The RCI Blog

Being birders means traveling to find the ideal spot where birds are plentiful (and/or of a rare type). For us, last year in Brownsville, Texas, a wind change caused a "fall-out" of birds of all types and descriptions. This tired, beautiful little fellow was one of them.

-Robert S. from Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Timing is everything. My wife and 2 daughters were surprised to find out that our vacation was in perfect timing with the baby turtle release at North Padre Island. The ridley eggs generally hatch at night and the release takes place at sunrise. Park staff carry the baby sea turtles to the beach in coolers and place each one gently on the sand. The hatchlings immediately head toward the surf, towards the sun. Once they reach the water, the surf carried them into the water. We'll remember this trip for a lifetime.

-Ernest G. from Kyle, TX

Last fall, after attending the wedding of a friend in New Hampshire, my boyfriend Blake and I decided to extend the weekend and head over to Maine for a couple of nights. Having both never been, we made a short list of must-do’s before we went, which included shopping, sightseeing, and, yep, lobster.

From New Hampshire, we decided to drive over to Route 1 in Maine to start our journey – a bit of a longer way to get there, but it allowed us to stop at a few antique stores along the way. An added bonus, we were able to stop by Kennebunkport, a great little town on a river, to walk around and grab lunch. After checking out a few of the stores, we wandered into a small shop called The Old Salt’s Pantry for our first – and what would be our best – lobster roll of the trip…and, believe me, we tried countless other delicious lobster rolls! We even had somewhat of a strategy when it came to trying them: we’d only order one lobster roll at each place and each have half so that we could try them at a few different places in one day (without feeling too guilty!).

Next up was Portland. And while it rained most of our time there, we still made the best of it. We walked around Commercial Street where there’s a bunch of restaurants, coffee shops, and stores of all kind – clothing, jewelry, accessories, kitchenware. After that, we drove over to the Portland Head Light lighthouse and snapped some photos of the beautiful, yet stormy, views.

Finally, what trip to Maine wouldn’t be complete without a visit to L.L. Bean’s flagship store? Blake is an outdoor nut, so seeing this was at the top of his list. It’s located in Freeport, a short drive from Portland. And – it’s open 24 hours a day, so of course we went at midnight…and we spent about 2-3 hours there! We even took a picture with the gigantic L.L. Bean boot, which is located right outside the front of the store.

Whether your Maine vacation is filled with sunshine or rain (like ours), you can still have a lot of fun. This week on the RCI Blog, we’ll be sharing photos from RCI subscribing members who have traveled to Maine. Be sure to come back to take a look at their fantastic pictures! And check out a couple photos from my trip below…

Lobster roll at The Old Salt’s Pantry

Portland Head Light Lighthouse

"Mom thank you so much for bringing me on this vacation!" my thirteen year old daughter said as we left the lodge. Nearly speechless, I couldn't say anything else but, "You’re welcome." We had a great time visiting Yosemite National Park and the giant Sequoia trees on the way. We played a family-modified game of miniature golf at the resort and enjoyed some videos they had available for our use. Our white water rafting trip on the Truckee River capped off the experience. While my daughter will remember the things she saw and did, I will always remember what she said. It made all of my planning and paying worthwhile. So often I feel like we are dragging our kids on vacation and they fight and complain so much. It was really nice to hear gratitude for a change.

-Cassandra R. from Cedar City, UT

While vacationing in New Zealand, my wife took this photo of a Fern head - now we know why their national symbol is the silver fern. The area was so green and lush on the North Island - we will be returning!

-David V. from Thunder Bay, ON Canada

My husband and I purchased our timeshare while we were vacationing alone. The following year we took our 2 daughters and a friend on vacation with us to the Sheraton Vistana Resort in Orlando. Since our previous vacations had always taken place in hotel rooms we were anxious to see their reaction when we arrived. We gave them the key to our villa and told them to go open the door while we grabbed luggage. We waited outside. When they walked into the villa we heard screams. They came running out and the look on their faces were priceless. They were so excited about staying in a 2 bedroom villa at a luxury resort for a week instead of a cramped hotel room and so were we!

-Bonnie R. from Richmond, MN

We went to Summer Bay Resort near Orlando, Florida and absolutely had the best time. My daughter and I took my 2 grandkids and we went to Walt Disney World. My grandson, Jordan, turned 4 while we were there and had a little birthday party at the resort. He had such a wonderful time. It rained almost everyday while we were there but we made a good trip out of it even with the rain. Summer Bay Resort was the most awesome place to stay and such a beautiful resort. We loved it so much that we are going back next month to celebrate my granddaughter's birthday as well. Her name is Taylor and she will be 2 years old. This trip was by far the best trip I have ever been on through RCI.

-Deborah M. from Denver, CO

I’ll be honest – Orlando originally wasn’t on the top of my “places where I’d like to holiday” list. I always preferred the buzz of a city – eating in one-off restaurants, digging for records in little independent music stores, and soaking up the atmosphere.

But a few years ago, things changed. When it came to choosing a vacation destination, there was a new dimension – a child. That’s right. We had welcomed a beautiful little boy, Cal, and a year later, we decided that we might be able to stay awake long enough to make it to the airport and onto vacation. It was far from a certainty, but we took the risk. After weighing up flight length from New Jersey, kid-friendliness, and chance of sunshine, Orlando was the best choice.

And I have to say…what a fantastic choice it was! We ate at nice restaurants with no frowning at the request for a high-chair. We took things at our own pace and enjoyed fantastic amenities at our resort. We went to a couple of theme parks and acted like kids. It really was a great family vacation.

Three years on, we’ve been back four times. We arranged a family reunion with both sets of doting babysitters (sorry, grandparents) and also met good friends from England with their toddler. We’ve had so much fun, enjoyed excellent food, found countless bargains at the outlet malls, and “ooh’d” and “aah’d” at the theme parks and shows.

Best of all – I even found an awesome record store.

This week on the RCI Blog, we’ll be sharing stories and photos from RCI subscribing members who have also visited Orlando. Be sure to come back to read about their vacations!

During our vacation to Playa del Carmen we visited the Gran Cenote. What a beautiful place it is. Loads of fun swimming and jumping into the water.

-Julie B. from Saratoga Springs, UT

For our anniversary many years ago we decided to fly away without our girls and have some special time with just the two of us.

What a grand idea that turned out to be. The resort we stayed at in Cancun offered everything we wanted and needed for the two of us to renew our relationship, in every way.

We relaxed together, we enjoyed the beautiful beach with the soft white sand and clear waters and the fabulous views from our suite, and had delicious food in all of the on-site restaurants! One day we even had our dinner served to us, out on the terrace of our room, while the sun was setting.

All the reasons we married 10 years earlier were remembered and we came home with a renewed commitment to each other and our girls! This year we begin our 30th year together, and vacations are still important to us. Time to relax and renew.

-Donna H. from Wernersville, PA

When planning your vacation, you first have to ask yourself: what kind of experience am I (are we) looking for? Honeymoon, anniversary, shopping, family-focused, adventure, history, theme parks, good for teenagers, health, relaxation? There are so many kinds. But wouldn’t it be great to have it all in one vacation? Believe me, you will when you visit Cancun and the Riviera Maya!

In Cancun you can stay at a resort surrounded by beautiful turquoise water and soft white sands, combined with the warmth and kindness that Mexicans can offer to their guests. Looking for all day activities? You can swim with dolphins, rent a boat to go fishing, or even sail on a yacht! You can do some shopping at the malls, where you will find major international brands. You can also have lunch or dinner on Kukulcan Boulevard – where you will find restaurants with regional, national, and international cuisine. And if you are looking for a night out on the town, Cancun is home to some of the most unique night clubs in the world!

If you love to have close contact with nature and history, you can stay at a resort in the Riviera Maya or Playa del Carmen, only about 40-50 minutes away from Cancun International Airport. There are so many activities, you are sure to find something that appeals to you and those you are traveling with: snorkeling near the beautiful coral reefs, swimming in underground rivers, or golfing on courses designed by world-famous golfers. You can also visit Xel Ha, an aquatic theme park, great for kids and adults! And don’t forget to visit the famous theme park, Xcaret, and archaeological park where you can enjoy swimming at amazing cenotes, see animals and learn about the Mayan history. You can also travel to Tulum to see ancient ruins –  personally, I don’t think there is any other place in the world where the moonlight reflects brighter off the sea than it does in Tulum. If you are looking for more history, head to the “magical” Chichen Itzá (NOT “chicken and pizza”!), a popular tourist destination where you can see a breathtaking Mayan pyramid. Finally, to end a perfect day, walk through the Fifth Ave. strip where international cultures mix to offer an array of food, wine, shopping, and music.

There’s no place in the world where you can enjoy all this and much more! Over the next couple of weeks, we’ll be sharing stories and photos from RCI subscribing members who have visited Cancun, the Riviera Maya, Playa del Carmen and some of the attractions I told you about above. Come back to the RCI Blog to hear about their trips!

Our first family vacation at Branson, MO. The picture was taken at the resort itself, French Quarter. The trees are blooming and the weather was so good. We enjoyed our family vacation.

-Carmela T. from Houston, TX

My girlfriends and I leave our significant others for a girls trip each year thanks to RCI's Extra VacationsSM getaways! We had a great time exploring San Francisco in the spring.

-Debra S. from Hastings, MN

Okay, so maybe spring hasn’t really sprung just yet. Even though the first official day of spring was last Wednesday, many of us in the United States were still seeing snow last week and will be seeing it again today. While it’s evident that Mother Nature disagrees with the calendar, it still shouldn’t stop us from enjoying our springtime vacations! After all, vacations aren’t just about the weather – but also about relaxing, exploring, eating, shopping, trying new things, and bonding with family and friends.

We have received some great photos over the years from our RCI subscribing members –  many of which you have seen right here on the RCI Blog. So, as a way to usher in spring (and maybe hurry it along a little!), we are devoting this week on the RCI Blog to sharing pictures all related to spring! Whether you are the type of traveler who likes to squeeze out that last bit of winter, or the type who can’t wait to see the flowers blooming and the mercury rising a little, I hope you’ll get some vacation inspiration from the photos we will be sharing. So come back to the RCI Blog this week to take a look.

What are your springtime vacation plans? Comment below and let us know!

I'll never forget the first time I brought friends along with me on a trip to Vegas. They were told the accommodations were taken care of, but they had no idea what kind of room I had booked. When we walked into our two bedroom suite at the Hilton Grand Vacations Club on the Las Vegas Strip, their eyes lit up and shrieks of joy filled the room as they inspected every last inch. It was one of the best weeks of my life and it gave me so much joy to be able to share that with some of my closest friends.

-Jolene B. Juneau, AK

This was probably the most memorable vacation that my sister and I have ever taken...Mainly because we generally go by ourselves, but this time, my niece, her husband and little daughter decided to go with us. It worked out perfectly because we had two bedrooms and the couch turned into a bed, as well. What made it really great is that they all live in Florida and I live in Georgia. We each flew to Las Vegas to stay at this really beautiful location. We had a great time just being together, using the pool, eating out at several buffet locations, and catching all of the action on the main strip. It was also very restful. Even though it was very hot, I was told it was fairly mild compared to how much hotter it could be. We were able to get extra towels for use in the pool and showering in the room. Everyone came away wanting to get together once again next year at vacation time.

-RCI subscribing member

When people say “What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas,” I bet they didn’t think about the fun filled memories they take back with them and never forget.

The place that people once called an adult playground has turned into a vacation spot almost everyone can enjoy! Of course, the main attractions will always be the exciting shows you can see and the card games and lucky slot machines you play, but Las Vegas is the kind of destination that no matter what you, your family, or your friends like to do, there will be something for everyone

Got kids? Las Vegas has taken care of the it’s-too-hot-to go-there-in-the-summertime “blues” with the new water park, Wet’n’Wild Las Vegas, scheduled to open Memorial Day Weekend 2013. This looks like it will be a great place for those looking for an exciting way to cool off.

Looking for more than a t-shirt souvenir to take home with you? There are plenty of malls, shops, and outlet centers for you to visit while there so you can shop for clothing, accessories, and gifts.

So the next time you are planning your vacation and want to try somewhere new, place your bets on Las Vegas and I can almost guarantee it will be a winner!

This was no ordinary vacation, this was our honeymoon. Five days after we exchanged our nuptials in New Jersey, my new husband had to leave the United States and travel to Holland for work. I went back to Arizona by myself and back to work as a school teacher to finish up the last month of school.

On June 27, 2008, which was also my birthday, I finally met up with my new husband in the Canary Islands at Palm Beach Club for our long awaited honeymoon. We spent a glorious week walking on the beach...enjoying all this island could offer. In addition, we had spectacular weather. What more could a bride ask for?

-Cynthia K. from Avondale, AZ

This beautiful sight is just off the coast of Mornington Peninsula in Victoria, Australia. The waters are crystal clear and you can see forever. This is one of our favorite places to vacation. There are golf courses, swimming, beaches and great dining at the resort and close by. It doesn't get any better than this.

-Donna H. from Big Timber, MT