Christmas Vacations

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CHRISTMAS VACATION THE GUIDE, TO HOLIDAY SPECIALS FOR
FAMILY, COUPLES, & RETREATS


 
Find reviews of Christmas vacation packages that offer an outstanding choice of romantic luxury Christmas packages, Christmas all inclusive family getaways, Christmas and New Year’s travel, & the best resorts.

The beauty and power of Christmas lives within our hearts and souls and calls for us to celebrate in special places and loving ways. All great traditional holiday places have been born out of the need to unlock the best in human experience. Each Christmas holiday place has its own way of filling us with a feeling of joy, prosperity, and fulfillment. Mankind cannot live without our heart’s fulfillment. “Home is where the heart is.” – and where the heart is pleased, is where there is fulfillment in the broadest sense.

The sense of fulfillment of Christmas is heightened by the presence of fragrance. The fragrance of Christmas trees and wreaths is seen as a vital part of the holiday spirit. For churches and temples, the fragrances that have been formed for the holidays help to build the holy atmosphere of communication with God and an eternal presence.

We can see this also in Christmas vacation lodges, resorts, retreats, & hotels. There is the constant fragrance of choice perfumes, of flowers, and Christmas trees which contribute to our hearts fulfillment and Christmas nature of the place. When we arrive back home, we will often remember the fragrances as part of out lives.

Lighting is also of the utmost importance in achieving the beauty and power of Christmas. Christmas lights are a symbol of hospitality. Lights have been used for hundreds of years as the center of sacred elements. Light from the sun and moon were used as signs and keys to indicate seasonal changes by the Mayas and by the early monuments such as Newgrange. Light in stain glass windows was used in churches to enlighten saints and the holy. Today, Christmas lights, like a profusion of candles, provide enjoyment at the center of Christmas events and Christmas vacations.

Outwardly, there is a great difference between the ways different peoples and cultures celebrate Christmas. Christmas vacations are celebrated at resorts, hotels, retreats, lodges, castles, and villas which vary in architecture, luxury, and focus but all provide excellent ways for celebrating Christmas. Christmas reminds men, women, and children that there is another dimension to life apart from the everyday activities of home and work, a dimension which is important for a healthy life – the dimension of the spirit of Christmas.

Many of us, at some time or another, yearn for time in the countryside, mountains, beach, or luxury vacation with sweetheart or family. We may envy those who live freely amongst green hills and lakes, beaches, and mountains. But that envy is what is left of mankind’s direct connection with life. Christmas is a time when the spirit of mankind can tie together the connection between the inner and outer self and provide “cures” for the modern psychological and physical ills.

What may be the world’s favorite season is just around the corner, and lodges, luxury resorts, retreats, hotels, inns, b & b and other accommodations across the regions and the world are gearing up for holiday celebrations. And to make the next Christmas vacation season even better, many holiday hosts are offering Christmas vacation specials. You will find many participating hosts on this page and on several different vacation categories which make up this site. Listed below are features which you may want to incorporate into your Christmas vacation planning. Many of these can be found on this site at different categories such as: skiing vacations, romantic retreats, family vacations, villa retreats, mexico vacations, etc

• Type of vacation – Secluded Luxury or Rustic Hideaway, Tropical, Beach, Mountain, Forest, Wilderness, City, Desert
• Romance and Relaxation
• Excitement and Adventure
• Intimate Romantic Dining
• Tranquility, seclusion, privacy
• Hot-Tubs and Fireplaces
• Large Jacuzzi for Two
• Private Deck with Ocean, Mountain, or Forest views
• Private Pool
• Grand Resorts or private romantic rental
• Open Spaces, Outdoor Recreation
• Couples Only Resort or Accommodations
• Healing Surroundings
• Lodgings with Romantic Settings
• Honeymoon Suites
• Romantic beaches or islands

Feel free to add your likes and dislikes to this list then plan your Christmas Dream Vacation.

Use this site to discover Christmas vacations and you will exceed your expectations. Find Christmas Vacations that offer an outstanding choice of vacation special deals and quotes. Reserve your Christmas Vacation with exclusive family resorts or private romantic rentals, couples only resort, exclusive villa, honeymoon suites, or lodgings with romantic settings. Use the listings below to help select a Christmas vacation.

If you are looking for a Christmas vacation in snow country, the following resorts which are also on www.retreatvacations.com/skiing-vacations.html may be helpful:

Click on the following websites for skiing and ski lodge vacations: www.bigwhite.com. Located in Kelowna, B. C. they are voted one of the best ski resorts in the world.

www.peakretreats.co.uk/ski-inFrance.htm for the best skiing holidays in the French Alps, ski apartments, chalets, hotels in France with Peak Retreats.

www.rossland.com to see the listing for the Homespun Christmas Craft Fair at Red Mountain Resort in the City of Rossland in western Canada.

www.xcskiingquebec.com/en for combining cross-country skiing and snowshoeing with a Christmas vacation in Quebec, Canada.

www.thebalsams.com in Vermont. Sweethearts can get a Romance Package which includes breakfast and dinner for two. Families don’t miss out on family suites.

www.mirrorlakeinn.com in Placid, N.Y. for a Romantic Getaway and “Santas coming to town.”

www.thehomestead.com in Hot Springs, Virginia for Christmas and New Year specials. Their grounds are groomed for festivities and entertainment for the holidays.

www.wintergreenresort.com in the Blue Ridge mountains for “ Christmas with Santa” and “Story time with Mrs. Santa Claus.”

If you have an urge for adventurous holidays, exotic or unusual destinations, island paradise, mountains, specialty travel, or shopping, these activities should be carefully included to add to your Christmas Vacation.

Stay tuned for additional new Christmas Vacation packages, specials, & resorts.

 

 

NORTHEAST
VERMONT:

Vermont Christmas Family Vacation ? Vermont Romantic Christmas Vacation

Christmas vacations in Vermont are great for family vacations at inns and bed and breakfasts. The Vermont yuletide also inspires romantic vacations at country inns with Christmas decorations, wood burning fireplaces or hot chocolate by a wood burning stove. For winter sport adventurers there is snowshoeing everywhere, downhill skiing, cross-country skiing, and hikes on snow-covered country roads. Enjoy the essence of winter vacations among twenty snowy mountains.

 

 

 

 

SOUTHEAST

FLORIDA:

Christmas Private Islands Rental Specials in Florida

Save on Florida Christmas vacations with private island rental reservation specials made in December & January at Paradise Found Island Retreat. Choose from several private vacation rental islands in Florida. Ask about land bridge access with electronic security gate. Ask about family vacations, honeymoon vacations, and group vacations.

See about manatee, kayak, or Eco tours. Communicate with Nature on leisurely island time.

 

Christmas Private Island Beach Front Rental Florida

Discover this for Christmas vacations, a private island beach front rental in Florida, and enjoy the best kept secret retreat on the Gulf of Mexico. This most relaxing and quiet vacation spot is located next to Boca Grande and north of Captiva Island. Relax, swim, snorkel, fish, windsurf, or shell.

TENNESSEE

Tennessee Christmas Vacations Packages

Celebrate Tennessee Christmas Vacations Packages with:

• The world-famous rockets come to Nashville, TN stage for the Radio City Christmas Spectacular.
• Area hotels and attractions are decked out in traditional Christmas fashion.
• The Christmas season is celebrated in East Tennessee in Gatlinburg at Dollywood with its Toyland and Smoky Mountain Winterfest.

Smoky Mountain Christmas Vacation Package

Smoky Mountain Christmas Vacations for Christmas tradition. The Smoky Mountains of Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg are the perfect place to celebrate the holidays. They feature Smoky Mountain Christmas decorations, Christmas lights, Christmas music, and light tours. This area surrounds itself with Christmas cheer and tradition this time of year.

Christmas Vacation at Blackberry Farm

Celebrate Christmas vacations at Blackberry Farm, a luxury retreat on a 4,200 acre estate in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains. Blackberry Farm is one of the most highly rated small luxury hotels in the USA. In 2006, Travel and Leisure rated Blackberry Farm No.1 in the world for service and No.2 for cuisine. It has also been rated as one of the top 20 Spas in the United States by Travel and Leisure. In addition, Wine Speculator presented Blackberry Farm its grand award for its cellar and wine list. Enjoy its Christmas tradition and Christmas decorations.

The Inn at Blackberry Farms is located on 4,200 pristine acres. It is outstanding as a mountain retreat and getaway with flawless Southern pampering. However, it is said that most visitors come back for the find gourmet dining.

Accommodations: There are 62 rooms in the main house plus several cottages with massive stone fireplaces, whirlpool tubs, and cushy down beds with crisp white linen. Rates for 3 days/2 nights in a Singy Brook Cottage are $3,500 and include breakfast, lunch, and a romantic candlelight dinner for two each day.

Rates for the alternate plan are 2days/1 night in an Estate Room with meals for two for $745.

Spa: Galvlati Spa treatments are available

Dining:Blackberry has a team of accomplished chefs. It serves “food that respects the land.” They raise their own sheep, vegetables, and have an on-site creamery, plus larder to make cheese and jams.

CANADA

ALBERTA, BRITISH COLUMBIA, & QUEBEC

Christmas Holiday Ski Vacation ? Ski Canada – vacations destinations

Find Christmas Holiday vacations and Christmas ski deals in Alberta, CA, British Columbia, CA, and Quebec, CA. Celebrate Christmas vacation specials in Banff, Lake Louise, Quebec City. Enjoy Christmas decorations and Christmas fun.

ONTARIO

Ontario, Canada Christmas &New Years Eve Resort Getaways and Specials

Travel to Ontario, Canada for Christmas vacations and New Years eve getaways and specials north of Toronto. Choose from lodges, resorts, inns, & B&B. Enjoy Christmas fun,tradition and Christmas decorations.

 

Log Cabin Christmas Vacation Ontario, Canada

Celebrate Christmas vacations in a Traditional Canadian Log Cabin in Ontario, Canada. Enjoy 4-day guided backcountry skiing, snowmobiling, dog-sledding, plus traditional Christmas dining and Christmas ornaments.

VANCOUVER, VICTORIA, WHISTLER
Christmas Vacations luxury rentals in Vancouver, Canada

Enjoy Christmas vacations with luxury rentals in Victoria, Vancouver, Whistler, and on Vancouver Island, Canada. See Christmas deals for Christmas Holidays.

MEXICO

CABO,LOS CABOS, SAN LUCAS. SAN JOSE, & PLAYA DEL CARMEN, MEXICO

All Inclusive & Top Rated Christmas Vacation Packages in Cabo San Lucas, Los Cabos, San Jose, and Playa del Carmen, Mexico

CABO,LOS CABOS, SAN LUCAS. & SAN JOSE, MEXICO

Enjoy 7 day all-inclusive Christmas vacations packages in Cabo San Lucas and San Jose, Mexico. Los Cabos is a big favorite of Hollywood celebrities because of its impressive beaches such as Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo. Famous celebrities such as Jessica Alba, Jennifer Anniston, David Arquette, Sandra Bullock, Courtney Cox, Chris Martin, Jennifer Meyer, Tony Maguire, & Jessica Simpson and others have been seen here. Los Cabos Hollywood popularity is due also to its proximity to California, world class 5 star hotels, luxury villas, and chic restaurants.

Cabo, Los Cabos, San Lucas, and San Jose feature top rated and all-inclusive Mexico luxury resorts, hotels, hideaways, and villas.

The location of Los Cabos is great for water sports such as scuba diving in Playa Chieno and surfing at Cabo Surf Hotel and Cabo Pulmo.

You can choose from RO(Room Only), RM(Room with Meals), or AL(All Inclusive) hotel plans. Shown below is a partial list of those vacation packages which are all inclusive, four star to five star hotel rated, from budget to luxury in Cabo San Lucas and San Jose and nearby area.

• Crown Plaza Los Cabos Grand Faro All-Inclusive, Los Cabos features a new contemporary style which is enhanced by the exotic peninsular landscape and an ocean view from any of its areas. Enjoy full relaxation in a gorgeous terrace with lounge chair or hammock and a wonderful view of the ocean or infinity pools.

For maximum comfort live truly well in avant-garde style appointed guestrooms with the most world class service available. Crowne Plaza Los Cabos Grand Faro is great for adults, families newlyweds, and couples and offers, recreational activities, pool(s),Babysitter, Kid’s Club, concierge, Wedding Facilities, fitness center, aquaerobics, Jacuzzi, beach, massages, tennis, theater, and business center.

Indulge in the highest culinary quality at the Crowne Plaza’s Albatross for International haute-cuisine with very fancy and chic ambiance, find the best Italian food with professional chefs at La Gondola, partake of irresistable food beside the pool, or taste what Mexican food is supposed to taste like at Las Jicamas – it is located just off the lobby and specializes in true Mexican cuisine (with Live music from 7:00p.m. to 10:00p.m.). Don’t forget to try Nautico Sport’s Bar, the most frequented restaurant in the hotel, the ad-hoc beach decorations enhance the feeling of a very vacational ambiance.

For relaxed conversations and joyful atmospheres try the Acuario Lobby and Show Bar, Cielito Lindo Sky Bar, or La Isla Snack Bar.

• Dreams Los Cabos Suites Golf Resort & Spa
• Best Western Posada Real Los Cabos
• Presidente InterContinental Los Cabos Resort, Los Cabos, Mexico is an extraordinary 4 1/2 star resort with all-inclusive meals,captivating views of the Sea of Cortez, and the relaxing sounds of the blue water against the milky white beach. The unique Presidente Intercontinental Los Cabos Resort is the premier tropical playground of the Baja peninsula. For unforgettable all inclusive Christmas holidays, visit the most beautiful tourist destination in Mexico for family, honeymoon, or romantic vacations.

This “Christmas hotel” is located in the heart of San Jose del Cabo and features 395 guestrooms with spectacular views of the ocean or garden views. Presidente InterContinental offers a full range of amenities such as Tennis Courts, handicapped facilities, transportation available, Night Show, Kids Club, pool(s), water activities, Wedding Facilities, babysitter, concierege, beach, and business center.

Travelers who love good taste will be happy to dine at: El Caribeno, a thatched-roof Caribeno an ocean-side restaurant serving grilled entrees, freshly caught seafood and a sumptuous salad bar; El Patio for the most demanding palates, El Patio boasts the finest gourmet Mexican cuisine in the perfect setting for a romantic dining experience; Frutas y flores, a buffet style of exquisite selections of Asian cuisine, La Terraza a place for wine, tasty meat cuts, creative salads and attractive side dishes; Napa with the most exquisite specialties of California cuisine surrounded by a relaxed, casual, agreeable ambiance complete with exceptional service.

For fun, drinks, and snacks and agreeable family atmosphere enjoy Delfin; for comfort and amusing atmosphere try Ballena at the comfort of the pool, for the adult’s pool area enjoy Estero for comforting moments with delicious drinks; for a cozy place enjoy the Lobby Bar with family and friends, delightful drinks, harmonized with live music.

• Riu Palace Cabo San Lucas, Los Cabos
• Tesoro Los Cabos
• Villa del Arco Beach Resort and Grand Spa
• Villa del Palmar Beach Resort and Spa

Discover more luxury hotels, romantic resorts, and vacation retreats in Los Cabos and San Jose, Mexico.

PLAYA DEL CARMEN, MEXICO

Enjoy top rated and all inclusive Christmas vacations packages in Playa del Carmen, Mexico with a world of luxury, exceptional service, and extraordinary facilities.

Playa del Carmen offers visitors a unique Mexican vacation destination with a European sensibility. It exhibits the soul of the Riviera Maya (one of the most beautiful Caribbean coastlines in the Yucatan peninsula). Located a 40 minute drive south of Cancun, Playa del Carmen features Mexican vacations with a laid back, beach lover, sheik, and eclectic flavor. Its international atmosphere is provided by the Europeans who settled there and built cafes and businesses with a distinctly cosmopolitan flavor.

World class jet setters have bought property here or rent high end suites. In addition there are people from all walks of life, and all budgets who come here for the best beaches and huge nightlife.

You can choose from RO(Room Only), RM(Room with Meals), or AL(All Inclusive) hotel plans. Shown below is a partial list of those Mexico packages which are all inclusive, four star to five star hotel rated, from budget to luxury in Playa del Carmen and nearby areas. These hotels provide easy access to many attractions Mayan Riviera has to offer such as Playa del Carmen’s famous 5th Avenue, Thes Rios, Playacar Bird Sanctuary, Playacar Golf Club, Xcaret, Xel-Ha, Tulum, and much, much, more. Xel-Ha was called the place where water is born and is a snorkler’s paradise

• Grand Coco Bay All Inclusive Resort, Playa del Carmen
• Occidental Allegro Playacar, Playa del Carmen
• Occidental Royal Hideaway Playacar, Playa del Carmen
• Playacar Palace, Playa del Carmen
• Riu Palace Mexico, Playa del Carmen (The AAA Four Diamond Award winner)
• Riu Palace Riviera Maya, Playa del Carmen
• The Reefs Playacar, Playa del Carmen
• The Royal in Playa del Carmen, Playa del Carmen
• Riu Yucatan, Playa del Carmen

ASIA

CHINA

GUANGDONG

Christmas Specials in Guangdong, China, Guangzhou, Christmas shopping

Enjoy your Christmas vacations with specials in Guangdong, China, Discover churches, Christmas musicals & events, and Christmas dining in Guangdong, China as Christmas becomes more popular.Enjoy Christmas tradition and Christmas decorations.

THAILAND

Koh Chang, Thailand for Holiday Resorts and Private Islands

Discover Koh Chang, Thailand for Christmas vacations, holiday resorts, and private islands. Koh Chang, the second largest island after Phuket, is matchless for its sheer beauty. It offers idyllic beaches, the world’s best cuisine, good-humored people, and low prices.

Koh Chang has avoided resort-style development because of its mountains, which makes it pretty in a Gauguinesque South sea way. Among its attractions are three resorts:

• Nirvana Resort set in on 8 acres of virgin jungle. It oozes with chic and style and is located on the South China Sea. Accommodations include bungalows created to super luxurious standards.
• Koh Chang Kacha Resort and Spa, located in the central region of the White Sand Beach.
• KC Grande Resort offering superior villas with a spectacular view of the Gulf Of Thailand.

In addition, the new 150 room Amari Emerald Cove Hotel with a 5 star International rating is attracting visitors with its 50 meter pool, excellent cocktails and food.

Other attractions include several other nearby private islands South of Koh Chang such as: Koh Lao Ya, Koh Wai, Koh Sai Khao, Koh Kham, and Koh Ngam.

EUROPE

FRANCE

Christmas Vacation in France

Experience sparkling and exciting Christmas vacations with enchantments and distinctive traditions in Alsace, Aquitaine, Paris, & Toulouse, France. Enjoy the Christmas markets, Christmas history, and Christmas decorations in Provence and in and around Paris. Celebrate Christmas or New Years Eve at the Hotel Bristol or Moulin Rouge.

GREECE

Christmas Vacation Greece, Christmas Vacation Packages Greece, Greece Travel

Christmas Vacations in Greece offer a unique and memorable Christmas with the best of religious and secular Christmas celebrations. You can plan your Christmas vacation in Greece in advance by looking at the packages offered by travel agencies in Greece. Many provide all inclusive Christmas vacation packages to Greece, which give you the opportunity to tour the sites, take in a number of Christmas events, spend time at winter sports and visit traditional villages. You can attend Christmas Mass and take part in traditional Christmas customs.

See Greece vacation destinations in Athens, Greek Islands, Cyclades Islands, Dodecanese Islands, Ionian Islands, NE Aegean Islands, Saronic Islands, Sporades Islands, Halkidiki, Central Greece, Macedonia, Peloponnese, and Thessalia.

UNITED KINGDOM

Christmas & New Year’s Vacation Packages United Kingdom-Christmas Travel Specials

Enjoy Christmas vacations and New year’s packages in Northern Ireland, Ireland, England, Scotland, and Wales. Christmas and New Year’s vacations and travel specials from United Kingdom are to be cherished and remembered. Experience Christmas history, Christmas fun, and Christmas customs.

 

 

Blog Articles on Christmas Vacation Deals and Packages:

 

A Luxury Caribbean Christmas Vacation Package Nisbet Plantation Beach Club, Nevis, Has a Holiday Travel Deal

Nov 19, 2008 Jennifer W. Miner
Historic Sugar Mill on Nevis, in the Caribbean – Ernie Larson One of the best luxury resorts in the Caribbean, Nisbet Plantation, gives a free Christmas night to week-long guests. This holiday travel deal is one of several offered.

The US economy is, at the very least, currently troubled. Many people are wondering if the travel money they’ve budgeted for an annual luxury vacation might be better-spent elsewhere. But there are some terrific travel deals out there, making even the most upscale vacations more affordable than they’ve been in years. A perfect example of this is the free Christmas travel deal offered by the Nisbet Plantation Beach Club in the Caribbean, the best hotel on the island of Nevis.

The Nisbet Plantation Beach Club, on Nevis in the British West Indies, is the Caribbean’s only historic plantation inn located right on the beach. The property sprawls across 30 acres, and includes the (modernized but authentic) 1778 Great House, as well as 36 private cottages. This is a top luxury resort: Conde Nast’s discriminating readers named it among the top 3 Caribbean resorts, and it is a AAA 4-diamond award winner for both the Great House Dining Room, and for the resort overall.

The Caribbean Christmas Holiday Vacation Package Details

• Complimentary bottle of champagne for resort guests staying 3 or 4 nights
• Complimentary 60-minute massage for resort guests staying 5 or 6 nights (upgrade to couple’s massage for $60).
• Christmas is free for guests staying a week or more!
• The Nisbet Plantation Beach Club travel package is cumulative; guests of the resort staying for a free Caribbean Christmas, also get the champagne and massage.

Annual Christmas Holiday Activities on the Nisbet Plantation

• Children’s activities (such as making gingerbread houses and baking cookies)
• Spiced eggnog cocktail party
• Hermit crab races
• Rum Punch Island Tour, with stops at other resorts and local bars
• Special Christmas Dinner with Santa Claus

Guests of the Nisbet Plantation Beach Club will find themselves on a private, romantic, pampering resort. Nevis is a small island in the West Indies, 200 miles south of Puerto Rico and just next to St. Kitts. It’s only 36 miles, with none of the massive casino hotels that seem to change the overall ambiance of other tropical islands. The resort was named Best Luxury Hotel in the Caribbean and Latin America by TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice Awards.

There are several, constantly updated travel packages available on the hotel website. While these may be seasonal or time-limited, most also annual: A travel planner who just missed, say, the Family Getaway package in the Spring and Summer, can check for it to reappear the next Spring. The Nisbet Plantation is, clearly, a luxury resort well worth a Christmas holiday travel splurge.

Christmas Getaways in Vermont

Christmas Getaways in Vermont By Mike Stechschulte, eHow Contributor updated: September 4, 2010
I want to do this! Kids enjoy sledding on Christmas morning. Known for it’s mountains, lakes and relaxing escapes, it’s no wonder people are searching for Christmas getaways in Vermont. Vermont is located in the north eastern portion of the United States, and if tourists dream of a white Christmas, their chances of snow are highly likely on December 25. Standing atop Vermont’s picturesque mountains, you might even swear you saw Santa’s sleigh.

• The Heartness House Inn, Mansion Mainhouse

Known as Vermont’s Historic Inn, this bed and breakfast is quite different from your ordinary quiet two-bedroom stay. The Heartness House Inn, Mansion Mainhouse, boasts miles and miles of garland, lights and 12 Christmas trees located throughout the 14-bedroom mansion. The guests’ bedrooms are also decorated for the holiday. Special menus are prepared by the executive chef for the Christmas Eve and Christmas Day meals: duck, pheasant, scallops, shrimp, beef tenderloin, veal and mussels are among the main courses. Fireplaces are always lit and eggnog is always available fresh.

Heartness House

30 Orchard St.

Springfield, VT 05156

802-885-2207

HeartnessHouse.com

• Comfort Inn & Suites, St. Johnsbury

The Comfort Inn & Suites offers a Christmas Tree & Wreath Vacation Package. Families who stay at this hotel can pick out a Christmas tree and receive a complimentary take-home Christmas wreath. Hotel guests also receive a hot continental breakfast that includes Belgium waffles and Vermont maple syrup. With 107 rooms, which include a variety of spacious suites, the hotel also offers a heated, indoor pool and whirlpool. The facility also offers a fitness center with stationary bikes, treadmills, strength training machines and a sauna.

Comfort Inn & Suites

703, US Route 5 South

St. Johnsbury, VT 05819

866-464-1243

ComfortInn.com

• Stowe Mountain Lodge

For those who enjoy skiing, one of the best Christmas getaways in Vermont includes a Ski Resort vacation. Stowe Mountain Lodge is a six-story resort with 139 rooms, and the whole thing has old-fashioned lodge decor with over-sized windows that outlook Vermont’s splendid views. The resort offers a full spa, salon, wellness center, heated indoor pool and game room. There is also a restaurant within the lodge, Solstice, which serves breakfast, dinner, desert and wine. The Stowe Mountain Lodge will also help you find the perfect skiing, snowboarding, dog sledding, snowmobiling and snowshoeing trails, as well as horse-drawn sleigh rides in the area.

Stowe Mountain Lodge

7412 Mountain Road

Stowe, VT 05672

888-478-6938

StoweMountainLodge.com

All-Inclusive Christmas Vacations to Hawaii

By James Mascia, eHow Contributor updated: September 4, 2010

I want to do this! Hawaii has many all-inclusive offers for the Christmas traveler. Tourists flock to Hawaii all year long, however, Christmas is among the most popular times to travel to this tropical paradise. You can save yourself a great deal of headache, by not only booking early, but also booking yourself an all-inclusive vacation. Hawaii has many hotels and travel companies offering you the all-inclusive experience, which can save you not only time and money, but allow you to have a more worry- free tropical Christmas vacation.

• Grand Wailea Resort Hotel & Spa

Located on the beach, as so many of the hotels in Hawaii are, the Grand Wailea is a luxury hotel on Maui, offering guests beautiful panoramic vistas of the nearby islands of Molokini and Kaho’olawe. This resort has its own access to water sports, and has complimentary scuba lessons twice a day. The spa is probably one of the only extras at this resort, charging for massages, body wraps and manicures. The Grand Wailea is truly a tropical paradise, with several pools to lounge next to and lounge chairs under umbrellas on the beach. Packages for this resort start at $400 per night for dates around the end of December.

Grand Wailea Resort Hotel & Spa

3850 Wailea Alanui Drive

Maui, HI 96753

800-888-6100

grandwailea.com

• Kona Village Resort

The Kona Village, located on Hawaii’s Big Island’s Kohala Coast, offers a variety of all-inclusive packages designed for any kind of traveler. Not every package is the same, and range in price from $300 to $700 per person, per night for travel dates near Christmas. A golf package offers not only three meals per day but unlimited use of the resort’s golf courses during your stay. The resort also offers a romance package, which includes beach-side dining three times a day, use of sports facilities including Outrigger canoes, and even a one-day car rental so you can explore more of the island. For those traveling with family, you can get a 50 percent discount off any additional rooms you may need. No matter what, Kona Village Resort has a package to fit your needs.

Kona Village Resort

Kohala Coast

Kailua Kona Hawaii 96745

800-367-5290

konavillage.com

• Hawaii Aloha Travel

Maybe parking yourself at a single resort for the holidays isn’t what you had in mind. There are some travel agencies that offer all-inclusive multi-island getaways. Hawaii Aloha Travel offers several different packages to allow you to see the sites of one or two of the Hawaiian islands during your stay. The “Oahu/Maui All-Inclusive” package offers holiday travelers nine days to explore these two islands. You start getting picked up from the airport in a limo and brought to your first hotel, before exploring all Oahu has to offer. Sightseeing includes the Polynesian Cultural Center, Waikiki Beach, North Shore Surfing and the Dole Plantation for four days. Then a quick plane ride takes you over to Maui for another four days of fun including a Hawaiian luau and the Mountain of Valleys. Despite the travel to many different destinations, admission and meals are all still paid for. All you will have to spend money on are those last-minute Christmas gifts.

Hawaii Aloha Travel

6800 Kalanianaole Highway #127

Honolulu, Hawaii 96825

808-589-2000

hawaii-aloha.com

Christmas Vacations in Colorado

By Eric Coufal, eHow Contributor updated: April 22, 2010

I want to do this! Spend time at the Rockies for Christmas. Christmas is a special time of year for many people to share with family. Getaways and vacations can help you get together with large groups in a central location without the stress of sprucing up your own home. Several resorts in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado offer Christmas getaway packages.

• Zephyr Mountain Lodge

Wake up to presents in Colorado. Zephyr Mountain Lodge is in Winter Park, approximately two hours from Denver. In addition to condominium style lodging with one, two or three bedrooms, there are condos with hot tubs, fireplaces, full kitchens and ski storage. Christmas Eve in Winter Park is a festive affair. After sunset, the Torchlight Parade begins, where a procession of skiers with lights and Santa Claus head down the streets singing carols and spelling out a message with the lights. Fireworks are launched after the parade. Christmas packages include lift tickets, lodging, shuttle service from the condo to the lifts and discounted lessons at the ski school.

Zephyr Mountain Lodge 201 Zephyr Way Winter Park, CO 80482 866-433-3908 zephyrmountainlodge.com

• Southwest Vacations

Ski during your holiday vacation at Breckenridge. Southwest Airlines puts together Colorado vacation packages that include lodging, airfare, lift tickets, discounted gear rentals, meal credits and discounted activities or tours. Destinations include Keystone, Copper Mountain and Breckenridge. Condo style lodging with fireplaces, hot tubs, kitchens and ski storage are used for Christmas and vacation packages. Southwest recommends reserving Christmas vacation packages as early as possible, as spaces fill quickly.

Southwest Vacations Customer Service PO Box 1460 Milwaukee, WI 53201-1460 800-243-8372 southwestvacations.com

• Vail’s Mountain Haus

Enjoy snow covered live Christmas trees in Colorado. Vail’s Mountain Haus will arrange custom packages for Christmas or any other holiday. Lodging is condominium style and condos come with either one, two or three bedrooms. There are fireplaces, full kitchens, hot tubs, balconies and ski storage available in the condos. Reservations for the Christmas week are highly recommended as space fills quickly. The staff at the Mountain Haus will assist with ski tickets, transportation or booking tours and activities.

Vail’s Mountain Haus 292 East Meadow Drive Vail, CO 81657 970-476-2434 mountainhaus.com

Resorts in Anna Maria Island, Florida

By David Harris , eHow Contributor updated: June 25, 2010

I want to do this! People enjoy the sandy beaches of Anna Maria Island Anna Maria Island, located off Tampa Bay in the Gulf of Mexico, is a popular place for daytrippers to visit in Florida. According to Official Guide to Anna Maria Island, it is a destination of fishermen, honeymooners and Hollywood film crews seeking out miles of sandy beaches. Anna Maria Island is also home to some great resorts where you can go to relax and enjoy being pampered while on your vacation.

• Cedar Cove Resort

The Cedar Cove Resort, recommended by “USA Today” and TripAdvisor, is one of the top resorts on Anna Maria Island. The resort is home to numerous different suites and cottages where you can relax on its beachfront property. Among its best rooms are the Sand Castle Penthouse which has a four-poster bed, a full gourmet kitchen and luxury bathroom with marble tub. There are numerous personal cottages, some with hot tub or jacuzzi. The Cedar Cove Resort is located close to numerous golf courses as well as the island’s trolley service, which can take you to nearby dining and shopping. Of course, the best part, the beach, is right at your doorstep.

Cedar Cove Resort 2710 Gulf Dr. Holmes Beach, FL 34217 941-778-1010 cedarcoveresort.com

• Anna Maria Island Beach Resort

Anna Maria Island Beach Resort offers luxury rooms with beach front entrances or views of the Gulf of Mexico. Many of these rooms come with private balconies or patios, king-sized beds, full kitchens and air-conditioning to ward off the Florida heat in the summer. Among the other amenities available at the Anna Maria Island Beach Resort are a sun deck for tanners, a heated pool for cool winter evenings, a cafe that serves all three meals and features live music and a Gulf front pier where fishermen can cast their lines.

Anna Maria Island Beach Resort 105 39th Street Holmes Beach, FL 34217 941-778-7477 annamariaislandbeachresort.com

• Bali Hai Beach Resort

Bali Hai Beach Resort is another of Anna Maria Island’s top resorts. It offers 42 private condos with one or two bedrooms. Each condo features a full kitchen and private balcony or patio. One of the resort’s biggest draws is its 300 feet of private beach reserved only for those staying at the Bali Hai. Other amenities include a private heated pool, laundry service and a trolley that stops at the resort every 20 minutes to take guests to shopping and restaurants.

Bali Hai Beach Resort 6900 Gulf Drive Holmes Beach, FL 34217 941-778-6604 balihaibeachresort.com

Sunny Places for Christmas Vacations

By Kristie Lorette, eHow Contributor updated: March 24, 2010

Discover warm and sunny places to spend your Christmas vacation.

Many dream of a white Christmas, while others prefer a sunny Christmas — and hopefully, with a beach nearby. Sunny Christmas spots abound around the world, and while this type of holiday might require flying to an exotic destination. Among sunny places for Christmas vacations, popular spots include easily recognized spots such as the Caribbean and Hawaii to more out-of the-way locations such as Uruguay and New Zealand. So, pack your swimsuit and sunglasses, and get ready for an idyllic Christmas that includes a beach, a lounge chair and a lot of sun.

• Caribbean

For those who prefer a sunny Christmas in the Caribbean, St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands hosts an annual Christmas festival that features a uniquely Caribbean take on the holiday. The festival typically stretches from late November through early January, with the popular Christmas parades scheduled just after New Year’s. For those who prefer to relax on the beach, St. Croix offers plenty of opportunities. Among Crucian hotels, the Carambola Beach Resort & Spa is set on a quiet beach and provides guests with a taste of the Virgin Islands that has a distinctly Danish twist to honor the island’s heritage.

Carambola Beach Resort & Spa Kingshill 00851 St Croix VI 800-503-8760 340-778-3800 carambolabeach.com

• Hawaii

Christmas falls during the rainy season in the Hawaiian islands, but there are still plenty of sunny days for visitors to enjoy the beautiful beaches. The island of Oahu, with the bustling city of Honolulu, can be a fun and sunny place for Christmas: Oahu is also home to Waikiki Beach and the Diamond Head volcano. For those who want to stay right on the beach, the Outrigger Waikiki features a plantation feel overlooking the Pacific Ocean. On Kauai, the Hanalei Bay Resort in Princeville sits right on one of Kauai’s more beautiful coastlines. In Lahaina on Maui, the Ka’anapali Beach Hotel offers 11 acres with tropical gardens and, of course, the beach. And for those who can stay a few extra days, locals celebrate New Year’s with massive fireworks displays.

Outrigger Waikiki 2335 Kalakaua Ave. Honolulu HI 96815 808-923-0711 outrigger.com

Hanalei Bay Resort 5380 Honoiki Road Princeville HI 96722 808-826-6522 hanaleibayresort.com

Ka’anapali Beach Hotel 2525 Kaanapali Parkway Lahaina HI 96761 808-667-0128 kbhmaui.com

• Mexico

For those who prefer a sunny and tropical Christmas in Mexico, Playa del Carmen, on the Riviera Maya, is an excellent choice. Mexico varies considerably in topography, and the Riviera Maya is one of the more popular beach-going spots for travelers. Expect lush gardens and palm trees to abound, with white stretches of sandy beach to enjoy. For hotels, the Reina Roja, or “Red Queen,” is a luxurious boutique hotel, with a contemporary feel that still embraces the feel of the local environment.

Reina Roja Calle 20, No. 128 Entre 5a v. y 10 Ave. Playa del Carmen 77710 Mexico +52 984-879-3123 reinarojahotel.com

• South America

South America is a vast continent with an array of options for those who want a sunny Christmas. With December temperature averages in the 70s and 80s, Rio de Janeiro in Brazil just about has it all for the traveler who wants to enjoy beaches as well as a thriving nightlife. The Windsor Asturias is conveniently located in the city and within easy distance of most popular destinations, but at a fraction of the price of many other area hotels. A more overlooked but equally sunny South American destination is Uruguay. December temperatures are a little cooler, but the scenery and fairly comfortable weather still make this a great Christmas spot. The Four Seasons Resort in Carmelo is definitely a little out of the way, but the resort features a lush landscape along a river, as well as a golf course and spa.

Windsor Asturias Rua Senador Dantas 14 Rio de Janeiro 20031-203 Brazil +55 21-2195-1500 windsorhoteis.com/br

Four Seasons Resort Carmelo Ruta 21, km 262 Carmelo Dpto. de Colonia Uruguay +598 542-9000 fourseasons.com/carmelo

• New Zealand

A different kind of down under, New Zealand has a wide array of activities for travelers, from sunning on the beautiful beaches to hiking in the mountains. And like South America, New Zealand is in the southern hemisphere, so the Christmas season is quite mild. In fact, New Zealand natives have a tradition of spending Christmas on the beach. Among places to stay, Eagles Nest, in the Bay of Islands, is a popular luxury destination. The resort features 75 acres of sub-tropical landscape, and accommodation options private villas with lap pools and Jacuzzis.

Eagles Nest 60 Tapeka Road Russell 0242, New Zealand +1 09 403 8333 eaglesnest.co.nz

Opryland Christmas Attractions in Nashville, Tennessee

Contributor By Ruby Clark, eHow Contributing Writer

I want to do this! The 2010 Christmas showing of a Country Christmas will be Opryland’s 27th year running the annual show. Opryland at Christmas is not only a beautiful sight, but a place full of fun family entertainment. There are many attractions for the family at Opryland such as “A Country Christmas on the Cumberland,” Louise Mandrell’s dinner show and Opryland’s Rock-a-Billy Christmas, so there is never a dull moment. Whether 6 years old or 60, there is something for everyone this holiday season at Opryland.

• A Charlie Brown Christmas on Ice

Even though all of the Gaylord resorts include a feature on ice, Opryland is the only resort to feature “A Charlie Brown Christmas.” It is also the only place to honor the classic Peanuts characters on ice. The Christmas classic is resurrected in eight rooms that take 40 days to create using 2 million lbs. of ice. Spectators say the detailed craftsmanship of the ice work is truly a must-see of the holiday season. Breakfast with Charlie Brown is an added bonus for the true Peanuts lovers.

• Radio City Christmas Spectacular

Radio City originated in New York, but has created several touring troupes. The Radio City Christmas Spectacular troupe has been with Opryland for eight years and is the only touring troupe to remain in one place for the entire season. The Rockettes bring to life an amazing rendition of the true Christmas classic “Parade of the Wooden Soldiers.” The Rockettes Rag Doll routine is also a popular crowd pleaser. The Radio City Christmas Spectacular is fun for the entire family and truly lives up to its name.

• The Twelve Days of Christmas

The Opryland creation of The Twelve Days of Christmas is not your typical “partridge in a pear tree,” but a collection of signature Christmas trademarks. The choreography for this entire segment was done by Ziegfield and Busby Berkeley. The two have brought the show to life with their creative costumes and amazing choreography. One of the most popular segments of the show is a brilliantly portrayed Nutcracker Ballet. The show closes with a crowd-pleasing Living Nativity.

 

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