Where to go in 2026: Experts offer their recommendations for which international destinations should top your list:
ItsEasy: Top 5 International Destinations for ‘Spontaneous’ Traveler
Antoinette Leon, COO & SVP of ItsEasy.com Passport & Visa Services, offered these five destinations for international travel for 2026 -Saudi Arabia, Egypt, India, Vietnam, and Brazil – citing factors such as safety standards, great value, tourism infrastructure, range of experiences, and convenient visa processes that make them prime choices for spontaneous travelers:
Saudi Arabia is rapidly redefining itself as a global travel hotspot with surprising ease for visitors. Thanks to a simplified online e-Visa system, travelers can apply, get approved, and pack their bags in a matter of days. Under Vision 2030, the Kingdom has expanded tourism infrastructure with new hotels, resorts, and entertainment zones that rival more established luxury destinations, but at far greater value. Safety standards and visitor services have risen dramatically, particularly in major tourist corridors like Riyadh, Jeddah, and AlUla. For spontaneous travelers seeking a blend of authenticity, comfort, and discovery, Saudi Arabia is a rising star. Unique things to do: Dive among coral reefs off the Red Sea coast, camp beneath starlit dunes in the Rub’ al Khali (Empty Quarter), and explore AlUla’s ancient rock-carved wonders, often compared to Petra’s lost city. Indulge in a rooftop dinner overlooking Riyadh’s glittering skyline or unwind on untouched islands near Jeddah.
Egypt is a timeless destination that continues to reinvent itself for modern travelers. With the opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM), the largest archaeological museum on Earth, Cairo has reclaimed its place on the world’s cultural stage. Add to that the convenient e-Visa system, accessible flights, and wallet-friendly hotels, and Egypt becomes a spontaneous traveler’s dream. Strong tourism infrastructure, improved safety, and warm winter weather make it ideal for both quick getaways and immersive adventures. Unique things to do: Start at the awe-inspiring Grand Egyptian Museum in Giza, where Tutankhamun’s treasures are finally fully displayed. Cruise the Nile on a boutique dahabiya, drift in a sunrise balloon over Luxor’s Valley of the Kings, and dive into the Red Sea’s coral gardens in Marsa Alam.
India welcomes the spur-of-the-moment traveler with open arms, and an efficient e-Tourist Visa system that makes entry quick and digital. The country’s depth of culture, affordability, and range of experiences, from Himalayan peaks to coastal backwaters, means you can craft an unforgettable escape on short notice. Safety and infrastructure continue to improve in major hubs, and the abundance of flights makes internal travel seamless. Unique things to do: Stay in a regal palace-turned-hotel in Rajasthan, glide through Kerala’s backwaters aboard a private houseboat, or explore the lesser-trodden coffee trails of Coorg. For culinary adventurers, join an intimate cooking class in Udaipur or a spice market tour in Delhi.
Vietnam Is compact, affordable, and endlessly fascinating and tailor-made for bold travelers. Its fast-track e-Visa system allows easy entry, while low travel costs and strong tourism infrastructure make short-notice trips stress-free. Whether you crave cultural immersion, tropical coastlines, or street food adventures, Vietnam delivers a full journey in a single, well-connected sweep. Unique things to do: Sail Ha Long Bay’s limestone towers by private sampan, explore Hoi An’s lantern-lit alleys, and zip through Hanoi’s old quarters on a vintage motorbike.
Brazil is the heartbeat of South America, a destination that dances to its own rhythm and welcomes travelers at any moment. From the beaches of Rio to the jungles of the Amazon, it offers vast variety within easy reach. For U.S. travelers, Brazil’s reinstated e-Visa system (as of 2025) simplifies entry and makes last-minute trips entirely feasible. With direct flights from several U.S. cities, world-class hospitality, and relatively low off-peak rates, it’s an ideal getaway that feels both exotic and effortless. Unique things to do: Stroll the bohemian streets of Santa Teresa in Rio, cruise through the flooded forests of the Amazon, or explore the colonial charm of Paraty’s cobblestone alleys. Relax on hidden beaches in Bahia or chase waterfalls through the Chapada Diamantina National Park.
ItsEasy.com Passport & Visa Services, founded in 1976, is known for ItsEasy Passport & Photo App, which offers a safe and cost-effective way to renew a passport. For urgent passports needed within 14 days, ItsEasy.com offers rush services.
Explorateur Journeys: Europe’s Top Five Value Destinations
Explorateur Journeys is recommending these five European destinations for offering some of the best value for dollar as well as compelling interest.
HUNGARY: Think hillside castles, café-lined boulevards, thermal baths steaming under neo-baroque domes, ruin bars glowing at night flanked by storybook towns and vast vineyards.
ALBANIA: Once Europe’s mystery, Albania is now the continent’s rising gem. Its riviera rivals Greece for turquoise water and dramatic cliffs but without the crowds or price tag, while its inland mountains beckon for adventure.
SERBIA: Belgrade’s nightlife has earned global fame but Serbia is all about Roman fortresses, wild river canyons, and traditional kafanas serving slow-cooked perfection. Real, affordable and surprisingly cosmopolitan.
MACEDONIA: Still one of Europe’s best kept secrets, Lake Ohrid is a UNESCO treasure that feels untouched. Add in Skopje’s blend of Ottoman bazaars and bold modern architecture, mountain monasteries, and vineyard-dotted valleys, and you’ve got a country rich in story yet light on your wallet.
ROMANIA: Dracula legends meet Carpathian peaks and medieval citadels in a country where Gothic castles overlook cobblestoned cities like Brașov and Sibiu. Bucharest hums with café life and Art Deco flair, while Transylvania and Maramureș deliver cinematic landscapes.
Annual Matador Network Travel Awards Recognize 12 Top Destinations Worldwide
Twelve winners of the 2025 Matador Network Travel Awards were recently announced by the travel publisher. Half of the dozen honorees were nominated and chosen by criteria developed by the in-house team of Matador world-travel experts, and the other six are Matador readers’ choice honorees. In addition to the five traditional awards, this year marks the inclusion of a new category: Best Wildlife Destination.
“It’s up to each and every individual to make the most of every trip no matter where you go, but the award-winning destinations this year certainly set you up for success,” ,says Matador Network CEO Ross Borden.. “Whether you’re a full-time world traveler or just taking one big trip next year, use this list to plan your 2026.”
Estonia has long been overlooked, but better flight connections and visible progress on sustainable tourism have helped make it Matador’s Next Big Destination. Tartu, its second-largest city, was named the European Capital of Culture 2024.
In Oaxaca, Mexico, adventure is everywhere, from mountain biking the Sierra Norte to surfing the coast.
Over the past few years, the Portuguese island of Madeira has turned itself into an example of what a popular, modern, climate-aware destination can look like.
In Türkiye, wellness is baked into daily life, from weekly hammam rituals and thermal baths to long seaside walks and slow breakfasts that stretch into the afternoon.
The inaugural winner of Best Wildlife Destination is Baja California, where desert mountains fall into two very different bodies of water, like a wildlife corridor you can road-trip.
And because you can’t road-trip everywhere, Qatar is the experts’ choice for Best Airline while Emirates took the top spot among the readers.
Readers selected Albania as their Next Big Destination for its coastal scenery without sticker shock and mountain landscapes that feel genuinely wild.
Patagonia is a place where you can string together multi-day treks, ice hikes, whale watching and long-distance road trips and barely skim the surface.
Costa Rica, home to last year’s experts’ pick for Wellness, is this year’s readers’ choice pick for Best Sustainable Destination.
Rotorua, New Zealand, sits over some of the country’s most active geothermal fields and geysers, mud pools and hot springs shape the streetscape.
Nairobi National Park is less than 30 minutes from downtown Nairobi, meaning you can watch lions, rhinos and giraffes with office towers and high-rises on the horizon.
“When there’s always somewhere new to go, the hardest question travelers face isn’t ‘Where Next?’ It’s ‘Why there?'” says Nickolaus Hines, editorial content director at Matador Network. “Our winners are the places and airlines that have proven, year after year, that they can deliver on the kind of experiences people travel for.”
Matador Network is a leading travel media brand and the creator of GuideGeek, an award-winning AI travel genius. The GuideGeek AI platform has over 1M consumer users and powers custom conversational AI for dozens of travel brands and destinations. matadornetwork.com, guidegeek.com
In 2026, Slovenia invites travelers to explore a year rich in cultural milestones, outdoor adventures, and experiences that redefine slow, meaningful travel. From a centuries-old passion play to world-class architecture, from cycling legends to blooming meadows and new spaces for remote work, this small European country between the Alps and the Adriatic offers endless inspiration. Here are some of the highlights for 2026 not to be missed:
Every six years, the medieval town of Škofja Loka transforms into an open-air stage for theŠkofja Loka Passion Play (March 21- April 19, 2026), a UNESCO-inscribed performance that unites more than a thousand locals in a moving display of heritage and devotion.
In Bled, a new architectural and cultural landmark will open in summer 2026: theMuzej Lah, designed by David Chipperfield Architects. Housing the Lah Collection, it bridges Alpine serenity with contemporary art and design.
Named Europe’s Best Cultural Heritage Town 2026, Ptuj– Slovenia’s oldest town – embodies living tradition. Its Roman heritage and vibrant festivals, including Kurentovanje – the largest Shrovetide carnival, recognised by UNESCO for its ritual of chasing away winter – make Ptuj one of the country’s most atmospheric historic towns.
Sports enthusiasts can look forward to the European Road Cycling Championships in Ljubljana (October 3–7, 2026). For a nation home to champions such asTadej Pogačar andPrimož Roglič, it’s both a sporting milestone and an invitation to discover Slovenia’s world-class cycling routes.
Across the country, a wave of new openings – from the Kneipp-inspired NaturHotel Snovik to Slovenia’s first family hotel in Olimje – will further enrich Slovenia’s boutique hospitality scene.
The newest Slovenia Unique Experiences– from mushroom foraging in Bovec to exploring a 19th-century photography studio in Celje – invite visitors to slow down, connect, and participate.
And for those seeking a balance between work and wanderlust, Slovenia now offers a digital nomad visa, making it easier than ever to live and work amid its natural beauty.
By Karen Rubin, Travel Features Syndicate, goingplacesfarandnear.com
Travelers are increasingly choosing destinations with purpose – for their beauty or legacy, for landmark anniversaries, special event, and most importantly, for the opportunity for transformation, emotional resonance, spiritual and self-renewal, and experience, sometimes life-changing but always life-enhancing. Here are a few suggestions:
The event that promises to be the most transformational is the Solar Eclipse August 12, 2026 that will will pass over the Arctic, Greenland, Iceland, Atlantic Ocean, northern Spain and the tip of northeastern Portugal.
The first solar eclipse on mainland Europe since 1999, it may well prove more spectacular than the April 8, 2024 solar eclipse which crossed North America delighting hundreds of millions of people in its direct path, because the August 12 eclipse will take place about 2.2 days after perigee (on August 10, 2026), so the Moon’s apparent diameter will be larger.
A huge advantage of experiencing the eclipse on a ship is that the open ocean means the view is unobstructed – also, the ship can monitor weather to position itself to avoid clouds that can spoil the moment (totality lasts only about 2 to 3 minutes).
Holland America is offering special voyages incorporating the solar eclipse: 35-Day Voyage of the Vikings Cruise with Solar Eclipse (Jul 18 – Aug 22 to Greenland, Iceland, Norway and Ireland); 13-Day Mediterranean Solar Eclipse with Barcelona Overnights (Aug 9-22); 28-Day Scandinavian Solar Eclipse with Greenland & Scotland (Jul 24-Aug 21) (https://www.hollandamerica.com/en/us/plan-a-cruise/specialty-cruises/solar-eclipse-cruises)
Explore Worldwide, a small-groups operator with 40 years experience, is one of the tour companies offering solar eclipse itineraries in Spain and Iceland. In northern Spain, it is offering two itineraries a food tour in Catalonia and the Basque Country (8 days) where you’ll be well-placed in the limestone peaks of the Sierra de Prades mountains on eclipse day, or an amended itinerary of its -popular Walking in the Picos de Europa (8 days) optimized to see the solar eclipse. In Iceland, the company is offering a special departure of Iceland-Land of the Midnight Sun (9 days) where you will on the beautiful Snaefellsness Peninsula for the eclipse. And for the truly dedicated, a 15-day Spitsbergen, Greenland and Iceland Arctic expedition aboard the M/VGreg Mortimer which will sail directly into the path of totality for prime viewing from the deck of the expedition vessel. Other tours featuring the solar eclipse include: Classic Egypt and Eclipse (11 days); Highlights of Northern Morocco and Eclipse (9 Days); Tunisian Coast, Ancient Carthage and Eclipse (10 days). (https://www.exploreworldwide.com/experiences/eclipse-trips, Exploreworldwide.com , 877-956-9859)
Book early – G Adventures and most Wilderness Travel itineraries are sold out; Smithsonian Journeys is waitlisted as of when we published.
Rishikesh’s Spiritual Depth in the Himalayan Foothills
Long revered for its spiritual heritage, Rishikesh continues to be one of India’s most soulful destinations, where ancient rituals, wellness innovation, and inner awakening converge in the Himalayan foothills. Anchored by the International Yoga Festival (March 9–15, 2026) and a vibrant calendar of annual rituals, from the spring festival of colors, Holi (March 4), to purification ceremonies like Ganga Dussehra (May 25), and the summertime Kanwar Mela pilgrimage (July–August), the region pulses with devotion, classical music, riverside ceremonies, and communal celebration.
Ananda in the Himalayas, a world-renowned wellness retreat in the Himalayan foothills (Photo courtesy of Ananda in the Himalayas)
At the heart of this is Ananda in the Himalayas, a globally acclaimed wellness retreat housed in the restored palace of the Maharaja of Tehri-Garhwal. Celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2025, Ananda enters 2026 with expanded offerings that reflect the future of holistic wellness. The retreat continues to lead in transformative programs across Ayurveda, yoga, emotional healing, and Traditional Chinese Medicine. New initiatives include Integrated Diabetes Management, women’s health, fertility, and sleep enhancement. Ananda’s 360-degree wellness system extends care beyond the stay through personalized diagnostics, daily therapies, and post-visit consultations. Signature programs such as Hormonal Balance, Yogic Detox, Panchakarma, and Ayurvedic Rejuvenation harmonize body and mind through traditional systems of healing, classical Hatha yoga, pranayama, and meditation
Kyoto’s Cultural Crescendo Rooted in Ritual and Renewal
In 2026, Kyoto offers a rare cultural crescendo, where centuries-old traditions, seasonal rituals, and landmark openings converge in one of Japan’s most spiritually resonant cities. The Miyako Odori returns to its original stage in Gion (April 1–30), with daily performances by geiko and maiko, now housed in the restored Gion Kobu Kaburenjo Theater, reborn as part of the Imperial Hotel, Kyoto, opening spring 2026. Designed by Obayashi Corporation for the exteriors and Tomoyuki Sakakida with New Material Research Laboratory for the interiors, the hotel preserves the 1936 Yasaka Kaikan structure using over 16,000 original tiles and offers just 55 rooms across three architecturally distinct wings. The property blends heritage architecture with contemporary Japanese design, offering curated calm in the heart of Gion.
Imperial Hotel, Kyoto, blending modern elegance with centuries of cultural heritage.(Photo courtesy of New Material Research Laboratory)
With Kyoto’s embrace of a more sustainable approach to tourism, travelers benefit from enhanced access, quieter moments and deeper cultural immersion in one of Japan’s most spiritually rich cities. Kyoto’s cultural calendar continues with the Gion Matsuri (July 1–31), featuring lantern-lit Yoiyama celebrations, Yamaboko float processions, and the Nagoshisai purification ritual. In September, the city marks the 400th anniversary of the Kan’ei Imperial Visit to Nijo Castle with reenactments, rare chamber access, and curated exhibitions. Seasonal temple openings and immersive installations offer deeper engagement. Infrastructure upgrades, including new EX100/EX101 buses and enhanced fare systems, make navigation seamless.
Monteverde’s Cloud Forest Regenerative Escape
In 2026, Monteverde welcomes travelers to a high-altitude sanctuary where misty forests, ecological milestones, and creative immersion converge. The region marks over 50 years of conservation since the founding of the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, celebrated through legacy hikes, biodiversity exhibitions, and community-led programs. New interpretive trails connect to the Children’s Eternal Rainforest, while artisan showcases and solstice rituals reflect Monteverde’s evolving cultural rhythm. Infrastructure upgrades, including smoother access via Route 606 and expanded EV charging stations, make travel easier, especially with more international flights into Liberia Airport.
Hotel Belmar, a forest sanctuary celebrating 40 years of sustainability and style. (Photo courtesy of Hotel Belmar)
Central to this revival is Hotel Belmar, a family-owned eco-lodge perched above the forest canopy, known for alpine-inspired architecture, panoramic views, and sustainability leadership. In 2026, Hotel Belmar debuts nature-immersive wellness spaces and enhanced culinary offerings rooted in circular gastronomy. At Restaurante Celajes, regenerative menus honor Costa Rica’s agrarian traditions, using ingredients from Belmar’s organic farm and gardens. Overlooked crops, foraged herbs, and zero-waste techniques turn each dish into a tribute to biodiversity and soil health. Belmar’s Artist Residency Program invites creatives to live and work onsite, engaging guests through open studios, forest-inspired installations, and workshops.
Mongolia’s Living Traditions and a Journey into the Wild
In 2026, Mongolia emerges as one of the world’s most compelling destinations—not only for its vast, otherworldly landscapes but also for its global moment in the spotlight. The country will host COP17, the 17th Session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), from August 17–28 in Ulaanbaatar. This landmark event coincides with the UN’s International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists, an initiative spearheaded by Mongolia to celebrate and protect nomadic cultures and ecosystems. These milestones underscore Mongolia’s leadership in environmental stewardship and its deep connection to land-based traditions—making 2026 an especially meaningful time to visit.
The Flaming Cliffs of Mongolia, a dramatic desert landmark and paleontological treasure(Photo courtesy of Pexels)
Cultural celebrations add further dimension: the Naadam Festival (July 11–12) showcases Mongolia’s national pride through wrestling, archery, and horse racing. In early March, the Thousand Camel Festival in the Gobi Desert celebrates the magnificent Bactrian camel with races, polo, and traditional music. Adding to the momentum, Naya Traveler will debut its new Mongolia journeys in 2026, offering tailor-made itineraries that go far beyond the Golden Eagle Festival. Expect private access to cultural events, guided exploration of the Gobi Desert and Orkhon Valley, and meaningful encounters with herders and historians. These journeys reflect a growing trend toward regenerative, culturally attuned travel—where connection, context, and care shape every experience. With Mongolia joining Naya Traveler’s portfolio in 2026, the destination becomes part of a growing movement toward journeys that prioritize cultural depth, environmental awareness, and meaningful connection.
Amsterdam’s Cultural Renaissance Along the Canals
Following its milestone 750th anniversary in 2025, Amsterdam continues to dazzle in 2026 with a rich calendar of cultural events and sensory refinement. Spring brings the Tulip Festival (late March to mid-May) and the city-wide revelry of King’s Day (April 27). In May, food lovers flock to Rolling Kitchens (May 13–17), while August’s Grachtenfestival fills the canals with music. The Amsterdam Light Festival adds a luminous touch as winter approaches. Exhibitions at the Stedelijk, H’ART Museum, Eye Filmmuseum, and Fabrique des Lumières embrace immersive, interdisciplinary storytelling, reflecting the city’s forward-looking creative spirit.
Museum developments include the Zaanstad Amsterdam Museum (ZAMU), a contemporary art hub with installations spread across industrial buildings and a Piet Oudolf-designed wildflower garden just north of the city. While the Hartwig Art Foundation’s new museum is slated to open in 2028, it hosts temporary events until then. For a day trip, Rotterdam offers art lovers compelling attractions like the Depot Boijmans Van Beuningen and the Fenix Museum of Migration, which opened in 2025.
Restaurant Vinkeles at The Dylan Amsterdam, housed in a former 18th-century bakery in the heart of the canal district. (Photo courtesy of The Dylan Amsterdam)
Meanwhile, Amsterdam-Noord continues to evolve as a creative enclave, home to design studios, concept stores, and waterfront cafés. Culinary trends lean toward experiential intimacy and narrative-driven dining. At The Dylan Amsterdam, two-Michelin-starred Vinkeles offers moody interiors and seasonal French menus, while até presents a six-seat chef’s table. Bar Brasserie OCCO complements the stay with all-day dining in a stylish, contemporary setting and offers a creative High Wine tasting pairing four wines with four dishes. Reimagined by Studio Linse and Format Furniture in 2024, The Dylan anchors this renaissance with canal-side calm, Green Globe-certified hospitality, and curated access to the city’s evolving aesthetic.
What is most distinctive about Vermont’s ski places is how special, how different each one is, and how true to their heritage and communities they have remained – even those that have been acquired by the biggest resort companies in the industry, Vail Resorts and Alterra Mountain Company.
“Each delivers a Vermont experience in their own way,” notes Molly Maher, President of Ski Vermont.
Vermont’s magic is that each ski place reflects its community, is very much a part of the community, and is often the hub of a community. “Concerts, brew fests, family events are in Vermont’s DNA”, says Bryan Rivard, Ski Vermont’s Director of Communications. “Vermont’s ski places are where people can connect with family, friends and self and ignore the news.”
Here’s what’s happening on Vermont’s slopes this season:
Killington Resort, the largest ski and snowboard destination in Eastern North America, announced a second year of significant capital investments totaling $60 million, under its new independent ownership group. An additional $22 million has been approved for on-mountain infrastructure improvements, building on the $38 million invested last year. (The group bought Killington from Powdr making it the largest independent ski resort in US by trails and lifts.) The Superstar Express Quad, which has been in operation since the 1987 season, is being replaced with a high-speed, six-person, Doppelmayr detachable lift. Skyeship Gondola cabins were replaced with 116 brand-new cabins manufactured by Sigma, The Learn-to-Carpet surface lift on Snowshed is being replaced to offer beginners an enclosed ride. Also, $6.5 million is going to upgrade the Snowdon Triple to a new fixed-grip, four-person chairlift. In addition to improving access to one of the mountain’s most popular zones, this project supports a broader, multi-year strategy to maintain a resilient network of fixed-grip lifts across the resort. The long-term goal is to ensure reliable lift access to all areas of the mountain, even during inclement New England weather. (90 of Skyeship Gondolas were auctioned at $2000 each to raise money for local charities and sold out in 20 minutes and $200,000 will be donated to small mountains “to keep skiing local in New England.”) An additional $6 million is going to a reimagined Jerk Jamaican Mountain Grill, quadrupling the capacity of this ski –in-ski out restaurant which has become one of the most popular on the mountain since opening in 2016; the Ledgewood Yurt, one of Killington’s distinctive slopeside dining experiences, was rebuilt to allow for more comfortable and reliable service.
“We’ve been thrilled at the level of investment from our independent ownership group over the past year,” says Killington Resort’s President and CEO Mike Solimano. “They have certainly lived up to their word, even increasing last year’s initial capital investment of $30 million to $38 million by the end of this summer. The flexibility of independent ownership has allowed us to act quickly and make timely adjustments to capital projects while always keeping the guest experience as our priority.”
Pico is one of my favorite New England ski resorts – it is a just-the-right-size ski in/ski out mountain with lots of long intermediate runs that I love. Flexing its independent-ownership muscles alongside sister mountain Killington Resort, Pico comes into this season with updated snowmaking as part of the over 1000 new low-energy snow guns installed across its two ski areas. Permits are also in the process of being approved to replace the Bonanza Double at Pico, which has been in operation since 1965, with a new magic carpet surface lift.
Located in the heart of Vermont’s Green Mountains, Killington Resort has earned its moniker “The Beast of the East” with four seasons of adventure spread across six peaks, plus Pico Mountain. Killington offers the most expansive snowmaking and lift system in the East, 200 trails and 92 miles of diverse snow terrain, including a world-class terrain park network and the longest season in the East. During the summer, Killington features a destination bike park with 30 miles of mountain biking trails, an 18-hole championship golf course, the family-friendly Snowshed Adventure Center, plus 15 miles of hiking trails. With elevated on-mountain dining, a plethora of après options and a commitment to investment, quality and the environment, Killington, now is a can’t-miss destination for the whole family. Killington is locally and independently owned, is planning to develop Great Gulf Village And while independent, both Killington and Pico are partners in the Ikon Pass (www.killington.com)
Stratton Mountain Resort, which is now an Alterra Mountain Company resort and part of Ikon Pass, gives you the feeling of a European-style ski resort – an entire village at the base of its two mountains. The resort modernized and upgraded its American Express lift and added 265 snow guns, for 95% snowmaking and greater efficiency, especially on the popular Way Home and in the Main Base area and the Sun Bowl Super Trail. Stratton offers lots of activities including cross-country skiing, snowshoe tours, snow tubing and a sports center with a saltwater pool – and in summer, the Ikon Pass comes with two free bike park lift tickets. New this year at Stratton is bringing in Vermont Adaptive to replace its own adaptive program, which means more volunteers, a more robust program and new summer programming (Stratton.com)
Sugarbush Resort, Warren, is also an Alterra Mountain Company resort and part of Ikon Pass, last year initiated the app that tracks skiers vertical feet and promised to donate $50,000 to local cause (mental illness) if guests hit 1 billion vertical feet – they hit 801 million last season, but Sugarbush still donated the funds. This year, Sugarbush is repeating the challenge to raise money for the community. Sugarbush, encompassing 4000 acres, including 484 trail acres skiable, 53 miles of trails, and 16 ski lifts, completed a 20 year master plan, and this year has a new surface lift on Mt. Ellen to enhance the beginner experience. It also thinned out its glades. Also new this year is Sugarbush’ partnership with Vermont Adaptive. (sugarbush.com, 802-583-6300).
Vail Resorts (and its Epic Pass)now owns and manages Mount Snow, the biggest mountain resort closest to Long Island, Okemo Mountain (turning 70 this season), and Stowe (celebrating its 90th anniversary). Each is benefitting with improved snowmaking.
Mount Snow, West Dover, now part of Vail Resorts and the Epic Pass, is the biggest mountain resort closest to Long Island. For over 70 years Mount snow has been giving generations of skiers and riders their first taste of sliding on snow—and they take snow seriously. With over 900 high-output, low energy snow guns, Mount Snow is capable of 83% snowmaking coverage via the world’s most powerful snowmaking system. Using state-of-the-art technology, Mount Snow has greater control over snow quality and consistency, offering visitors premium coverage even when natural snowfall is light (mountsnow.com, 800-245-7669).
Okemo Mountain, Ludlow, Vt., now part of Vail Resorts and the Epic Pass, is one of my absolute favorite places to ski – I love the architecture and the scale of the mountain -big enough to have enormous variety, great views, long runs, but small enough to meet up easily and the long (forgiving) intermediate runs. We’ve stayed at the Jackson, its slopeside condo resort, (you can sit in the Jacuzzi when it is 9 degrees outside and watch people come down the slopes to the lodge). (okemo.com, 802-228-1600).
Smugglers’ Notch Resort, Jeffersonville, built from the ground up around families, continues to invest in on-mountain improvements including more efficient snowmaking and a new snowcat to improve grooming across the area’s three mountains — Madonna, Sterling, and Morse — expanding corduroy perfection for all ability levels. But don’t let the focus on children fool you – Smuggs also has some of the steepest, most challenging terrain in the Northeast. Smugglers is one of the most family-friendly ski resorts anywhere with a packed schedule of activities and facilities and programming offerings off the slopes. Nordic Center and Activities introduced last season is back, including the popular Scavenger Hunt, Adventure Dinner, Moonlit Mile, and biathlon experiences – blending adventure, family fun, and Vermont charm. The ski school continues to be a cornerstone of Smuggs, with individual and multi-week programs tailored to any age or skill level (smuggs.com, 800-419-4615).
Magic Mountain, Londonderry, is dedicated to being an old-fashioned, family-run, Vermont ski area with a dogged focus on keeping skiing affordable. Its Throwback Card – between a pass and a day ticket – costs $75 and gives a free day. Each year since being acquired by Jeff Hathaway, there have been improvements: this season, Magic is adding another beginner and instructional space in the base area, serviced by a 600’ handle tow surface lift and with lighting for night skiing and offers nighttime lessons and skiing in the Abracadabra area on Fridays, Saturdays and Holidays. The new, larger Abracadabra beginner area works in tandem with the Nelson Family Learning Area’s 100’ conveyor lift to bring a more graduated learning experience before novice skiers advance to the mid-mountain chairlift. Magic invested more resources into snowmaking this season, replacing 1500’ of snowmaking pipe for more efficient snowmaking in the lower portion of the mountain, from Black Line down to Show Off. This will allow for a more consistent snowpack on the lower mountain, on groomed terrain, and on high-traffic beginner and intermediate trails. In addition, new HKD tower and fan guns have been added at the new Abracadabra base and beginner area, dramatically improving snowmaking power and efficiency for the area as well as nearby lower Hocus Pocus and down into the Quad lift loading area. The improved snowmaking on beginner and intermediate trails allows Magic to extend its season into April. The small, family-owned ski area, is a member of the Indy Pass, and hosts bands and comedy nights, and promotes itself as a wedding venue (magicmtn.com, 802-824-5645).
Mad River Glen, Waitsfield, comes into the 2025-26 season with freshly painted lifts and season passes nearly or completely sold out. Known for its reverence for natural snow, the ski area maintains a fleet of groomers and other vehicles. Winter Naturalist hikes are again offered this year (madriverglen.com, 802-496-3551)
Bromley, Peru,has improved snowmaking this season with 9 new high-efficiency snow guns on Corkscrew and Lower Boulevard, new snowmaking pipe on East Side Steeps and the learning area and launched a new website to better reflect the mountain’s community feel. Newcomers will feel welcomed with a revamped First Timer Lesson Package and reconfigured rental shop exit which now sends visitors right out to the snow base area and skips the staircase (bromley.com, 802-824-5522)
Jay Peak has made a $500,000 investment in snowmaking upgrades, the first step in a 10-year upgrade plan. The upgrade will improve the connection of the Tramside to the Stateside of the resort, improving guests’ ability to easily navigate the mountain. Jay Peak became the first resort in Vermont to install fully automated HKD Klik hydrants that activate when the wetbulb temperature reaches 28 degrees, speeding up terrain openings and improving surface quality. Combined with this year’s expansion, Jay now operates the largest fully automated air-water snowmaking system in Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine (jaypeakresort.com, 802-988-2611)
Skiing at Saskadena Six, the downhill mountain that is part of the historic Woodstock Inn & Resort (photo: Saskadena Six
Saskadena Six, Pomfret (formerly known as Suicide Six), a family friendly ski area that is part of the historic Woodstock Inn, is gearing up for its 90th season (1936-2026), with celebrations all winter and new ski packages and annual events like the Saturday Live Music Series and the iconic Presidents’ Week Torchlight Parade (Feb. 14). The longest running snow sports school in the country, Saskadena Six offers private and semi-private snow sports lessons daily in 1, 2, and 3-hour increments, and uphill lessons are available. Some of the distinctive programs: you can rent the mountain on Mondays; Wednesdays are for Women to ski/ride; they offer adult development programs. Snowmaking has been improved this year, and the Saskadena Six team disassembled and removed the nearly 50-year-old Chair Two double lift (they plan to have an auction for a community fundraising event). Access to the Chair Two side, including the Milky Way terrain park, will continue via Duane’s Drop and The Gully trails. Saskadena Six is part of the Indy Pass (saskadenasix.com, 802-457-6661).
Meanwhile, Woodstock Inn & Resort Nordic Center this season has become one of just seven Nordic ski areas in the state with snowmaking ability. The purchase of an HDK fan gun will produce snow to keep skiers, snowshoers, and fat-tire bikers on the trails this winter. The cross-country center’s pilot last year included a month-long fan gun rental that proved to be essential when periods of the season lacked natural snow. This winter, the team will have the ability to make snow to keep 5m of core trails in the over-45km network covered, regardless of natural snowfall. These trails include out-the-door access from the Nordic Center Shop, along the base of Mt. Peg, and out to Knox Meadow (woodstockinn.com, 800-448-7900)
Von Trapp Family Lodge & Resort is marking its 75th anniversary as one of the first major cross-country ski resorts, by rebranding, making the connection clear it is founded and still owned and operated by the family that inspired “The Sound of Music.” (photo: Von Trapp Family Lodge)
Von Trapp Family Lodge & Resort is marking its 75th anniversary by rebranding from “Trapp Family Lodge” to “Von Trapp Family Lodge & Resort,” making the connection clear that it is founded and still owned and operated by the family that inspired “The Sound of Music” and is way more than a simple chalet in the woods (their “woods” span 2600 acres). The first full service Nordic ski center in North America and still one of the most sophisticated, it offers 60 km of groomed cross-country and snowshoeing trails- the first to have snowmaking and is continuing to invest in snowmaking. The Outdoor Center team continues to add fun events like Sunday Fundays with guest speakers, a Poker Ski, treats on trails, and other fun non-competitive events for skiers of all ages. A total resort, it offers such marvelous experiences as horse drawn sleigh rides, a maple sugaring tour, daily (“Sound of Music”) tours, opportunities to meet their herd of cows and visit their award-winning brewery. They offer a seven-mile snowshoe trek by head-lamp (800 ft. climb) to the Slayton Pasture cabin for dinner (the chef is the cabin keeper) (700 Trapp Hill Rd., Stowe Vt. 05672, www.vontrappresort.com, 802-829-1516)
More than 400 volunteers serve athletes from all over the world at Vermont Adaptive’s current winter program locations including Pico Mountain, Killington; Sugarbush Resort/Mt. Ellen, Waitsfield; Bolton Valley Resort, Bolton; Saskadena Six Ski Area, Woodstock; Bromley Mountain, Peru; Stratton Mountain Resort, Stratton. (photo: Vermont Adaptive)
Vermont Adaptive Ski & Sports, a nationally recognized organization that empowers people of all abilities through inclusive sports and recreational programming regardless of ability to pay, added two Vermont ski resorts this season, Stratton and Bromley to its roster (Killington/Pico, Sugarbush, Bolton Valley, Saskadena Six, Mad River Glen) for total of 8 Vermont ski resorts offering winter programs. It is the largest year-round adaptive sports organization in the East. In addition to sports, year-round programming options integrate environmental, holistic wellness, and competitive training philosophies for people of all ages with cognitive, developmental, physical, and emotional/behavioral disabilities. Sports and recreational opportunities include alpine skiing, snowboarding, and other winter sports; kayaking, canoeing, stand-up paddle boarding, cycling, mountain biking, sailing, rock climbing, horseback riding, and veterans programs and retreats. . In 2024, Vermont Adaptive served over 1,200 participants through 5,300 outings. Since 2017, its Veteran Ventures Program has provided more than 9,000 activities and 35+ multi-day retreats to veterans and service members. “We are for every body – we level the playing field,” said Kim Jackson, Director of Communications and Marketing (vermontadaptive.org).
More information and trip planning help at skivermont.com.
Washington DC is one of my favorite places to spend the holidays: there is so much to do and see indoors when you want to get out of the cold, as well as wonderful reasons to be outside. Seasonal Theater: ho ho ho ha ha ha ha (thru Dec. 21: Woolly Mammoth Theatre); A Christmas Carol (thru Dec. 31, Ford’s Theatre); The Washington Ballet presents The Nutcracker (thru Dec. 28, DC-themed production at the Warner Theatre features dancing cherry blossoms, Harriet Tubman and George Washington); Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical (Dec. 30-Jan. 4, 2026, National Theatre). Displays and Holiday Delights: Snowglow at the Dome at Hi-Lawn(thru Jan.4: a 50-foot heated rooftop dome atop Union Market hosts a visual and culinary holiday experience with state-of-the-art winter scenes projected overhead and festively decorated bars). DC Holiday Market (Dupont Circle, thru Dec. 23); DowntownDC Holiday Market (Penn Quarter, thru Dec. 23, with 115 local artisans); National Mistletoe (thru Dec. 23: aerial art installation by artist My Ly at Anthem Row); Winter Glow (select dates thru December: George Washington’s Mount Vernon is illuminated with brilliant lights set to holiday music.); Winter Wonderfest at Nationals Park (thru Dec. 24, a winter wonderland with snow tubing, curling, kids’ activities and adults-only ski chalet); CityCenterDC’s Holiday Tree(thru early January: a 75-foot tree at the luxury shopping destination). Enjoy ice skating at The Wharf, Georgetown and Canal Park and Winter Skate at the National Building Museum, a special indoor skating experience in the museum’s Great Hall, Dec. 27-Feb. 8. Maximize the value of DC and plan your trip at washington.org/winter.
Fortunately, my favorite holiday destinations also have Historic Hotels of America members. I always seek members of Historic Hotels of America wherever I go, but especially at Christmas time because they never fail to make the holidays truly special. These hotels – so often known as “The…” – embody heritage, the character of the place and their walls seem to speak the stories of their past. Among our favorites for the holidays: The Sagamore on Lake George (skiing at Gore Mountain), Mohonk Mountain House (New Paltz, NY); the Red Lion (in Norman Rockwell-picturesque Stockbridge, MA, with skiing nearby at Jiminy Peak), Mountain Top Inn (Chittenden, Vt, near Killington); Omni Mount Washington (Bretton Woods, NH, skiing at Bretton Woods), Woodstock Inn & Resort (Vermont, skiing at its own Saskadena Six Ski Area and cross-country on property). If you prefer Christmas in warm weather: the Del Coronado (San Diego), the Chattanooga Choo Choo (TN), Jekyll Island (GA), Hermitage (Nashville), Union Station (Nashville), Heathman (Portland OR). And for a beach holiday with palm trees instead of pine: Vinoy Golf Resort & Spa (St. Petersburg, FL), the Don Cesar (St Pete Beach, FL), Colony Hotel & Cabana Club (Delray Beach, FL). More ideas at historichotels.org.
Fond memories of our family holidays at The Sagamore, Bolton Landing, Lake George, NY
Ski holidays are so terrific to bring families and friends together –you come in from the cold and some adventure on the slopes to a cozy condo, sit before a fire, join in some lovely activity around a fire pit and talk about your narrow escapes on the mountain. We so enjoyed our holiday stay in Lake Placid in New York’s Adirondacks, affording a truly unique total Olympic experience skiing and an immensely charming village. There are several charming, historic places like the Mirror Lake Inn, Lake Placid Lodge, the Whiteface Lodge. High Peaks Resort and we thoroughly enjoyed our holiday stay at the Golden Arrow Lakeside Resort (www.golden-arrow.com). (More ideas at lakeplacid.com and iskiny.com)
But if you are looking for a ski in/ski out ski resort some of our favorites include Stratton Mountain, (Manchester, Vt), Smugglers Notch and Okemo Mountain in Vermont (more ideas at skivermont.com). Longer haul, we love Palisades Tahoe and Heavenly in Lake Tahoe, Calif.; Keystone Resort, Winter Park, Copper Mountain (Colorado) for their vibe, activities and, of course, outstanding skiing for the family.
One we haven’t yet visited but have on the list as a must do is the Von Trapp Family Lodge & Resort (yes, that Von Trapp Family – you can’t get more Christmas-y than that – is famous for cross-country skiing, and so much more).
Dude ranches are really fun for the whole family and do a fantastic job in the winter – many even have their own ski slopes or tubing hills. A favorite for generations is Rocking Horse Ranch Resort, Highland, NY (https://www.rockinghorseranch.com/).
Cruising is a great way for families to be together for the holidays. Royal Caribbean Cruise Line, Disney Cruise Line, Norwegian Cruise Line and Princess Cruises do a superb job for families, with spectacular entertainment, waterparks and other mind-blowing activities and entertainment on board and age-appropriate children’s activity programs and dining options. These floating resorts bring families together around activities and interests, dining and entertainment, adding in the incalculable delight of exploring new places. Our family treasures our multi-generational reunion on a Carnival cruise during Christmas week that called at Key West and Cozumel (Mexico), both such colorful places. Your travel agent can best advise on choosing a ship, a cruiseline, an itinerary; also visit cruisecritic.com.
Theme parks really deck the halls for the holidays, with parades, decorations, special activities. Our favorites include Universal Studios Orlando (loved our stay at the Loews Portofino), DisneyWorld (we had a really fun time at the Coco Key Hotel outside Disney, with its own waterpark and shuttle transport to the park), Busch Gardens Tampa (an outstanding zoo as much as it is a theme park) and Busch Gardens Williamsburg. Close to home and an absolutely delightful theme park destination is Hershey Park (particularly great for families with younger kids).
Dazzling holiday celebrations are in full swing at 10 Six Flags Entertainment Corporationparks. WinterFest at Kings Island, joined by Knott’s Merry Farm at Knott’s Berry Farm and Holiday in the Park atSix Flags Fiesta Texas were just named three of Top 10 Best Theme Park Holiday Events for 2025 by USA TODAY. Events are currently operating at Canada’s Wonderland: WinterFest; Knott’s Berry Farm: Knott’s Merry Farm; Six Flags Mexico: Christmas in the Park; Six Flags Fiesta Texas: Holiday in the Park; Six Flags Over Texas: Holiday in the Park; Six Flags Magic Mountain: Holiday in the Park; Kings Island: WinterFest; Carowinds: WinterFest; Six Flags Discovery Kingdom: NEW! WinterFest (a 2025 Best Theme Park Holiday Event nominee); Hurricane Harbor Oaxtepec: Christmas in the Park. Holiday escapes are available at Six Flags Great Escape Lodge (Lake George, NY): Holiday in the Lodge (thru Dec. 24; festive décor, themed activities, live entertainment and unlimited access to the indoor waterpark);Castaway Bay, Sandusky, OH (thru Dec. 31, meet and greets with Santa and admission to the indoor waterpark); Knott’s Hotel, Buena Park, CA, (thru Jan 4, 2026. holiday packages that include all-day drink wristbands, hotel parking, admission to Knott’s Merry Farm and a breakfast buffet option; and Schlitterbahn Waterpark & Resort, New Braunfels, TX. For event dates, links to tickets, visit www.sixflags.com or each park and resort’s website.
What could be a better gift than someone with a wanderlust, a hunger to experience other cultures, heritage, landscapes, a curiosity to see the world than to give a gift that facilitates that happening.
The gift of travel can be everything from the trip itself (even create a registry so that lots of friends and family can contribute), to pre-arranging some experience or activity to enhance a trip: a dining experience; a spa visit; admission to a museum, attraction or cultural event; a cooking, baking or jewelry making class; a hot-air balloon ride; rock-climbing adventure; walking tour; bike rental, to purchasing a gift-card or gift certificate that can be applied to the bigger-ticket items and give flexibility for when. And what trip doesn’t require some special gear? And if you time it right, you might also be able to benefit from holiday savings, even on the more open-ended gift cards or certificates.
Gift cards can open up doors to travel, or take the sting out of the pinch to a traveler’s, couple’s or family’s wallet. Gift cards can be that extra spark that gets your loved one to finally depart on their bucket-list experience. And more and more travel companies – hotels and accommodations, cruises, tours, theme parks, sightseeing, spa visits, restaurants and dining, and even transportation companies from airlines to Amtrak to Uber to a Maine Windjammer Cruise – offer gift cards. The beauty is you can give the amount that works best for you and the recipient can choose the date, and the purchase can be made instantly. (And check if you can apply Black Friday/Cyber Monday/Travel Tuesday discounts.)
You can purchase gift cards on many airlines: the Delta Gift Card is redeemable for any Delta Air Lines flight worldwide and for any Delta Vacations package that includes airfare, no expiration date (https://www.delta.com/us/en/gift-cards/overview); Southwest Airlines (no expiration date, fully transferrable, usable for passenger travel and vacations https://www.southwest.com/gift-card/); American Airlines (https://giftcards.aa.com/), United Airlines, British Airways, Air France, KLM, SAS.
Booking.com, hotels.com and others also sell gift cards.
You can purchase gift cards for stays or amenities at Historic Hotels of America, Historic Hotels Worldwide, Beyond Green and Preferred Hotels & Resorts (all brands of Preferred Hotels & Resorts), through the iprefer.com. Gift Cards can be used for services, experiences, and stays at participating hotels and resorts in hundreds of destinations around the world. Gift cards do not expire. Purchase online at giftcards.iprefer.com.
Prefer riding the rails to boarding flights? Amtrak gift cards are available in an amount up to $500 with no fees and never expire. Have it emailed or sent through the mail. Redeem for travel online, in the app, by phone or in staffed stations. (May not be used for onboard purchases) https://www.amtrak.com/giftcards
Theme parks can be a very, very pricey vacation for families. Gift cards can put the vacation in reach or enhance the experience. Disney’s gift cards can be purchased in denominations of $25 to $500 and used for “practically” all things Disney – theme park tickets, resort stays, merchandise, dining and experiences at Disney destinations, and redeemable at shopDisney.com, Disney Stores, participating locations at Walt Disney World® Resort in Florida, Disneyland® Resort in California, Disney Cruise Line®, and Adventures by Disney®. https://www.disneygiftcard.com/.
Enhance your traveler’s upcoming trip by prearranging a dining experience; a spa visit; admission to a museum, attraction or cultural event; a cooking, baking or jewelry making class; a hot-air balloon ride; rock-climbing adventure; walking tour; bike rental. And what trip doesn’t require some special gear? (If you time it right, you might also be able to benefit from holiday savings.)
You can pre-purchase a city-sightseeing pass that provides admissions to the most popular attractions and experiences in cities like Prague (PragueCoolPass.com); Paris (parispass.com); Amsterdam (iamamsterdam.com); Berlin (citypasses.eu); Dresden (getyourguide.com). The added advantage is that the passes help organize the itinerary, provide info on hours, exhibits, and most importantly, save the time of waiting on line and the anxiety of being shut out and even save money over purchasing admissions individually.
Go City sells passes in 25 destinations from major metropolises like Amsterdam, Barcelona, Madrid, Singapore, London and New York to oceanfront oases like Sydney and Oahu, on 1,500 attractions, tours, and activities worldwide, saving up to 50% over purchasing individual tickets, connected on your smart phone (GoCity.com, 800 887 9103). CityPass (https://www.citypass.com/) has pass programs in numerous US cities and Toronto.
Arrange for your travelers to drive an exotic car, learn to fly, rock climb, skydive, bungee jump, take a hot-air balloon ride. Virgin Experience lists some 5000 different experiences in 122 regions from 600 “best in class” partners. Categories include: Gift of Broadway, Gifts for Him, Her, Couples, Kids; Celebrations; Food & Wine Gifts, Adventures Experiences and other listings. Easy return, no expiration, free exchange (https://www.virgingifts.com/us)
Gift certificates from Broadway.com can be redeemed for tickets to any Broadway or Off-Broadway show currently playing in New York City (https://www.broadway.com/gift-certificates/). You can also purchase “show-stopping holiday gift” theater tickets at discounts at todaytix.com and theatermania.com.
Context Travel offers personal walking tours with experts in 60 cities across 6 continents. Its gift cards can be used for audio guides, walking tours, pre-trip talks, day trips, and shore excursions. Gift cards are redeemable for hundreds of tours and experiences in any city, can be e-delivered immediately or at a future date and can be personalized with your message https://www.contexttravel.com/gift-cards/new
Also consider gifting some of the really special experiences, like Zookeeper for a Day at Busch Gardens (www.buschgardens.com), a safari experience at Safari West, Santa Rosa, California (800-616-2695, safariwest.com, https://safariwest.com/plan-your-experience/wild-gift-cards/),a sleepover “Night in the Museum” experiences at places like National Air and Space Museum, International Spy Museum, American Museum of Natural History, Cincinnati Museum Center, California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco, or family memberships.
For the skier/snowboarder, consider purchasing lift tickets, lessons, rentals, perhaps even a multi-day, regional or local pass (EpicPass.com, IkonPass.com, snow.com, ski.com). Get Ski Tickets is an online marketplace to purchase date-specific discounted lift tickets, lessons, rentals, group lift tickets and season passes (https://www.getskitickets.com/, 970-233-7040, info@getskitickets.com) and gift certificates (https://www.getskitickets.com/gift-certificates/).
And cruises may advertise as being “all-inclusive” but shore excursions are costly add-ons. Pre-purchase a shore excursion from Shore Excursions Group which offers 4,000 tours in 300+ ports worldwide, with something for every kind of cruiser, from first-timers to seasoned globetrotters, at 40 percent less than purchasing from the cruiseline (https://www.shoreexcursionsgroup.com/)
Travel Gear
Travelers also appreciate the gear, special clothing, photo equipment that would vastly enhance a trip experience (expedition, voyage, journey), but may feel guilty about the extra indulgence or simply tapped out- items like sunglasses, hiking poles (one of my favorite things!); hiking/skiing socks; safari hat; packing cubes; day pack; chargers; rain poncho, a camera lens or binoculars can make a real difference.
What trip doesn’t involve photos! Go beyond the cell phone (or at least, purchase the lens enhancements that give the best of both worlds)! B&H Photo consistently has best inventory, prices and holiday specials, efficient delivery, excellent customer service, delivery and return policies – think about memory cards, a point-and-shoot camera for hiking/biking; a mirrorless that packs easily but gives great quality; a long lens for that safari; a waterproof camera for that snorkeling/scuba diving trip (www.bhphotovideo.com), 800-606-6969, 212-444-6615).
Memories: I adore my Aura, is an electronic photo frame where you upload from your cellphone photos and videos that change at a speed you select, which I was gifted. It’s fun to load the few favorites from a trip (not the whole album), and when they come around, you get to experience of that moment all over again (auraframes.com)
Taste of Travel: Another way to transport a travel experience is to arrange for food or wine from a winery or destination that the recipient visited or yearns to visit. Imagery Estate (imagerywinery.com) and Gundlach Bundschu Winery (gunbun.com) in Sonoma were two favorite travel experiences for us and make it easy to gift their wine. Send the taste of New York City by shipping fresh bagels and smoked fish from an iconic deli like Zabar’s or Russ & Daughters. Maine Lobster Now is one of the vendors that can overnight live lobster from Maine’s docks to your door (https://www.mainelobsternow.com). Goldbelly is an online marketplace for regional and iconic foods from restaurants, bakeries and artisans across the U.S.
Send the travel experience home: ship wine from a favorite wine-tasting experience (Imagery Petite Sirah wine label art by Laini Nemett)
Gifting family memberships in a favorite museum, zoo, aquarium, preserve, historic site or attraction gives a sense of “ownership” and encourages multiple or multi-day visits (you don’t have to travel far away to be transported in place and time) as well as giving access to benefits – from special access to events and openings, discounts and promotions, magazines. In addition, these visits lay the foundation and trigger interest in traveling to the origin sites and destinations. Also, shopping the museum stores not only offer really special gifts but support the mission: American Museum of Natural History (members enjoy free admission, special access and previews of new exhibitions, and discounts on purchases with member ID (get $15 off membership with code MEM25); the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Chicago Museum of Art, any and every important museum, hall of fame, attraction, zoo such as the Wildlife Conservation Society which operates the Bronx Zoo and Brooklyn Aquarium among others (www.wcs.org). The Metropolitan Museum of Art has a terrific online catalog, gift finder help, you can even shop by artist (https://store.metmuseum.org/gift-guide, members save 30%)
Smithsonian Institution not only has an excellent store and catalog of excellent expeditionary trips (Smithsonianstore.com), but I treasure the Smithsonian Magazine, which also provides membership benefits, access to gifts; subscribe to the magazine and get gift subscriptions to share with someone else, gift price $19.99, https://subscribe.smithsonianmag.com/gift). National Geographic inspires you to pursue your own expedition and also has links to great expeditionary gear; there is also a National Geo Kids edition, to sow the seeds for lifelong adventure. (https://ngmdomsubs.nationalgeographic.com/
Also check out the memberships and gift possibilities at: Sierra Club (produces an excellent catalog of trips, sierraclub.org); Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (also check out the trail shop for gear like jerseys, trail guides and such, railstotrails.org), Parks & Trails NY (which hosts the annual Cycle the Erie 8-day, 400-mile camping/biking trip, ptny.org); Audubon Society; Nature Conservancy, National Wildlife Federation (nwf.org); World Wildlife Federation (wwf.org) and Kennedy Space Center (www.kennedyspacecenter.com). (Memberships typically come with publications, too, that delight the whole year through.)
On that note, travel is aspirational and a subscription to a travel magazine helps inspire, inform, build the dream, the bucket list and the plan: Travel & Leisure, Conde Nast Traveler (holiday sale plus tote, https://www.cntraveler.com/v2/offers/cnt313, cntraveler.com), National Geographic Traveler and National Geographic; there is also a National Geo Kids edition. (https://ngmdomsubs.nationalgeographic.com/
Fantasy Camp!
There are any number of fantasy camps to satisfy, well, every fantasy.
Want to play baseball like a major leaguer? There are baseball fantasy camps with teams like the Yankees, Red Sox, Atlanta Braves (mlb.com).
Join players from the gold medal winning 1980 USA Hockey Team for this annual Miracle On Ice Fantasy Camp, in magnificent Lake Placid, NY – host city of the historic 1980 Winter Olympic Games. Skate and compete in the 1980 Rink – Herb Brooks Arena where USA conquered the Russians and shocked the sports and political world (actual Miracle on Ice players usually participate!). (https://lakeplacidolympiccenter.com/todo/miracle-on-ice-fantasy-camp/)
Space Camp, an educational camp on the grounds of the U.S. Space & Rocket Center museum near NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center, Huntsville, Alabama, provides residential and educational programs for children as well as adults on themes such as space exploration, aviation and robotics. There are camps for every age group, even adults! (www.rocketcenter.com/SpaceCamp, camps@rocketcenter.com, 800-637-7223).
Also: Broadway theater (Broadway Fantasy Camp, broadwayfancamp.com), Rock ‘n’ Roll Fantasy Camp, an interactive musical event that takes place in various locations worldwide involving various Rock Stars on various dates (rockcamp.com; gift cards available, https://gift-cards.rockcampevents.com/)
For many, being able to participate in important science research is also a fantasy. Earthwatch Expeditions makes it possible to support important research into global challenges from climate change to human-wildlife coexistence to sustainability, while engaging local communities. It offers more than 40 field research expeditions around the world, with opportunities for teens and adults; no prior experience needed (Earthwatch.org, info@earthwatch.org).
New York City’sholiday season festivities officially kick off with the 99th annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, heralding in a cornucopia of festive performances, winter exhibits, holiday light displays and general good cheer. Join the anticipated 8 million local and global visitors engaging in the city’s Winter Wonderland.
“New York City comes alive during the holidays like nowhere else in the world, and this year the excitement is even greater as we celebrate the city’s 400th anniversary,” said New York City Tourism + Conventions’ President and CEO, Julie Coker.
Here are some of the festive performances, winter exhibits, holiday light displays to celebrate the holiday season in New York City:
Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, Nov. 27: The annual New York City celebration is returning for its 99th edition, featuring impressive helium balloons, creative floats, clowns, mesmerizing performance groups, popular Broadway musicals, celebrity appearances and much more. The parade begins at its traditional starting point on West 77th Street and Central Park West, ending in front of Macy’s Herald Square flagship store.
But the enchantment begins the night before the big event with the Great Balloon Inflation: queue up with thousands of others on 79th and Columbus Avenue to see your favorite characters.
Bronx Zoo Holiday Lights, Select Nights, select evenings (Nov. 21-23, 28-30, Dec. 4-7, 11-14, 18-23, 26-31, Jan. 2-4). Holiday Lights is a walk-through event where you journey through six immersive wildlife lantern trails featuring geographic-themed regions and the magical Forest of Color. More than 400 lanterns representing 100 animal and plant species connect visitors to the real wildlife and wild places that the Wildlife Conservation Society works to protect. Enhanced this year with Freeze Zone, featuring massive snow tube slides, talking snowmen, and a snowball wall, and more interactive elements, puppetry in The Enchanted Sea. There are also music and light performances, nightly ice-carving demonstrations, Wildlife Theater puppet adventures, festive treats including s’mores roasting and holiday drinks, bug carousel and holiday train,. Tickets are required for entry and must be reserved in advance. Ticket sales for Holiday Lights start at 3pm. Lights go on and lantern trails open at 4:30pm. Tickets available online at BronxZoo.com/Holiday-Lights, information at bronxzoo.com/holiday-lights. (See: Wander the World With Wonder and Joy at Bronx Zoo’s Holiday Lights)
Lightscape at Brooklyn Botanic Garden, Nov. 21–Jan. 4, Prospect Heights, Brooklyn:Lightscape at Brooklyn Botanic Garden returns this holiday season, transforming the Garden into a glittering winter trail and an enchanted forest in the heart of Brooklyn. Now in its fifth year, the event features dazzling light installations, reimagined art, music and special attractions, highlighting the Garden’s winter beauty.
Holiday Train Show, Nov. 15-Jan. 11, Bedford Park, The Bronx:Now in its 34th year, the New York Botanical Garden’s Holiday Train Show fills the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory with 200 twinkling landmark replicas made from natural materials, as model trains weave through iconic New York City scenes and over bridges. Visitors can also enjoy an illuminated outdoor mountainscape. Special Holiday Train Nights are a magical after-dark experience.
Christmas Spectacular Starring the Radio City Rockettes, Nov. 6–Jan. 4:The beloved holiday tradition returns to the iconic stage of Radio City Music Hall for its 100-year anniversary. One million people come each holiday season to experience its stunning costumes, joyful music, precise choreography and innovative performances. Multiple shows daily.
ROB LAKE MAGIC with Special Guests The Muppets, Nov. 6–Jan. 18:Renowned illusionist Rob Lake brings his jaw-dropping magic to Broadway this holiday season, joined by Kermit the Frog and friends, who add their signature humor and charm to the spectacle. Together, they promise a one-of-a-kind holiday performance blending astonishing illusions with beloved Muppet magic.
A Christmas Carol at PAC NYC: Nov. 23–Dec. 28:PAC NYC presents an immersive, intimate staging of A Christmas Carol, crafted by Tony Award-winning artists playwright Jack Thorne and director Matthew Warchus. This magical retelling wraps the audience around the action as Ebenezer Scrooge journeys through past, present, and future, brought to life with dazzling staging, moving storytelling and beloved Christmas carols.
George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker at the New York City Ballet, Nov. 28–Jan. 4:Experience the classic George Balanchine The Nutcracker, from the glowing Christmas tree to swirling snow and enchanting characters set to Tschaikovsky’s iconic score. The season concludes on Jan. 4 with a special sensory-friendly performance featuring adjusted lighting and sound designed for audiences with sensory processing challenges such as autism.
Spotlight: The New York Nutcracker, Dec. 18 & 19: Lincoln Center’s holiday lineup features Spotlight: A Night at the Atrium, a playful twist on The Nutcracker blending burlesque, puppetry, comedy and dance for a dazzling offbeat celebration of the season.
Holidays with the New York Philharmonic, Dec. 10–Dec. 20:Conductor Jane Glover leads the chorus of Music of the Baroque and a stellar cast of soloists in Handel’s Messiah. Families enjoy the holiday favorite Home Alone on the big screen as John Williams’sscore is performed live. Plus, the Philharmonic’s beloved Sounds of the Season matinees return, offering a family-friendly sampler of festive music.
The Magic Flute, Dec. 11–Jan. 3:A holiday tradition, Mozart’s enchanting fairy tale returns in the Met’s abridged, English-language production by Tony Award-winning director Julie Taymor. With some of opera’s most beloved melodies, colorful sets and costumes and dazzling puppetry, this family-friendly staging offers a magical experience for audiences of all ages. On Dec. 14 ticketholders are also invited to a free Holiday Open House before the performance, featuring special activities for families.
Festive Concerts at Carnegie Hall, December:Highlights include the Orchestra of St. Luke’s Chamber Ensemble performing Corelli and Vivaldi, the Princeton Nassoons’ seasonal program, the Oratorio Society of New York’s 151st consecutive Messiah, the Christmas Night Opera Gala with stars like Sondra Radvanovsky and Thomas Hampson and Concert of the Future: A Christmas Dream, a candlelit immersive blend of classical music and meditative sounds.
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater at New York City Center, Dec. 3–Jan. 4:Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater under the leadership of new Artistic Director Alicia Graf Mack. Audiences is presenting classic works from the Ailey repertory including the touchstone of inspiration Revelations, an anthem to resilience and joy.
The Brooklyn Nutcracker Presented by the Brooklyn Ballet at The Theater at City Tech, Dec. 6–7 and 13–14:The Brooklyn Nutcracker reimagines the classic ballet through the lens of Brooklyn’s diverse cultural tapestry, blending iconic characters with hip hop, pop and lock and bohemian flair. This vibrant journey travels from Victorian Flatbush to modern-day Brooklyn, with stops at landmarks like the Brooklyn Botanic Garden and a Flatbush Avenue subway platform.
Holiday Festivities at The Cathedral Church of Saint John the Divine, Dec. 13–Dec. 31, Morningside Heights:St. John the Divine presents a rich lineup of concerts, including the Joy of Christmas concert featuring Bach’s Magnificat and beloved carols and its traditional New Year’s Eve Concert for Peace, this year featuring Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony. Additional musical highlights include organ recitals, special evensong performances and seasonal programs that blend world-class artistry with the Cathedral’s cherished holiday traditions.
Winter Exhibitions, Cultural Happenings
Holiday Celebrations in Historic Richmond Town, throughout December, Staten Island:Historic Richmond Town’s holiday season kicks off with a free tree lighting celebration on Dec. 5, followed by “Christmas in Historic Richmond Town” Dec. 6–7, with festive shopping, live history demonstrations and seasonal treats; Candlelight Tours on Dec. 12–13, showcasing centuries of yuletide traditions; and a Holiday House tours on select dates throughout Dec..
Holiday Express: Toys and Trains from the Jerni Collection, through Feb. 8: The New York Historical displays its traditional model trains, toy stations, and miniatures are illustrating the design evolution from the early 20th century to the era of World War II. Families can explore the objects with a special scavenger hunt, and train-themed storytimes take place on select dates.
The Origami Holiday Tree, Nov. 24 throughout the holiday season: An annual New York City tradition for decades, the American Museum of Natural History’s Origami Holiday Tree showcases 1,000 hand-crafted origami models created by local, national and international artists.
Christmas Tree and Neapolitan Baroque Crèche, Nov. 25–Jan. 6: A New York City tradition, The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Christmas Tree and Neapolitan Baroque Crèche display showcases a beautifully adorned tree with a nativity scene at its base. The display features 18th-century Neapolitan figures, generously donated in 1964 by American artist and collector Loretta Hines Howard.
A Christmas Carol: The Manuscript, Nov. 25–Jan. 11:Every holiday season The Morgan showcases Charles Dickens’s original manuscript of A Christmas Carol in J. Pierpont Morgan’s Library. Bound in red goatskin leather, the manuscript was originally given to Dickens’s solicitor, Thomas Mitton, before being acquired by Pierpont Morgan in the 1890s.
Holiday Lights, Markets, Ice Skating, Activities
Holiday Under the Stars and Broadway Under the Stars at The Shops at Columbus Circle, throughout the holiday season:The Shops at Columbus Circle sparkle with “Holiday Under the Stars,” a breathtaking display of 300,000 lights and 44 glowing stars. Guests can also enjoy “Broadway Under the Stars,” a series of free performances from some of Broadway’s most celebrated shows, complete with intimate cast Q&As.
Hudson Yards presents its 6th annual spectacular lighting display, “Shine Bright at Hudson Yards Presented by Wells Fargo” featuring 2 million twinkling lights, with 115 miles of string lights, 725 evergreen trees, and the iconic 32-foot hot air balloon centerpiece suspended in the Great Room of The Shops and Restaurants at Hudson Yards. NEW: ten 11-foot-tall Toy Soldier statues lining The Shops on Level 1 and six free, pop-up performances. Nov. 28 – Dec. 23: Take photos with Santa.Dec. 1- 11:Festive Holiday performances by the Youth Orchestra of St. Lukes.
Wollman Rink, through March, Central Park: Wollman Rink celebrates a landmark 75 years with special programming, family-friendly activities and celebratory events.
The Rink at Bryant Park, through early March:Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park is New York City’s largest free-admission ice-skating rink, where you also enjoy a vibrant holiday market with 180 shops, cozy rinkside bar and food hall at The Lodge, holiday tree.
The Rink at Rockefeller Center, Rockefeller Center b/w 48th and 51st St. the iconic rink beneath the city’s most famous Christmas Tree.
Winterland Rink at The Rooftop at Pier 17, 89 South St. is New York City’s only outdoor rooftop ice rink. The day-to-night venue offers panoramic views of the Brooklyn Bridge, Empire State Building, and East River.
New Year’s Eve Times Square Ball Drop: The Times Square New Year’s Eve Ball Drop is an iconic New York City experience – watching its descent in person on New Year’s Eve is a spectacular, once-in-a-lifetime way to ring in the New Year.
NYRR Midnight Run in Central Park: Kick off 2026 with the NYRR Midnight Run, welcoming the new year with energy and excitement. As 2025 draws to a close, the countdown starts at 11:59 pm, and a spectacular fireworks display at midnight signals the start of the four-mile race.
Coney Island Polar Plunge, Coney Island, Brooklyn:Every New Year’s Day, the Polar Bear Club and daring participants dive into the icy waters at Coney Island. Spectators are welcome to watch as hundreds of thrill-seekers plunge into the freezing Atlantic Ocean. The event is free to attend, though participants are encouraged to make donations to support local community organizations in place of an entry fee.
Seasonal Tours
The NYC Christmas Holiday Tour with Free Dessert, created by Empire Tours & Productions, is a two-hour guided walk that begins at 764 Doris C Freedman Pl, under the General William Tecumseh Sherman Monument, and ends at Bryant Park Winter Village (42nd St & 6th Ave), winding through Fifth Avenue’s luxury storefronts, Rockefeller Center’s iconic Christmas Tree, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Radio City Music Hall. Along the way, hear captivating stories from expert local guides and emkpu a complimentary festive dessert from Myzel Chocolates. The tour captures the warmth and wonder of New York at Christmas, blending sparkling lights, historic tales, and film-famous stops like the Home Alone 2 locations at the Plaza Hotel and Gapstow Bridge. Tours daily, Nov. 24-Jan. 4, at 10:30 am and 4:30 pm. Prices start at $35 for adults (13–64), $34 for seniors and military, $29 for youth (7–12), and children under 6 join free. (https://tourofnyc.com/christmas-holiday-walking-tour/)
Holiday Lights & Movie Sites Tour with On Location Tours, Nov. 28–Dec. 31:Discover iconic landmarks and hidden spots seen in beloved holiday films such as Elf, Home Alone 2 and Scrooged with On Location Tours. Departing from Columbus Circle, the tour features festive stops at Bloomingdale’s, Rockefeller Center and the famous ice-skating rink at Bryant Park.
Christmas in New York with Romancing Manhattan Tours, November–December: This custom tour features a private guide on Fifth Avenue, a two-hour Rockefeller Center visit, and a sunset trip to the Top of the Rock. Optional add-ons include ice-skating with an instructor, a backstage tour of Radio City Music Hall, premium Rockettes tickets and a luxury dinner, curated by a concierge.
For all there is to do and see in New York City, visit nyctourism.com.
Wander the world with wonder and joy at the Bronx Zoo’s Holiday Lights, one of New York City’s premier seasonal events.
The Bronx Zoo’s Holiday Lights celebration, which runs on select evenings from November 21, 2025, to January 4, 2026, features millions of lights and 400 lanterns representing with extraordinary realism and artistry 100 fauna and flora species that inhabit the Zoo as well as the global conservation projects the Wildlife Conservation Society supports.
Each year the event is enhanced and this year’s includes new interactive and sensory experiences: the Freeze Zone features massive snow tube slides, an illuminated ice throne photo opportunity, talking snowmen, and a snowball wall where you get to toss virtual snowballs. Enchanted Sea returns with more interactive elements and new captivating puppetry, immersing visitors in a magical underwater world brought to life through play and performance.
The signature experience is the Lantern Safari – a truly enchanting journey on immersive trails through six geographic-themed regions – Africa, Latin America, Asia, North America, Ocean and the magical Forest of Color – where you encounter some 400 lanterns representing 100 animal and plant species that inhabit the Zoo as well as the real wildlife and wild places that the Wildlife Conservation Society, which manages the Zoo, works to protect.
You are amazed at the incredible artistry of these lantern animals, creatures, flowers, insects, in uncannily realistic (if whimsical) poses and configurations (some even have moving elements).
There are even “Wander with Wonder” educators available to answer questions, labels so you know what you are looking at, and field notes, frequently with tactile displays, when your curiosity is piqued.
There are also many opportunities for entertainment and engagement – a towering holiday tree with music and light performances (look for the animals that appear on the tree!), nightly ice-carving demonstrations, Wildlife Theater puppet adventures, s’mores roasting over fire pits, holiday treats and drinks, an amazing Bug Carousel (64 different insects to ride!), and a Holiday Train. (The Holiday Train ride is an extra $3).
None of the zoo’s live animals are out and about (they are sleeping), then again, you might count the illuminated stilt performers and puppeteers who bring added delight among the “live animals” who inhabit the zoo.
Holiday Lights occupies 12 of the Bronx Zoo’s 265 acres of hardwood forest – an oasis of wilderness amid the Bronx’s urban landscape – and is home to 10,000 animals. I love wandering and seeing the Victorian vestiges of the zoo’s glorious history, dating back to Nov. 8, 1899.
“We’re proud to be a holiday destination for so many families and to offer an even bigger Holiday Lights program this year,” said Jim Breheny, Director of the Bronx Zoo and EVP of WCS Zoos & Aquarium, switching on the lights on opening night. “Bronx Zoo Holiday Lights has become a New York tradition, where people come out to experience and enjoy the zoo in a different way at night. The annual tradition is a meaningful way for us to engage community members with WCS’s mission while celebrating the season together.”
He thanked Con Ed’s partnership and support. “We wouldn’t be able to do this without ConEd as a partner,” he said.
You can visit in one hour, but to really enjoy, expect to spend two or three (especially if you visit when crowded, when some of the activities might involve queuing up like for the carousel. (Note: there are no special tickets or cost for the special activities except for the festive Holiday Train ride, an extra $3.)
The event is rain or shine and tickets are date-specific, but you can pay extra for an “any night” ticket. Take advantage of a 20% discount through November 21. (Members get 40% off the ticket and discount on any night tickets).
Tickets: General public tickets start at $26.95, with flexible Any Night ticket options available. General admission is $41.95 for adults, $36.95 for seniors, and $26.95 for children ages 3–12. Tickets are available on line, BronxZoo.com/Holiday-Lights,
Ticket sales for Holiday Lights start at 3 pm. Lights go on and lantern trails open at 4:30 pm. If you arrive at the zoo before 4:30 pm, you have some time to visit animal exhibits before they close for the day, promptly at 4 pm. You can then stay to see the park transform and light up during the sunset transition (but you need the separate Holiday Lights ticket to stay). The Bug Carousel, Dancing Crane Cafe and Bronx Zoo store are all open to enjoy from daytime through night.
Holiday Lights and other special seasonal events like Boo at the Zoo, Harvest Glow, Brew at the Zoo, not only help educate visitors in such a fun, engaging and accessible way about the animals in WCS care at the zoo, but inform about the importance of conservation of biodiversity to our own preservation and help fund WCS’ important conservation efforts well beyond New York City’s borders.
WCS Members enjoy exclusive benefits, including 40% off special event tickets throughout the season and three free preview nights. Conservation-level Members receive free admission to Holiday Lights (a 20% discount on memberships going on now has been extended past November 30).
Membership packages also include year-round admission to all five WCS parks – Central Park Zoo, Prospect Park Zoo, Queens Zoo, Bronx Zoo, and New York Aquarium) while supporting wildlife conservation efforts worldwide. View membership options.
The Bronx Zoo, located on 265 acres of hardwood forest in Bronx, NY, opened on Nov. 8, 1899. It is world-renowned for its leadership in the areas of animal welfare, husbandry, veterinary care, education, science and conservation. The zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and is the flagship park of the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) which manages the world’s largest network of urban wildlife parks including the Bronx Zoo, Central Park Zoo, Prospect Park Zoo, Queens Zoo and New York Aquarium. Curators and animal care staff work to save, propagate, and sustain populations of threatened and endangered species. WCS has educated and inspired more than 400 million visitors at its zoos and aquarium and host some 4 million guests, including 500,000 students, at the parks each year. The Bronx Zoo is the largest youth employer in the borough of the Bronx, providing opportunity and helping to transform lives in one of the most under-served communities in the nation. The Bronx Zoo is the subject of THE ZOO, a docu-series aired world-wide on Animal Planet.
Bronx Zoo, 2300 Southern Blv.d, Bronx, NY 10460, 718-220-5100, https://bronxzoo.com
July 1776, “La Destruction de la Statue Royale a Nouvelle Yorck”, published in Paris. When General Washington’s troops heard about the Declaration of Independence, they pulled down the statue of George III at New York’s Bowling Green.
Ken Burns’ phenomenal documentary series, “The American Revolution” opens with the underpinnings of the Revolution – the documents that turned grievance over land and taxes by 13 disparate colonies into a fight to the death over independence of a new nation, the United States of America, the first founded on the principle of “consent of the governed.” What is most remarkable is that many of those documents – Thomas Paine’s “Common Sense,” Paul Revere’s propagandist print of the Boston massacre, an early surviving print of the Declaration of Independence – are now on view, “in the flesh” so to speak, at the New York Historical.
The exhibit, “Declaring the Revolution: America’s Printed Path to Independence,” is New York Historical’s first in its series of exhibits focused on the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States of America. This exhibit, featuring David M. Rubenstein’s Americana Collection, is on view through April 12, 2026.
You see the documents that provided the ideological and philosophical underpinnings for the Revolution and the founding of a new kind of government (by the people). And you see the documents that raised the rabble, forged a collective consciousness and identity, and inculcated the outrageous idea that a ragtag collection of colonial people of diverse race, ethnicity, religion and national origin could and should take on the most powerful empire on the globe.
Dr. Louise Mirrer, New York Historical’s President and CEO, noted the “unique urgency of now” to delve into how the American Revolution became “a war of ideals, in beliefs that Americans shared and believed important enough to fight and die for.”
“Declaring the Revolution traces the emergence of our nation through a shared belief in the power of the people and the promise of democracy,” Mirrer stated. “Through historical printings, the origins of the ‘American experiment’ are on display, allowing us to reflect on how we live and fulfill the ideals of our nation today. As stewards of history, The Historical is proud to kick off our celebration of America’s 250th anniversary with this remarkable testament to record-keeping as we invite Americans nationwide to share and preserve their hopes for our democracy through our On Our 250th initiative.”
Declaring the Revolution portrays the arc of the struggle through 18th-century pamphlets, broadsides, engravings, proclamations, and books, each declaring an aspect of how the colonies achieved independence. In an era when print was the only form of mass communication, these printings furthered the democratic ambitions of Americans—the highest expression of this being the Declaration of Independence.
(It is also why the Stamp Act, which imposed a tax on every piece of paper, from wills and pamphlets to newsprint, was such a factor in inspiring newspaper editors and pamphleteers to embrace independence and inspire colonials to see themselves as Americans with the ability to win an armed conflict against Great Britain, the most powerful empire in the world at the time.)
Declaring the Revolution demonstrates that America’s quest for independence was not only a military conflict, but also a battle of ideas that inspired colonists to fight and sacrifice for the promise of a sovereign new nation that adequately represented its citizenry.
A highlight of New York Historical’s “Declaring the Revolution: America’s Printed Path to Independence” is a rare State Department engraving of the original engrossed copy of The Declaration of published in 1823.
Most affecting is getting to see (in person) two extraordinary printings of the Declaration: its exceedingly rare first newspaper appearance in the Pennsylvania Evening Post and the renowned State Department engraving of the original engrossed copy. Other highlights include Thomas Paine’s electrifying 1776 pamphlet, Common Sense, which called for independence from Great Britain, and John Hancock’s 1774 oration honoring the Boston Massacre, the deadly confrontation between British soldiers and American colonists on March 5, 1770.
You get to see the Virginia Declaration of Rights, drafted by George Mason in 1776, and shown in its uncommon earliest printing, which outlines the requirement of natural rights that influenced subsequent documents like the Declaration of Independence.
There is an exceptionally rare 1773 handbill printed by enslaved persons in Boston asks that the language of freedom apply to them and points out the incongruity of a land with bondage desiring to be liberated.
Also on display are key texts which provided the intellectual foundation for the Revolution; you actually see printings of the Magna Carta and English Bill of Rights, as well as books by John Locke and Jean-Jacques Rousseau, among other philosophers.
There are also printings describing major events of the military conflict between Britain and the colonies including the Battles of Lexington and Concord, the Boston Tea Party, the Battle of Brooklyn, Washington’s victory at Trenton, and the Sieges of Charleston and Yorktown.
“The Bloody Massacre Perpetrated in King Street, Boston on March 5th 1770 by a Party of the 29th Regiment,” the print by Paul Revere helped to incite colonists against Great Britain, on view at New York Historical’s “Declaring the Revolution: America’s Printed Path to Independence.”
The documents are from the collection of David M. Rubenstein, who introduced them at the preview of the exhibit which opened November 14 saying, “Why do we need to see the documents, versus a computer image, to see in person?” He answered his own question saying that there is more of a visceral, emotional, engaged reaction to seeing something “in the flesh.”
“You might read about it, but are more likely to learn more by seeing the real thing. That’s why it is so important to preserve [these original documents].”
Rubenstein went on to reflect, “When this country was set up, no one thought it would last 250 years. Jefferson said to Madison that every 20 years, we should re-do the Constitution or the nation won’t last.
Nobody expected the United States – 13 colonies of 3 million (including 500,000 slaves) – to endure and even less likely, that it would become the military, cultural, financial [superpower] of the world. 250 years later, to look at the legacy, they would have been astounded.”
Then he reflected, “We are celebrating the 250th anniversary of country, but why was July 4th 1776 designated as its birthday? Why not 1775, or 1492 with Columbus’ arrival, or 1565 when St. Augustine was settled by Spain, or 1619 when the British came to Jamestown or 1620 when the Pilgrims established a home at Plymouth?
“Or even, August 2 1776 when the Declaration of Independence was formally signed [not on July 4th as we commonly think], and it wasn’t until 1777 when the last Founder signed. Or should we celebrate January 17, 1777 when those who signed it finally made it public that they did? (They didn’t earlier because they could be hung for treason.)
“The decision to break from England was July 2, 1776, so John Adams felt July 2nd would be celebrated. It was agreed to on July 4th, but they came back in August and signed it on August 2nd.”
Or should the founding of the nation be celebrated when the Constitution was finished in 1787, or 1788 when it was agreed to and ratified, establishing the format for government and the rights guaranteed in the first 10 amendments, the Bill of Rights.
John Adams wanted the first anniversary of independence to be celebrated on July 2, 1777. Thomas Jefferson (who was not happy with the editing of the Declaration and didn’t even admit to having authored it until much later) wanted July 4th when the Declaration’s wording was adopted. This difference led to a schism between Adams and Jefferson.
“Well, they forgot to celebrate on July 2, so organized July 4 as a day of celebration and fireworks,” Rubenstein related.
“But July 4th won out as the birthday of the new nation because of a sentence that became most famous, and some have called the greatest ever written: ‘We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.’
“It is the creed we’ve tried to live up to for 250 years, a creed so many other nations have adopted. That sentence has become the symbol of the United States. I am proud to have some of these documents that live up to the creed.”
Rubenstein added: “My reason for collecting these original printings is to show them to the public to give Americans an opportunity to encounter our country’s impressive history and the accomplishments of those who came before us. The American Revolution was a civil war with Britain and a transformation in the hearts and minds of colonial inhabitants, who began to identify nationally with a new alliance of thirteen colonies built around the democratic principles that the United States holds most dear. To not remember these origins of our democracy is to risk losing our democracy.”
What you come away with, though – like the New York Historical’s just concluded “Blacklisted” exhibit – is how eerily and scarily we are to those times and complaints that led to rebellion – the first to break away from dynastic tyranny and replace it with self-rule – against an authoritarian regime.
Let’s also be reminded about the grievances against King George III listed in the Declaration of Independence that instigated not just protest, but revolution. Does this sound familiar (the summary compiled from A.I. query)?
Taxation and trade: Imposing taxes without consent and cutting off colonial trade with other parts of the world.
Legislative and judicial powers: Suspending legislatures, dissolving them for opposing his policies, and making judges dependent on his will.
Military and justice: Quartering large numbers of armed troops in colonial homes, transporting colonists to be tried for “pretended offenses,” and protecting British soldiers from punishment for crimes committed in the colonies.
Economic and political interference: Abolishing new forms of government, obstructing naturalization laws, and imposing new offices to “harass our people and eat out their substance”.
Incitement of violence: Exciting domestic insurrections, inciting “merciless Indian savages” to attack colonists, and waging war against the people.
Abuse of power: Vetoing laws necessary for the public good, and generally abusing power to establish a tyranny over the colonies
That’s the importance of preserving and studying history – and the original documents – and not enable whitewashing or literal brainwashing.
And it is good to be reminded of what it means to be American, what we value as Americans, what is precious and not to be taken for granted.
Holding on to the Declaration of Independence on the battlefield.
“I am grateful to The New York Historical for featuring these foundational documents ahead of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence,” said Rubenstein. “The items on view bring new context to one of the most important documents ever written, giving insight into the minds of our Founding Fathers as they changed the course of history.”
The exhibition is curated by Mazy Boroujerdi, special advisor to the David M. Rubenstein Americana Collection, which mounts non-partisan exhibitions of historically important printings to foster civic engagement and historical understanding, and is coordinated at The New York Historical by Valerie Paley, senior vice president and Sue Ann Weinberg director of the Patricia D. Klingenstein Library. Declaring the Revolution marks the fourth exhibition produced by the Rubenstein Collection in conjunction with The New York Historical, where the Semiquincentennial will be celebrated with a yearlong schedule of exhibitions and programs.
With the 250th anniversary of the United States approaching, The New York Historical is sharing messages of national hope and encouragement from the digital campaign On Our 250th, which invites individuals from across the country to post their personal wishes for America’s future. Launched online by The New York Historical in April 2025 in partnership with history museums and historic sites throughout the United States, On Our 250th has already received messages from people in 37 states, as well as Washington, DC and US territories. The exhibitions related to the 250th anniversary will take place over a 15-month period, from October 2025 to December 2026, in both The Historical’s main building and, starting summer 2026, its new Tang Wing for American Democracy.
Throughout the fall and winter, David M. Rubenstein will be in conversation with noted historians and scholars at The New York Historical. Visit the public programs calendar to learn more. Private group tours can also be arranged.
New York Historical, 170 Central Park West, New York NY 10024, 212-873-3400, nyhistory.org.
Imagine this: a single pass that lets you ski/ride not only the iconic mountain destinations of North America, but in 73 global destinations across 13 countries on five continents. It almost can be intimidating to contemplate: to dream of skiing NEKOMA Mountain in Japan, Yunding Snow Park in China, Mona Yongpyong in South Korea (three of nine resorts added in Asia this year), and when summer shuts the resorts north of the equator, ski in Valle Nevado in Chile; Thredbo and Mt Buller in Australia; Coronet Peak, The Remarkables, Mt Hutt in New Zealand. This is the power and the reach of Alterra Mountain Company’s Ikon Pass.
It can be daunting to venture to foreign mountains, but one of the benefits of being an Ikon Passholder is access to a proprietary travel service that not only can advise which resorts might be most fun to explore and help arrange the logistics, transportation, accommodations, equipment rentals but also provide access to exclusive deals, specials and packages.
And not just during the snow season. The pass provides resort-specific benefits in the warm weather, too, like scenic lift rides and mountain biking.
Ikon Pass holders can save $100 on every winter 25/26 vacation booked by December 18, 2025, with Ikon Pass Travel, an exclusive trip planning site for pass holders. (Conditions apply, find out more at https://www.ikonpass.com/en/travel.)
Of the 73 global destinations that Ikon Pass holders can explore for the 25/26 winter season, 13 are new additions: Megève Ski Area in France, Le Massif de Charlevoix in Quebec, Ischgl in Austria, Valle d’Aosta in Italy, and nine in Asia: Shiga Kogen Mountain Resort, Mt.T, Myoko Suginohara Ski Resort, Furano Ski Resort, APPI Resort, NEKOMA Mountain, and Zao Onsen Ski Resort in Japan, plus Yunding Snow Park in China, and Mona Yongpyong in South Korea.
There are different levels of passes – from local, regional, limited access, to full, unlimited access with a number of days to ski in the more exotic destinations around the world.
For example, Ikon Pass now offers up to 77 days total throughout Asia for winter 25/26, where passholders have access to 11 destinations throughout Japan, China and South Korea. Ikon Pass holders have 7-days combined access at Shiga Kogen Mountain Resort and 7-days each at all other new Asian destinations with no blackout dates, 5-days combined access at Shiga Kogen Mountain Resort and 5-days each at all other new Asian destinations on Ikon Base Pass with no blackout dates.
“Ikon Pass is the winter gateway for anyone who wants to ski or ride the best of Asia,” said Matt Bowers, Senior Vice President, Marketing, Alterra Mountain Company. “With marquee destinations on Hokkaido and in the Nagano Area joining Niseko United and Arai Mountain Resort in Japan, plus the hidden Japan of the Tohoku Region, along with Olympic venues in Japan, China and South Korea, Ikon Pass now offers extensive access for Ikon Pass holders in even more of the best snow regions on the planet.”
Indeed, Ikon Passholders have access to Dolomiti Superski (The Dolomites)which is hosting the 2026 Winter Olympics. One of the world’s largest ski networks, Dolomiti Superski links 12 resorts and 746 miles of slopes under a single pass—set amid the UNESCO World Heritage Dolomites, whose 200-million-year-old peaks rise from an ancient coral reef and whose Italian, Austrian, and Ladin cultures infuse the region with deep history and world-class cuisine far beyond the skiing. Ikon Pass Access to Cortina d’Ampezzo during the 2026 Olympics: Ikon Pass and Ikon Base Pass holders have access to Cortina d’Ampezzo during Olympic races. However, some lift and trail access may be restricted to all guests on the mountain during races. (Contact Dolomiti Superski for any details before you make your travel plans.)
What distinguishes the Ikon resorts (not all are owned by Alterra Mountain Co., some are partners in the pass program), is that they are all individual in character, have their special vibe, and are in charge of their own brand, their own identity – so it makes it fun to each season, leave one’s regular destination to venture out – across the country, across borders, across oceans.
This season, Ikon Pass holders benefit from new and improved infrastructure and services to enhance their on-site experience, including 17 new lifts, three gondolas, terrain expansions, lodges and amenities, upgraded snowmaking, and more across the Ikon Pass community. (Click here for Ikon Pass destination opening dates for the 25/26 winter season.)
(Note: The Ikon Pass is available for sale through December 11 at www.ikonpass.com.)
New Ikon Pass Destinations & Access: Ikon Pass is now unlimited at a Colorado favorite, Arapahoe Basin (now owned by Alterra Mountain Company which offers the Ikon Pass). Plus, Ikon Pass offers three new destinations in Canada and Europe for 25/26: Le Massif de Charlevoix in Quebec, Ischgl in Austria, and five mountains within Italy’s Valle d’Aosta – Courmayeur Mont Blanc, Cervino Ski Paradise, La Thuile Espace San Bernardo, Monterosa Ski, and Pila.
Also new for 25/26, Megève Ski Area, cradled in the Mont Blanc Massif in the French Alps, has joined the Ikon Pass. This European gem combines alpine tradition and timeless French elegance. Once a medieval farming village, it now spans 400 km of connected terrain across Rochebrune, Mont d’Arbois, Jaillet, and Côte 2000 and offers tree-lined runs, mountain-view groomers, over 60 on-mountain restaurants, and après charm. (Ikon Pass holders have seven-day access to Megève Ski Area with no blackout dates, and Ikon Base Pass holders have five-day access with no blackout dates; not available on the Ikon Session Pass.)
New Bonus Mountains: Ikon Pass holders get two free days each at Bonus Mountains across North America. New for 25/26, SilverStar Mountain Resort and Grouse Mountain in British Columbia and Ski Butternut in Massachusetts, join Wild Mountain and Buck Hill Ski & Snowboard Area in Minnesota, Cranmore Mountain Resort in New Hampshire, and Jiminy Peak Mountain Resort in Massachusetts.
New & Improved Ikon Pass App: Starting this season, a new, enhanced map experience lets you be local everywhere, while making exploration easy, offers a new seamless way to pay, an updated profile overview and on-the-go notifications.
New Peak Perks: Plus up the power of the pass with Peak Perks, a tailored collection of benefits tiered for each pass, including mountain discounts, experiences and savings on the brands you love. For 25/26, the better the pass, the better the perks. Exclusive member benefits also include Ikon Pass First Tracks, the Ikon Pass app, and more.
JSX – $100 Off First Flight with Club JSX: Join Club JSX for $100 off your first semi-private flight. Plus, skis and boards fly free.
Carv – 20% Off Carv Ski Coach: Unlock your best turns this winter with theCarvdigital coach. Simply clip it on and ski. Real-time coaching helps you improve in every terrain.
Deer Valley Resort in Utah is on track to deliver one of the largest ski resort expansions in history. This winter, Deer Valley is offering double the ski terrain, with 31 chairlifts (seven new), 200 ski runs, seven bowls, and 4,300 skiable acres. The East Village Express, a 10-passenger gondola, links the new Deer Valley East Village to Park Peak with 80 new runs – a total of 100 new runs at Deer Valley since December 2024. The resort (one of the only skier-only resorts) has made a major investment in snowmaking so can open earlier, and with an elevation at 9,000 ft., it is the first to open and boasts the longest season in Utah. Also new: 1,200 day-skier parking spots at the new Deer Valley East Village – this new gateway offers skiers an alternative arrival option to its new terrain via U.S. Route 40, helping to reduce traffic throughout Park City.
Arapahoe Basin: Bruce Ruff on East Wall. Arapahoe Basin is now owned by Alterra Mountain Co. and ikon Pass holders get unlimited access. (photo by Dave Camara)
This season marks the first that legendary Arapahoe Basin, Colorado, has come under Alterra’s ownership and offer unlimited access on the Ikon Pass (the ski area was an Ikon partner before). A-Basin, which was independently owned before, is in the process of producing a master development plan into the next decade that will include new lifts, activities and experiences. There is no on-mountain lodging as yet, but A-Basin has lodging partners in Frisco and Silverthorne. Also, Copper Mountain (an Ikon partner), is 25 minutes drive away, and Ikon Pass holders can stay at Copper and ski both resorts. There are free buses from downtown Denver to both A-Basin and Copper (75 miles, 1 ½ hours drive).
Copper Mountain in Colorado kicked off a multi-year snowmaking modernization project designed to enhance early-season snowmaking capabilities and improve reliability across the mountain. Upgrades are underway on eight trails, where guests will notice new fan guns and the modernization of towers and hydrants with more efficient semi-automatic systems.
Le Massif de Charlevoix in Quebec is opening Chalet Bertha, a 7,000 sq. ft. luxury residence perched at the summit, offering ski-in/ski-out access, breathtaking views of the St. Lawrence River and a full range of premium amenities and services. The resort was acquired in 2002 by the founder of Cirque du Soleil, which carries over to the ambiance (in summer, they have a light show with the ski lifts). You can ski down from the lodge, or ride up from lodges; you can even ski to the St. Lawrence Seaway, with stunning views on the way down. The mountain offers a 2,500 ft. vertical (one of the highest east of the Rockies), 53 trails on 406 skiable acres. Le Massif de Charlevoix is located an hour from Quebec City. There is an all-inclusive Club Med resort nearby (that includes skiing, rentals)
Mount Tremblant, located near Montreal, is like finding yourself skiing in France. A pedestrian village, you get a complete European experience, with 75 restuarants at the base, nightly activities, and trails for everybody. The mountain has a 2,800 ft. vertical, with an even split of trails from beginner, intermediate and expert, and 13 ski in/out lodges. New this season are events: Tremblant World Cup, Alpine Women, Giant Slalom (December); and candlelight music in the church.
Blue Mountain, Ontario, located 1 ½ hours from Toronto, has the added advantage for Americans in that the exchange rate makes it a real bargain. The village has 1000 units and events all season. There is lots of beginner terrain and a new beginner program based on progression (first day you get the equipment rental, group lesson; second is semi private; 3rd is private lesson guaranteed to get you to top). If you purchase all 3, you get a local pass for free. The three days do not have to be consecutive, and can be purchased separately or all at once. We want to create new skiers. We are so close to Toronto, we get lots of first-timers.”
Sun Peaks Resort is the first ski area in Canada to adopt innovative Finnish-developed snow storage technology, preserving snow over the summer. The preserved snow is reused to support early-season alpine race training. The resort is investing in a multi-year, $5.5 million dollar snowmaking enhancements, including new and modern snow guns, improved automation, on-board weather stations. and new locations. This investment supports a reliable early season public opening, early November opening of the Nancy Greene International Race Centre, and mid-season fill-in.
At Big Sky Resort in Montana, the Explorer Gondola will replace the Explorer Chairlift and connect to the bottom of the Lone Peak Tram with a mid-station terminal featuring a new learning area. The top terminal of the Lone Peak Tram will include an all-glass viewing platform with panoramic views of the surrounding peaks and down the fall line of Lone Mountain through a glass floor. The resort is hosting a four-month culinary residency helmed by Michelin-three star Chef Grant Achatz. Part of The Alinea Group’s 20th Anniversary World Tour, this dining experience fuses European culinary precision with Montana’s character, offering locally sourced seasonal menus in a stunning alpine retreat designed by award-winning studio Fettle.
Killington in Vermont is unveiling its new Superstar Six Chairlift replacement, along with new cabins and a new gondola barn for the Skyeship Gondola. Killington’s two-year, $7 million investment in snowmaking efficiency reaches the finish line this winter with 500 new high-efficiency snow guns, adding to the 500 installed last season, allowing more snow making in a shorter time, while using less energy.
SkiBig3 Canada’s Mt Norquay’s 100th anniversary coincides with the launch of the Norquay 100 Vision, a plan to offer best-in-class sustainability, learning opportunities and accessible adventure for all. Enjoy a new surface lift, 100th anniversary celebration party in March 2026 and a documentary premiering at the Banff Film Festival this fall. Additional glading at Mt. Norquay includes the Norquay 100 Glades for new tree skiing off Mystic Chair. Lake Louise Ski Resort’s Richardson Ridge debuts this season with an all-new area featuring four new beginner and intermediate trails, gladed terrain, and a high-speed quad chairlift on the resort’s backside.
Taos Ski Valley, New Mexico,celebrates its 70th anniversary this season. Taos is replacing Lift 7,originally built in 1984 – with a brand-new triple chair and completely regraded Maxie’s ski run. Coupled with new RFID gates, the on-mountain experience at Taos is more streamlined than ever. New and unprecedented flight access into Taos Regional Airport means more flights than ever: a new route from Contour Airlines connects Taos directly to Denver International Airport providing seamless access five days a week from 189 domestic and 33 international destinations; JSX continues to provide weekly nonstop, semi-private flights from Dallas, Austin, San Diego (Carlsbad), and Los Angeles (Burbank).
Winter ParkResort is celebrating Mary Jane’s 50th season. Opened on January 10, 1976, Mary Jane terrain quickly became an iconic terrain in Colorado, earning the mantra “No Pain, No Jane”. Winter Park is planning a series of events, activations and offers throughout the season to celebrate the 50th season milestone. Meanwhile, the Winter Park Express Ski Train from Denver is back for a second season of expanded service, offering special holiday runs in December and launching regular four-day-a-week service on January 8, 2026.
On the heels of the successful debut of the West Mountain Expansion —which added 120 new skiable acres and a new lift serving beginner and intermediate terrain, Sugarloaf, Maine, is celebrating its 75th season, honoring its legacy while creating new opportunities to experience the mountain in every season. Sugarloaf is expanding its snowmaking coverage and increased water flow capacity resulting in faster terrain openings, better snow quality, and more reliable early-season skiing, especially for families and racers using beginner and intermediate trails.
Loon Mountain, New Hampshire, is celebrating its milestone 60th season with special events, exclusive merchandise, giveaways and surprises all season long. Loon is improving the beginner experience with the installation of a new carpet lift, Little Sass, and upgrades to the existing Sarsaparilla Carpet. The resort has added more snowmaking firepower at its tallest peak so that guest favorite North Peak trails including Upper and Lower Flume along with Upper Walking Boss can open quickly with more snow this winter. Loon Mountain Park has also benefited from increased snowmaking power with the installation of new HKD Klik hydrants.
Sun Valley Resort, Idaho is celebrating its milestone 90th season. Between Canyon, Exhibition and Olympic runs, guests can experience newly gladed terrain, adding to the more than 350 acres of glades. This terrain will provide new trails down to the famous River Run Lodge for advanced skiers.
At Snowbasin in Utah, which is celebrating its 85th anniversary this season, a new high speed quad is replacing Becker Lift, allowing quicker and smoother access to some of the best terrain on the mountain.
Jackson Hole Mountain Resort in Wyoming is planning celebrations throughout the winter to mark its 60th anniversary.
Skier-only Alta in Utah, is improving access along the High Traverse, giving skiers room to glide and enjoy some of Alta’s best and steepest powder terrain. In addition, hand-cutting of the track allows the High Traverse to retain more snow and combat wind erosion during periods of high pressure.
Snowbird in Utah is opening a new mid-mountain restaurant, The Nest. Replacing Mid-Gad, the new building features Swiss floor-to-ceiling glass windows on three sides, expanded seating and panoramic views of Little Cottonwood Canyon. The Nest will feature Mashgin technology, allowing a quick and easy checkout.
Sierra-at-Tahoe in California is expanding its on-piste footprint unveiling two new trails in West Bowl this season bringing the resort to 50 runs across 2000 acres of terrain.
Palisades Tahoe , Lake Tahoe, California, just launched the Perfect Progression Program, an easy and affordable way for first-time skiers and riders to get into the sport. For $799, participants get three beginner lessons, rentals, lift tickets, lunch vouchers, and even earn a season pass upon completion. Designed for true beginners, the Perfect Progression Program ensures participants learn in a supportive, welcoming environment. Lessons are taught by professional instructors who specialize in introducing newcomers to skiing and snowboarding in a safe, confidence-building way. (Enrollment is limited and available only at the Alpine Lodge base area. To reserve, call 800-403-0206.) Offering 6,000 skiable acres across eight legendary peaks, all connected by the Base to Base Gondola, known worldwide as host of the 1960 Winter Games (check out the delightful Olympic Museum) and still home to Olympic and World Cup athletes, Palisades Tahoe averages 400 inches of annual snowfall and delivers Lake Tahoe’s longest ski season. The Village at Palisades Tahoe is a year-round hub for dining, shopping, and signature events. (www.palisadestahoe.com, 800-403-0206)
Mt. Bachelor in Oregon is focusing on families, unveiling a series of complimentary après activities focused on wholesome family fun. From s’mores roasting and helmet decorating to face painting and lodge dance parties, there will be plenty of family-friendly programming on the slopes.
Sun Peaks in British Columbia is opening the final two of four new on-mountain Kids Adventures Zones for skiing families to explore. Moose’s Cabin (a small ski-in cabin) and Foxes’ Den (magical ski-through archways) join the existing Bear’s Lair and Grouse’s Nest, with each of these art-work themed, interactive areas found spread across the resort’s three mountains.
Colorado’s Steamboat unveils The Crooked Antler, a revamped dining experience, previously known as The Cabin, located inside The Steamboat Grand Hotel. The reimagined restaurant offers a cozy interior with a focus on comfort food and signature drinks at reasonable prices. As part of Steamboat’s new Olympian programs, guests not only have the opportunity to spend a full day on the mountain with a Steamboat Olympian but may also enjoy dinner with an Olympian at The Crooked Antler.
Shiga Kogen Mountain Resort: High in the Japanese Rockies, Shiga Kogen Mountain Resort delivers powder at its purest. As Japan’s largest and highest ski destination, this UNESCO Biosphere Reserve boasts 18 interconnected ski areas, championship runs, and one of the country’s longest seasons – from late November to late May. From family-friendly cruisers to off-piste powder zones, it’s a vast winter playground with views that stretch to Mt. Fuji.
NEKOMA Mountain: Rising above Lake Inawashiro in Fukushima, NEKOMA Mountain combines unique North and South experiences into one of Japan’s largest ski destinations. On the South side, discover long, varied runs with sweeping views. Across the north, expect refill after refill of dry, whispery powder. Surrounded by history and heritage, NEKOMA Mountain delivers endless turns, deep snow, and culturally rich adventures.
Myoko Suginohara Ski Resort: Gracing the slopes of Mt. Myoko in Japan, Suginohara is famed for its abundant powder snowfall averaging 13.4 meters annually, 1,124 meters of vertical, and one of the country’s longest groomed runs at 8.5 km. Just two hours from Tokyo, with nearby Shinkansen stations and highway access, this Niigata gem combines world-class skiing with seamless travel. Wide-open terrain, sweeping lake views, and powder-filled steeps make it a playground for big turns, long laps, and pure Japanese flow.
APPI Resort: At APPI Resort, the ride is all about the glide. One of Japan’s largest resorts, APPI delivers wide-open terrain, over 10 meters of snowfall, and some of the country’s longest groomed runs. Set in Iwate Prefecture, its special climate creates phenomenal light, silky powder. Paired with refined comforts, from soothing onsen to diverse gourmet dining, every lap strikes a balance of nature, culture, and flow.
Furano Ski Resort: Furano Ski Resort is where the Powder Belt peaks. Two distinct zones – Furano and Kitanomine – offer terrain for every style, from untouched lines to World Cup runs. Known for “Bonchi Powder,” Furano’s snow is light, dry, and deep, set against a basin backdrop that delivers sun, scenery, and pure northern magic.
Mt.T: Renowned as “The Ultimate Powder Field,” Mt.T by Hoshino Resorts is a bucket list destination where skiers and riders can blanket themselves in powdery deep turns. With 15 meters of annual snowfall, steep dynamic terrain, and the backdrop of Mt. Tanigawa’s twin peaks, it stands as one of Japan’s most coveted regions to ski and ride.
Zao Onsen Ski Resort: High in Yamagata’s mountains, Zao Onsen Ski Resort is home to Japan’s legendary “Snow Monsters” – rime-covered fir trees shaped by Siberian winds. Ski among these towering white giants on the nearly 9 km Snow Monster Course, then unwind in natural hot springs as steam rises through the snow.
CHINA, Yunding Snow Park: Set in the snowy mountains of northern China, just an hour from Beijing by high-speed rail, Yunding Snow Park is one of Asia’s best ski experiences. A host of the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics and other world-class competitions, this four-season resort pairs elite terrain with modern infrastructure, including the legendary halfpipe ridden by Olympians Eileen Gu and Shaun White. Beyond the turns, this Chinese icon offers sunlit slopes and ski-in/ski-out access for all abilities, robust restaurant options, on-mountain lodging, and off-slope adventures.
SOUTH KOREA, Mona Yongpyong: Nestled in Pyeongchang, Mona Yongpyong is South Korea’s most storied mountain resort, famed as a host of the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Games. With its iconic Rainbow Course, sweeping slopes on Mt. Balwangsan, and year-round leisure offerings, it’s a destination where world-class competition, culture, and adventure collide.
The War Remnants Museum in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) evokes profound shame of the horrors inflicted in our name during the Vietnam War.
The museum is housed in what used to be the US military’s intelligence headquarters during the Vietnam War and was originally known as the “Museum of Chinese and American War Crimes”.
Now one of the most visited museums in Vietnam, the War Remnants Museum attracts 500,000 visitors every year, of whom two-thirds are foreigners. That is apparent during our visit, as well.
Exhibits relate the history of American involvement in the Second Indochina War, which began when France returned to re-colonialize Vietnam in 1946. I still do not understand how or why the US took over France’s fight (the US started direct involvement in 1950), but the displays discuss America’s anti-Communist obsession with the Domino Theory (that Indochina would come under control of Communist China and/or Russia). But I also learn something new: a display quotes Lyndon B. Johnson saying that America needs access to Vietnam’s “tin and tungsten” (echoing Trump’s insistence on the necessity of taking Greenland’s rare earth metals).
The exhibits are detailed, emotional and intense – the most stirring being the photos by photojournalists for magazines and newspapers including Life Magazine. Most affecting is a kind of shrine dozens of journalists and photographers who were killed on the field of battle in their effort to bring news of what was happening there to the world.
The photos are presented in an extraordinary way: showing the photo, then providing notes about the background, the context of the image, and the photographer. Among them is the famous Pulitzer-prize winning photo of “Napalm Girl,” a naked child whose clothes have been burned off her body by napalm, which had profound impact on influencing public opinion (this was the first war that came into family’s living rooms each night). The photos then and now are chilling, but today, they properly evoke shame and wonder why there has never been accountability for war crimes.
A moving display addresses American war crimes (dumping Agent Orange, napalm and phosphorous, bombing villages). This includes great detail – even the stone well – of the war crimes committed and later admitted to by Bob Kerrey, a Navy Seal who became a U.S. Senator (not to be confused with John Kerry who gave Senate testimony in 1971 decrying the war). There is a display that shows the impact, even generations later, of these chemical weapons on the Vietnamese, and even progeny of American soldiers. (Along Vietnam’s modern highways, we have visited stunning craft enters – subsidized for-profit enterprises – that employ disabled who embroider, paint, carve.)
Another exhibit pays homage to the peace movements that were underway.
What I don’t see in the museum is any mention of Nixon sabotaging LBJ’s peace deal in 1968 to win election. (At the LBJ Library in Austin, you can hear LBJ’s phone call to Senator Dirkson saying Nixon’s back-channel promises to South Vietnam President Nguyen Van Thieu of a better deal when he became president, was treasonous, but Johnson couldn’t publicize it because it would have revealed US spying). Think of it: the Vietnam War could have ended in 1968, the most deadly year of the entire war. Fighting between 1968 and 1975 when the war finally ended (the 50th anniversary commemorated throughout Vietnam this year) meant 40,000 more American soldiers were killed (a total of 58,000 Americans died in Vietnam and countless thousands injured); for the Vietnamese, it meant 1.5 million more deaths (3 million Vietnamese died, of whom 2 million were civilians, plus 2 million injured and 300,000 listed as missing).
I ask our Discovery Bicycle Tours guide Phong, whose father fought for the North Vietnamese on the Ho Chi Minh Trail, if he knew about the possible peace deal, and he said no, but our local Saigon guide, Li, whose father fought for the South, was aware (I guess informed by an American veteran or tourist he guided). The most despicable realization about the Vietnam tragedy is that it was all political, having little or nothing to do with the claimed “national security.”
I visited this museum five years ago, when I was similarly overcome. But now that I have seen countryside and people, I see these photos differently, more in context. The faces in the photos were real people who you see in the faces of the people today.
And what has been most revelatory during our time here in Vietnam, is that Americans are well received, welcomed. As our guide Phong has said, “We are a Buddhist country. We do not look to the past; we look to the future.”
This is what travel is about: see for yourself, engage with people, and bring those revelations, insights, lessons and first-hand experiences home.
We actually weren’t supposed to visit the War Remnants Museum. Our Day 10 Discovery Bicycle Tours itinerary would have us visit the Reunification Palace – the former Presidential Palace, renamed to commemorate the April 30, 1975 victory of President Ho Chi Minh’s forces. But by the time we finish lunch (after having flown from Hoi An), there is not enough time to visit the Palace, so instead, we visit the War Remnants Museum. But this is such an important museum that should not be missed, I would have visited on my own on my last day.
Leaving the museum, our sightseeing continues.
The first thing you notice about Ho Chi Minh City is the traffic. If we thought the traffic in Hanoi was intense, the traffic in Ho Chi Minh City is multiples of that – it is an act of courage (almost an adventure or sport) just to cross the street.
You just cannot fathom the amount of traffic, with scooters zipping by every which way (there are buses and cars, too, but not nearly as many), and somehow they manage this complex choreography. But to the extent there are traffic signals, they are extremely sophisticated, with seconds counting down and turning arrows. Trouble is, they mainly control motorized traffic and there aren’t enough of them. Pedestrians have to just assert themselves. (Mercifully, Discovery Bicycle Tours has no plan for us to bike within Saigon; we will be taken out to the countryside.)
The traffic is actually an attraction. Looking through the window from the safe perch of our bus, we enjoy trying to spot families of three, four, even five on a motor bike, or some interesting thing that is being transported like 12-foot long piping or wide/high stacks, and looking for creative expressions of individuality in helmets. There are even bike helmets for the cellphones but rarely for children, our local guide, Li, tells us (and he isn’t just joking).
People on their scooters, smile, wave and flash V signs to us when they notice us watching with fascination and admiration.
Also interesting is the equivalent of an Uber service via motor scooter.
Our local guide, Li, tells us the city’s first subway opened just 2 months earlier – another sign of Vietnam’s peace and prosperity (I make a plan to see it). It extends 25 km east of city and there are plans to build a second line to go 25 km to the west. There is also some thought to a bullet train to replace the “express train” to Hanoi that takes 32 hours.
Another indication of the economic development of Vietnam is that they are building a new international airport 40 km away – the present one will used for the military.
There is lots of Western influence here – Ho Chi Minh City is Vietnam’s largest city and its commercial capital, and had been under French and Western control for more than a century. It seems very much an international city.
We next visit the famous Ho Chi Minh City Central Post Office, unchanged since it was built in the French style in the 1880s. I had bought some really decorative cards in the night market in Hue and delight in sending them off with special stamps and post mark, racing to complete the task as the rest of the group waits. (I have a tradition of mailing cards home from where I travel.)
For dinner, we get to experience Saigon’s famous street food – we are taken by bus to Ho Thi Ky Flowers and Foods Street, a popular district for street food, and Li leads us from one stall to another. We sit at the child-sized plastic tables and chairs and sample all these delights.
The food is marvelous – in fact, we’ve enjoyed excellent meals at all the restaurants we have visited but this experience adds extra zest of the ambiance. We get to try some unusual, local foods, too.
Li dares us to try the “stinky Vietnamese fruit,” Durian, a spiky, custard-like fruit known for its pungent, almost overpowering odor (a fruit equivalent to Limburger cheese), yet considered a delicacy in Southeast Asia and stuffed snails. (It’s horrible.)
The Majestic is an elegant five-star, French-style hotel which first opened in 1925, built by the richest Chinese businessman in Saigon at the time, Bui Hon Hoa. Over the past century, it has been expanded and renovated and in 2007 became the first Vietnamese-managed hotel to earn five-star status. It has a stunning outdoor pool, a gorgeous restaurant where we enjoy breakfast, a beautiful lobby lounge.
I head out to (carefully) cross the street to a long park which lets you promenade up to the City Hall, a stunning building from the Colonial French era, enjoying the activity of families out and about enjoying the evening and some street entertainers.
Our last full day in Vietnam is spent biking but mercifully, not in the city. Instead, we are bused 2 ½ hours to the Mekong Delta countryside. Our 20-mile bike route takes us through villages, rice paddies, orchards.
We stop into a place that collects coconuts for distribution and we get to drink the coconut juice, while our rest stop affords a few of us to hang out in hammocks.
We come to Mr. Kiet’s Ancient House, a faithfully restored upper-class 1838 home with intricately carved wooden archways and doors and antique furnishings, many with luminescent inlaid nacre. Recognized by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage site, the home is still occupied by Mr. Kiet’s widow who operates a small restaurant in the orchard garden, where we have a most delightful lunch.
Finishing our bike ride, we board a boat for a short cruise along the Mekong River, stop into a factory that makes candy from rice (like popcorn!), and have another ride in a traditional boat.
I frankly would have preferred this last day be spent biking and visiting the Cu Chi Tunnels, which would add to understanding the Vietnam War. I had visited five years ago when I was last in Saigon (on a Global Scavenger Hunt), and found it extremely moving and frankly a unique experience.
The Củ Chi Tunnels was the Viet Cong’s base for the Tet Offensive in 1968. The site has 120 km of underground tunnels with trapdoors, living areas, storage facilities, armory, hospitals, and command centers, and were used going back to 1948 against the French, and later against the Americans.
You actually climb into the tunnels (there are different length routes you can take, especially if you are claustrophobic) and guides re-create how the Viet Cong lived there. In the visitor center, you can archival film of battles and bombings in the place where it happened. (See: HO CHI MINH CITY, VIETNAM: TRADITIONS SURVIVE IN MODERN CITY, AS DOES RECKONING WITH PAST)
(Some of our group have a late-enough flight the next day that they have organized a private tour. I would recommend you extend your stay to have this experience if it is not included in the itinerary. You can arrange one of the many sightseeing trips available through the Majestic Hotel’s concierge).
A Day to Leisurely Explore
Discovery Bicycle Tours has arranged a late check out at the Majestic Hotel to accommodate our late-afternoon and early evening flights.
I luxuriate with a leisurely breakfast in the Majestic’s lovely rooftop restaurant, go for a swim in the hotel’s gorgeous pool, then go out to explore. (Had we not already visited the War Remnants Museum, this is when I would have.)
I head out to walk to the famous historic Ben Thanh Market, considered a “must-see.”
Ho Chi Minh City just opened its first subway, so when I come upon a station, I go down to explore–I find it unadorned, totally functional.
I had hoped to visit the synagogue that I had visited five years ago, but am unable to find it (it apparently is now a Chabad; there are three other synagogues in Vietnam: in Hanoi, Hoi An and Sapa).
Instead, I stop in to the Rehahn Gallery. It is very different from the Precious Museum & Gallery in his hometown of Hoi An but another chance to admire these spectacular photographs. There is a marvelous video which describes a bit of his process. It is just a couple of blocks from the Majestic Hotel, and close to the Opera and the Post Office.
Get the required visa at Vietnam’s website (evisa.gov.vn), where the fee is $25 (if you use a visa service it costs something like $197), but give yourself enough time to get the confirmation.
It is recommended you purchase travel insurance – especially for the medical and evacuation coverage. You can check a site like travelinsurance.com to get recommendations.
