winter-travel-main

Founded in 2002, Oceania Cruises, the world's only upper premium cruise line, is a nominee for a Reader's Choice Award for Best Caribbean Cruise.

The company's three 684-guest ships – Regatta, Insignia and Nautica – convey guests to 300 different ports of call as part of 34 different itineraries around the world. Next year, the 1,258-guest Marina will join Oceania's fleet, complete with ten on-board dining venues, including six restaurants. All of Oceania's vessels offers arts and crafts classes, as well as lectures given before reaching port of call about its local culture and history.

The Regatta , which is the flagship of the Oceania Cruises fleet, handles the company's Caribbean traffic. Built in 1998, the ship's decks are resplendent in the finest teak, custom stone and tile work while her lounges, suites and staterooms boast luxurious, neo-classical furnishings. The Regatta offers every luxury one might expect with four unique, open seating restaurants, eight lounges and bars, a world class fitness center and spa, a casino and 342 suites and staterooms, nearly 70% of which have private verandas. The ship's staff of 400 pampers up to 684 guests on every voyage; itineraries range from 10-24 days. The Regatta's Caribbean Pearls' itinerary includes stops in bustling St. John's, scenic Tortola, and the posh port of Gustavia in St. Bart.

The Canyon Ranch SpaClub on board Oceania's ships offer a full range of spa treatments from body wraps and acupuncture to ayuryeda, massage and skin care.

The 12-day version of Oceania's "Caribbean Pearls" cruise runs just shy of $3,000 for an ocean view room; suites can be had for just north of $6,000. As an added bonus, airfare is included in both fares for early bookers.

Vote now for what you believe is the best of breed for each of the Winter Travel categories. Readers' Choice Awards for the Best in Winter Travel will be announced on January 31st.

Gallery: More from Oceania Cruises

For families with a thirst for adventure, a safari trip to Africa may be the ideal cure to the winter blues. Leave the planning to Abercrombie & Kent, a luxury travel company that's been at it for half a century, now nominated for a Readers' Choice Award in the Best Luxury Family Winter Vacation category.

Founded in 1962 by a British family living in East Africa, Abercrombie & Kent offers an unparalleled family safari in Kenya. The 11-day itinerary starts with a flight to Nairobi, the capital of Kenya and cultural, economic and political hub of East Africa. Once there, you'll start your journey with a visit to Daphne Sheldrick's Baby Elephant Orphanage, where keepers sometimes sleep with lonely animals at night. Proceed to the Giraffe Center, where you'll feed long-necked beauties from the palm of your hand.

Next, you'll head out into the wilds with a drive to the Sweetwaters Reserve, one of the best places to spot a rare chimpanzee or black rhino. Then delve deep into bush country with a trip to the Samburu game reserve, rife with buffalo, lion, leopard among others; meet with members of the nomadic Samburu tribe and track game, catch butterflies, or even ride a camel.

The next day, you'll spend the first of three days on the Masai Mara Game reserve, sleeping in tents near the Talek River and witnessing the vast expanse of the African savannah. Travel to a nearby village to learn about tribal culture and discover the proper way to throw a spear or light a fire with sticks. For amateur aviators, consider the optional hot air balloon safari before heading home.

Abercrombie & Kent's Kenya Family Safari is the experience of a lifetime, but these kind of memories don't come cheaply. The cost, based on double occupancy, is $5,825 per person plus airfare. For those who can afford it, there are few alternatives that can compare.

Vote now for what you believe is the best of breed for each of the Winter Travel categories. Readers' Choice Awards for the Best in Winter Travel will be announced on January 31st.

Gallery: More from Abercrombie & Kent

Badrutt's Palace, the landmark hotel in the center of legendary ski paradise St. Moritz, is a nominee for a Readers' Choice Award for Best Ski Hotel. Situated amidst breathtakingly beautiful and unspoiled scenery, Badrutt's Palace has long been hailed as a favorite of celebrities and royalty alike since its opening in 1896.

One of the top lifestyle addresses in the world, the family-owned hotel is known for its unrivaled luxury, immaculate service and extravagant and exclusive Après Ski experience.

Located in one of the most challenging ski areas in the world, Badrutt's is renowned as a world class ski resort with extensive and immaculately kept slopes. Guests enjoy moonlit ski runs, skiing, snowboarding, tobogganing, vertical ice-wall climbing, torch-light skiing, among many other activities.

Over the past 10 years, the entire hotel was refurbished and modernized, including its guest rooms, suites, spa and wellness areas. There are 159 guestrooms and 38 suites with stunning views of the Swiss Alps and Lake St. Moritz. Luxurious suites include the two-bedroom Hans Badrutt Suite with a surface area of 280 square meters, wood-paneled library. The two-bedroom Helen Badrutt Suite is 250 square meters in size.

The renovated "Palace Wellness" spa offers therapeutic luxury treatments along with the latest in fitness equipment in addition to indoor and outdoor pools with breathtaking views of the Swiss Alps. The exclusive treatment menu offers carefully selected product lines such as Anika Organic Luxury, Intraceuticals, Shodeea and La Biosthetique. Specialized treatments use mainly natural and predominantly organic ingredients to achieve maximum results.

Gourmet dining includes such well-known favorites as Nobu, which offers unique fusion cuisine combining traditional Japanese ingredients with Peruvian influences. The restaurant is only open during the winter months. Another fine dining experience will be had at Le Restaurant, the Grand Dame of the Palace restaurants. Here, guests enjoy glamorous nights in a unique, but classic setting. The venue features international and French cuisine. During the winter months, a harpist entertains guests for breakfast while there is a musical ensemble during the dinner service. The hotel's Chesa Veglia, one of the oldest farmhouses in St. Moritz, features three restaurants and two bars.

The hotel also offers an exciting nightlife at the King's Club and exclusive shopping including Bulgari, Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Emilio Pucci, Loro Piana, Van Cleef & Arpels, Chopard and De Grisogono boutiques among others. The Kid's Club features such activities as cooking classes, baking classes, horse carriage excursions, husky sledge excursions, dancing lessons, ice skating lessons and much more.

Daily rates at Badrutt's Palace for 2010 start at 465 Swiss francs for a standard room during the peak and high seasons during the winter months and 4,185 euros per night for a superior suite. Rates include buffet breakfast, internet access, service, tax and VAT.

Vote now for what you believe is the best of breed for each of the Winter Travel categories. Readers' Choice Awards for the Best in Winter Travel will be announced on January 31st.

Gallery: More from Badrutt's Palace

Some families prefer the beach, some the ski slopes. But for those who find solace in the forest, it's hard to beat Treetops Lodge & Estate in New Zealand, a Luxist nominee for Best Luxury Family Winter Vacation.

Nestled in a rugged 2,500 acres of native forest on the edge of the Mamaku Plateau, Treetops boasts a game reserve, seven trout streams, four lakes, over 70 kilometers of hiking trails, plus mountain biking and horse riding opportunities. Lake Taupo, New Zealand's largest, is less than an hour away by car; Cape Kidnappers, with its dramatic seaside golf course, is a three hour drive.

Located 140 miles southeast of Auckland, Treetops is the gem of greater Rotorua. The area is a trout-fishing mecca and is also home to some of the most colorful geothermal features in the world – bubbling mud pools, volcanic craters and geysers. Some of New Zealand's best vineyards – Craggy Range, Te Mata, Sileni – are a stone's throw from the lodge. The area is also a major hub of the Maori, New Zealand's aboriginal inhabitants, whose carefully carved meeting houses dot the landscape.

The Lodge Wing accommodates eight guests in four suites with ensuites, all sharing a "state of the art" kitchen. There are also eight privately situated villas complete with a bedroom, spacious bathroom with spa bath, lavish lounge with fireplace and a small kitchenette. Fine cuisine is an integral part of the Treetops experience with healthy dishes created by the lodge's talented chefs using locally grown produce, complemented by an array of fine New Zealand wines. Guests can choose to have an intimate dining experience in the library or with fellow guests in the main dining room.

Lodging can be had at Treetops starting at about $400 per night per person. Since New Zealand's summer coincides with North America's winter, peak season can drive rates up even further. For a family of adventurous foresters, it's worth it.

Vote now for what you believe is the best of breed for each of the Winter Travel categories. Readers' Choice Awards for the Best in Winter Travel will be announced on January 31st.

Gallery: More from Treetops

Rising over Manhattan's premier shopping and business district is the Four Seasons Hotel, a nominee for a Readers' Choice Award for Best City Hotel.

Designed by I.M. Pei, the hotel features stunning views and gracious style. It is a remarkable luxury experience in one of the busiest cities of the world.

The hotel offers 368 generously-sized guest rooms, including 63 suites. Some accomodations have furnished terraces with views of Central Park or the downtown skyline. The décor is contemporary and understated, featuring the finest handcrafted furniture and English sycamore panelling. Signature facilities include Florentine marble bathrooms with a glass-enclosed shower stall, a deep soaking tub that fills in 60 seconds and a private changing area.

On the 52nd floor, the 4,300 square feet Ty Warner Penthouse, named for the owner of the hotel, was a collaboration between Ty Warner, renowned designer Peter Marino and I.M. Pei. With cantilevered glass balconies and floor-to-ceiling bay windows, the suite is set beneath 25-foot cathedral ceilings. The nine-room penthouse offers a breathtaking 360-degree view of all Manhattan, a private spa room, library, breakfast room, indoor-outdoor Zen garden and library. The suite was custom-commissioned in every detail, from semi-precious stone surfaces to fabrics woven with platinum and gold and comes equipped with a private chauffeur for unlimited travel during the guests' stay with a choice of a Rolls Royce Phantom or a Mercedes Maybach.

The hotel features a full-service spa with Shiatsu, hot stone, Thai ceremony and reflexology treatments (massage, facial and hand and foot treatments) in addition to whirlpool, sauna and steam facilities. There is also a 5,000 square foot fitness facility with cardiovascular equipment; fitness and yoga trainesr are also available for hire.

Nightly rates (not including taxes and service charges) start at $655 for a moderate room; suites start at $1,950 per night.

Vote now for what you believe is the best of breed for each of the Winter Travel categories. Readers' Choice Awards for the Best in Winter Travel will be announced on January 31st.

Gallery: More from the Four Seasons, New York

There's no better place to stay in Venice, Italy than the Hotel Cipriani, a nominee for a Readers' Choice Award for Best City Hotel.

A magical place set in lush, manicured gardens at the end of the Giudecca Island, the hotel is accessible by a short (four minute) boat ride from St. Mark's Square (30 minute boat trip from the Marco Polo Airport). The hotel's own private boat "Shirley", a beautiful wooden boat is available upon request to take you to magnificent islands in the lagoon including Murano, Burano and Torcello. As Venice is a city made up of more than 100 islands, there's no better way to explore it than by boat.

The history of the Hotel Cipriani dates back to 1956 when Giuseppe Cipriani, founder of the unique Venetian establishment Harry's Bar, decided to build a hotel within easy reach of St. Mark's Square and yet far enough away to ensure peace and privacy. A joint company was formed and an ideally located three-acre plot on the tip of the Giudecca Island, just five minutes by boat from St. Mark's Square, was purchased.

In 1958, the hotel opened its doors and enjoyed instant acclaim for its relaxed atmosphere, attentive service and simple, but superbly prepared food which have become its trademark. In 1968 some adjoining land was purchased and a magnificent Olympic-size 600 square meter swimming pool was built. This filtered salt-water pool is the largest in Venice, and is considered one of the finest in Europe to this day.

The Hotel Cipriani was sold in 1976 to Sea Containers, whose President and founder of Orient-Express, James B. Sherwood, was already a regular guest. Over the years more land and adjacent buildings were purchased to create space for new restaurants, guestrooms and facilities.

Today, the hotel's amenities includes a private red clay tennis court located amidst the beautiful Venetian garden of the hotel. The fitness center is outfitted with state-of-the-art equipment (including the revolutionary Proellixe Vibration machine) and overlooks flowered patios and gardens. Personal trainers are available upon request. Guests are given preferred entry to the only 18-hole course in Venice, which was created more than 70 years ago. Considered to be one of the most prestigious courses in Italy, the Circolo Golf Venezia club is located on the south part of Lido island in the Alberoni area.

Hotel Cipriani is known for pampering its guests in a very personalized way. Guests may receive Italian champagne, seasonal fruits or a personal guidebook of Venice as a gift. The hotel manager or another high-ranking member of the staff try to meet each guest at arrival, offering sweets and toys and a Kids' Club with English-speaking staff if traveling with children. The hotel is also known for customizing a guests visit, if they are aware of any needs or requests in advance. Fresh fruits are served to guests every afternoon by the pool and a beautiful private library is also available for guest use.

The hotels' newly (and partly) refurbished 82 luxuriously appointed rooms and suites have views over the open lagoon and the gardens. The hotel's Palazzo Vendramin, a 15th century palace linked to the hotel through an ancient courtyard, offers 16 suites and rooms (some with stunning views of St. Mark Square), in addition to a private butler service. Nightly room rates (including breakfast) start at 550 euros for a single room; doubles start at 900 euros while suites start at 2,420 euros.

Vote now for what you believe is the best of breed for each of the Winter Travel categories. Readers' Choice Awards for the Best in Winter Travel will be announced on January 31st.

Gallery: More from Hotel Cipriani

If escaping to warmer weather isn't your optimal idea of a vacation, head west to the Rockies for a family ski trip. There, the air is clear, the powder is fresh, and the amenities are plenty. For the best of all three, try Beaver Creek and Vail – both of which are up for a Readers' Choice Award in the Best Luxury Family Winter Vacation category.

Perhaps the most famous of America's ski resort towns, Vail has its reputation for good reason. Vail Mountain, at 5,289 skiable acres, is the largest single mountain ski resort in the U.S.; the town of Vail is a luxury ski bum's dream. The area, which is reminiscent of renowned resorts such as Switzerland's St. Moritz, Italy's Cortina and Spain's Val d'Aran, it is a year-round destination for families with plenty of activities geared for all ages. Its legendary ski slopes make Vail the ultimate place to enjoy world-class skiing and snowboarding in addition to Nordic skiing, snowshoeing and ice skating. Kids ages four and under ski free; children's lift tickets start at age five and go to age 12. Nightlife includes world-class theater productions and some of the best dining in Colorado.

Vail offers plenty of other activities, such as the Nature Discovery Center atop Vail Mountain. The Nature Discovery Center has provided guests with access to the wonders of the natural world in addition to a variety of environmental education and interpretive programs led by naturalists. During the winter season, Vail Ski School students visit the Discovery Center as part of the ski school's SKE-Cology program, which educates youth about mountain safety and mountain ecology. In winter and summer, naturalists lead snowshoe tours and nature hikes that explore the sub-alpine habitat atop Vail Mountain, including Nature at Night, a free nature talk held under the stars. Expert naturalists also host regular moonlit snowshoe tours, allowing guests to learn about their surroundings while snowshoeing through the White River National Forest.

A few miles away, tucked away in the mountains, is neighbor Beaver Creek Village. This tony enclave offers a village-to-village ski experience with Bachelor Gulch and Arrowhead and turns into a miniature cosmopolitan center every night, playing host to live jazz concerts, Broadway-level theater, visiting symphonies, films and other attractions. Bars and taverns line the warmly lit streets. For kids, there's a four-lane tubing hill and an ice skating rink, in addition to one of the best ski schools in the country, if not the world. A great place to stay in Beaver Creek is the Park Hyatt Beaver Creek Resort and Spa. This 190-room chateau-style resort offers a full-service spa, private balconies in most rooms and an outdoor firepit complete with a daily dose of s'mores.

More intimate and removed than Beaver Creek Village, Bachelor Gulch is the perfect setting for a family-oriented ski getaway that combines privacy with authentic Rocky Mountain luxury. Bachelor Gulch is part of Beaver Creek and is one of its three Village areas. Stay at the Ritz-Carlton, Bachelor Gulch, which is a Readers' Choice Nominee for Best Ski Hotel. The Ritz-Carlton, Bachelor Gulch is a kid-friendly grand lodge with luxurious accommodations situated right at the base of the Bachelor Gulch Express Lift (a high-speed quad chairlift, providing unparalleled ski-in, ski-out access).

In Vail, stay at the Sonnenalp Resort of Vail, a boutique-style hotel in the heart of the village and enjoy nightlife that includes frequent musical guest, film festivals, and always cozy eateries and watering holes. Another great place to stay in Vail is the Arrabelle at Vail Square, a RockResort property. A brand new world-class hotel, it is located the center of Vail Square, and is just steps away from the Eagle Bahn Goldola at Vail Mountain. On top of luxurious accomodations and a full-service spa, it also has a beautiful skating rink and is surrounded by shops and restaurants that are suitable for all ages.

Room rates for the most luxurious hotels in the Rockies generally start around $400 per night, based on double occupancy. On the bright side, a flight to Colorado won't set you back as far as an international excursion.

Vote now for what you believe is the best of breed for each of the Winter Travel categories. Readers' Choice Awards for the Best in Winter Travel will be announced on January 31st.

Gallery: More from Vail/Beaver Creek/Bachelor's Gulch

Situated some 2,135 meters (7,000 feet) above sea level and high above the town of Jackson, Wyoming is Amangani, a nominee for a Readers' Choice Award for Best Ski Hotel.

If it is action-packed days on the slopes and a convivial après-ski atmosphere you are in search of, look no further than this 40-suite resort. Amangani, which translates to "Peaceful Home", is the first Aman resort in the United States. Opened in October, 1998, Amangani is near the southern boundary of Grand Teton National Park.

Constructed with soft-hued Oklahoma sandstone, Douglas fir, cedar and Pacific redwood, the three-story resort is cut into the hillside on the western edge of the East Gros Ventre Butte. The area is encircled by elevated peaks and buttes, hence the world "hole" is used to describe this extensive alpine valley. It is a peaceful location at the southern end of the Greater Yellowstone Area, a vast expanse of mountain and meadow, sage flats, river bottoms, national forests and wildlife sanctuaries.

Amangani is a short ride away from some of the North America's most acclaimed ski runs at the Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, where ski and snowboarding enthusiasts enjoy 1,000 hectares of high-thrill skiing and snowboarding terrain featuring a lift-serviced vertical drop at 1,260 meters (4,139 feet). As Jackson Hole averages 1,016 cm (400 inches) of snow a year, it offers some of the best skiing conditions in the world. During winter months, snow piles up to four meters (10 feet) in the mountains. The entire valley turns white after mid-November and winter can stretch past early April.

In Teton Village, at the base of Rendezvous Mountain, the resort has a private ski lounge where guests will find snacks, hot beverages and a concierge service (which organizes ski equipment rentals and lessons). The resort offers a complimentary shuttle service as well as private transfers to and from the resort and the ski lounge, which is 20 minutes away. After a day on the slopes, guests unwind before the large wood-burning fireplaces of Amangani's Lounge with the two-story window wall offering beautiful views of the Snake River Range.

In addition to skiing and snowboarding, other winter activities enjoyed by the guests include snowmobiling, snowshoeing and half-to-full day dog-sledding. Amangani also offers horse-drawn sleigh rides which take guests up to the ridge of the butte where they will see panoramic views of the valley. Guests can also spend a day visiting nearby Yellowstone National Park, which is America's first national park and its largest outside Alaska. Yellowstone boasts its own Grand Canyon, plentiful geysers and Yellowstone Lake, the largest mountain lake in America.

While the resort has been nominated for best ski hotel, Amangani is also a great option for spring and summer vacations. During the warmer months, wildlife safaris led by biologist guides enable guests to view a wide variety of wildlife including black bears, grizzly bears, elk, bison, moose, pronghorn, bald eagles and golden eagles. Fly fishing enthusiasts enjoy the Snake River, which is a haven for local cutthroat trout as well as rainbow, lake and brown trout. Canoeing, kayaking, mountain biking, horseback riding and hot-air ballooning are other activities offered to guests.

The Health Center features treatment rooms, exercise studios, steam rooms and individualized yoga programs. The resort offers a 30 meter outdoor pool and whirlpool with magnificent mountain views; both are opened year-round.

Each of the resort's 40 suites have spectacular mountain and valley views. Rates start at $565 for April to mid-June and mid-October to mid-December; $725 from early January to early April (excluding Presidents' Day weekend when the entry rate jumps to $875); and $857 from mid-June to mid-October. A four-bedroom home with full hotel amenities is also available for $3,400 to $4,800 per night, depending on the time of year. The resort is a 20 minute drive from the Jackson Hole Airport.

Vote now for what you believe is the best of breed for each of the Winter Travel categories. Readers' Choice Awards for the Best in Winter Travel will be announced on January 31st.

Gallery: More from the Amangani Hotel

Le Mélézin, in the fashionable Alpine village of Courchevel 1850, is a nominee for a Readers' Choice Award for Best Ski Hotel.

The intimate alpine retreat lies in the heart of the world's largest ski area, the Trois Vallées in the French Alps. Ideally situated on the Bellecôte piste, the four-story lodge provides easy ski-in and ski-out access to Courchevel 1850, one of one of Europe's most fashionable and exclusive resorts. Le Mélézin is a short stroll from the epicenter of the resort which offers superb restaurants and shopping.

Le Mélézin opened in the heart of the Trois Vallées region as an Aman resort in 1992, offering 31 luxurious guest rooms and suites. The four-storey resort combines a ski experience with the classic traditions of the finest French Chateaux with its classic design. Its patterned parquet flooring and panelling and spectacular 200 year old oak beams, add a weathered touch to the updated surroundings. Most of the rooms throughout the property offer spectacular views of the ski slopes and surrounding peaks.

The resort , which is an Aman Resort, offers the ultimate après-ski experience with guests relaxing in the spacious hammam (steam room) or the white capri stone pool with a jacuzzi on either side. The resort also offers a spa with three treatment/massage rooms and a Thai/Shiatsu room.

The Trois Vallées region that embraces Courchevel is acknowledged for its beautifully groomed slopes, superb infrastructure and some of the consistently best skiing conditions in the world. Guests at Le Mélézin enjoy 600 km of groomed slopes, some with gradients of 38 degrees that are among the most taxing black runs in the world. There are also more than a dozen cross-country routes in the area, most of them created especially for the 1992 French Winter Olympics. A two-kilometre toboggan run, lit for night use, links the village of Courchevel 1850 with Courchevel 1550. There is a range of sports and other activities for children both indoors and outdoors during the day and a mix of day nursery and introduction to skiing pending on age.

Rates at Le Mélézin through April 7, 2010 start at 730 Euros per night, net of taxes and service. The winter ski season runs from mid-December to mid-April.

Vote now for what you believe is the best of breed for each of the Winter Travel categories. Readers' Choice Awards for the Best in Winter Travel will be announced on January 31st.

Gallery: More From Le Melezin