Winter Vacations - Warm Weather Destinations

Do you need a break from the cold? If you need to thaw out then consider taking a vacation to a warm weather destination. You will return tan, refreshed and ready to brave the rest of the winter. Here are some suggestions for taking a winter holiday.

First off, you need to decide how long you can get away and how much travel you want to do. Since most of the U.S. is cold in winter you'll have to go south to find warm weather. If you only have a few days then it makes sense to keep your winter trip close to home since you don't want to spend a large part of your holiday on a plane.

Consider visiting southern Florida which has loads of options and tropical weather throughout the winter. Miami is fantastic for visiting the beach, soaking up the sun and enjoying the nightlife of South Beach. If you want a slower pace and fewer crowds, consider the Florida Keys. Key West is a quaint city full of bed and breakfasts with plenty to do for the entire family including water sports and nightlife.

A bit farther (but not by much) is the Caribbean. You'll need a passport and the flights are more expensive but it is well worth it. There are tons of tropical islands from which to choose and there are French, Dutch, British, Latin and other influences to give you some culture. The Dominican Republic is know for its inexpensive all inclusive resorts; included in the packages is accommodation, food, transfers and water sports.

If you have more time and money then consider taking a winter vacation in the Southern Hemisphere which is summer during the U.S.' winter. Rio de Janeiro has the world famous beaches of Ipanema and Copacabana with Sugar Loaf as a rugged mountain backdrop. Since Rio is a large city, it boasts five star hotels, fine dining and many nightlife options. Another holiday destination south of the equator is Australia. The Gold Coast is full of sun and sand options and the cities of Sydney and Melbourne have a European feel. If you're up for some adventure then visit the interior and explore the outback.

Southeast Asia is a popular destination due to its affordability and richness in culture. Singapore is not only full of sights, luxury hotels and culture but it is known for being a very clean country. Malaysia has many white sand beaches and islands with accommodations ranging from simple bungalows to lavish resorts. Thailand is another country brimming with ancient sights and gorgeous beaches and its people are known for their hospitality.

If you need to find some warm weather then there are many options for winter vacations. Take lots of pictures and don't forget your sunscreen!

Winter Park Colorado - Ski in and Out Lodging

So you have decided to take your ski trip to Winter Park, Colorado: Colorado's favorite! Now first and foremost is deciding on your ski lodging. Should you stay in town or go farther down the road to Fraser or go for the luxury ski trip and get the ski in and ski out digs? Well in this article I will be pushing for the splurge of going for the ski in and ski out digs.

On the Winter Park side there are only a few locations that are truly ski in and out. This is because the railroad cuts the ski area off and much of Winter Park Resort is on National Forest land. There is the luxurious Base Camp on Jane Creek, the older and semi rundown Iron Horse resort, the true ski in /out of Zephyr Mountain Lodge and the twin developments of Founder's Pointe and Fraser Crossing.

On the Mary Jane side there is the Arlberg Club and if you know someone there or are someway fortunate enough to be a member, you are very lucky. There are the new homes that is Bridgers Cache that is built on land from the Arlberg Club

So there you have it. For all of the Winter Park/Mary Jane Resort there are really only five buildings (six if you count Zephyr Mountain Lodge as two buildings) that you will be able to purchase lodging from. Now let's go through each option you have for you're your Winter Park ski in and out lodging.

Right at the base of Winter Park Resort there is the condo-tell Zephyr Mountain Lodge. Zephyr Mountain Lodge is two buildings, Slopeside and Riverside, of 157 units. There are one, two and three room condos but less than ten are three bedrooms. The units in the building are privately owned condos that are leased either through a property management company such as Winter Park Lodging by Owner or Intrawest. Intrawest also manages the Winter Park Resort and has a front desk on site and they act as if they own the place. Winter Park Lodging by Owner (WPLBO.com) has an office in town and guests get their keys at the Zephyr Mountain Lodge front desk. Other devices can be found from private hire at Zephyr, but a bit 'risky because you do not have help in case of problems during your stay. Each of the two buildings at the Zephyr has two whirlpools and each apartment has a fireplace. Room if they have not been updated much roomish Hotel feel without the original or in the mountains all. Most of the rooms are like Intrawest are the owners of units that they create to promote it at all make any changes. Free Winter ParkOwner rooms are usually updated with unique wall hangings, paint colors and updated kitchens, counter tops and flat screen televisions.

Next there is the twin buildings of Fraser Crossing and Founders Pointe. These are very new buildings that were completed in 2008. The location is across Winter Park drive. Yes they are still considered ski in and out. The true real estate definition is if it can be walked it is ski in and out. Fraser Crossing and Founders Point are nice with good views of the slopes and a hot tub for each building and gas fireplaces in each condo. There is an amenity level that has gas grills and tables for the owner/guests enjoyment. The options are for lodging companies are Winter Park Lodging by Owner, Intrawest or Rental by Owner. Again, Rental by Owner is risky and Intrawest is dull with non personalized rooms that seem as if you are in a Holiday Inn. So I recommend Winter Park Lodging by Owner there also.

Going up the slopes you have the Iron Horse Resort that was built in 1984 and is showing every year of it. I would like to say I like the Iron Horse because of the location but it is just so rundown and outdated that it really is not up to my standards of what ski in and out should be. They have a restaurant there now that is an offshoot of the Tabernash Tavern. Never been to the one at Iron Horse but the location in Tabernash is fantastic. The Iron Horse slopes are accessed by elevator that takes guests owners to a catwalk that Considering the base of Winter Park Resort Zephyr Mountain Lodge. Free provider in The Iron Horse Resort is owned, Allegiant Management and Iron Horse Resort Management, a rental site received. I would be very cautious in letting private, for the reasons mentioned above, and if Allegiant is a decent unit and Iron Horse Resort in a new way, if you can find a decent unit.

Base Camp on Jane Creek is the ultimate in and out of the experience of skiing. All units arefour bedrooms though. The finishes are top notch and a couple have elevators inside the units. Each has a private hot tub and gas grills on the patios. Parking is a bit tight with one car garages and a single spot on the driveway. Slope access is up a fairly long walkway or you can be steal a ride in the Iron Horse Resort's elevator to the catwalk. Each unit has multiple gas fireplaces and all in floor radiant heat. If you are brave enough (good enough skier!) and know about the Elevator Shutes you can ski to you front door. You have to ski across a small stream though. You can find Lodging options at Base Camp on Jane Creek through Winter Park Lodging by Owner (WPLBO.com).

As for the Jane side the Arlberg Club is very cool but you need to be a member and the homes in Bridger's Cache can be found on Rental by Owner.

There is the rundown of the for Winter Park Ski Resort ski in and out options. It is of my opinion if you are wanting ski in and out at Winter Park for one and two bedrooms go for Zephyr Mountain Lodge and for three and four bedrooms go for Base Camp on Jane Creek.

Winter Park Lodging - Swimming Pools Make For a Great Vacation

Winter Park, Colorado lodging now has more options of accommodations with a pool. The Fraser Valley/Winter Park area will now have three options of lodging rentals with pools and a rec center that all will be able to enjoy. Currently the Meadow Ridge complex has an outdoor heated pool and the Hi Country development has an indoor pool with four hot tubs for your ski vacation enjoyment.

The latest pool to open up in a rental complex up here in the Winterpark area is at the Trail Head Lodges complex. The heated outdoor pool and hot tub opened last week and all that I have talked to say the pool, club house and hot tubs are just fantastic. The pool was also supposed to be for the tenants of the next door complex Sawmill Station but that deal has fallen through. The pool fits a pressing need for Trail Head Lodges and downtown Winterpark for an outdoor swimming pool.

The bigger of the two new pools and open to all for a fee will be the pool at the Fraser/Winter Park Valley Recreation Center. Just off of US Highway 40 west of the town of Winter Park will be the new rec center and pool. The pool will feature a lazy river and hot tubs. Opening should be by the 1st of January, 2010. It is mountain construction so later can probably be expected.

With the opening of these two pools the Fraser Valley in Grand County now has four pools to be enjoyed on your Colorado ski vacation. There is nothing better than a nice swim and soak in the hot tub after a day on the bumpy slopes of The Park and Mary Jane Resorts.

So have a great vacation in Winterpark and enjoy all the pools that are here to be had on your vacation.