Is it Time to Take a Holiday Break?
If you listen to half the commercials on TV this time of year, you’ll be convinced that everyone wants to come home for the holidays. Maybe so, but it just might also be the perfect time for a much-needed getaway. Who knows? You might find Christmas lights look just as good on a Royal palm as they do on a Douglas fir. If you do get a chance to travel, here are four places to consider:
Williamsburg, Virginia. How does an old-fashioned Christmas sound? Well, it doesn’t get more old school than the colonial Christmas in Williamsburg. With an 18th-century resident as your guide, walk through this historic town and see the holidays through their eyes. If you’re feeling adventurous, enjoy a boisterous holiday party at the Raleigh Tavern, complete with all the latest in colonial entertainments. When you decide to come back to the modern world, Williamsburg offers the extensive shopping of the Tangier Outlet Malls and the lively charm of Yankee Candle’s flagship store, as well as plenty of dining and lodging options.
Alaska. Have you always wanted to visit the North Pole for Christmas? Well, for many people Alaska is the North Pole. It takes a brave spirit to venture to the Yukon state for the holidays, but if you do you’ll be treated to a variety of holiday festivals including Christmas on Ice in (appropriately enough) North Pole, Alaska, a six-weeks festival showing off a bevy of some of the most beautiful ice sculptures around. You’ll also find the Alaska Holiday Train, a sort of real-life Polar Express. If all that weren’t enough, you’ll be treated to spectacular views of the Aurora Borealis during your stay.
New York City. From ‘Miracle on 34th Street’ to ‘Home Alone,’ we’ve seen so many holiday movies set in the Big Apple that when we think big city Christmas, we think New York. There’s world-class shopping, of course, but the holiday displays in New York’s famed department stores are awesome in themselves, even if you don’t buy anything. If you’re about to drop from all the shopping, you can enjoy the legendary Broadway music scene, including the annual Radio City Christmas Spectacular. New York is easily accessible by train from just about anywhere on the Eastern seaboard, making it a great day trip or weekend getaway.
Florida. If walkin’ in a winter wonderland doesn’t seem like your idea of a great holiday, why not go in the opposite direction? Florida boasts year-round good weather, which means attractions ranging from Walt Disney World in Orlando to lesser-known gems like the Salvador Dali Museum in Saint Petersburg stay open all season. Add in the miles of pristine beaches found all over the state and you have a winning combination. Visiting during the holidays has the added benefit of skipping Florida’s oppressive summer heat and avoiding the busy tourist season.
Taking a much needed break might be just the thing to start the year out fresh. With these destinations, you’re sure to find the perfect holiday for you.