Winter's Best Destinations

One of the greatest things about winter is that it's the perfect opportunity to relax - and what better way to relax than taking a winter rendezvous.

For getaways close to my home on the East Coast, I enjoy the Catskills and Adirondacks, both in Upstate New York. When skiing at Windham or Hunter I stay at the Catskill's Friar Tuck Resort or Scribner's Hollow Lodge. However, my all-time favorite Catskills getaway is Mohonk Mountain House - a breathtaking castle resort decorated in elegant Victorian style. I was fortunate to find these places thanks to the friendly folks at www.CatskillsReservations.com. The last time I visited the Adirondacks, I stayed at Fort William Henry Resort in Lake George, a beautiful property adjacent to the lake, within walking distance to many restaurants, shops, and nightlife. However, my all time favorite Lake George paradise is the Sagamore, situated on its own private island.

A tad farther from home I prefer Beaver Creek, Colorado. It is a charming village that reminds me of something out of a storybook. Then of course there are my other Colorado favorites - Vail and Aspen, which, like Beaver Creek, are also great for skiing, snowboarding, and winter recreation. When I'm looking for fun festivals and unsurpassed skiing excitement, I go to Vail. When I'm looking for luxury, it's Aspen all the way.

And then there are my other West Coast winter favorites - Lake Tahoe and Seattle! Lake Tahoe is one of my favorites for its skiing and the non-stop excitement of its casinos. That's right…a ski destination with Vegas-style casinos - inconceivable! The charm of Seattle's waterfront area coupled with the warmth of the downtown shops make for a romantic getaway. My favorite Seattle experience is taking a horse-drawn carriage ride down the festively decorated streets after savoring dinner at the Icon Grill.

When I'm looking to escape the cold, my top winter vacation is Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. Punta Cana is truly a luxurious Caribbean paradise. I stayed at Secrets Excellence on my honeymoon and highly recommend it to anyone looking for a one-of-a-kind experience that will last a lifetime. I suggest using a Caribbean specialist such as PuntaCanasBest.com to ensure you are getting the best place for the best price.

Of course when push comes to shove, my preferred winter destination is actually right here at home in the Poconos. I love sitting beside the crackling fireplace on my laptop looking for the latest and greatest festivals, concerts, skiing, and restaurants right here in the Pocono Mountains on www.PoconosBest.com.

Until next time, Happy Travels!

© 2006, Jessica McDonnell for GoldenTravelGuides, a national network of 150+ Internet-based guides to the "Best of" 200 cities in the US, Caribbean and Mexico. GoldenTravelGuides can be reached at: 877.465.3368 or: www.GoldenTravelGuides.com.

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