PEM002016 EV Magazine Autumn/Winter 2016 English

SUBDECK HEADLINE POSITION

UIM 5 ASUPTRUI N MG N // SW NM TER 2016

P L AY | E AT | S H O P | R E L A X | E X P LO R EP L AY | E AT | S H O P | R E L AX | E X P LO R E

Bold Copy: Non-bold copy PG. 88

Great Escapes Main story title RU N TO THE SU N OR CHILL IN THE HILL S

MAIN STORY SUBHEAD

COVER LINES THIN BOLD COVER LINES LIGHT BOLD PARADISE FOUND COVER LINES IN CAPE BOOKVERDE BOLD LIFE’S A BEACH IN LANZAROTE

Our Top

6 picks

With RCI Extra Holidays you can access a wealth of experiences. Enjoy quality apartments, stunning locations and great prices.

FROM

ONLY

£329 per week*

We’ve selected our top picks that are just waiting to be discovered.

Availability is limited so hurry and book today! Remember, you don’t need to use your Weeks or Points to book these holidays.

Availability: October 2016 – March 2017

AMAZING AUSTRIA

GRAND GERMANY

GLORIOUS GRAN CANARIA

Ferienclub Grundlsee (Mondi) (2578)

Ferienclub Oberstaufen (Mondi) (2029)

Club Monte Anfi (7515)

from

from

from

per week

per week

per week

£349

£329

£699

2016 ONLY

2016 ONLY

GORGEOUS GRAN CANARIA

Anfi Beach Club (3081) from

£699 per week

FANTASTIC FRANCE

FABULOUS FRANCE

Novotel Paris Porte De Montreuil (6206)

Novotel Porte de la Chapelle (8465)

from

from

per week

per week

£639

£639

Visit RCI.com or call 0845 60 86 380 to book *No week deposit/exchange or points required. Extra Holidays are accommodation only and do not include travel or any other expenses.

Not all resorts are available for all months for October 2016 – March 2017. All prices are rounded to the nearest pound and are subject to change. Prices for resorts in North America are subject to local tax. Details correct as of 28.07.16 but are subject to change and availability which may be limited during peak times and school holidays. All bookings are subject to availability and Terms of Membership, booking conditions apply. We reserve the right to amend, withdraw or extend this offer without notice. For full terms and conditions including pricing, please visit rcitc2.com E N D L E S S VAC AT I O N 2

As busy people with jobs, families and the multitude of other responsibilities that fill our daily routines, we all too often postpone our ‘me’ time. It’s important to remember how good it makes us feel to indulge in some quality R&R to rejuvenate us. For me, and I’m sure for many of you, travel plays a huge role in this, so when it comes to holidays and trips I find it best to apply the philosophy of ‘if not now then when?’

We at RCI like to view this magazine as somewhat of a bucket list for our members, and hope that it inspires you to seize the moment and head off to places you’ve always wanted to visit, or maybe that you had never even considered before. With this in mind, on pages 46-49 we asked some of our members and colleagues what holiday destinations are on their bucket list, or which they have already ticked off. With the Scottish Highlands, Las Vegas, Mexico, Jamaica, Canada and French Polynesia all featured - you are sure to find something to add to your list.

It has to be said that nothing brings on your wanderlust quicker than the mere thought of the British winter, and that’s why on pages 18-29 we’ve selected our six top winter escapes, for those either chasing the sun, or looking for a real winter wonderland experience.

On pages 36-43, we take you on a trip for the taste buds - sampling some of the best cuisine that the US has to offer - because delicious regional speciality dishes are as much a part of your holiday experience as the sun, sand, mountains and sea.

And if you are in any doubt as to how you can get the most from your RCI membership, our well-travelled member on pages 52-57 is here to share her stories and advice.

So, in short, wherever you want to explore, now is the time - to plan, book and go.

Helen Foster, Editor EV@RCI.com

DIRECTOR OF MARKETING AND PUBLICATIONS

Will Hall MANAGING EDITOR

Claire Williams EDITOR

Helen Foster EDITORIAL AND PRODUCTION EXECUTIVE

Leigh Connelly STUDIO MANAGER

Helen Gurney ART DIRECTION AND DESIGN

David Clarke DESIGN TEAM

Charlotte Semark Ginny Knight Trevor Lewis Charlie Hayes MARKETING MANAGERS

Shelley Burton Jo Smith CAMPAIGN MANAGERS

Gemma Gregory Rachael Noam Gabriella Ilia Sonal Patel Kara Keating MARKETING EXECUTIVES

Leia Unwin Danielle Millar Charles Kindleysides Rebecca Gormley

The paper contained within this publication is sourced from chain-of-custody certified suppliers, to ensure sustainable production.

Please recycle.

Endless Vacation, The RCI Magazine, is published twice a year by RCI Europe. Original articles and contributions may be reproduced or transmitted only with written permission from the Publisher. No responsibility is accepted by RCI Europe for any losses or other consequences resulting from advertisements or other material appearing in this publication. While every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained in Endless Vacation, no responsibility can be accepted for errors or omissions. Information is correct at time of going to press (August 2016). RCI Europe reserves the right to accept or reduce advertisements at its discretion without assigning any reason for so doing. All offers are subject to terms and conditions and limited availability. © RCI Europe 2016. For full terms and conditions see rcitc2.com

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COVER PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK.

Editor’s Note

IS THE OFFICIAL TRAVEL PUBLICATION OF RCI

Autumn/Winter

2016

CONTENTS F E AT U R E S

18

30 46

14

TOP TIPS FOR HOLIDAY SUCCESS Hottest tips for your best holiday yet

18

HOT THRILLS, COOL CHILLS Amazing places to escape to this winter

30

HOT HORIZONS Skip across to Spain’s sunny shorelines

36

TASTE OF THE STATES A foodie’s tour of America’s finest fare

46

BUCKET LIST BELTERS Inspiration station for new places to visit

52

TIPS FOR FANTASTIC FAMILY HOLIDAYS An RCI member shares her favourite holidays

58

CAPE VERDE: PARADISE UNDISCOVERED Exploring the wonders of a littleknown paradise

62

LOVING LANZAROTE Wandering Puerto del Carmen – the queen of beach retreats

I N E AC H I S S U E

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EDITOR’S NOTE WELCOME COMPETITIONS NEWS E N D L E S S VAC AT I O N 5

Welcome As the summer fades and begins to feel like a distant memory, it would be easy to think that holiday time is over. But as far as we are concerned, holiday time is anytime you want it to be.

Whether you crave a close-to-home break, or long for far-away shores, with RCI membership your options are wide, varied and ever expanding!

This issue of your Endless Vacation magazine comes filled with enticing destination and experience ideas to inspire your future travels. Furthermore, we are glad to share news of new resorts coming into our holiday exchange programme on page 10, giving you even more choice.

You can also purchase Extra Holidays without having to use your weeks or points, see page 2, or discover how you can upgrade to RCI Platinum membership on page 66, to enjoy a host of extra benefits.

Above all, don’t forget, whatever your holiday dreams are, we will have a destination for you.

Sean Lowe, Managing Director RCI Europe, Middle East, Africa and India

Tick To Review We value your opinion – so we’ve made it easier for you to share it with us. On your Welcome Back feedback email you will now find the option to tick a box which will allow us to feature your resort review on RCI.com.

At RCI, we make it our priority to ensure that each and every resort is reaching the quality standards which you deserve, and your feedback has always

played a big part in our quality checks.

We use this to rate resorts for RCI quality awards.

This enhancement also means that there will be more reviews for everyone to read whilst holiday planning, allowing you to make sure your chosen resort is perfect for you. Check for new reviews on individual resorts on RCI.com to see what fellow members have to say.

THANK YOU FOR CHOOSING RCI Visit RCI.com

or call us today!

MEMBER SERVICES: 0845 60 86 380

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RCI TRAVEL: 0845 60 86 121

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New For You! Every week, day, hour and minute, our members are putting the weeks they don’t want to use into our pool of accommodation as they plan their next RCI Exchange Holiday. This means that availability is dynamic and forever changing, which is why frequent accommodation searches – or better still, placing an Ongoing Search – are important in getting the Exchange Holiday of your dreams with RCI. Weeks in many sought-after destinations, such as Italy and the UK, are regularly put

back into the system by their owners...

But you have to be first in the queue to get them for yourself! Don’t forget that being flexible with dates, resorts and unit sizes is the best way to maximise your exchange opportunities.

To make sure you don’t miss out on that idyllic escape, RCI will now be sending you a new email every two weeks which will list, by resort and by destination, all the latest accommodation to be added to RCI’s Exchange Holiday programme.

Look out for this new email, and search regularly on RCI.com, to get ahead in getting away on your dream holiday.

A Guiding Hand On an RCI Exchange Holiday we want you to become completely immersed in your experience, to lose yourself – but never to be lost. So why not let our Arrival Guides help. We have 400 guides available for download on RCI.com,

each featuring handy information about your holiday destination, plus must-see attractions, activities, restaurant ideas and much more. Use them for inspiration in planning your next holiday, or take them with you while you explore!

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CO M P E T I T I O N

Holiday Colours BRIGHTEN OUR DAY AND SEND US YOUR MOST COLOURFUL HOLIDAY PHOTOGRAPH FOR A CHANCE TO WIN ONE OF

THREE FANTASTIC PRIZES!

H OW T O E N T E R Visit facebook.com/RCI and post your colourful snap along with a caption telling us a bit more about your holiday experience Email us at EV@RCI.com

Write to: The Editor, RCI Europe, Kettering Parkway, Kettering, NN15 6EY, England, UK. *For full Terms and Conditions please visit rcitc2.com. Entrants must be 21 or over and must be RCI members. Entry confirms participants’ agreement to be bound by the terms and conditions. Competition is governed by English law.

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CO M P E T I T I O N

1 FIRST PRIZE 14 nights’ accommodation at the Risata Bali Resort & Spa

WORTH £4,700

Inclu din 1 x 60 g: A 1 -bed ro -minu 1 x sp te Ba om junior eciali linese suite t y Ra fo r t w M ass yun 1 5% d o iscou an Agung age for t wo 50% nt o n B a li disco n f e o se Lu od an u nt o n ch dd n PLUS Free airpo spa treatm rink * r t tr a e £1,20 n * ts See pa 0 spe nsfers ge 11 n to disc ding over m mone des sp ore ab y! ecial e out th vents e reso and p rt. romot ions.

*Exclu

2 SECOND PRIZE Kindle Fire HD 8, 8’’ HD Display, WiFi, 8 GB

WORTH £129.99

3

THIRD PRIZE Amazon vouchers

Send in your pictures before 31 October 2016 to be in it to win it

GOOD LUCK!

WORTH £50 E N D L E S S VAC AT I O N 9

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New Exchange Choices At RCI, our goal is to give you more choice and flexibility. In 2015 alone, we added 170 new resorts into our global exchange network. Here are just a few for 2016.

The Hard Rock Hotel, Tenerife.

Belstead Brook Hotel, England.

Nickelodeon Resort Punta Cana

by Karisma, Dominican Republic.

The Golden Prague Resort Salabka, Czech Republic.

The Hard Rock Hotel (DE27) is located near Adeje on the sunny island of Tenerife. This impressive new resort offers a beachfront experience with five-star signature Hard Rock facilities.

On resort you can relax in the thermal areas of the Rock Spa or indulge in a traditional massage, hit the Body Rock Gym and also treat yourself in the world-famous Rock Shop, which features exclusive merchandise specially designed for the Tenerife hotel.

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Be sure to try each of the six restaurants offering a huge selection of culinary delights from around the world, including a steakhouse, tapas restaurant and the 3rd Half Restaurant, which serves Tex-Mex cuisine and has giant television screens showing the sports games you won’t want to miss. And for chic dÊcor, creative cocktails, and live music, head to the rooftop sky lounge bar for a relaxing sundowner, complete with spectacular views across the island.

N E WS The Belstead Brook Hotel (DB66) is built around a 16th century hunting lodge, with extensive gardens to provide a quintessentially English experience.

Located in suburban Ipswich, close to many of rural Suffolk’s prettiest villages, the hotel offers excellent facilities, including a spa and leisure club, and the Manor Restaurant.

The Nickelodeon Resort Punta Cana by Karisma (DD91) houses the Aqua Nick playground and a soothing spa, where guests are sure to have the experience of a lifetime. This beachfront resort features 208 suites designed to cater to a variety of travel experiences. The resort is filled with comfortable amenities and playful décor that will bring out the inner child in every guest. At the heart of the resort is Nickelodeon™ Place, including the Aqua Nick Water Park, Character Central, and Just Kiddin’ Kids’ Club. Guests also have access to seven Gourmet Inclusive® Restaurants, two Gourmet Corners and two Inclusive® bars and lounges within the resort and Gourmet Inclusive Village, shared with neighbouring Sensatori Resort Punta Cana.

The Golden Prague Resort Salabka (DB65) boasts picturesque countryside surroundings, and yet is located in Troja, just 15 minutes from Prague city centre and close to the Drahán-Troja Natural Park.

Guests will also benefit from an excellent suite of facilities, including a restaurant offering fine French-Czech cuisine.

The property also has a vineyard and Prague’s first distillery, where guests can enjoy wine tours and tastings.

COMPETITION PRIZE

The four-star Risata Bali Resort & Spa (3691) is nestled in the lush tropical flora of Kuta, Bali, and is just a few minutes’ walk from the exotic Segara Beach. Designed in the spirit of a traditional Balinese village, the apartments are spread out across tropical landscaped gardens. Relax and unwind using the excellent facilities available, including the Sukha Spa, where you can enjoy a range of treats, such as a melukat floral bath, a traditional body scrub or a Balinese massage. Enjoy delectable Balinese, Indonesian and international cuisines at the Pandan Bali Restaurant or indulge in your favourite beverage in the sunken pool bar.

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Easy Searching; Speedy Confirmations We’ve now made it easier to open an Ongoing Search if you can’t find your preferred Exchange Holiday whilst searching on RCI.com. When viewing your search results, you’ll see a link to set up an Ongoing Search using your selected destinations or resorts, so we can look for your ideal Exchange Holiday on your behalf. New properties are continually added to our pool of available accommodation, so an Ongoing Search ensures that you will be sure to see them as they go in.

Simply follow the instructions on screen and pay your exchange fee to make your Ongoing Search live. You’ll be refunded if a suitable exchange can’t be found. If you’re an RCI Platinum member, you can set up your Ongoing Search free of charge.

You will also notice that when you book, cancel or amend your exchange, or set up an Ongoing Search online, an email notification will appear in your email inbox instantly, giving you peace of mind and complete control of your account.

With enhancements like this, planning your dream holiday has never been simpler!

Easy Way To Pay We want the renewal of your RCI membership to be stress free, so why not opt to pay using Direct Debit?

With Direct Debit we simply deduct the RCI membership fee from your account annually. Plus, soon you will be able to

manage your Direct Debit online at RCI.com - for hassle-free management of your account.

Call us on 0845 60 86 380 to set up your Direct Debit*

*You must be within two years of the expiry date of your membership to set up your Direct Debit.

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Thank you all for taking part!

See page 8 for details of how to enter this issue’s Colourful Competition.

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Our Inspirational Winners In our last issue, we asked you to inspire us by sending in photographs of your most memorable holiday experiences. You didn’t disappoint and we received many fantastic images of you all having a great time.

Take a look at these wonderful holiday snaps from our winning members...

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Deborah Stewart from Edinburgh won first prize for her hair-raising photograph, which shows her enjoying the views of Queensland’s Noosa Beach, Australia.

Deborah wins an all-inclusive holiday for two at the Grand Palladium Palace Ibiza Resort & Spa, including return flights.

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Gail Oswald from East Sussex won second prize with her photo showing a once-in-a-lifetime helicopter flight across the Grand Canyon, Nevada, and is now the proud owner of a GoPro HERO4 Silver.

3rd Lisa Wolford from East Sussex won third prize for her smiley but chilly ski image in the Alps at Portes du Soleil, a major ski destination, and has won a £50 Amazon Voucher.

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If you are limited on suitcase space, or just want to make the most of it, resist jumping on your case and head to tinyurl.com/EVtips instead, to learn how to ‘pack like a pro’ with the revolutionary ‘clown car’ style packing, which saves space and helps to avoid creasing.

Avid readers, do pack a few paperbacks, but, if you haven’t done so already, invest in an e-reader too, to save space and give you the flexibility of downloading new books throughout the holiday over WiFi. On tabletstyle models and smartphones, you can also download audiobooks – opt for your favourite comedian’s autobiography and you’ll be chuckling away on your sunbed.

Top Tips for Holiday Success Take a look at our top tips to make sure your holiday goes without a hitch!

B Y L E I G H C O N N E L LY

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ILLUSTRATION: SHUTTERSTOCK & CHARLOTTE SEMARK (1)

Planning a ‘red eye’ flight?

Avoid a middle-of-the-night journey and book into an airport hotel for a peaceful night’s sleep.

Many have celebrity-chef branded restaurants close by – so you can relax, and start your holiday as you mean to go on.

Watch the pennies and remember to pick up accessories, such as travel adaptors, neck rests and eye masks ahead of reaching the airport. These items can often be found in discount homeware shops and even pound shops. So don’t get caught out at the terminal – save your money for a giant Toblerone instead!

For ladies with a plan to tan, be sure to pack a darker shade of foundation or some bronzer, your usual shade might be a little too light once you’ve developed that sun-kissed holiday skin.

Get the admin out of the way upfront and book airport parking, transfers, car hire and pre-and-post flight hotel stays as soon as you have secured your exchange, as prices can fluctuate closer to your trip. Head to rcitravelstore.co.uk for all your holiday extras.

Despite many people creating virtual photo albums – it’s still nice to have paper versions of special holiday moments.

Why not download the FreePrints app, and you can have up to 45 6x4 photographs per month straight to your door, for the cost of delivery only.

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HELPING YOU to go on holiday WITH YOU - EV ERY ST E P O F T H E WAY

Not sure where to start? Maybe you don’t have your account set up yet or simply need a helping hand.

If you need to learn more, please visit our new comprehensive HELP library on RCI.com, where you will find all of the information and tips to get the most value from your membership.

To make it easier for you to find what you need, HELP is split into four easy-to-read sections and some of the topics included are highlighted below: 1. Understanding Your RCI membership • Get the most from your membership • Renewing your account

3. Membership Benefits • Extra Holidays and Late Deals • RCI Platinum

2. Planning Your Holiday • Holiday planning tools • Managing your bookings

4. Self Help • Technical difficulties • Terms and conditions of your membership

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NEW!

ONLINE HELP LIBRARY

If you still need more help, there are a number of other ways we can support you: Live Chat – Monday to Friday from 10:00 – 18:30, subject to availability Call us on 0845 60 86 380

Our opening hours are: Monday to Friday 09:00 to 20:00 Saturday 9:00 to 16:30 Complete our online contact form on RCI.com with any questions, comments or suggestions

Visit RCI.com/help-uk to learn more

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HOT THRILLS

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Does the very thought of winter have you reaching for the holiday brochures?

There are two ways to deal with the chilly season: escape it or embrace it. Whether you want to follow the sun and warm up, or chill out with a holiday experience straight from the Christmas cards, here are our top picks for a winter break.

BY D O N N A DAI LE Y

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HEAD for the

HEAT Puerto Vallarta & Cabo San Lucas, Mexico With lows at a balmy 22ºC, Puerto Vallarta is the perfect place to shake off the winter chill.

And the welcome will be warm as well: this popular resort on the Pacific Coast was once dubbed ‘the friendliest city in the world’.

Vallarta sits smack in the middle of Banderas Bay, which is fringed with a string of sandy beaches. One of the best is Playa Los Muertos, a long and lively downtown strand backed by beach bars and restaurants. It’s always humming with live music, watersports and vendors proffering everything from sombreros to local fruits and grilled fish skewers. The calm waters make it a good swimming beach.

From Los Muertos pier there are water taxis to private beaches along the coast. To escape the crowds, visit the secluded rocky coves of Playa Conchas Chinas to the south, perfect for snoozing and snorkelling.

Behind Los Muertos beach is the Romantic Zone. Here, the cobbled streets lead into a quiet, atmospheric quarter of Old Town Vallarta, with colourful houses, red-tiled roofs and wrought iron window grilles and balconies.

From Los Muertos, stroll north along the Malecón, a splendid seaside boardwalk decorated with striking contemporary sculptures. In the historic centre, a couple of blocks inland from the arches of Los Arcos, is the landmark Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe, its bell tower topped with a wrought-iron crown.

BRIGHTER WINTER: 1. Macaws in the Dominican Republic.

2. Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Puerto Vallarta. 3. Skiing in Pyhä, Finland.

4. Reindeer in Finland.

5. Shrimp skewers in Puerto Vallarta.

6. Playa Los Muertos, Puerto Vallarta.

7. Old Town Vallarta.

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South of the city, Vallarta Botanical Gardens is a popular excursion. It features thousands of native Mexican plant species as well as international exotic specimens. There are hiking trails through the forest, birdwatching and swimming in a tropical river. Puerto Vallarta Tours also offers private tours to the gardens (puertovallartatours.net/botanicalgardens).

On the southern tip of the Baja California Peninsula, Cabo San Lucas is a favourite Mexican hot spot. Beautiful sandy beaches abound in this area, and with a rental car you could easily visit a different one each day.

Alongside the town, busy Playa El Médano

Punta Cana, Dominican Republic Winter is the perfect time to visit the Caribbean: you’ll escape the tropical storm season, as well as the damp and cold back home. And Punta Cana, on the eastern tip of the Dominican Republic, is a perfect spot for beating the winter blues.

The Atlantic meets the Caribbean here on the Coconut Coast, where lush coco palms fringe soft white sands and calm turquoise waters for some 20 miles.

These paradise beaches are some of the best in the Caribbean. Playa Bávaro is one of the most popular, with good public access. This long, lazy strand is the perfect place for a sunset stroll. If you prefer a buzzing village atmosphere, FUN IN THE SUN: 1. Playa El Médano, Cabo San Lucas.

2. Playa Bávaro, Punta Cana.

3. River Chavon Gorge, Punta Cana.

4. Larimar gemstone jewellery.

5.Punta Espada Golf Club at Cap Cana.

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is Cabo’s main beach. Come here for peoplewatching, water sports and a host of beachside restaurants and bars. It’s also a safe swimming beach. A short walk away, there are elegant shops and cantinas around the town square.

Water taxis run south past the marina to the idyllic Lovers’ Beach on the Land’s End promontory. Beyond is El Arco, a stunning natural archway in the sea cliffs. Sport fishing and diving are especially popular in Cabo. In the winter months, you can often spot pods of grey whales, which migrate to the Gulf of California from Alaska and Siberia to bear their calves.

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head a little further north to Playa El Cortecito.

This downtown beach is surrounded by laidback restaurants and bars, as well as shops, supermarkets and other necessities.

South of the airport, lovely Cabeza de Toro beach is backed by natural forests teeming with wildlife. For a closer look, you can take a forest trek on horseback at the Natura Park Beach Eco Resort & Spa. Idyllic beaches further south include Playa Blanca, a great swimming beach with calm, clear water, and tranquil Juanillo Beach. Both are inside gated resorts, but beach access is free with your driving licence or passport.

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If you’re looking for more activity, you’ll find lots of options at this corner of the island. Punta Cana is a world-class golf destination, with three beautiful seaside courses at La Cana Golf Club, Corales Golf Course and Punta Espada Golf Club at Cap Cana, designed by top golf pros.

For an exotic adventure, why not take a jungle tour? The Dominican Republic has the most northerly rain forest in the world, and a big slice of it is protected in the Parque Nacional del Este, about 30 miles south-west of Punta Cana. An all-day Jungle Eco Tour with Seavis runs from the port of Bayahibe. Led by expert guides, you’ll follow the trail of the Taino Indians through the

dry tropical jungle. Along the way you can spot wildlife, descend into a cave for an optional swim in an underground lake, and take a traditional boat through the River Chavon Gorge.

Another fun option is a boat trip to Saona Island, part of the national park and the largest uninhabited island in the Caribbean. Seavis operates a turtle sanctuary on the island, and in season you can see baby turtles.

When shopping for souvenirs, be sure to bargain – it’s expected. Good gifts include Dominican rum, cigars and jewellery made from larimar, a blue and white stone found only on the island.

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Tenerife, Spain With its year-round balmy climate, Tenerife has long been a favourite destination for British holidaymakers. Just a four-hour flight from the UK, it’s one of the closest winter sun spots.

This Canary Island has beaches galore, some 15 with blue flag status. They range from lively golden sands with every amenity, like Fañabé, to secluded coves of black volcanic sand backed by rugged cliffs, such as Playa de Benijo. But Tenerife has much more to offer, so once you’re relaxed and well toasted, take time to explore some of the island’s other experiences.

Costa Adeje, on the southern coast, is the 2 2 AU T U M N / W I N T E R 2 0 1 6

SUN, SAND AND SNOW: 1. Restaurant in Costa Adeje.

2. San Cristóbal de La Laguna.

3. Mount Teide and the Roque Cinchado formation.

4. Reindeer in Salla, Finland.

chic face of the island. Along with some of the most attractive natural beaches and top-notch facilities, you’ll find classy bars and smart restaurants. Golf on a championship course, pamper yourself at a stylish spa using local volcanic products, or shop in the fashionable boutiques, while Siam Water Park makes a great family day out.

Nearby, the popular resort of Los Cristianos is a pretty fishing village turned busy port.

From here you can take a boat excursion to spot whales and dolphins.

Surrounded by a national park, Tenerife’s greatest landmark is Mount Teide, an active

volcano whose 3,718m-summit is Spain’s highest point. Take the cable car to the top for truly stupendous views over Tenerife and beyond to nearby islands. The best way to get there is to hire a car and stop along the way at roadside cafés above the clouds. You can stroll around on the lunar-like landscape where moon-landing vehicles were tested. There are also Teide By Night stargazing excursions.

The north of the island offers a different experience from the south. Here you’ll find old-style Spanish charm, from classic buildings with wooden balconies and wrought iron decoration, to simple restaurants serving traditional cuisine.

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GETAWAYS

The island capital, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, is home to a vibrant Carnival held each February. It’s an easy, 75-minute drive from the southern resorts, and with a car you’ll have the freedom to explore picturesque villages and beaches off the beaten path. But there’s also a good, inexpensive public bus system between the main towns.

Beyond is San Cristóbal de La Laguna, the former capital and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It has architecture spanning four centuries, great shopping and a tasty tapas scene. Sophisticated Puerto de la Cruz with its elegant plazas, lush gardens and upmarket shopping, is also worth a visit.

Lapland, Finland If you’re looking for a real winter wonderland, it’s hard to beat Santa’s own stamping ground, Lapland. This most northerly quarter of Finland is a vast, sparsely populated region that turns absolutely magical in winter. Snow blankets the forests and fields, ice-covered lakes sparkle in the pale sun, and the spruces are dripping with a crusty white icing that turns them into giant sculptures. It’s an otherworldly landscape straight out of a fairy tale.

Naturally, Christmas is a perfect time to visit, especially if there are children in your party. You can take sleigh rides, pet reindeer

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and meet Father Christmas and his elves.

Family holiday activities like baking cookies and singing carols are all the more special in these enchanting surroundings.

Pre- and post-Christmas is also a great option for couples. The peace and stillness of this frozen wilderness makes a romantic backdrop for simply chilling out. After a bracing trek through the woods on snowshoes or cross-country skis, you can warm up by a roaring fire or in that great Finnish tradition – the sauna. And with short days and long nights, you’ll swap daylight for a greater chance to see the magnificent displays of the 24 AU T U M N / W I N T E R 2 0 1 6

CHILLY CHARMS: 1. Ice sauna, Finland.

2. Harriniva reindeer safari.

3. Winter cottage in Salla.

4.The Christmas Market in Trento.

5. Castello Buonconsiglio and the Neptune Fountain.

6. Skiing in Trento.

Northern Lights.

Kuusamo in northern Finland is a good choice for families, with several attractions for children. At the Angry Birds Activity Park there are games for all ages, including a pedalcar race track, a ball wall and an adventure track. Parents can join in or relax at the tablet bar with coffee and digital magazines.

At the Palosaari Reindeer and Fishing Farm you can earn your reindeer driving licence on a traditional herder’s sledge, feed the reindeer or try your hand at ice fishing. A trip to the Landemarket is a must for locally made crafts, fresh bread, pastries, jams and more made

from wild Lapland berries.

Salla, in eastern Lapland close to the Russian border, delights in being ‘in the middle of nowhere’. Here in the rugged fell highlands, you’ll find miles of cross-country trails and a skiing tradition that dates back to the Stone Age. Salla Ski Resort has downhill runs for beginners to experts, a snowboard park, and off-piste powder trails.

There are many ways to escape into this wonderful winter wilderness. Miles of snowmobile tracks bring thrills as well as chills. At the Salla Reindeer Park you can make like Santa and drive a reindeer-pulled sleigh, or try your skill at reindeer racing. There’s also

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a magical reindeer trip to see the Northern Lights, a husky safari and a scenic snowshoe photographic trip.

Trento and Sestriere, Italian Alps For skiers and non-skiers alike, the Italian Alps make a stunning backdrop for chilling out on a winter holiday. The historic city of Trento lies in the Adige Valley at the foot of the Dolomites, whose rugged peaks comprise one of the most distinctive ranges in the Alps.

This Renaissance Alpine city is brimming with art and culture, and it’s especially beautiful when its historic buildings and monuments are dusted with snow.

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Wrap up warm, and explore Trento’s town centre, starting at Castello Buonconsiglio, once home to the city’s prince-bishops, with its 13th-century castle and fortifications. Make your way past beautiful palazzos and squares to Piazza Duomo, with its Medieval cathedral and flamboyant Neptune Fountain. There are also several museums and galleries with Medieval, Renaissance and contemporary art, as well as Roman remains.

Trento also holds one of the best Christmas markets in Italy. From late November, stalls set up in the Market Place beside the castle wall. They are brimming with seasonal E N D L E S S VAC AT I O N 2 5

goodies, from candles and nativity scenes to local cheeses, sweets, sausages, wines and liqueurs, plus a range of unique Christmas presents. After shopping, warm up with a mulled wine, schnapps or a hot Bombardino, the regional brandy and egg nog-based après-ski drink.

For skiers, the area surrounding the city has slopes for everyone from beginners to advanced skiers, and there are excellent ski instructors. With more than 93 miles of linked ski runs and several miles of cross-country trails, a holiday here offers plenty of variety.

Set high in the Piedmont Alps 10 miles from the French border, Sestriere is an alpine

and six miles of cross-country trails.

The resort’s cosmopolitan après-ski scene is liveliest at weekends, with two piano bars, a disco and good cocktail bars, some with live music. Off the slopes, you’ll find smart shops, a fitness centre and pool, an ice rink and dog sledding.

Fife and Perthshire, Scotland Scotland has some of the most beautiful landscapes in the British Isles, but it’s often underrated as a winter holiday destination.

Winter and spring can be delightful and romantic times to visit, with crisp, invigorating air and scenery that glistens with frost or snow.

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village that sits at 2,035 metres above sea level.

Completely surrounded by mountains, it is part of the Milky Way (Via Lattea) and one of the biggest ski areas in Italy.

Here, it’s all about the skiing. Sestriere is connected to 146 pistes, which comprise almost 250 miles of trails. If that’s not enough, you can buy a lift pass that allows you to ski at other Milky Way resorts as well.

While Sestriere has plenty of runs for beginners and experts, it caters best for intermediate skiers with a variety of terrain and trails that let you ski between villages.

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COOL VIEWS: 1. Elie, East Neuk of Fife.

2. A red deer stag.

3. A bagpiper plays at a traditional Burn’s Night celebration.

4. The stone jetty at Pittenweem.

5. Ben Lawers.

Shorter days mean longer evenings, curled up under a tartan blanket by a roaring fire, with a wee dram or two.

You’ll find seasonal game from Highland estates on the menu at many restaurants.

And don’t forget Scotland’s famous winter celebrations. Join in a lively Hogmanay party on New Year’s Eve and belt out Auld Lang Syne when the clock strikes midnight. Or raise a glass to Scotland’s national poet, Robert Burns and enjoy a traditional Burns’ Night supper with whiskey and haggis on 25 January.

The seaside town of Elie is situated in the East Neuk of Fife, a picturesque string of

fishing villages on the north coast of the Firth of Forth. Its wide beach is perfect for a bracing winter stroll, when you’ll pretty much have the golden sands all to yourself. Or follow the Fife Coastal Path on a four-mile hike to Pittenweem. When you’ve worked up an appetite, reward yourself with fresh Scottish seafood at the Ship Inn, an old East Neuk pub beside the beach.

Elie’s distinctive stone buildings with Dutch-style stepped gables and pantile roofs date back to the 17th century, when the East Neuk was part of the prosperous North Sea trading routes. Grab your camera and explore the charming streets and harbours of the

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other nearby villages: St Monans, Pittenweem, Anstruther and Crail. The Scottish Fisheries Museum in Anstruther gives a fascinating insight into local history.

St Andrews, with its famous golf courses (open to the public), cathedral ruins, castle and golf museum, is just 12 miles away. What better place to celebrate St Andrew’s Day (30 November), a bank holiday which honours Scotland’s patron saint, than in his namesake city?

Aberfeldy, in the Perthshire Highlands, is an attractive market town on the River Tay. It’s just 20 miles from the edge of Cairngorms

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National Park, and the nearby peaks of Ben Lawers and Schiehallion are often snowcapped in winter. Explore the area with Highland Safaris, and visit the Red Deer Centre.

Warm up with a tour of Dewar’s Aberfeldy Distillery, one of Scotland’s most famous brands dating from 1898. You can even fill your own bottle with their exclusive single malt. Then visit the Watermill, a combination bookshop, café and art gallery in a converted oatmeal mill.

Pick out a good read for those cosy winter nights, and you’re all set for a perfect winter holiday in Scotland.

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WHY NOT TRY ONE OF THESE RESORTS?

HOT THRILLS MEXICO

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

lub Solaris Cabos C 5925

reams Punta Cana D Resort & Spa by UVC C552

he Grand Mayan T Nuevo Vallarta 7486

ll-Inclusive - Hard A Rock Hotel & Casino Punta Cana A791

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TENERIFE

ollywood Mirage H Club 2429

Callao Garden 2232

PHOTOS: ALAMY (16), SHUTTERSTOCK (5), ISTOCK (2), VISIT FINLAND/MARKUS KIILI/SOILI JUSSILA/ANTTI PIETIKÄINEN/RUKA SAUNA (6)

STAY

COOL CHILLS FINLAND

oliday Club H Kuusamon Tropiikki 2591

Holiday Club Salla 3939

 RCI.com

ITALIAN ALPS

alace Residence 2 P 1420

Centro Solaria 3201

SCOTLAND

ilconquhar Estate K and Country Club 0493

oness Country Club M 1585

For more resort information, and to book.

Or see page 6 for contact details

E N D L E S S VAC AT I O N 2 9

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THROW OFF THE FLEECE-LINED SHACKLES OF THE WINTER MONTHS AND SKIP ACROSS TO SPAIN’S SUNNY SHORELINES. B Y J E A N E T T E PA R K I N

HOT

HORIZONS T

empting, isn’t it? Just you, your family and friends, the sun, days warm enough for t-shirts and sandals, evenings spent sampling full-bodied reds and delicacies plucked fresh from the sea, fields and trees. Take holidays on Spain’s sunshine coasts between October and May, when the brakes have been put on the frenzied pace of summer, and you can enjoy something other than a sun lounger…

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Costa Blanca The White Coast is aptly named. The reference to the snow-white beaches is obvious, though shades of honey, caramel and gold also paint these palm-dotted shores. Sunbleached landscapes, ghost-white yachts and buildings daubed in heat-reflecting white all add to the allure of the Costa Blanca.

One of the most-visited of Spain’s seaside regions, the Costa Blanca offers more than

the karaoke bars and cultural diversions; even more than the endless stretches of sand that melt under your feet as you pad softly along the shore.

Alicante has all of the trappings of a holiday destination while preserving the things that make it so visually, culturally and soulfully Spanish. Golf courses and bobbing yachts in the harbour bear witness to the comings and goings of its visitors, but one sip of a café con leche in a shade-dappled historic square, one look at a folklore-laden festival, one mouthful of a delicious regional dish, and you’ll be hooked on this glorious city.

At just over half a mile long, beach lovers are spoiled by the soft sands of Alicante’s Playa del Postiguet. With average daytime temperatures ranging between 15°C and 25°C between October and May, the sunniest afternoons can easily become lazy beach and cooling bar sessions. With Vitamin D top ups and a healthy glow from day-long sunshine, it’s time to see what else lures visitors to Alicante.

The Castle of Santa Barbara is a good

place to start. Crowning the peak of Mount Benacantil, this 9th-century fortress tells of Alicante’s past, as well as offering far-reaching views of the city and beyond. Unearth treasures of all kinds in Alicante’s museums. There’s modern art from the likes of Picasso and Dalí at the Alicante Museum of Contemporary Art on the Plaza Santa Maria; ceramics and pottery in the absorbing Archaeological Museum of Alicante, which is housed in the former hospital of San Juan de Dios, while the Gravina Museum of Fine Arts displays local masterpieces within an historic palace.

Shopping is something of a sport in Alicante - how many bags can you carry? There are enough boutique stores here to rival the likes of Madrid and Barcelona. Get under starter’s orders on Rambla de Méndez Núñez for a workout with the credit card.

A calendar of events in the low season complements the city’s buzzing nightlife.

You’d be unlucky to miss one between January and April, when the Porrat Festival, Easter, and the Pilgrimage of the Holy Visage headline

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PICTURE PERFECT: 1. The hilltop town of Guadalest.

2. Magnificent palms, cacti and succulents in The Botanical Gardens of El Huerto del Cura in Elche. 3. Decorative streets of Alicante’s Old Town.

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the winter/spring schedule.

Away from the city, the coastal towns of Calpe, Dénia and Javea are no more than 70 minutes by road from Alicante. Turn inland and into the dreamlike vistas around Guadalest – a town that appears to cling to the dizzying rock formations. The historic city of Elche, 30 minutes by road from Alicante, is also worth a look. Here, the vast sea of palm groves is rivalled only in the Middle East.

for most fresh-off-the-plane holidaymakers, even in winter when average temperatures can reach into the high teens.

In Málaga, long ribbons of sand at Playa de la Caleta and Playa de la Malagueta offer space to sit and relax, while smaller seaside beauty spots, such as Peñon del Cuervo, are just minutes from central Málaga. The beaches at Torremolinos, Fuengirola and Estepona are ideal for sunny afternoons, while those in Marbella and Puerto Banús make for the perfect crash pad after boutique shopping and sandy-toed cocktails.

Shake off the sand and soak up the culture of Málaga. Founded some 2,800 years ago, history lives and breathes here. It doesn’t take long to unearth the rich fabric of Málaga’s

Costa del Sol A sunny slice of southern Spain that ranks close to heavenly for the legions of expats and golf lovers who cherish the relaxed way of life and mild weather.

Golden Andalusian beaches are on the radar

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PHOTOS: SHUTTERSTOCK (7)

PAST AND PRESENT: 1. Moorish architecture of the Alcazaba, Málaga. 2. The striking glass ‘pop-up’ museum at Centre Pompidou Málaga. 3. Playa de la Malagueta.

4. The breathtaking Puente Nuevo bridge at Ronda.

past, strolling along tiled floors in the mesmerising Centro Historico. The hilltop Moorish palace, Alcazaba, Gibralfaro Castle and Málaga Cathedral offer extraordinary glimpses into the past.

For a look at modern history, the Picasso Museum in Calle San Agustín, close to the artist’s birthplace, provides the most satisfying wonky-nosed portraits you are ever likely to see. The museum is just one of around 30 in Málaga, with a newly opened Pompidou branch housed in a glass cube at the port.

Take a bite to eat at the modern waterfront mall of Muelle Uno, just steps from Centre Pompidou Málaga, which houses 80 paintings and photographs.

An easy day trip from Málaga (90 minutes

by road) is Granada. Nuzzled up to the lower slopes of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, it is a spectacular city. It’s the Alhambra, however, to which folks flock in search of Moorish mystery.

Another place worthy of a mountain trip is Ronda (also 90 minutes from Málaga).

The river-carved canyon over which the city perches demanded innovative – and dizzyingly high – bridges to span the gaps; your mouth will fall almost as wide when you see them for yourself.

While man crafted Ronda’s charms, nature made magic at El Torcal Nature Reserve, an hour’s drive from Málaga, where improbably neat limestone stacks provide many a photographic stop on long walks.

E N D L E S S VAC AT I O N 3 3

STAY WHY NOT TRY ONE OF THESE RESORTS?

COSTA BLANCA

Ona Ogisaka Garden 2928

Albir Garden 2827

MEMBER REVIEW: “Lovely family-friendly resort in a Spanish beach town.”

MEMBER REVIEW: “Good resort for family holidays and based in a central location to explore Benidorm.”

Parque Denia Club 3053

Club Atlas Nou Espai 1 2441

MEMBER REVIEW: “A very friendly resort. I would recommend hiring a car to explore the Valencia and Alicante areas.”

MEMBER REVIEW: “Great resort in a peaceful area.

Beautiful beaches, with Benidorm just a short drive away.”

†RCI Travel uses the name under licence from RCI Europe and is operated by ICE Europe Limited and fulfilled by Contemporary Travel Solutions, an Accredited Body member of Advantage Travel Centres (“Advantage”) – registered office: 21 Provost Street, London N1 7NH - company registration number 04698963. Advantage is an ABTA and ATOL bonded company and RCI Europe is a separate entity to RCI Travel and does not supply any travel services and is not responsible for any of the products or services sold by RCI Travel.

All bookings with RCI Travel are subject to their booking conditions. Not all RCI Travel products are available in all countries.

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COSTA DEL SOL

FLIGHTS with

RC I TRAVE L † Visit rcitravelstore.co.uk to book your flights

Heritage Resorts at Matchroom 1867 MEMBER REVIEW: “This resort is a hidden gem which we will return to next year!”

Crown Resorts at Club Calahonda 1878 MEMBER REVIEW: “Located close to the beach and other major areas, so you can relax on the beach and still visit historical landmarks.”

RCI.com

Crown Resorts at Club Marbella 2404 MEMBER REVIEW: “We visit this resort three or four times a year. The location provides a great base to explore the local area.”

For more resort information, and to book.

Or see page 6 for contact details

E N D L E S S VAC AT I O N 3 5

Taste of the States

With its melting pot of cultures, sheer geographical expanse, and many iconic destinations, the United States offers a buffet of holiday experiences. This variation is celebrated in its gastronomy, so grab a plateful of America’s finest fare - you are sure to want seconds.

B Y L E I G H C O N N E L LY

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PHOTO: LITTLENY, SHUTTERSTOCK

E N D L E S S VAC AT I O N 37

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LUSCIOUS LAS VEGAS

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A honeypot for all things hedonistic, excessive and downright fabulous – the food here is no different. Las Vegas has no specific cuisine of its own, but the beauty is that you can have whatever you like, whenever you want it.

Vegas’ sprawling hotels pay homage to iconic worldwide destinations – choose to eat in them to take your taste buds on a trip around the globe.

Craving Italian? Head to the Venetian. In the OTTO Enoteca Pizzeria you can indulge in thin crust authentic pizza whilst sitting in a replica of St Mark’s Square. Or choose the Canaletto Restaurant located in the Grand Canal Shoppes. Devour dishes, such as Venezia Antica – risotto with asparagus, saffron, chicken breast and Grana Padano, while the gondolas float by below. Afterwards, visit Carlo’s Bakery for a range of Italian treats.

For the delectable delights of the Big Apple – head to New York-New York. Build your own burger at The Broadway Burger Bar and Grill – go traditional with beef or try a veggie or salmon burger. Topping options are endless, with favourites being beef chilli, sautéed mushrooms and guacamole. If you fancy a light bite, you can wander around Greenwich Village and indulge in some city street food.

The Nine Fine Irishmen Restaurant pays 3 8 AU T U M N / W I N T E R 2 0 1 6

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tribute to New York’s Irish population, it was even built in Ireland and shipped all the way to Vegas. Here you can enjoy hearty Irish-American treats such as lamb stew and chicken pot pie.

Visit the Paris Hotel for très fabulous French cuisine. At Le Café Ile St. Louis you can enjoy a Parisian sidewalk café experience – opt for a warm beignet, a turkey croissant or Croque Monsieur with pomme frites. For a morning visit, a café au lait is the perfect pick me up. If you are planning a romantic evening meal – the Eiffel Tower Restaurant is the place to go – you can view the replica of the iconic tower through the floor to ceiling windows, whilst devouring aged Parmesan crusted chicken, and warm lobster salad. Sweet tooth?

A Nutella, banana, candied hazelnuts and caramel sauce crêpe at La Crêperie should suffice.

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SCRUMMY SHENANDOAH VALLEY

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The 200-mile Shenandoah Valley, Virginia, is located in the western part of Virginia, and the eastern panhandle of West Virginia.

The region offers an ideal retreat for those with a love of the outdoors. Picturesque farms and inns are dotted along the country roads, creating postcard-worthy scenery, and it’s a haven for those who enjoy hiking, paddle sports and horse riding.

After a day of appetite-building outdoorsy activities, the wholesome southern comfort foods that Shenandoah Valley has to offer are sure to be well received. In most restaurants, you can also be confident that you are eating locally produced, fresh food from local farms too – always a bonus.

Visiting the south without indulging in southern fried chicken would surely be sacrilege. Choose this succulent meat fried in buttermilk batter and served with creamy mashed potatoes, or a jacket potato with sour cream, for a dinner sure to satisfy. Southern fried catfish, or ham pot pie are also good options – providing a warm hug on a plate.

Barbecued meats are also very popular – be it pulled-pork open sandwiches or baby back ribs slathered in BBQ sauce and served with homemade coleslaw and baked beans.

Don’t miss the buttermilk biscuits which the south is famed for. These melt-in-the-

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mouth delights are the American equivalent of a scone – but forget the jam and cream and go savoury with gravy, or sweet with apple butter.

Speaking of apples, Shenandoah Valley is known for its orchards, and as a result, its delicious fruit-based desserts, particularly apple and peach varieties. A hot slice of pie or an apple fritter with ice cream is an ideal end to a meal, but if you are too full after your hearty meal, there are lots of local bakeries, so you can take a whole pie home for later.

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A PLATTER OF DELIGHTS: 1. A tasty burger stack. 2. A taste of Italy – asparagus risotto.

3. A traditional Croque Monsieur. 4. Sweet crêpes.

5. Shenandoah fruit pie. 6. Baby back ribs. 7. Southern fried chicken. 8. Pulled-pork sandwich.

E N D L E S S VAC AT I O N 3 9

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Myrtle Beach has a varied offering when it comes to cuisine, so there’s something to suit every palate.

A bonus for family diners is that the area has a huge variety of buffet restaurants, so everyone can have their favourite dish. Push aside buffet prejudices, because these are nothing like those you may have experienced in the UK. American dining is rarely done by halves, and most of these mega buffets offer more than 100 varied, fresh dishes and you’ll also find cook-to-order stations. Just try not to take the all-you-can-eat lobster promise as too much of a challenge.

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The area is traditionally known for its fresh local seafood, which is available in abundance. Calabash-style seafood is very popular in the area. Named after a small town within Brunswick County in North Carolina, this style of cooking involves lightly coating the fish in cornmeal and frying until golden brown. If you prefer your fish without batter, shrimp, clams, scallops, crabs and crab cakes, oysters, calamari and all manner of other seafood is available – straight from ocean to plate.

Not feeling the fish? Fear not, because competing with seafood for cuisine kingship is steak, and lots of it. From fine filet mignon, to slow-cooked tender prime rib served rare and juicy, as well as T-bone, sirloin and not forgetting the New York strip – the steak here is a cut above your average holiday destination’s. Staying on the meat track, ribs, burgers and wings are also popular. Complete your meal with a few tasty all-American sides, such as mozzarella sticks, or crispy onion rings, plus a milkshake of course.

COLOURFUL DISHES: 1. All-you-can-eat lobster. 2. US steak is a cut above.

3. Succulent seafood. 4. Delicious fresh oysters. 5. Cuban sandwich – a lunchtime treat. 6. Conch fritters with a tangy sauce. 7. Colourful arroz con pollo. 8. Popular grouper fish.

PHOTOS: SHUTTERSTOCK (22)

MOUTH-WATERING MYRTLE BEACH

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FLAVOURSOME FLORIDA Florida, particularly in areas such as Orlando, is often seen as catering to tourist taste buds, with burgers, hot dogs and pizza being very popular within the theme parks. But why not seek out the lesser-known Floribbean cuisine, one of America’s most innovative and exciting cooking styles.

This food fusion has various strands and was born from the blending of cooking styles passed on by Latin American, African, Caribbean, and European settlers from way back in the 16th century. Today, Floribbean is a literal melting pot of these cultures, combining traditional southern food staples such as seafood and chicken, with ingredients such as coconut, papaya, peppers, avocado, cinnamon, pineapple, guava, cumin, curry, jerk seasonings and many others. Add in the citrus fruits that Florida is famed for and you have a spicy, tangy and sweet taste sensation.

Something to be aware of is that most chefs will serve Floribbean cuisine with a very natural presentation, so don’t be surprised if your colourful plateful arrives less than pristine – it’s all about taste.

Here are just a few of our favourite dishes to watch out for: Conch fritters – a deep-fried treat consisting of conch meat (a Caribbean marine snail) or shrimp, combined with sweet and

hot peppers, onions and celery, all rolled up and coated in crispy batter. This dish is usually served with a tangy dipping sauce to complement.

Arroz con pollo – rice with chicken, but with a difference. This dish varies from restaurant to restaurant, but usually you’ll find peas, garlic, bell peppers, tomatoes, saffron and a touch of tabasco or hot sauce to add kick.

Grouper fish – this mild fish is usually panseared, marinated in lemon, coconut, or ginger and served with a sweet jam, such as papaya.

Cubano – a Cuban sandwich consisting of slow-roasted pork, ham, swiss cheese, pickles and mushroom, pressed and served hot and gooey.

Key lime pie – a crumbly biscuit case with a creamy, thickened condensed milk and key lime filling – one of Florida’s most famous desserts. Try making this one at home with our recipe on the next page.

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RECIPE

KEY LIME PIE

T

here is much argument over the true, authentic recipe for a key lime pie – should it have a pastry case, or should it be more like a cheesecake, with a biscuit – or in the US – a Graham cracker base? And as for meringue top or no meringue top, that’s an argument for another day. Adjust as you see fit because either way, this sweet, simple dish is going to taste great. We’ve also used Persian limes (your average supermarket lime) instead of key limes because you are likely to struggle to get the Florida variety in the UK.

You’ll need: Crust 175g/6oz digestive biscuits 80g/3oz butter 50g/2oz caster sugar

Filling 3 large free-range eggs, separated Finely grated zest of two limes 125ml/4½fl oz lime juice 210ml/7½fl oz condensed milk

80g/3oz caster sugar ½ tsp vanilla extract A pinch of salt ½ tsp cream of tartar

How it’s done: 1. Preheat the oven to 1800C/3500F/Gas 4.

2. For the pastry base, finely crush the biscuits by placing into a plastic bag and smashing with a rolling pin, or pulse in a food processor.

3. Melt the butter in a saucepan, then pour over the biscuit crumbs. Add the sugar, then mix well to combine. Evenly spread the biscuit mixture in a 23cm pie case, making sure to cover the sides of the tin as well. Level off any excess biscuit mixture.

5. In a clean bowl, whisk the egg whites until soft peaks form when the whisk is removed from the bowl. Gradually fold in the sugar, vanilla extract, salt and cream of tartar, then whisk again until stiff peaks form. Spoon the meringue mixture over the filling in the pie case, using a fork to form the meringue into peaks.

6. Bake the pie in the oven for 15-20 minutes, or until the meringue is golden-brown.

Remove from the oven and allow to cool. Place in the fridge to chill completely before serving.

7. Serve with a few spoonfuls of whipped cream.

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PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK.

4. For the filling, whisk the egg yolks in a bowl until pale and fluffy. In a separate bowl, whisk together the lime zest, lime juice and condensed milk until smooth and creamy, then mix into the egg yolk mixture. Pour the mixture into the pie case.

STAY WHY NOT TRY ONE OF THESE RESORTS?

orlando, florida

heraton Vistana Resort S 0450

l a s v e g a s , n e va d a

Bluegreen Club 36 A851

s h e n a n d o a h va l l e y , v i r g i n i a

ing’s Creek Plantation K 5246

 RCI.com

orlando, florida

Silver Lake Resort 2610

l a s v e g a s , n e va d a

oliday Inn Club Vacations H at Desert Club Resort 0110

m y r t l e b e ac h , s o u t h c a r o l i n a

residential Villas at P Plantation Resort 4220

For more resort information, and to book.

Or see page 6 for contact details

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Terms & conditions: Hotel market price is bench marked against Expedia.co.uk. Hotel prices are accurate at the time of publication and may change at any time thereafter. The Spain resort offer is subject to availability and is capacity controlled to the first 100 members to book. This offer is not combinable with any other promotions, offers or discounts. Other terms and conditions may apply. Hotel Savings Certificates based Per Room. RCI Travel operated by ICE Europe Limited trading as Our Holiday Centre (OHC) under licence from RCI Europe. RCI Europe does not supply any travel services and is not responsible for any of the products or services offered herein. OHC is the trading name of ICE Europe Ltd. We are a member of ABTA (license nos. L6366), which means you have the benefit of ABTA’s assistance and Code of Conduct. For further information about ABTA, the Code of Conduct or the arbitration scheme available in the case of a complaint, contact ABTA, 68-71 Newman Street, London, W1T 3AH, telephone: 0203 117 0500 or visit www.abta.com. Registered office: 79 College Road, Harrow, HA1 1BD, UK Copyright © 2016 RCI All Rights Reserved. Not all RCI Travel Products are available in all countries.

Bucket List Belters!

Wishing you were here, there or anywhere other than where you are? It’s during times like these that we think about where we’d really rather be and for most of us that would be away on a wonderful holiday. That experience is likely to be different for each of us, so Endless Vacation asked our ‘Facebooking’ members and the RCI Marketing team what’s on their holiday bucket list.

BY HELEN FOSTER

W

e spend most of our waking hours in a busy workplace, looking after children, grandchildren, homes and gardens. We live at such a frenetic pace - being contactable 24/7 - that time out is a real tonic.

In my household, we have a holiday calendar to keep us going and, as my husband refuses to go back to the same place twice because, as he says, life’s too short not to see as much of the

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world as you can, we have a full holiday bucket list! Here are some ideas to inspire...

Puerto Paradise On a sizzling break in Tenerife, I got a tantalising taste of life in the north during a drive round the island. Lush, green, and quintessentially Spanish, Puerto de la Cruz went straight onto my bucket list. It did not disappoint. The traditional crafting of the

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BEACH ART: 1. The exquisite shores of Puerto de la Cruz. 2. The Fiesa Sand Sculpture Festival on the Algarve.

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beautiful wooden balconies and windows made shopping a treat; the exquisitely artful waterfront lido, Lago Martianez, was a relaxing retreat overlooking the sea and, if it’s true Spanish cuisine you want, there is no better place on Tenerife to eat than here.

An intimate but sophisticated place that fascinated us every day of our holiday.

Helen Foster, Editor, Endless Vacation

Perfect Portugal Many iconic European holiday spots have been on our ‘must visit’ list and this year we visited Portugal for the first time.

Staying at the Monte Carvoeiro Club (1242) in the lovely village of Lagoa, we drifted through the days taking beach and E N D L E S S VAC AT I O N 47

clifftop walks, and venturing out on boat trips to the caves along the coast. The Fiesa Sand Sculpture Festival in Pera on the Algarve was themed ‘music’ this year and it was incredible!

And with castle ruins at Silves, Lagos Zoo, and so many beautiful beaches, there is so much to come back for. But it is going to be another bucket list tick for us in October, when we are off to Marbella in Spain with RCI! Anna Green, RCI Member

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Jamaica Chilling

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Mexican Magic I visited Cancun, Mexico, in October of last year, full of dreams of an idyllic beach holiday, with enough culture and nightlife to provide the best of both worlds, and I wasn’t disappointed. The beach was truly amazing, white sand and turquoise waters, it was postcard perfect, and seeing the view from my parachute when I went paragliding was a magical experience. Of course I couldn’t miss out on one of the wonders of the world, so a day at Chichen Itza, combined with swimming in an underground cave and visiting a traditional Mayan village, was a real highlight.

Leigh Connelly, Writer, Endless Vacation

We ticked Jamaica off our bucket list last year when we visited BPPC @ Grand Bahia Principe Hotel (C566), Runaway Bay. It was an excellent all-inclusive resort, where days were spent by the pool, while we watched marvellous shows in the evenings in an open-air arena surrounded by shops and lively bars. The Jerk Chicken Bar was a lunchtime favourite, while friendly staff kept us served with refreshments round the clock.

We celebrated our 10th wedding anniversary during our stay and enjoyed organised trips, such as the Bob Marley Nine Mile Experience, and the Illuminous Lake.

Dawn Burgess, RCI Member Canada Wild Canada for us! My husband would love to travel by train through the Rockies and do the Calgary Stampede Rodeo. I just want to experience the country’s fabulous landscapes and, of course, to see those Canadian Mounties - love those uniforms! Angela Braybrook, RCI Member 3

DREAM ESCAPES: 1. The postcard-perfect beach of Cancun, Mexico.

2. The luxurious resort of BPPC @ Grand Bahia Principe Hotel.

3. The Canadian Rockies.

WONDERFUL & WILD: 4. One of the dazzling crystal lagoons of Tahiti. 5. Tanya with partner Rod enjoying life, Vegas style.

6. Breathtaking views of the Scottish Highlands.

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Pretty Pacific My dream is to visit French Polynesia. This scattering of French islands in the South Pacific Ocean is a little piece of heaven on earth from the pictures I have seen. Tropical Tahiti, with its days of endless sunshine, warm black sands and crystal lagoons, seems like an idyllic island escape. Agata Wtek Nycz, RCI Member

York and marvelled at the sea life at Mandalay Bay. The Vegas hotels are amazing, and a show at Caesar’s Palace topped our wish list, while we ate really well at an array of splendid restaurants. Of course, no US visit is complete without some retail therapy at the outlet shopping malls and with two of them in Vegas, it’s just as well I didn’t lose too much at the roulette table! Tanya Lee, RCI Director of Product, Channel and Content

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PHOTOS: SHUTTERSTOCK (5) RCI MEMBERS AND STAFF

Highland Highs

Vegas Variety The winter gloom got us dreaming of warmer climes. We wanted a break with lots of variety so we chose a place we were curious about...

We chose Las Vegas. Though we spent a couple of days chilling out under the sun at our hotel, there was so much to do we lost no time getting out and about. We visited the canals of Venice, partied in the glitz of New

I can’t bring myself to tick the Scottish Highlands off the list - so I keep returning!

The people are lovely, the air fresher than anywhere else I have visited and the scenery is simply breathtaking. You will never be bored there, with so much to see and do. One of my favourite places to visit is St Andrew’s Church at the heart of Fort William. Its truly majestic architecture and wonderfully tranquil interior are mesmerising, while you will receive the warmest of welcomes from the clergy.

Mary Stewart, RCI Facebook Fan.

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fun Sharing all we love about our holidays is nothing new... I was never happier than when huddled around a plump photo album with friends and family, recounting the amazing times we shared. Now we check out each others’ Facebook pages and enjoy a bit of chatter while we are out on holiday. Never has sharing been so much fun!

BY HELEN FOSTER

It’s nearly a year since the launch of the

destination each week, giving members some

European RCI Facebook page and in that time

wonderful ideas to bring to their holiday

it has grown into a lively online community

planning.

where RCI members, and those who simply

Our members post a variety of pictures,

love travel, share their holiday pictures and

some of which are simply very amusing; some

experiences.

really do make you wish you were there, and

The Wanderlust Pick Of The Week is a big favourite. These posts showcase a new

some impress with the sheer scale of the holiday adventure they set out on. They’re

INSPIRATION: (from left) Wanderlust Spain. Wanderlust Tenerife. RCI member, Debbie Stewart, gets a view of down under from above in Queensland, Australia, in her winning RCI Inspire Me photo competition shot.

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Share

Mitchell Davis Mitchell Davis, Social Media Executive, RCI Europe, says: “What works well is the breathtaking imagery we use, as well as many fabulous photographs taken by our members and other holidaymakers, capturing some of the funniest, greatest and most memorable moments. The other great thing about photos is, they’re universal. It doesn’t matter what language you speak, anyone can be inspired by a golden sandy beach fringed by turquoise waters or a dizzying mountain vista.”

PHOTOS: SHUTTERSTOCK (2), MEMBER PHOTOS (4)

all worth looking at, being special moments of wonderful holidays, captured forever and framed to really make you think about the many fabulous and crazy things you might be doing on your next great holiday escape.

Endless Vacation magazine can also be accessed via a link from our Facebook page, but more exciting still, you can now enter the competitions, which are open to RCI members only, on our Facebook page. In our last member competition Debbie Stewart won an all-inclusive holiday in Ibiza worth £2,730, including two return flights.

Our online community continues to grow in the form of a dedicated RCI Instagram page (@rcivacations). Like Facebook, the Instagram page is packed with fabulous photos showcasing an array of holiday ideas about what to do in different destinations, plus useful holiday tips.

Join the chatter in our 431,000-strong RCI Facebook community, share your own holiday inspirations, and make friends, getting insight into how some of your fellow members like to holiday.

Visit facebook.com/RCI or take a look at our global Instagram page on: instagram.com/rcivacations/

HOW THEY PLAY: RCI members’ holiday posts to the Facebook page, (from left) Gail Oswald, Grand Canyon, Nevada.

Joanna Saade, Bali. Enza Robotti, Mexico.

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Tips for Fantastic Family Holidays LOOKING BACK OVER 20 YEARS, MUCH-TRAVELLED RCI MEMBER, DONNA MERRICK, SHARES HER TOP TIPS FOR GREAT FAMILY HOLIDAYS. B Y L E I G H C O N N E L LY

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he booking of holidays and, unfortunately, the holidays themselves, used to be a disappointing experience. My husband, Ashley, and I would spend hours sitting in travel agencies, explaining our preferences, then, on arrival, we would often find the hotel was nothing like the pictures and descriptions we’d been given.

I had heard of timeshare, but hadn’t looked into it, until we were approached in a shopping centre in south Wales by a timeshare sales representative. He invited us to a presentation, which explained how timeshare worked with RCI membership allowing us to

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exchange into thousands of other resorts all over the world.

Straight away I bought into the philosophy of timeshare and exchange holidays. At this point, I was expecting my eldest daughter and thought that this could be the key to the kind of family holidays I wanted for us, and we have never looked back. Each year I am fortunate enough to enjoy four or five weeks of foreign holiday, and my family and I have been all over the world. After almost 20 years of RCI membership - I don’t understand why everybody doesn’t own timeshare.

Here’s how I get the best from my timeshare and RCI membership.

FAMILY TIME: 1. Beautiful green mountains in Tenerife. 2. Donna Merrick and her family on holiday in Benalmádena.

3. Donna's home resort, Elite Apartments at Pueblo Evita.

4. Donna's first timeshare purchase, Beverly Hills Heights.

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Fall in love with your home resort

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We initially purchased two weeks at a resort called Beverly Hills Heights (2398) in Tenerife, before going on to buy a further two weeks at the Elite Apartments at Pueblo Evita (3583) in MĂĄlaga, Spain.

The two are very different, but equally as brilliant.

When we chose these resorts, we did so knowing that we would get good exchanges from them, as they are very popular and of a high quality. But mainly we chose them because we liked them.

We now have two daughters, Francesca, 17, and Gabriella, 15.

When the girls were young we often took beach holidays, which worked for everyone.

We returned frequently to Spain, simply because we love it.

Besides our home resort, we have visited resorts in Alicante and Valencia, but we keep going back to the Costa del Sol. We have been so many times that many of the local restauranteurs recognise us and there is something to be said for such familiarity.

When my husband and I holiday, we usually return to the Elite Apartments at Pueblo Evita, our home from home.

But it is important that you choose your resort knowing you can exchange and explore others.

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Tour; explore; repeat As the girls got older, we were able to be more adventurous. Orlando, Florida, became a family favourite for us; we have been six times in total.

We love visiting the theme parks, especially Universal Studios, which is fabulous, even more so now that it has The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. To be honest, Ashley and I often feel that we are the ones dragging the girls around the parks - we are big kids!

One year we decided to turn our Florida holiday into a touring adventure. We spent four nights in Miami, then travelled to a resort in RCI’s exchange network - Palm Beach Resort (0616) - for a week, before taking a further week at another RCI resort, Holiday Inn Club Vacations at Orange Lake Resort - East Village (8896).

When our daughters were aged 14 and 12, we all went to Las Vegas. Although it’s not a typical family destination, we loved it. We stayed at the Holiday Inn Club Vacations at Desert Club Resort (0110), close to the Strip, and spent our days exploring the vast hotels, many of which have waterparks, animals and theme parks inside. After a week in Vegas, we hired a car and travelled via Henderson to visit the Grand Canyon and then the Hoover Dam; both were fascinating to see. We then spent a further week in Sedona Pines Resort (4968), which was the complete opposite to the hustle and bustle of Vegas. The resort was nestled within ‘Red Rock Country’ and was the perfect base for hiking, walking and horse riding.

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Another year we visited Gran Canaria and stayed at Anfi Beach Club (3081). After a week, we were on the bus with the locals to get to the nearest ferry port, where we took a high-speed ferry to Tenerife, and enjoyed a relaxing week at Hollywood Mirage Club (2429).

People often think that owning timeshare equates to having the same holiday year after year, but it doesn’t have to. We’ve been all over the place and had many different types of holiday. Equally, we never rule out returning to a place we love.

Feel (secretly) smug about savings and space

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MORE ON TOUR: 1. Universal Studios, Florida.

2. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. 3. Holiday Inn Club Vacations at Desert Club Resort bedroom.

4. Sedona Pines.

5. Anfi Beach Club. 6. Donna with her mother and daughters in Tenerife.

7. Hollywood Mirage Club.

It’s hard for me not to compare our holidays to those of other families, especially in terms of cost. For instance, both my family and a friend’s have visited Greece, staying in apartments of comparable quality.

However, while they paid around £4,000 for accommodation alone, we paid only £650, which included our yearly maintenance fee of £500.

Getting accommodation of equal quality for the same price on the high street just isn’t possible.

Space is also very valuable to us, as I think it is to most families. Even when the girls were young, I didn’t want to have the whole family all in one bedroom, although I know this is a popular way for families to keep costs down. With timeshare ownership and RCI membership, I have never had to do this, 7 because even when exchanging,

E N D L E S S VAC AT I O N 5 5

my membership enabled me to access two- or three-bedroom apartments. I often bring my mum on holiday with us and she will have her own apartment too.

Utilise your membership

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As much as I love my family holidays, I will soon be taking a second holiday with a girlfriend at Sunset Beach Club (1469) in Málaga. We holidayed together for the first time in 2015, neither of us having been away alone since marrying our respective partners 20 years ago. We had a week full of fun, relaxation and cava! This was a different experience to a family holiday, but I was able to utilise my RCI membership equally as well.

Make it fit your lifestyle 3

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We relish the self-catering aspect of our holidays, as we love eating out and sampling the local foods. Right now, an all-inclusive or meal plan package wouldn’t suit us. Plus, the great thing about a self-catering holiday is that it can be as luxurious or inexpensive as you like. However, we are able to access all-inclusive resorts with our membership, as well as cruise holidays if they take our fancy in the future, RCI membership offers that flexibility.

Book and plan ahead Personally, when I’m sat on the plane, returning from an amazing holiday, I like to console myself by knowing exactly where and when my next one will be. I’ve always got one lined up;

our holidays are planned around 18 months in advance.

Booking as far ahead as possible is the best way to make RCI membership work for you. If I decide in May that I want to go to Italy in July, then I’m likely to be disappointed. But, by making a habit of booking ahead, I have always managed to get my choice of destination and resort through RCI Exchange Holidays.

Our two- or three-resort touring holidays also take a lot of planning, but it’s not as regimented as people might think, it’s just a case of booking in plenty of time and making sure not to jam-pack the schedule. We make sure there is plenty of down time, so that everyone can relax and enjoy themselves.

We have lots of future holidays in the pipeline, the most exciting being that we plan to visit Kuala Lumpur when Francesca is 21.

PHOTOS: SHUTTERSTOCK (6), MEMBER PHOTOS (5)

Learn how the system works RCI membership has worked amazingly well for me and my family, because I make it my business to know exactly how the system works, and how to make the best of it. Our membership has given us access to some amazing properties, and we trust that we will get quality accommodation through RCI every time, but it’s up to us to do some of the work to make that happen.

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WORK THE SYSTEM: 1. Sunset Beach Club. 2. The coast at Benalmádena, Málaga. 3. Donna and her husband dining out on holiday. 4. Al fresco dining opposite Málaga Cathedral.

5. Donna's mother and daughters in Tenerife. 6. Kuala Lumpur. 7. Donna and her family soak up the sun.

E N D L E S S VAC AT I O N 57

Cape Verde:

Paradise Undiscovered

B Y L E I G H C O N N E L LY

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B

oa Vista is the most eastern of the islands which make up the archipelago of Cape Verde. The islands are close to the African continent and benefit from temperatures of between 24°C and 30°C with bright sunshine all year round, which is why it has often been compared to the Caribbean and the Canary Islands. A mid-haul six-hour flight from UK airports, Boa Vista is the ideal place to escape the winter weather - yet promises fun in the sun for all seasons.

Cape Verde, or Cabo Verde, offers an interesting fusion of European and African culture. The islands were colonised by the Portuguese in the 15th century and didn’t gain independence until 1975, they celebrate this day on 5 July each year, with a national holiday and colourful street parades.

Portuguese is still the official language, but the language you’ll hear on the streets

PHOTOS: SHUTTERSTOCK (3); ISTOCK (4); ALAMY (1).

Nicknamed the ‘African Caribbean’, due to its yearround heat and stunning beaches - Cape Verde is climbing the must-visit holiday list. The destination is made up of ten islands off the west coast of Africa and we take a look at one of the most popular Boa Vista, where ‘no stress’ is the local motto.

BEAUTIFUL BOA VISTA: (clockwise from left) Serene Santa Mónica Beach.

A typical Cape Verde beach bar. Varandinka Beach - another great spot. Wind surfing is popular on Boa Vista.

is Creole, a blend of Portuguese and African dialects. Similarly, the official currency is the Cape Verdean escudo, which is a closed currency, meaning you’ll need to buy it after you land, but many businesses will also accept euros.

Sun, Sea, Space Anyone who has visited Boa Vista will rave about the beaches, and the gushing is completely justifiable.

The island is wrapped in 34 miles of sugar-toned sand, lapped by turquoise waters. The best part is that as Cape Verde isn’t too well known, you’ll have room to sprawl without fighting for towel space.

In ‘winter’ months, the Passat wind travels from the Canary Islands to the Cape Verde Islands - meaning

beaches are a bit more breezy, these conditions are ideal for wind surfing.

If you are a water sports enthusiast, or fancy trying something new visit planetallsports.com.

The unspoilt beach of Praia de Chaves is peppered with super-sized sand dunes and stretches six miles, so it’s easy to claim your personal piece of paradise. The current here is strong so be cautious if you intend to swim. You won’t have to stroll too far to find beach bars selling cool cocktails, a speciality here is the caprioska. Made with vodka, limes and sugar, it’s irresistibly refreshing.

On the south-western side of the island you’ll find Santa Mónica Beach. Named after the Californian sands, this beach is perfect for those looking for peace E N D L E S S VAC AT I O N 5 9

and solitude, being 11 miles long and undeveloped. Many people hire a 4x4 to get here, and the drive is an adventure in itself. Plus you can use the car to explore the rest of the volcanic countryside and maybe seek out a local tavern or two.

For those who prefer underwater life, the waters around the island provide unforgettable scuba diving and snorkelling experiences. A dip beneath the surface will reveal stunning coral reefs, large trumpet fish and manta rays up to one metre wide. There are various diving schools around the island for beginners and experienced divers alike. Alternatively, stay dry and chill out on a glass bottom boat, where you are sure to get a peek of the magical world beneath the waves.

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Off The Lounger It probably doesn’t sound plausible, but it’s possible you might want to prise yourself from your sun lounger and leave the glorious coastline at some point. If you do, there’s plenty to keep you busy.

Animal lovers will be excited to know that turtles come in great swarms to Boa Vista to lay their eggs, between July and October.

There are several agencies which offer turtle-watching tours in the evening, though you’ll want to do a little research and make sure the provider is environmentally friendly.

Naturalia (naturaliaecotours.com) is a good option, and it also offers whale-watching excursions between February and May, when you are most likely to see humpback whales,

SANDY DELIGHTS: (clockwise from left) Turtle watching. The sand dunes of Praia de Chaves. Colonial architecture in Sal Rei. Caprioska cocktails.

as well as bird-watching tours, so you can spot some of the 24 different species of birds on the island.

Sal Rei, which translates to salt king, referencing the abundance of this natural resource to the islands of Cape Verde, is Boa Vista’s charming capital and is well worth a visit. Wander the cobbled streets, view the many examples of colonial architecture and get a feel for authentic Cabo Verde.

You can see the remains of Forte Duque de Bragança from a nearby islet, it was built in the early 1800s to protect the town from recurrent pirate attacks.

Around eight miles north of Sal Rei you can see the shipwreck of the

MV Santa Maria - which became beached in 1968.

Nightlife in Boa Vista is far from riotous, but along the waterfront in Sal Rei, you’ll find a few restaurants lit by flickering candlelight. Indulge in the Cape Verdean speciality of cachupa, a slow-boiled stew of tender marinated chunks of tuna or meat, with beans and chorizo thrown into the pot too.

Eat, drink, and watch the waves as a day on this beautiful island comes to its close.

It’s not the new Caribbean, or the Canaries - this place dances to it’s own tune and it’s all the better for it.

STAY WHY NOT TRY...

CAPE VERDE Have a hassle-free holiday by going all-inclusive at this resort.

TRIPADVISOR TOP SPOT!

72%

of reviewers rate this resort as Excellent or Very Good

Royal Decameron Boa Vista D811

FLIGHTS WITH RCI TRAVEL†

Just over 6 hours from London Gatwick to Boa Vista

Holiday in Cape Verde through RCI and RCI Travel†

Flights from London Gatwick currently operate on Tuesday, Saturday and Sunday

We’re competitive with High Street prices!

Be sure to check with RCI Travel† for up-to-date prices & information

Call an RCI Guide for more information and to book on 0845 60 86 380 †RCI Travel uses the name under licence from RCI Europe and is operated by ICE Europe Limited and fulfilled by Contemporary Travel Solutions, an Accredited Body member of Advantage Travel Centres (“Advantage”) – registered office: 21 Provost Street, London N1 7NH - company registration number 04698963. Advantage is an ABTA and ATOL bonded company and RCI Europe is a separate entity to RCI Travel and does not supply any travel services and is not responsible for any of the products or services sold by RCI Travel. All bookings with RCI Travel are subject to their booking conditions. Not all RCI Travel products are available in all countries.

E N D L E S S VAC AT I O N 6 1

Loving

Lanzarote Cornering the market on Lanzarote’s best resort beaches, Puerto del Carmen is the rightful queen of the tourism scene.

B Y J E A N E T T E PA R K I N

Puerto del Carmen beach.

PUERTO DEL CARMEN

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t can be hard to choose between Lanzarote’s three main resorts.

Laidback Playa Blanca boasts mountainside villas and a clutch of small town beaches, while purpose-built Costa Teguise lures with its four natural bays and time-honoured charms, having first accommodated visitors in the 1970s, but when it comes, however, to sunsoaking, page-flipping and sea-dipping, Puerto del Carmen is the golden one.

Young families flock here at the peak of summer, but the tail end of autumn, winter and early spring are ideal times to see a different side of Puerto del Carmen, a relaxed, festival-filled period when t-shirts are still en vogue and chilled seafront tipples are just as refreshing.

Here are some of the top things to see and do in and around Puerto del Carmen.

Beaches The island offers an array of beaches.

In Papagayo in the south of Lanzarote, you can expect unspoiled, secluded stretches, and Famara, on the west coast offers more rugged sands where the wind dances among the dunes. Puerto del Carmen’s beaches are wide, golden and just steps away from a fresh-fromthe-sea platter or an ice-filled cocktail that rivals the colours of a sunset.

In short, they’re perfect, and the EU thinks so too – as each has a Blue Flag.

Playa Grande is the queen bee among these honeyed stretches of fine grains, where calm waves roll tenderly onto the shores. Around a mile long and an average of 100 metres deep, this huge town beach is sandwiched between tranquil waters and a meandering promenade; behind that are shops, cafés and restaurants.

Even bigger than Playa Grande, Playa de los Pocillos runs in front of hotels in the area known as Los Pocillos, which many consider part of Puerto del Carmen. With less protection from that famous Canary Island breeze, the sands of Los Pocillos host kite fliers, while the waters off it tempt windsurfers.

The best of the rest: close to the Old Town and harbour, neighbouring Fariones Beach and Playa Chica, also known as Pila de la Barrilla, are petite but protected. Local children jump from the jetties and scuba divers wade, between sun worshippers, into the underwater world of Puerto del Carmen. At the other end of the promenade (the Avenida de Las Playas), tiny El Barranquillo is hidden by a maze of alleyways – your curiosity will be rewarded.

Festivities With average daily temperatures between autumn and spring ranging from 20°C to 23°C, a glorious parade of festivals and events revel in the milder E N D L E S S VAC AT I O N 6 3

weather and easy-going atmosphere of Puerto del Carmen.

National days and religious holidays, such as Christmas and Easter, are celebrated with zeal. Major events include May’s Ironman, which brings onlookers to Playa Grande, where the ocean greets eager swimmers, and finally to the streets, where weary runners complete the gruelling triathlon.

It’s the yearly Carnival, however, that gets feet tapping and hips shaking.

There’s no controlling it. The colourful parade arrives on its tour from the capital, Arrecife, in February or March, though carnival fever grips Puerto del Carmen for weeks before the big event.

Things To Do In Puerto del Carmen A saunter around the Old Town harbour is the perfect way to start the day. The steep inclines get the blood pumping while breakfast menus are likely to have stomachs rumbling.

Boat trips depart from the harbour throughout the day.

Glass-bottom boat, dolphin-watching trips, catamaran jaunts and visits to nearby Fuerteventura are all available.

Puerto del Carmen is one of the best places to shop in Lanzarote. The usual tourist and duty-free offerings line the seafront, though Biosfera Plaza, to the rear of Old Town, is more likely to have you flashing the plastic. Zara, Foot Locker, Claire’s and Desigual are familiar, while shoppers soon become acquainted with Spanish fashion labels such as Springfield and Pull&Bear. Visit between January and March to hunt for bargains in the winter sales.

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refreshments are available in the myriad bars of Puerto del Carmen, from themed pubs to neon-lit bars by the sea. Dining is also a pleasure here. Top eateries range from tapas bars and steak joints, to curry houses and glitzy Asian-inspired restaurants.

Things To Do Near Puerto del Carmen Lush, manicured greens are a welcome treat for the senses on volcanic Lanzarote. The 18 holes at Lanzarote Golf (Carretera Puerto del Carmen; lanzarotegolfresort.com), on the outskirts of the resort, blend a Ron Kirby-designed, 72-par course with spectacular Atlantic Ocean vistas.

The upscale marina of Puerto Calero offers more in the way of boat trips and shopping, though designer tags hang off these exclusive threads. A strip of restaurants and bars line the harbour, where diners enjoy a soundtrack of clinking cutlery and chattering yacht rigging. There’s a bracing clifftop walk from Puerto del Carmen to Puerto Calero ( just over an hour), or a taxi ride takes 10 minutes.

If you have young family members joining you, you can’t go wrong with a daytrip to Rancho Texas (Alcalde Cabrera Torres Street; ranchotexaslanzarote.com). This wildwest themed animal and water park is minutes from Puerto del Carmen and regular buses run from the resort.

Island Attractions Hire a car during your Lanzarote getaway and explore this incredible landscape with ease.

STAY

1

LANZAROTE Club Las Calas 1448 Diamond Club Maritima 1850 Hotetur Aquarius 2567 For more resort information, and to book.

R CI.com Or see page 6 for contact details.

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1. Lanzarote’s annual carnival. 2. Puerto del Carmen Old Town and harbour. 3. Scuba diving. 4. One of many bodegas in Lanzarote.

PHOTOS: ALAMY (4); SHUTTERSTOCK.

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The volcano-dotted Fire Mountains are best seen in Timanfaya National Park, which is just 20 minutes by road from Puerto del Carmen, though it feels like a world away. The route takes you through the wine-producing region of La Geria, so stop by a bodega and find out what volcanic earth and intense sunshine can do for a bottle of wine.

Legendary Lanzarote artist César Manrique adorned his island home with a trove of large-scale masterpieces. Visit the volcanic

bubbles turned rooms at the César Manrique Foundation (Calle Jorge Luis Borges, Tahiche; cesarmanrique.com), which is a 15-minute drive from Puerto del Carmen, or journey into the north (35 minutes), where Manrique made over a system of caves – Jameos del Agua (Carretera Arrecife-Orzol).

With some of the finest beaches in the Canary Islands and a strong line up of supporting acts, holidays in Puerto del Carmen are the perfect antidote to the British winter.

E N D L E S S VAC AT I O N 6 5

PAYS FOR ITSELF Join 290,000† Platinum members

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£560 ADDED VALUE*

Our exclusive RCI Platinum benefits include: Member Rewards

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Save £50 on a hotel or car hire booking Whether you fancy a last-minute weekend break or would like to explore by car on your next trip

Complimentary secure luggage tracking worth £24.99 So you can travel with peace of mind

Plus much more!

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SAVING

£98

Upgrade your membership by visiting RCI.com Terms & Conditions: RCI reserves the right to vary or amend benefits available. Some benefits may be subject to availability.

Please visit www.aboutrci.co.uk/platinum/terms. RCI Platinum is not available to RCI Lite members. *For more details of how the £560 is made up, please visit www.rcitc2.com. †No. of RCI Platinum members globally as of April 2016.

30% OFF! SELECTED CARIBBEAN & FLORIDA EXTRA HOLIDAYS*

BOOK BY

30 Sept AT RCI.COM

Terms and Conditions: *30% off applies to selected resorts in the Caribbean and Florida only. Offer is valid on RCI.com only from 15.09.16 - 30.09.16. Caribbean travel dates include October 2016 - March 2017 only. Florida travel dates include October - December 2016 only. No weeks deposit/ exchange or points required. Resorts in North America are subject to local tax. Not all information is applicable to RCI Lite or Club members. Extra Holidays are accommodation only and do not include travel or any other expenses. RCI reserves the right to amend or withdraw this offer at any time. Validity for all: Details correct at time of print but are subject to change and availability which may be limited during peak times and school holidays. All bookings are subject to availability and booking conditions apply.

EV0916/UK

TRAVEL DATES: CARIBBEAN Oct 2016 - Mar 2017 • FLORIDA Oct - Dec 2016