![\"Photo](\"https:\/\/www.orbitz.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/The-Ice-Rink-at-The-Cosmopolitan-of-Las-Vegas-1.jpg\")
Photo courtesy of The Cosmopolitan<\/p><\/div>\n
1. Ice rink in the sky<\/strong><\/h3>\nTwirl\u00a0high above\u00a0the bright lights of the Las Vegas Strip. The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas<\/span><\/a> transforms its Boulevard\u00a0Pool into 4,200 feet of real ice. Light snowfalls and opportunities to roast s’mores\u00a0by the fire further transport guests to a sky-high winter wonderland.\u00a0The rink is\u00a0open to the public from November 25 to January 2, 2017.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n
![\"Photo](\"https:\/\/www.orbitz.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/Dining-in-Gingerbread-ritz-carlton-dove-mountain.jpg\")
Photo courtesy of Ritz Carlton Dove Mountain<\/p><\/div>\n
2. Dine-in gingerbread house<\/strong><\/h3>\nIt’s a holiday fantasy\u00a0come true.\u00a0The Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain<\/span><\/a> in Arizona features a gigantic gingerbread house where\u00a0parties of up to six can dine.\u00a0Yes, you’re feasting\u00a0inside<\/em>\u00a0this sweet-smelling house. (The house, by the way, is made with 400 pounds of honey, 856 pounds of sugar, 350 pounds of flour, 100 pounds of ginger powder, 50 pounds of cinnamon, 10 pounds of nutmeg and 25o eggs.) Reservations are being taken for November 28\u2014December 26.<\/p>\n![\"Photo](\"https:\/\/www.orbitz.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/gaylord-slides.jpg\")
Photo courtesy of Gaylord Opryland<\/p><\/div>\n
3. The North Pole comes to Nashville<\/strong><\/h3>\nIn Nashville, The Gaylord Opryland<\/span><\/a> goes all out\u2014with ice\u2014for the holiday season. Its 33rd annual “A Country Christmas” (November 11 \u2013 January 1, 2017) transforms the grounds into a theme park-like atmosphere\u00a0evoking a spirited North Pole. Among the highlights:\u00a02 million pounds of colorful, larger-than-life ice sculptures hand-carved by 40 master artisans; an extreme snow tubing hill covered in 1.5 million pounds of real snow; a 6,000-square-foot ice rink; and multi-story ice slides.<\/p>\n![\"Photo](\"https:\/\/www.orbitz.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/LPNYC_ChocolateBars.jpg\")
Photo courtesy of the Langham Place<\/p><\/div>\n
4. A Willy Wonka-inspired\u00a0$10,000 upgrade<\/strong><\/h3>\nChocolate was never a better investment. One guest at the Langham Place, New York<\/span><\/a>\u00a0will be upgraded to\u00a0a $10,000-per-night, tricked-out suite with insane city views if\u00a0they purchase a $4 chocolate bar in their guest room that\u00a0holds the golden ticket.\u00a0This isn’t pure imagination; it’s an early Christmas present\u00a0for one lucky winner. So definitely indulge in that\u00a0mini-bar chocolate.<\/p>\n![\"Photo](\"https:\/\/www.orbitz.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/ritz-carlton-charlotte.jpg\")
Photo courtesy of Ritz Carlton Charlotte<\/p><\/div>\n
5. Christmas trees that we want to eat<\/strong><\/h3>\nIt’s\u00a0a sweet tooth fantasy! In North Carolina, The Ritz-Carlton, Charlotte<\/span><\/a> has not one, but four<\/em>\u00a0Christmas trees made completely out of French-inspired desserts. The lobby\u00a0boasts three\u00a0trees made entirely out of\u00a0macaroons\u2014one has 8,000 macaroons alone. The hotel features a fourth\u00a0towering “tree” of croquembouche<\/em>,\u00a0a dessert consisting of flaky pastry balls piled high and bound with threads of caramel. It may prove challenging, but resist\u00a0the\u00a0temptation to devour these trees.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n
![\"Photo](\"https:\/\/www.orbitz.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/YOTEL-Holiday.jpg\")
Photo courtesy of the YOTEL<\/p><\/div>\n
6. #YOBOTSanta dolls out free travel gifts<\/strong><\/h3>\nThe luggage-storing robot concierge at YOTEL New York<\/span><\/a> turns into a high-tech Santa Claus this\u00a0December. #YOBOTSanta will gift 12 lucky guests who select prize-holding storage bins with surprises such as free round trip flights, hotel stays and tech-savvy gifts. What’s more, another 12 winners will be announced online when they participate virtually here<\/a>.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n
![\"Bellagio](\"https:\/\/www.orbitz.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/bellagio-fountains.jpg\")
Bellagio Fountains | Flickr CC: Chris Parker <\/a><\/p><\/div>\n7. Dancing fountains: The holiday edition<\/strong><\/h3>\nThe Bellagio<\/span><\/a>‘s choreographed water ballet is an iconic, year-round attraction on the Las Vegas Strip. It takes on a seasonal spin for the holidays, however, when the mesmerizing fountains\u00a0and lights dance to tunes such as the “Hallelujah Chorus” (as performed by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir), “O Holy Night” (as performed by Placido Domingo) and “Santa Baby” (as performed by Madonna). Performances occur every 15 to 30 minutes.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n
![\"Photo](\"https:\/\/www.orbitz.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/Desert-Ice-Elevated-Rink-Shot.jpg\")
Photo courtesy of the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess<\/p><\/div>\n
8. Ice rink in\u00a0a twinkling desert<\/strong><\/h3>\nIf you thought the Christmas lights on your block were pretty spectacular,\u00a0the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess<\/span><\/a> in Arizona will probably\u00a0top that. The resort turns into a dazzling winter wonderland with 3 million lights, 200 decorated trees, a 20-foot snowman, singing reindeer, a candy cane forest, a four-story musical tree and much more. Take a spin on the 6,000-square-foot desert ice rink, which is made with real ice\u2014quite the anomaly\u00a0in the desert.<\/p>\nALSO:<\/strong> What’s Orbitz Rewards doing for Christmas? Treating you to big travel rewards on flights and hotels. Join now\u2014it’s free!<\/a><\/p>\n![\"Photo](\"https:\/\/www.orbitz.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/williamsburg-inn-FifesandDrums.jpg\")
Photo courtesy of the Williamsburg Inn<\/p><\/div>\n
9. The spirit\u00a0of Charles Dickens<\/strong><\/h3>\nA literary legacy for the Christmas season is alive at The Williamsburg Inn<\/span><\/a> in Williamsburg, Virginia. Listen to the\u00a0great-great grandson ofCharles Dickens present his one-man retelling of the beloved classic “A Christmas Carol” over tea. The event is\u00a0offered several times this year and has become a Colonial Williamsburg favorite\u2014along with\u00a0strolling through the historic village, which is decked out in traditional holiday adornments that’ll transport you back to 18th-century America.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n
![\"Photo](\"https:\/\/www.orbitz.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/pirate-ship-ritz-carlton-amelia-island.jpg\")
Photo courtesy of Ritz Carlton Amelia Island<\/p><\/div>\n
10. A gingerbread “house” Captain Jack Sparrow would love<\/strong><\/h3>\nBecause a\u00a0gingerbread house is way too predictable. Instead,\u00a0The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island<\/span><\/a> in Florida erects\u00a0the “world’s largest” gingerbread pirate ship<\/em> in its lobby. The 14-foot decadent vessel is a tribute to the legends and lore of Amelia Island and takes a crew of eight pastry chefs 350 hours to prepare, followed by\u00a0a marathon nine-hour assembly. The sweet-smelling ship stays docked in the lobby November 23 through December 28.<\/p>\n![\"Florida,](\"https:\/\/www.orbitz.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/florida.png\")
Photo courtesy of Sandpearl Resort<\/p><\/div>\n
11. Santa in the sand<\/strong><\/h3>\nThe Sandpearl Resort<\/span><\/a> in Clearwater Beach, Florida, celebrates the holidays with Florida flair\u00a0by sculpting a massive 10,000-pound sand sculpture around a holiday theme. This year’s is called “Christmas Corals” and will feature Santa playing a piano made out of coral.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n
![\"Photo](\"https:\/\/www.orbitz.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/sun-valley.ChristmasShow.jpg\")
Photo courtesy of Sun Valley<\/p><\/div>\n
12. Holiday magic in the mountains<\/strong><\/h3>\nThe Sun Valley Resort<\/span><\/a> in Idaho brings a bit of Old World Europe to its\u00a0mountain setting. It hosts its inaugural\u00a0open-air Christmas market in the pedestrian-only Sun Valley Village, where you can meander around stalls selling roasted\u00a0nuts, holiday\u00a0handicrafts and more. This is part of a bigger holiday extravaganza that culminates in\u00a0a spectacular\u00a080-year-old tradition on Christmas Eve: a torchlight parade down Dollar Mountain followed by fireworks\u00a0over the mountains.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n
![\"Photo](\"https:\/\/www.orbitz.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/the-roosevelt-new-orleans.jpg\")
Photo courtesy of The Roosevelt New Orleans<\/p><\/div>\n
13. A Papa\u00a0No\u00ebl tradition<\/strong><\/h3>\nMeander\u00a0through New Orleans’ most famous lobby\u2014a block long!\u2014during the holidays, and your eyes are sure to go wide. The Roosevelt Hotel<\/a><\/span>\u00a0transforms its epic entrance into\u00a0something out of a Christmas fairytale. A tradition since the 1930s, it’s an experience\u00a0that year after year attracts even the locals. Enchantment comes in the form of more\u00a0than 60,000 twinkling lights, 46 Christmas trees, 22 birch trees and massive amounts of garland. Top off the holiday ogling with a trip\u00a0to the hotel’s\u00a0Sazerac Bar to sip\u00a0drinks\u00a0such as the\u00a0chilled Mrs. Claus’ Cookie or Cajun Hot Buttered Rum.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n
![\"Photo](\"https:\/\/www.orbitz.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/ritz-carlton-laguna-SurfingSantas-31.jpg\")
Photo courtesy of Ritz Carlton Laguna<\/p><\/div>\n
14. Surfing Santas<\/strong><\/h3>\nWe all knew he\u00a0was a master at riding a sleigh … but a surf board? In California, The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel<\/span><\/a>\u00a0hosts an\u00a0annual surfing competition where multiple Santas can be\u00a0found hanging ten.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n
![\"Photo](\"https:\/\/www.orbitz.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/Scuba-Santa-2013-3-mandalay-bay.jpg\")
Photo courtesy of Mandalay Bay<\/p><\/div>\n
15. SCUBA Santa<\/strong><\/h3>\nFrom hanging ten to a deep dive below, the Santa at Mandalay Bay<\/span><\/a> in Las Vegas prefers to entertain hotel guests from underwater. Heplunges into the Shark Reef Aquarium, with his sidekick Santa Jaws, after visiting\u00a0with wide-eyed children on select dates in December.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n
![\"Photo](\"https:\/\/www.orbitz.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/Santa-Arrival-by-Canoe.jpg\")
Photo courtesy of the Grand Waliea Resort<\/p><\/div>\n
16. Santa in paradise<\/strong><\/h3>\nForget the sleigh, surfboard or SCUBA\u00a0equipment. In Maui, Santa makes a regal Hawaiian entrance in a\u00a0traditional outrigger canoe with lots of tropical pomp and circumstance. It’s part of the “Aloha”-inspired holiday revelry put together by the Grand Waliea Resort<\/span><\/a>.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Photo courtesy of Ritz Carlton Dove Mountain<\/p><\/div>\n
2. Dine-in gingerbread house<\/strong><\/h3>\nIt’s a holiday fantasy\u00a0come true.\u00a0The Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain<\/span><\/a> in Arizona features a gigantic gingerbread house where\u00a0parties of up to six can dine.\u00a0Yes, you’re feasting\u00a0inside<\/em>\u00a0this sweet-smelling house. (The house, by the way, is made with 400 pounds of honey, 856 pounds of sugar, 350 pounds of flour, 100 pounds of ginger powder, 50 pounds of cinnamon, 10 pounds of nutmeg and 25o eggs.) Reservations are being taken for November 28\u2014December 26.<\/p>\nPhoto courtesy of Gaylord Opryland<\/p><\/div>\n
3. The North Pole comes to Nashville<\/strong><\/h3>\nIn Nashville, The Gaylord Opryland<\/span><\/a> goes all out\u2014with ice\u2014for the holiday season. Its 33rd annual “A Country Christmas” (November 11 \u2013 January 1, 2017) transforms the grounds into a theme park-like atmosphere\u00a0evoking a spirited North Pole. Among the highlights:\u00a02 million pounds of colorful, larger-than-life ice sculptures hand-carved by 40 master artisans; an extreme snow tubing hill covered in 1.5 million pounds of real snow; a 6,000-square-foot ice rink; and multi-story ice slides.<\/p>\nPhoto courtesy of the Langham Place<\/p><\/div>\n
4. A Willy Wonka-inspired\u00a0$10,000 upgrade<\/strong><\/h3>\nChocolate was never a better investment. One guest at the Langham Place, New York<\/span><\/a>\u00a0will be upgraded to\u00a0a $10,000-per-night, tricked-out suite with insane city views if\u00a0they purchase a $4 chocolate bar in their guest room that\u00a0holds the golden ticket.\u00a0This isn’t pure imagination; it’s an early Christmas present\u00a0for one lucky winner. So definitely indulge in that\u00a0mini-bar chocolate.<\/p>\nPhoto courtesy of Ritz Carlton Charlotte<\/p><\/div>\n
5. Christmas trees that we want to eat<\/strong><\/h3>\nIt’s\u00a0a sweet tooth fantasy! In North Carolina, The Ritz-Carlton, Charlotte<\/span><\/a> has not one, but four<\/em>\u00a0Christmas trees made completely out of French-inspired desserts. The lobby\u00a0boasts three\u00a0trees made entirely out of\u00a0macaroons\u2014one has 8,000 macaroons alone. The hotel features a fourth\u00a0towering “tree” of croquembouche<\/em>,\u00a0a dessert consisting of flaky pastry balls piled high and bound with threads of caramel. It may prove challenging, but resist\u00a0the\u00a0temptation to devour these trees.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n
Photo courtesy of the YOTEL<\/p><\/div>\n
6. #YOBOTSanta dolls out free travel gifts<\/strong><\/h3>\nThe luggage-storing robot concierge at YOTEL New York<\/span><\/a> turns into a high-tech Santa Claus this\u00a0December. #YOBOTSanta will gift 12 lucky guests who select prize-holding storage bins with surprises such as free round trip flights, hotel stays and tech-savvy gifts. What’s more, another 12 winners will be announced online when they participate virtually here<\/a>.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n
Bellagio Fountains | Flickr CC: Chris Parker <\/a><\/p><\/div>\n7. Dancing fountains: The holiday edition<\/strong><\/h3>\nThe Bellagio<\/span><\/a>‘s choreographed water ballet is an iconic, year-round attraction on the Las Vegas Strip. It takes on a seasonal spin for the holidays, however, when the mesmerizing fountains\u00a0and lights dance to tunes such as the “Hallelujah Chorus” (as performed by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir), “O Holy Night” (as performed by Placido Domingo) and “Santa Baby” (as performed by Madonna). Performances occur every 15 to 30 minutes.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n
Photo courtesy of the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess<\/p><\/div>\n
8. Ice rink in\u00a0a twinkling desert<\/strong><\/h3>\nIf you thought the Christmas lights on your block were pretty spectacular,\u00a0the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess<\/span><\/a> in Arizona will probably\u00a0top that. The resort turns into a dazzling winter wonderland with 3 million lights, 200 decorated trees, a 20-foot snowman, singing reindeer, a candy cane forest, a four-story musical tree and much more. Take a spin on the 6,000-square-foot desert ice rink, which is made with real ice\u2014quite the anomaly\u00a0in the desert.<\/p>\nALSO:<\/strong> What’s Orbitz Rewards doing for Christmas? Treating you to big travel rewards on flights and hotels. Join now\u2014it’s free!<\/a><\/p>\nPhoto courtesy of the Williamsburg Inn<\/p><\/div>\n
9. The spirit\u00a0of Charles Dickens<\/strong><\/h3>\nA literary legacy for the Christmas season is alive at The Williamsburg Inn<\/span><\/a> in Williamsburg, Virginia. Listen to the\u00a0great-great grandson ofCharles Dickens present his one-man retelling of the beloved classic “A Christmas Carol” over tea. The event is\u00a0offered several times this year and has become a Colonial Williamsburg favorite\u2014along with\u00a0strolling through the historic village, which is decked out in traditional holiday adornments that’ll transport you back to 18th-century America.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n
Photo courtesy of Ritz Carlton Amelia Island<\/p><\/div>\n
10. A gingerbread “house” Captain Jack Sparrow would love<\/strong><\/h3>\nBecause a\u00a0gingerbread house is way too predictable. Instead,\u00a0The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island<\/span><\/a> in Florida erects\u00a0the “world’s largest” gingerbread pirate ship<\/em> in its lobby. The 14-foot decadent vessel is a tribute to the legends and lore of Amelia Island and takes a crew of eight pastry chefs 350 hours to prepare, followed by\u00a0a marathon nine-hour assembly. The sweet-smelling ship stays docked in the lobby November 23 through December 28.<\/p>\nPhoto courtesy of Sandpearl Resort<\/p><\/div>\n
11. Santa in the sand<\/strong><\/h3>\nThe Sandpearl Resort<\/span><\/a> in Clearwater Beach, Florida, celebrates the holidays with Florida flair\u00a0by sculpting a massive 10,000-pound sand sculpture around a holiday theme. This year’s is called “Christmas Corals” and will feature Santa playing a piano made out of coral.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n
Photo courtesy of Sun Valley<\/p><\/div>\n
12. Holiday magic in the mountains<\/strong><\/h3>\nThe Sun Valley Resort<\/span><\/a> in Idaho brings a bit of Old World Europe to its\u00a0mountain setting. It hosts its inaugural\u00a0open-air Christmas market in the pedestrian-only Sun Valley Village, where you can meander around stalls selling roasted\u00a0nuts, holiday\u00a0handicrafts and more. This is part of a bigger holiday extravaganza that culminates in\u00a0a spectacular\u00a080-year-old tradition on Christmas Eve: a torchlight parade down Dollar Mountain followed by fireworks\u00a0over the mountains.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n
Photo courtesy of The Roosevelt New Orleans<\/p><\/div>\n
13. A Papa\u00a0No\u00ebl tradition<\/strong><\/h3>\nMeander\u00a0through New Orleans’ most famous lobby\u2014a block long!\u2014during the holidays, and your eyes are sure to go wide. The Roosevelt Hotel<\/a><\/span>\u00a0transforms its epic entrance into\u00a0something out of a Christmas fairytale. A tradition since the 1930s, it’s an experience\u00a0that year after year attracts even the locals. Enchantment comes in the form of more\u00a0than 60,000 twinkling lights, 46 Christmas trees, 22 birch trees and massive amounts of garland. Top off the holiday ogling with a trip\u00a0to the hotel’s\u00a0Sazerac Bar to sip\u00a0drinks\u00a0such as the\u00a0chilled Mrs. Claus’ Cookie or Cajun Hot Buttered Rum.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n
Photo courtesy of Ritz Carlton Laguna<\/p><\/div>\n
14. Surfing Santas<\/strong><\/h3>\nWe all knew he\u00a0was a master at riding a sleigh … but a surf board? In California, The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel<\/span><\/a>\u00a0hosts an\u00a0annual surfing competition where multiple Santas can be\u00a0found hanging ten.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n
Photo courtesy of Mandalay Bay<\/p><\/div>\n
15. SCUBA Santa<\/strong><\/h3>\nFrom hanging ten to a deep dive below, the Santa at Mandalay Bay<\/span><\/a> in Las Vegas prefers to entertain hotel guests from underwater. Heplunges into the Shark Reef Aquarium, with his sidekick Santa Jaws, after visiting\u00a0with wide-eyed children on select dates in December.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n
Photo courtesy of the Grand Waliea Resort<\/p><\/div>\n
16. Santa in paradise<\/strong><\/h3>\nForget the sleigh, surfboard or SCUBA\u00a0equipment. In Maui, Santa makes a regal Hawaiian entrance in a\u00a0traditional outrigger canoe with lots of tropical pomp and circumstance. It’s part of the “Aloha”-inspired holiday revelry put together by the Grand Waliea Resort<\/span><\/a>.<\/p>\n
Photo courtesy of Gaylord Opryland<\/p><\/div>\n
3. The North Pole comes to Nashville<\/strong><\/h3>\nIn Nashville, The Gaylord Opryland<\/span><\/a> goes all out\u2014with ice\u2014for the holiday season. Its 33rd annual “A Country Christmas” (November 11 \u2013 January 1, 2017) transforms the grounds into a theme park-like atmosphere\u00a0evoking a spirited North Pole. Among the highlights:\u00a02 million pounds of colorful, larger-than-life ice sculptures hand-carved by 40 master artisans; an extreme snow tubing hill covered in 1.5 million pounds of real snow; a 6,000-square-foot ice rink; and multi-story ice slides.<\/p>\nPhoto courtesy of the Langham Place<\/p><\/div>\n
4. A Willy Wonka-inspired\u00a0$10,000 upgrade<\/strong><\/h3>\nChocolate was never a better investment. One guest at the Langham Place, New York<\/span><\/a>\u00a0will be upgraded to\u00a0a $10,000-per-night, tricked-out suite with insane city views if\u00a0they purchase a $4 chocolate bar in their guest room that\u00a0holds the golden ticket.\u00a0This isn’t pure imagination; it’s an early Christmas present\u00a0for one lucky winner. So definitely indulge in that\u00a0mini-bar chocolate.<\/p>\nPhoto courtesy of Ritz Carlton Charlotte<\/p><\/div>\n
5. Christmas trees that we want to eat<\/strong><\/h3>\nIt’s\u00a0a sweet tooth fantasy! In North Carolina, The Ritz-Carlton, Charlotte<\/span><\/a> has not one, but four<\/em>\u00a0Christmas trees made completely out of French-inspired desserts. The lobby\u00a0boasts three\u00a0trees made entirely out of\u00a0macaroons\u2014one has 8,000 macaroons alone. The hotel features a fourth\u00a0towering “tree” of croquembouche<\/em>,\u00a0a dessert consisting of flaky pastry balls piled high and bound with threads of caramel. It may prove challenging, but resist\u00a0the\u00a0temptation to devour these trees.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n
Photo courtesy of the YOTEL<\/p><\/div>\n
6. #YOBOTSanta dolls out free travel gifts<\/strong><\/h3>\nThe luggage-storing robot concierge at YOTEL New York<\/span><\/a> turns into a high-tech Santa Claus this\u00a0December. #YOBOTSanta will gift 12 lucky guests who select prize-holding storage bins with surprises such as free round trip flights, hotel stays and tech-savvy gifts. What’s more, another 12 winners will be announced online when they participate virtually here<\/a>.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n
Bellagio Fountains | Flickr CC: Chris Parker <\/a><\/p><\/div>\n7. Dancing fountains: The holiday edition<\/strong><\/h3>\nThe Bellagio<\/span><\/a>‘s choreographed water ballet is an iconic, year-round attraction on the Las Vegas Strip. It takes on a seasonal spin for the holidays, however, when the mesmerizing fountains\u00a0and lights dance to tunes such as the “Hallelujah Chorus” (as performed by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir), “O Holy Night” (as performed by Placido Domingo) and “Santa Baby” (as performed by Madonna). Performances occur every 15 to 30 minutes.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n
Photo courtesy of the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess<\/p><\/div>\n
8. Ice rink in\u00a0a twinkling desert<\/strong><\/h3>\nIf you thought the Christmas lights on your block were pretty spectacular,\u00a0the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess<\/span><\/a> in Arizona will probably\u00a0top that. The resort turns into a dazzling winter wonderland with 3 million lights, 200 decorated trees, a 20-foot snowman, singing reindeer, a candy cane forest, a four-story musical tree and much more. Take a spin on the 6,000-square-foot desert ice rink, which is made with real ice\u2014quite the anomaly\u00a0in the desert.<\/p>\nALSO:<\/strong> What’s Orbitz Rewards doing for Christmas? Treating you to big travel rewards on flights and hotels. Join now\u2014it’s free!<\/a><\/p>\nPhoto courtesy of the Williamsburg Inn<\/p><\/div>\n
9. The spirit\u00a0of Charles Dickens<\/strong><\/h3>\nA literary legacy for the Christmas season is alive at The Williamsburg Inn<\/span><\/a> in Williamsburg, Virginia. Listen to the\u00a0great-great grandson ofCharles Dickens present his one-man retelling of the beloved classic “A Christmas Carol” over tea. The event is\u00a0offered several times this year and has become a Colonial Williamsburg favorite\u2014along with\u00a0strolling through the historic village, which is decked out in traditional holiday adornments that’ll transport you back to 18th-century America.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n
Photo courtesy of Ritz Carlton Amelia Island<\/p><\/div>\n
10. A gingerbread “house” Captain Jack Sparrow would love<\/strong><\/h3>\nBecause a\u00a0gingerbread house is way too predictable. Instead,\u00a0The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island<\/span><\/a> in Florida erects\u00a0the “world’s largest” gingerbread pirate ship<\/em> in its lobby. The 14-foot decadent vessel is a tribute to the legends and lore of Amelia Island and takes a crew of eight pastry chefs 350 hours to prepare, followed by\u00a0a marathon nine-hour assembly. The sweet-smelling ship stays docked in the lobby November 23 through December 28.<\/p>\nPhoto courtesy of Sandpearl Resort<\/p><\/div>\n
11. Santa in the sand<\/strong><\/h3>\nThe Sandpearl Resort<\/span><\/a> in Clearwater Beach, Florida, celebrates the holidays with Florida flair\u00a0by sculpting a massive 10,000-pound sand sculpture around a holiday theme. This year’s is called “Christmas Corals” and will feature Santa playing a piano made out of coral.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n
Photo courtesy of Sun Valley<\/p><\/div>\n
12. Holiday magic in the mountains<\/strong><\/h3>\nThe Sun Valley Resort<\/span><\/a> in Idaho brings a bit of Old World Europe to its\u00a0mountain setting. It hosts its inaugural\u00a0open-air Christmas market in the pedestrian-only Sun Valley Village, where you can meander around stalls selling roasted\u00a0nuts, holiday\u00a0handicrafts and more. This is part of a bigger holiday extravaganza that culminates in\u00a0a spectacular\u00a080-year-old tradition on Christmas Eve: a torchlight parade down Dollar Mountain followed by fireworks\u00a0over the mountains.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n
Photo courtesy of The Roosevelt New Orleans<\/p><\/div>\n
13. A Papa\u00a0No\u00ebl tradition<\/strong><\/h3>\nMeander\u00a0through New Orleans’ most famous lobby\u2014a block long!\u2014during the holidays, and your eyes are sure to go wide. The Roosevelt Hotel<\/a><\/span>\u00a0transforms its epic entrance into\u00a0something out of a Christmas fairytale. A tradition since the 1930s, it’s an experience\u00a0that year after year attracts even the locals. Enchantment comes in the form of more\u00a0than 60,000 twinkling lights, 46 Christmas trees, 22 birch trees and massive amounts of garland. Top off the holiday ogling with a trip\u00a0to the hotel’s\u00a0Sazerac Bar to sip\u00a0drinks\u00a0such as the\u00a0chilled Mrs. Claus’ Cookie or Cajun Hot Buttered Rum.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n
Photo courtesy of Ritz Carlton Laguna<\/p><\/div>\n
14. Surfing Santas<\/strong><\/h3>\nWe all knew he\u00a0was a master at riding a sleigh … but a surf board? In California, The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel<\/span><\/a>\u00a0hosts an\u00a0annual surfing competition where multiple Santas can be\u00a0found hanging ten.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n
Photo courtesy of Mandalay Bay<\/p><\/div>\n
15. SCUBA Santa<\/strong><\/h3>\nFrom hanging ten to a deep dive below, the Santa at Mandalay Bay<\/span><\/a> in Las Vegas prefers to entertain hotel guests from underwater. Heplunges into the Shark Reef Aquarium, with his sidekick Santa Jaws, after visiting\u00a0with wide-eyed children on select dates in December.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n
Photo courtesy of the Grand Waliea Resort<\/p><\/div>\n
16. Santa in paradise<\/strong><\/h3>\nForget the sleigh, surfboard or SCUBA\u00a0equipment. In Maui, Santa makes a regal Hawaiian entrance in a\u00a0traditional outrigger canoe with lots of tropical pomp and circumstance. It’s part of the “Aloha”-inspired holiday revelry put together by the Grand Waliea Resort<\/span><\/a>.<\/p>\n
Photo courtesy of the Langham Place<\/p><\/div>\n
4. A Willy Wonka-inspired\u00a0$10,000 upgrade<\/strong><\/h3>\nChocolate was never a better investment. One guest at the Langham Place, New York<\/span><\/a>\u00a0will be upgraded to\u00a0a $10,000-per-night, tricked-out suite with insane city views if\u00a0they purchase a $4 chocolate bar in their guest room that\u00a0holds the golden ticket.\u00a0This isn’t pure imagination; it’s an early Christmas present\u00a0for one lucky winner. So definitely indulge in that\u00a0mini-bar chocolate.<\/p>\nPhoto courtesy of Ritz Carlton Charlotte<\/p><\/div>\n
5. Christmas trees that we want to eat<\/strong><\/h3>\nIt’s\u00a0a sweet tooth fantasy! In North Carolina, The Ritz-Carlton, Charlotte<\/span><\/a> has not one, but four<\/em>\u00a0Christmas trees made completely out of French-inspired desserts. The lobby\u00a0boasts three\u00a0trees made entirely out of\u00a0macaroons\u2014one has 8,000 macaroons alone. The hotel features a fourth\u00a0towering “tree” of croquembouche<\/em>,\u00a0a dessert consisting of flaky pastry balls piled high and bound with threads of caramel. It may prove challenging, but resist\u00a0the\u00a0temptation to devour these trees.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n
Photo courtesy of the YOTEL<\/p><\/div>\n
6. #YOBOTSanta dolls out free travel gifts<\/strong><\/h3>\nThe luggage-storing robot concierge at YOTEL New York<\/span><\/a> turns into a high-tech Santa Claus this\u00a0December. #YOBOTSanta will gift 12 lucky guests who select prize-holding storage bins with surprises such as free round trip flights, hotel stays and tech-savvy gifts. What’s more, another 12 winners will be announced online when they participate virtually here<\/a>.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n
Bellagio Fountains | Flickr CC: Chris Parker <\/a><\/p><\/div>\n7. Dancing fountains: The holiday edition<\/strong><\/h3>\nThe Bellagio<\/span><\/a>‘s choreographed water ballet is an iconic, year-round attraction on the Las Vegas Strip. It takes on a seasonal spin for the holidays, however, when the mesmerizing fountains\u00a0and lights dance to tunes such as the “Hallelujah Chorus” (as performed by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir), “O Holy Night” (as performed by Placido Domingo) and “Santa Baby” (as performed by Madonna). Performances occur every 15 to 30 minutes.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n
Photo courtesy of the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess<\/p><\/div>\n
8. Ice rink in\u00a0a twinkling desert<\/strong><\/h3>\nIf you thought the Christmas lights on your block were pretty spectacular,\u00a0the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess<\/span><\/a> in Arizona will probably\u00a0top that. The resort turns into a dazzling winter wonderland with 3 million lights, 200 decorated trees, a 20-foot snowman, singing reindeer, a candy cane forest, a four-story musical tree and much more. Take a spin on the 6,000-square-foot desert ice rink, which is made with real ice\u2014quite the anomaly\u00a0in the desert.<\/p>\nALSO:<\/strong> What’s Orbitz Rewards doing for Christmas? Treating you to big travel rewards on flights and hotels. Join now\u2014it’s free!<\/a><\/p>\nPhoto courtesy of the Williamsburg Inn<\/p><\/div>\n
9. The spirit\u00a0of Charles Dickens<\/strong><\/h3>\nA literary legacy for the Christmas season is alive at The Williamsburg Inn<\/span><\/a> in Williamsburg, Virginia. Listen to the\u00a0great-great grandson ofCharles Dickens present his one-man retelling of the beloved classic “A Christmas Carol” over tea. The event is\u00a0offered several times this year and has become a Colonial Williamsburg favorite\u2014along with\u00a0strolling through the historic village, which is decked out in traditional holiday adornments that’ll transport you back to 18th-century America.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n
Photo courtesy of Ritz Carlton Amelia Island<\/p><\/div>\n
10. A gingerbread “house” Captain Jack Sparrow would love<\/strong><\/h3>\nBecause a\u00a0gingerbread house is way too predictable. Instead,\u00a0The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island<\/span><\/a> in Florida erects\u00a0the “world’s largest” gingerbread pirate ship<\/em> in its lobby. The 14-foot decadent vessel is a tribute to the legends and lore of Amelia Island and takes a crew of eight pastry chefs 350 hours to prepare, followed by\u00a0a marathon nine-hour assembly. The sweet-smelling ship stays docked in the lobby November 23 through December 28.<\/p>\nPhoto courtesy of Sandpearl Resort<\/p><\/div>\n
11. Santa in the sand<\/strong><\/h3>\nThe Sandpearl Resort<\/span><\/a> in Clearwater Beach, Florida, celebrates the holidays with Florida flair\u00a0by sculpting a massive 10,000-pound sand sculpture around a holiday theme. This year’s is called “Christmas Corals” and will feature Santa playing a piano made out of coral.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n
Photo courtesy of Sun Valley<\/p><\/div>\n
12. Holiday magic in the mountains<\/strong><\/h3>\nThe Sun Valley Resort<\/span><\/a> in Idaho brings a bit of Old World Europe to its\u00a0mountain setting. It hosts its inaugural\u00a0open-air Christmas market in the pedestrian-only Sun Valley Village, where you can meander around stalls selling roasted\u00a0nuts, holiday\u00a0handicrafts and more. This is part of a bigger holiday extravaganza that culminates in\u00a0a spectacular\u00a080-year-old tradition on Christmas Eve: a torchlight parade down Dollar Mountain followed by fireworks\u00a0over the mountains.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n
Photo courtesy of The Roosevelt New Orleans<\/p><\/div>\n
13. A Papa\u00a0No\u00ebl tradition<\/strong><\/h3>\nMeander\u00a0through New Orleans’ most famous lobby\u2014a block long!\u2014during the holidays, and your eyes are sure to go wide. The Roosevelt Hotel<\/a><\/span>\u00a0transforms its epic entrance into\u00a0something out of a Christmas fairytale. A tradition since the 1930s, it’s an experience\u00a0that year after year attracts even the locals. Enchantment comes in the form of more\u00a0than 60,000 twinkling lights, 46 Christmas trees, 22 birch trees and massive amounts of garland. Top off the holiday ogling with a trip\u00a0to the hotel’s\u00a0Sazerac Bar to sip\u00a0drinks\u00a0such as the\u00a0chilled Mrs. Claus’ Cookie or Cajun Hot Buttered Rum.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n
Photo courtesy of Ritz Carlton Laguna<\/p><\/div>\n
14. Surfing Santas<\/strong><\/h3>\nWe all knew he\u00a0was a master at riding a sleigh … but a surf board? In California, The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel<\/span><\/a>\u00a0hosts an\u00a0annual surfing competition where multiple Santas can be\u00a0found hanging ten.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n
Photo courtesy of Mandalay Bay<\/p><\/div>\n
15. SCUBA Santa<\/strong><\/h3>\nFrom hanging ten to a deep dive below, the Santa at Mandalay Bay<\/span><\/a> in Las Vegas prefers to entertain hotel guests from underwater. Heplunges into the Shark Reef Aquarium, with his sidekick Santa Jaws, after visiting\u00a0with wide-eyed children on select dates in December.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n
Photo courtesy of the Grand Waliea Resort<\/p><\/div>\n
16. Santa in paradise<\/strong><\/h3>\nForget the sleigh, surfboard or SCUBA\u00a0equipment. In Maui, Santa makes a regal Hawaiian entrance in a\u00a0traditional outrigger canoe with lots of tropical pomp and circumstance. It’s part of the “Aloha”-inspired holiday revelry put together by the Grand Waliea Resort<\/span><\/a>.<\/p>\n
Photo courtesy of Ritz Carlton Charlotte<\/p><\/div>\n
5. Christmas trees that we want to eat<\/strong><\/h3>\nIt’s\u00a0a sweet tooth fantasy! In North Carolina, The Ritz-Carlton, Charlotte<\/span><\/a> has not one, but four<\/em>\u00a0Christmas trees made completely out of French-inspired desserts. The lobby\u00a0boasts three\u00a0trees made entirely out of\u00a0macaroons\u2014one has 8,000 macaroons alone. The hotel features a fourth\u00a0towering “tree” of croquembouche<\/em>,\u00a0a dessert consisting of flaky pastry balls piled high and bound with threads of caramel. It may prove challenging, but resist\u00a0the\u00a0temptation to devour these trees.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n
Photo courtesy of the YOTEL<\/p><\/div>\n
6. #YOBOTSanta dolls out free travel gifts<\/strong><\/h3>\nThe luggage-storing robot concierge at YOTEL New York<\/span><\/a> turns into a high-tech Santa Claus this\u00a0December. #YOBOTSanta will gift 12 lucky guests who select prize-holding storage bins with surprises such as free round trip flights, hotel stays and tech-savvy gifts. What’s more, another 12 winners will be announced online when they participate virtually here<\/a>.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n
Bellagio Fountains | Flickr CC: Chris Parker <\/a><\/p><\/div>\n7. Dancing fountains: The holiday edition<\/strong><\/h3>\nThe Bellagio<\/span><\/a>‘s choreographed water ballet is an iconic, year-round attraction on the Las Vegas Strip. It takes on a seasonal spin for the holidays, however, when the mesmerizing fountains\u00a0and lights dance to tunes such as the “Hallelujah Chorus” (as performed by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir), “O Holy Night” (as performed by Placido Domingo) and “Santa Baby” (as performed by Madonna). Performances occur every 15 to 30 minutes.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n
Photo courtesy of the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess<\/p><\/div>\n
8. Ice rink in\u00a0a twinkling desert<\/strong><\/h3>\nIf you thought the Christmas lights on your block were pretty spectacular,\u00a0the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess<\/span><\/a> in Arizona will probably\u00a0top that. The resort turns into a dazzling winter wonderland with 3 million lights, 200 decorated trees, a 20-foot snowman, singing reindeer, a candy cane forest, a four-story musical tree and much more. Take a spin on the 6,000-square-foot desert ice rink, which is made with real ice\u2014quite the anomaly\u00a0in the desert.<\/p>\nALSO:<\/strong> What’s Orbitz Rewards doing for Christmas? Treating you to big travel rewards on flights and hotels. Join now\u2014it’s free!<\/a><\/p>\nPhoto courtesy of the Williamsburg Inn<\/p><\/div>\n
9. The spirit\u00a0of Charles Dickens<\/strong><\/h3>\nA literary legacy for the Christmas season is alive at The Williamsburg Inn<\/span><\/a> in Williamsburg, Virginia. Listen to the\u00a0great-great grandson ofCharles Dickens present his one-man retelling of the beloved classic “A Christmas Carol” over tea. The event is\u00a0offered several times this year and has become a Colonial Williamsburg favorite\u2014along with\u00a0strolling through the historic village, which is decked out in traditional holiday adornments that’ll transport you back to 18th-century America.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n
Photo courtesy of Ritz Carlton Amelia Island<\/p><\/div>\n
10. A gingerbread “house” Captain Jack Sparrow would love<\/strong><\/h3>\nBecause a\u00a0gingerbread house is way too predictable. Instead,\u00a0The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island<\/span><\/a> in Florida erects\u00a0the “world’s largest” gingerbread pirate ship<\/em> in its lobby. The 14-foot decadent vessel is a tribute to the legends and lore of Amelia Island and takes a crew of eight pastry chefs 350 hours to prepare, followed by\u00a0a marathon nine-hour assembly. The sweet-smelling ship stays docked in the lobby November 23 through December 28.<\/p>\nPhoto courtesy of Sandpearl Resort<\/p><\/div>\n
11. Santa in the sand<\/strong><\/h3>\nThe Sandpearl Resort<\/span><\/a> in Clearwater Beach, Florida, celebrates the holidays with Florida flair\u00a0by sculpting a massive 10,000-pound sand sculpture around a holiday theme. This year’s is called “Christmas Corals” and will feature Santa playing a piano made out of coral.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n
Photo courtesy of Sun Valley<\/p><\/div>\n
12. Holiday magic in the mountains<\/strong><\/h3>\nThe Sun Valley Resort<\/span><\/a> in Idaho brings a bit of Old World Europe to its\u00a0mountain setting. It hosts its inaugural\u00a0open-air Christmas market in the pedestrian-only Sun Valley Village, where you can meander around stalls selling roasted\u00a0nuts, holiday\u00a0handicrafts and more. This is part of a bigger holiday extravaganza that culminates in\u00a0a spectacular\u00a080-year-old tradition on Christmas Eve: a torchlight parade down Dollar Mountain followed by fireworks\u00a0over the mountains.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n
Photo courtesy of The Roosevelt New Orleans<\/p><\/div>\n
13. A Papa\u00a0No\u00ebl tradition<\/strong><\/h3>\nMeander\u00a0through New Orleans’ most famous lobby\u2014a block long!\u2014during the holidays, and your eyes are sure to go wide. The Roosevelt Hotel<\/a><\/span>\u00a0transforms its epic entrance into\u00a0something out of a Christmas fairytale. A tradition since the 1930s, it’s an experience\u00a0that year after year attracts even the locals. Enchantment comes in the form of more\u00a0than 60,000 twinkling lights, 46 Christmas trees, 22 birch trees and massive amounts of garland. Top off the holiday ogling with a trip\u00a0to the hotel’s\u00a0Sazerac Bar to sip\u00a0drinks\u00a0such as the\u00a0chilled Mrs. Claus’ Cookie or Cajun Hot Buttered Rum.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n
Photo courtesy of Ritz Carlton Laguna<\/p><\/div>\n
14. Surfing Santas<\/strong><\/h3>\nWe all knew he\u00a0was a master at riding a sleigh … but a surf board? In California, The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel<\/span><\/a>\u00a0hosts an\u00a0annual surfing competition where multiple Santas can be\u00a0found hanging ten.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n
Photo courtesy of Mandalay Bay<\/p><\/div>\n
15. SCUBA Santa<\/strong><\/h3>\nFrom hanging ten to a deep dive below, the Santa at Mandalay Bay<\/span><\/a> in Las Vegas prefers to entertain hotel guests from underwater. Heplunges into the Shark Reef Aquarium, with his sidekick Santa Jaws, after visiting\u00a0with wide-eyed children on select dates in December.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n
Photo courtesy of the Grand Waliea Resort<\/p><\/div>\n
16. Santa in paradise<\/strong><\/h3>\nForget the sleigh, surfboard or SCUBA\u00a0equipment. In Maui, Santa makes a regal Hawaiian entrance in a\u00a0traditional outrigger canoe with lots of tropical pomp and circumstance. It’s part of the “Aloha”-inspired holiday revelry put together by the Grand Waliea Resort<\/span><\/a>.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Photo courtesy of the YOTEL<\/p><\/div>\n
6. #YOBOTSanta dolls out free travel gifts<\/strong><\/h3>\nThe luggage-storing robot concierge at YOTEL New York<\/span><\/a> turns into a high-tech Santa Claus this\u00a0December. #YOBOTSanta will gift 12 lucky guests who select prize-holding storage bins with surprises such as free round trip flights, hotel stays and tech-savvy gifts. What’s more, another 12 winners will be announced online when they participate virtually here<\/a>.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n
Bellagio Fountains | Flickr CC: Chris Parker <\/a><\/p><\/div>\n7. Dancing fountains: The holiday edition<\/strong><\/h3>\nThe Bellagio<\/span><\/a>‘s choreographed water ballet is an iconic, year-round attraction on the Las Vegas Strip. It takes on a seasonal spin for the holidays, however, when the mesmerizing fountains\u00a0and lights dance to tunes such as the “Hallelujah Chorus” (as performed by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir), “O Holy Night” (as performed by Placido Domingo) and “Santa Baby” (as performed by Madonna). Performances occur every 15 to 30 minutes.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n
Photo courtesy of the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess<\/p><\/div>\n
8. Ice rink in\u00a0a twinkling desert<\/strong><\/h3>\nIf you thought the Christmas lights on your block were pretty spectacular,\u00a0the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess<\/span><\/a> in Arizona will probably\u00a0top that. The resort turns into a dazzling winter wonderland with 3 million lights, 200 decorated trees, a 20-foot snowman, singing reindeer, a candy cane forest, a four-story musical tree and much more. Take a spin on the 6,000-square-foot desert ice rink, which is made with real ice\u2014quite the anomaly\u00a0in the desert.<\/p>\nALSO:<\/strong> What’s Orbitz Rewards doing for Christmas? Treating you to big travel rewards on flights and hotels. Join now\u2014it’s free!<\/a><\/p>\nPhoto courtesy of the Williamsburg Inn<\/p><\/div>\n
9. The spirit\u00a0of Charles Dickens<\/strong><\/h3>\nA literary legacy for the Christmas season is alive at The Williamsburg Inn<\/span><\/a> in Williamsburg, Virginia. Listen to the\u00a0great-great grandson ofCharles Dickens present his one-man retelling of the beloved classic “A Christmas Carol” over tea. The event is\u00a0offered several times this year and has become a Colonial Williamsburg favorite\u2014along with\u00a0strolling through the historic village, which is decked out in traditional holiday adornments that’ll transport you back to 18th-century America.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n
Photo courtesy of Ritz Carlton Amelia Island<\/p><\/div>\n
10. A gingerbread “house” Captain Jack Sparrow would love<\/strong><\/h3>\nBecause a\u00a0gingerbread house is way too predictable. Instead,\u00a0The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island<\/span><\/a> in Florida erects\u00a0the “world’s largest” gingerbread pirate ship<\/em> in its lobby. The 14-foot decadent vessel is a tribute to the legends and lore of Amelia Island and takes a crew of eight pastry chefs 350 hours to prepare, followed by\u00a0a marathon nine-hour assembly. The sweet-smelling ship stays docked in the lobby November 23 through December 28.<\/p>\nPhoto courtesy of Sandpearl Resort<\/p><\/div>\n
11. Santa in the sand<\/strong><\/h3>\nThe Sandpearl Resort<\/span><\/a> in Clearwater Beach, Florida, celebrates the holidays with Florida flair\u00a0by sculpting a massive 10,000-pound sand sculpture around a holiday theme. This year’s is called “Christmas Corals” and will feature Santa playing a piano made out of coral.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n
Photo courtesy of Sun Valley<\/p><\/div>\n
12. Holiday magic in the mountains<\/strong><\/h3>\nThe Sun Valley Resort<\/span><\/a> in Idaho brings a bit of Old World Europe to its\u00a0mountain setting. It hosts its inaugural\u00a0open-air Christmas market in the pedestrian-only Sun Valley Village, where you can meander around stalls selling roasted\u00a0nuts, holiday\u00a0handicrafts and more. This is part of a bigger holiday extravaganza that culminates in\u00a0a spectacular\u00a080-year-old tradition on Christmas Eve: a torchlight parade down Dollar Mountain followed by fireworks\u00a0over the mountains.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n
Photo courtesy of The Roosevelt New Orleans<\/p><\/div>\n
13. A Papa\u00a0No\u00ebl tradition<\/strong><\/h3>\nMeander\u00a0through New Orleans’ most famous lobby\u2014a block long!\u2014during the holidays, and your eyes are sure to go wide. The Roosevelt Hotel<\/a><\/span>\u00a0transforms its epic entrance into\u00a0something out of a Christmas fairytale. A tradition since the 1930s, it’s an experience\u00a0that year after year attracts even the locals. Enchantment comes in the form of more\u00a0than 60,000 twinkling lights, 46 Christmas trees, 22 birch trees and massive amounts of garland. Top off the holiday ogling with a trip\u00a0to the hotel’s\u00a0Sazerac Bar to sip\u00a0drinks\u00a0such as the\u00a0chilled Mrs. Claus’ Cookie or Cajun Hot Buttered Rum.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n
Photo courtesy of Ritz Carlton Laguna<\/p><\/div>\n
14. Surfing Santas<\/strong><\/h3>\nWe all knew he\u00a0was a master at riding a sleigh … but a surf board? In California, The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel<\/span><\/a>\u00a0hosts an\u00a0annual surfing competition where multiple Santas can be\u00a0found hanging ten.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n
Photo courtesy of Mandalay Bay<\/p><\/div>\n
15. SCUBA Santa<\/strong><\/h3>\nFrom hanging ten to a deep dive below, the Santa at Mandalay Bay<\/span><\/a> in Las Vegas prefers to entertain hotel guests from underwater. Heplunges into the Shark Reef Aquarium, with his sidekick Santa Jaws, after visiting\u00a0with wide-eyed children on select dates in December.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n
Photo courtesy of the Grand Waliea Resort<\/p><\/div>\n
16. Santa in paradise<\/strong><\/h3>\nForget the sleigh, surfboard or SCUBA\u00a0equipment. In Maui, Santa makes a regal Hawaiian entrance in a\u00a0traditional outrigger canoe with lots of tropical pomp and circumstance. It’s part of the “Aloha”-inspired holiday revelry put together by the Grand Waliea Resort<\/span><\/a>.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Bellagio Fountains | Flickr CC: Chris Parker <\/a><\/p><\/div>\n The Bellagio<\/span><\/a>‘s choreographed water ballet is an iconic, year-round attraction on the Las Vegas Strip. It takes on a seasonal spin for the holidays, however, when the mesmerizing fountains\u00a0and lights dance to tunes such as the “Hallelujah Chorus” (as performed by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir), “O Holy Night” (as performed by Placido Domingo) and “Santa Baby” (as performed by Madonna). Performances occur every 15 to 30 minutes.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Photo courtesy of the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess<\/p><\/div>\n If you thought the Christmas lights on your block were pretty spectacular,\u00a0the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess<\/span><\/a> in Arizona will probably\u00a0top that. The resort turns into a dazzling winter wonderland with 3 million lights, 200 decorated trees, a 20-foot snowman, singing reindeer, a candy cane forest, a four-story musical tree and much more. Take a spin on the 6,000-square-foot desert ice rink, which is made with real ice\u2014quite the anomaly\u00a0in the desert.<\/p>\n ALSO:<\/strong> What’s Orbitz Rewards doing for Christmas? Treating you to big travel rewards on flights and hotels. Join now\u2014it’s free!<\/a><\/p>\n Photo courtesy of the Williamsburg Inn<\/p><\/div>\n A literary legacy for the Christmas season is alive at The Williamsburg Inn<\/span><\/a> in Williamsburg, Virginia. Listen to the\u00a0great-great grandson ofCharles Dickens present his one-man retelling of the beloved classic “A Christmas Carol” over tea. The event is\u00a0offered several times this year and has become a Colonial Williamsburg favorite\u2014along with\u00a0strolling through the historic village, which is decked out in traditional holiday adornments that’ll transport you back to 18th-century America.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Photo courtesy of Ritz Carlton Amelia Island<\/p><\/div>\n Because a\u00a0gingerbread house is way too predictable. Instead,\u00a0The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island<\/span><\/a> in Florida erects\u00a0the “world’s largest” gingerbread pirate ship<\/em> in its lobby. The 14-foot decadent vessel is a tribute to the legends and lore of Amelia Island and takes a crew of eight pastry chefs 350 hours to prepare, followed by\u00a0a marathon nine-hour assembly. The sweet-smelling ship stays docked in the lobby November 23 through December 28.<\/p>\n Photo courtesy of Sandpearl Resort<\/p><\/div>\n The Sandpearl Resort<\/span><\/a> in Clearwater Beach, Florida, celebrates the holidays with Florida flair\u00a0by sculpting a massive 10,000-pound sand sculpture around a holiday theme. This year’s is called “Christmas Corals” and will feature Santa playing a piano made out of coral.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Photo courtesy of Sun Valley<\/p><\/div>\n The Sun Valley Resort<\/span><\/a> in Idaho brings a bit of Old World Europe to its\u00a0mountain setting. It hosts its inaugural\u00a0open-air Christmas market in the pedestrian-only Sun Valley Village, where you can meander around stalls selling roasted\u00a0nuts, holiday\u00a0handicrafts and more. This is part of a bigger holiday extravaganza that culminates in\u00a0a spectacular\u00a080-year-old tradition on Christmas Eve: a torchlight parade down Dollar Mountain followed by fireworks\u00a0over the mountains.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Photo courtesy of The Roosevelt New Orleans<\/p><\/div>\n Meander\u00a0through New Orleans’ most famous lobby\u2014a block long!\u2014during the holidays, and your eyes are sure to go wide. The Roosevelt Hotel<\/a><\/span>\u00a0transforms its epic entrance into\u00a0something out of a Christmas fairytale. A tradition since the 1930s, it’s an experience\u00a0that year after year attracts even the locals. Enchantment comes in the form of more\u00a0than 60,000 twinkling lights, 46 Christmas trees, 22 birch trees and massive amounts of garland. Top off the holiday ogling with a trip\u00a0to the hotel’s\u00a0Sazerac Bar to sip\u00a0drinks\u00a0such as the\u00a0chilled Mrs. Claus’ Cookie or Cajun Hot Buttered Rum.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Photo courtesy of Ritz Carlton Laguna<\/p><\/div>\n We all knew he\u00a0was a master at riding a sleigh … but a surf board? In California, The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel<\/span><\/a>\u00a0hosts an\u00a0annual surfing competition where multiple Santas can be\u00a0found hanging ten.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Photo courtesy of Mandalay Bay<\/p><\/div>\n From hanging ten to a deep dive below, the Santa at Mandalay Bay<\/span><\/a> in Las Vegas prefers to entertain hotel guests from underwater. Heplunges into the Shark Reef Aquarium, with his sidekick Santa Jaws, after visiting\u00a0with wide-eyed children on select dates in December.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Photo courtesy of the Grand Waliea Resort<\/p><\/div>\n Forget the sleigh, surfboard or SCUBA\u00a0equipment. In Maui, Santa makes a regal Hawaiian entrance in a\u00a0traditional outrigger canoe with lots of tropical pomp and circumstance. It’s part of the “Aloha”-inspired holiday revelry put together by the Grand Waliea Resort<\/span><\/a>.<\/p>\n7. Dancing fountains: The holiday edition<\/strong><\/h3>\n
8. Ice rink in\u00a0a twinkling desert<\/strong><\/h3>\n
9. The spirit\u00a0of Charles Dickens<\/strong><\/h3>\n
10. A gingerbread “house” Captain Jack Sparrow would love<\/strong><\/h3>\n
11. Santa in the sand<\/strong><\/h3>\n
12. Holiday magic in the mountains<\/strong><\/h3>\n
13. A Papa\u00a0No\u00ebl tradition<\/strong><\/h3>\n
14. Surfing Santas<\/strong><\/h3>\n
15. SCUBA Santa<\/strong><\/h3>\n
16. Santa in paradise<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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<\/a><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/pixel.newscred.com\/px.gif?key=YXJ0aWNsZT0yYzViMTRhMDU2YzRmNTc4YjA1MWQ0MWNlZGM3MjgwZA==\")
<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"