it's starting to get cold | winter vacation plans

sunset at Dorado Beach, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve

It's starting to get cold, with colder than usual temperatures cropping up across the country. Where will your winter vacation plans take you?

The tropics offer a respite from the cold of winter. Imagine walking the beach, riding the waves, relaxing with a good book on a new iPad Mini with retina screen (I'm hoping to grab one on Black Friday), or just sitting by the pool. Depending on where you live, you might choose Hawaii, Mexico, Costa Rica, or the Caribbean as your vacation destination.

The mountains take advantage of the cold, offering days filled with downhill skiing, followed by a treatments in the spa, and apres ski socializing. Some of North America's best ski destinations are Whistler, Vail, Jackson Hole, and Lake Tahoe.

You'll find luxury resorts both at the beach ... and on the slopes. Email your Virtuoso luxury travel consultant for ideas, recommendations, and advice, not to mention the added value of free daily breakfasts, room upgrades when available, and even food or spa credits (extra amenities are different at each resort).

copyright (c) 2013 by David Ourisman LLC. All rights reserved. We provide Virtuoso and other Preferred Partner amenities as an affiliate of Brownell Travel. If you have comments on this column, or questions about booking travel, email me or visit my website.

top five reasons to visit Jackson Hole this summer

Looking for summer vacation ideas? One of the best summer vacations I ever took with my family was a week-long trip to Jackson Hole, Wyoming. We thoroughly enjoyed our visit. Here are five top reasons you might consider a summer vacation this year in Jackson Hole:

1. Great weather. Summer is a great time to go to the mountains. The high altitude brings shirtsleeve warmth during the day (without high humidity) and comfortably cool sleeping temperatures at night.

2. Beautiful natural scenery. Jackson Hole is convenient to two picturesque national parks, Grand Teton and Yellowstone.  Grand Teton's majestic mountains are awe-inspiring, and Yellowstone is the country's first national park, established in 1872. Old Faithful still spouts on schedule every 91 minutes.

3. Active, outdoors adventure travel. Mountains aren't just for skiers. Want to try fly-fishing on the Snake River? Hiking or mountain biking? White water rafting? If you're a golfer, Jackson Hole offers a variety of golf courses where your ball will fly further because the air is thinner 6,500 feet above sea level.

4. Jackson Hole Rodeo. Rodeos are held every Wednesday and Saturday night through Labor Day, and Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays in August. This is a very different experience for most of us!

5. Four Seasons Jackson Hole offers legendary Four Seasons luxury with surprising values. Book three nights at Four Seasons Jackson Hole and receive a $100 hotel credit towards incidental expenses, in addition to the exclusive Four Seasons Preferred Partner amenities you receive just by making your booking through a FS Preferred Partner.

• Daily full American breakfast for two people per bedroom, served through In-Room Dining or in the hotel restaurant (including buffets)
• Food and beverage credit of USD100
• Upgrade of one category, based on availability at time of check-in (excluding signature suites and villas)
• Complimentary high-speed Internet access for all suite bookings

Book at least four nights in a Residence, perfect for families, and the fourth night is free!


Four Seasons Jackson Hole (search here on Google)
copyright (c) 2012 by David Ourisman LLC. All rights reserved. If you have comments on this column, or questions about booking travel, email me or visit my website.