Thursday, December 08, 2011

Holiday Travel

No, I'm not talking about preparing for the stressful trip where you have to pack the car full of kids, luggage and presents and head to whatever uncomfortable fold-out couch you're going to be occupying for a long weekend.

I saw an article recently about hotels that decorate for the holiday season* All the photographs looked so spectacular. They had me smiling and getting into the spirit of the season when nothing else has manged to do that so far this year.

I wanted to drop everything and schedule a cross country trip to visit them all. To immerse myself if beautiful decorations and twinkling lights. Unfortunately, that just isn't an option for me at the moment. However, I've bookmarked the article so that I can go back and visit when I need a quick shot of joy to counteract any mall trips marred by bah-humbug encounters.

We're lucky in that the Opryland Hotel in Nashville is fairly close by. When the girls were little we'd go every year. For the last couple we just couldn't seem to find an empty weekend so that we could make the trip up. I think I'm going to insist we make time this year...right after I figure out when we're going to cut down our Christmas Tree.

Have you ever visited someplace that filled you with Christmas spirit? Have you always wanted to visit but haven't had the chance? How do you combat the grinch mentality that can creep in this time of year?

Instsigator

*Click here t0 read article.

6 comments:

pjk said...

Wow! Great pictures. Thanks for linking the article.

You know, I have never been to the Opryland Hotel at Christmas. Maybe I should also insist we make time this year to go. It would be a great day trip.

Marcy said...

There's nothing like Disney World decorated for Christmas. If that doesn't put you in the spirit, nothing will!

linda winstead jones said...

I was in a hotel in Anaheim right before Christmas. When I went to bed on Thursday evening, the hotel lobby was just your average, everyday, lobby. On Friday morning, however, there were trees and lights and wreaths EVERYWHERE. I suspect the Marriott Elves. :-)

linda winstead jones said...

Duh. Make that right before THANKSGIVING. I'm suffering from pre-holiday stress. -- LJ

Playground Monitor said...

I'm going to Biltmore for Christmas!! I'm not staying at that Inn, but I'll see the estate all decked with boughs of holly. Fa la la la la la la la la! I'm staying at a bed and breakfast just outside Asheville and have a spa day planned. I can't wait!

Angel said...

I've always wanted to visit the Biltmore and Opry at christmas time and have never managed it! Of course, I've been trying to go to the Biltmore for several years and it just hasn't happened. One day I'll see it, though!

The holidays are so busy, we usually don't travel. This year, everyone's coming to see us, so no need -- though I might do well to find a hotel nearby and disappear for a few days. :) We'll have so much togetherness, I don't know how I'll handle it!