Brian Dietzen on the street with a collage of travel photos.

Photo credit Ian Derry

NCIS star Brian Dietzen shares his top travel spots and favorite vacation finds.

Reporting by Mona Buehler

Most Memorable Vacation

Going up to Oregon with my Dad in 2015. We went to a place called

Bandon Dunes, which is on the coast of Oregon. It's just beautiful, overlooking the ocean. A ton of golf and really good memories.

Courtesy Bandon Dunes

Fun Way to Discover a Destination

Recommendations from family or friends. My wife is definitely the much more seasoned traveler out of the two of us. She reads up on things and tells me where we have to go.

NCIS star Brian Dietzen and his wife Kelly.

Courtesy Brian Dietzen

Amazing Hotel

The Fairmont Chateau Whistler in British Columbia is just fantastic. I love staying anywhere in Summit County, Colo. The ski-bum atmosphere and all the lodges, and there's indoor/outdoor pools and that sort of thing. It's always about family staying together.

I like skiing and snowboarding—it just brings back amazing memories of my childhood. It's great. To be honest, I'm not one for hugely fancy amenities and that sort of thing. It's more about how many of us can we bring together for this.

Fairmont Chateau Whistler in wintertime.

Scott Brammer/Courtesy Fairmont Chateau Whistler

Most Memorable Meal

Dinner at Alpenglow Stube at the Keystone ski resort in Colorado. I had a seven-course meal with my mom, my dad and my wife, each course paired with a wine. I've never experienced anything like it.

You have to take two gondolas to reach the top of North Peak [at 11,444 feet]. It's like minus 10 degrees outside, and then you arrive at this place that's the fanciest restaurant I've ever been to.

Two photos of Vail Colorado resorts of skiing and fine dining rooms.

Leisa Gibson/Courtesy Vail Resorts

Travel Must-Haves

These days, my iPad and some headphones—usually for the kids, because you can put something on for them on the plane.

When I'm not with them, I watch Caddyshack or The Godfather. Catch up on my movies.

An iPad displaying the movie The Godfather.

Courtesy Apple

Next on Travel Bucket List

Nicaragua and then Disney World. We've taken the kids to Disneyland, but we want to have that classic American family vacation, and do it before they are in their teenage years and everything's stupid [laughs].

Before they are ashamed to hang out with me, I want to take them to Disney World and have a great time. I'm a big golfer and would love to visit the mecca of golf, St. Andrews, in Scotland.