Season Offers Washingtonians Array of Cool, Creative Travel Ideas by Heather Nalbone The forecasts are in, and the outlook doesnít look too promising for sun lovers. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is predicting the likelihood of a colder-than-usual winter for the mid-Atlantic region this year. But colder doesnít have to mean quieter when it comes to travel. The Washington Diplomat has found some creative winter getaways to fit all kinds of wintry moods, so there is no need to search for a warmer climateóalthough we do have a few ideas where thatís concernedóto brighten up the darker months. (All approximated distances are based on trips beginning in downtown Washington, D.C.) New York City Shops Approximate distance: 237 miles Shopping takes precedence for many as the holidays near. On the East Coast, the oft-looming question is when and how to hit the streets of New York. For all its excitement, Manhattanís surplus of stores can make for a daunting shopping experience. Enter nysale.com, an insiderís guide that includes unadvertised sales taking place throughout the city. Thereís also a ìFashion and Shoppingî section of nymetro.com, a self-professed guide to the best 1,600 stores in New York that offers daily sales listings. For more direct guidance through the streets NoLita or SoHo, try out girlshop.comís (or guyshop.com, depending on your preference) guided walking tour of hip designer boutiques. An $85 fee will buy you four hours with fashion and shopping insiders, plus a snack and discount card. Floyd, Va. Approximate distance: 292 miles Manhattan has an indisputably cosmopolitan appeal, but how about some good oleí small-town entertainment? Down at the Floyd Country Store (built in 1913), Friday night jamborees bring out a large portion of the townís 432 residents. The animated weekly celebration of live authentic bluegrass music carries on even during the coldest winter days in a grassroots community where barn-raisings, music festivals and art galleries abound. Floydís location on the Blue Ridge Parkway makes for an idyllic getaway in a peaceful (not to mention friendly) setting. Go for a drive through rustic rolling hills, sip wine at the local wineries, or book a room in one of the townís bed and breakfasts, a hot tub-equipped cabin, or a quaint guesthouse located on a family-owned-and-operated tree farm. (floydvirginia.com) Charleston, S.C. Approximate distance: 538 miles Antebellum mansions, charming cobblestone streets and ornate cathedrals set against a backdrop of sprawling plantationsóeach year some 5 million people trek to visit the ìliving museumî of oceanfront Charleston, mile after mile of it. One of the last truly refurbished colonial American cities, Charleston is also rich with delightful restaurants, cozy cafÈs and luxurious accommodations. Indulge in the multimillion-dollar European-style spa at the stately Charleston Place Hotel. Order some cheap but dynamite She Crab soup at Hymanís Seafood Restaurant, which boasts frequent visits by Hollywood celebrities. Need more convincing? With its proximity to the ocean, the areaís average temperature for December is 51 degrees, 12 degrees warmer than the typical Washington winter. (charleston.com, charlestonplace.com, hymanseafood.com) Historic Ellicott City, Md. Approximate distance: 39 miles Looking for the perfect accent table for a hallway in your home? How about a vintage decanter set for entertaining? The smartly refurbished downtown Ellicott City in Maryland is packed with antiques and boutique items. You wonít have to walk far in the coldóthe entire shopping district in the historic part of town spans just a few blocks. Nevertheless, youíll find a charming array of retailers in the townís renovated stone buildings, as well as a toy store, coffee shop and a couple of deli-style restaurants. Add another 15 miles to your trip to dine on orange roasted duck at the award-winning Baldwinís Station in historic Sykesville. Then stay overnight at the Inn at Norwood, a refurbished colonial home with spring- and summer-themed rooms to brighten up a chilly winter night, all for a reasonable $90 to $190 per night. (visithowardcounty.com, baldwinsstation.com, innatnorwood.com) Virginia Wineries Approximate distances vary For those who need to be convinced that Virginiaís vineyards are a great place to warm up, consider this: At last count, the state has more than 60 licensed farm wineries, making Virginia the fifth-largest wine producing state in the country. Many are within an easy two-hour drive from D.C., and virtually all are nestled in the picturesque countryside. Most outdoor festivals are traded for fireside dinners, complimentary desserts and hot mulled wine beginning in November. Hidden Brook Winery (an hourís drive from D.C.) has been known to host voter-based competitions against neighboring vineyards, while holiday open houses at several other wineries feature special discounts on last-minute gifts. For serious road-trippers, a passport to Virginiaís wineries from the stateís Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is good for prizes with proof of visits to 25 or more vineyards. (virginiawines.org) Spa Resorts Approximate distances vary Many diamond resort clubs are heavily trafficked during warmer months and in year-round temperate climates, when the sun favors recreational activities such as boating and tennis. But the relaxation of a deep-tissue massage can often be the perfect escape from an icy winter. Close by is Virginiaís Lansdowne Resort, known by many locals for its riverfront, 7,057-yard golf course and business meeting facilities. But the resortís spa is equally inviting, with all the essential sea salt scrubs and aromatherapy oils. (In winter of 2006, an all-new spa that will be one of the largest in the area is set to debut.) Thereís also the spa at Nemacolin Woodlands Resort in western Pennsylvania, which combines skin care and salon services with candle-lit yoga and water aerobics. There are, of course, plenty of other award-winning, luxury health resorts to accompany trips to snowier states. One unique find is small-town Wisconsinís Kohler Waters Spa, where a beautifully tiled pool and eight-foot cascading wall of water sits adjacent to separate lounge rooms for men and women. (lansdowneresort.com, nemacolin.com, destinationkohler.com) Biltmore Estate, N.C. Approximate distance: 481 miles The grounds of the old Vanderbilt mansion contain some 8,000 acres with elaborate gardens for strolling, wooded areas for hiking, and a lake for boating and fly fishing, although thereís plenty more for those who prefer the indoors during winter. Touring Americaís largest home can take as long as four hours to see the priceless art and antiques in all 250 rooms, which contain 65 fireplaces, an indoor pool and a bowling alley. There are interpretive exhibits and antique equipment in the historic horse barn, award-winning wines in the on-site chateau, and a variety of culinary fare in four different restaurants. A one-day pass to the grounds is $38 ($19.50 for youth ages 6 to 16). Standard rooms at the Inn on Biltmore Estates start at $249 per night. The inn offers several holiday packages, including a $279-per-night Thanksgiving package that includes breakfast, a holiday dinner, and admission to the estate mansion and grounds. (biltmoreestate.com) Les Liaisons DÈlicieuses Approximate distances vary If winter trip planning finds you torn between leisure, education and culture, Les Liaisons DÈlicieuses offers all three. For anyone whose idea of the perfect vacation involves meal after meal of fine cuisine, why not cook alongside award-winning chefs in their home kitchens? Addicted to outstanding wines? Drink with the experts. The 10-year-old organization founded and run by culinary expert Patti Ravenscroft organizes customized trips to France, Morocco and Canada for groups of eight to 10 people. No prior experience is required. Upcoming all-inclusive trips (excluding airfare) range from four days at $1,890 per person to seven days at $2,690 per person. (cookfrance.com) Orange County, Calif. Approximate distance: 2,666 miles For a colorful, sun-filled destination, hereís a recommendation for something less typical than Florida or the Caribbean. Sandwiched between San Diego and Los Angeles, Californiaís Orange County offers loads of manicured oceanfront cities brimming with scrumptious fish taco stands, boutique shops, charming boardwalks and seafood fresh from the Pacific Ocean. Winters are mild despite the heavy jackets sported by warm-blooded locals in January. The Pacific Coast Highwayóso popular that New Zealand copied itóoffers a peaceful drive through Laguna Beach, San Clemente and Newport Beach. There are plenty of enchanting resorts, bed and breakfasts and hotels located close to shoreline. (visitorangecounty.net) Catskills and the Brotherhood Winery, N.Y. Approximate distance: 384 miles The majesty of New Yorkís Catskill Mountains has long drawn artists and nature lovers from all over the world to witness cascading waterfalls in spring and blazing colors in autumn. But thereís a good reason to visit the area in the middle of winter too: the Brotherhood Winery. Americaís oldest vineyardófounded by European emigrant John Jaques in 1839ósurvived prohibition by selling sacramental wine. Today, more than 24 premium wines are produced in vast underground cellars comparable to those of famous European wineries. The trip to Washingtonville, N.Y., can be made in less than an hour from Manhattan, or under 15 minutes from one of the dozen-plus neighboring bed and breakfasts. (wines.com/brotherhood) Bermuda For a new twist on a long-admired exotic destination, the Bermuda Department of Tourism is holding a culinary arts festival in November. The six-day event, to be hosted by actress Sigourney Weaver, includes private dinners, buffet meals, dancing, parties, and cooking competitions among world-renowned food and wine experts. A special package from Washington, D.C., including airfare and a three-night hotel stay, costs $1,709. Packages for longer trips are also available, as are travel packages for Baltimore, Md., departures. A six-week Bermuda Festival of the Performing Arts also begins Jan. 13. (bermudatourism.com/CulinaryFest, bermudafestival.com) Dinner Cruise Need some escape but donít have time for any real travel? Try a lunch, brunch or dinner cruise on the Potomac River, complemented by scenic views of the areaís monuments and, in some cases, dancing and live music. Odyssey recently completed a $500,000 renovation on its local luxury vessel. Dandy Restaurant Cruise Ships host holiday cruise specials on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Yearís Eve. Capital Eliteóoperated by Spirit Cruisesóoffers private yacht charters. (dandydinnerboat.com, odysseycruises.com, spiritcruises.com) Heather Nalbone is a contributing writer for The Washington Diplomat.