So here is my thought to make your life simpler: give a gift of travel! I can make this very easy for you to choose and deliver. If you know the recipient, it is easy to plan. One of my favorite to suggest is a few nights at an elegant resort or hotel. This can be planned for the winter or another season. Here in New England there are so many wonderful country places with huge fireplaces and big stuffed chairs, for example, the Ocean House in RI or the Mayflower Grace in CT. A city escape can be just as pleasurable, even if it is your city. A few nights at the Olympic Fairmont in Seattle or the Willard in DC may be just the right choice.
Almost no matter where you want to go, January can be an off-season. Most of us are paying our bills and trying to lose those cookie pounds so we stay home. As a result rates are very good and some extend into February or March. I would go to the Chatham Bars Inn in Cape Cod any time and walk the cold winter beach only to return for a warm massage.
I do huge surprise packages too! What is on your best friend’s bucket list? Fishing in Montana or in the Bahamas? Hiking the Grand Canyon or Mount Kilimanjaro? Seeing Chagall in Tarrytown, NY or in the Opera House in Paris? Tasting wine in Sonoma Valley, CA or Bordeaux, France? You pick a verb and we can make it happen.
If you do not feel comfortable planning for someone else, the gift of travel can also come as a gift certificate and the recipient can plan. Planning can clearly be the best part. Please do remember some plans can be made last minute, but many need to be made months in advance to secure the best cabin or view!
I am already planning adventures for summer and fall of 2015 so let us talk soon and make your giving season an easy one.
Enjoy the giving season, and please do remember those in most need!
AlwaysHarriet 