Whether it's ski country or mildly cool breezes you crave, good deals are easy it find thanks to renewed fare wars. Here's some thoughts for a weekend away.
Fort Myers
Edison Festival of Light (2/19): If you were to drive down to Fort Myers today, two weeks before the town's big nighttime light parade in honor of its most most famous winter visitor, you'd see the lawn chairs already in place. It's an odd small-town quirk that hasn't outgrown Fort Myers' fast-growing modern status. Beginning in late January, people put out their own lawn chair along the parade route. And the chairs will still be there when they show up Feb. 19 for the 7 p.m. parade. The whole festival is a night of nostalgia. Though it's now called the SunTrust Edison Festival of Light Grand Parade, it still has the earmarks of Mayberry with the decorated fire trucks, the high school bands and the Shriners driving their silly cars. While you are in the area, take in the dozens of outlet malls and great furniture shopping made available to the wealthy residents who need to furnish their second homes. Then drive over to Sanibel Island, where Hurricane Charlie made visible the elegant mansions that used to be shielded by a tree canopy.
Spring break skiing: While the rest of the country thinks beaches for spring break, Floridians take this time to get away from the drunken frat party in our back yard and go visit the snow. You have to stick to high-altitude sites to be assured of snow, but what you often end up with is nice powder without the bone-chilling cold of January. Check out the ski guide and Web site skisnowboard.com for its rating of the most romantic sites for snow bunnies. Among them: Breckenridge, Colo., a Victorian gem, and Taos, N.M., which adds a unique Southwest magic in a city filled with unique upscale inns and restaurants. If you have the kids in tow, check out the regularly updated XCSkiResorts.com. They list the top family-friendly resorts. Among them: the Vista Verde Ranch in Steamboat Springs, Colo., where you get guided cross-country skiing, groomed trails and programs to engage kids and teens, from sleigh rides to cooking classes. But if it's old-fashioned spring break partying you want, check out deals in Vail or Beaver Creek, Colo.
Santa Fe, N.M.
ArtFeast 2/24-2/27: Talk about a feast for the senses. Fine art, fine food and fine wine are a match made in the heavenly winter landscape of Sante Fe. In its eighth year, there are two new events this year: a wine tasting ($45) and brunches ($50 each) hosted by artists. One of the most popular is The Edible Art Tour ($30), when dozens of galleries open their doors, with receptions catered by the city's top chefs. For information see www.artfeast.com
Washington, D.C.
Presidents Day weekend (2/19-2/21): Take the long weekend to tour the Washington Monument, the White House, the Smithsonian museums and famous memorials. There's a big parade in Alexandria, Va., including an open house at the historic Gadsby's Tavern, where George Washington dined and danced. Since it would have been Gen. Washington's 273rd birthday, his home and burial ground at Mount Vernon will also have an open house and free admission for the wreath laying ceremony on Feb. 21. While you are in D.C., check out the grand ruby the Smithsonian just acquired. The blood-red 23.1-carat Burmese ruby flanked by two triangular diamonds has been called the most important addition to the Museum of Natural History in 20 years. It joins such legendary jewels at the museum as the Hope diamond and the 423-carat Logan sapphire.
[Last modified February 9, 2005, 09:46:25]