Looking to head out of town and soak up the magic of the holidays? We have the ultimate holiday experiences that will add a little joy & sparkle without a single dish to wash or tree to trim. Cozy up in the Blue Ridge Mountains, head to the white sandy beaches of Florida’s Eastern seaboard, be pampered in Palm Beach or mesmerized by 45,000 holiday lights.
Where to Go Primland Resort
Virginia
Spend the holiday season cozied up in the In the heart of Virginia’s bucolic Blue Ridge Mountains at Primland, Auberge Resort Collection. Primland offers an elevated, back-to-nature retreat complete with 12,000 acres of unspoiled wilderness, a variety o spacious and luxurious accommodations (including picturesque Tree Houses for some of the best mountain views), farm-to-table cuisine served in casual and fine dining settings, rejuvenating spa facilities, a championship-caliber golf course, and endless outdoor activities.
Holiday Highlights:
With the start of the holiday season, the resort has a host of highlights coming up.
The holiday season starts with the Garden & Gun Club Holiday Bar Experience at Primland’s rustic Tobacco Barn, offering cozy holiday drinks or hot toddies and s’mores by the firepit all month long through January 1. Throughout December, guests will be able to participate in special festive activities including Holiday Cookie Decorating, Wine & Wreath-making Workshops, Wine & Watercolor classes and daily visits from Santa Claus (from 3-5pm daily between Dec. 19-23).
Christmas Tree Concierge: Any guests checking in between December 15-24 will have the option of ordering a Christmas Tree from the Primland Christmas Tree Concierge, which will be set up and decorated before arrival. Guests booking the Christmas Tree Concierge service will receive complimentary Hot Chocolate upon arrival.
Christmas Eve: Kids can gather in the Great Hall for story time with Santa by the tree from 4-5:30pm while adults enjoy cocktails and live entertainment, followed by a pre-fixe Christmas Eve dinner menu at Elements.
Christmas Day: Guests can enjoy complimentary morning coffees and pastries in the Great Hall with a special holiday gift from Primland. Later in the day, Primland will offer a Christmas sing-along and holiday-themed activities at the Kids’ Explorer’s Club while adults can enjoy a wreath-making experience.
Boxing Day: On December 26, a Hot Chocolate Bar will be available for guests in the Great Hall from 3-5pm.
Where to Go
Ponte Verda, Florida
This holiday season, head to the white sandy beaches and sunny shores of Florida’s Eastern seaboard In charming seaside town of Ponte Vedra. Winter is one of the best times of year to experience North when the high-season crowds have moved south, and the temperate weather feels just right. Ponte Vedra Inn & Club, and its sister property, The Lodge & Club, are offering guests and club members holiday programming all month long.
Holiday Highlights
Ponte Vedra Inn & Club is a great destination for families to spend the holiday season. At the Historic Inn, guests and members can enjoy buffet-style dining on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, while signature fine-dining restaurant, Seahorse Grille, will offer multi-course menus on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve. Adults get to do the hustle and rustle up their best disco ensemble, as the resort’s annual New Year’s Eve Party will be an ode to Studio 54. On Jan. 1, guests can kick off the new year with a Polar Plunge before grabbing a Bloody Mary and brunch.
The Lodge & Club: Down the beach from Ponte Vedra Inn & Club sits its sister property, The Lodge & Club, where guests enjoy oceanfront views from every bespoke suite while staying cozy and warm next to the in-room fireplace. This holiday season, guests and members can enjoy the annual Christmas Eve Buffet,Christmas Day Brunch and Dinner, and a prix-fixe New Year’s Eve Dinner at signature fine-dining restaurant, Sea View Grille. Throughout the week of Christmas, adults can enjoy a complimentary Spirits Series Workshop on Dec. 23, while children can enjoy a daily Winter Kids Camp from Dec. 26-30. On December 31, The Lodge & Club will toast to 2023 with a lively New Year’s Eve Bash complete with a DJ, Champagne Toast at midnight, passed bites, beachside bonfires, and more.
Where to Go
Palm Beach, Florida
Retreat to Eau Palm Beach Resort & Spa oceanfront oasis to delight in endless seasonal programming. Situated on the sweeping back drop of Florida’s gold coast and with the Atlantic as its playground, Eau Palm Beach invokes the relaxed glamour of America’s first resort destination; a chance to refresh, play and rediscover time. One of only two Forbes Five-Star resorts in Palm Beach and eight in Florida, Eau Palm Beach Resort & Spa is where effortless living meets relaxed luxury. Situated on a private beach on seven acres of oceanfront with lush tropical gardens, guests are welcomed with champagne, breathtaking ocean views and cooling tropical breezes.
Holiday Highlights
Pre-holiday programming includes, a Holiday Cocktail Class at Stir Executive Terrace (Dec. 21); a visit from Santa & Mrs. Claus and Nutcracker Tea at the newly refreshed Loggers Kids Club, which will serve a selection of tea, hot chocolate, finger sandwiches, and pastries (Dec. 22); complimentary Holiday Ice Cream Toast at new on-site ice cream parlor, Melt, featuring a specialty flavor of the week (Dec. 22); and a Sake and Sushi Making Class newly debuted sushi bar, Boken (Dec. 23).
Christmas Eve, guests can enjoy a special Holiday Breakfast Buffet and a la carte lunch at Polpo Palm Beach to kick off the celebrations, followed by an Eggnog Making Class at Stir Executive Terrace, a special Christmas Menu served at Angle, and Bedtime Stories with Santa & Mrs. Claus at Loggers Kid’s Club to end the evening.
Christmas Day, families can stop by Stir for a meet and greet with Santa & Mrs. Claus, enjoy Eau Palm Beach’s Christmas Brunch in the Ballroom or an Italian Brunch Buffet at Polpo featuring a premium bottomless bar by morning, and indulge in a special Christmas Menu at Angle by night.
New Year’s Eve, Breeze Ocean Kitchen will offer Toasts Around the World from 11am-10pm. Guests can purchase tickets for Polpo’s New Year’s Eve Dinnerfollowed by the Ocean After Party, where guests can ring in the new year with live music, a cash bar, dessert buffet and dancefloor. Diners can enjoy four-course or five-course prix-fixe menus at Angle or enjoy an intimate setting at Boken’s sushi bar. Toast to the New Year and watch the ball drop at Stir with a Champagne Toast at Midnight or reserve a spot at the Grand Ballroom for a “Bubbles and Balloons” Black Tie Dinner and party presented by Dom Perignon (all-inclusive private table starts at $525 per guest). For younger guests, Loggers will host a New Year’s Eve Pajama Party with food, drinks, dessert, music and dancing, and more.
New Year’s Day, Polpo will celebrate the New Year and National Bloody Mary Day with a la carte breakfast (complimentary for children 4 years old and younger). Guests can go to the pool and beach for a “Make a Wish” Candle Lighting Experience.
Where to Go
Asheville, NC
Christmas at Biltmore, the estate’s holiday celebration, runs through Jan. 8, 2023. Throughout 2022, Biltmore has been part of the national celebration of the 200th birthday of Frederick Law Olmsted, the estate’s landscape architect. Biltmore’s team of designers planned décor around a “Winter Landscapes” theme that brings the outdoors inside and honors Olmsted’s grand achievements. Décor in Biltmore House includes 67 hand-decorated Christmas trees, more than 14,000 ornaments, 45,000 holiday lights, 250 candles, 1,000 feet of garland, and 150 traditional poinsettias. Holiday packages are offered at the luxurious Four-star Inn on Biltmore Estate and at the cozy farmhouse-feel of Village Hotel, both decked out for the holidays.
Holiday Highlights
Christmas at Biltmore daytime celebration, December 2022– Jan. 8, 2023
This tradition includes a daytime tour of Biltmore House while the estate is adorned with holiday decorations.
Candlelight Christmas Evenings, December 2022 – Jan. 7, 2023
Biltmore House glows with candlelight and firelight during this nighttime tour, changing the daytime visit’s mood and experience. Musicians stationed throughout the house perform seasonal favorites.
Estate happenings
Leonardo da Vinci: 500 Years of Genius: This digital art exhibition requires a separate ticket and will be on view through Feb. 20, 2023.
The Conservatory: Hundreds of holiday poinsettias warm up the inside of the Conservatory along with an array of tropical plants.
Christmas pop-up shop at A Gardener’s Place: Adding to the estate’s many shopping options, a Christmas pop-up shop at A Gardener’s Place in Antler Hill Village is stocked with everything needed to celebrate the season.
Wine tastings at Biltmore Winery and estate-wide dining: A visit to the Biltmore Winery is an essential part of the holiday experience. Reservations for complimentary tastings of Biltmore’s handcrafted wines must be made on the day of a visit.
Antler Hill Village Illumination: The estate’s European-inspired village is a constellation of holiday lights that illuminate trees, buildings and the Winery. 5:30 p.m. to midnight, Nov. 4, 2022-Feb. 21, 2023.
Bonfires in Antler Hill Village: On the path leading from Antler Hill Village to Antler Hill Barn. Purchase ingredients for S’mores for bonfires at The Creamery. 6 to 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, Nov. 4-Dec. 16; daily from Dec. 17-31.
Visits with Santa: Santa makes a visit to Antler Hill Village Bandstand for pictures and to hear wish lists from 1 to 5 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays Nov. 5-Dec. 18; Nov. 25; and Dec. 19-23.
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