6 Holiday Travel Destinations

Opt for a more traditional holiday with Jolly Ol’ Father Christmas at London’s Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park special Candlelit Christmas with Harrods Experience, which includes full English breakfast overlooking Hyde Park, Christmas Welcome gift on arrival to include the Harrods 2013 Teddy Bear and a delectable selection of delicious sweet treats by Harrods, VIP ticket to meet Father Christmas at the Harrods Christmas Grotto, and a beautiful Christmas candle by leading London perfumery Ormonde Jayne.

Enjoy the infusion of holiday spirit a little closer to home at The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island, with its annual display of the S.S. Amelia, the world’s largest gingerbread pirate ship, made up of 1,200 pounds of sugar, 3,000 eggs and pirates sculpted of chocolate. Ritz’s traditions abound with Santa’s Holiday Dinner, Santa’s Storybook Tea and Santa Tuck-ins. Ring in the New Year at the Black & White Masquerade Ball – BYO mask or let the Ritz provide one – while dining, dancing and celebrating with fireworks!

Calling all Francophiles! Look no further and raise your Champagne glass to Paris’ Mandarin Oriental and its fabulous holiday specials: Festive Season Package includes a VIP Christmas in-room amenity, spa service credit, four-course Christmas tasting menu at Camélia from Chef Thierry Marx – ending with a special 2013 Yule Log from Pastry Chef Pierre Mathieu. Enjoy a tres grand New Year’s Eve celebration with a six-course tasting menu – imagine the scallop carpaccio with watercress and French Imperial caviar. Santé!

Treat yourself to Boca Raton Resort & Club, which is encouraging guests to “sun, surf and skate through the holidays.” The famous pink hotel is honoring this tradition with a pink rink, an ice skating rink with pink ice, ready for guests during days and evenings. Not a skater? No problem. Lessons and skating camps are available, as well as the chance to just observe the pros with holiday ice shows. or 888.495.BOCA

Get your holiday boots on and celebrate western-style at The Resort at Paws Up, a luxurious yet charming destination nestled within the untamed Montana wilderness. Its Christmas package includes your family’s own personal Santa, decorated Christmas tree in your room, horse-drawn sleigh, gingerbread house-building contest, Christmas Eve dinner and Christmas Day feast. The best part? You get to choose an activity every day. Choose from dogsledding, cross-country skiing and snowmobiling.

Tampa Bay is promising “A December to Remember,” with tons of activities. My favorites? The Florida Aquarium’s Holiday FantaSea with swimming elves, holiday mermaids, real snow and light shows. Busch Gardens Christmas Town promises wintery surprises, Christmas entertainment, festive treats and holiday shopping. Last but not to be missed is Lowry Park Zoo, which hosts a Meet Santa event with his merry mammals (reindeer, of course!), and its primate family’s gift exchange.
Contact Gloria Stuart at Gloria@gulfstreammediagroup.com.