Vacation Travels with RCI TV's Dan "The RCI Guy"

I've been lucky enough to travel to all 50 states in the U.S. - I've lived on both coasts and my work has allowed me to spend plenty of time abroad as well. So when my family decided that we were going to have a reunion in Southwestern Colorado, well... let's just say it wasn't the first place I thought of. Now...I am soooo glad that's where we went. And in the heart of it all was one of the quaintest towns I’d ever visited...Pagosa Springs.

Pagosa Springs is nestled amid some of the most beautiful scenery I've seen. The rugged mountains surrounding this city are the backdrop to beautiful rivers and streams that flow in and around this mountain paradise. Pagosa Springs sits at about 7,000 feet above sea level and that means clean air with crisp mountain mornings year round. The air seems cleaner and sweeter up here and you're invigorated for adventure every day!

This charming city is your own launch pad to play in the mountains and discover year round fun - from skiing and snowmobiling in the winter to fly-fishing, hiking and mountain biking in the summer, Pagosa Springs has something for everyone. But no matter what you want to do...don't forget your camera! Seriously, it seems like every bend around every trail, or every time you drive around another corner, there's a picture just waiting to be taken. As an amateur photographer, I instantly fell in love with this place! Pagosa Springs is nature at its best combined with the romantic history of the old west - it’s wild and beautiful and rugged and charming all at the same time... basically, it's perfect!

If you haven't had a chance to check out Pagosa Springs, put it down on your "must-see" list... and if you're anything like me, you won't leave disappointed!

Come back to the blog this week to read stories and see pictures about Pagosa Springs from RCI subscribing members!

I've been lucky over the years... I've lived in some of the most beautiful states in the country. When I was young I lived in Northern California, then we moved to Alaska. I've also lived in Colorado and Connecticut and I've had a job that has taken me to all 50 states... numerous times. Having said that, I think I now live in the best state of all...Utah! You can literally go skiing in the morning and play golf that same afternoon. I love it! And while there are cool cities and towns everywhere in Utah, you have to visit Park City!

Park City is the perfect place - there are three ski resorts within just a few miles of each other - The Canyons, Park City Mountain Resort and Deer Valley. Each has won their share of International awards. One of the things I love about Park City is its easy access. There is a 6 lane freeway (I-80) that runs right past it and you can actually fly into Salt Lake City International airport and be at any of these resorts within 45 minutes.

Park City has just the right mix of locals and tourists. If you like to shop there is a huge outlet mall out by the freeway exit as well and another shopping center less than a mile away that has new cinemas, the latest stores and good restaurants, too. But the best part of Park City is "Historic Main Street". Park City was built up during the 19th century as a mining town and many of the earliest original buildings are still a part of Main Street. Main Street has a little bit of everything... really unique shops and stores selling everything from your typical souvenirs to high-end furs. There are great art galleries and lots of really quaint, local restaurants, diners, coffee shops and ice cream stores. The one thing you won't find on Main Street is any kind of a chain store or restaurant - I absolutely love it.

Park City is a true, four season destination. I live about 45 minutes away and we play in Park City year round. I grew up in Alaska so I definitely like to hit the slopes during the winter. But I also love photography and, during the spring, the mountains and meadows burst with color as a result of all the spring flowers. During the summer we've enjoyed everything from hot air balloon rides to great rounds of golf and lots of outdoor concerts. Fall in Park City is amazing as all the leaves change colors and everything is blazing in oranges, reds, yellows and greens. This is the time of year that we typically use some of our Points and exchange through RCI to stay at any of their affiliated resorts - we really like The Miners Club at The Canyons.

If you like amazing natural beauty with the fun and sophistication of a classy resort town proud of its history and heritage, you will LOVE Park City.  And besides...it seems like the air is always clean and crisp and the sun a little brighter up here. If you haven't been to Park City you really should check it out... and if you have been here, well... I know you'll be back!

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

The traffic in South Florida can be a little tough but the beaches, shops, restaurants and all the other cool stuff more than make up for it.

We were in Miami and Miami Beach for several days to film another "Destination Reviews" travel show for RCI TV. Our producer lined up some cool, different things to do.

Since I love to eat and used to own a few restaurants, we always like to feature a unique dining experience on every show. Man, did we find one here! Miami Beach is home to Joe's Stone Crab Restaurant. It first opened in 1913 and has been going strong ever since. The signature dish is the title of the place...Stone Crab is harvested in the waters right off shore. For the show, they let me go back and help work in the kitchen. Everyone was awesome and we had a great time.

The next day we went to Little Havana and found out how one of the stores rolls their own cigars - I never knew rolling a cigar was such a fine art!

Finally, we finished exploring south Florida by taking a Duck Tour - that's right, a Duck Tour. This is an amphibious, crazy looking vehicle that takes you to some really cool Miami landmarks and then heads off the road, over the beach and straight into Biscayne Bay. One second you’re driving and the next second you’re floating...it's awesome! You cruise around the bay as they point out some houses of the "rich and famous" that call this part of Florida, "home".

This is what I love about hosting this show - I think I've been to South Florida 8-10 times over the years but I've never had so much fun and enjoyed it more than I did this time.

If you have a South Florida experience you’d like to share, comment below! I’d love to hear about it.

I never get tired of visiting Spain. It is a beautiful country that can differ greatly by region. Recently, I stayed in Marbella on the southern coast while attending a conference where resort developers from around Europe come together to discuss the latest trends - which is why I attended this conference…to talk a bit about RCI TV. As a timeshare owner myself, I have to say that Marbella is where I want to exchange into next.

Marbella is built around a beautiful bay with sandy beaches and soft winds that come off the Mediterranean Sea. The mountains rise sharply as you travel inland and one of the areas you really should check out is the historic city of Ronda. It has an awesome Roman aqueduct and bridge that ushers you into its gates. There's plenty of shopping and eating to be done... or just spend your time exploring! In fact, one of the videos on RCI TV features Ronda - check it out on the Destination Reviews online channel on RCI TV.

Have you ever visited Marbella or another city in Spain? What was your favorite part? Comment below and tell me about it!

Well, we finished filming our "Destination Review" travel shot in Bangkok, Thailand. These shows for RCI TV (log on to RCI.com to watch) take us all over the world but I have never experienced a place quite like Bangkok.

Bangkok has an entirely different, cool, vibe to it. We took a bicycle tour that took us on the back roads and "behind the scenes" of what most tourists see in the city. Then the filming crew and I all had pedicures and manicures at a day spa (I know that doesn't exactly sound "manly" but it is a great way to spoil yourself). The most hilarious part was when the woman started my manicure, she actually was startled when she first took my hands and looked at them. My wife says, that while she loves me, I do have some of the most beat up hands she has ever seen and, apparently, this Thai manicurist would agree. But, after all was said and done, I can honestly say my hands and feet have never looked or FELT better! Total cost? Exactly $13.33 (US) each - I LOVE this place!

We wrapped up filming the show at Rajawongse Clothier. This father and son duo is known to have been making custom tailored suits for U.S. Presidents and Secret Service types for more than 35 years. Their store is a trip with official memorabilia and business cards from all over the world (they even have a writing pen from Air Force One). The father and son are constantly cracking one-liners and the store is hopping. In fact, while we were filming, an Air Force Colonel came into the store to personally thank them for all their support over the years.

Yup, Bangkok is an amazing place and I hope you like the show when we finish editing it.

Do you have an East Asia story to tell? Share it with us here.

On my way to Asia — for the first time!

Traveling has been a part of my job description for the past 20 years. And while I have been to dozens of different countries and to every state in the U.S., I have never been anywhere in Asia…until now!

I'm packing my bags and heading off to Bangkok, Thailand and Nha Trang, Vietnam to film a beautiful timeshare resort and to film another episode of our RCI^® TV travel show, "New Ways to Play." The travel show will take place in Bangkok and the timeshare resort is on an island off the coast of Nha Trang. Villas overlook the sea and have their own plunge pool right outside your door. They have a renowned spa and feature ancient, traditional Far East massage treatments. Sounds perfect to me!

In Bangkok, we are going to meet up with one of the city’s most famous tailors to have him make my own custom silk suit in just 24 hours (I've been told I clean up fairly well). We're also taking a bicycle tour of the city with a company whose name says it all: "Grasshopper Adventures."

I've always admired the rich history of the many cultures that make up Asia and I cannot wait to experience a part of two of them in the coming weeks. What places have you visited in Asia? Any tips you can give me for my travels? Or timeshare locations you can recommend? Please comment below to let me know!

Some of my most favorite memories are of the times I spent in Mexico.

As “the RCI Guy” on RCI TV, I get to travel all around the world hosting RCI’s online travel show “New Ways to Play” and showcasing RCI affiliated timeshare resorts. Every time our schedule brings us back to Mexico, I am reminded of my earliest vacations here…which date back to the 1970’s.

My first trip to Mexico was about 35 years ago. After that, I knew I wanted to come back. In fact, in the early 1980s, I was traveling in the coastal city of Mazatlan and bought my first timeshare and became an RCI subscribing member.

What drew me to purchasing my timeshare here in Mexico was that I knew that whether I wanted to golf, take a long walk on the beach, lie in the sun, go scuba diving or deep sea fishing, I could do all of that here and so much more.

One of my most favorite things to do is to go off the beaten path and see how different a town or village is within just a few blocks from the touristy areas and timeshare resorts. Some of the most memorable times for my family and I have been when we simply took a side detour to see more of what this country has to offer. In my opinion – and limited Spanish – Mexico es perfecto!

If you want to check out some of my favorite things to see and do in Mexico, check out the Destination Review Channel on RCI TV. Comment below and let me know what you think!