August 9, 2016 - Best Christmas Travel Picks and When a trip gets cancelled

Elisa's Daily Scoop

Best Places to Spend...Christmas

For some reason, yesterday felt like Sunday all day and today feels like Monday to me.

I think it's because on Sunday we went to the barn and that is usually a "Saturday" thing, so it knocked off my internal clock a bit.

What I can say is that today is an ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS day!!  I'm writing to you from Riverhead, Long Island at none other than the Tanger Outlets.

Yes, the girls officially started their riding camp for August.  We are going a little lighter this month than July.  They'll only be riding for 2 days per week instead of the full four like last month.  

We decided that the consistency was very important to let them NOT riding for the full month.  They have made incredible progress, so it would be ashamed if they didn't build upon it.

They of course, were stoked, and that always makes me happy.

Being a travel blogger does not only involve writing about my own travel experiences, but also includes staying abreast of the cool and exciting travel stuff that other travel writers do and report.

Well, while most of us are currently sweating and trying to stay cool with the August heat, Travel & Leisure just published an article about the Best Places to Spend Christmas!

Sounds nutty, but think about it, the holiday season is only 4 months away and the sooner you book your destination, the better chances you have to get a good deal and secure availability.

I must say, some are more exotic than I expected to read about.

Out of their List of 28, here are my Top 8 Picks...
​
1. Trømso, Norway

Trømso, Norway (credit: Jamen Percy/Alamy Stock photo)

​If you are looking for a snowy getaway and one of the best glimpses of the Northern Lights, this could be your dream holiday vacay.

For the adventurer in you, there’s dogsledding, great food, and a mountaintop cable car. Of course, the "day" is only a few hours, but the nighttime sky is spectacular!

2. Prague, Czech Republic

Prague, Czech Republic (stock photo)

One of my all-time favorite cities in the world!! I've visited this amazing storybook-like city twice and would go back in an instant.

However, neither of my visits were during Christmas time (though I did go during Easter, which was very special!).  Considering the quaintness of the Old Town on a "normal" day, I can only imagine the dreaminess at Christmastime!

3. Lapland, Finland

Lapland, Finland (credit: Ashley Cooper/Corbis)

A 90-minute flight from Helsinki is Urho Kekkonen National Park, which, from all photos appears to be quite a winter wonderland!

Imagine taking a reindeer-pulled sled ride or cross-country skiing on the Saariselkä trails?  Wow - that sounds spectacular!

4. Zurich, Switzerland

Zurich, Switzerland (stock photo)

Another one of my favorite countries, Switzerland is home to the city of Zurich, which is home to a display of 12,000 crystal lights that marks the beginning of the holiday season on November 21st.

Places to see in this Alpine city include the galleries on Rämistrasse, and the Conelli Christmas Circus, as well as to take in a holiday concert in the Romanesque-style Grossmünster church.

5. Reykjavík, Iceland

Reykjavík, Iceland(credit: Bjarki Rey MR/Alamy)

If you can bear little daylight (only four-hours daily) but are all about seeing the greenish glow of the   aurora borealis illuminate the nighttime sky, this is the holiday trip for you.

Reykjavik also boasts the Statues of the 12 Yule Lads, (the Icelandic version of Santa Claus), which fill the city during Christmas time.  

​6. Boston, Massachusetts

Boston, MA (credit: Stephen Orsillo/Alamy)

If you are looking to stay closer to home, Boston is one of those quintessential holiday towns.

This historic city officially kicks off the holiday season at the annual holiday lighting ceremony on Boston Common, when Boston's mayor sets off the sparkling lights on the Christmas tree and 80+ other trees.  

Skating on Frog Pond in Boston Common at dusk is like being part of a Christmas card painting!

​7. Vienna, Austria

Vienna, Austria (credit: Robert Harding World Imagery/Alamy)

Ah, Vienna - one of the most beautiful and historic cities in all of Europe - at least, it's one of my favorites.  

Again, I've only had the pleasure to visit in the warm weather.  But, what a transformation the winter and holiday season make with crystal outdoor chandeliers sparkling and holiday decorations. Shopping is abundant with the city's three outdoor Christkindlmarkts, filled with an array of vendors selling everything from ornaments to  spiced mulled wine, or glühwein.  

8. Quebec City, Canada

Quebec City, Canada (credit: Dawna Moore/Alamy)

A little taste of Europe just north of the U.S. border, Quebec City and its 16th- and 17th-century stone houses, and cobblestone streets are abundant with Christmas cheer and tons of snow!

​For Travel & Leisure's full list, CLICK HERE.

Well, my dear peeps, I'll have another full day out here on Eastern Long Island tomorrow as the girls ride yet again for the week.

The rest of my day is going to be doing some research on colleges...yes...that specialize in careers in horse riding training.  We'll see what we come up with!!

Have a fun day!

-E
xoxo

Tanya's Daily Scoop
NEXT TRIP DEPARTS IN: 7 DAYS

Trips and Cancellations

​HIYA!

My trip countdown is now at one week!
I've gotta go over all of the documents & details - make sure that I've got all of our bases covered and that we are ready to go!      Of course not counting that we also need to PACK - but that's a given! 

Our first stop on this EPIC trip is going to be in London and the first thing that comes to my mind when I think London is Afternoon Tea!

And I must say that I think this is what I am looking forward to most while in this city.

We are booked to indulge in afternoon tea each day that we are there. And out of all these reservations - while I am looking forward to each one.
The one that I must say I'm looking most forward to is the one at Claridge's.

PC: claridges.co.uk

One of the finest afternoon teas available in London! And also one that I couldn't get a reservation for during our previous visit.
*Note that they book out 90 days in advance.

Claridge's is on just about every Top Afternoon Tea list that there is.
​
We will experience a traditional, quintessentially English afternoon tea served in Claridge’s splendid art deco Foyer & Reading Room.
Expected to be an afternoon tea of our dreams, served to the sounds of a musical ensemble in the splendid art deco Foyer & Reading Room.
And as part of a 150-year-old tradition, we will be presented with tasty finger sandwiches, scones served warm with jam and clotted cream, and freshly-baked sweet pastries, accompanied by your choice of 24 teas, sourced from small producers all over the world.
All with vegan options that just appear to be Devine!

While I must say that while surveying these finest afternoon tea lists, I also came across  Fortnum and Mason on most of them - which is why I had chose to try them out during our last visit.

Tea at Fortnum and Mason (c)travelincousins.com

Spread of sandwiches and sweets at Fortnum and Mason (c)travelincousins.com

​I'm sorry to report that I was not at all impressed and that it felt incredibly commercial.
​The department store itself seems lovely, but I do not plan on ever returning to have tea at this establishment.

Our second stop on the trip is to Paris, then to Luxembourg and then to one of my favorite cities in the world...      ROME!

Pantheon, Rome (c)travelincousins.com

And while I'm there, you can bet that I'll be making my way back to toss a coin in the Trevi Fountain -

Trevi Fountain (c)travelincousins.com

The legend holds that a coin thrown into the fountain will ensure a return to Rome.
This tradition also dates back to the ancient Romans who often threw coins in water to make the gods of water favor their journey or help them get back home safely. (Throw in a second coin if you’re seeking love – even a third for wedding bells!)

Roughly €3,000 is thrown into the fountain each day!

What many don’t know is that the coins are collected every night and given to an Italian charity called Caritas.     Caritas, in turn, use the money for a supermarket program giving rechargeable cards to Rome’s needy to help them get groceries.

There will be even more iconic cities that we will be visiting on this journey - I bet you can't wait for my LIVE from Europe reports here on the Daily Scoop!

For now, here's another UPDATE:

​If you are at all familiar with my calendar and travel schedule, then you would know that the trip that is planned immediately following this Magical Anniversary Trip is to bike in the Tour de Tahoe...

Well as of yesterday, I received an email and you are NOT going to believe this.

"It is with Deep Regret that I need to inform you that the Boat Cruise – 35 Mile Ride Option is canceled. This cancellation, partially due the low water level of Lake Tahoe as we had to cancel this option last year, but mostly due to their maintenance schedule to rebuild their motors." - BIKE THE WEST

Since Lake Tahoe had some major snow accumulations over last winter (one of the best in years) I think the whole water level excuse is complete BS.

​Anyhow although I HATE canceling things, I suppose it all works out, because:

A. After these plans had already been made, the choir was booked for a performance at the LA County Fair that I was gonna have to miss.

B. This ride was following our return back to the states after pedaling and grinding almost 200 miles in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland. I'm assuming that my legs will appreciate a little break! ​

Outer Hebrides - PC: telegraph.co.uk

The Outer Hebrides

Scotland and the Outer Hebrides

As far as yesterday went, I did a bit of the much needed catching up. We took the kids to their rehearsal, and had a rather successful Board Meeting.

Today is another day to get my butt back into the gym, do some more cleaning around here, and take Dominic to his classes later on this evening.

I hope you have a fine day & look forward to meeting you back here again tomorrow!
​-T