“It’s So Miami” to think of great beaches, balmy breezes, the hottest clubs, the hippest boutiques, great golf and leading-edge art and culture. Art Basel Miami Beach, December 6–9, 2012, the most important art show in the United States, combines an international selection of top galleries with a program of special exhibitions, parties and crossover events. Then in January come two more great events: Miami International Art Fair, January 18–21, features contemporary, cutting-edge art of all media; and the 36th annual Art Deco Weekend, January 18–20, 2013, celebrates the National Art Deco Historic District along Ocean Drive, between 5th and 15th streets, with more than 80 events scheduled. Check out what’s happening in Miami at gmcvb.com/events/annual-events. The Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau organizes money-saving programs and special events so you can indulge without breaking the bank. Miamitemptations.com; MiamiandBeaches.com
Travellers in search of unique experiences can find fresh inspiration in Project 543 in North Carolina, which highlights special places throughout the state. Why 543? Because the number 543 represents the driving distance between Manteo on the coast and Murphy in the mountains. Each week new entries will be added to the collection, which now showcases about a dozen attractions and events with direct links to the destinations. Explore one-of-a-kind places, such as a winery in an old jail, golf games to brag about, a burial ground that will haunt you and a furniture market that will amaze you. VisitNC.com/project543
The popular four-season destination of Colorado offers unparalleled adventures and recreational pursuits, a thriving arts scene, a rich cultural heritage, flavourful cuisine, and 26 renowned ski areas and resorts. The state’s breathtaking scenic landscape boasts natural hot springs, the headwaters of seven major rivers, many peaceful lakes and reservoirs, 10 national parks and monuments, and 54 mountain peaks that top 4,270 metres. And there are lodgings to suit every budget, style and taste including hotels; motels and lodges; resorts; bed and breakfasts; vacation condos and homes; dude and guest ranches; cabins, cottages and yurts; and campground and RV sites. High elevations, mild temperatures and incredible outdoor adventures make Colorado one of the best places in the United States to take an all-season vacation. Order a copy of the Colorado Official State Vacation Guide online or call 1-800-COLORADO. colorado.com
If you need a medical procedure and don’t want to wait, Florida Medical Retreat, based in Sarasota, Florida, offers all-inclusive services matching you with rehabilitation facilities, hospitals and surgery centres in Sarasota. Board-certified surgeons are acknowledged experts in specialties, including orthopedics; urology; advanced gynecology; ear, sinus, skull-base surgery and hearing loss recovery; vascular, vein and artery surgery; cataract lens implants; plastic and cosmetic surgery; neurosurgery, spine and intracranial surgery; radiation oncology and brachytherapy (treating prostate cancer). Florida Medical Retreat provides a completely co-ordinated travel package for you and your travel companions from pre-surgery to post-surgery. floridamedicalretreat.com
With 13 major ski resorts, British Columbia has some of the best skiing anywhere. For information, as well as special offers and ski conditions during the season, visit SkiItToBelieveIt.com. Big White celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, and new at the Big White Ski & Board School is a series of high-performance sessions with some of Canada’s top level 4 instructors. Each session will focus on a specific aspect of skiing to maximize performance, with group sessions, such as “Slash the Steeps,” “Bash the Bumps” and “Tackle the Trees.” At Fernie Alpine Resort, the new Polar Peak Lift is ready for this season and opens up a new world of terrain for skiers. bigwhite.com; skifernie.com
Delray Beach, Florida’s Village by the Sea, invites everyone to come out for Fabulous 3rd Friday–Downtown Delray Nights, when shops, restaurants, and galleries throughout downtown Delray Beach hold an open house beginning at 5 p.m. Upcoming dates are December 21, 2012 and January 18, February 15, March 22 and April 19, 2013. Delray Beach has plenty of entertaining events scheduled. For example, Free Friday Concerts at The Pavilion Delray Beach Center for the Arts are held every Friday through January 2013 (DelrayCenterForTheArts.org). The 24th Annual Downtown Delray Beach Fine Art Festival will be held January 19–20, 2013 (artfestival.com), and on March 28, join more than 1,000 people at the nation’s longest dining table at the 5th Annual Savor the Avenue and enjoy a wine pairing four-course dinner served by 20 of Downtown Delray’s finest restaurants. downtowndelraybeach.com
Crystal Cruises has already opened bookings for its worldwide voyages for 2014, plus itineraries up to mid-April 2015. New seven- to 89-day cruises in 2014 are among the 61 sailings aboard Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity, with 16 maiden calls, 194 total ports and 68 countries, including a glamorous World Cruise. Early 2015’s global calendar offers 15 exotic cruises, a world cruise, nine maiden calls and a return to ports Crystal hasn’t visited in more than a decade. In 2014, UNESCO World Heritage Sites are featured on 54 of 61 cruises visiting more than 135 historical destinations including Istanbul, Dubrovnik, Tallin, Casablanca and Cartagena. All-inclusive “Book Now” fares for spring 2014 through spring 2015 are available until April 30, 2013, and offer up to $9,000 per person in savings for the 2015 World Cruise and up to $1,500 per person for individual, seven- to 21-day voyages. Sailings start at $1,995 per person, double occupancy. crystalcruises.com
The Sheraton Macao Hotel, Cotai Central has opened the first of two towers. The Sheraton Sky Tower features 1,829 rooms, a 1,200-square-metre lounge, a grand ballroom, a communications hub, the luxurious Sala Pool, and spa and fitness facilities. The hotel’s second tower (Sheraton Earth Tower) opens in early 2013, with an additional 2,067 rooms and two more outdoor pools. In total, the property will feature nearly 4,000 rooms, making it the largest hotel in Starwood’s global portfolio and the biggest hotel to open in Macau. In New York, the new Westin New York Grand Central opened in the former Helmsley Hotel following a $75-million renovation. It features 774 spacious guest rooms, more than 1,115 square metres of meeting space equipped with the latest technology, a 280-square-metre fitness studio and the upcoming addition of THE LCL: Bar & Kitchen, NYC, the first bar and food concept from Gerber Group in a Westin property. starwoodhotels.com
