Holiday bon bons at French Market vendor, Canady Le Chocolatier
The newly opened Chicago French Market in the trendy West Loop neighborhood, supplies a dose of style and fresh ingredients to the Chicago shopping scene. This indoor, one-stop, market features 30 specialty vendors including gourmet cheese, wine, chocolate and pastries. Modeled after outdoor European markets and operated by the Bensidoun family, who are the largest developers of Paris markets, the Chicago French Market supports local farmers and artisans in a year-round venue. Even though most of the market’s offerings are food related, I found an array of special gifts on my recent visit.
“It’s for a good cause.” The phrase played in my head on a continual loop as we wound our way slowly through the streets, the glowing lights from the Christmas display our only illumination. “Think of the kids.” I have passed the sign for years but never had the time to stop. There was always something a bit more pressing. Halfway through the lighted display at Alum Creek Fantasy of Lights I was longing again for something more pressing.
Hop in the car, take a drive around town, and see businesses and neighborhoods who have gone all-out to bring holiday cheer in the form of elaborate Christmas light displays.
The McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park in Scottsdale, Arizona, hosts train rides among more than 100,000 lights and displays. Nightly from 6:30 to 9:00 running from December 11th through January 2nd, excluding December 24th, 25th, and 31st. Train rides are $2.00 and carousel rides are $1.00 each with children under three riding free with a paying adult.
The Red Rock Fantasy in Sedona, Arizona, is entering its nineteenth year. The festival is open each evening (weather permitting) from November 19th through January 2nd, from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday. Admission is $5 for adults, $4 for seniors, $3 for children aged 5-12 and free for children 4 and under. Dozens of southwest-themed displays and millions (yes, millions!) of lights make this one of the premier Christmas light festivals in Arizona. The route begins at the Los Abrigados Resort & Spa lobby under the lighted Red Rock Fantasy arch, and is clearly marked with reflective strips. It takes approximately 60 minutes to complete the tour by foot, and assistance is offered by the resort staff for those who are physically challenged.
No matter what you celebrate this holiday season there are two things that are bound to play a big role: shopping and drinking. Also, kids. And travel.
Why not combine them all? That’s the holiday spirit!
Remember, if you’re drinking and shopping let someone else push the cart. Trips are a lot more fun when everyone gets there safely.
If you’re looking to put down your concert travel money on a band with some pedigree, you couldn’t do better than hard rock band Nickelback, whose last album All the Right Reasons has sold 11 million copies.
Chad Kroeger, Nickelback
The album also spent a stunning 156 weeks on the Billboard charts – a 11 year record broken only this month by Taylor Swift, whose first album has been squatting on the charts since Nov 2006.
Nickelback is now the 2nd most popular foreign band in the US, in terms of the sheer number of Nickelback tickets sold, with only the Beatles ahead of them.
The long road to hard rock nirvana stretches all the way back to 1995 and Alberta, where Chad Kroeger used to hand nickels back to his customers at Starbucks. In between then and now, Nickelback has earned 26 awards and 68 nominations, including 5 grammies.
Their latest album Dark Horse, released last November, debuted at No. 2 on the charts. Shows they have what it takes to keep churning out the good stuff, and stay at the top.
The Nickelbacks – Chad Kroeger, his brother & bassist Mike Kroeger, guitarist Ryan Peake and drummer Daniel Adair, have been on the road all year long, and notched up an impressive 60 concerts across North America, with more shows in Europe and Australia.
Nickelback is now saddling up again for the first leg of the 2010 Dark Horse tour which brings them cantering back into North America, with Shinedown and Breaking Benjamin as the support acts. Read More »
A visit to L.L. Bean is practically mandatory when visiting Maine. The famed outdoor gear and clothing company was established in 1912 and has been a fixture in the coastal town of Freeport since its inception. The very first product – leather uppers for workmens’ boots – evolved into the Maine Hunting Shoe, and launched the beginning of a product enterprise that has grown to include the vast catalog of clothing and gear that L.L. Bean offers today. The company’s attention to product detail and truly exceptional customer service are a consistent example of “the way life should be”.
Nancy Brown, Uptake lodging editor, takes on a funny and fun drive north into the Napa Valley for a visit to Avia Napa, the Pink Mansion, Calistoga, Solbar, Solage Resort, Castello de Amorosa & Twomey wine tasting. It sounds like a trip where you won’t get thirsty – she starts off with a great cup of hot chocolate and ends with good wines and fine food.
Indeed, Nancy’s first day “required” a stop a day spa! Listening to this trip, one clearly gets the impression that this two day jaunt is just the ticket for a great getaway.
Even though you’re in the Sunshine State, you can still find plenty of opportunities to enjoy a Winter Wonderland in Orlando, Florida.
We even have snow and ice.
That is a video of my two children sledding - on real snow – in Central Florida. We attended a holiday festival at Avalon Park, one of the many holiday festivals in the Orlando area that feature machine made snow and winter activities. While that event only lasted one night, there are still plenty of chances to get cold in the Sunshine State this month.
Holiday Events in Orlando, Florida
ICE! at Gaylord Palms
Ice slide at Gaylord Palms
From November 14th to January 3rd, the Gaylord Palms in Kissimmee presents “a walk-through Christmas attraction hand-carved from nearly TWO MILLION pounds of ice.” The exhibit features ice sculptures and an ice slide in a hall kept at a chilly 9 degrees. Thankfully, parkas are provided to help you keep you warm.
The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Disney's Specatcle Of Dancing Lights
The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights started as a home display in Arkansas. Every year, Jennings Osborne and his family set up an elaborate collection of holiday lights and over the years, the collection grew, and grew… and grew! In 1995, Walt Disney World became the permanent home of the Osborne family’s holiday light display – and they added a little Disney magic, of course. When you watch the light show at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, you’ll notice it actually start to snow!
The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights is included with regular admission to the Hollywood Studios theme park.
Now Snowing in Downtown Celebration
Snowing in Celebration, Florida
From November 28 to December 31, the town of Celebration, Florida puts on a free festival that let’s everyone enjoy the magic of the season. Snowfalls nightly for 10 minutes at 6pm, 7pm, 8pm and 9pm. In addition to snow, you’ll find strolling Charles Dickens Carolers, the Celebration Express, horse drawn carriage rides, and a chance to take pictures with Santa. You can also go ice skating at the local Celebration Town Tavern.
Did I mention that admission for this event is free? Really.
Orlando prides itself on its ability to entertain. The holidays are no exception, and we certainly aren’t going to let something like natural climate get in the way of enjoying a Winter Wonderland!
Photo credit: Avitable, Walt Disney World Resorts, Celebration Town Center
