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“Darecations” (dare + vacations) are having a moment — test your nerve or choose something tamer at these spots.
With the Blue Mountain rising in the background and the Georgian Bay at your feet, Living Waters Resort in Collingwood, Ontario, is a four-season playground made for getting outside. As the weather warms, slow your pace and let a truly memorable adventure take shape.
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From Orlando to Myrtle Beach and beyond, Holiday Inn Club Vacations® gives you the resort-style fun you want and the comforts of home you need. Splash, explore, unwind — then settle into a spacious villa with dedicated living spaces designed for relaxing together.
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For the Thrill of It > Living Water Resort > Southwest Flair in Sedona > Beyond the Strip in Vegas > Build Your Perfect Cruise >
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A Natural Napa Getaway > Dear RCI > Spring Forward into Vacation Planning > International Travel Made Simple with All-Inclusive Vacations >
RCI Magazine is published quarterly by RCI. ©2026 RCI, LLC. All rights reserved. CORPORATE OFFICE 501 W. Church St., Orlando, FL 32805 EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Kylee Krizmanic PROJECT EDITOR Allison Vancura GRAPHIC DESIGNERS Ruby Pierce, Maddy Lickteig CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Jamie Ballard, Lisa A. Beach, Austin Cannon, Kathryn Streeter, Gary Thompson, Karla Walsh COPY EDITOR Diane Penningroth RCI EDITORIAL TEAM Anna Reinert, Karen Johnson, 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.
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At the start of a new year, many of us delight in the simple act of looking ahead. Our thoughts naturally shift to where we’ll go next, who we’ll share the journey with, and how discovering somewhere new will make us feel. Throughout this issue, you’ll find themes of discovery and rediscovery — the joy of returning to a favorite place, the spark of surprise, and the beauty of finding something new each time. Every journey, even a familiar one, has the power to feel fresh again. At RCI, we’ve always believed in traveling right alongside you. To us, travel is about finding those unforgettable moments — the excursions that meet you right where you are in life and turn simple days into lasting memories. Every milestone, every new season, every flip of the calendar is a reason to celebrate. And whenever you’re ready to make it special, we’re here as your one-stop travel partner, ready to bring it all together with ease. Today’s travelers seek greater variety and freedom. As our travel community grows, so does our portfolio of destinations and experiences, ensuring your RCI membership opens more doors than ever before. From cruises and all-inclusive escapes to thoughtfully curated travel packages, every option is designed to make traveling easy, flexible, and inspiring. With RCI, you’re never limited to one kind of vacation or way to travel the world. And because planning should feel just as exciting as the trip itself, we see our role as your trusted guide. Our travel guides and tools make planning easier and let you focus on what matters most: the experience itself. Here’s to making more dots on the map — together.
When you’re ready for a spring break, Sedona’s invitation awaits. If you’re craving something elevated or casual, savory or sweet, you’ll find it here — sometimes with an otherworldly landscape as a backdrop.
Think you know Vegas? If casinos alone come to mind, it’s worth reconsidering. Outside the Strip's sizzling enticements, there’s a world of nature, food, and culture waiting to be discovered.
The allure of a cruise vacation is hard to resist: first-class dining, can’t-miss entertainment, and sun-soaked relaxation all while traveling to unforgettable destinations.
Harvest season might get more glory in wine country, but the best time to visit Napa may just be spring. This ultimate weekend itinerary showcases why — and can help you experience a taste of the good life, too.
Booking an international trip is super-easy when you tap the superpowers of AI — all-inclusives. These resort heroes rescue you from the clutches of villainous details, freeing you to simply enjoy your stay.
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Amy Lipka SVP, RCI Business Development, Travel, and Marketing - North America
Oh, the Travel
Possibilities!
The South Fork of California's American River delivers heart-thumping Class III whitewater that winds through sun-dappled granite canyons. Here, rafters paddle hard through rapids, laugh harder between splashes, cool off with cliff jumps into deep pools, and end the day swapping stories around the campfire. Outfitters like OARS and All-Outdoors guide runs for every skill level, with half-day adventures starting around $120. Drawn to calmer waters? Take a sunset cruise across Lake Tahoe instead, where the same Sierra scenery unfolds without the spray, and you can enjoy a glass of wine as you glide across tranquil waters.
This year's hottest travel trend? Darecations — adrenaline-fueled getaways that trade lazy beach days for white-knuckle adventures. Explore underground with lanterns, paddle through whitewater waves, and hang on during thrilling roller coasters on these trips that prove the joy in pushing limits (just a little).
Ride the darecation wave and find your next thrill with RCI.
Let's Go!
Let's go!
At Marvel Cave in Branson, the 90-minute Marvel Cave Lantern Tour trades bright electric lights for handheld lanterns as costumed guides lead small groups deep underground. While the regular tour showcases the vast Cathedral Room about 300 feet below the surface, the lantern tour feels more intimate and adventurous, continuing through shadowy passageways into areas, like the Mammoth Room, before a cable train carries you back toward daylight. Prefer to wander above ground? Stroll through time in Silver Dollar City. In this 1880s-themed park, talented glassblowers, blacksmiths, and candlemakers demonstrate traditional Ozark heritage with every handcrafted piece.
Universal Epic Universe's Dark Universe turns fright into fun with supernatural twists that plunge you into fog-shrouded encounters with Werewolf and Frankenstein in Orlando's most immersive thrill zone yet. These modern delights cloaked in cinematic legend deliver pulse-pounding coasters where monsters emerge from shadows and screams echo through Gothic halls. It's terrifying in the moment, exhilarating when it's over. Magic without mayhem? Step into the nearby The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™ — Ministry of Magic™, where the magical community welcomes you to a spellbinding day of wizardry, fantastic beasts, and wonder. You’ll arrive in 1920s Paris, then board the Métro-Floo, which transports you to the 1990s for adventures with your favorite wizarding trio (Harry, Ron, and Hermione, of course).
Plan Your Trip
Every stay at Living Water Resort is uniquely yours. Spend the morning swinging from the tee box, then unwind with a luxurious spa treatment and a relaxed dinner at the on-site restaurant. Answer the call of Blue Mountain with easy access to hiking and biking trails that feel worlds away from everyday life. Kids can dive into fun with dedicated programs and aquatic adventures, while parents relax knowing there’s something for everyone. And when the day draws to a close, gather by the water to watch the sun slip below the horizon.
explore now
Embrace your outdoorsy side at this natural playground.
Location: Ontario, Canada – about a two-hour drive north of Toronto Airport: Toronto Pearson International Airport Units Available: Choose from a studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom units Resort Highlights: 18-hole golf course, tennis courts, indoor pool, outdoor pool, spa, sauna, marina, fitness center Seasonal Programming and Activities: Mountain biking, hiking, caving, water sports
Resort Spotlight
AT A GLANCE
First up, grab breakfast at The Secret Garden Cafe at Tlaquepaque, a charming spot with a shaded patio that’s surrounded by thriving greenery. Locals recommend ordering the breakfast burrito and a Sedona Sunrise, a glass of champagne with a splash of raspberry liqueur. If you can’t make it until later in the day, don’t fret: The Secret Garden Cafe also has excellent lunch and dinner menus. From your patio table at Mariposa, you’ll struggle to tear your eyes away from the dramatic desert landscape to admire the Latin-inspired dishes before you. The patio opens up to vast red cliffsides that radiate every day at golden hour. On your plate, dine on skirt steak topped with chimichurri or wild Chilean sea bass tacos. No visit to Sedona is complete without at least one meal at The Hudson. Both the patio and the airy dining room offer incredible views of the fiery rock formations and vibrant green foliage the area is known for. And after a day of hiking, nothing tastes better than a dry-aged ribeye topped with herb butter — except maybe the barbecue braised pork tacos.
Take in Sedona’s famed red rocks and picturesque patios while you eat.
Take a bite out of Sedona’s sprawling culinary scene on your next visit.
Kick off (or conclude) your day of Sedona adventures at Wildflower, a family-friendly restaurant and bakery. If you’re in the mood for something sweet, the blueberry sour cream muffin is the perfect start to the day. But if you’d prefer something savory, try the hash brown potatoes with jalapeños and cheddar. For lunch or dinner, choose from a bevy of sandwiches, soups, and hearty pasta dishes. Elote Cafe is the spot to go for top-notch Southwestern and Mexican cuisine in Sedona. Start with the eponymous elote (fire-roasted corn topped with spicy mayo, lime, and Cotija cheese), then try the smoked brisket enchiladas or the lamb adobo. If you can find room for dessert, the Mexican chocolate pie is wonderful, especially if you wash it down with a bit of the restaurant’s almond-infused tequila. Sedona Beer Company has two locations in Sedona, and you’ll have a great time at either one. The beers at this woman-owned brewery have amusing names like Unsupervised Children (a hazy IPA) and Haterade Tahitian Punch (a kettle sour), and they’re wildly refreshing after a day in the Arizona sun. Pair your brew with loaded fries or tots, chicken wings, tacos, or other laid-back fare.
Grab a hearty meal or sip a craft brew with the locals.
Begin the day with something sweet from Sedonuts and Coffee. The creative menu includes several nods to the area, with options like Glazed Red Rock and Mini Vortex, along with classic options like chocolate and maple doughnuts. Unlike many doughnut shops, you can sample gluten-friendly options here. Of course, frosted treats are only half the name, so make sure you grab a cup of locally roasted coffee as well. When it’s time to cool off, head to La Michoacana Dulce Passion for ice cream and aguas frescas. The treats here are inspired by the traditions of Michoacán, Mexico, the ancestral home of the eatery’s owners, the Becerra family. Visitors can enjoy fresh ice cream and handmade paletas made with ingredients like guava and mamey (a sweet, nutty fruit). For a true gastronomic experience, stop into Living Chocolate. The shop regularly offers cacao classes, where visitors can taste the fresh cacao fruit and learn more about the process of making it into a bar. If you don’t have time for a class, you should still swing by to sample the handmade chocolate truffles, bars, mousses, and other delicious (and surprisingly healthy) treats on offer.
You’re on vacation — indulge that sweet tooth!
In Vegas’ backyard, find some of Mother Nature’s best artwork in America’s most beloved parks. Just 17 miles beyond the neon lights, experience Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area and its burnt orange sandstone cliffs and Joshua trees from a hiking trail or a 13-mile scenic loop drive. Get an early jump from your Vegas base and drive to Death Valley National Park (about two hours) — the hottest place on Earth and home to eerie, primordial landscapes, including the dazzling white salt flats of Badwater Basin and the wrinkled badlands of Zabriskie Point. Bucket-list Zion National Park, just two-and-a-half hours from the Strip’s nonstop hum, stuns with dramatic canyon walls and popular hikes, such as Angels Landing and The Narrows. Each park accepts America the Beautiful passes or charges $20 to $35 for entry. Families and thrill-seekers alike will find their pace on leisurely trail walks, scenic drives, challenging hikes, and daring climbs.
On and off the Strip, Las Vegas brings its A-game — where will you play first?
Off the 4-mile casino corridor lies the $2.3 billion venue, Sphere — a massive, 366-foot-high dome. It entertains 17,600 guests with immersive films and concerts for all ages. Wraparound LED screens, speakers, and high-tech haptic seats complete an exhilarating 4D sensory experience. A couple miles farther is the mind-bending Infinity Museum, anchored by seven rooms intent on toying with perception using mirrors and innovative technology. Four Seasons, a 360-degree experience, ushers you through the seasons as you stroll, while the mirrored geometric 12-faced dodecahedron exhibit playfully splinters your image into countless fragments. Teasing the notion of reality, Museum of Illusions in Las Vegas is the largest in the franchise and has exclusive installations. Enveloped by a rotating cylinder, expect mind-bending, deceptive movement on the bridge in The Vortex Tunnel. The newly redesigned Building Illusion brings to life Vegas themes like its famous diamond-shaped sign, architecture, and skyline — Instagram gold.
Swap resort food for creative cuisine in local neighborhoods. Chinatown, just west of the Strip, is a 3-mile stretch of dining establishments, karaoke bars, and Asian markets. Acclaimed restaurant Sparrow + Wolf has a chef-driven, seasonal menu blending American and global flavors in golden tilefish pibil and dry-aged bluefin tuna. Five miles north is the vibrant Arts District. The main drag hums with breweries, First Friday art walks, and terrific fare. Make renowned Italian restaurant Esther’s Kitchen a priority. Helmed by a James Beard-nominated chef, it satiates foodies with chitarra cacio e pepe (pasta with cheese and pepper) and sourdough bread with a cannellini bean puree. With its tree-lined streets and 1940s homes, the Historic Huntridge neighborhood feels approachable and family-oriented. Shops and restaurants are clustered along East Charleston Boulevard, with award-winning Yukon Pizza drawing loyal locals. (It won first place in the non-traditional pizza category of the 2024 International Pizza Challenge.) The magic starts with the heirloom crust made from the family’s sourdough starter (more than 125 years old) to create favorites, such as Grandpa White and The Stewart — a slam-dunk for meat-lovers.
As the weather warms, the Sphere concert venue explodes with colorful performances. Sway with country superstar Kenny Chesney performing, “No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problems,” — or jam with legendary 90s band Phish. Most of all, don’t miss Sphere’s first-ever female headliner, rockstar Gwen Stefani of the reunited group No Doubt, bringing dance-happy retro music.
Sphere Shows Worth Flagging
The Grandview at Las Vegas
plan your stay
The allure of a cruise vacation is hard to resist: first-class dining, can’t-miss entertainment, and sun-soaked relaxation all while traveling to unforgettable destinations. The best part? You’ll enjoy rates reserved for RCI members and continue earning loyalty perks with your favorite cruise lines. But first, let’s find your dream voyage.
Ready to sail off into the sunset? RCI has a cruise for you.
Caribbean
3 nights
5 nights
7 nights
How long is your perfect cruise?
build your perfect cruise
Question 01
Western Caribbean
Eastern Caribbean
Where are you going?
Question 02
Waterpark
Spa
What on-board activities do you choose?
Question 03
Shopping
Relaxation
Live Entertainment
Private Island lounging
Snorkeling
Historic tours
Beach Time
Question 04
What activities will you choose at port?
A Caribbean cruise is for you if you …
- Have an epic collection of sun hats - Hate wearing closed-toe shoes - Use any excuse to go to the beach - Love a tropical cocktail
A warm escape to the tropics beckons. Drift through the western reaches of the Caribbean for five nights aboard Carnival’s Carnival Breeze, stopping at Cozumel’s white-sand beaches and Progreso’s Mayan ruins along the Mexican coast. At sea, take a few exhilarating trips down the 320-foot Twister Waterslide at the on-board water park. Or relax in the suspended catamaran net atop Virgin Voyages’ Resilient Lady as you cruise from Miami to the Bahamas during a four-night trip. Need a full week to reset? Holland America’s Zuiderdam spends seven nights bopping around the Caribbean, docking in Turks and Caicos, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and The Bahamas. While on board, enjoy a duty-free shopping spree or catch one of the ship’s live bands.
Find Your Cruise
Start Over
Where do you want to go?
Alaska
Europe
Train Rides
Whale Watching
National Parks
Historic Downtowns
Glacier Gazing
14 nights
9 nights
Embrace the natural side of cruising on a voyage along The Last Frontier’s southern coast, home to vast glaciers, salmon-hunting bears, and breaching whales. Aboard Royal Caribbean’s Serenade of the Seas, sit back on a seven-night cruise through Alaska’s Inside Passage, a 500-mile string of islands, fjords, and glaciers along the Pacific Ocean coast. (Pro tip: You can still enjoy the dramatic coastline through the glass windows of the Solarium, the ship’s adults-only pool and lounge area.) On its eight-day Inside Passage cruises, Seabourn offers luxurious amenities on its smaller ships, like Seabourn Encore, so you can relax with a massage or facial at the spa when you’re not looking out over Glacier Bay National Park or Icy Strait Point. If you want to prolong your Alaskan adventure as much as you can, Princess Cruises’ Island Princess will spend 14 nights along the coast, voyaging all the way to Whittier, Alaska, where you can book a wildlife cruise on the Prince William Sound.
- Love a little chill in the air - Try to see as much wildlife as possible - Have a screensaver that features panoramic mountain views - Prefer a more laid-back atmosphere
An Alaskan cruise is for you if you …
Beach Relaxation
World-class museums
International dining
Historic sightseeing
Greece
12 nights
10 nights
A European cruise connects some of the world's most storied and spectacular vacation destinations. In the Mediterranean Sea, Royal Caribbean’s Odyssey of the Seas stops at cities in Italy, Greece, and Turkey during its seven-night voyage. On its top deck, a large arm extends the North Star observation deck skyward, where you can spot shore from more than 300 feet above the sea. Celebrity Equinox, from Celebrity Cruises, spends nine nights bopping around port cities in Spain and Portugal—with a bonus stop in Morocco. For a surreal onboard experience, grab a drink at the The Retreat Sundeck, where you can also take a dip in the sunny pool or hot tub. If you’d rather explore Europe’s northern waters, Celebrity also offers a 12-night cruise aboard Celebrity Eclipse that departs from Amsterdam before sailing to Ireland and Great Britain.
- Want to see multiple countries in a single trip - Dream of an afternoon at a sidewalk cafe - Love historic art and architecture - Still want some beach time
A European cruise is for you if you …
Vancouver, British Columbia
San Francisco
Seattle
Juneau, Alaska
Italy
Spain
Great Britain
France
itinerary
Napa Valley’s Mediterranean climate shines in spring, when warmer temps and sunshine encourage buds to bloom across sweeping vineyards and in the flower beds sprinkled in between. Ease into your long weekend with an alfresco brunch at a laid-back local favorite: Kitchen Door. Here, you can pair your coffee with a bacon-and-fried egg cheeseburger with wine-stewed onions, which offers a fantastic foundation for an active day ahead. Come afternoon, grab a helmet and gear up for a bike ride on the Napa Valley Vine Trail. The 12-mile Napa to Yountville route is an ideal way to get a lay of the land while considering your potential tasting locations. Prefer a little boost? Start at Napa Valley eBikes to rent a ride with an electric assist. Post-ride, call a car service to whisk you away to the most appealing winery you witnessed. (Unsure of where to start? Music-lovers and cab-cravers can’t miss Cliff Lede Vineyards. Bubbles fans will delight in time at Domaine Chandon.) By now, you might be ready for a snack. Stop into Theda’s Ice Creamery for a cone filled with Guinness Chocolate Cake, Salted Caramel Cold Brew, or your favorite classic ice cream flavor, all made in small batches with local ingredients. Try a single-flavor cone, or treat yourself to a different kind of flight, with your choice of four mini scoops in a handy drip-catching caddy. Then it’s time to head back to your lodging to settle in, shower, and spiff up for dinner. Your reservation awaits at Charlie’s, a globally inspired restaurant helmed by Elliot Bell. Not only is Bell a chef with Michelin experience, but he also moonlights as a volunteer firefighter with St. Helena Fire Department. His homemade Hawaiian rolls and roasted beer-can chicken are too tempting to skip.
Start your day like a local by swinging by the weekly Napa Farmers Market. Hosted rain or shine every Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon in the heart of downtown, a stroll through the stalls will introduce you to dozens of individuals who help make this one of the most delicious regions in America. Scattered between stands with fresh fruit, flowers, and pastries (snag one for a light breakfast!), you’ll spy some solid souvenir options, including local nuts, olive oil, chocolate truffles, coffee, and tea. At lunchtime, make the pilgrimage to Gott’s Roadside. For the past 27 years, this James Beard Award-winning diner slings burgers, dogs, fries, and so much more. In the mood for soup, salad, or tacos? They’ve got you covered. And you can wash it down with a milkshake, root beer float, or glass of wine. When in Napa! An afternoon of serenity awaits at the spa at Indian Springs Calistoga. Leave your worries at the door as you immerse yourself in the pure mineral water-infused mud bath ritual before savoring a massage, facial, or sound bath. Now that you’ve unlocked a new level of zen, ease your way over to Bistro Don Giovanni for a leisurely dinner with many ingredients grown in the chef’s garden on the restaurant’s grounds. Split a salad, pasta course (the handmade handkerchief pasta with Genovese pesto screams “spring”), and a pizza while watching the sun go down from your table on the expansive outdoor patio.
Vino Bello Resort
It’s worth waking up before dawn on your final day in town to meet the shuttle that will whisk you away to a field for a hot-air balloon flight with Napa Valley Aloft. The pilot will have warm drinks and pastries available on arrival. As the sun crests over the horizon, you’ll take off for an hour-long ride with a bird’s-eye view of the vineyards. From this perspective, you can also witness Mount Saint Helena, the Mayacamas Mountains, and the Vaca Mountains, all of which play crucial roles in the climate that helps grapes thrive in the valley. After regaining your footing, end the trip in style with a patio brunch at The Grove Restaurant at Copia. Located within the grounds of The Culinary Institute of America, the mimosas and Bloody Marys go down easy, as do the seasonal strata and the sourdough-and-semolina pancakes with Mascarpone crema.
Say Sayonara from San Francisco
By car, San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is about an hour-and-a-half from Napa. Commute from wine country nice and early so you need not rush or sweat about any potential traffic — and so you can spend some time with Mother Nature before you take off. You could fill an entire itinerary with outdoor activities in the Bay Area, but if you have just an hour or two, make a sojourn to Steiner Street to witness the seven colorful Victorian homes known as the Painted Ladies. With the impressive San Francisco skyline as the backdrop — and verdant Alamo Square Park in front — this iconic photo op is worth capturing before leaving town.
RiverPointe Napa Valley
Embrace spring blooms and indulgent pauses on your next visit to Napa.
San Francisco & Napa Valley
7 NIGHT PACKAGE
How can we elevate our trip with standout experiences while getting the most from our investment?
Travel packages are a great way to find value for your money and to see the main highlights of top destinations. With the accommodation and tickets at a single price, things are easy to budget while having fun! Also, not every meal needs to be a fancy sit-down restaurant. Instead, try quick options like street food/food trucks or even packing a lunch for your day outside of the resort. If you are looking for an all-inclusive resort, consider your priorities. Do you travel to see the culture locally or to relax? Are you going to be by the pool or do you plan to go golf? This will help you with finding the best option for your vacation.
Getting answers about your benefits is easy: just ask! Arm yourself with advice from RCI’s expert Travel Guides so you can travel smoothly — and memorably.
Share your travel stories or ask a question of the rci team.
share your story
— Heather Hunter, Travel Guide
Orlando truly offers much more than theme parks, and the key to planning a trip that is fun, relaxing, and memorable for all ages is choosing accommodations that provide variety and flexibility. A resort such as Holiday Inn Orange Lake is a great example because it functions as a destination itself. With seven pools, a lazy river, an 80-acre beach area with water sports, four golf courses, multiple restaurants, and family activities, guests can enjoy full days on property without feeling rushed. Planning a mix of resort days and exploration days allows travelers of all ages to stay engaged while still having time to unwind.
Orlando has so much to do and see. How can we plan a trip that’s fun, relaxing, and memorable for all ages?
— Samantha Pardue, Travel Guide
The idea of unpacking once and discovering a new destination each day is one of the reasons cruises are so appealing. Cruises offer built-in convenience with accommodations, dining, and transportation handled for you. However, travelers can also create a similar experience on land by choosing a central home base and exploring surrounding destinations through day trips. Both styles of travel offer excellent value, and the best option ultimately depends on how structured or flexible a traveler prefers their vacation to be.
What makes a cruise the perfect vacation?
For travel-lovers, there's no better feeling than having a vacation on the calendar. Even if summer and fall feel far away, now’s the perfect time to turn "someday" into an exciting (real!) getaway using these savvy strategies. Your future self will thank you.
Let's Go
Start planning your getaway today.
Start Now
Summer and fall are weeks in the future, but planning early gives you a head start on crafting your best-ever girls trip to Las Vegas or that romantic retreat to Massanutten, Virginia. Now is the time to gather potential dates, fire up the group chat, and submit that PTO request.
Look Back in Time
Timing a trip to coincide with breathtaking night-sky constellations over northern Michigan, changing leaves in New England, and pristine powder on Colorado's ski slopes isn't an easy feat. (Unpredictability is in Mother Nature's, well, nature.) To give yourself the best chance at witnessing the wonders you seek, peruse social media posts from previous years to find out when they’ve occurred in the past.
Leverage Your Benefits
RCI Points and Weeks members have several different ways to maximize their benefits to create the best vacation possible. For instance, the earlier Weeks members deposit their week, the more Trading Power they can unlock. Points members, meanwhile, have the option to borrow Points from their upcoming Use Year and apply them towards this year’s adventure.
RCI Member Tip
Click to Reveal
The joy of traveling well begins with the right planning. So leave it to the experts. A trusted RCI Travel Guide can help allocate your points or weeks efficiently, and they’re available seven days a week by phone, email, or online chat. Find your vacation helper here.
Work with a Travel Guide
Fall Break Destinations
If you'd like a fall escape, but don't know where to go, let us help. Hiking, beach time, or a rollicking good time: Let these ideas inspire your crew's fall escape.
For leaf-peeping:
Conway, New Hampshire
Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
For the last beach trip of the year:
Avon, Colorado
For getting a jump on ski season:
Orlando, Florida
For cooler temps at theme parks:
Fredericksburg, Texas
For an authentic Octoberfest:
Cancún didn’t invent the all-inclusive resort, but it has perfected the concept. This storied spot in southeastern Mexico is ideal for a first-time foray into the all-inclusive fold. It’s a place to soak up sun, history, and breathtaking beauty. By day, relax on sublime beaches and marvel at ancient Mayan ruins — Chichén Itzá archaeological site is one of the world’s new Seven Wonders. Pyramid-like El Castillo, a Mayan structure with a temple at its top, is now a Yucatán peninsula landmark. The Tulum ruins, along the Riviera Maya, rise from a cliff overlooking the sea. At night, surrender to the rhythms at Coco Bongo, Cancún’s number-one nightspot, a sensory smorgasbord of live bands, acrobats, conga lines, soap bubbles, and confetti. For a lower volume and slower tempo, ferry to Isla Mujeres (Island of Women), an oasis of calm known for pristine beaches and plentiful marine life. All-inclusive Hard Rock Hotel Cancun makes it easy to appreciate Cancún’s beauty and beats. Located in the Hotel Zone, a blissful barrier island that’s shaped like a 7, the resort offers a white-sand beachfront and ocean views, plus multiple pools with swim-up bars. If you want to be treated like a rock star, splurge on a beachside suite with a hydro spa tub, private balcony, and champagne service in the sand. Multiple on-site restaurants serve not only authentic Mexican cuisine, but also Argentinean, Asian, Italian, and brick-oven pizza. The Rock Spa’s Rhythm and Motion treatment is a synchronized mashup of massage, music playlists, and sound vibrations.
With its clear Caribbean waters and proximity to the world’s second-largest barrier reef system, the island of Cozumel — off the northeast coast of the Yucatán Peninsula — is renowned for scuba diving and snorkeling. Chartering a boat ride is one of the best ways to get oriented, and with a glass-bottom vessel, you don’t have to get wet to see the coral reefs. More excellent Caribbean views await at all-inclusive Grand Park Royal Cozumel — wake up with coffee or breakfast on your private balcony while gazing at the turquoise sea (and a cruise ship or two). The resort is just five minutes from downtown bustle, yet its Mayan-style architecture makes you feel farther away — and closer to the culture. Dig deeper into Mayan history at Punta Sur Eco Park, on Cozumel’s southern tip, where a restored lighthouse-museum stands near ancient ruins. It’s a shorter journey to the resort’s beach — a private underpass leads from the hotel gardens to a secluded swath of white sand by a small bay. The protected water is ideal for swimmers and beginning snorkelers. You can also take a dip in two oceanfront pools (one with an infinity design) and two oceanfront whirlpools. For a different kind of liquid refreshment, head back to the resort and swim up to the beachfront bar, The Blue Marlin, one of five on-site lounges. The resort’s culinary scene bubbles with four restaurants, including El Caribeño, which overlooks the water. Follow dinner with live entertainment at an open-air amphitheater by the main pool and gardens.
Have a whale of a time in this paradise at the southern tip of Mexico’s Baja Peninsula — from December through April, humpback and gray whales migrate to the region’s warm Pacific Ocean waters, creating one of nature’s most unforgettable spectacles as they breach just offshore. Other memorable experiences await year-round in Los Cabos (The Capes), where desert and ocean converge amid an aura of luxury. Before Cancun and Cozumel popularized Mexico’s Caribbean side, the country’s west coast wowed visitors with dramatic shorelines, thrilling adventures, and deep cultural roots. It still does. Case in point: Land’s End, a spellbinding series of rock formations where the Pacific and the Sea of Cortez meet. Take a water taxi or boat tour to the landmark, which is especially stunning at sunset. You might even spot sea lions hanging out nearby. The region’s best-known city is Cabo San Lucas, home to a busy marina, vibrant nightlife, and lively Medano Beach. Less famous San José del Cabo is a charming, artsy town of galleries and historical streets. Roughly halfway between the two stands Paradisus Los Cabos, a recently renovated, adults-only resort on a picturesque beach with Sea of Cortez views. If seven restaurants and seven bars (including swim-up and beach versions) don’t make you feel lucky enough, one of the eateries, Gastro Bar, is led by chef Martín Berasategui, who has earned multiple Michelin Stars. And the resort’s beach, Playa Bledito, is one of the area’s few safely swimmable beaches. Locals call it Tequila Cove.
The Dominican Republic may be only the second-largest Caribbean country, and on the Caribbean’s second-largest island (Hispaniola), but its beaches are second to none. The epicenter of sandy ecstasy is Punta Cana, a town with one of the region’s longest white-sand coastlines. The sugary surface is so soft and perfect, it almost seems fake. It’s not — we wouldn’t lie about it. But you’ll want to lie on it, plus swim, fish, and snorkel or scuba to marine life and shipwrecks. If you’re not diving or hitting the sand, try driving and hitting around the sand traps at one of Punta Cana’s lush golf courses. Kick up some sand (or mud) on an off-road dune buggy trip, cruise on a catamaran, or relax at your all-inclusive resort. Secrets Royal Beach Punta Cana occupies more than 700 yards of palm-studded beach, its suites reflecting modern twists on colorful Caribbean decor. Lounge with drink service by the pools, including a lazy river and an infinity pool with a swim-up bar. More focused hydrotherapy awaits at Secrets Spa: Melt stress away in the sauna, steam room, and outdoor hydro tub, or indulge in massages and facials. Grand Palladium Punta Cana Resort & Spa offers direct access to idyllic Playa Bávaro, and its nearly 600 spacious and luxurious rooms beckon with whirlpool tubs and tropical garden-view terraces. Choose from 22 on-site restaurants and bars spanning a globe’s worth of cuisines and cocktails. Chic Cabaret & Restaurant pairs a sumptuous multicourse tasting menu with a cabaret show.
Chart a course for paradise and leave the planning to the pros.
One exotic, extraordinary destination. Acclaimed accommodations that exceed expectations. Exhilarating excursions that make you feel more alive than ever. When you go all-in on an all-inclusive vacation, the memorable experiences — long walks on the beach, snorkeling adventures, romantic meals, and on-site entertainment — are all taken care of upfront, letting you focus on what matters most: soaking in every moment. If you’re ready to chart a course for paradise, set your sights on these destinations in Mexico and the Caribbean.
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