ROAM FOR THE HOLIDAYS
Seasonal travel may be just the ticket this year
By Lori Rackl | FREELANCE WRITER
The most wonderful time of the year can also be a wonderful time to get away. Go play in the snow. Or the sand. See a new city. Head for the hills. If you’re feeling like ’tis the season for a change of scenery, these six U.S. destinations could make sweet spots to celebrate when you’d rather not be home for the holidays.
COLORADO SPRINGS delights
The Broadmoor resort gets its sparkle going Nov. 25. That’s when Santa flips the switch on millions of twinkling lights blanketing this historic getaway in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains.
A slew of family-friendly holiday programming and a life-sized gingerbread display created from scratch by the resort’s baking and pastry team add to the festive vibe. And who needs the Polar Express when you have The Broadmoor Manitou and Pikes Peak Cog Railway?
Book a seat in a shiny red train car on the country’s highest railroad for a breathtaking journey to the 14,115-foot summit of Colorado’s iconic mountain. Be on the lookout for Santa and his elves, who will be making appearances at the train’s station in nearby Manitou Springs. Visit www.broadmoor.com.
SAN ANTONIO road trip
Make memories you won’t soon forget in nearby Alamo City, just a three-or-so-hour road trip away. Blinged-out barges along the River Walk kick off the season with an annual parade and lighting ceremony Nov. 24.
The urban waterway gets a glow-up Dec. 2-17 during the Ford Fiesta de las Luminarias, a Mexican tradition featuring more than 2,000 bags of candles lining the river banks. The city welcomes a new tradition, starting this year: San Antonio Holidays on Houston Street. Several blocks of the historic promenade, from Legacy Park to the Alamo, will glisten with lights, whimsical décor and entertainment. A European-style Christmas market takes also place in the shadow of the Alamo, Dec. 15-17.
Go to visitsanantonio.com
Even the Alamo gets in the holiday spirit. Head to the historic mission for a European-style
Christmas market Dec. 15-17.
Navigate NAPLES
The miles of white sand lining this stretch of the Sunshine State’s Paradise Coast might look like snow, but this powder feels a lot better on your bare feet. And you won’t be far from it at the recently renovated Ritz-Carlton.
The 474-room Gulf of Mexico beach retreat boasts a brand-new Vanderbilt Tower for club-level guests, whose myriad perks include access to the largest Ritz club lounge in North America.
Redone from top to bottom, the luxe resort features a waterfront pool area with bungalows and cabanas and a 51,000-square-foot spa sanctuary. Shuttle over to its sister property, The Ritz-Carlton Naples, Tiburón, for a round of golf or a swing through the Christmas market from Dec. 17-23.
A full lineup of holiday happenings at both Ritz-Carltons can be found at naplesfestive.com, so there’s plenty to get up to. In addition, the Naples Botanical Garden shines bright during Night Lights on select evenings, and the trendy Third Street South shopping and dining district will be extra festive this year in honor of the city’s centennial. White-sand beaches beckon along Florida’s Paradise Coast, a region that includes the resort city of Naples. Explore THE HUDSON VALLEY
A mere 90 miles north of bustling New York City,
Mohonk Mountain House feels like a true hideaway, surrounded by 40,000 acres of forest in the Hudson Valley.
The same family has run this lakeside Victorian castle retreat with a loyal following for more than 150 years.
The New Paltz, N.Y., property gets super cozy in winter, with roaring fireplaces and no shortage of holiday décor.
In December, Santa will be making the rounds at weekend brunch and during Saturday afternoon tea and cookies. Pack warm clothes because you’ll want to get outside, especially when it snows.
More than 30 miles of groomed cross-country ski trails await, along with ice skating, tubing and snowshoeing.
Visit mohonk.com and tavelhudsonvalley.com The Victorian castle retreat Mohonk Mountain House is just 90 miles north of New York City.
CHICAGO FOR THE season
Head to Illinois to celebrate among the skyscrapers of this Midwest metropolis that brings its big-city energy to the holiday season. Plow through your shopping list at retailers lining the famed Magnificent Mile and State Street, and browse the booths at the German-inspired Christkindl market in downtown’s Daley Plaza.
Head to Millennium Park for some scenic spins around the ice rink and a photo in front of the city’s 110th official Christmas tree.
More colorful lights await at Lincoln Park Zoo, where you can admire the bright displays for free on Mondays.
Learn about holiday traditions around the world — Kwanzaa, Hanukkah, Diwali, Ramadan, Chinese New Year and more — at the Museum of Science and Industry. And treat yourself to tickets to “A Christmas Carol” at the Goodman Theatre or Joffrey Ballet’s “The Nutcracker” at the Lyric Opera House.
Visit www.choosechicago.com. Chicago’s popular Christkindl market takes over Daley Plaza during the holiday season.
Slip INTO HEALDSBURG, CALIFORNIA
California wine country provides lots of tasty ways to toast the holidays.
Oenophiles will want to base themselves in the Sonoma County gem of Healdsburg, about an hour’s drive north of San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge.
More than 75 wineries and tasting rooms call Healdsburg home, and many are within easy walking distance of downtown’s charming 19th century plaza.
Indulge in holiday tea service at Hotel Healdsburg before picking up some one-of-a-kind creations at the 22nd annual Gift Gallery at Healdsburg Center for the Arts. Sleep among the grapevines at the tranquil Montage Healdsburg, a 258-acre retreat with an expansive spa, two pools and activities celebrating both Hanukkah and Christmas.
Go to visitcalifornia.com and montage.com/healdsburg for more. A relaxing wine country retreat, Montage Healdsburg opened in 2021 with 130 guest rooms and suites, each with their own balcony.