If you’re searching for where to go in December, why not try the happiest place on Earth? Walt Disney World is a wonderful destination to visit in December, if you travel in early December there will be lower crowds to deal with as well as lower prices – plus there are wonderful Christmas decorations and events to enjoy. If you travel later in December, you’ll have to content with the highest crowds and prices of the year, so plan to go early and have a wonderful time. Travel anytime before December 21st to see the park in a way most people don’t.

Some fun events to look out for are:

At the Magic Kindgdom, Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party – runs through the first two-thirds of the month, later in the month there is the signature event, a special Christmas parade and fireworks. Christmas decorations are in place by the night of the first party around November 9th.

At Epcot, there are fireworks and most nights you can enjoy Christmas carols sung by massed choirs in the Candlelight Processional. Special events usually begin around Friday after Thanksgiving.

At Disney’s Hollywood Studios, the celebration is the Osborne holiday lights in the Streets of America area, typically beginning in early November.

At Disney’s Animal Kingdom, enjoy the 3.45p parade that is redone to a Christmas theme.

New Year’s Eve Festivities will happen on December 31, at Disney World’s Epcot, Magic Kingdom and Hollywood Studios theme parks, and on December 30th at the Magic Kingdom. The Animal kingdom has no special events.

Disney World is a magic place anyway, add Christmas time onto that and you and your kids are going to have a fantastic time!! A great place to stay if for some reason you want something other than the “resort” is: Walt Disney World Swan

This place is great! It is a green resort located in Lake Buena Vista, just minutes from Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Epcot, as well as Disney’s Animal Kingdom. It features relaxing massages, body wraps and body scrubs at the full-service spa. There are 3 outdoor pools, outdoor tennis courts and a heath club. Valet parking, a children’s pool and childcare are also offered.

When visiting a nearby theme park you can conveniently hop onto one of their free shuttles. You can dine at the resort’s restaurant or coffee shop/cafe, or stay in and order room service (offered 24-hours). There is a poolside bar too!

For business travelers, there is free wi-fi in public areas, as well as the business center, a limo/town car service and small meeting rooms. There is a conference center, a ballroom and banquet facilities as well.

Stay in one of the 759 guestrooms which have refrigerators, coffee/tea makers, free wi-fi, cable/satellite TV, pillowtop beds, free daily newspapers as well as cribs or infant beds should you need them.

It’s a beautiful place with a perfect location, you’ll be able to easily get anywhere you want to be, and relax in style whenever you’re back at the Walt Disney World Swan.

For some great money and time saving’s tips check out the Ultimate Disney World Savings Guide.

Filed under: Where to Go In December by Nessa Walker
 Tags: best place to travel in December, december travel destinations, walt disney world

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If you are wondering where to go in January, why not look at Paris? Yeah, maybe typically you think of Paris as a great springtime destination, but it can be quite beautiful in the winter and should definitely be considered. Why?

Paris in January is wonderful because the city is coming to life, the holidays have died down and the new year has announced itself. Gradually longer days and crisp beautiful air make for a lovely ambiance with cooler temperatures and clearer skies – something many tourists miss.

Parisians empty into the streets leaving their well-heated homes to join up with friends and enjoy the great shopping. Because it is low season, it should be very easy to get a good deal on flights, especially if you plan ahead and book a couple of months in advance. Tourism is low tide as well so enjoying the many sites, like Musee d’Orsay and the Centre Pompidou will mean you get to take your time with very little crowds.

Paris cafes in the January are a delight, a warmth and charm that can’t be find anywhere else. Take a great book or magazine and just spend a relaxing afternoon cafe-hopping in the city’s historical Latin Quarter or in Saint-Germain-des-Prés.

What to pack: it can be quite chilly, especially with clearer skies than you see in November or December, the wind chill can make the cold seem biting, but if you bring warm sweaters, coats, scarves, warm socks and a hat to protect your ears, you won’t mind the weather at all and will enjoy the beauty of the city and seeing the Eiffel Tower in a way most people miss.

It isn’t quite as rainy in January, but sudden downpours can happen so pack an umbrella as well. Bring some waterproof shoes, shoes with a good tread because the streets can be slick and icy – high heels and dress shoes are not recommended for walking around the city in January.

Lastly, bring a good pair of gloves, perhaps not necessary, but good to have just in case. Spending a cozy morning in a cafe reading and seeing the city in a crisp blanket of snow can be quite relaxing and refreshing.

Where to stay:

The Artus Hotel is a great place to stay in January. Located amid the trendy cafés and food shops of St-Germain. It offers a generous breakfast buffet daily and room service is also available during limited hours. There are two restaurants, a poolside bar and a popular lobby bar facing the street. It offers a fitness room, massage treatments and a sauna on site.

Filed under: Where to Go In January by Nessa Walker
 Tags: january travel destinations, paris in january, where to travel in january

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