These destinations get in the holiday spirit in a big way|These destinations get in the holiday spirit in a big way
Alexandria, Virginia|Alexandria, Virginia
Have a holiday feast with a full menu of celebrations in Alexandria, Virginia. Shop locally, see Santa on water skis and spend time enjoying a magical Holiday Boat Parade of Lights. End the season with a family-friendly New Year's Eve celebration where local businesses and museums turn into lively music venues followed by a breathtaking fireworks finale.
Photo via J Cliff for Visit Alexandria
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Have a holiday feast with a full menu of celebrations in Alexandria, Virginia. Shop locally, see Santa on water skis and spend time enjoying a magical Holiday Boat Parade of Lights. End the season with a family-friendly New Year's Eve celebration where local businesses and museums turn into lively music venues followed by a breathtaking fireworks finale.
Photo via J Cliff for Visit Alexandria
Amsterdam, Netherlands|Amsterdam, Netherlands
It's never a bad time to visit Amsterdam, but the Dutch city comes alive during the holidays with the Amsterdam Light Festival and the largest Saint Nicholas parade in the world. Not only can you enjoy the holiday lights that cover buildings, statues, roads and canals, but you also can take part in the historic welcoming of Sinterklaas, when thousands line the streets to cheer his arrival in town.
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It's never a bad time to visit Amsterdam, but the Dutch city comes alive during the holidays with the Amsterdam Light Festival and the largest Saint Nicholas parade in the world. Not only can you enjoy the holiday lights that cover buildings, statues, roads and canals, but you also can take part in the historic welcoming of Sinterklaas, when thousands line the streets to cheer his arrival in town.
Asheville, North Carolina|Asheville, North Carolina
Asheville, N.C., is the place to be for the holidays—offering a buffet of small towns and villages nearby with its own spin on Christmas magic. The city also happens to be home to the National Gingerbread House Competition and Display. You can visit the Biltmore estate (America's largest privately owned home) and view a mega-mansion full of garlands, lights, festive live music and beautifully decorated trees.
Photo via Keith Wright and Explore Asheville
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Asheville, N.C., is the place to be for the holidays—offering a buffet of small towns and villages nearby with its own spin on Christmas magic. The city also happens to be home to the National Gingerbread House Competition and Display. You can visit the Biltmore estate (America's largest privately owned home) and view a mega-mansion full of garlands, lights, festive live music and beautifully decorated trees.
Photo via Keith Wright and Explore Asheville
Fredericksburg, Virginia|Fredericksburg, Virginia
Listen to jingle bells ring and carolers sing while riding through town on a horse-drawn carriage in historic Fredericksburg, Virginia. Throughout the city are numerous Civil War monuments for the history buff in your family. For those who like a little fun, there's a Christmas parade downtown and something called Window Wonderland, where local shops work together to leave riddles for holiday revelers to solve.
Photo via Michelle Crow-Dolby and the Fredericksburg Tourism Department
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Listen to jingle bells ring and carolers sing while riding through town on a horse-drawn carriage in historic Fredericksburg, Virginia. Throughout the city are numerous Civil War monuments for the history buff in your family. For those who like a little fun, there's a Christmas parade downtown and something called Window Wonderland, where local shops work together to leave riddles for holiday revelers to solve.
Photo via Michelle Crow-Dolby and the Fredericksburg Tourism Department
San Miguel de Allende, Mexico|San Miguel de Allende, Mexico
Las Posadas (The Inns) is a nine-day collection of events celebrated in San Miguel de Allende, where the journey of Mary and Joseph is re-created. Boys and girls, sometimes riding on donkeys, go door to door singing "Pidiendo Posadas" ("Begging for Shelter"), only to be turned down each time. Finally when they find somewhere to go, they celebrate by eating delicious treats and drinking ponche (holiday punch). It's a beautiful experience to behold.
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Las Posadas (The Inns) is a nine-day collection of events celebrated in San Miguel de Allende, where the journey of Mary and Joseph is re-created. Boys and girls, sometimes riding on donkeys, go door to door singing "Pidiendo Posadas" ("Begging for Shelter"), only to be turned down each time. Finally when they find somewhere to go, they celebrate by eating delicious treats and drinking ponche (holiday punch). It's a beautiful experience to behold.
Durango, Colorado|Durango, Colorado
If you're familiar with the movie "The Polar Express" or the book it's based on, Durango should definitely be on your sleigh-dar. Plowing through the Colorado snow is the real-life Polar Express train, along with a few other winter train ride options, all on their way to a local version of the North Pole. Expect a full holiday experience aboard, including delicious hot chocolate and cookies while wearing the preferred uniform: your pajamas.
