Traveling, visiting family, seeking sun soaked beaches and snow peeked cabins, make up part of our many ways to escape the winter. In light of this fact I thought it'd be fun to check out some great places to both enjoy and forget this season.
Paraty is a preserved historic coastal town on the Costa Verde (Green Coast), a lush, green corridor that runs along the coastline of the state of Rio de Janeiro, in Brazil. The town is located on the Bay of Ilha Grande, whose cerulean waters is dotted with about 300 tropical islands. Rent a boat so you'll be able to find your own private beach on many of them. Don't forget to ask for a mask and snorkel! Some renters even provide fish food which means you can jump right into the bay, float around and feed the tropical fish. Make sure to take a walking tour through the cobbled streets of the old town, and a guided trek on the gold trail which takes you into the rainforest. Enjoy delicious Brazilian cuisine at Bistro Brasil where you can watch the chefs prepare signature dishes like the Paella Caiçara: Curcuma rice served with delicious mix of seafood marinated in rum sautéed with heart of palm. Paraty is not short on excellent fare, so explore away!
What better way to spend an escape this harsh winter then at a retreat known by aristocrats and wealthy people since Roman times. Lake Como is the ideal destination. This jewel in the crown of Italy’s famous lakes is a haven of tranquility, ambrosial cuisine, magnificent snow capped mountains, courteous folk and style. Take at least one boat trip and visit the popular towns of Bellagio, Menaggio, and Varenna. Ride the hillside trolley known locally as funicalare, from the top are the most spectacular views. Lake Como is renowned for its exquisite villas. Probably the most famous is Villa Carlotta, a combination of luxurious interiors and art collections, and a definite must see on your vacation. Check out the back streets to find some of the less well known but excellent Italian fare. Try the Varenna Caffe for some yummy red wine and bruschetta, the gazpacho at Ristorante La Vista is to die for, and the perch risotto at Ristorante Bilacus will be forever imprinted in my memory.
Looking for a more traditional getaway? Then Charleston is one of the best places to do so. A seaport city in the state of South Carolina, it is known as The Holy City due to the prominence of churches on the low-rise cityscape, particularly the numerous steeples which dot the city's skyline. Take your family to the Festival of Lights featuring millions of sparkling lights. Go on a carriage tour of the city, worship with the locals at one of the many churches, and take a nice walk on the beach. Charleston is considered a great American restaurant town especially for seafood, head to Bowen's Island, near Folly Beach and The Wreck, in Mount Pleasant. For a great Sunday brunch try Moe's Downtown Tavern on Cumberland Street.
(Photo courtesy of Khanrak / Wikimedia Commons)
How amazing would it be to beat your winter blues in a cable car over waterfalls and lush tropical rainforest? Langkawi, the jewel of Kedah, is an archipelago of 104 islands in the Andaman Sea off the mainland coast of Malaysia. Ride the cable car to the top of Gunung Mat Chinchang and walk across the 700m high Sky Bridge for a spectacular view of the islands and Thailand. The largest and main island is Pulau Langkawi. Trek 300 wet steps to the Telaga Tujuh Waterfalls also known as The Seven Wells; named after the seven natural pools along its path. Pantai Pasir Hitam is a black sand beach, and definitely worth a drop in. Watch the birds, monkeys and eagles, on a boat tour. I used Mangrove Tour Langkawi, which took me on a nice slow cruise along the river. Langkawi also has an underwater world, containing an underground tunnel that runs though a giant aquarium. Sidenote: While there I met a group of young conservationists, who told me not to encourage eagle feeding, while a really interesting display to watch, it encourages the eagles to rely on tourists for food.
Picture perfect pink sand beaches, New England style buildings, flower lined streets, Harbour Island has long been known as a premier family vacation destination for the travel elite. Its warm, clear waters are aquamarine and flawlessly calm for swimming, snorkeling, diving, fishing and boating. Ride around in your golf cart (the island's preferred choice of transportation) and enjoy small town life. If you're looking for some of the best restaurants the Bahamas has to offer, then you'd be heading to the right place. Harbour Island boasts some of the chain's most exquisite fare. Try the upscale craw fish roasted in green basil butter at Rock House Restaurant perched on the bluff in Dunmore Town overlooking the bay. The cracked conch reflects true local flavor and makes a spectacular lunch over at Pink Sands' casual Blue Bar. For a truly 'native' eatery however you will want to try Ma Ruby's on Colebrook Street. Last but not least take a peak at the exclusive yachts anchoring at the marina.
Escape the winter this holiday season and take the family or your special someone to sunny Orlando, Florida. Home to Universal Studios, Walt Disney World, and SeaWorld, Orlando is filled with many attractions as well as a range of accommodations catering from budget to five star making it the perfect place for all. In January the climate is in the comfortable 70s (approx 24°C), splendid weather for a round of championship golf at one of the city's international golf clubs. Take the time to visit Holy Land, a biblical inspired theme park, and a great visual aid to explain the true meaning of Christmas to little ones. Catch a local basketball game, the Orlando Magic are at the Amway Center on Church Street, and the NBA lockout is finally over so why not indulge. Orlando nightlife away from the theme parks is centered mostly around Central Boulevard and Orange Avenue in downtown Orlando, head there for a fun night away from the kids. A wide variety of restaurants can be found in CityWalk at Universal Orlando, including Margaritaville, Hard Rock Cafe, Pastamore, and NASCAR Cafe. Downtown Disney has the Rainforest Cafe, Planet Hollywood, and Wolfgang Puck Cafe.
(Photo courtesy of Siebrand / Wikimedia Commons)
Moderate Pacific temperatures, snowy west coast mountains, and top notch skiing is why we chose Whistler, in the Canadian province of British Columbia as one of my top destinations to head to this holiday season. If skiing or boarding is your thing, Whistler will not disappoint, their trails cater from child friendly to expert level. There is also a number of other activities available, including ice sailing, back country skiing, hiking, snowmobiling, and dog sledding. Whistler village has a variety of restaurants ranging from budget to gourmet, and covering international fare. No matter what type of food you're looking for, the best way to find good food in Whistler is to take a walk around the village. Try Araxi's in the heart of the village the loin of venison served with crisp parmesan polenta and roasted cipollini onions is to die for. Caramba is next to the Delta Suites Hotel and serves first class fare in a relaxing atmosphere, I had the free range rosemary chicken with roast potatoes, and the calamari a la plancha to start which many friends had recommended, both were absolutely delicious. During the winter of 2009-2010, Whistler Blackcomb realized its dream of hosting the Winter Olympics, visit the legacy display and the official alpine skiing venue.
(Photo courtesy of Thomas Quine / Wikimedia Commons)
-Tracy Smith
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