Surprise me with an RCI Exchange suggestion

[buzglyd]

I've been perusing the great exchange thread and thought I would lean on the experiences of Tuggers.

I recently deposited my Gaslamp unit (after having blown getting my normal Comic Con week and renting it) and earned 43 TPU. I set up an Ongoing Search and confirmed a Charter Club week in Marco Island for 2020. I still have 22 TPU to spend. I am looking for creative suggestions!

My wife and I typically go to Hawaii twice a year and travel to Mexico beach destinations often as well. I'm hoping Tuggers can throw something at me that I haven't considered like West Yellowstone, Smuggs, etc.

The stats: I'm 54. She's 49. We are both very fit and don't have any kind of mobility or health issues. Kid is up and out of the house so no school schedule to worry about. We live in Carlsbad so don't need SoCal beach suggestions or Hawaii or Mexico.

Limitations: I only have 22 TPU to spend. We are not skiers and don't like being cold. We are ok with cool weather. We enjoy exploring cities and dining, hiking, new destinations.

I have plenty of time to set up an ongoing search so start throwing them at me! Thank you!

 

[klpca]

How about Eagle Crest in Redmond (near Bend). Great location for hiking (Smith Rock, Deschutes National Forest) and beering (Bend/Sisters). I am sure there are other things to do, but hiking/beering was our itinerary. You can fly into Portland or Redmond (with a connection).

 

[buzglyd]

How about Eagle Crest in Redmond (near Bend). Great location for hiking (Smith Rock, Deschutes National Forest) and beering (Bend/Sisters). I am sure there are other things to do, but hiking/beering was our itinerary. You can fly into Portland or Redmond (with a connection).

I actually saw that because I was helping my sister book a trip to Bend for the summer.

 

[Jan M.]

Have you been to the Smoky Mountains? There are a lot of resorts in that area and a lot of people love the area.

 

[Sandy VDH]

Have you been to the Smoky Mountains? There are a lot of resorts in that area and a lot of people love the area.

It is like Hillbilly Redneck Disney, in a good way. There are lots of things to do there, and the mountains are beautiful.

 

[buzglyd]

It is like Hillbilly Redneck Disney, in a good way. There are lots of things to do there, and the mountains are beautiful.

That's funny. I have been there many years ago. I've actually been to all 50 states several times over. My wife hasn't traveled as much as I have. I could take her to Dollywood!

 

[DeniseM]

Lake Tahoe in July or August.

 

[Jolson]

I'm betting you could get a nice unit at one of the Massanutten resorts in Virginia. The TPU requirement for that area seems to hover around the 22 TPU's you have left and if you do a somewhat last minute vacation the TPU's would be even less.

 

[Jan M.]

That's funny. I have been there many years ago. I've actually been to all 50 states several times over. My wife hasn't traveled as much as I have. I could take her to Dollywood!

The Biltmore Estate near Ashville, NC is on my list of places I want to visit. People also like the hot springs in that area.

 

[baf99]

This is an old thread but it's still one of my favorites.
https://tugbbs.com/forums/index.php?threads/2013-hidden-gem-resorts.195418/

For hiking, I enjoyed the White Mountains of New Hampshire. I happen to enjoy waterfall hikes and there were plenty of them in that area. I went in October (just after peak leaf season) and the trails weren't crowded. They were probably almost impassable the week before. I think that 22 TPU would probably get you a resort in that area. While several of them have gold crown rating I wouldn't expect a Hilton or Marriott level of luxury.

 

[rickandcindy23]

We loved Cape Cod, everything about it. It's an easy exchange for mid-spring, and we got to see the herring run, which was lots of fun. We went to the old mill house several times. We stayed at Brewster Green. I am looking forward to another trip just like it in a few years, and I would choose the same area, but maybe a different resort. Loved Brewster Green but like trying other resorts, too.

We did a lot of historical tours, including the witch museum in Salem. We also toured The House of the Seven Gables. We stayed a night in a hotel in Boston for those two things.

 

[mdurette]

What about Sedona?? A quick look at TPUs needed for what is available is only 21!

 

[buzglyd]

What about Sedona?? A quick look at TPUs needed for what is available is only 21!

Sedona is on the list for sure. I've been there a few times but wife hasn't.

 

[MrockStar]

Grand Canyon or Yellowstone in the Fall, not Shure if 22TPU is enough though.

 

[Panina]

Chetola in Blowing Rock, NC or Blue Ridge Village, Banner Elk NC. They are about 1/2 hour from each other. Beautiful mountains, great dining, walking and hiking trails from beginner to advance. Lots of things to do. Chetola would be my first choice as you can walk into town, restaurant and spa on premises but a much harder trade then Blue Ridge as there are a lot fewer units. Definitely can get a week for your points during May, June, Sept or Oct, the times I like to go.

 

[CalGalTraveler]

Lake Tahoe in July or August.

+1 Suggest Lake Tahoe past Aug 15 and especially during the month of Sept. Kids back in school so no crowds. Best summer weather and warmish(!) lake with uncrowded beaches. Great hikes, bike riding and restaurants. You should be able to find a trade because not peak summer.

 

[buzglyd]

+1 Suggest Lake Tahoe past Aug 15 and especially during the month of Sept. Kids back in school so no crowds. Best summer weather and warmish(!) lake with uncrowded beaches. Great hikes, bike riding and restaurants. You should be able to find a trade because not peak summer.

The last time I was there was in September a couple years ago and it was so chilly. I still rented a boat and cruised the lake.

 

[Caligirlfrtx]

Chetola in Blowing Rock, NC or Blue Ridge Village, Banner Elk NC. They are about 1/2 hour from each other. Beautiful mountains, great dining, walking and hiking trails from beginner to advance. Lots of things to do. Chetola would be my first choice as you can walk into town, restaurant and spa on premises but a much harder trade then Blue Ridge as there are a lot fewer units. Definitely can get a week for your points during May, June, Sept or Oct, the times I like to go.

Curious... what is the quality of Blowing Rock resorts. I always get nervous to book due to the 1970s photos that RCI has lol

 

[buzglyd]

Chetola in Blowing Rock, NC or Blue Ridge Village, Banner Elk NC. They are about 1/2 hour from each other. Beautiful mountains, great dining, walking and hiking trails from beginner to advance. Lots of things to do. Chetola would be my first choice as you can walk into town, restaurant and spa on premises but a much harder trade then Blue Ridge as there are a lot fewer units. Definitely can get a week for your points during May, June, Sept or Oct, the times I like to go.

The last time I was there was 25 years ago. I rented a Harley in Charleston and rode up to the Blue Ridge parkway and stayed out there for a night or two. Then rode to Myrtle Beach and back to Charleston. Beautiful part of the country.

 

[Panina]

Curious... what is the quality of Blowing Rock resorts. I always get nervous to book due to the 1970s photos that RCI has lol

The resorts Chetola and Blue Ridge Mountain are good quality, maintained, both with rustic mountain decor.

 

[Shankilicious]

Go to Taiwan or Vietnam. It's so beautiful and everything is extremely cheap or free. Roundtrip flight from Chicago was $500. RCI has several gold crown resorts in Vietnam. I'd go back in a heartbeat, never even felt remotely uncomfortable or like I was gonna get scammed. I only ate and drank (A LOT) in hotels, many of which were rooftop bars/restaurants on the river/oceanfront and in 10 days, only spent $300 on food, drink, motorbike rental, cab fare, and saw several monuments and museums.

 

[bnoble]

That's funny. I have been there many years ago. I've actually been to all 50 states several times over. My wife hasn't traveled as much as I have. I could take her to Dollywood!

Dollywood is one of my favorite amusement parks anywhere (and I have been to a *lot* of them). If you are theme park people, worth a visit. Combine that with the hiking just down the road, and it could be a good time. I'm taking my (college-aged) kids there this summer.

Summer in the Colorado Rockies can be a lot of fun too, but the resorts there might not live up to what you are looking for in general. I've also been to Snowbird Utah in summer, and that area is fantastic.

 

[buzglyd]

Go to Taiwan or Vietnam. It's so beautiful and everything is extremely cheap or free. Roundtrip flight from Chicago was $500. RCI has several gold crown resorts in Vietnam. I'd go back in a heartbeat, never even felt remotely uncomfortable or like I was gonna get scammed. I only ate and drank (A LOT) in hotels, many of which were rooftop bars/restaurants on the river/oceanfront and in 10 days, only spent $300 on food, drink, motorbike rental, cab fare, and saw several monuments and museums.

That’s a great suggestion and I would love something like this. We have her 85 year old mother living with us right now so not sure how realistic that is but love the suggestion.

 

[louisianab]

Totally ignoring hiking (I have no suggestions for stuff like that), but New Orleans is fabulous to explore and walk all over the different neighborhoods. We found a lot of do it yourself walking tours.
The Lauderdale by the Sea, FL area is a great chill beach destination. FLL is a small airport, which is nice.
San Antonio riverwalk area is fun too.

 

[talkamotta]

How about Hilton Head. Day trips to Charleston and Savanah.