WINTER 2015
travel world
I N T E R N AT I O N A L M A G A Z I N E
Holiday
ISSUE
An Ozark Mountain Christmas The Magic of Santa Fe Holidays The Village at Mammoth Lakes Holidays in the Amana Colonies San Antonio Christmas Tamales Christmas at the Biltmore Estates A Colorado Multi-generational Ski Trip
Antarctica! Beyond Expectations
The Magazine Written by North American Travel Journalists Association Members
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TravelWorld International Magazine is the only magazine that showcases the member talents of the North American Travel Journalists Association
Our friends in Beirut, Paris & Mali We dedicate our Holiday Issue to the memory of those innocent people who died senselessly in Beirut, Paris and Mali. It is a mission of TravelWorld International Magazine to express the spirit of liberty and freedom throughout the world by communicating through stories and photographs.
Group Publisher: Publisher: Editor in Chief: Editor: Managing Editor: Art Direction: Operations Manager: Administrative Assistant:
NATJA Publications Helen Hernandez Bennett W. Root, Jr. Dennis A. Britton Joy Bushmeyer Artistic Design Services Yanira Leon Daniel Saleh
Contributing Writers : Carrie Dow Bobbie Green Julie Hatfield Cindy Ladage Leslie Long Warren Resen Barbara Singer Deborah Stone
We see our world as beautiful and accessible and people as loving and good. We embrace all cultures and traditions and attempt to inform and promote acceptance and goodwill to all. With warmest wishes the administration and staff of TravelWorld International Magazine hope you have a peaceful and joyous holiday season.
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Bennett W. Root, Jr.
Helen Hernandez
Dennis A. Britton
Joy Bushmeyer
Yanira Leon
Daniel Saleh
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Volume 2015.04 Winter 2015. Copyright Š2015 by NATJA Publications, Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited. Advertising rates and information sent upon request. Acceptance of advertising in TravelWorld International Magazine in no way constitutes approval or endorsement by NATJA Publications, Inc., nor do products or services advertised. NATJA Publications and TravelWorld International Magazine reserve the right to reject any advertising. Opinions expressed by authors are their own and not necessarily those of Travel World International Magazine or NATJA Publications. TravelWorld International Magazine reserves the right to edit all contributions for clarity and length, as well as to reject any material submitted, and is not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts. This periodical’s name and logo along with the various titles and headings therein, are trademarks of NATJA Publications, Inc. PRODUCED IN U.S.A.
travel world WINTER 2015
I N T E R N AT I O N A L M A G A Z I N E
F E A T U R E S
& S T O R I E S
Holiday
ISSUE
7 Holidays in the Amana Colonies, Iowa Story & Photos by Cindy Ladage
12 An Ozark Mountain Christmas, Branson, Missouri Story & Photos by Bobbie Green
16 The Magic of Santa Fe Holidays Story & Photos by Barbara Singer
23 ANTARCTICA! Beyond Expectations Story & Photos by Deborah Stone
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Be inspired by the light of the Aurora Borealis. Renew your energy under the Midnight Sun. Experience the warmth of Fairbanks—Alaska’s Golden Heart—and the gateway to Denali, Interior and Arctic Alaska. Call 1-800-327-5774 for your free Fairbanks Visitors Guide. Explore your Alaskan vacation at explorefairbanks.com.
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travel world WINTER 2015
I N T E R N AT I O N A L M A G A Z I N E
F E A T U R E S
& S T O R I E S
Holiday
ISSUE
31 The Village at Mammoth Lakes, California Story & Photos by Carrie Dow
37 A Multi-generational Ski Trip to Colorado Story & Photos by Julie Hatfield
41 Christmas Tamales in San Antonio, Texas Story & Photos by Leslie Long
49 Christmas at the Biltmore Estates Story by Warren Resen
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Holidays in the Amana Colonies! Photos & Story by Cindy Ladage Recharge your batteries and get a reprieve from the hustle and bustle of the holiday season at the Amana Colonies. Step back to a simpler time, the Colonies are a magical place right out of a Charles Dickens novel with the beautiful stone buildings, family-style food and the tranquility and beauty this historical Iowa spot has to offer. The first weekend of December during the Prelude to Christmas (http://www.festivalsinamana. com/prelude.html), stores stay open late and the streets are candle lit making the villages look like a holiday card. We are farmers and this time of year, the crops are out of the fields and we often head to Amana to restore a bit of peace after the hectic harvest season and immerse ourselves in the Christmas spirit.
The Prelude to Christmas offers a variety of activities celebrating the traditions of these historic villages. The Amana Colonies are a group of settlements made up of 26,000 acres in Eastern Iowa. Those that settled the Amana colonies held the belief that like in Biblical times that God would inspire and communicate with an individual they call a Werkzueg, which means instrument. German Pietists settled the seven villages, East Amana, High Amana, Middle Amana, South Amana, West Amana, and Homestead the comprise the colonies.
One of the decorated trees from the Tannenbaum Forest.
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Impressive seventeen-foot German-style Christmas Weihnacht Pyramid tree that stands stories tall.
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alling themselves the Ebenezer Society or the Community of True Inspiration, they first settled in New York near Buffalo in what is now the town of West Seneca. However, in order to live out their beliefs in more isolated surroundings, they moved west to east-central Iowa in 1855. They lived a communal style life until the mid1930s. The colonists lived together for eighty years in an almost completely self-sufficient because they had many skilled craftsman and members in farming occupations. Today, Amana is a major tourist attraction known for their Germanbased family style restaurants and the hand crafted shops. Although not a commune lifestyle these days those in the Amana Society share stock and profit sharing and are an integral part of the Amana community. The colonies have been listed as a National Historic Landmark since 1965. Both the Amana Heritage Museum and the Museum of Amana History offer details about the historic aspect of the colony.
Amana General Store
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It is easy to see the German influence when visiting the holiday events during the Prelude. The Festhalle barn that was once a dairy barn is located in Amana, the largest of the seven villages. In this beautiful barn, local vendors and organizations decorate their trees and bring Christmas alive with what they call “the Tannenbaum Forest of trees� along with the impressive seventeen-foot German-style Christmas Weihnacht Pyramid tree that stands stories tall. During most Preludes there is a home tour where Amanaites opened up their homes allowing visitors and curious locals a look in. Most years there are five to six offerings on the list. Our favorite was a house we toured a couple of years ago that started life as a granary built in 1925. A very talented man converted the granary to a home.
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here are agricultural influences all through the villages and they have made the most of them. The Amana Colony Visitors’ Center has a beautifully restored corncrib in its center. The corncrib was built in 1945 and was restored using over 10,000 board feet of hickory harvested from Amana timber. The Visitors Center offers tickets to the home tours and also is a place to find out what is going on in town at the time of your visit. There are a few theaters in town and you might want to see if any of the entertainment options are up your alley.
Amana Visitors Center which is in part a restored corn crib
Even though we have been coming to Amana for years, each visit we still find something to peak our interest. The streets of Amana are lined with picturesque buildings and on our last visit we noticed a Windmill building tucked back behind a cluster of buildings. Built in 1880 there is a plaque on the building that says they don’t know the original use for this building but it was used to manufacture a feed additive for hogs from 1908 to1932 so the building is commonly called the “Hog Powder House”.
Amana Products
Be sure to stop by the Amana General Store, built in 1858, it is a prominent historic landmark in the village of Amana. Until 1932, the store served the community with all of their material needs that the communal society did not provide. Today, the General Store offers merchandise from far-off places, as well as many Amana and Iowa made products. The colonies are also known for their great meat, cheese and wines. There are several antique stores and the Smokehouse Antique Mall which is near the Amana Meat Market and the woolen mill that is still operational today. Besides the fun and unique shopping opportunities, part of the charm for us is the family style dinners a tradition was born from the old communal kitchen days and still continues. My husband Keith can’t travel within an hour of Amana without stopping for one of their famous meals.
Amana General Store unique kids’ products
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esides Zubers there are also some amazing bed and breakfast options like the Taste of Home which was a great choice as well. There area also hotels in nearby Williamsburg where you can find the more traditional outlet mall shopping options. We recommend taking time to fit in one meal at Myers Grill in nearby Williamsburg. This is a hard to find treasure that we learned about when staying at the Taste of Home. We almost drove past the restaurant, it is located in a driveway and the grill is a converted garage. Chef Michael Myers is usually dressed in full out chef gear and you will likely be waited on by his wife Tracey Myers who will probably bring you an erasable board showing the specials of the day.
Typical Amana building
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e make a point eat one night at the Colony Inn and another at Ox Yoke Inn or the Ronneburg. All are delightful. They also offer an amazing Amana breakfast. All three restaurants are located in the village of Amana. There are several lodging options, but our favorite is to book a room at Zubers Homestead Hotel (http:// zubershomesteadhotel.com/). Located in the town of Homestead, Zubers offers 15 guestrooms. Each room is decorated to match something special about Iowa whether it is the culture, heritage or people. Breakfast is offered along with the overnight stay. What we really like is that Zubers offers the privacy of a hotel with the charm of a bed and breakfast.
The food is amazing in this unexpected diner with concrete floors, graffiti on the walls and decorated with racing memorabilia. Myers Grill & Catering is located at 303 S. Highland Street, Williamsburg, Iowa 52361. They offer dining and catering services. The phone number is 319-668-2321. When the Prelude to Christmas is over, shops are still decorated and the villages alight with holiday cheer. The next big event is Winterfest on January. Head to Amana for a bit of respite and relaxation and get into the holiday spirit! If you can’t make Amana during the holidays, there are more festivals and events year round. For more information about the museums and tourism in the Amana Colonies, call the Visitors Center at 800-579-2294.
The hotel began as the Homestead Hotel in 1862. The Zuber history shares, “At that time it had 15 rooms and one bathroom upstairs, with a large kitchen, dining room and residence downstairs. From 1949 – 2004, the hotel took on a new life being purchased by Bill and Connie Zuber who turned the hotel into “Bill Zuber’s Dugout Restaurant.” Bill Zuber was a famous baseball player. He was a pitcher with an 11-year Major League Baseball career between 1936 and 1947 where he pitched for the Cleveland Indians, Washington Senators, New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox. After the Zubers sold the restaurant, it was purchased by David and Yana Cutler who decorated and changed the restaurant back to a hotel. In May of 2013, the hotel was bought by Brian and Bonnie James. The hotel is a romantic getaway with woods and the old fashioned small village the only scene outside your window.
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The Canal dug by the villagers
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Sights and Sound Theatre
All Branson venues decorate for Christmas.
An Ozark Mountain Christmas in Branson, Missouri Story & Photos by Bobbie Green 12
Sights and Sound Theatre gives grandiose state of the art productions on their 300-foot wrap around stage.
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he hills are alive with the sights and sounds of Christmas, welcome to an Ozark Mountain Christmas in Branson, Missouri.
It is likely hard to find a town that celebrates the Christmas Season bigger, better and brighter than Branson. The world is invited to this little tourist town to enjoy the Christmas Season in a community where its citizens openly honor God and County. American service men and women are honored in almost every theater production. The Nativity scenes are displayed as prominently as Santa. How refreshing, how politically incorrect and how wonderful. The town has decked its streets and halls with Christmas beautifully. The most wonderful time of the year in Branson begins early in November with its “It’s a most wonderful time of year” parade. Many of the entertainers don their gay apparel for the promenade and give live performance at strategic locations along the way, pure family entertainment for all ages.
No one should miss seeing the Yaakov Smirnoff show. It is a guarantee-- you will walk away with your side hurting from laughter, tears in your eyes and a renewed pride in being an American, all from the view of an American immigrant. Each of the Branson theaters is elegantly decorated for Christmas. Another must see is the “Trail of Lights”, a drive-thru animation display on the grounds of the Shepherd of the Hills. Allow a least one hour, if it is not crowded, to view the now famous trail that is approximately one mile long turned into a holiday wonderland. You will travel through different lands of holiday music, characters and lights sure to put you in a festive mood. At the end of the tour, you will be at Inspiration Tower, a 230-foot tower that is decked out to be a huge Christmas tree during the holiday season. While pretty to look at in the darkness of night, I recommend taking the elevator to the top during the daylight hours to get the best grand view of the area. The staff begins the holiday decorating in July to be ready for November 1. Cost for family vehicle is $42.41, or per person $11.31 adult and $5.66 per child 4-17. The Shepherd of the Hills outdoor drama is a summertime theater production that is performed here. 13
Young and old enjoy the lakefront water show at the Landing in downtown Branson.
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Everyone finds fun shopping on the streets branching off from the Landing.
f you are looking for a grandiose state of the art production, the innovative Sight & Sound Theatres fills the bill. The newest Christian Broadway Theater is now in Branson. During the Christmas season, you will witness the Christmas story with live animals, 40-foothigh sets, incredible special effects and a cast of 40. The theater boasts of a 300-foot long wrap around stage. The 2,000-seat theater was full at the performance I attended. The beautiful lobby displays a 30-foot tall-adorned Christmas tree centered under the 54-foot tall interior dome.
Where should you stay while visiting Branson? There are many choices from budget motels to full-service luxury hotels. I can recommend Branson’s landing area. There are two Hilton Hotels with water views and within walking distance to the old town shopping and Dick’s Five and Dime Store. Branson’s Landing has combined shopping and dining along the pedestrian only street. Located in the center is an event area large enough for 5,000 people. From here, you can watch the amazing water fountain show along the Taneycomo Lake front.
Other than at the Christmas season, the production is Noah, the musical. The animals live on sight in a special barn in the cellar. They are brought to the stage level on performance nights, where they each have their own dressing room equipped with a wall-to-wall gel pad on the floor to ease their standing time and something soft to lay on. I wish my kitchen floor were so equipped. There are two Sight and Sound theaters--the other is located in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Other productions that bring the Bible to life are given throughout the year. Christmas Story in Branson is priced from $47.99 per adult- $20.09 per child ages 2-12.
The Branson Landing area is a fun place to be. Center Square is home to the huge lighted Christmas tree during the season. Santa arrives November 15 and resides in the treehouse through December 24th.
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The Chamber of Commerce tells me many families scattered throughout the states meet in Branson to celebrate either Thanksgiving or Christmas, what a great idea. I cannot think of a better place to get in the holiday spirit. Branson Missouri reminds every one of the reason for the season.
Special Christmas performances are abounding in December in Branson.
The reason for the Christmas season is celebrated in Branson.
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New Year’s donkey
State flag of New Mexico
The MAGIC of SANTA FE During the Holidays
Awaken that Southwestern Spirit for the New Year By Barbara Singer It’s the perfect time to visit Santa Fe, the glorious holiday season. Certainly a magical time when the city is decked out in colorful twinkling lights, snowy Christmas trees and a holiday glow. Any visit to Santa Fe at any time can transform the mundane to exhilarating sights and sounds, however, the holidays with its traditions and festivities make it more memorable. Christmas tree in the hacienda
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Outdoor dining area covered in snow
I had the urge to go….for me, once in love with Santa Fe, always in love with Santa Fe. I could not ignore my longtime dream to celebrate New Year’s Eve in this Southwestern winter wonderland. This urge to return was enhanced by the lure of spending the time at the iconic Eldorado Hotel & Spa, where I have enjoyed previous visits. It was not like going solo to a new place, but retracing my footsteps and traversing on a old and new roads. My holiday journey, the day after Christmas, began with a quick shuttle trip from Albuquerque direct to Santa Fe, while passing many sunkissed snowy trails. I packed essentials and nonessentials, but mainly heavy coat, hats, gloves and wool scarves to keep warm and banter the winter chill.
The talk of the town is the Santa Fe Plaza holiday lights, so I was anxious to arrive before sundown in order to settle in and make my way to the historic Plaza for the evening lighting. I was mindful that Santa Fe was decked out in holiday décor from adorned Christmas trees and wreaths to glittering lights and everything colorful. I was humming “I’m in the mood for Santa Fe, simply because I’m here. Funny, when I’m here I’m in the mood for Santa Fe.”
Santa Fe Plaza holiday lights
In minutes I arrived at my holiday haven, the Eldorado Hotel & Spa with a warm welcome on my return. Soon after, I dropped my belongs in my attractive suite, anticipating relaxing by my Southwestern adobe Kiva fireplace. This past year the hotel, under Heritage Hotel ownership, has emerged with a fresh designer look and artistic embellishments, steeped in culture and history, which I do look forward to experiencing. They have added a luxurious chapel and Grand Ballroom.
Historical Pick Up
At this moment the streets were filled with people heading for The Plaza so I just followed along. It’s truly a marvelous spectacle to behold the more than 12,000 brilliant lights twinkling on the trees. Everyone comes to Santa Fe for a personal experience be it culture, nature, healing or spiritual and they do return. For me it was definitely curiosity to share the beauty of Santa Fe, the unique style of the holidays and to wander, perchance to feel the spirit and discover something new. This is truly a walking city; however, the pace is more laid back, since the altitude is 7,000 feet above sea level. I do savor hanging out at the Eldorado Hotel and to immerse myself in its casual luxury. I found my way back and stopped by the popular Agave Lounge to focus on tasty appetizers and a signature flavored Margarita. It’s a lively, friendly spot for visitors and locals to hobnob. The art of eating is high priority in Santa Fe and the award-winning Old House at the Eldorado continues to garner Best Dining in New Mexico accolades. I always seek their new dishes, although the specialty is dry-aged rib eye steaks.
El Dorado Hotel
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Bronze animal gallery
Georgia O’Keefe Gallery
Canyon Road
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With relaxation on my mind, morning pampering was spent at Nidah (the Native American word for New Life) Spa. The treatments here have a multitude of benefits, especially the Hot Stone Massage, which gets to the bottom of stress and relaxes the muscles. Santa Fe, the nation’s oldest state capital, is a city for all seasons, but the holidays are filled with custom, culture and colors as well as fresh falling snow with the backdrop of the snow-capped Sangre de Cristo Mountains. The buildings, galleries, churches and more flaunt their decorations, captured on my camera as I wandered up and down the winding streets. It feels good to travel as a free spirit without a daily plan, to experience the moment and take a chance on spontaneity. Even though I missed the traditional Farolito Walk on Canyon Road for Christmas Eve, which is a sight to behold with its candlelit bags filled with sand along the road leading to galleries and music, I still had a memorable gallery walk. There is no expiration date on memories, so in order to remind myself of Santa Fe’s culture and history, I spent quality time revisiting the New Mexico Museum of Art, Museum of International Folk Art, New Mexico History Museum at the historic Palace of the Governors, flanked by the Native Americans displaying their wares, and, always my favorite, the latest exhibit at the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum behind the Eldorado Hotel. These museums give a sense of purpose for the arts and culture that is New Mexico and Santa Fe.
Town Plaza shopping area
Hanukkah Display
Kettle Corn in town plaza
Mural of Indians
Plaza with trees and snow
Red Chili Peppers
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Adobe Gallery doors
Woven rugs
Shops decorated for the holiday
Cookbooks and gifts
Dress shop
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Gifts & Purses
While many winter visitors were taking advantage of ski slopes nearby, I was seeking shopping finds near The Plaza, boutiques at the Santa Fe Railway and trying on wonderful velvet outfits at Origins Store. Original velvet clothing dates back to the Navajo men’s ceremonial shirts though today women prefer ankle length velvet skirts. A holiday store, like Susan’s Christmas store, is the place where everything’s coming up crafts, ornaments and decorations. And after days of searching I found my own Santa Fe treasure, a one-ofa-kind copper and turquoise necklace at a Holiday Artists Marketplace. This city is a shopping mecca for any and everything artistic in many materials by skilled artisans, an opportunity to adore yourself and your home. Artistry is more than a business, it’s a passion and an irresistible force. New Year’s Eve morning was cool and crisp, as I took my morning stroll after reserving a ticket to the charity New Year’s Eve party at the Eldorado. By late afternoon, I was in my seat for the traditional afternoon New Year’s Eve musical extravaganza at the Lensic Performing Arts Center performance by the Santa Fe Symphony Orchestra, just steps away from the hotel. At the concert’s end, Santa Fe was snowy white. The Rock and Roll NYE party was awesome with lots of music, party favors and friendly locals, all here to bring in the New Year. New Year’s day in Santa Fe was here and I headed directly to popular Café Pasqual’s for brunch. I didn’t mind the wait to sit at the Community Table, a chance to chat with others on the first day of the New Year, while tasting huevos rancheros with blue corn enchiladas and smothered burritos. It didn’t take long to meet new people and a short time to get that warm feeling that lasted all day. I agree with those who came before me that Santa Fe is a great place to bring in the New Year. Good night old Santa Fe Good night old Santa Fe I’ll see you in my dreams. Connect at eldoradohotel.com. or call 800-916-4339.
WHAT TO DO DURING THE HOLIDAYS IN SANTA FE 2015 December 11 Feliz Navidad: A New Mexican Mariachi Christmas Lensic Theatre - 6 p.m. Family Holiday Show December 13 Las Posades at the Historic Plaza Recreation of Joseph and Mary looking for lodging December 13 Santa Fe Symphony Christmas Treasures Concert Lensic Performing Arts Theatre - 4 p.m. December 19 - 20 The Nutcracker Ballet Performance at Lensic Performing Arts Theatre December 24 Canyon Road Farolito Walk Traditional Christmas Eve stroll to see the lit candles in sand bags and luminaries (bonfires) while stopping at galleries December 31 Santa Fe Symphony New Year’s Eve Orchestra Concert Lensic Performing Arts Theatre – 5 p.m. To find out everything you want to know visit: santafe.org or santafenm.gov Or you can call: 800-777-2489
ABOUT THE AUTHOR BARBARA SINGER Barbara Singer is a Travel and Entertainment Writer and Photo Journalist, who has traveled the world looking for great destinations and fabulous film festivals. She has been an active NATJA member for 13 years and resides in Los Angeles and Santa Barbara.
Barbara Singer
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Quark Expeditions takes intrepid travelers on a cruise of a lifetime to the Great White Continent.
ANTARCTICA Beyond Expectations Story & Photos by Deborah Stone
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didn’t think the day could get any better as we witnessed a pod of magnificent Orcas gliding by our ship along with dozens of Painted Petrels riding the waves amid ice sculptures that could have been made by the likes of Michelangelo himself. But, it did, as soon as we stepped foot on land and were greeted by a welcoming committee of thousands of Adelie penguins dressed in their finest tuxes. The creatures paraded all around us as they headed to and from their nests on the rocks to the sea on a welltrafficked path, commonly referred to as the “penguin highway.” Most waddled in perfect linear formation, one after another, though occasionally a few would opt to slide down the hills in an effort to take a short cut to their destination. Consummate entertainers, they provided endless amusement and Kodak moments for their enthralled human audience. For most people, Antarctica brings to mind a mysterious, isolated place of frigid temps and extreme conditions. It’s a land of superlatives, being the highest, coldest, windiest and surprisingly driest continent in the world with the largest wilderness area. Most of its 5.4 million square miles is a vast permanent ice sheet averaging 8,000 feet in thickness. It’s hard to imagine this reality though until you actually visit the place and discover a pristine wonderland that goes far beyond expectations. Getting to the Great White Continent is an adventure in itself. The majority of travelers take an expedition cruise departing from Ushuaia, Argentina, known as “the end of the world” for its location at the extreme southern tip of South America. There are numerous companies offering such trips. I opted to book my cruise with Adventure Life because of its reputation in the industry for working with top polar voyage leaders, such as Quark Expeditions. On an 11-day, introductory Antarctic Explorer cruise, Quark’s Sea Adventurer was my home away from home. The ship boasted a wide range of creature comforts for its 117 guests plus crew, including a variety of compact cabins, spacious, window-walled observation lounge, main dining room, bar, small library, mini boutique, several storage areas, ample open deck space and, of course, the bridge, or navigational hub. It takes two days to reach Antarctica from Ushuaia and involves crossing the infamous Drake Passage. This is the body of water between South American
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and Antarctica that serves as a connecting point between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Frequented by icebergs and huge waves, and plagued by gale-force winds, this legendary passage can often be violent, chaotic and unpredictable. If Mother Nature is in a relatively calm mood, you’ll get to experience “The Drake Lake” with just a bit of rolling and pitching about – maybe only a oneDramamine kind of day. If not, you’ll be at the mercy of “The Dreaded Drake,” where you’ll feel like you’re on a bucking bronco that threatens to fling you from the ship. For those really affected by the severity of the motion, the safest course of action is to remain prone in your bed. You won’t be able to read, watch videos or concentrate on much of anything except your appreciation for being in a stalwart, sea-worthy vessel with a veteran captain and crew…and for having access to the ship doctor’s arsenal of motion sickness medication. Rough seas are not fun for most folks. Just know there’s light at the end of the tunnel and this, too, will pass. The discomfort is well-worth the rewards. If the situation is manageable, take advantage of all the fascinating educational presentations given by the expedition team on their areas of expertise from marine biology and ornithology to geology and history. Spend time bundled up outside on the deck watching the albatross circling the ship, go up to the bridge and learn about the navigational equipment, visit the gift shop and get yourself some Antarctica-themed merchandise, eat lots of cookies in the lounge and get to know your fellow passengers. On my cruise, there were people from all over the world – a mini United Nations of sort – who were wellseasoned travelers. For many, Antarctica was their seventh and final continent. You’ll also be engaged in a variety of mandatory activities such as picking up your boots and parkas, learning about the environmental protocols for shore landings, participating in safety drills and vacuuming your outer clothing and equipment to prevent spreading any invasive species. The two-day crossing really serves to gain not only physical, but psychological distance, from civilization. You can’t really appreciate how far removed Antarctica is until you sit on a boat for two days with not much to view except steel gray rolling waves as far as the eye can see. And that makes it all the more incredible when you spot your first iceberg and get your first glimpse of terra firma. Then the excitement builds as gradually the ship is surrounded by more ice sculptures and jagged mountains covered with snow and glaciers, presenting a photo directly out of the pages of a National Geographic Magazine.
Landscape extraordinaire surrounds you on all sides.
Penguins dress to impress.
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Ice takes on many unique shapes and colors.
Gigantic tabular bergs astound in size and proportion.
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isitors to the Great White Continent will find scenes of grandeur and magnificence, along with abundant marine life. The variety of ice will astound you and even more so when you learn that each kind has its own name. Passengers are provided with a glossary of terms in order to help them identify the different forms, ranging from anchor ice and bergy-bits to floe, growler and frazil. Of special note are the mammoth tabular bergs – flat-topped icebergs that are more or less parallel with the waterline. The glaciers, too, are impressive in size, and when calving occurs, the noise can be deafening. As we cruised through the islands surrounding the Antarctica Peninsula, we settled into a routine that consisted of at least two excursions a day. Zodiacs or inflatable boats, took us from the ship to land where we had time to wander around, watch the wildlife, take a hike and simply revel in the majestic scenery. The expedition team was always on hand to point out sensitive, off-limit areas, as well as to explain about the environment and the creatures inhabiting it. The penguins were the main attraction on these landings. They squawked and waddled, fetched rock after rock for their nests, splashed in the sea during their food forays and basically went about their business as usual without paying much attention to their human admirers. Like paparazzi, we followed them, cameras clicking away, as we attempted to capture every last comical pose. We never tired of watching and listening to these Antarctica celebrities. Most of the species we saw were either Adelie, Chinstrap or Gentoo penguins, and as it was December, they were still in the nesting stage. We were fortunate to spot one errant Macaroni penguin that seemed to have somehow gotten himself mixed in with the others. He stood out from the rest due to his bright yellow feathers on the top of his head.
Penguin Parenting
Nap time!
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It’s a rare landing that has a structure built on it.
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Stepping foot on the Great White Continent is a thrilling experience.
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On land, the penguins have no real predators. In the water, however, they can become fair game for seals, sea lions and whales. There are also certain birds, such as the skua, that will snatch the penguins’ eggs if they are exposed. We witnessed this on a few occasions and you had to admire these birds for their prowess and quick action. Along with the skua are other bird species that inhabit Antarctica including blue-eyed shags, Antarctic terns, kelp gulls, storm petrels, albatrosses, cormorants, snowy sheathbills and an assortment of geese and ducks. There were only two of the landings that we made which had buildings of any sort on them. At Hope Bay, there’s the Argentinean Research Station and at Port Lockroy, there’s an extraordinary historical museum inside the old British Antarctic Survey hut. One room within the facility is also a post office and gift shop where you can purchase stamps, postcards and souvenirs. Mail sent from Port Lockroy can take from three weeks to three months to reach its final destination. In addition to landings, we often took zodiac cruises along the coastline to get up an up close look at the ice bergs, bird rookeries and glaciers. Occasionally, we spotted seals sprawled across the glowing ice structures. Massive in size, they rarely moved from their frozen barcaloungers. And then there were the whales. Sometimes we were lucky to see them while in the zodiacs; other times, we intently observed them from the ship as they spouted or fed on large amounts of krill. These small crustaceans are abundant in Antarctic waters and virtually all of the animals in Antarctica are dependent on the enormous populations of krill for their food, directly or indirectly. When a large pod of humpbacks went by, it was akin to whales on parade – a magical Disneylike moment that felt unreal.
Kayaking is one optional activity offered during your cruise.
Depending on the cruise itinerary, Quark offers other optional activities that passengers can choose to participate in such as a one-night campout on land, kayaking, cross-country skiing and even standup paddleboarding. There’s also the opportunity to do a polar plunge. I joined 50 brave folks for this challenge that involved jumping into the icy cold 28 degree water from off of the ship’s lowest deck. The shock to your system when your body makes contact with this freezing aquatic milieu is indescribable. The good thing is that you are quickly pulled out, given a shot of vodka and wrapped in a towel before the whole experience actually registers. Those who successfully accomplished this feat are given certificates attesting to their insanity and have eternal bragging rights. Back on the ship, there’s no time to be bored. Quark values the educational component and the expedition team is passionate about sharing its wealth of knowledge about everything Antarctica. They are enthusiastic, fun and caring individuals that have a deep, abiding respect for this wondrous continent. In addition to the daily lectures, there are films, books about past explorations, maps, charts, photos and many resources for passengers to access. And, of course, there’s time to just try and soak it all in and treasure this dramatic place – the only spot on earth that is still as it should be, untamed and untouched.
If you go: www.adventure-life.com/antarctica
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A WORLD OF ADVENTURE IS AT YOUR FINGERTIPS
THE
In So Many Ways Just a short drive from Phoenix, Arizona, Sedona awaits you. Moderate temperatures in the daytime are perfect for swimming, kayaking or fishing. Hike or bike over 100 trails through the magnificent red rocks. And the cool nights will give you a chance to unplug and reconnect under the stars. Plan your adventure, today, at VisitSedona.com
ARIZONA
VisitSedona.com
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The Village
At Mammoth Lakes, California
Fireworks Display at Mammoth Village
By Carrie Dow The Village at Mammoth Lakes lights up the sky for the holidays. “Baby, you’re a firework!” It’s late in the evening and you’re standing under a sparkling sky, but it’s not the stars you’re looking at. One after another the fireworks burst into brilliant flickers of color and shape. Your kids are gazing, not down at their cell phones, but up into space while a grin turns into a smile turns into a laugh with each pop. As you glance at the crowd surrounding your family you realize it really is like that Katy Perry song. You hear the crowd say “oh, oh, oh” with each flash shooting across the sky. It might be a chilly New Year’s Eve, but the sights and sounds are keeping you warm.
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Mammoth’s Mascott “Woolly” at his Saturday Parade
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ammoth Lakes in California is a perfect little mountain town tucked into the Eastern Sierra with rugged mountains surrounding calm alpine lakes. This place screams outdoor adventure. In the winter the area’s snow covered peaks beckon snowboarders and skiers. But what really keeps people returning to this mountain town is the sense of community the town shows its visitors. With the holidays just around the corner, Mammoth Lakes is ready to welcome you and no place better defines that community spirit than The Village at Mammoth. The Village at Mammoth opened in the spring of 2003 providing a gathering place for locals and visitors to relax, dine and relive their mountain
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adventures in a comfortable atmosphere. The Village is one a stop shop for visitors because of the mix of lodging, retail and dining options and most importantly, gondola access to the mountain. The Village itself serves a variety of functions from family check point, to business meeting place to concert venue and movie theater in the summer. This time of year the plaza becomes a festive Winter Wonderland. During the holiday season the kids can enjoy Woolly’s Saturday Parades. Held every Saturday (except December 19) Mammoth’s mascot Woolly leads his friends around The Village with music and dancing. The fun starts with face painting at 3:45 p.m. and party favors get passed out shortly after. Woolly the Mammoth arrives at 4 p.m. with his friends Huck the Bear, Goldie the Eagle and Bucky the Deer for a parade of people around the plaza.
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hen the parade ends, it’s no coincidence that après ski begins. For parents, a late afternoon cocktail in The Village is a must. The hard part is selecting a place. 53 Kitchen & Cocktails has a variety of specialty cocktails with international flavors. Try the Jimi with Hendricks Gin, St. Germaine, and fresh lemon and hand-pressed cucumber for an afternoon refresher. For the adventurous try the Ol’ Smoky with Hickory Smoked Vodka and a house BBQ tomato mix with secret spices. Campo brings a slice of Naples, Italy, to the village with its wood-fired pizzas and both kids and adults can enjoy the large patio with bocce ball court. You’ll forget to keep score while enjoying the large selection of wines, cocktails and local brews from Mammoth Brewery and June Lake Brewing on tap. Also, only in The Village can you snow ski all day and relax under a thatched roof at night. Lakanuki Tiki Bar is an island oasis complete with totem bar stools and bamboo chaises. While the kids have non-alcoholic frozen daiquiris, parents can enjoy such tropical libations as Rum Runners, Mai Tais and Pina Coladas.
Alternative play area for the little ones
53 Kitchen & Cocktails
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O Mammoth Village Square
http://villageatmammoth.com/ http://www.visitmammoth.com/
Bocce Ball
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n a brisk, but sunny afternoon, some kids are enjoying a game of Ladder Golf in the plaza. Three boys and one girl take turns lofting two brightly colored plastic balls connected by a string in the air. Wrapping the balls around a ladder of PVC pipes is the goal. The pipes have three rungs and if they can get the string to wrap around the lowest rung, the most difficult to catch, they earn three points. The kids groan in unison when one catches the bottom rung, but instead unwind and fall to the ground. This is just a sampling of daily life in The Village. Kids and adults can play other games such as a giant Jenga, table tennis, bean bags and checkers while three fire pits keep everyone warm. Music is piped through the plaza sound system during the day. If it’s not too chilly, Gomez’ Restaurant has a sand box with toys for the littlest ones to dig around in. The Village is center of activity on a Mammoth winter vacation. Besides dining, there are shops including Busy Bee’s General Store which has everything you need or may have forgotten from home. After a day on the slopes a visit to Simple Massage Body Boutique is in order. Give your sweet tooth a fix at Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory or Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream. Need more gear? Alpine Approach and McCoy’s will get you suited up no matter what the Eastern Sierra weather brings. As the holidays get closer, The Village shines brighter. At the Night of Lights on December 19, guests will get a sample of what’s to come on New Year’s Eve. Take the gondola to Canyon Lodge for family activities from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. including snowmobile rides, a sledding hill and face painting. At 5 p.m. food concessions open and live music begins. Watch in wonder at the torchlight parade down the slope while the fireworks explode at 6:45 p.m. There is even an On-Snow AfterParty with Santa at 7:30 p.m. The event is free to attend, but special viewing with food packages on the roof of Canyon Lodge are available for purchase.
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ll this is merely a tune up to the big show on New Year’s Eve when The Village really shines. The fun starts with stilt performers in the plaza at 4:30 p.m. That turns into a live music concert from 6 to 9 p.m. The fireworks spectacular that will leave your family breathless starts at 9:15 p.m. The early fireworks show means the little ones don’t have stay awake past their bedtimes to enjoy New Year’s Eve. For adults, however, the night is just beginning. The Mammoth New Year’s Eve Party at Canyon Lodge starts at 9:30 p.m. with two DJs and special guest performers. Tickets for General Admission and VIP Lounge packages to the NYE party are available through The Village at Mammoth website. But no one has to leave the plaza to find a party. The Village will be hopping all evening long. Both 53 Kitchen and Cocktails and Gomez’s Restaurant along with Petra’s Bistro and Wine Bar and Smokeyard BBQ and Chop House will have New Year’s Eve dinners with music and fun after the fireworks.
Skier “Dave McCoy” Bronze
http://www.westinmammoth.com/ http://www.mammothmountain.com/winter/home
The Village at Mammoth is a merry place to make memories this holiday. Get ski and lodging information from The Village’s website or from VisitMammoth. com and lift tickets from Mammoth Mountain.com. Getting there: Mammoth Lakes is 325 miles north of Los Angeles, 259 miles east of San Francisco and only 164 miles from Reno, NV. Visitors can fly into Mammoth Lakes/Yosemite Airport on Alaska Airlines from Los Angeles and on United from San Francisco. Where to stay: The Westin Monache Resort next to The Village has a variety of studios, and one-, two-, and threebedroom suites. The resort is dog friendly and has a heated outdoor pool, Westin Workout fitness studio, ski and snowboard rentals and free local shuttle.
“The Village at Mammoth” stage sign
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IT HAS THE POWER TO RECONNECT A FAMILY, REKINDLE A ROMANCE, REJUVENATE A SOUL.
We’re not sure exactly what it is around here, but something magical happens when you just add water to your vacation. From the natural healing powers of our mineral hot springs to the beauty of Hanging Lake. From the fun of the world’s largest hot springs pool, to the recreational paradise supplied by our two rivers. Dads act younger. Moms laugh more. Brothers actually don’t mind sisters as much. Couples rediscover each other. And somewhere along the way, everyone remembers the feeling of unabashed joy. That’s the power of our water. Plan your Glenwood Springs getaway at VisitGlenwood.com.
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Copper Mountain’s Squeal Hill for little beginners
A MULTI-GENERATIONAL SKI TRIP To Steamboat Springs, Colorado Story & Photos by Julie Hatfield Copper Mountain Resort photos by Tripp Fay
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Steamboat Ski Resort Grand Hotel photos by Larry Pierce
multi-generational Christmastime ski trip may mean that not everyone in the group will ski, but being together in the snowy mountains will put you in the holiday mood anyway.
I’m part of the 30 percent-and-growing group of grandparents (according to the Travel Industry Association of America) who vacation with grandchildren because it’s one good way to bond when we live so far away from them. So I took a 14-month-old granddaughter skiing here the week before Christmas, even though she didn’t get up on the trails. But her dad, 50; aunt, 47, and big brother, 12, did, and it worked out beautifully and got us all into the Christmas mood, with the snow, the scenery and the town decorations cooperating.
Sabbath with d her aunt & da
What does one do all day with a toddler at Copper Mountain while her family skis? While almost every ski area has babysitting facilities, that’s not what we wanted. And it turns out Copper is more prepared for little ones than we could have imagined. Copper’s Critterland, an interactive play place for kids and parents to enjoy the snow together, is made for the very youngest snow bunnies. Colorful snow characters such as Bearilla, Elkguin, Squeal, Ducktopus, Cheetaphant and Alliroo can be found throughout the ski area tempting children to bring their parents to the area at the bottom of the Tubing Hill in East Village where they can ride together around Ducktopus in a tube and where even the littlest of kids can get the sensation of sliding on the snow.
Kid’s tub in Copper M g at ountain
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or children a little older than my granddaughter, Squeal Hill is a mini tubing hill for kids under 36-inches tall. Critter Crooked House is a cool escape for little ones to hide from their big brothers. Critterland is open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day for ages six and under.
itters Little cr ubing fun t g havin
Sabbath crawling to the foam pit at Woodward Barn
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Copper is the best place to prepare the littlest ones for actual skiing with its impressive action sports training ground called Woodward Copper Barn, a 19,400- square- foot year-round snowboard and ski training camp with programs for skiing, skateboarding, BMX and slope-style mountain biking. And, yes, the Barn is a great place to prepare a 14-monthold for eventual skiing, with its enormous beginner foam pit and a trainer to show the little one how to jump into it, crawl through tunnels, and hula hoop. Our little one didn’t even realize she was having a full hour of supervised exercise in the barn; she thought it was just plain fun.
Woodward Barn practice pit
Little c ritte having tubing rs fun
foam pit Playing in the
Steamboat Springs Ski Resort Grand Hotel decorated staircase
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teamboat Springs is a 100-mile drive from Copper through awesome mountain scenery, where we finished our holiday week. We chose to settle into the magnificent Steamboat Grand Hotel directly across from the main entrance to the ski mountain there, so close that guests can store their skis in lockers that sit by the gondola when they come down from skiing for the day.
Grand Hotel Steamboat Springs
Wonderment!
Feeling Christmas!
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Steamboat Springs Grand Hotel Penthouse
Penthouse Kitchen
Penthouse Private Sau na
Penthouse Master Bath
use Pentho room e B d Master
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teamboat has some private penthouse condos that can be rented, and ours proved to be the most luxurious ski accommodations we’ve ever experienced, with lovely Western décor and furnishings, fireplaces, stunning kitchen and huge bathrooms and its own sauna. The little one, though, was most impressed with the Steamboat Grand lobby, which had been decorated as if it was Santa’s workshop with elves, snowy Christmas trees, sparkly ornaments and greens, as well as Christmas fairy dolls. She was entranced every time we stopped in the lobby before taking her stroller for a spin around town. Steamboat offers entertainment of all kinds up on the mountain, even for those who don’t ski, such as a toddler. One night we all together took a gondola up the mountain for a family Western barbeque dinner complete with a live band and dancing.
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Great Cities
The BesT ATTrAcTions
save Money. save tiMe. Atlanta Boston chicago Dallas houston new York city Philadelphia san Francisco seattle southern california Tampa Bay Toronto
Learn more or buy at citypass.com
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In San Antonio, Holidays Mean Tamales Story & Photos by Leslie Long
After careful wrapping, my well-spiced tamales came out of the steamer.
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ON A DECEMBER TRIP TO TEXAS, I LEARNED HOW TO MAKE AND APPRECIATE TAMALES — AND THAT IT JUST WOULDN’T BE CHRISTMAS WITHOUT THEM.
A tall tree and flowing lights frame the iconic Alamo. Photo courtesy of: visitsanantonio.com
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efore this trip, I had no idea that tamales were inextricably linked to Christmas but it turns out they are part of las podadas, a traditional Mexican celebration commemorating Mary and Joseph’s quest for shelter before Jesus was born. Throughout the area, trays of tamales are served at home celebrations on Christmas Eve. If you don’t make them yourself, you have a favorite lady who does — and you get on her list well before the holidays. While not easy to make, tamales are easy to transport, store and serve to a crowd making them perfect for one of the most festive nights of the year. Well before Christmas comes the tamalada, a gathering during which the tamales are made by an experienced group of family and friends. At this annual social event, techniques are passed down from mothers to daughters. And while the tamalada includes the many steps in assembling the labor-intensive tamales, it also includes laughter, gossip, food, drinks and fun. During a visit to the colorful city of San Antonio in early December, I was immersed in tamale culture. On the same day, I had an expert lesson in tamale preparation followed by a visit to one of the town’s favorite annual gatherings: The Tamales! Holiday Festival held at the site of the former Pearl Brewery [http:// atpearl.com]. This lively outdoor event brings together vendors of all stripes for the dining pleasure of all.
Holiday Lights River Barge: Colorful, cascading strings of lights turn the River Walk into a fairyland. Photo courtesy of: visitsanantonio.com
AN ART MUSEUM TAUGHT US THE ART OF MAKING TAMALES. We started our day at the Witte Museum [links to: wittemuseum. org] where our group took part in La Tamalada: The Art of Tamale Making where we learned that tamales were served in Mexico as early as the 1550s.
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Fragrant, steeped chili pods provided juice to add flavor to our masa or corn dough.
Our tamale making adventure at the Witte Museum began with masa and lard, which we blended together
Opening the cornhusk, I smelled the combined scents of chili pods, corn, cumin and more. And then I ate them – delicious.
As I put the finishing touches on my tamales, our instructor collected the finished masterpieces for steaming.
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or the uninitiated (like me), a tamale is a made of various kinds of fillings that are steamed or boiled in a leaf or cornhusk wrapper. The process begins with a corn dough or masa, which we mixed with lard using our hands. I generously seasoned mine with cumin, chili powder, salt and some of the water used for cooking dried chili pods, giving it a nice pungent depth. Next, we took cooked beans and seasoned them similarly, also adding the cooked chili pods, which had mellowed into a pungent but not overly spicy richness. Once our fillings were prepared, our instructor Gloria Solis came by with soaked cornhusks in which we’d wrap everything. She expertly guided us in how to put it all together, which began with slathering the masa on the inside of the husk, leaving some room at each end. We added the beans and then rolled them into neat little packages, tying them together with a cornhusk strip. Off they went for steaming and when they came back, we opened them (no, you don’t eat the wrapper – something I didn’t realize the first time I was faced with a tamale!) to find they’re turned into warming, spicy, comforting creations. When working on my masa and beans, I kept adding more salt and spices to the point where I thought I’d overdone it, but once my tamales were steamed, they were flavorful and spiced just right, so over seasoning turned out to be a good idea.
THE TAMALES! HOLIDAY FESTIVAL SHOWED US HOW THE PROS DO IT.
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Next, our group hit the tamale festival [links to: http://atpearl.com/happenings/tamales] where over 40 vendors were selling their own individual take on tamales — from local
Senor and Senora Tamale entertained the crowd as they dined.
Colorful decorations livened up the vendor’s area at San Antonio’s annual tamale festival at the Pearl.
restaurants and regional home cooks to culinary students and accomplished chefs. Some tamales were wrapped in banana leaves, others in corn. Some, like the ones we’d made earlier, were filled with beans, others were filled with chicken mole, pork or various blends of vegetables. Lines were long at some booths and short at others, but to me, they were all delicious. There were tamales that sold for a dollar and others were as high as $4.00. Live music, children’s activities and a huge variety of affordable food made it a great afternoon.
Live Mexican music added to the atmosphere.
A festive feel and a city full of lights. With bright murals and buildings painted lively colors inside and out, San Antonio is not known for its neutral colors. For the holidays, it’s even more colorful. At the majestic Alamo, the holiday lights were truly artful. Along the River Walk, the display was magical and dreamy. From my hotel, The Westin Riverwalk [links to: http:// www.starwoodhotels.com/westin/property/overview/ index.html?propertyID=1167], it was a quick jaunt outside to see all this beauty on foot or by boat. I’d somehow expected the River Walk to be a touristy mecca of vendors and shops, but was pleasantly surprised that it was a quiet and lovely place to stroll with a few cafes and some tasteful shopping areas tucked away in pretty clusters off the main path. Inviting at any time of day, I got up very early one morning and happened upon a sunrise wedding along the walk. In the chill morning air, the guests were wrapped in blankets and smiling at the couple as the sun gradually warmed the scene. I wondered what they had planned for the rest of the wedding celebration and if trays of homemade tamales might be on the menu.
To find out more, call 1-800-447-3372 or go to visitsanantonio.com
Brightly colored paper decorations also added to the atmosphere.
Rudy’s Mexican Food was serving just what the crowd was looking for.
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Photo credit: Robert Demar / aerial view, Mark Gardner / bikes, Mike Bertrand / Friday Harbor, Jim Maya / whales
Lopez Island • Orcas Island • San Juan Island / Friday Harbor
InspIratIon For the senses VisitSanJuans.com
Explore Historic Friday Harbor Find Endless Adventure
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Discover Nature’s Splendor
CHRISTMAS and more at the
By Warren Resen
The Biltmore Estates at Christmas
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Photos Courtesy of RomanticAsheville.com Travel Guide hristmas in North Carolina at Asheville’s Biltmore House is a singular experience.
How does one go about planning decorations and events at the largest private residence ever built in the United States? How many light bulbs and miles of wire are needed to decorate a 175,000-square-foot house? This grand house was begun by George Washington Vanderbilt when he was 28 years old and a bachelor. “The House” officially opened in 1895. Mr. Vanderbilt was by then 35 years old and had acquired a wife. That year the first Christmas was celebrated on the estate. The
tradition continues to this day but in a manner probably not imagined by Vanderbilt but one which he would most likely approve of in its grandeur. Every year from early November through January 2nd visitors come to see the great house dressed in miles of ribbon, garlands, lights, and more than 40 decorated trees inside the house. A focal point in the Banquet Hall is a gloriously decorated 35-foot Fraser fir Christmas tree. Whenever possible the decorations hark back to the grandeur of the Golden Age of the late 19th Century. The house’s original electrification was personally done by George Vanderbilt’s good friend Thomas Edison at a time when most Americans did not have electricity.
Arriving at the house from the front gate, a drive of three miles, visitors are treated to a grouping of festive holiday trees on the front lawn featuring a 55- foot tall Norway spruce. At night the view of the trees with their myriad of blazing lights under the night sky is spectacular. During the holiday season there are two different experiences for visitors. Daytime tours of the seasonally decorated house are impressive. During the special Candlelight Christmas Evening tours, all of the house’s fireplaces are cheerily ablaze. The rooms take on a magical glow and lighted candles illuminate the holiday décor. In the evening, the intensity of the lighted decorations increases while soloists and
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s previously mentioned, it is the largest private residence ever built in this country with more than 250 rooms, 35 bedrooms, 43 bathrooms (when most Americans lacked indoor plumbing), 66 servant’s rooms, 65 fireplaces, a fire alarm system, electrical call box for servants, 2 elevators, elaborate indoor plumbing, that new novelty called a telephone, walk-in refrigerators , under-cabinet chilling systems in the kitchen to hold prepared foods, a 70,000-gallon indoor swimming pool, a two-lane bowling alley and many more innovative features under roof. Originally situated on 125,000 acres or 228 square miles of land, Biltmore has been pared down to a more manageable 8,000 acres of forests and streams, including its own farms and vineyards, formal gardens, and all manner of outdoor activities for visitors. An eclectic mix of restaurants from fast food to fine dining is located at many of the on-site venues I first became aware of Biltmore when watching the wonderful 1994 Award Winning movie “Being There” with Peter Sellers and Shirley MacLaine. Much of this highly recommended picture was filmed in the Biltmore House on the estate’s grounds. The Biltmore Estates Christmas Tree
choirs perform traditional Christmas music bringing holiday warmth to the extravagant holiday décor that is Biltmore. It is truly an evening to remember. Christmas at Biltmore is a special celebration and is considered one of the Southeast’s most elegant and awe-inspiring holiday travel destinations. Evening guests can also take advantage of Biltmore’s Antler Hill Village and Winery to enjoy free wine tastings. Advance reservations are required for evening visits. These reservations enable ticket holders to return during the day and experience the house and grounds in daylight. Each is a totally different experience.
Biltmore’s formal gardens, considered to be one of America’s finest, were designed by Frederick Law Olmstead known as the Dean of American Landscape Design. It was one of his many grand projects which included New York’s Central Park. At 125,000 acres, Biltmore was to be his last and greatest project. Visiting here is a four-season experience. Approximately 5,000 acres of gardens and woodlands are maintained by staff. Eighty or so varieties of roses and 50,000 tulips and many other types of plantings delight visitors at different times of the year. When in bloom, rhododendrons show bursts of color among the green of the woods. Fall is a delight for all with the forest’s vibrant colors stretching to the horizon. The admission fee gives visitor’s access to “The House,” Gardens and Grounds, Antler Hill Village and Winery, optional outdoor adventures and much more. There are a plethora of choices for everyone in “The House” throughout the 8,000 acres.
Tickets for the Candlelight Christmas Evenings are considered a “hot ticket” and those in the know order theirs as far in advance as possible to insure their place in line. But what exactly is the Biltmore Estate under all of its holiday finery?
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The Biltmore Estates Library
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fter purchasing tickets, visitors are directed to a parking lot from which busses take them to “The House” where the adventure begins. After leaving the mansion, busses return them to their cars at which time they can use their own transportation to roam the estate and visit Antler Hill Village & Winery, Deerpark, several restaurants or just wander the magnificent grounds at their own pace. At the Biltmore House many optional guided tours are offered that take visitors to parts of “The House” not included with general admission tickets. There are many from which to choose. We took the Butler’s Tour of the Biltmore. It was like being behind the scenes of our favorite TV series, Downton Abby. A one hour guided tour took us up and down back staircases, kitchens, prep rooms, staff dining room and staff bedrooms. We learned that in the grand mansions during this country’s Golden Age (1880’s early 1900’s, it was the Head Housekeeper not the Head Butler who ruled the roost. The available active outdoor activities include river trips, fly fishing, an equestrian center, trail rides, hiking, archery, sporting clays, Segway tours, Range Rover off-road driving, bicycle riding on 22 miles of trails and much more. For those interested in less strenuous outdoor activities there is the new Antler Hill Village. Opened in 2010, the Village is the center for information about Vanderbilt family history and features live entertainment, dining and shopping. There restaurants, coffee, ice cream, pastry and sandwich shops. It is also the location of the famous Biltmore Winery. The most visited winery in the United States is not in California’s Napa Valley but right here in the mountains of North Carolina at the Biltmore Estate. The Biltmore Winery hosts approximately 600,000 visitors a year who stop by for a free tour and samples of the Biltmore vineyard’s offerings. George and Edith Vanderbilt had one child, Cornelia, born in 1900. The Vanderbilt’s were married for only 16 years when George died from complications of surgery in 1914. He was 52 years old. Edith remained at the Biltmore house and ran the estate.
The Biltmore Estates Christmas Tree
In 1930, during the Great Depression, the Biltmore Estate was opened to the public for the first time. It was hoped this would increase tourism in the Asheville area and that visitor admissions would help defray costs of running the Estate. Both things came to pass. Today, more than a million visitors pass through the gates every year. The Biltmore Estate is privately owned and supported entirely by admission fees. There is neither government funding nor grants. A question frequently asked is why the property is called Biltmore? The Vanderbilt family originally came from Holland. George Vanderbilt called his estate Biltmore - from “Bildt,” the Dutch town where his ancestors originated, and “more” an old English word for open, rolling land. If you have only one day to spend at the Biltmore Estate, do your home work. Go to their web site (http://www.biltmore.com/) and check out what is of interest to you. The Biltmore House will of course be #1, but then go to the other venues and make a list in order of interest, of the other things you would like to experience.
The Biltmore Estates Winter Garden Glass Ceiling
We spent two leisurely days touring this wonderful property and still did not experience all it had to offer. If you can’t do everything during a one day visit, you might want to plan on coming back during another season to continue the tour.
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DESTINATION INFORMATION EXPLORE BRANSON, MO
Branson, Missouri, nestled in the lakeside beauty of the Ozark Mountains, is America’s affordable, wholesome family entertainment capital that emphasizes fun, comfort and the feeling of being right at home. Featuring an array of live theaters and attraction venues and active recreational pursuits, the community embodies essential American values such as patriotism, faith, courage and generosity of spirit in a warm inviting atmosphere that is truly genuine and heartfelt. www.explorebranson.com
UNITED STATES ALABAMA
Greater Birmingham Conv. & Visitors Bureau (205) 458-8000 http://www.birminghamal.org
VISIT PHOENIX, AZ
DISCOVER OXNARD, CA
Desert character. It can’t be conjured, landscaped or kindled with twinkling bulbs. Projected against this rugged backdrop is a panorama of charm: Resorts and spas infused with Native American tradition. Golf courses that stay emerald green in the middle of winter. Mountain parks crisscrossed with trails. Sports arenas worthy of the Super Bowl. Restaurants that invite you to dine beneath sunshine or stars.This is the desert you never knew. Discover it. www.visitphoenix.com
Nestled along the Pacific Coast between Los Angeles and Santa Barbara, Oxnard, California offers everything you need for a great vacation. Catch a boat out of our scenic marina for a whale watching cruise or to explore the Channel Islands National Park, “America’s Galapagos.” Enjoy miles of uncrowded beaches and oceanfront bike trails. Grab a kayak, ride the ocean on a paddle board, soak up Southern California’s beautiful-year-round weather. Play at our world-class golf courses and taste local wines along the Ventura County Wine Trail. Celebrate the sunset. It’s time to discover Oxnard!
CALIFORNIA (cont’d)
FLORIDA (cont’d)
Visit Palm Springs (760) 778-8415 www.visitpalmsprings.com
INDIANA
Visit Oxnard (805) 385-7545 http://www.visitoxnard.com
Hunstville/Madison County Convention & Visitors Bureau (256) 551-2235 http://www.huntsville.org
COLORADO
ALASKA
CONNECTICUT
Explore Fairbanks 907-459-3770 http://www.ExploreFairbanks.com
ARIZONA
Sedona Chamber of Commerce (928) 282-7722 http://www.visitsedona.com
ARKANSAS
Arkansas Department of Parks & Tourism Phone: 501-682-7602 Website: http://www.Arkansas.com Little Rock Convention & Visitors Bureau 501-370-3224 www.LittleRock.com North Little Rock Visitors Bureau 501-758-1424 www.NorthLittleRock.org
CALIFORNIA
Solvang Conference & Visitors Bureau Phone: 805-688-6144 Website: http://www.solvangusa.com/
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www.visitoxnard.com
Glenwood Springs Chamber Resort Assoc. (970) 945-5002 http://www.glenwoodchamber.com/ Litchfield Hills and Fairfield CountyWestern CT CVB (860) 567-5406 http://www.visitwesternct.com/
FLORIDA
Franklin County Tourist Development Council (850) 653-8678 http://www.saltyflorida.com/ Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau Phone: 305-539-3000 Website: http://www.miamiandbeaches.com Santa Rosa Tourist Development Office (850) 939-2691 http://www.floridasplayground.com/ Visit Sarasota County (941) 955-0991 http://www.visitsarasota.org Lee County CVB (239) 338-3500 www.leecvb.com
Visit Tampa Bay (813) 342-4052 http://www.visittampabay.com Visit South Bend Mishawaka Phone: 574-400-4025
LOUISIANA
Jefferson County Convention & Visitors Bureau 504-731-7083 www.ExperienceJefferson.com
MASSACHUSETTS
Open the Door, Inc. 617-536-0590 http://www.openthedoor.biz/
MICHIGAN
Greater Lansing CVB (517) 377-1423 http://www.lansing.org/
MISSISSIPPI
Visit Natchez (601) 446-6345 http://www.natchez.org
MISSOURI
Branson/Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce & Convention & Visitors Bureau (417) 243-2137 http://bransoncvb.com/
NEW YORK
Finn Partners 212-715-1600 www.FinnPartners.com
DESTINATION INFORMATION (Cont’d.) VISIT PALM SPRINGS
GLENWOOD SPRINGS, CO
Palm Springs, California is known for its storied Hollywood legacy, Native American heritage and stellar collection of mid-century modern architecture. Palm Springs is California’s ultimate desert playground. It truly is like no place else. Lounging by the pool and soaking up the sun is always a favorite pastime. If you want to explore the outdoors and enjoy the beautiful climate, there are plenty of activities. Soar to the top of Mount San Jacinto on the world famous Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, hike scenic trails and stroll through the ancient palm groves in the Indian Canyons, or take an off-road excursion of Joshua Tree National Park or the San Andreas Fault.
Take a ticket to your next Colorado Rocky Mountain adventure by exploring “America’s Most Fun Town,” Glenwood Springs, Colorado! For over a century, visitors from around the globe have added Glenwood Springs to their travel itineraries. Our destination is family friendly, affordable, and blessed with a remarkable mix of geological wonders including hot springs, vapor caves, two rivers and a canyon, surrounded by the glorious Rocky Mountains. Whether you crave hiking, biking, fishing, outdoor activities or relaxing spa time, you’ll find it all in Glenwood Springs.
www.VisitPalmSprings.com
www.glenwoodchamber.com
NEW YORK (cont’d)
TENNESSEE
Ulster County Tourism 845-340-3568 www.UlsterTourism.info
TEXAS
Turning Stone Resort Casino 800-771-7711 www.TurningStone.com
NORTH CAROLINA
Outer Banks Visitors Bureau (252) 473-2138 www.outerbanks.org
OKLAHOMA:
Oklahoma City Convention & Visitors Bureau Phone: 405-297-8973 Website: http://www.visitokc.com
OREGON:
Washington County Visitors Association Phone: 503-644-5555 Website: http://tualatinvalley.org
RHODE ISLAND
Newport, Rhode Island CVB (401) 845-9117 www.GoNewport.com South County Tourism Council Phone: 401-489-4422 Website: http://www.southcountyRI.com
SOUTH DAKOTA
Aberdeen Area Convention & Visitors Bureau (605) 225-2414 http://www.visitaberdeen.com
Cherohala Skyway National Scenic Byway (423) 442-9147 http://monroecounty.com/ Galveston Island CVB (405) 797-5152 http://www.galveston.com Virtuoso Life Magazine 817-334-8680 www.Virtuoso.com
VIRGINIA
Hampton Convention & Visitor Bureau (VA) (757) 728-5316 http://visithampton.com/ Lynchburg Regional Convention and Visitors Bureau Phone: 434-485-7269 Visit Norfolk Today (757) 664-6620 http://wwwvisitnorfolktoday.com
VISIT SALTY, FLORIDA
We’re Salty! If you’re looking for the old Florida experience you’ll find it in Franklin County. Tucked along Florida’s Panhandle, the coastal communities of Alligator Point, Apalachicola, Carrabelle, Eastpoint, and St. George Island offer beaches, history, adventure and fresh Apalachicola Bay seafood served up in an authentic “salty” setting. Relax on award-winning, pet-friendly beaches, climb historic lighthouses, charter eco-tours and fishing trips or bring your own gear and enjoy camping, paddling and hiking on acres of wooded trails and miles of quiet streams. Tee up on a championship golf course, enjoy live theatre performances in an historic venue and browse local galleries, museums and shops. Fresh local seafood is served at more than 30 area restaurants and local seafood markets.
www.saltyflorida.com
WEST VIRGINIA
Pocahontas County CVB (304) 799-4636 http://www.pocahontascountywv.com/
WISCONSIN:
VISIT Milwaukee Phone: 4145079009
TRAVEL SERVICES Auto Europe Phone: 207-842-2038 Website: http://www.autoeurope.com City Pass Toll Free (888) 330-5008 Direct: (208) 787-4300 www.citypass.com
CANADA QUEBEC
Quebec City Tourism (418) 641-6654, 5421 http://www.quebecregion.com
WASHINGTON
San Juan Islands Visitors Bureau (360) 378-6822 http://visitsanjuans.com/ Whidbey and Camano Islands Tourism (360) 629-7136 http://www.whidbeycamanoislands.com/
MEXICO PUERTO VALLARTA Visit Puerto Vallarta (212) 633-2047 www.visitpuertovallarta.com
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