TravelSavers....

FUN IN THE SUN OR PLAY IN THE SNOW...
QUICK WINTER GETAWAYS HERE AT HOME

Whether your ideal long weekend involves playing in the snow or fun in the sun and sand, it’s easy to plan a quick getaway this winter. If you’re into snowsports, it’s hard to beat the possibilities (and bargains) in Canada, while sun and sand worshipers have found that ‘off-season’ in Bermuda is ideal for a quick and sunny getaway (also at bargain prices).

Wintry Weather Getaways

Canada’s national anthem may begin, “Oh, Canada,” but it might as well be “Snow, Canada” when it comes to a great winter weekend destination. From the east to the west and practically everywhere in between, Canada offers an incredible array of snowsports options. Plus, it’s quick and easy to get there and the current rate of exchange makes it ideal for great package prices.

Canadian winters will now be hot for years to come, thanks to Whistler winning the bid to host the 2010 Winter Olympic Games. With Whistler leading the way, Canada snowsports are in the news and on the minds of smart weekend travelers.

The two-mountain resort of Whistler Blackcomb is traditionally rated the top winter destination in North America--and for good reason. The huge winter wonderland features the highest vertical drop, the largest terrain, and an abundant snowfall that averages more than 30 feet annually. The two mountains have literally put Canadian wintersports at the forefront, with new runs, new amenities, and a wide array of places to play and stay.

Also long a Canadian favorite, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts has lots of great offerings to those heading north for a long winter weekend. For starters, the luxurious Fairmont Chateau Whistler is located at the base of Whistler Mountain, providing easy ski-in/ski-out access from upscale accommodations and amenities.

Other options? In the Canadian Rockies, Fairmont Banff Springs, Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, and Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge all provide an array of winter activities and easy access to the three world-class ski areas of Lake Louise, Sunshine Village, and Mount Norquay. To the east, Fairmont Tremblant is right at the heart of the bustling village of Mont Tremblant, always one of North America’s top-rated eastern destinations.

Keep in mind that you don’t necessarily have to head to a ski resort for winter fun in Canada. For instance, the Charlevoix’s Fairmont Le Manoir Richelieu and Quebec’s Fairmont Le Chateau Montebello offer wintry opportunities like snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, sleigh rides, dog sledding, and more!

Just for Sun Worshippers

If your teeth start to chatter just thinking about the cold weather, perhaps a warm weather destination would be more up your alley.  Bermuda, for instance, is one of the closest and most covenient sun spots to reach from anywhere in the U.S.

Bermuda's rare combination of convenient location, natural beauty, British heritage, and island charm make it a perfect long weekend getaway. Plus, the winter ‘off-season’ is still a secret with veteran visitors who love the great prices and less busy period.

Bermuda is a fish-hooked chain of islands that is situated in the Atlantic Ocean, just 650 miles (and a 90-minute flight!) off the east coast--but it’s a world apart. Bermuda's hilly terrain lies in the warming Gulf Stream and its 21-mile stretch of islands are connected by several bridges and causeways. Hamilton, the charming capital city, is the most populated area of Bermuda.

Mopeds (called ‘cycles’) provide the preferred way of exploring Bermuda. It's simple and convenient to rent mopeds and tour the entire island. Starting from historic St. George's in the east, moped wanderers will enjoy the ride into and around Hamilton, take in the breathtaking views along the South Shore, head past quaint Somerset, and end up at the west end's Dockyard, with lots of shops and historic sites.

Taxi drivers also provide an excellent way to get around Bermuda, as well as serving as great tour guides. They'll probably serve as your first introduction to the history of Bermuda and the friendliness of it's people.

Island charm is evident everywhere in Bermuda, where homes are the color of sherbert, businessmen wear Bermuda shorts and ties to work, and streets and homes have names like "Old Maids Lane" and "Fanny Fox's Cottage."

Beachcombers will enjoy strolling one or more of the secluded beaches. Bermuda's 34 small and picturesque beaches include famous Horseshoe Bay, Warwick Long Bay, Church Bay, Chaplin Bay, Stonehole Bay, Astwood Cove, and biscuit-sized Jobson's Cove.

Situated off these beautiful beaches, Bermuda offers an enchanted undersea world waiting to be explored by scuba divers and snorkelers. The crystal-clear waters offer colorful reefs and ancient wrecks.

For those who prefer to stay afloat, you can charter a private yacht, sailboat, or fishing boat to explore at your leisure. Waterskiing, parasailing, kayaking, and snorkeling equipment are also available for further exploration.

Shoppers will be pleasantly surprised at the entire Bermuda shopping experience. From the variety and price of goods to the friendliness of the staff, the quality shows. Imported British goods and many other items can provide perfect memories of Bermuda, as well as substantial savings.

A paradise fro golf enthusiasts, Bermuda has more acreage dedicated to golf per square mile than anywhere else in the world. Championship courses abound, with designers like Robert Trent Jones, Charles Banks, and Charles Blair Macdonald carving stunning landscapes into world-famous links. It's easy to arrange tee times throughout the island, with winter temperatures often ideal.

Lots of hotels and resorts are offering great packages this winter. For more information about these ski and sun vacation spots, call your travel agent.

A veteran snowboarder and scuba diver, Lynn Seldon has visited Bermuda and Canada many times while in pursuit of snow, sun, and sand. His work has appeared in more than 250 national publications.