High on my priority list of resolutions, or rather, ambitions for 2017 is to embark on more weekend getaways. Whether near or far, I’m determined to keep challenging my adventurous side, engaging with the world, and experiencing places and people whose lives are different to my own. Moreover, there’s nothing like a change in scenery to break up the monotony of a work week.
Luckily, January is a great month to fulfill those ambitions. Not only is airfare generally cheaper, there are also great hotel deals to be had, and popular destinations tend to be less crowded (depending on where you’re headed.)
Here are three quick winter weekend getaways to keep the spirit of travel alive at the start of a new year… guaranteed to banish those January blues!
Charleston wears January with elegant charm. With pleasant temps averaging 58 degrees, you can stroll the oak-lined streets, historic row houses, and upriver plantations in just a warm sweater and scarf most of the time. Eye-catching white and pink camellias burst into full bloom once the New Year’s festivities have quieted. See them at their finest without the usual spring and fall crowds, at Middleton Place and Magnolia Plantation and Gardens. On the occasional frostier days, take refuge in the antique stores clustered on Upper King Street. Don’t leave without trying indulging in some southern fare. Pig Pickings (barbecues) and oyster roasts are ideal in the month of January.
Where to stay: French Quarter Inn
If you’re craving a dose of Hollywood glamour immersed into your weekend of snow and spa, a 45 minute drive south of Salt Lake City gets you to charming, Park City, where Tinseltown converge for the Sundance Film Festival (Jan 16-26). If you can’t snag a ticket to one of the 120 independent films showing throughout the 11 day festival, simply taking in the infectious party atmosphere that takes over the picture postcard town.
Where to stay: Stein Eriksen Lodge Deer Valley
Sun, sand, salsa. What more could you ask for at the start of a new year? Fill your days with beach bike rides, swimming in 72-degree water, and browsing eclectic art at the Wolfsonian in South Beach while sipping a café cubano. Enjoy late night bites at hotspot, Commonwealth then head to a Little Havana to dance the night away to the beats of a live Cuban band.
Where to stay: Faena Hotel, Miami Beach
