Want just a little Christmas? 8 locations that really feel like a vacation film
After I wrote my first Hallmark film, “Christmas Camp,” it was impressed by a number of charming cities I’d visited doing my “Journey Remedy” TV segments and one magical historic residence, the Quartermain Home B&B in Fredericton, New Brunswick.
As I went on to jot down extra Christmas motion pictures for Netflix, Hallmark and Lifetime, I continued to attract from the locations I had visited that introduced me such consolation and pleasure, like a hug from an outdated good friend.
I believe now greater than ever, all of us must really feel that very same increase of positivity and uplifting escape, so why not go to the locations that can provide us the identical heat and fuzzy vibe all winter lengthy?
Listed here are eight favourite locations to go to the place you possibly can really feel such as you’re starring in your individual Christmas film.
Fredericton, New Brunswick
On my first go to to Fredericton, the capital of lovely New Brunswick in japanese Canada, which runs alongside the Saint John River, I used to be instantly captivated by this quaint, artsy metropolis.
Fredericton is thought for its wealthy historical past, tradition, music, distinctive native retailers, eating places and bars, and nature. The town says you’ll discover extra bushes in Fredericton, aka Forest Metropolis, than wherever else in Canada, turning Fredericton into what appears like a magical Christmas film set as quickly because the snow begins to fall.
The place to remain: Voted probably the greatest bed-and-breakfasts in North America, the Quartermain Home B&B is rather like stepping right into a Hallmark film. After I wrote my first script, “Christmas Camp,“ I remembered my particular keep at Debra Quartermain’s B&B, the place her whimsical historic residence, heat welcome and scrumptious cooking had my coronary heart from the second I arrived.
Don’t miss: A go to to the Beaverbrook Artwork Gallery, one in every of Canada’s greatest artwork museums.
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Insider tip: If fiddleheads are on the menu, organize them. This edible fern prime is a scrumptious native culinary gem.
Closest airport: Fredericton Worldwide Airport (YFC) is true exterior the town. Different close by airports embrace Saint John Airport (YSJ) and Better Moncton Roméo LeBlanc Worldwide Airport (YQM). You’ll discover essentially the most flight choices on Air Canada and United Airways.
Leavenworth, Washington
I grew up in Washington state, so a visit to the small Bavarian-style alpine village of Leavenworth throughout Christmas was at all times on my want checklist. The dreamlike gazebo impressed the duvet for my novel “Discovering Christmas.”
Leavenworth’s many distinctive retailers, artwork galleries and eating places evoke all of the Christmas cheer. With greater than a half-million Christmas lights, this Northwest gem will spark your Christmas spirit.
The place to remain: The Bavarian Lodge and Icicle Village are common picks and there are cabin leases all through the world for those who’re searching for additional area.
Don’t miss: The Nutcracker Museum with greater than 7,000 nutcrackers.
Insider tip: Obtain the occasion information on Leavenworth’s web site to be sure to don’t miss any of the festive enjoyable.
Closest airport: The closest main airport is Seattle-Tacoma Worldwide Airport (SEA), then it’s a couple of 2 1/2-hour drive within the Cascade Vary as much as Leavenworth.
Quebec Metropolis
Quebec Metropolis will doubtless remind you of these royal romance Christmas motion pictures that at all times prime the scores.
Previous Quebec is 400 years outdated and on UNESCO’s checklist of Treasures of the World Heritage of Mankind. The historic metropolis’s charming cobblestone streets, boutiques and bistros helped encourage the 2 royal rom-coms I wrote, Netflix’s “A Christmas Prince“ and my novel “A Royal Christmas Fairy Story.”
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The place to remain: I felt like a princess staying on the five-star Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac, which appears like an imposing fortress and is persistently rated one of many prime resorts in Canada.
Don’t miss: Outlets and avenue distributors rolling up maple taffy on ice is exclusive to Quebec Metropolis.
Insider tip: Get pleasure from native delicacies at Aux Anciens Canadiens, located in one of many oldest buildings in Quebec Metropolis.
Closest airport: Quebec Metropolis Jean Lesage Worldwide Airport (YQB) is about 6 miles exterior the town. It’s solely an hour-and-a-half flight to Quebec Metropolis from New York Metropolis or Toronto.
Redding, California
In Redding, they’re all about celebrating romance in the identical form of enchanting settings Hallmark Christmas motion pictures are celebrated for.
On the dazzling Redding Backyard of Lights, the Sheraton Redding Lodge on the Sundial Bridge commissioned famend artist Tres Fromme to make use of greater than 1 million twinkling lights to create gorgeous festive shows protecting 10 acres.
Some highlights embrace reindeer encounters and the Sweet Cane Causeway, coated with purple, inexperienced and white lights the place machines pump within the mouthwatering scent of peppermint for an immersive expertise.
The place to remain: Keep within the coronary heart of the place all of the motion is on the Sheraton Redding Lodge on the Sundial Bridge, the place there are a number of in a single day resort packages and Marriott Bonvoy Moments.
Don’t miss: The Polar Pathway, that includes a super-cool 30-foot-wide illuminated igloo and a snowy pathway to discover.
Insider tip: The Vacation Village is a superb place to select up some scrumptious meals, artisanal snacks and s’mores.
Closest airport: Sacramento Worldwide Airport (SMF) is 154 miles away, Oakland Worldwide Airport (OAK) is 220 miles away and San Francisco Worldwide Airport (SFO) is 228 miles away.
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Solar Valley, Idaho
For one in every of my first jobs as a TV reporter, I labored at KMVT-TV in Twin Falls, Idaho, and the resort city of Solar Valley was my beloved winter snowboarding escape.
Made well-known by Hollywood’s elite, Solar Valley is a famous person with out the angle. The romantic sleigh journey from the Solar Valley Inn to the Path Creek Cabin for dinner is an all-time favourite expertise that I can’t wait to incorporate in a film I’m engaged on.
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The place to remain: Keep within the legendary Solar Valley Lodge, a favourite of author Ernest Hemingway.
Don’t miss: The Sawtooth Botanical Backyard, which incorporates a prayer wheel blessed by the Dalai Lama.
Insider tip: For those who like distinctive cocktails, attempt Duchin Lounge for drinks just like the Jack Winter Bitter made with Jack Daniel’s whiskey, cranberry-cinnamon easy syrup, Becherovka liqueur, contemporary lemon and orange juice, and egg whites.
Closest airport: Solar Valley’s closest main airports are Boise Airport (BOI) and Salt Lake Metropolis Worldwide Airport (SLC). Yow will discover nonstop flights from six main cities: Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Salt Lake Metropolis, Denver and Chicago.
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Park Metropolis, Utah
After I lived in Salt Lake Metropolis, I visited Park Metropolis as a lot as attainable as a result of I liked the town’s genuine allure and its two world-class ski resorts.
The town’s Snowfest celebration is Christmas film gold with music and carolers, ice sculptures and Santa’s look using in town’s ski raise.
The place to remain: For a ski-in, ski-out property, the luxurious Grand Summit Lodge is a wonderful alternative. For those who’re touring with your loved ones or mates, the Apex Residences ought to have a trip rental that’s best for you.
Don’t miss: Spend a while on Fundamental Road, listed on the Nationwide Register of Historic Locations, the place you’ll discover some distinctive native retailers, eating places, bars and artwork galleries.
Insider tip: For those who’ve at all times needed to attempt canine sledding, that is your home. Park Metropolis has a number of firms with some furry four-legged rock stars which might be able to take you on the journey of a lifetime. Mush! Mush!
Closest airport: Salt Lake Metropolis Worldwide Airport (SLC) is the closest airport and is just below 30 miles from Park Metropolis.
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Paris
I’ve spent the vacations in Paris and I’ve seen firsthand how the dreamy Metropolis of Mild is illuminated much more through the holidays, making it really feel like one of the vital romantic cities on the planet.
From the famed Christmas markets to the beautiful Nativity scenes on the metropolis’s historic church buildings, Paris embraces Christmas with an exuberant joie de vivre that our favourite vacation motion pictures are well-known for.
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The place to remain: The award-winning Dorchester Assortment’s Paris properties, Le Meurice and Lodge Plaza Athenee, are at all times my prime resort picks while you’re searching for world-class hospitality and delicacies in a beautiful Christmas setting.
Don’t miss: The breathtaking Christmas lights and vacation show alongside the Avenue des Champs-Elysees, Avenue Montaigne, within the Montmartre district and at Bercy Village.
Insider tip: Indulge and chill out with a particular Christmas tea at Le Meurice, the place you possibly can sip Champagne whereas having fun with French pastry chef Cedric Grolet’s glazed chestnuts, gingerbread, truffles, and sugar and cinnamon brioche.
Closest airport: Paris-Orly Airport (ORY) is the closest airport to Paris, simply eight miles away. Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) is the principle airport and is 14 miles from Paris. It is also France’s busiest.
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New York Metropolis
I lived in New York Metropolis for 14 years, and it’ll at all times have my coronary heart at Christmas.
I’m not alone — hundreds of thousands of holiday makers come to see Manhattan’s spectacular Christmas decorations, with a spotlight being the Rockefeller Middle Christmas tree. Skating on the magical ice rink at all times makes me really feel like I’m in a Christmas film and that something is feasible at Christmas.
The place to remain: For an exceptional festive view of Central Park, the Mandarin Oriental is one in every of my favourite locations to remain. Its award-winning spa is simply what you want to unwind through the hectic vacation season.
Don’t miss: The New York Botanical Backyard Glow, the place you possibly can discover this sensational setting all lit up for the vacations whereas having fun with dwell music and enjoyable holiday-themed meals and drinks.
Insider tip: For those who love Christmas lights, go to the Dyker Heights neighborhood, the place you’ll be blown away by the hundreds of thousands of lights adorning all the homes.
Closest airport: New York’s La Guardia Airport (LGA) is nearly 5 miles from the town. Different close by airports are John F. Kennedy Worldwide Airport (JFK) and New Jersey’s Newark Liberty Worldwide Airport (EWR).
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Different choices to get you within the spirit
For those who’re searching for much more magical locations to go to that really feel such as you’re strolling into one in every of your favourite Christmas motion pictures, you are able to do a little analysis and discover out the place these motion pictures have been filmed. Film places are sometimes talked about within the present’s credit and film databases like IMDB.
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A Google deep dive will present you that many vacation motion pictures are shot in Canada, particularly in Vancouver, British Columbia, referred to as “Hollywood North.”
Earlier than you pack your baggage and go looking for sizzling chocolate and romance, be certain the locations the place the flicks have been shot even have the stuff you’re searching for and that they weren’t simply constructed as a part of the film units.
For extra festive enjoyable, make a listing of locations in your group which have components that really feel like they’re Christmas movie-worthy and create your individual vacation staycation.
