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Use your membership to add more dots on the map and celebrate the holidays in true global fashion.
Go beyond typical holiday gifts with these doubly thoughtful items from philanthropic companies. Their products not only delight recipients, but also support worthy causes.
More vacations may top your list of 2025 resolutions — so why not use those getaways to improve your fitness, learn a new skill, and spend quality time with family, too? Answer a few questions about your aspirations for the new year, and we’ll recommend a destination that lets you start 2025 on the right foot.
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Dear RCI > Pro Tips for Planning Your 2025 Travel > Finland Shines Bright >
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, Gary Thompson, Karla Walsh, Kathryn Streeter 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.
From the cobblestone streets of Williamsburg to the lights of the Vegas Strip and beyond, Holiday Inn Club Vacations® offers over two dozen resorts with all the comforts you love: spacious villas, private kitchens, in-room laundry, and resort-style amenities.
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As 2024 draws to a close, let's take a moment of gratitude for travel. It gives us a chance to play, to reconnect, to check in with ourselves and our needs. Chances are, you visited your favorite places and people over the last 12 months. Maybe you even ventured farther from home, learned a new skill, or made a positive difference in your community. But if you're ready to up the ante in 2025, this Joy to the Year of More issue will make spirits bright with bucket-list inspiration (like seeing the northern lights in Finland), vacation ideas that align with your goals, and tips to make your membership go the distance. Cheers to more travel in the year ahead.
Put Thailand, Travel + Leisure’s 2025 Destination of the Year, at the top of the list for your next food-focused vacation. The vibrant capital of Bangkok is its own culinary hub, boasting flavorful soups, curries, and noodles at its streetside stalls and fine-dining establishments. Make your foray into the city’s vibrant Thai food scene with these staples.
If you’re looking for a last-minute holiday getaway, put Las Vegas on your wish list. The Entertainment Capital of the World goes all holly and jolly for the season, rolling out the red (and green) carpet with extravagant attractions that mix traditional trees, lights, ice, and snow with a few surprise packages.
Brimming with American Revolution-era charm, the town of Williamsburg, Virginia, enchants all ages through enriching yet affordable experiences like horse-drawn carriage rides, intriguing folk art, and British-inspired eats. This packed two-day itinerary blends the past and present to capture the best of Williamsburg while taking it easy on your wallet.
Finland is a study in contrasts. Endless sunshine in summer gives way to long, dark winters, especially in the country’s most northern and remote Lapland region. But winter creates a brilliant backdrop for seasonal spectacles, diverse architectural styles, and creative energy that burns bright.
Joy to the world of
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Where to Find 10 Authentic Thai Dishes on Your Next Trip to Bangkok >
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Located in the heart of Shenandoah Valley, Massanutten Resort has activities and events for every traveler and budget. Check out all that Massanutten has to offer!
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Embark on an epic journey to discover The Last Frontier. Marvel at gigantic glaciers, sail through fascinating fjords, and explore the rugged beauty of Alaska’s terrain. From whale watching to wildlife encounters, adventures abound around every turn. Best of all, book with us and sail with an exclusive up to $1,500 to spend on board.
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There’s no need to wait until December 24 for Santa to come to you. Head to Rovaniemi, Finland, which is known by locals as the official hometown of Santa Claus. Here, you can meet Santa, his elves, and even his reindeer. A handful of those cheery elves helm the main post office, where you can write a letter to your loved ones — affixed with the special Arctic Circle postmark. (Santa receives about 500,000 letters in this mailbox each year.)
RCI is your key to unlocking the world. This year, broaden your horizons while exploring new cultures, traditions, and destinations near and far. Let these six ideas inspire you.
Where to Stay
The sparkling, cozy, and joyful Christmas markets in Bavaria, Germany, are renowned for their mulled wine, stollen, and kiosks that sell handmade giftables. Nuremberg, Munich, and Rothenburg are the most well-known. For a lesser-known excursion, try romantic Treuchtlingen, Danube-adjacent Regensburg, and Passau, where you can shop with a Christkindlmarkt soundtrack courtesy of the world’s largest cathedral organ.
Visitors flock to Rockefeller Center to take in the sights in Midtown Manhattan, especially the iconic Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree come holiday season. Did you know that this evergreen, typically a Norway Spruce, towers above 75 feet? The best spot to savor the view of the beautifully decorated, larger-than-life tree is from The Rink that’s welcomed ice-skaters each winter since Christmas Day 1936. No skates? No sweat. You can rent them on-site.
All aboard, wine-lovers! Whether you’re into Chardonnay or sparkling; Sauvignon Blanc or Syrah, the Napa Valley Wine Train is the ultimate way to ensure your season is spent in good spirits. At the station, guests are greeted by carolers and Santa before departing on a journey that’s accented by a three-course meal with optional wine pairings. For a cozy and kid-friendly option, book Santa’s Cookie Car, a more casual trek that includes a cup of warm cider or cocoa, a fresh-baked cookie, and a visit from Saint Nick.
If watching sports is more your style, head to the U.K. on Boxing Day, December 26. The name harkens to an old tradition of families boxing up presents to share with those in need the day after Christmas. These days, Boxing Day is celebrated as a holiday for all but the footballers. (Perhaps it’s time to rebrand it as Dribbling Day?) In 2024, you can snag tickets to enticing Premier League matchups like Chelsea vs Fulham and Newcastle vs Aston Villa.
In France, Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve is just the beginning. After the final prayer, families head home and keep the fun going with Le Réveillon, a late-night meal of luxurious delicacies like oysters, escargot, foie gras, caviar, Champagne, and bûche de Noël (Yule log). In Provence, tradition has it that gatherings feature 13 different desserts to pay tribute to Jesus and his 12 apostles.
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Giving a hat to every child battling cancer in the United States — 45,000 beanies— was the goal of Love Your Melon, founded in 2012 by two students at Minnesota’s University of St. Thomas. Today, the apparel company has donated more than 270,000 stylish beanies and nearly $10 million. $1 per sale goes to fight pediatric cancer.
Adopting a “leave it better than you found it” mantra, Parks Project aims to preserve U.S. parklands for future generations. Partnering with the National Park Service, the company sells hip apparel and decor inspired by specific parks and uses the proceeds to fund projects in those parks. So far, they’ve contributed $2.7 million.
Starting with a Nicaraguan orphanage, Carabello Coffee has tapped profits from in-store and online sales to fund its “works of compassion.” Today, the roaster in Newport, Kentucky, assists metro Cincinnati charities, children in Kenya and Rwanda, and The Mercy Kids Foundation, which ministers to disabled youngsters in rural Nicaragua.
Matilda Sandstroem and Kelly Belknap founded Adventurist Backpack Co. to make great backpacks for under $100. But they also wanted to help feed the food-insecure people they’d met while traveling. For every bag they sell, they donate 25 meals to needy families — the number they could fit in their backpacks on hunger-fighting hikes.
Feel good and do good with premium bath products from Pacha Soap Co. The Nebraska company ethically sources natural ingredients from organic farmers, and profits bolster clean-water initiatives and small businesses, including many in Africa. Last year, Pacha helped provide free soap to 1 million vulnerable people and fresh water to 250,000 West Africans.
One of the most famous dishes in Thailand is a crispy golden omelet filled with sweet crab meat and cooked over a charcoal stove at Jay Fai — both the name of this roadside stall and nickname of its 81-year-old chef, Supinya Junsuta, who is known to make each order while rocking red lipstick and ski goggles. Her über-popular establishment was the first street-eat spot in Thailand to earn a Michelin star, so you’ll need to arrive early and prepare to wait for the wok-made goodness. NEARBY ATTRACTION: Just a little more than 1 mile to the west, The Grand Palace’s intricate buildings housed the royal family, temples, and pavilions that visitors can tour today.
Jay Fai
01
Thought to have originated in central Thailand, tom yum goong is a sour, sweet, and spicy seafood soup flavored with fragrant lemongrass and limes. At Khao, another Michelin-starred establishment in Bangkok, the clear, herb-filled soup stars large, fresh river prawns whose flavor-rich heads and aromatic shells give the recipe a distinct flavor. NEARBY ATTRACTION: The Nai Lert Park Heritage Home, less than 1 mile north of Khao’s location in the Oriental residence building, is a century-old family compound-turned-museum that chronicles three generations of the Nai Lert family.
Khao
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Minty-yet-peppery holy basil is the signature ingredient in this hearty stir-fry dish made of meat, chiles, and garlic. Head to Phed Mark for a lunchtime helping of beef or pork pad kra pao — served with a fried egg and rice — and cooked to your desired spice level. Keep in mind: “Phed” translates to “spicy” in Thai, so the three-pepper “Phed Mark” is reserved for only the brave. NEARBY ATTRACTION: Enjoy live music and a tropical cocktail with the Bangkok skyline as your backdrop at Tichuca Rooftop Bar.
Phed Mark
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With roots in centuries-old India and Persia, mild massaman curry takes it easy on your taste buds without sacrificing flavor thanks to an infusion of spices like cumin, cloves, cinnamon, and even nuts. At Michelin-rated Saneh Jaan, the rich, homemade paste is coupled with succulent beef from Northern Thailand’s San Kamphaeng district. NEARBY ATTRACTION: Lumpini Park is Bangkok’s first public park and the ideal spot for a paddleboat cruise on the water.
Saneh Jaan
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Som tum is a fruit-based salad that artfully weaves together sweet, spicy, and savory flavors — and there are many ways to customize it. Baan Somtum serves more than 30 varieties of som tum, featuring fixings like crispy pork rinds, fermented fish, and crab. Papaya is a favorite base, but more adventurous choices like carrot and sweet corn salads are also available. NEARBY ATTRACTION: A little north of the eatery’s Sathorn location, Warehouse 30 houses vendors selling art, decor, and coffee.
Baan Somtum
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For five decades, the beef soup at Wattana Panich has simmered in the same pot, an imposing, 5-foot-wide receptacle alongside the sidewalk in the Ekkamai neighborhood. You’ll have to wait to taste the tender beef that cooks for hours in the broth, but it’s certainly worth it at this unassuming, seminal Bangkok spot. NEARBY ATTRACTION: Up the street at TUBA Bar and Restaurant, sink into retro furniture surrounded by vintage memorabilia as you sip specialty cocktails or European draft beer. The space feels a little like a basement hangout, with plenty of cozy nooks where you can chill out.
Wattana Panich
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A staple in the northeast Thailand region of Isan, larb is a serving of minced meat seasoned and spiced with additives like fish sauce, lime juice, and chili powder. The dish used to be reserved for special occasions, but now you can help yourself anytime at Phed Phed Bistro, where diners can choose from the catfish, pork, and fish skin options. NEARBY ATTRACTION: A 15-minute drive toward a Chao Phraya River tributary, the National Museum of Royal Barges houses the royal fleet of more than 50 ornate barges that specially trained oarsmen power during ceremonial processions.
Phed Phed Bistro
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Highlighted on the Netflix series Street Food: Asia, Jek Pui has served up curry from a streetside cart in Bangkok’s Chinatown for decades. Its panang curry, a sweeter, milder version of red curry served with pork, is a consummate favorite. Take a seat on one of the cart’s signature red stools to enjoy your lunch as the sidewalk traffic moves past. NEARBY ATTRACTION: Chinatown’s Wat Traimit is known as the Temple of the Golden Buddha for the 5.5-ton, gold statue of Buddha it houses.
Jek Pui
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The national dish of Thailand is really a merging of Thai and Chinese flavors, and modern-day pad Thai eventually emerged in the mid-20th century. These days, you can taste that trademark umami flavor at Pad Thai Fai Ta Lu. Top your noodles with charred pork loin or prawns still in their shells. Its three locations only accept cash, so remember to hit the ATM on your way. NEARBY ATTRACTION: The restaurant’s outpost in Mahanakhon Cube sits below the Mahanakhon SkyWalk, Thailand’s highest observation deck — 1,030 feet above the ground.
Pad Thai Fai Ta Lu
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Boat Noodle Alley is home to a smattering of noodle shops where visitors can walk from stall to stall sampling guay teo rhua, colloquially known as boat noodles. Vendors originally cooked these rice noodles in a spicy broth with meat (primarily pork or beef) on boats, then served them in small bowls that were easy to manage on a wobbly deck. Today in Boat Noodle Alley, the dish is served on land, and the tiny bowls encourage patrons to try several varieties while meandering. NEARBY ATTRACTION: South of Boat Noodle Alley, Victory Monument commemorates the 160 soldiers, civilians, and police officers who fought France in the Franco-Thai War from 1940 to 1941.
Boat Noodle Alley
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Even in a city synonymous with elaborate shows, the holiday display at Bellagio Conservatory and Botanical Gardens manages to outdo itself every year. In less than a week, a creative team of engineers and horticulturists turns the 14,000-square-foot botanical gardens into a magical mecca of wintry sights, sounds, scents, and colors, reusing as much living plant material as possible to maximize sustainability. This year’s theme is "A Visit from St. Nick," and you can expect to ooh and ahh over more than 100,000 energy-efficient light bulbs on dozens of trees, as well as a plethora of poinsettias, oversized ornaments, and lavishly wrapped boxes that all nod to the beloved holiday poem. Count on a few only-in-Vegas touches too — like 500 ostrich plumes and a tree-topping Swarovski crystal star in 2023.
Home of Minor League Baseball’s Aviators in summer, Las Vegas Ballpark invites everyone to take the field for Enchant Christmas, the world’s largest Christmas light maze. Take part in an original story, Reindeer Games, that leads you through 80,000 square feet of light sculptures in a search for the missing magic bells Santa’s reindeer need to fly his sleigh. Along the way, encounter unique ice-skating experiences and hunt for several larger-than-life forest animals sculpted with lights: Snowy the owl, Paws the cat, Big P the polar bear, Squeaks the mouse, Tuxedos (a pair of penguins), Merry Bell the moose, Bounce the rabbit, and a sly fox called The Professor. While waiting for Santa to arrive for a test flight, these animals tried on the bells and took to the sky. But after landing, they forgot to return the bells. Your mission: Find the animals and the bells.
Yes, Virginia, there is ice-skating in the desert. Every holiday season, the fourth-floor Boulevard Pool at The Cosmopolitan freezes into The Ice Rink, a venue with crystal-clear views of the Las Vegas Strip. For $30 (rental skates included), you get all-day access to 4,200 square feet of real ice. Non-skaters can enjoy the area around the rink for free. Between ice-capades, indulge in handcrafted cocktails and curated bites at The Chalet, a reimagined mountaintop escape with comfy seating and a communal firepit. Adding to the wintry ambience, light “snow” falls every half hour in the evenings. Classic holiday films play above the rink on the resort’s 65-foot marquee. For New Year’s Eve, the rink hosts an exclusive fireworks viewing party.
During NASCAR races at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, cars reach speeds of nearly 200 mph. Expect a much more leisurely pace for Glittering Lights, a relaxing drive around the track that passes 5 million twinkling lights arrayed in hundreds of animated and sparkling displays. Drive your own vehicle through the gauntlet of glowing lights, or hitch a ride on the festively festooned Santa Tram, which lets you relax and enjoy the show in open-air comfort while snacking on kettle corn and sipping hot cocoa. The charity event, a tradition for more than 20 years, also offers games and a mini train for tiny tots. Look for Kris Kringle in the Santa Tram Depot, where you can make a pit stop for photo ops. New Year’s Eve brings a fireworks show.
Nothing says Christmas quite like chocolates and — cactus? Prick up your ears, it’s time for the annual Holiday Cactus Garden Lights celebration at the Ethel M Chocolates Factory in Henderson. More than 1 million lights adorn Nevada’s largest cactus garden, one of the biggest such collections anywhere. The 3-acre spread features at least 300 plant species, including cacti and succulents native to the Southwest, plus desert trees and shrubs from the United States, Australia, and South America. All were chosen for their beautiful floral displays and ability to thrive in the Mojave Desert climate. After touring the garden, take pictures with Santa, warm up with Ethel M’s famous hot chocolate, and grab a bite from a food truck. FYI, for their own safety, dogs and other pets are not allowed in the garden — the cacti are exposed and close to the path.
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Hiking in the great outdoors Reading in a cafe Taking a pottery, dancing, or cooking class A delicious dinner with the family
A B C D
Adventure! Relaxing by the pool or on the beach Diving into the area's art and history Doing something I've never done before
Myself My partner The whole family A small group of friends
None. Plan it for me, please! Minimal. The fewer decisions I have to make, the better. Most. I am comfortable planning but appreciate some extra support. All! I'm a hands-on traveler, and planning gets me in the right mindset.
A
C
B
All! I'm a hands-on traveler, and planning gets me in the right mindset.
None. Plan it for me, please!
Minimal. The fewer decisions I have to make, the better.
Most. I am comfortable planning but appreciate some extra support.
A small group of friends
The whole family
My partner
Myself
Doing something I’ve never done before
Diving into the area’s art and history
Relaxing by the pool or on the beach
Adventure!
A delicious dinner with the family
Taking a pottery, dancing, or cooking class
Reading in a cafe
Hiking in the great outdoors
itinerary
Tuck into fresh fare with hints of Southern sensibility at Another Broken Egg Café, where chicken and waffles, biscuit beignets, or an indulgent spiked coffee will fuel your visit to the expansive Colonial Williamsburg — 301 acres that transport you back to Revolutionary times. Catch a morning musket demonstration or disappear within the regal Governor’s Palace — Virginia’s original governor’s mansion — to get a taste of how the Colony’s rich and powerful lived. Horse-drawn carriage rides and comedic acts await outside, where you can also chat with some of our nation’s luminaries: George Washington, Martha Washington, and Thomas Jefferson. Cap off your visit with the spirited Fifes and Drums March down Duke of Gloucester Street just after midday.
Vanquish midday hunger with a country ham and cheese sandwich at The Cheese Shop, a Williamsburg staple for more than 50 years. Decide on your preferred bread and cheese, but don’t skip out on the shop’s “secret ingredient,” its trademark house dressing. After lunch, stroll around Merchants Square, a collection of more than 40 shops and restaurants where you can find Colonial-oriented souvenirs at Everything Williamsburg, design-forward gifts at Blink, William & Mary collegiate gear at Campus Shop, and wine samples at The Williamsburg Winery. Next, pay a visit to Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Folk Art Museum — renowned as America’s first museum to celebrate folk art — which features paintings, pottery, and sculpture courtesy of self-trained artists and craftspeople.
MORNING
AFTERNOON
Colonial Williamsburg
Pewter candlesticks, period-dressed wait staff, and 18th-century recipes with a modern twist set the mood at King’s Arms Tavern, a reproduction public house that originally opened in 1772. Whet your appetite with the restaurant’s signature Peanut Soupe, then devour a game pie (duck, mushroom, and venison in a gravy with port and claret). Save room for bread pudding before taking your seat at The Wagsters Magic Theater, a husband-and-wife production wowing audiences with spellbinding, comedic performances.
Evening
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Dog Street Pub
Satisfy rumbling tummies with a visit to DoG Street Pub, an American gastropub with an English accent. Sip the Alewerks Weekend Lager while nibbling on Welsh Rarebit (brown ale horseradish cheese sauce poured over sourdough) before the main course of lamb shepherd’s pie. Arrive a tad early at Kimball Theatre to soak in the ambience of the grand performance hall founded by John D. Rockefeller, Jr. The 1933 venue will be a fitting capstone to your weekend away, especially if you’re in town for the Williamsburg Old Time Radio Hour or Big Band Christmas - Williamsburg — both sure to fill you with holiday cheer.
Pick up some road-trip snacks or sandwiches and hit the road for a glorious drive along Colonial Parkway, a 23-mile stretch joining Williamsburg, Jamestown, and Yorktown, together known as Virginia’s Historic Triangle. Winding along both the James and York rivers, its beauty is riveting no matter the season. The scenery is your main act, and you may see a bald eagle soaring over the water — fitting for a trip to America’s early Colonies. Keep in mind: The parkway is in the midst of a major rehabilitation project, so you may have to take a few detours.
Get started with a cuppa joe and so much more at Shorty's Diner, where there’s the ever-popular chocolate-chip pancakes or country-fried steak to prepare you for a visit to 17th-century Historic Jamestowne, the first successful English Colony. On the island, Jamestown Rediscovery offers captivating presentations on Colonial upheaval, the Powhatan Indians, and James Fort, where you can watch archaeologists excavate 400-year-old artifacts. An archaeological tour will reveal even more about the 4 million pieces unearthed so far, and children can sift through real-life artifacts at the interactive Ed Shed. Before you leave, stop at Jamestown Glasshouse for a glimpse into the old art of glassmaking.
Vacation Village at Williamsburg, a RCI Gold Crown Resort award winner for exceptional hospitality and amenities, echoes the rich historical heritage of the area. Stay in a well-appointed two- or four-bedroom unit with plenty of space to relax near local points of interest.
How far in advance am I able to exchange?
High-demand locations should be booked as early as two years in advance. If needed, members can start an Ongoing Search for availability. Booking early will always provide members with the most vacation options.
RCI Travel Guides are ready to put your member benefits to work and ensure your next vacation is worry free. Need any advice? Simply ask.
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— Laura S., RCI Travel Guide since 2010
— Numan H., RCI Travel Guide since 2022
Popular destinations and larger accommodations tend to fill up quickly during peak travel seasons. By securing plans early, members have more flexibility and avoid the risk of missing out on preferred travel dates.
What are the potential downsides of last-minute bookings compared to early reservations?
— John R., RCI Travel Guide since 2012
Yes! RCI Cruise Exchange is a benefit for members and all it takes is either 20,000 Points or 7 Trading Power. We offer highly competitive pricing on well-known cruise lines. Members also receive additional cruise benefits — $1,200 off per stateroom on select sailings, for instance — and can earn up to $1,500 in onboard credit with guaranteed best rates available.
Am I able to book a cruise by exchanging?
RCI Weeks and RCI Points memberships can help unlock the vacation of your dreams in 2025, just as long as you make your deposits and bookings ASAP.
Your RCI benefits work hardest for you when you act fast — months ahead of your trip.
RCI Points:
Yearly Points allotment in hand, it’s time to book your 2025 birthday, anniversary, or just-because vacation. Use your Points to reserve almost all facets of your trip: hotel nights, a resort stay, a cruise, or your rental car. Remember, the earlier you book, the larger selection you’ll have from RCI’s 4,200 properties around the world.
As soon as you can, deposit the week you own to unlock your full Trading Power. That maximized Trading Power is your currency — you’ll spend it to secure the most sought-after RCI destinations and timeframes across the globe. There’s flexibility, too: You have up to two years to exchange after you deposit.
RCI Weeks:
The adjustable Points system will come to your aid whenever you need it. Any unused Points from the most recent “Use Year” automatically roll over into the current year, and you can borrow from the upcoming Use Year if you still need more for your getaway.
If you lack the Trading Power needed to reserve your ideal RCI vacation, you can always contribute additional weeks and strengthen your Trading Power to get the trip you deserve.
Don’t have enough Trading Power to nail down your trip to a popular beach resort? Still need a few more Points to secure both the hotel stay and the rental car? Here’s how to increase your benefits in 2025:
If you can’t nab your ideal dates at your preferred resort, don’t fret. Both Weeks and Points members can secure their optimal trip by employing RCI’s Ongoing Search tool. You submit your vacation parameters (dates, destinations, or even specific properties) and RCI will notify you when any corresponding inventory opens up — before it’s available on RCI.com.
Not all of us are eager vacation planners. Luckily, that’s where RCI Travel Guides can help. Over the phone, Guides can assist with managing your currency before booking your trip. Here’s how to reach them: RCI Weeks: 1-800-338-7777 RCI Points: 1-877-968-7476 You can also chat online with a Travel Guide here.
Explore RCI Resorts in Finland
FULL DAY Estonia’s storybook capital city on the southern shores of the Gulf of Finland is just two hours from Helsinki by ferry. Pack your passport and spend the day exploring its impeccably preserved medieval Old Town.
Tallinn, Estonia
FULL DAY Artists and their studios and design showrooms now populate this former industrial ironworks town that dates to the mid-1600s. Though it’s just an hour train ride and 20-minute bus ride away, this creative enclave feels like a charming world of its own.
Fiskars
HALF DAY Helsinki’s only UNESCO World Heritage site is just a 15-minute ferry ride from Market Square (Kauppatori). Built in the 1700s and 1800s, by Finland’s Swedish rulers, this sea fortress stretches over several interconnected islands. Today, it’s home to about 800 inhabitants plus museums and parks.
Suomenlinna
Side Trips
Stockmann department store has been an institution for upscale apparel and home goods at this location in the city center since 1930. During the holidays, intricate window displays of woodland creatures and elves that move enchant shoppers of all ages and hint at presents waiting inside. Helsinki’s Design District is a network of 200-plus fashion boutiques, antiques shops, vintage wares, art galleries, hip restaurants, and museums encompassing 25 streets. Shop for cards, Washi tape, and planners at Papershop. (You can even post a letter from the shop’s forest-green mailbox by the register.) Find dozens of children’s toys and delights — including an adorable play corner — at colorful Zicco. Indie books, art, and magazines await at Nide Bookstore. Browse indoor stalls at the Helsinki Old Market Hall — Helsinki’s oldest — for shellfish, reindeer pelts, and spices. Hakaniemi Market Square is a bustling outdoor market where vendors sell foraged berries and mushrooms, seasonal flowers, cinnamon rolls, coffee, woven baskets, and secondhand clothing. Kauppatori is perhaps the city’s most internationally famous open-air market, located on the edge of the water near Senate Square. Here, you’ll find items like sauna hats, wool mittens, leather flyswatters, lightweight and versatile wood kuksa cups, and wooden buttons.
Stock up on textiles, handicrafts, local delicacies, and all things Moomin and Marimekko while you’re in Helsinki — and save time for a little window shopping.
Finland was ruled by Sweden for nearly seven centuries before becoming a Russian grand duchy in 1809. Only in 1917, after the Russian Revolution, did Finland gain its independence. As you wander Helsinki’s cobblestone streets, you’ll notice vestiges of its past and present woven all around — monuments to Swedish and Russian rulers and street signs in Finnish and Swedish, for example — and a personalized tour with Tours by Locals can help you gain a deeper appreciation of its history, culture, and architecture. You’re sure to see Carl Ludvig Engel’s teal-dome Helsinki Cathedral that anchors the northern side of Senate Square, as well as the Eliel Saarinen-designed Helsinki Central railway station, whose grandiose granite statues greet arrivals. And don’t miss Alvar Aalto’s stately Finlandia Hall event venue. Designed by brothers and architects Timo and Tuomo Suomalainen, Temppeliaukio Church is a subterranean church carved into a massive granite rock outcrop. Inside, experience its superb acoustics and see the copper-coiled ceiling and glass windows that provide natural illumination. Another standout is OODI, Helsinki’s central library, designed by ALA Architects to commemorate the nation’s 100th birthday. It’s a highly functional multilevel design featuring communal sewing machines, rentable musical instruments and play kits, gaming rooms, gathering spaces, and a cafe. A black spiral staircase features a collage of crowd-sourced words to remind visitors that the library is for everyone.
Carl Ludvig Engel, Alvar Aalto, and Eliel Saarinen are a few of the big-name architects behind Helsinki’s famous buildings. Across the city, the intricate Art Nouveau and functional modern designs are well-represented.
Finns may have a reputation for being reserved, but karaoke is a favorite pastime. Queue up your anthem at this convivial bar — it has 28,000 songs to choose from.
Karaokebar Erottaja
Descend a set of stairs from street level to this Brooklyn-style pub known for its cozy, dog-friendly atmosphere.
Badger & Co.
Enter this speakeasy from a side street and you’ll be rewarded with elaborate cocktails paired with fictional detective stories. No photos, though!
Trillby & Chadwick
Jewel-tone velvet chairs and a paneled wood bookcase give this lounge a luxe library vibe.
Goldfish
Four fun spots for a nightcap.
Cool Watering Holes
Tucked into an old villa on the edge of Kaivopuisto park, Restaurant Elm is a warm and welcoming neighborhood joint. Mismatched wood chairs and flatweave rugs create a homey backdrop for beautifully presented plates of salty-crunchy beef tartare, succulent octopus, mussels in white wine sauce, and gnocchi with taleggio cheese. Kappeli, meaning chapel, was once a place for Finnish artists to congregate and create. Nowadays, this glass-encased restaurant, bar, and cafe on the posh Esplanadi park is best known for traditional Finnish dining with a glitzy twist: The changing seasons are reflected in menu items like herb and onion croquette with pumpkin puree and marinated artichoke; whitefish tartare with fennel-cress salad and dill mayonnaise; and Finnish apple braised in cinnamon butter and almond ice cream. Yes Yes Yes caters to hungry vegetarians and vegans, but we can assure you: Even meat-lovers will love it. The menu changes frequently, though options such as Halloumi fries with red currants, lemon yogurt, and za’atar, or flatbread topped with Comté custard, Brussels sprouts, and jalapeno salsa give you a taste of its flavor-packed offerings. The cocktail lineup leans sweet and spicy, and drinks are topped with beautiful floral garnishes.
For a snack-size city, Helsinki’s appetite for culinary excellence is quite hearty. Simple ingredients that nod to Finnish roots and artful presentations translate into memorable meals.
Shower immediately before entering the sauna. / You don’t have to go nude — wear a swimsuit or towel instead. / There’s no rule for how often to throw water on the stones, but do make sure the steam level is comfortable for everyone present. / Remember to hydrate!
Even in inclement weather, Helsinki is best seen on foot — and it doesn’t take long to rack up 20,000 steps. When you’re ready to give your muscles a rest, do as the Finns do and hit the sauna. You’ll find public saunas everywhere in Helsinki — even within the one dark car of the SkyWheel perched along the waterfront. At Löyly, a word meaning the steam that rises from water poured on stones, visitors can take in some heat then take a rejuvenating cold plunge into the Baltic Sea. (In winter, you can even try ice-hole swimming!) Reserve your two-hour sauna session in advance, which gives access to a traditional smoke sauna and a wood-burning sauna. Afterward, order a bowl of salmon soup or a lager at the on-site restaurant and bar overlooking the rocky shoreline.
Sauna culture has deep roots in Finland, and the experience is revered as physically and emotionally healing.
In a Neo-Renaissance-style building across from the Helsinki Central train station, Ateneum museum is an homage to Finnish works. It holds the country’s largest collection of them, plus masterpieces from artists like Vincent van Gogh, Rolf Nesch, and Edvard Munch. Gothic Modern, a current international exhibit, explores themes of life, death, and enlightenment through the 19th and 20th centuries. Do Eero Aarnio chairs, Marimekko dresses, and displays of Fiskars scissors make your heart pitter-patter? Then you'll want to get an in-depth look at Finnish designs at Helsinki’s Design Museum, a fabled collection of 75,000 beautifully designed and practical objects that catalogs Finland’s industrial arts. Curated soundscapes and immersive sets spark reflection at Museum of Contemporary Art Kiasma. Pauline Curnier Jardin’s carnival-like exhibit seems inviting and playful on the surface, but up-close views reveal a darker commentary on marginalized voices. A tower of discarded boom boxes and electronic devices, candid snapshots of people at rest, and utilitarian household objects are all part of Feels Like Home, which explores what makes people feel connected to communities and places.
Step out onto its cobbled streets and it’s easy to see Helsinki is a haven for design mavens. You’ll get the picture at these exceptional museums.
Head south for a stylish change of scenery. Finland’s capital city is a powerhouse of architecture, culture, and art.
City Discoveries
REGIONAL TRAVEL TIP: If you fly into Helsinki, the Santa Claus Express departs from Helsinki Central station. Book a modest sleeper car with a private bathroom and wake up in the Arctic Circle the next morning. You can also take a flight between Helsinki and Rovaniemi, which takes about one hour, 20 minutes. Remember, TSA PreCheck doesn’t apply once you’re outside of the U.S., so you’ll need to check large bags and limit any liquids to 100-milliliter containers.
GETTING AROUND: Rovaniemi is compact and walkable. Use the Line 8 bus or a taxi to get around faster if you don’t have your own vehicle.
HOURS OF DAYLIGHT: 2.5 hours (December) to 8 hours (February)
CURRENCY: Euro
AVERAGE WINTER TEMPERATURE: 14°F - 16°F (December to February)
SEASONAL SNAPSHOT: Snowy
Winter in Lapland means on with the snow! The entire region is a playground for frosty, festive fun, but Santa’s hometown of Rovaniemi, which sits right on the Arctic Circle, is a truly enchanting experience.
Winter Travel Tips
Sámi and Lappish works fill shelves at Lauri — and if you’re lucky, you may even see artisans making chopsticks and guitar picks out of materials like reindeer antler, leather, and birch in the adjoining studio. Customize a beautiful wilderness knife at Marttiini. Or find design products, books, and finely crafted wares connected to the north at Arktikum’s museum shop. You don’t need a ticket to enter, but do spend a couple of hours getting a perspective on Lapland’s people, nature, and wildlife at this science center and museum if your schedule allows it.
There is a strong commercial presence in Rovaniemi’s city center, but you’ll find fascinating shops filled with Arctic handicrafts, too.
The region's distinct seasons influence menus at places like Arctic Restaurant, where Rovaniemi’s passion-driven culinary creators plate up dishes like cured whitefish with horseradish sour cream and sauteed reindeer with lingonberries. From November to March, diners can cozy up for a meal inside a heated glass igloo at Gustav Kitchen and Bar. The menu has a handful of hot and cold items, but it’s filled with comforting, seasonal selections like porcini mushroom risotto and lamb shank with parsnip puree. Pass through the Santa Claus Reindeer resort in Santa Claus Village to find Lapland Restaurant Kotahovi, then nab a table by the open fire at its center. This tiny lunch spot serves traditional Lappish fare (such as arctic salmon flavored with juniper berries, plus salmon and wild mushroom soups) and operates on a first-come, first-served basis from November to February.
The Lappish capital is honing a reputation as an enticing fine-dining hot spot with an emphasis on native ingredients.
With dramatic walls carved by Mother Nature over 600 million years, Korouoma Canyon becomes a postcard-perfect wonderland in winter. If you have your own vehicle, the drive from Rovaniemi takes about an hour and a half, or you can book a small-group excursion with Wild About Lapland, which includes transport, lunch, and gear rentals. On a guided hike through the taiga forest, you’ll follow former horse roads through spruce, pine, and birch heaths to Finland’s largest, most spectacular ice formations along the River Korojoki. Look up — you may even see ice climbers scaling the frozen falls.
In the southern part of the Lapland region, the Korouoma Nature Reserve is one of Finland’s most incredible destinations to experience Arctic wilderness.
Lapland’s indigenous Sámi people have herded reindeer here for centuries. Most reindeer roam freely throughout the region, though a small squad of Santa’s trusted helpers are available for sleigh rides right by his village at the Arctic Circle. During the Reindeer Path ride (a short-and-sweet 5-minute loop) you’ll dash through the snow in a one-reindeer open sleigh. Longer excursions are also available if you make reservations in advance. Approximately 120 purebred working and showline Siberian huskies live at the Arctic Circle Husky Park, a staple of the area since 1995. Meet and greet the dogs — all of whom have names like Bellatrix and Hermione plus accompanying bios — during a visit. You’ll also have a chance to ride a cart or sled pulled by a team of eight dogs. Find more than 50 northern and Arctic species, including Finland’s only polar bear, at Ranua Wildlife Park. This Arctic zoo is located about an hour south of Rovaniemi via route 78 and can be reached by bus or car.
You may spot signs of reindeer, wolves, wolverines, and eagles in the wild, but these experiences will bring you even closer.
Just 5 miles from Rovaniemi’s city center, Santa Claus Village is a small, world-famous holiday destination that sits on the Arctic Circle. (It’s so famous, in fact, that inside Santa’s Christmas House, a photo wall featuring celebs like Conan O'Brien, Gordon Ramsay, and the Spice Girls with the jolly man in red will catch your eye.) You’ll also see Santa’s big metal Time Machine that ensures he can make it to all the kids in the world each Christmas. While you’re at the village, shop for trinkets at souvenir shops, meet the elves, spend time with Santa’s reindeer, and visit Santa’s on-site post office. Santa receives about half a million letters from people all over the world each year — and at this special post office, grown-ups can send letters from Santa so loved ones can experience the holiday magic wherever they are (and know they’re on the nice list!). The orange mailbox is for regular mail; the red one collects letters to be sent just before Christmas. HISTORICAL FACT: Roosevelt Cottage, now a souvenir shop, is one of the first buildings you’ll pass in Santa Claus Village. Rovaniemi was razed in World War II, and in 1950, former first lady Eleanor Roosevelt wished to monitor the city’s post-war reconstruction and cross the Arctic Circle herself. This news reached Rovaniemi just two weeks before her arrival, and the cabin was constructed quickly for her welcoming ceremony. NOW STREAMING: Watch the main square of Santa Claus Village and the Arctic Circle year-round on the village’s live feed.
Evoking feelings of childlike wonder is mission-critical in Santa Claus Village, where Christmas is celebrated 24/7/365. What else would you expect from Santa’s hometown?
Finnish legend has it that the northern lights were created by an elusive Firefox sweeping its bushy tail through the sky, creating magnificent ribbons of white, emerald, and even amethyst overhead. In the country’s largest and northernmost region of Lapland, this natural phenomenon is visible from late August through early April — but bear in mind, there’s no guarantee you’ll see them, and the hunt is part of the fun! Outfitters throughout Rovaniemi like Beyond Arctic closely monitor auroras before and during your tour to give you the best chance of seeing a show. While you wait, you’ll roast Finnish sausages and marshmallows over an open flame while warming up in a traditional wooden wilderness hut called a laavu. TIP: Traveling with little ones? Slow Travel Green and Blue specializes in family-friendly aurora tours so everyone in the family can take part in the event. They’ll even provide car seats.
Watch the aurora borealis swoop and sway in nature’s most spectacular ballet, and you may be inclined to give a standing ovation.
The farther north in Finland you go, the easier it is to commune with nature. Winter excursions through the Arctic wilderness reveal Lapland’s spectacular, almost-untouched landscapes. And back in town, holiday happenings make spirits bright.
Into Nature
Finland is a study in contrasts. Endless sunshine in summer gives way to long, dark winters, especially in the country’s most northern and remote Lapland region. But winter creates a brilliant backdrop for the aurora borealis and seasonal spectacles in Santa’s hometown of Rovaniemi. And south in the country’s compact seaside capital of Helsinki, a vibrant culinary and shopping scene, diverse architectural styles, and creative energy burn bright.
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All you need to worry about is getting here. The all-inclusive All Ritmo Cancún Resort & Waterpark offers numerous opportunities for quality time and fun with the entire family. Kids — both in age and at heart — can zip down slides at the water park before scampering through the surf on the white-sand beaches. Get out on the water with on-site Jet Skis or find out who in the family has the best stroke on the resort’s miniature golf course. When it’s time to rest after all the fun, the resort’s two-bedroom units, which house up to six people, offer plenty of space.
Make 2025 the year you and your pals learn something new. Why not skiing or snowboarding? Schedule a lesson in the Virginia mountains at Massanutten Resort, where certified instructors will teach you how to stop, turn, and use the lifts during a 90-minute lesson. Hit the slopes with your newfound skills before adjourning for après-ski refreshments at Elevations Lounge. Spend the rest of your stay swishing around in the snow — perhaps even trying the blue or black runs — and pampering your muscles with a massage at The Spa at Massanutten.
Moab might very well harbor some of the most beautiful canyons, arches, and mountains in North America. The southeast Utah resort town surrounded by national and state parks as well as Manti-La Sal National Forest is your base camp for desert exploration. A daylong e-bike tour with Rim Tours crisscrosses Canyonlands National Park, leading you past Musselman Arch and Thelma & Louise Point. At Arches National Park, take one of the shorter trails to get a Delicate Arch viewpoint, or stock up on water and snacks for the 3-mile hike to see the license-plate-famous arch up close.
Washington, D.C., is a continuous, citywide history class awaiting knowledge-hungry travelers in the new year. The works of Picasso, Renoir, and Pollock at The Phillips Collection and the National Gallery of Art offer an expressive, art-centric view into decades past. A visit to the somber United States Holocaust Memorial Museum will leave you moved after viewing its immersive exhibits. From the National Mall, admire the striking architecture at the National Museum of African American History and Culture before entering to examine thousands of artifacts — including Nat Turner’s bible — that spotlight African Americans’ lives throughout U.S. history.
