It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas!
Try Tinsel in Paradise
Most Floridians think about visiting someplace with snow for the Holidays, but have you ever considered one of the most beautiful and value-friendly beach towns in the Dominican Republic?
If you are thinking of taking your family to an all-inclusive resort, Punta Cana is always in the top 5 of those Caribbean lists. During the holidays, they go all out! From street festivals with authentic local food and music to bright hundreds of wooden hand-crafted Christmas trees, stars, reindeer, and other animals displayed in the streets. According to their history, artisans started making these white “charamico” trees, as a way of having their own white Christmas. Back at the resort, Kids might find themselves doing holiday arts and crafts, celebrating the lighting of a Christmas Tree, and visiting with Santa. But they’ll be doing it just steps away from beautiful beaches and wildlife. And don’t worry about not having your traditional Christmas Dinner. Most resorts will offer that as well. A couple of tips: Christmas Eve Dinner (Nohca Buena) is the main event. You may see fireworks as Dominicans take to the streets to celebrate before Midnight Mass.
What’s New at The Biltmore? A landmark celebration!
This year marks the 130th anniversary of The Biltmore’s first Christmas celebration, and they are celebrating with more displays and decorations than ever before. The new theme in the main hall will be “rustic,” but that doesn’t mean it’s not fancy. To start, the gingerbread chef has been busy making even more elaborate displays. There will be 36 Christmas trees in the Biltmore house featuring 10,000 ornaments, 45,000 lights, and 442 candles. An additional 75 decorated Christmas trees will be at other estate locations, including Antler Hill Village, which will also see new illuminations. And if that wasn’t romantic enough? The estate is also celebrating the premiere of the Hallmark movie, “A Biltmore Christmas.” And just when you thought you couldn’t get anything for free at The Biltmore Estate, this year you can. Buy a ticket to the main house, and you’ll receive a second day FREE to explore the other parts of the grounds. You can also reach skiing and tubing in under an hour.
Book your trip to Asheville, NC
Go Big… Go Branson at Christmas!
The lively, somewhat folksy entertainment in Branson, Missouri, goes over-the-top during the holidays with live music shows featuring tribute artists, variety acts, and family-friendly attractions. We counted more than 30 holiday-themed shows alone. There’s not a street that is not decorated to the max. Some suggestions are Dolly Parton’s Christmas Show, The Polar Express Ride, and a tour of all the lights by train or boat. In Silver Dollar City’s “An Old Time Christmas” celebration. Proclaimed the “most illuminated park on Earth,” SDC will be adorned in over 6.5 million lights this year with the addition of the “Christmas in Midtown Light Spectacular.” You can get to Branson from SFB through Springfield Airport. Branson is an hour away. Suggested times to visit would be the week before Christmas, as Christmas week is most expensive.
