THE US WINTER HOLIDAYS DESTINATIONS
Anyone who has been to a hotel in the US around Christmas will know that Americans don’t do understatement when it comes to what is known across the pond as ‘the holiday season’. Trees are taller, baubles are
bigger, and every spare corner is festooned with fairy lights. If, like me, you love a big, boisterous Christmas, it’s awesome. But the US in winter has something to offer even grinches who don’t like to feel festive. From fantastic skiing to balmy spots in the south where they can leave Britain’s chill behind and bask in the warm sunshine, the breadth of choice means you really shouldn’t regard the States only as a summer holiday option – it’s a year-round all-rounder.
movies, and clients can tick off a whole host of classic winter experiences in the run-up to December 25. Fans of Miracle on 34th Street should head for Macy’s Santaland where they’ll find the big man in red himself, plus elves and snow. Recommend coming early or late though – it gets busy in the middle of the day. A huge tree has graced Rockefeller Center Plaza since 1931, and this year the lighting ceremony will take place on December 2. Clients can visit from 5.30am-midnight every day until January 6 – they’ll get the biggest impact after dark. The ice rink here may be famous, but
1
NEW YORK Christmastime in the Big Apple conjures scenes from dozens of favourite
it’s small and expensive. Suggest they head for the rink in Central Park instead, which is just as atmospheric. And don’t let them forget to book a seasonal show – Radio City Music Hall’s Christmas Spectacular is the classic, with high-kicking Rockettes and dancing Santas. And no doubt some shopping will be in order. The window displays on Fifth Avenue are spectacular, but they’ll find better bargains out at Woodbury Common Premium Outlets, which is served by shuttle bus from the city. Why not suggest they convert all their measurements to American sizing in advance, so they’re not foxed by the labels in the shops? FIND OUT MORE:
nycgo.com
2
BOSTON Been Christmas shopping in New York before? Or just looking for a smaller,
savvier sister city? Boston is a more compact city and its sales tax is lower than New York’s, so your clients’ dollars will go further and their feet will be a little less tired. Funway Holidays’ Rebecca Evans recommends shoppers use the Hop-On Hop-Off Trolley Tour, which the operator offers for £25. “Get off at Copley Square for some shopping on Boston’s hip Newbury Street and a walk around the extravagant Copley shopping centre,” she recommends. Snow is a strong possibility at this time of year, and visitors can get into the festive spirit with ice-skating on Frog Pond in the middle of
Boston Common, where’s there’s also a large nativity scene and ice sculptures, or head to Boston Opera House for a performance of The Nutcracker, which runs throughout December. For something more adult, there’s a burlesque version, for over-18s only, called The Slutcracker that has been running since 2008 at the city’s Somerville Theatre. FIND OUT MORE:
massholiday.co.uk
3
NEW ORLEANS Want a completely different festive feel? Look south to a city
that knows how to party but won’t set you shivering. It’s 10 years since Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans, so it’s surely time for clients to head over and see how it’s bounced back. It’s still warm enough to eat outside in the run-up to Christmas – summer here is really pretty sweaty – and there’ll be fewer other tourists getting in the way. From November 27 until January 2 the whole of City Park is lit up with colourful displays for Celebration of the Oaks. For clients who like cuisine, recommend they book a Reveillon dinner. This tradition started among the Creole community in the 19th century, but now instead of a traditional banquet at home, dozens of New Orleans restaurants offer special Creole-inspired menus during the holiday season. Winter is also perfect timing for the parades the city is so famous for, from Halloween through the
Krew of Jingle holiday parade, with its Christmas characters, floats and marching bands, on December 1, to the big daddy of them all, Mardi Gras, which falls on February 9 next year. FIND OUT MORE:
neworleanscvb.com
4
SUN VALLEY, IDAHO It’s a far longer flight than the Alps, but skiing in America can really
be worth it. Excellent-quality powder is one benefit, plus groomed slopes, modern lift systems, fewer queues and good ski tuition. However, the après- ski doesn’t really happen on the scale of the Alps, so bear that in mind for very party-focused clients. Idaho’s Sun Valley is the oldest ski resort in the US, and has just reopened its completely redesigned Sun Valley Resort and added a swanky spa to the property. There are fewer, bigger rooms, and six suites named after the stars who have stayed here, from Marilyn Monroe (her suite has the best views of the slopes) to Ernest Hemingway, who wrote For Whom the Bell T
olls
here. The area is still a popular spot with celebrities – suggest lunch at Cristina’s in Ketchum to see who clients can spot – and is famous for both Alpine and Nordic skiing. There is beginner, intermediate and expert terrain, plus a snowboarding superpipe – just one of five Olympic-sized half-pipes in North America. If clients want to feel festive, suggest a horse-drawn sleigh ride to Trail Creek Cabin – try
3 September 2015
travelweekly.co.uk 55
TOP TIPA Chef Mickey
Christmas Day Breakfast at Walt Disney World costs £95 (£73 for kids aged 3-9) with Attraction World
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100 |
Page 101 |
Page 102 |
Page 103 |
Page 104