Beat the Doldrums: Festivals, Skiing & Sun, Oh My!

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Winter has arrived and whether you plan on making the most of the snowy season at a popular ski resort, escaping to a warmer destination, or attending a winter festival, you’ll definitely want to get the most from your travel budget. And with the holiday travel price hikes behind us now is a great time to find some deals when you book your winter getaway.
 
If you are looking to try something a little different this winter, consider one of these festivals that celebrate the chilly season:
 
Quebec City Winter Carnival – It begins on the last weekend of January and lasts for two full weeks. Entertainment includes concerts, snow sculptures, dogsled rides, ice-skating, parades and late-night dance parties. Click here to view all the festivities and suggested lodging.
 
Winterlude – Held in Ottawa, Canada; events include snow and ice sculpture competitions, concerts and ice-skating on the world's largest ice-skating rink. The festival is held during the first three weekends of February every year. Click here for more information.
 
Napa Valley Mustard Festival  – Consider a long weekend in Napa Valley for fine art shows, musical performances, and elegant wine-tastings and dinners that will please even the most discerning epicurean.The 2010 festival will run from January 30 to March 27. But book soon. December through early February is the time to go if you want to beat the crowds. Click here for restaurants, recommendations, and must-see's.
 
Chocolate Lovers Festival – Held in Fairfax, Virginia, professionals and amateurs create art out of chocolate. You can also sample a wide variety of chocolate samples from around the world. The 2010 Festival will be held on February 6 and 7. More information can be found here.
 
Sundance Film Festival – Visit Park City, Utah, to see some incredible independent films by competing and non-competing filmmakers. The 2010 festival will run from January 21 through the 31. Check out this link for the lists of films and festival information.
 
Mardi Gras! – For New Orleans, this is the celebration of the year. Parades, beads, brilliant costumes, Bourbon Street, King Cake, Cajun food. The Krewe du Vieux parade kicks off the festivities this year on January 30 with the theme "Fired Up." This parade is noted for its adult themes, satire and creative expression, and for showcasing some of the best brass and jazz bands in New Orleans. This year, Fat Tuesday is on February 16. Check here for parade routes, schedules, history, tradition, and hotel information.
 
If you can't make one of these festivals, or if you are looking for ideas for a spontaneous getaway, consider these: New York City, San Diego and Miami top the list for shopping, dining and an intoxicating nightlife. Puerto Rico and other Caribbean destinations are popular escapes for those of us who live in snowy New England or other cold climates. Ski enthusiasts should check out Banff/Lake Louise, Canada; Lake Tahoe, Calif., Aspen/Vail, Colo., or, if your budgets allow, more exotic destinations such as the French Alps or Happo One/The Hakuba Valley, Japan. There are countless travel sites offering great deals to just about anywhere you want to go, but STA Travel or Yahoo Travel, in particular, are worth checking out for their packages and pricing. Check out the prices on airline websites, too.
 
Of course, winter is the season of erratic weather so planning your trip can be a little more difficult. If you can take a few days off from work with little notice, last minute deals are a great way to minimize weather-related anxiety and save yourself some money. If you aren’t able to be quite as spontaneous, travel insurance is a worthwhile purchase in case bad weather spoils your plans. Check out Squaremouth to compare, purchase and get instant travel insurance quotes.
 
Happy and safe travels!
 
p.s. Don't see your favorite winter hot spot here? Tell us where you like to go!
 
If you liked this post on winter travel tips, take a look at this piece that reminds us of the importance of leaving some time for play.
 
(Photo by Colin Henein; C.C. 3.0)