Holiday Edition 2011

Ski the Holidays Away

Aspen Colorado

Accommodations bull Attractions bull Events bull Destinations

bull Four Seasons Whistler Resortbull Sheraton Phoenixbull Hotel Monteleone - New Orleansbull Harlingen Texas Featurebull Hotel Guide ldquoExperiencesrdquo

Inside

Aspen Colorado

to a Friend

Pass

About the CoverFrom world class athletes to movie stars Aspen Snowmass attracts them all This corner of the world is a trav-elerrsquos holiday paradise (Photo Courtesy Jennifer Broome Swept Away with Jennifer Broome)

Four Seasons Whistler ResortCanada

Hotel Valencia - San Antonio Texas 6

A True Texas Treasure - Beaumont Tx 8

Four Seasons Hotel - Houston Tx 10

Aldacorsquos Stone Oak - San Antonio Tx 12

Holidays in San Antonio Tx 13

Harlingen Tx Feature 14

Moody Gardens Hotel 18

Holidays in Grapevine Tx 20

Natural Bridge Caverns 22

Swept Away - Colorado 26

Winter Festival - Estes Park CO 28

Four Seasons Whistler - Canada 29

Hotel Monteleone - New Orleans 30

California Academy of Science 31

Sheraton Phoenix Downtown- AZ 32

Georgia Aquarium 34

Team Cocktail - Holidays 36

Contents

Edward R LeosPublisher

Jennifer LeosAssociate Publisher

Vianni BusquetsSenior Travel Writer

Daniel LeosIllustrator

Jordan ApodacaDeanna BarrettJennifer BroomeLyndsey HugginsAmy Sanchez

Contributors

Contact InformationThe Hotel GuidePO Box 592418

San Antonio TX 78259Toll-free

(877) HTL-GDE1phone (210) 857-2003infothehotelguidecomwwwthehotelguidecom

Special Thanks tobull Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority

bull Denver Convention amp Visitorrsquos Bureaubull Texas Department of Tourism

bull Texas Department of Transportationbull Texas Hotel and Lodging Association

bull Texas Travel Industry Associationbull Las Vegas CVB

bull Austin CVBbull Tyler CVB

bullGalvestonCVBbull Houston CVB

bull Corpus Christi CVBbull New Braunfels CVB

bull El Paso CVBbull Lubbock CVB

bull Institute of Texan Culturesbull Amarillo CVB

bullFredericksburg CVBbull Arlington CVB

Copyright 2011 The Hotel GuideAll rights reserved No part of this book may be reprinted in whole or without written permission from the publisher The Hotel Guide

does not assume any liability for errors in advertisements or editorial which may appear in this magazine

A Word Fromthe Publisherhe Holidays always evoke a spirit of

family and together-ness A time for trav-el and for memories This edition of The Hotel Guide is aptly called our ldquoHoliday Editionrdquo because we offer you some of the finest getaways in the world If the cold weather is your fancy be sure and check out our fea-tures on the impeccable Four Seasons Whistler Hotel in Canada or escape to Aspen Colorado courtesy of our great friend Jennifer Broome from ldquoSwept Away with Jennifer Broomerdquo Looking for great Texas getaways Look no further than San Antonio and the ambiance of the Riverwalk Or get whisked away to the ldquoChristmas Capital of Texasrdquo in Grapevine and check out the myriad of holiday events Finally three other great cities offering travelers a taste of the holiday season are Galveston Beaumont and Harlingen Texas Still craving more Escape to New Orleans and the Hotel Monteleone which puts on an incredible holiday spread As you venture West you can check out the Sheraton Phoenix Downtown en route to the Califor-nia Academy of Science These two venues have a ton of holiday events going on Travel is a key to happiness memories and unity This holiday season be safe as you travel and think about capturing all of the ldquolittle thingsrdquo that occur on your journey Book Your Travel Remember our comprehensive travel website al-lows you to book ALL your travel needs - including Ac-commodations Car Rental Airlines and even Cruises We are your one-stop shop for traveling in Texas and beyond For great story ideas or to be a part of our ldquoExpe-riencesrdquo section send me a personal e-mail by clicking hereHappy Holidays

Tbeautiful

magicalmemorable

wwwriosanantoniocom

River Taxi bull Private Charters bull Special Events

Ride the Rio

riosanantonio

(210) 244-5700(800) 417-4139

Connect ShareEngage

Hotel ValenciaA True River Walk Oasis

TEXAS

6 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 7

an Antoniorsquos Riverwalk has long been known for itrsquos incredible views and ambiance and now has another truly inspiring reason to boast The luxuri-

ous Hotel Valencia the cityrsquos only contemporary small luxury hotel is nestled along the world-famous River-walk offering guests breathtaking views and amenities while bringing an exclusive brand of luxury to this tour-ist-friendly regionOld World meets New World The Hotel Valencia offers guests a blend of timeless and romantic sights sounds and scenes The hotelrsquos interior incorporates elements of nature to create a one-of-a-kind yet timeless look The hotelrsquos architecture features the rich deep color finishes of a Tuscan farmhouse set against a dis-tinct backdrop with step-out balconies plastered vault dome ceilings reminiscent of a 15th century monastery and trickling water over candle-lit brick walls The second floor of the property boasts the hip ldquoV Barrdquo - where locals and hotel guests can mingle and take in the breathtaking views of the Riverwalk Venture up to the third floor and get taken away to another world in the open-air courtyard with Los Ange-les-based designer Dodd Mitchellrsquos signature reflect-ing pond which sits at the base of a dramatic fountain backlit by a rhythmic line of fire Amenities and More Hotel Valencia features a number of amenities unique to the city including complimentary high-speed Internet access available throughout the hotel Technol-ogy makes going from curbside to bedside a non-stop trip All guest rooms feature a posh custom-made seven-layer ldquoHotel Valencia Bedrdquo wrapped in luxurious cotton linens and topped with a down-filled comforter and a lush faux mink throw Guests can melt into the down-stuffed leather club chair or ottoman and enjoy the 70-channel cable television line-up Bathrooms come equipped with extra long shawl col-lared waffle weave bathrobes and oversized waffle

S

weave bath sheets Delectable Dining Citrus the hotelrsquos top-notch restaurant features New American cuisine under the direction of Jef-fery Balfour From Serrano Ham-Wrapped Mahi Mahi to Provencal Herb-encrusted Striped Sea Bass Balfour adds his own personal touch to all of the menu items Contact InformationFor more information on this incredible 213-room San Antonio Riverwalk hotel call

(210) 227-9700 or visit their website at wwwhotelvalen-ciacom

eaumont was put on the map with Spindletop and is known for its oil history

and heritage But with a little bit of Cajun and a whole lot of Texas spirit Beaumont is a city you must experience to understand why locals are just so dang proud to live here Think gorgeous southern homes amp friendly Texans lush greenery amp cool flowing wa-ters famous country musicians amp food festivals shopping amp fine dining This is Texas like nowhere elseHistory and Heritage The Lucas Gusher discov-ered in Beaumont in 1901 is affectionately called ldquoSpindle-toprdquo and prompted an oil boom in America unlike any the country had ever seen before Overnight thousands of sightseers fortune seek-ers and ldquoboomersrdquo poured into Beaumont as news of the discovery spread Flowing at nearly 100000 barrels a day the oil discovery ushered in the industrial revolu-tion giving rise to major petroleum companies many of which are still in business today Beaumontrsquos heritage is also visible in our beauti-fully renovated and historic downtown areas Museums historic homes theatres trendy restaurants and busi-nesses reside in many of the beautiful historic buildings built with the oil money from Spindletop New brick paved sidewalks landscaping and charming street lamps are recent adornments to the downtown areaMusic Art and Culture Many famous musicians have come from Beaumont and Southeast Texas Some notables are Tracy Byrd and Mark Chesnutt Other legends include Janis Joplin George Jones The Big Bopper and Blind Willie Johnson

B

Beaumont Texas

Beaumont has numerous famous artisans such as Rob-ert Rauschenberg and Keith Carter In addition our thriv-ing arts community includes an array of art galleries and studios as well as performing arts venues and organiza-tions Some of these are the Symphony of Southeast Texas Beaumont Civic Ballet Opera Beaumont The Art Museum of Southeast Texas Julie Rogers and Jefferson Theatres and others Wersquore also known as the ldquoMuseum Capital of Texasrdquo With 19 museums we have more museums per capita than any other city in the State of Texashellip and thatrsquos bigFood and Festivals Beaumont is on the border of Louisiana and boasts some of the best food With a mix of both Texas amp Cajun cul-

tures we offer visitors delicious crawfish dishes ettouffe boudain jambalaya gumbo and some of the best BBQ in the state Beaumont is also known for its fairs and festivals From the YMBL South Texas State Fair to Dog-tober Fest to the variety of food festivals hosted each year therersquos always something happening for out-of-towners to enjoy

Nature and Outdoors With such a rich oil history many are surprised at the abundance of nature in southeast Texas Beaumont is on the border of the Gulf of Mexico and to our north is the lush Big Thicket National Preserve which is a haven for birders canoe enthusiasts hikers and eco-tourists campers and fisherman The Neches River also flows through downtown Beaumont where visitors can take guided boat rides aboard the Cardinal Riverboat Beaumont really is

Texas like no where else Visit wwwbeaumontcvbcom for more information

TEXAS

8 9wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom

pickPublisherrsquos Experience a Texas Gem

10 11wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom

TEXAS

Four Seasons - HoustonTexas Luxury at itrsquos Finestn the heart of downtown Houstonrsquos financial and business districts and just steps from many inter-nationally renowned cultural destinations Four

Seasons resonates with the cosmopolitan elegance and refined Southern charm that characterize HoustonA $25 Million Facelift In June 2010 Four Seasons Hotel Houston com-pleted a three-year $25-million renovation project that encompassed four areas of the hotel ndash guest rooms the pool the lobby and the hotelrsquos exclusive apart-ments Four Seasons Place The 20-story tower of the Five-star Four Seasons Ho-tel Houston features 404 well-appointed guest rooms including 103 luxury suites and 12 specialty suites The residential atmosphere mixes traditional and contem-porary deacutecor to reflect the urban elegance and easy Southern charm of the city Extra-large bay windows showcase city and pool views Designed to ensure complete peace of mind all lux-ury accommodations feature comfortable furnishings a signature Four Seasons bed a flat-panel television and a CDDVD player Pampering marble bathrooms include a tub and shower combination To ensure maximum productivity all rooms are equipped with a spacious executive desk wireless Internet access dual-line telephones and connections for a fax machine and computer equipmentLeave the bustle of the city behind and begin a journey to relaxation and rejuvenation Relax at the Spa The Spa at Four Sea-sons Hotel Houston fea-tures a variety of massag-es body treatments and facials to help nurture the body melt away tension and calm the spirit Get whisked away to a relaxing place The Spa features a private couplersquos suite as well as menrsquos and womenrsquos locker rooms Before or after your treatment enjoy our dry saunas or whirlpool or simply take advantage of our complimentary amenities that are available for our guests

I

Vinoteca Quattro Located on the third floor this exciting new wine bar offers a comfortable respite from the hotelrsquos bus-tling downtown location Ad-joining Quattro restaurant Vinoteca Quattro features vivid lighting red leather banquette seating and more than 50 feet of solid granite bar top The restaurantrsquos signature floor-to-ceiling sil-ver beads create a secluded retreat for guestsContact Information

For more information on this incredible Houston proper-ty visit their website at wwwfourseasonscomhouston

pickPublisherrsquos

an Antonio has long been known for incred-ible Mexican food and for the past 20 years

Aldacorsquos has kept up the tradition Founded by itrsquos namesake Blanca Aldaco the restaurant has won many awards for their food delectable desserts tasty margaritas and unforget-table ambiance After launching the origi-nal Aldacorsquos near Sunset Station and subsequently moving into the facility adja-cent to the Alamodome the restaurant has earned local regional and national acclaimAppetizers with a Flare If you are looking for little bit everything then you must try ldquoLa Botanardquo which comes with two quesadillas al carbograven three flautas four fried cream jalapentildeos four bean amp cheese nachosguacamole and sour cream As you gear up for dinner the choices range from incredi-

S

Aldacorsquos Stone OakAward-Winning Food and More

TEXAS

12 13wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom

Free shuttle after 5 pm100 Hoefgen Sunset Station

San Antonio TX 78205wwwaldacosnet 2102220561

lunch amp dinnerpatio dining

margaritas

Located in historic downtown

A San Antonio Tradition for 20 Years

20079 Stone Oak ParkwaySan Antonio Texas 78258

(210) 494-0561wwwaldacos-stoneoakcom

Delicious Foodbull Open Daily for Lunch amp Dinner bull Award-Winning Drinks bull Delectable Desserts

ble enchiladas to steaks to freshly-prepared seafood Try the incomparable Chile Relleno or their scrump-tious Fish Tacos Aldacorsquos also offers a Gluten-Free and Celiac menu for their guestsDelectable Desserts Your dining experience isnrsquot complete without a serving of Blancarsquos famous Original Pastel Tres Leches dessert It is sinfully delicious and melts in your mouth Another ldquodessertrdquo that Aldacorsquos is known for are their award-winning margaritas You have to try the infamous Avaca-do Margarita or the Margarita Pour Off winner Either way if you love these tasty treats

Aldacorsquos has the answer Groups The restaurant also has a private dining room that holds up to 100 guests for those intimate gatherings For more info visit wwwaldacos-stoneoakcom

pickPublisherrsquos

TEXAS

14 15wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom

ocated in the heart of the Rio Grande Valley Har-lingen Texas offers historic sites family fun and outdoor adventures Near the southern tip of Texas

at the lower end of the Rio Grande Valley the city of Harlin-gen is an ex-citing blend of South Texas hospi-tality and the rich colorful traditions of Mexico With landscapes edged by palm trees and flaming bougainvillea Harlingen is home to everything tropical from red crowned parrots to palm trees and bougainvilleas that dominate the landscape The beautiful beaches of South Padre Island are also only minutes awayDowntown Harlingen Downtown Harlingen is situated along the pictur-esque palm-lined Jackson Street that has served as Harlingenrsquos ldquoMain Streetrdquo for more than a century Downtown Harlingen features a variety of unique shops that specialize in home decor apparel original Texas and Mexican artwork hand-made jewelry gifts an-tiques and collectibles A vintage vinyl shop 100-year-old seed store and garden center and authentic army surplus store are just a few of the reasons that locals and visitors alike flock to the area Jackson Street is the site of many community festivals and events Market Days on the first Saturday of every month and the annual Christmas ParadeHarlingen Murals Harlingen the mural capital of South Texas has more

Lthan a dozen interesting and colorful artworks on dis-play Drive through Downtown Harlingen and enjoy the beautiful murals that describe Harlingenrsquos history as a major city in the development of the Rio Grande Valley From the old cinema downtown to the historic Route 77

murals can be found on the outside and in-side of many Har-lingen build-ings that tell the story of Harlin-

genrsquos heritageOriginal Iwo Jima Memorial Monument amp Museum Harlingenrsquos Marine Military Academy is home to the original working model of the famous bronze statue at Arlington National Cemetery This stunning outdoor sculpture was donated to the school by sculptor Dr Fe-lix W de Weldon It depicts the raising of the US flag on Iwo Jima during World War II The museum features Marine Corps Memorabilia a video about the battle and a veteranrsquos Hall of FameBirding The city is known worldwide as a tropical birderrsquos

paradise because of its location on the convergence of two major flyways Birders flock to Harlingen year round to spot ex-otic and migratory birds Harlingen is home to one of nine World Bird-ing Centers in the Rio Grande Valley Ramsey Nature Park Pick up a birding checklist at

Harlingen TexasRich in Culture and TraditionpickPublisherrsquo

s

continued on page 16

TEXAS

16 17wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom

the Harlingen Convention and Visitors Bureau and see how many species you can identify Visitors can expect to see a wide variety of birds and peak at some of the more uncommon species including Green Jays Great Kis-kadees Buff-Bellied Hummingbirds and the Altamira Oriole Harlin-gen is also home to the famous Rio Grande Valley Birding Festi-val Each November birders from across the globe come to explore our region and itrsquos unique tropical birdsBass Pro Shop Harlingen is home to Bass Pro Shoprsquos newest destination outdoor superstore that in-cludes a restaurant bowling alley and archery range Outdoor enthusiasts will discover their next great South Texas adventure begins at the new Bass Pro Shops Out-door World in Harlingen While yoursquoll find a huge selec-tion of outdoor gear Bass Pro Shops stores are also part museum art gallery antique store and an aquarium education conservation and entertainment center Bowl-ing like yoursquove never seen before will be offered at the Uncle Buckrsquos Fishbowl and Grill This 15000 square-foot nautical-themed entity lo-cated within the Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World store features a truly unique atmosphere and design geared for family fun and dining Dock wood lanes feature beau-tiful under-water scenery of sea turtles sharks stingrays

and other saltwater species which will also glow in the dark during cosmic bowling Hand-painted murals depicting oceanic life line the walls and fish like a 16rsquo long giant squid hang suspended from the ceil-ing More than a hunting and fishing store visitors will also find items perfect for camping hiking outdoor cooking bird watching or whatever your out-door pleasures may beGolf Harlingen is the perfect destination for golf In fact ac-cording to a poll by the Na-

tional Golf Foundation the Rio Grande Valley has more playable days of golf per year than anywhere else in the United States Our tropical climate makes us a great destination to enjoy a game of golf year round The city has four public golf courses and one private course Just down the road are two 18 hole champion-ship courses at Rancho Viejo Resort and a picturesque 18 hole course along the Laguna Madre Bay at the South Padre Island Golf ClubWhether you are a begin-ner or pro Harlingen and the surrounding area has a course for you showcasing the natural beauty of South TexasContact Us For more information on visiting this incredible Texas city go to wwwvisitharlingentexascom

deals

Powered by

Click amp Save

TEXASTEXAS

18 19wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom

xperience a little Christmas magic this holiday sea-

son with the return of Imagine Christmas a magical and mesmeriz-ing Dinner amp Show that captures the wonder of Godrsquos miraculous gift to mankindImagine Christmas Imagine Christmas combines inspiring music beautiful dance windless kite flying and imaginative aerial acrobatics to tell the story of Christrsquos birth in a way that evokes child-like wonder awe and amazement Audiences will enjoy an enhanced production for the 2011 show with the addition of a state-of-the-art light show and video production complimenting the dynamic onstage theatrics Imagine Christmas is a show you not only see you experience The moment the show begins you know you are in for a special treat as musicians dancers and acrobats take to the stage What unfolds is a biblically-sound narrative that combines fast-paced scenes with fresh arrangements of traditional Christmas music into a contemporary and uniquely visual retelling of the birth of Jesus that is best described as somewhere between memory and imaginationIncredible Stage Direction Imagine Christmas returns under the direction of Mark Stonebarger a stage veteran who has appeared in or directed over 100 productions Mark has been teaching for 17 years and presently serves as the drama director at Clear Springs High School in the Clear Creek Texas school district Markrsquos shows have received several nominations and awards in both musical theater and UIL One Act Play contests With this yearrsquos encore performances at the Moody Gardens Convention Center in Galveston Texas Mark is continuing to improve upon what has already become one of his all-time favorite

E productions ldquoThis is such a special show and a unique visual experience for the audi-ence We have an outstanding cast and wersquore all very excited about the new addition of Psophonia Dance Company to this yearrsquos productionrdquo Psophonia Dance Compa-ny is a non-profit arts organi-zation dedicated to enriching the lives of our communities by creating and presenting danc-es for audiences of all ages Their collaboration with Mark for this yearrsquos production of Imagine Christmas has brought a fresh element of intrigue delight and heightened enter-tainment to the choreographyRun Dates Imagine Christmas runs from Dec 15-18 amp Dec 20-27 with nightly dinner show performances at 7 pm Enjoy a sumptuous Holiday Buffet

Dinner and then sit back in amazement as the story of Christrsquos birth is told in a way yoursquove never seen before Imagine Christmas Dinner Show tickets range from $49- $79 for adults $29-$39 for children and $14-$39 for infants Special group rates are available In addition to the live show and buffet dinner each Imagine Christmas ticket includes admission to Moody Gardensrsquo Festival of Lights all taxes and gratuities and complimentary parking Tickets can be purchased online at islandstarlivecom by phone at 409-683-4186 or toll free at 1-800-582-4673 ext 4186 Special Imagine Christmas Hotel packages are also available from $209 per night for couples and $259 per night for a family of four Packages include overnight accommodations in the beautiful Moody Gardens Hotel tickets to Imag-ine Christmas Dinner amp Show tickets to the Festival of Lights complimentary valet parking and a special holiday amenityContact Us For reservations call 888-388-8484 or visit wwwmoodygardenshotelcom

Moody GardensGalveston Holiday TraditionpickPublisherrsquos

1-877-426-6763wwwplayinconroecom

THG 2011

We are a delightful blend of nature history arts and recreation nestled in the Piney Woods of East Texas Visit our Website and print a Visi print a Visitors Guide call us or order one online and wersquoll mail it to you

Urban Jewel in the Piney WoodsCONROE TEXAS

20 21wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom

TEXASTEXAS

pickPublisherrsquos

times 49 Nights of Twinkling Lights ndash Put a little sparkle in the season at the Light Show Spectacular November 21 through January 8 This nightly 25-minute synchro-nized light display runs on the hour and half-hour start-ing at 6 pm with the last show starting at 11 pm Held at the Town Square Gazebo 325 S Main St the Light Show Spectacular features a singing Christmas tree festive holiday lights in a variety of seasonal colors and

a musical backdrop of Christmas favorites The Light North Pole Expressreg presented by Chesapeake Energy ndash Climb aboard the North Pole Express Children of all ages and adults alike will discover the magic of Christmas at this clas-sic Grapevine event The North Pole Express is an approximately one hour experience including a train ride pre-boarding

holiday stage show Santa journey through the Christ-mas tree maze Christmas music ornament making car-oling and more Children are encouraged to wear their Christmas pajamas for this family-friendly event Tickets are $18 per person and children 2 and under can sit on an adultrsquos lap but must have a complimentary ticket to board The North Pole Express runs November 25 26 27 and December 2 3 4 9 10 11 16 17 18 19 20 and 21 Grapevine Vintage Railroad 705 S Main St Musicals Movies and Magical Moments ndash An entire holiday lineup of movies and live musical performances await you at the Palace Theatre in Historic Downtown GrapevinebullldquoChristmas at the Moviesrdquo Musical ndash Watch scenes from your favorite holiday movies come alive on stage during this Texas Family Musical Production Matinee

Grapevine the Christmas Capital of Texas is the place to create Christmas memories this season With more than 1400 Christmas events in 40-plus

days Grapevine is the essence of Christmas deacutecor as the city becomes blanketed with millions of lights enormous decorations animated characters and a whole lot more The entire family can participate in some of the most unique holiday events where you can experi-ence the thrill and joy of Christmas Whether yoursquore looking for a night out with the family or an opportunity to ex-perience some Christmas magic with someone spe-cial here are the top ten reasons to make plans now to visit GrapevineICE featuring Dream-Worksrsquo ldquoShrek the Hallstraderdquo at the Gaylord Texan Resort ndash The ICE winter holiday attraction returns with an all-new hilarious theme ICE featuring DreamWorksrsquo ldquoShrek the Hallstraderdquo From November 11 to January 1 the DreamWorks animated holiday TV special will be brought to life in an interactive world of colorful ice sculptures of all your favorite Shrek charac-ters carved entirely from two million pounds of ice And while at the Gaylord Texan Resort donrsquot miss Kung Fu Panda Awesome Snow Tubing Open daily November 20 to December 31 experience an extreme eight-lane tubing hill thatrsquos covered in real snow Guests will also enjoy celebrating Lone Star Christmas at the Gaylord Texan Resort a winter wonderland including 15 million holiday lights a 52-foot rotating Christmas tree a life-sized Gingerbread House 12000 ornaments and Santa Claus Christmas hotel packages are avail-able Visit wwwgaylordtexancom for ticket prices and

T

Grapevine TexasChristmas Capital of Texasand evening tickets $25 $27 and $29 Children 12 and under are half-price December 7 8 9 14 15 16 and 18 at 730 pm December 11 and 18 at 4 pm Decem-ber 8 9 15 and 16 at 230 pm Call 817-573-9191 for more information For group reservations (20 or more) call 817-410-3164bull Texas Tenors ndash Mixing country and classical music with their own Texas Tenor flavor this beloved group will bring Christmas audiences to their feet Tickets $25 per person These shows sell out fast December 2 4 20 21 22 and 23 at 730 pm Information call 817-410-3100 bull Christmas Family Movies ndash Watch Christmas classic movies and some of the most beloved Christmas char-acters on the big screen at the Palace Theatre 300 S Main St For example see the experience of George Bailey in ldquoItrsquos a Wonderful Liferdquo After the movie stroll Main Street and experience our version of Bedford Falls Tickets $5 per personldquoWhite Christmasrdquo ndash December 3 1 pm and December 6 7 pm bullldquoA Christmas Storyrdquo ndash December 5 and 12 7 pm December 17 1 pm bull ldquoItrsquos a Wonderful Liferdquo ndash December 10 1 pm and December 13 and 19 7 pmldquoFrosty the Snowmanrdquo ldquoA Garfield Christmas Specialrdquo ndash December 20 21 22 and 23 1 pmbull Grapevine Opry ndash With a lineup of outstanding Christ-mas shows make plans now to see some of the best live holiday music in North Texas All shows start at 730 pm Group discounts are availableChristmas Holiday Preview ndash November 26 $15 for adults $10 for children 12 and underFabulous Fifties Christmas ndash December 3 $25 ppCountry Christmas ndash December 10 $25 per personChristmas Wonderland ndash December 17 $25 per personNew Yearrsquos Country Eve ndash December 31 $25 ppbull Blinky Santarsquos Musical Elf ndash This fast-moving interac-tive childrenrsquos Christmas show will entertain young and old alike $5 per person December 5 6 7 8 9 12 13 14 15 and 16 at 930 am and 11 am Christmas shop til you drop ndash Have you made your list and are you checking it twice Shop for those whorsquove been naughty and nice in Grapevine And if yoursquove shopped until you might drop refresh yourself and enjoy delicious dishes at some of Grapevinersquos outstanding res-taurants With all this shopping and great bargains you might just find a few special things for yourself too From unique shops featuring clothing jewelry and

collectibles to winery tasting rooms Historic Downtown Grapevine offers shoppers a chance to locate unique and special gifts If yoursquore looking for more of a mall shopping experi-ence visit the 16 million square feet and fantastic prices of Grapevine Mills Shops such as Saks Fifth Avenue Off 5th Last Call by Neiman Marcus Forever 21 New York amp Company Ann Taylor Factory Store Banana Republic and many more make this one of the best spots in Texas to take care of everyone on your list And donrsquot miss a chance to shop the fantastic gifts shops of LEGOLANDtrade Discovery Center and SEA LIFE Grapevine Aquarium both located at Grapevine Mills For the outdoor enthusiast in your life therersquos no better shopping than in Santarsquos Wonderland at Bass Pro Shops featuring all types of products and equipment for boating hunting fishing camping archery and more Christmas for grown-ups ndash The Christmas Wine Trains are a wonderful unique experience for the holidays The evening begins with a reception at 7 pm at the Grape-vine Cotton Belt Depot District and boarding begins at 730 pm The featured winery will be along as well to serve and educate guests about their selected wines Wine will be available for purchase on the train Tickets are $36 per person Riders on this train must be 21 and over The train returns to the Cotton Belt Depot at approximately 930 pm December 8 15 and 22 at 7 pm For reservations visit wwwgvrrcom or call 817-410-3385 Christmas parades on land and water ndash Bring the en-tire family to the Parade of Lights in Historic Downtown Grapevine December 1 at 7 pm The largest lighted Christmas parade in North Texas this Grapevine tradi-tion features more than 100 lighted floats and march-ing bands The Twinkle Lights Boat Parade is one of the most unique Christmas parades you will ever see See watercrafts decorated in all of the finest sparkling lights to celebrate the season This floating festival begins at Twin Coves Marina and picks up entries at each marina Scottrsquos Landing and Silver Lake The parade is visible from the shores of Lake Grapevine December 3 6-9 pm Free For additional information about Grapevinersquos Christ-mas events attractions or hotels please contact the Grapevine Convention amp Visitors Bureau at 800-457-6338 or visit wwwGrapevineTexasUSAcomChristmas

TEXAS

22 23wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom

here is always something fun for everyone epitomizes your trip to Natural Bridge Caverns This

family-owned attraction is an oppor-tunity to combine education and fun all into one magical journey Situated minutes from San Anto-nio Texas this state historical site has an array of things to do for everyoneThe Discovery Tour Here you can discover incredible underground chambers that are filled with spectacular formations on a guided tour along paved lighted path-ways On your journey expect temperatures in the Cavern to be 70 degrees with high humidity Illuminations Tour This unique tour combines the essence of light and dark as you explore two huge underground chambers that are dramatically il-luminated by a state-of-the-art lighting system On your tour you will see some of the most rare formations found in Natural Bridge Caverns Experience the sensation of total dark-ness on this 70-minute tourAdventure Tours This is the perfect opportunity for all adventure-seekers out there Guests can partake in one of two unique Adventure Tours - the Discovery Adventure Tour or the Hidden Pas-sages Adventure Tour Both of these unique tours offer guests the ultimate in being real-life explorers You get to experience the same path created by the original explorers The paths wind across the floor of the cave and are covered with loose rocks mud and some formations The tour includes walking climbing and crawling

T

Natural Bridge Caverns provides all the necessities to enjoy this once-in-a-lifetime adventure including all cav-ing gear harness helmet headlamp rappelling gear spare batteries spare light and water Advance reservations are required for both Adven-ture ToursNatural Bridge Mining Company This new addition to the attraction gives guests the

opportunity to pan for gems and minerals just as miners once did in their search for gold at Texasrsquo largest sluice Once guests pan for gems and minerals they also identify their finds at one of the assay stations or by us-ing an identification chartWatchtower Challenge The new climbing tower named after the tallest formation in the Caverns The Watchtower stands 50

feet tall and features two climbing surfaces along with two 350-foot zip lines The zip lines allow guests to glide from the top of the structure in a matter of secondsContact Us For more information on pricing advance reserva-tions etcplease call (210) 651-6101 or visit them at wwwnaturalbridgecavernscom

Natural Bridge CavernsA True State of AttractionpickPublisherrsquo

s

History and Elegance

320 BonhamSan Antonio Texas 78205

(888) 450-8436wwwcrocketthotelcom

Like Texas the Crockett Hotel is well-located independent spacious and comfortablehas a great history and is friendly and personable

bull 138 beautifully-appointed guest rooms

bull Outdoor pool amp landscaped fountain

bull Complimentary continental breakfast

bull Free Wi-Fi in guest rooms

bull Meeting facilities on property

bull Complete full-service spa

bull Across from the Alamo and Rivercenter Mall

ldquoLikerdquo us on Facebook

24 25wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom

destinations

Be a part of theTexas Travel Industry Association

Join todaywwwttiaorg

CO

26 27wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom

rom world class athletes to movie stars As-pen Snowmass attracts them all Whether you are just learning to ski on Buttermilk

getting a vertical rush on Snowmass tackling the famous black-diamond terrain of Aspen Moun-tain or going for the ultimate inbound backcoun-try experience in the Aspen Highlands with over 5300 acres of terrain and itrsquos quadruple peaks Aspen Snowmass is a skierrsquos winter wonderlandLuxury Lodging For lodging in luxury the cregraveme de la cregraveme is The Little Nell The 92-room Little Nell is Aspenrsquos only ski-in ski-out lodge and only Mobile Five-star and AAA Five-diamond hotel Nestled at the base of Aspen Moun-tain it blends country inn charm with the personalized services and amenities of a grand hotel The Little Nell is legendary for its concierge service especially for its ski concierge that includes slope side service to all guests The French American bistro-style Ajax Tavern is a favorite gathering spot for apregraves ski Donrsquot be surprised if you run in to a celebrity A-Lister at The Little NellHotel Lenado If you want rustic mountain elegance then Hotel Le-

Aspen

nado is the perfect spot Itrsquos a bed and breakfast with only 19 rooms Each room has modern amenities like a flat screen TV wet bar and Lrsquooccitane toiletries Some rooms have wood burning fireplaces With the rustic furniture and country style linens itrsquos full of mountain charm The gourmet made-to-order breakfast is includ-ed and touted as the best breakfast in Aspen One item you might want to try is Nancyrsquos Granola Itrsquos a secret recipe of a long-time guest Hotel Lenado is just steps away from the shops and restaurants of downtown Aspen plus close to the ski lifts Itrsquos a perfect retreat in casual elegance right in the heart of Aspen A breakfast spot thatrsquos a favorite of locals and visi-tors is the Main Street Bakery With itrsquos homemade

A Holiday Winter Wonderland

F

CO

pickPublisherrsquos

by Jennifer Broome ldquoSwept Awayrdquo

goodies itrsquos consistently packed Stop in for coffee and baked goods You can order to go or enjoy a sit down hot break-fast They also serve lunch includ-ing home-made soupsGreat DiningFor dinner head over to Jimmyrsquos An American Restaurant amp Bar With dishes like crab cakes mac amp cheese and meatloaf itrsquos comfort food with a twist at this Aspen institution Try one of the creative concoctions in the bar Jimmyrsquos has a passion for cocktailsLive Music too Check out the live music scene at Belly Up Aspen or cap off the night at one of the night-clubs or bars in downtown Aspen In addition to phenomenal skiing the plethora of nightlife and dining makes Aspen a great winter es-capeMark Your Calendar Mark your calendar for winter fun in As-

pen Nov 24 - Opening Day Aspen amp Snowmass Dec 10 - Opening Day Aspen Highlands amp Buttermilk Dec 20-31 - 12 Days of Aspen Jan 12-15 - Winterskoumll As-penrsquos ldquotoast to winterrdquo and Jan 26-29 - ESPN Winter X Games 15Wanna Get Away If you would like to get Swept Away on a ski vacation in Aspen Snowmass contact Rennert Travel leisure travel division of Corpo-rate Travel Planners at 210-524-3300 Make sure you say Jennifer said I should get Swept Away

Canada

28 29wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom

CO

xplore magical ice learn how to snowshoe taste award-winning chili and sip a variety of beer and wine at the Third Annual Estes Park Win-

ter Festival Martin Luther King Weekend Jan 13 through 15 2012 This family festival partners with the 17th Annual Winter Trails Day held Saturday Jan 14 in Rocky Mountain National Park offer-ing a weekend jam packed with events Whatrsquos New bullCeilidh (Kaylee) Jan 13 An Irish barn dance profices a social gathering where there is Scottish amp Irish foolk music singing folk dancing and storytelling Itrsquos a relaxed opportunity to learn a new dance as there is a ldquocallerrdquo to help you along bullConcert Jan 14-15 featuring Coyote Grace who toured with Indigo Girls last year and GirlyMan this year The group sold out at Planet Bluegrass in Lyons The three musicians mix bluegrass and blues soul and Southern twang into a unique sound that hovers just beyond the edge of ldquofamil-iarrdquoWhatrsquosreturning A myriad of great events including - Wine Tasting Chili Cookoff interac-tive Ice Castle and games for the kids Horse and Carriage Rides Pony Rides an Indoor Jungle GymWinter Trails This free event draws approximately 11 000 partici-pants nationwide and nearly 1000 visitors annually to Estes Park More than 100 resorts and Nordic Centers nationwide celebrate Winter Trails Day and offer chil-

E

dren and adults the chance to try snowshoeing for free and discover the great benefits of this winter sport

Highlights of the day includebull Free snowshoe dem-onstrations

bullGuided hikes and snow activitiesbull Outdoor gear dis-playsbull Free giveaways

bull Free access to Rocky Mountain National Parkrsquos outstanding trails system

While in town visitors can check out all the events happening dur-ing the Winter Festival

an event-packed weekend that celebrates everything winter in Estes Park From wine tastings and chili cook-offs to an ice castle and carriage rides there is some-thing for everyoneMore InformationFor a complete list and schedule of events check out wwwestesparkwinterfestivalcom

Winter FestivalEstes Park Colorado

xperience one of North Americarsquos top year-round mountain resorts

wrapped in Four Seasons comfort and intuitive care Enjoy a superb spa and mountainside dining from our luxury Hotel plus easy access to the awe-inspiring ski slopes of Whistler Black-comb site of the 2010 Olym-pic Winter Games With seasonal activities such as skiing snowboard-ing fly fishing mountain bik-ing and more Whistler is a great year-round destination for a vacation or corporate getawayThe Suite Life Four Seasons Resort Whistlerrsquos 273 luxury lodge guest rooms suites and townhouses are generously sized and capture the spirit of a luxurious mountain residence with cosy wood interiors and gas-burning fireplaces All five-star hotel guest accommodations offer superb views of the mountains forest valley pool or courtyard from private or step-out balconies Well-defined work areas allow guests to remain productive with up-to-the-minute technology for commu-nication and entertainment including dual-line telephones and high-speed Internet access Private Residences Private residences offer full Four Seasons comfort and service while adding all the conveniences of an independent self-contained ski vaca-tion home at Whistler Blackcomb These exceptionally spacious two- to four-bedroom condo rental residences each include a completely equipped kitchen and dining area as well as laundry facilities

The apartment-style vacation home residences are locat-ed adjacent to the main building of Four Seasons Resort Whistler providing convenient access to the Resortrsquos

E

Four Seasons WhistlerOlympic-Sized LuxurypickPublisherrsquo

s

amenities and services For enhanced privacy the resi-dences also feature their own separate entrance and elevatorsSpa Living Surrounded by stunning snow-capped Whistler Black-

comb mountains glistening glaciers and alpine meadows the Spa at Four Sea-sons Resort Whistler is your ultimate desti-nation for relaxation and peace of mind After a long day of skiing snowboard-ing shopping or hiking our unique spa treatments will melt away the tension in your muscles and rejuvenate your spirit The Spa at Four Seasons Resort Whis-tler provides luxurious facilities for treat-ments and therapies including menrsquos and womenrsquos locker rooms a comfortable waiting lounge with plasma screen televi-sion and 14 treatment rooms ndash including a Vichy shower room massage rooms two couplersquos rooms and a manicure and pedicure room The locker rooms offer eucalyptus steam rooms an ice shower

and private showersContact Us For more information on the Four Seasons Whistler check them out at wwwfourseasonscomwhistler

NO CA

30 31wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom

hristmas is a wonderful time of the year at the Hotel Monteleone as school choirs sing familiar holiday carols and Monte the Lion entertains children at his festive holiday teas The Hotel

Monteleone invites its guests and local New Orleanians to join in the merriment of the season as it continues celebrating 125 years Special Rates and MoreAs a special Yuletide treat the Hotel Monteleone is running Papa Noel rates from November 20 through December 29 with rooms starting as low as $99 on weekdays and $119 on weekends based on availability Blackout dates apply ldquoThe holiday season is always an exciting time of the year for the Hotel Monteleone employees and guestsrdquo said Andrea Thornton director of sales and marketing for the Hotel Monteleone ldquoWersquove had an eventful year celebrating the Hotelrsquos 125th Anniversary This Christmas season wersquore particularly looking forward to having locals and guests participate in all of our festivities as we have 125 great reasons to celebraterdquoCheck out the following eventsDeck the Halls of the Hotel Monteleone On November18 the Hotel Monteleone will brighten the 200 block of Royal Street as it officially turns on the exterior Christmas lights of the Hotel to mark the start of its holiday season To highlight the brand new Carousel Bar windows along Royal Street the Hotel will outline them with beautiful white lights It will transform the lobby and the interior rooms of the Hotel into a winter wonderland and light up its majestic Christmas tree on November 30

Monte the Lionrsquos Childrenrsquos Holiday Tea Monte the Lion the official mascot for The Hotel Monteleone is hosting his annual Childrenrsquos Holiday Tea on December 10 and December 17 at 10 am and 2 pm Some of the seasonrsquos favorite Christmas characters

C will join Monte including Santa Rudolph Frosty the Snowman and Santarsquos elves Mrs Claus will be read classic Christmas tales and a trumpeter will lead special guests in a musical parade Savory treats games and caroling will fill the air with joy Monte the Lion will close the day by presenting each of his new friends with a Monte stuffed animal The cost is $50 for adults and $36 for children To make reservations for Monte the Lionrsquos Childrenrsquos Holiday Tea please call (504) 681-4452 or visit hotelmonteleonecommonte Ask about pricing for a special package that includes a one-night stay one

Monte the Lion childrenrsquos book for each child and admission to the Monte Tea Subject to availability

Hotel Monteleone Welcomes Local School Choirs to Celebrate the Holiday Season Monday through Friday New Orleans area school choirs will once again greet guests and locals in the Hotel Monteleone lobby with the sounds of

the season from November 28 through December 16 School performances are free and open to the public Performances occur between 1000 am and 1230 pm and last one half hour For a complete list of dates times and schools please visit hotelmonteleonecomcalendar-eventsMore Information For more information on the Hotel Monteleone and its events for the upcoming holiday season please visit hotelmonteleonecomcalendar-events To make reservations please visit hotelmonteleonecom or call 1-866-338-4684 Become a fan on Facebook and help us reach our 125th Anniversary goal of 12500 fans by 2012 Follow us on Twitter hotelmonteleone and carouselbar

Hotel MonteleoneA New Orleans Holiday Staple

o partridges really live in pear trees Is nutmeg really a nut And what do reindeer actually

eat Find out this holiday season during rsquoTis the Season for Science at the California Academy of Sciencesmdasheight weeks of wintry festivities and family fun that will celebrate the science behind some of our most familiar holiday sights sounds and traditions From November 23 - January 16 Academy visitors will be invited to meet a pair of live reindeer wander through an aromatic ldquoSpice Forestrdquo learn about the science of snow inside a ldquoSnowman Theaterrdquo and even experience indoor snow flurries A suite of holiday-themed programs including quiz shows and live musical and dance performances will round out the festive atmosphere In and around the Academyrsquos central piazza visitors will find a wintry wonderland complete with bull Indoor snow flurries twice an hour A ldquoSnowman Theaterrdquomdashan immersive digital dome shaped like a giant snowman which will play two new shows on the science of snow on Earth and on other worlds A towering and aromatic ldquoSpice Forestrdquomdashdisplays of the raw botanical specimens from which we get cinnamon nutmeg vanilla and other familiar holiday ingredients set within life-size sculptural representations of trees A stage for special programs including quiz shows live music dance and theater performances (see following page for specific program times) Taxidermy specimens of the real birds mentioned in ldquoThe Twelve Days of Christmasrdquo including swans geese colly birds hens doves and a partridge in a pear tree Additionally a pair of live reindeer will ldquolandrdquo on the Academyrsquos living roof and then take up residence in the museumrsquos East Garden for the duration of the exhibitProgram Highlights

D rsquoTis the Season for Science activities are included with general admission tickets unless otherwise noted Visit wwwcalacademyorgholidays for more detailsReindeer RendezvousDaily at 1230 pm from November 23 - January 16 Gather rsquoround for an up close and personal experience with live reindeer known as Nomads of the North Learn about their fascinating adaptations including an annual migration of up to 3000 miles per year and why they are so important for the ecosystems of the far north Free with Academy admission California Academy of Sciences 55 Music Concourse Drive San Francisco wwwcalacademyorgHoliday QuestDaily at 130 pm from

November 23 - January 16 Play the role of an Academy researcher traveling to remote parts of the world in search of the wildlife that inspire some of our favorite seasonal traditions In this fun and interactive game show-style program explore the globe gain a new perspective on holiday plants and animals and the places they come from and perhaps even win a prize Free with Academy admission California Academy of Sciences 55 Music Concourse Drive San Francisco wwwcalacademyorgPlanetary ExplorationDaily at 1200 pm from November 28 - December 16 and January 3-16Daily at 230 pm from November 25-27 and December 17 - January 2 Planet Earth goes through remarkable changes every winter and through Google Earth software we can take a close look at how seasonal phenomena like the winter solstice affect life Explore how life has adapted to Earthrsquos unique quirks and even investigate the possibility of life on other worlds Free with Academy admission California Academy of Sciences 55 Music Concourse Drive San Francisco wwwcalacademyorg

California Academy of ScienceTis the Season for Science

AZ AZ

32 33wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom

merized by the large Christmas tree adorned with red and gold ornaments and sparkling lights that serves as the centerpiece of the hotelrsquos Park Lounge Therersquos even a custom built train set that meanders through an intricately designed holiday village of ginger-bread houses With faux snow bridges tunnels

and a train depot yoursquore instantly transported to nostal-gic childhood memoriesrdquoGingerbread House Contest For its third year the gingerbread house contest fosters healthy community competition since prizes are awarded for the top three winners through a monetary donation to the charity of their choice The gingerbread houses are available to view all throughout the holiday season showcasing each contestantrsquos creativity This yearrsquos gingerbread house theme is in honor of Ari-zonarsquos upcoming centennial birthday that takes place in February 2012 Entries will be judged in mid-December and based on five categories (1) Overall Appearance (2) Originality and Creativity (3) Difficulty in prepara-tion (4) Precision and (5) Consistency of Theme Itrsquos certainly fun and visually charming for neighbors and guests alike Contest forms available upon request Then on Christmas Day Sunday December 25 your family feast can begin as early as 1130 am with a decadent three-course meal a la carte menu and wine pairing all served until 930 pm First course is a brussels sprout salad that pairs wonderfully with Gloria Ferrer Chardonnay or Erath Pinot Noir Second course includes your choice of clove-spiced Christmas ham with pineapple maple-glazed salmon or prime rib This course is accompanied by Yukon smashed potatoes and country gravy cranberry onions orange-scented green beans and dill pull-apart rolls Pair this main entreacutee with 14 Hands Merlot or Oberon

heraton Phoenix Downtown Hotel is offering spe-

cial holiday rates so you can connect with friends family and neighbors to discover a winter wonderland of festive decorations and delicious holiday cuisine During your stay marvel at a gingerbread house village creatively decorated and displayed inside the hotelrsquos Park Lounge lobby and delight in divine dishes served at District American Kitchen amp Wine Bar At Sheraton Phoenix Downtown Hotel holiday fun is for everyone Holiday Season Specials Leap into the Holiday Season on December 10 and 11 at District American Kitchen amp Wine Bar with a scrumptious seasonal brunch cooked to your liking along with a special guest appearance from Santa Claus From 10 am to 2 pm the District Morning Bar (brunch buffet) will feature a ham carving station gour-met omelets made to order a bloody Mary bar mimo-sas and so much more Kids and families can connect by decorating holiday cookies having pictures taken with Santa Claus and gathering in the hotelrsquos Park Lounge to view a beautifully decorated Christmas tree surrounded by elaborate gin-gerbread houses that are on display from a gingerbread house competition Invite friends family and neighbors to rekindle fond holiday memories while savoring tra-ditional American comfort foods served with a classic twist At District American Kitchen amp Wine Bar the holiday brunch creations showcase artisan products herbs from the restaurantrsquos rooftop garden and sustainably farmed produce from local growers ldquoItrsquos wonderful to see so many friends and families spending time together as they savor the fine food our chefs cook up and admire the holiday deacutecorldquo said General Manager Leo Percopo ldquoGuests will be mes-

Sheraton Phoenix Downtown

S

pickPublisherrsquos

Holiday Specials

Sauvignon Blanc Third course features a dece-dent chocolate caramel Yule log with brown butter candy kettle corn and eggnog and completes a well-rounded meal when paired with Fonseca a 10-year old tawny port Prices are $29 for adults $15 for kids and $15 for the 6oz wine pairing An a la carte menu will be available Complimentary three-hour self-parking validation is available HolidayCocktailsAnd if yoursquore still craving more of the sweet stuff any of our holiday elixirs will surely be satisfying Share some sips with good St Nick and you may be in for a real

sweet treat Specialty holiday cocktails are avail-able in District American Kitchen amp Wine Bar for a limited time dur-ing the season for only $9 The list of libations includes Christmas Dream Santarsquos Little Helper Everything Nice and White Christmas Holiday cocktail recipes are available upon requestReservationsFor restaurant reservations call

(602) 817-5400 or visit wwwdistrictrestaurantcomStay the Night Stay the night at Sheraton Phoenix Downtown Hotel with holiday rates starting from $99 To book visit shera-tonphoenixdowntowncomphoenix-hotel-deals or call (800) 325-3535 and mention rate code HOL11

deals

Powered by

Click amp Save

GA

34 35wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom

experienceshis winter season gather the family and cel-ebrate the holidays at Georgia Aquarium lsquoFestival of the SEAsonrsquo the Aquariumrsquos

month long celebration of the holidays will transform the attraction into a winter wonder-land incorporating live holiday musical perfor-mances festive deacutecor and even Santa Claus him-self will join the Aquarium family to celebrate the season

Nov 24 ndash Dec 22 Visit Santa at Santarsquos Holiday Bay Decked out in twinkling lights and aquatic holiday deacutecor Santarsquos Holiday Bay is a fun place for a special visit and family photos with our own Seaside St Nick In addition to a visit with Santa the Holiday Bay offers fun activities for children and breathtaking views of festively decorated Centennial Olympic Park and Atlantarsquos sky-line Santarsquos Holiday Bay is located on Level 2 near Deeporsquos Undersea 3D Wondershow theater Santarsquos Holiday Bay opens to the public on Thanksgiving Day Nov 24 - and is open Friday through Sunday during posted times then daily from Dec 16 through Dec 22 Santarsquos Holiday Bay dates and hours are at wwwgeor-giaaquariumorg

Begins Nov 24 See SCUBA Claus our ownldquoDiving Santardquo The holidays wouldnrsquot be complete without a visit from our very own underwater Santa ndash SCUBA Claus Visitors will have the chance to come face-to-face with Santa as he dons his SCUBA Claus wetsuit plunging into the worldrsquos largest aquatic habitat Ocean Voy-ager SCUBA Claus is checking out which animals have been naughty and nice from 30-feet deep among whale sharks manta rays and more He will be talking live to guests from the Ocean Voyager theater starting Thanks-giving Day through the weekend then on Wednesdays ndash Sundays during dive show times SCUBA Clausrsquo appear-ance schedule is available at wwwgeorgiaaquariumorg

Dec 5 ndash 17 Live Choir Performances What would the holidays be without choirs and carol-lers A variety of festive performances from Atlanta-area choirs bands and choral groups will take the stage daily in the Atrium beginning Dec 5 Festive performances will be scheduled between 1030 am ndash 2 pm most week-

T

Georgia AquariumFestival of the SEAson

days Also a very special storytelling of holiday songs through sign language will be presented by the group ldquoAbel 2 Incrdquo on Saturday Dec 17 beginning at 11 am ldquoHoliday Hands in Motionrdquo allows deaf and hearing-impaired audience members to also experience the joy and exhilaration of holiday music and is a treat for all audiences

More Seasonal Family Fun in Downtown Atlanta Visit ldquoChristmas on Peachtreerdquo and Save This season Georgia Aquarium is partnering with lsquoChristmas on Peachtreersquo the largest indoor Christ-mas festival in the Southeast Just a few blocks from the Aquarium at 200 Peachtree the historic former downtown Macyrsquos building Christmas on Peachtree is a 70000 square-foot mix of family festivities food and shopping Be dazzled by the stunning Symphony of Lightstrade music and light show let the kids play in the Cartoon Network Childrenrsquos Adventure Areatrade with life-size toy train enjoy lunch and shop in the retail village Make a day of it and save - purchase our combo ticket which offers admission to Georgia Aquarium our own roster of holiday events and our amazing new ATampT Dolphin Tales show as well as Christmas on Peachtree too Go to wwwgeorgiaaquariumorgchristmas-onpeachtreeaspx for information and tickets for this special deal Itrsquos Atlantarsquos newest holiday happening ndash Christmas on Peachtree and Georgia Aquarium together for the holidays To enjoy all of this holidayrsquos exciting festivities please visit wwwgeorgiaaquariumorg or call 4045814000 for additional information

36 37wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom

trsquos that time of year where everyonersquos

running around decking the halls buying gifts for people they will probably end up returning and eating and drinking way too much just so they can endure one more conversation with aunt Edna about why they arenrsquot married yet donrsquot have kids yethellip(insert your conversation here) The holidays are about family fun and memories right Well why not trade in all of those gifts and hours spent traveling to aunt Ednarsquos and make some really great memoriesA Different Holiday Tradition For several years now we at Team Cocktail have thrown holiday traditions out the window and have created our own unique traditions Instead of exchanging gifts under the tree we exchange cocktails on the beach Yep each year we take a vacation somewhere tropical and just enjoy time together experiencing the island drinking the local cocktails and not having a care in the world Wersquore not worried about having to return gifts make a turkey or even trim the tree Nope we just take turns buying rounds at the local beach bar and say Happy Holidays

Team Cocktail

I

Experiences

by Lyndsey Huggins While I realize that this may not be the easiest thing to do if you have kids I do want you to know it is not impossible My parents started at a very young age giving us trips to great destinations like California Disney World and even a cruise While it started as

having us unwrap clues on Christmas morning and then leaving for vacation a few days sometimes even a few hours later It grew into a tradition where now there

are no gifts just experiences and memories In my opinion I wouldnrsquot trade any of our vacations or experiences for a new Ken amp Barbie Well at least my 30 something self wouldnrsquothellipnow my 10 year old self may think differentlyAre you ready So are you ready to trade in the wrapping paper tinsel turkey and Aunt Edna for a trip Well what are you waiting for Therersquos no time like the present to make a change While I realize it may be too late to start a new tradition this year why not start the conversation for next year What a great

way to spend some time while you knock back the egg nog in that ugly Christmas sweater BTWhellipno sweaters necessary in tropical destinations Oh and we hear Aunt Edna has been dying to take a trip to Maui

Happy Holidays

A New Kind of Holiday Tradition