FAVORITE NEW YEAR'S DESTINATION

Oh New Year's!  I have mixed feelings about you.  For those of you who love celebrating New Year's in what seems to be the traditional way (i.e: overpriced event fees, crowded bars, freezing cold temperatures in fancy uncomfortable clothes and surrounded by people that have had one too many)...stop reading now.  I have to be honest and say that I am just not much of a New Year's kinda person.  Call me crazy, but I don't love all of the nonsense that usually comes with the holiday.  I would much rather have a bucket of fried chicken and a bottle of champagne with some chocolate covered strawberries on my couch, in the warmth of my home and with my family by my side ANY DAY!

 Next to that, my other favorite thing to do is to jet set somewhere (if its somewhere warm- even better!).  And to-date...my ALL.TIME.FAVORITE.NEW.YEAR'S.DESTINATION. is...EPCOT in Orlando, Florida.

Epcot's World Showcase has pavilions representing eleven different countries (U.S., U.K., Mexico, Norway, China, Germany, Italy, Japan Morocco, France and Canada).  So what does this mean?  Well, that on New Year's, each country celebrates (at the time when their country would be ringing in the new year), so you can hop from country to country without getting on a jet, and ring in the new year eleven different times!  How awesome is that?  Yes, the park may be crowded, but not the crowded that you feel like a sardine-in-a-can sort of crowded, it's much warmer than New York City, and you can wear jeans and sneakers.  Plus, you can sample cuisine from around the world!  

Got any other fun New Year's jet setting ideas?  Go ahead and share them in the comments section below.  

SOME SEPTEMBER STEALS

Why not sneak away for a steal? September kicks off "shoulder season," when prices (and temps) dip, and the time of year when I always recommend that you should jet set. Here are four destinations I am suggesting for this coming month...and no passport is required for these spots!

Destination #1- Fort Lauderdale, Florida: Spas here have slashed fees for September. The Atlantic Hotel's Spa Package includes an oceanfront room, 20% off at its spa and $100 a day in spa credits. Rates start from $219 per night.Destination #2- Vail, Colorado: The Arrabelle at Vail Square, at the foot of Vail Mountain, is reminiscent of old-world European hotels. Rates start from $150 per night.Destination #3- San Juan, Puerto Rico: The sleek, beachfront San Juan Water & Beach Club Hotel is convenient to nightlife, restaurants, shopping, museums, and galleries. Rates start from $128 per night.Destination #4- Palm Desert/Desert Springs, California: At the Desert Springs J.W. Marriott Resort & Spa, you can play tennis, get a steamy Turkish bath or cruise the Venice-like canals. Rates start from $139 per night.

HEALTHY SPRING VACATION FOR WOMEN

Continuing with the same topic from yesterday about the February issue of Ladies' Home Journal Magazine article...How to Stay Fit- A Season Guide to Incredibly Fun Trips for the Active Female Traveler...here are the Spring trips they suggest:1- Sailing School on Captiva Island, Florida- The offshore Sailing School has been teaching rookie sailors the ropes for more than 30 years. Captiva Island is directly off Florida's gulf coast, and is an easy drive for Fort Myers. The school is part of the family-friendly South Seas Island Resort. Rooms are $249 a night and up; sailing classes start at $150 for a two-hour session.

2- Hiking in Scottsdale, Arizona- The desert and hills of Scottsdale are a hiker's paradise- take it from me- I've been with my parents! The best time to go is in the Spring when temperatures are mild. Scottsdale is famous for its dry, clear weather and luxe spas and golf resorts, but I suggest planning a side trip to Sedona (one of the most beautiful places in the U.S.) to see the famous red-rock formations. The Boulders Resort is built among massive ancient rocks and is where the magazine suggests staying. Rooms start at $179 a night in April.