of the Waimea River. At 14 miles long, 1 mile wide, and 3,600 feet deep, the immensity of this natural gorge awes with its red and green crested buttes and profound valleys. Every vantage point offers a fresh perspective. Head to Waimea Canyon State Park for a scenic drive, lookouts, and hiking. The main road, Waimea Canyon Drive, leads to Waimea Canyon Overlook’s dramatic views of Kauai’s rugged interior. Puuo Kila Lookout, at the drive’s end, takes in the Napali Coast. For a deeper dive, hike the Canyon Trail into the heart of the gorge, or take the Cliff Trail or the Waipoo Falls Trail. Besides its tranquil beauty, the canyon holds cultural significance — it housed ancient Hawaiian settlements. The park’s interpretive displays offer insights into that history.
What started as a landscaping project for Joyce and Ed Doty when they retired to Kauai from Northern California grew into a 240-acre oasis in Kilauea. The couple eventually donated the private paradise to their nonprofit foundation, which opened the site for public tours. Na Aina Kai means “lands by the sea” in Hawaiian, and while it’s accurate, it doesn’t do the property justice. The botanical garden is a rare merging of flora, fauna, land, water, and climate. The living mosaic encompasses formal and wild gardens, a hardwood plantation, a canyon draped in moss and ferns, and pristine Kaluakai Beach. The Formal Gardens feature a maze, a lagoon with its own waterfall, a Japanese teahouse, a desert garden, a palm garden, and one of the nation’s largest collections of 200 bronze sculptures. Tour options include guided strolls and rides in an open-air cart.
1
2
3
4
5
BACK TO TOP
itinerary
Start by traveling back in time to historic downtown Staunton, where most of its brick buildings were constructed around the turn of the 20th century. Coincidentally, that’s about when native son Woodrow Wilson was elected president. Tour his birthplace at the Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum. You can also check out his Pierce-Arrow limousine and an immersive World War I trench exhibit before stopping for a quick craft beer at Redbeard Brewing Company. The Blue Ridge Breakfast Stout is brewed with Staunton Coffee Company beans. Next stop: the train station, where you’ll climb aboard the Virginia Scenic Railway’s Blue Ridge Flyer. Enjoy a pulled-pork sandwich or a turkey salad as your car passes through the Blue Ridge Tunnel and chugs through farmland, small towns, and mountains.
AFTERNOON
Virginia Scenic Railway
In Harrisonburg, find your next read at Parentheses Books, a cozy independent bookseller. Peruse its themed table and guess the books’ common trait to win a small prize. Take advantage of any remaining daylight and set out on the Harrisonburg Downtown Art Walk. Following Main Street, the trail leads to almost 30 installations, including the To Kill a Mockingbird mosaic outside the local library that pays homage to Harper Lee’s classic novel. For upscale American fare, grab a seat on the patio at Clementine, a locally owned restaurant housed in the former Strand Theater. Stick around after dessert for live music, a weekly staple. If you’d prefer a more intimate meal, dine at The Joshua Wilton House. The restored Victorian home and former fraternity house pairs craft cocktails with succulent entrees like duck breast and wild mushroom and kale farro risotto.
Evening
Massanutten Resort
Make the hour drive south to Charlottesville for a sunset stroll across the University of Virginia’s grounds. You’ll see remnants of Thomas Jefferson’s original designs for the campus, including the centerpiece Rotunda. The former U.S. president modeled it after Rome’s Pantheon, and today it houses classrooms, event spaces, and the meeting location for the university’s board. A strip of shops and eateries known as the Corner sits across the street from the school. It includes Charlottesville’s oldest restaurant, The Virginian. The former soda fountain serves up a unique starter: Stumble Down Mac N’ Cheese is served with a cheddar potato cake on top of macaroni with pepper Jack cheese.
Pull on your swimsuit or trunks to make a splash at Massanutten Resort’s water parks. Chill out in a rentable cabana, or get your adrenaline fix on MASS Mayhem, a twisty slide that plunges 47 feet before spinning the two-person inner tube up a rainbow-color half pipe. If the weather is on the cooler side, you’ll still find aquatic fun at the indoor water park, where you can soak weary muscles in the Shenandoah Hot Springs adults-only hot tub or surf on The Pipeline’s swift waves.
Beat the leaf-peeping crowds by heading to Shenandoah National Park early in the morning. Seventy-six overlook areas sprout off from Skyline Drive, the paved spine of the park, but you may want to venture further into the park for a more secluded view of the fall foliage. One option: the Blackrock Summit hike. The 1-mile, kid-friendly circuit takes only an hour to complete, and it tops out with a view of the entire sun-soaked valley. Farther northeast, the Frazier Discovery Trail presents another easy hike that passes through Loft Mountain’s forests.
MORNING
Luray Caverns
About 40 minutes north of Massanutten, descend into the ancient Luray Caverns, where erosion from underground rivers and acidic water formed hulking limestone formations that occupy vast subterranean rooms. A self-guided tour of the caverns’ 64 acres — where the temperature hovers at 54 degrees year-round — reveals Dream Lake, a pool of shallow water that forms an optical illusion with its crystal-clear reflection of the pointy ceiling. In Giant’s Hall, the 47-foot Double Column is the tallest formation in the caverns, formed by a stalactite (hanging from the ceiling) and a stalagmite (extending up from the floor) joining together. Back above ground, check out the Car & Carriage Caravan Museum. The collection of 140 restored vehicles — motorized and otherwise — are all in running condition, including an 1897 Mercedes-Benz. And before you return to your daily life, escape just one more time into The Garden Maze to see how quickly you can solve the 8-foot-tall, 1,500-hedge labyrinth.
As the hours of your vacation begin to dwindle, abscond with your clubs onto one of Massanutten Resort’s golf courses. The wide-open fairways at Woodstone Meadows Golf Course make its 18 holes friendly for beginners and seasoned players looking to go low. The forested Mountain Greens Golf Course offers more of a challenge, but five par-5 holes give big hitters the chance to make up some strokes. Then there’s FlingGolf, a variation of the game that requires only a single club that players use to hurl their ball down the fairway as if they’re playing lacrosse. Rent yours at the pro shop before hitting the links. If you’d rather soak up every last droplet of vacation relaxation, book a massage or facial at the Spa at Massanutten. The Massanutten Signature Massage eases tension and stress out of your body before you sit in the dry sauna, which uses infrared light to exclusively heat your body — no steam needed.
Shenandoah National Park is 100 miles wide, and its fall foliage can peak at different times thanks to varying elevation and weather conditions. A view from above is the most reliable way to see kaleidoscopic color.
Getting answers about your club benefits is easy: just ask! Arm yourself with advice from RCI’s expert Travel Guides so you can travel smoothly — and memorably.
Why should a member book a hotel through RCI?
RCI members can utilize over 600,000 hotel stays around the world! Whether it’s a last-minute trip, weekend getaway, celebrating an anniversary or holiday — RCI offers discounts on hotels, plus the ability to use cash + currency for additional savings. If a member can find a hotel for less elsewhere, we will match the price with our Best Price Guarantee, which makes sure our members get the best deal.
Share your travel stories or ask a question of the rci team
share your story
— Ceira Sargent, RCI Travel Guide Since 2022
— John Absalom, RCI Travel Guide since 2016
Working with an RCI Travel Guide is a valuable resource when looking to plan your next dream vacation. Travel Guides have unique knowledge about resorts. We’re able to review your account for special promotions and deals that you might not even be aware of. We provide stress-free planning! With our expertise, you’re able to enjoy the planning process, knowing that all details are taken care of.
What are the advantages of leveraging Travel Guides when a member is planning a vacation?
— Abby Wright, RCI Travel Guide since 2021
By depositing your week early into RCI, you maximize your Trading Power and open up more vacation options. Depositing your home week unlocks access to over 4,200 resorts worldwide, creating unforgettable memories and new experiences. Also, depositing your week helps other members book into new locations since RCI’s inventory relies on contributions from members like you.
Why should I deposit my week with RCI?
Study up on these vacation planning tips. We promise there won't be a pop quiz later, but you'll be better equipped to make even MORE out of that getaway you've been dreaming about.
Book Early
It pays to plan ahead. The sooner you start, the better prepared you’ll be to book your top choice when the opportunity arises. The sweet spot for most trips? Ten months to one year in advance.
Browse Featured Destinations
Your 2025 forecast: sunny with a chance of travel. Check out the Featured Destinations section of RCl.com to find your next vacation spot.
10 - 12 MONTHS
Looking to book more spontaneous getaways or a big vacation in 2025? Use these handy holiday and planning calendars to pick out your ideal travel dates.
Check the Calendar
Travel has been RCI’s domain since 1974, and it has a wealth of tips and resources. Once your travel is booked, read current and past issues of for more things to see, for more things to see, do, and eat in your destination.
Get Inspired
RCI Magazine
Calendars
Yellow trolleys clang throughout the medieval district of Alfama, one of Lisbon’s oldest, steepest, and most picturesque neighborhoods. Give your legs a rest and climb aboard Tram 28 to wind through the neighborhood on your way up to Castelo de São Jorge and the Miradouro da Graça, both of which offer panoramic views of Lisbon and the Tagus River. By day, enjoy the street art and the Museu do Fado (Fado Museum), which pays tribute to the melancholy folk music. By night, retreat to a cozy restaurant like Boca D'Uva to share wine, codfish, and, depending on the night, a Fado serenade.
If the chiming trolleys, tile-adorned buildings, and soulful Fado music don’t have you swooning over the idea of exploring the City of Seven Hills, the rich history and bountiful food scene awaiting you in Lisbon, Portugal, surely will. Ahead, discover how to make the most of your time in and around the city.
Until the 1990s, this waterfront neighborhood was almost exclusively residential and industrial. But about 30 years ago, restaurants, shops, museums, and artist spaces started emerging around the main square, Largo do Calvário, and at the foot of the Golden Gate Bridge look-alike Ponte 25 de Abril. Lx Factory is a once-abandoned textile precinct that buzzes with eclectic energy. Shop for ceramic souvenirs, artwork, or clothing throughout this creative complex, or simply admire its street art and sculptures. Don’t miss Ler Devagar, a two-story print shop turned into a quirky, beautiful bookstore.
Many tourists make a pilgrimage to this Tagus River-adjacent area for egg custard tarts at the famous Pastéis de Belém – and there’s much more to explore. By the bakery, the Jerónimos Monastery is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and masterpiece of Portuguese architecture built during the Age of Discoveries. Several nearby landmarks also tip a cap to the importance of Lisbon’s waterways throughout history, including the 184-foot, sailboat-shaped Padrão dos Descobrimentos and Torre de Belém, an intricately carved defense tower that became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983. Witness even more history inside the Museu de Marinha (Maritime Museum), which is home to more than 17,000 items with naval significance, ranging from model ships to a wooden figurine that reportedly sailed to India alongside Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama. TIP: Make MORE memories. During your time in Lisbon, consider purchasing a Lisboa Card for free or discounted transportation and museum tickets, plus fast-track entrance at cultural attractions.
No, you’re not dreaming. This spellbinding mountain town is real — and it’s really close to Lisbon: just 30 minutes by car and 50 minutes by train. The main draw of a day trip to Sintra is its rich and architecturally varied collection of castles, including the cloud-cloaked Palácio Nacional da Pena, Romanticism-era Palácio de Monserrate, Castelo dos Mouros (Moorish castle), and the intricate Quinta da Regaleira. Skip the lines and beat the crowds by purchasing tickets online in advance. That way, you’ll have time to channel your inner royal in the castles, then tuck into seared scallops with passion fruit risotto at Incomum.
Life’s a beach in Cascais, a mere 30-minute drive or hour train ride from Lisbon. This Portuguese Riviera destination is casual and carefree, and its golden beaches, rugged cliffs, and shimmering clear waters are an inviting contrast to Lisbon’s dense neighborhoods. If it’s a warm day, take a dip in the Atlantic Ocean at the popular Praia da Rainha beach, or unwind with a heaping serving of homemade gelado from Santini in the Centro Historico district. The museum quarter includes 13 museums, heritage sites, and homes. At Museu Condes de Castro Guimarães, get a glimpse of noble life in the early 1900s. The mansion-turned-museum is filled with art, a stately pipe organ, intricately carved furnishings, and fascinating artifacts. Across the road, Casa de Santa Maria is another former residence that can also be explored. Before you return to Lisbon, visit the Farol Museu de Santa Marta next door and climb to the top for sweeping views of Cascais Bay.
Street Eats
Consider this your culinary bucket list for an authentic taste of Portugal.
These tiny but mighty fish are a mild, salty staple in Portuguese culture. Try them tinned or grilled.
Sardines
Fuel up with this classic Portuguese sandwich, stuffed with thin slices of marinated pork, then topped with mustard and fiery chile sauce.
Bifanas
End on a sweet note Portugal’s most famous pastry: an egg custard tart dusted with cinnamon.
Pastéis de Nata
Stay connected while savoring Portugal with these plan-ahead strategies. Pack a power adapter that works in C/F outlets. Invest in a portable hot spot or an international SIM card if your cell plan doesn’t include international service. Take any essential maps and travel plans “offline” to download them to your device.
TRAVEL GUIDE TECH TIPS
CAPTION GOES HERE
Want to cover MORE ground in Portugal? Plan ahead for 2025 and get exclusive access to Exchange Vacations℠ at select resorts in Algarve, Portugal's southernmost province.
