Today is National Plan Your Vacation Day, so naturally we’re celebrating.
Whether you book a last-minute Valentine’s Day getaway, ski trip, spring-time European escape or summer adventure, make 2018 a year full of exciting travel. Here are some of the top things to do each season. Happy planning.
Winter
Winter is one of the best times to travel, whether you’re looking to embrace or escape the cold.
Top destinations for snow lovers looking for great skiing, cozy lodges and mountain views include Lake Tahoe, Calif.; Vail, Aspen and Breckenridge, Colo.; Stowe, Killington and Stratton, Vt.; Whistler Blackcomb, Mont-Tremblant and Banff, Canada; and Park City, Alta and Brighton, Utah.
© Pincasso | Dreamstime.com
The St. Regis Aspen offers skiing through early April, and recently completed a renovation debuting a new restaurant and lobby bar; and The Ritz-Carlton Lake Tahoe offers its signature Winter Aprés Adventurist deal including personalized culinary, après-ski and fitness experiences throughout the season.
If warmth and sun are what you seek, Hawai’i, Dubai and Thailand are great options for a winter vacation.
Dubai’s hot temperatures cool a bit in the winter, dropping to the high 70s/low 80s, ideal for relaxing on Jumeirah Beach and exploring the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve. For the best of both worlds, visit the city’s indoor Ski Dubai. In Hawai’i, you may pay a bit more in the winter months, but it’s worth it for the low humidity, whale watching at Diamond Head and optimal hiking conditions. Head to Thailand in the winter to avoid monsoon season and enjoy the 90-degree weather while lounging on beautiful, jungle-lined beaches and taking in ancient sites.
In recent hotel news, Marriott International’s Hawai’i Resorts Collection, comprised of six oceanfront Autograph Collection and Marriott Resorts, recently unveiled extensive renovations; Renaissance Downtown Hotel, Dubai opened its doors; and The Ritz-Carlton found a home on the beautiful Thai island of Koh Samui.
Spring
Notre Dame © Sborisov | Dreamstime.com
With cheap airfare, smaller crowds, moderate weather and flowers galore, spring is a lovely time to stretch your legs after the long winter season.
Head to Portland to see why the city is nicknamed the City of Roses, or make your way to Japan to experience Cherry Blossom season and great hiking in Fuji-Hakone-Izu national park. Paris is beautiful year-round, but spring offers a particularly enjoyable atmosphere in which to stroll the historic streets, sip café au laits on the Champs d’Elysee and explore the castle-dotted Loire Valley.
If London calls to you, The Arch London announced a Spring Break deal, offering five nights for the price of four; Four Seasons Astir Palace Hotel Athens is scheduled to open mid-2018 — a beautiful time to explore Greece. In Paris, hotel openings scheduled for spring include Hotel de Berri, a Luxury Collection Hotel; Brach Paris; and Maison Astor Paris, Curio Collection by Hilton.
Summer
Cathedral of Saint Mary, Florence © Sergii Kolesnyk | Dreamstime.com
Amsterdam’s warmer weather and longer days draw visitors to its canal-lined streets in the summer, as do the alfresco cafés of Florence and Barcelona. While you may have to contend with some crowds in the city, the wine regions of Italy and Spain offer a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle. For a different vibe altogether, head to Quebec City to enjoy 70-degree weather, the Quebec Summer Festival in July and sights like Montmorency Falls Park.
Amsterdam recently received its first 6-star property with the opening of Hotel TwentySeven; and OD Barcelona opened its doors in the city’s central L’Eixample district.
If you’re thinking about a family vacation this summer, visit WhereverFamily.com for some tips and inspiration.
Fall
Across the globe, fall can bring trickier weather, but it also brings great prices, renowned festivals and, of course, stunning fall foliage.
© Kerim Hadzi | Dreamstime.com
Head to Munich to experience historic Oktoberfest, running mid-September through early October; or Mexico for the iconic Day of the Dead festival. While it is hurricane season in the Caribbean, some islands have a lower chance of getting hit than others, including Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao, and prices are at their lowest.
Whether you drive, hike, bike or horseback ride, explore the U.S. Northeast, Japan and northern Portugal in the fall for some of the most breathtaking fall foliage anywhere in the world.
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