Thanks to Expedia for sponsoring this blog post.
If the weather outside is frightful, booking a flight is so delightful. The best part? You can get rewarded for it with One Key, the rewards program through Expedia, Hotels.com and Vrbo.
Travel with One Key
Earn 2% in OneKeyCash after every eligible stay.
Earn 2% in OneKeyCash for every dollar spent on eligible vacation rentals, hotels, activities, packages, car rentals, and cruises.
4 Places for a Winter Escape
New York City
Why we love it: We’re starting out strong with Christmas time in NYC because is there anything more magical?! Short answer: no. We traveled here exactly two years ago for Nora’s first Christmas in the Big Apple, and it didn’t disappoint. I don’t know who was more wide-eyed between me, Alex and Nora! From Rockefeller Christmas Tree to Bryant Park Winter Village to meeting the big guy at Santaland, the magic at Christmas here is abundant.
Where to stay: Look no further than 1 Hotel Central Park. I adored my stay here because it felt like more than just a hotel. It’s a sancturary. In a concrete jungle, I felt at one with nature due to all the reclaimed materials and surrounding greenery at every turn. 1 Hotel Central Park also boasts one of the best chefs in NYC according to the James Beard Foundation. A weekend stay will earn you about $20 in OneKeyCash to use towards future travels!
Zermatt, Switzerland
Why we love it: Zermatt has only about 6,000 locals but come winter peak times, the place lights up with tourists to bask in the wintery mix and fresh mountain air. You can ski year-round in Zermatt AND the highest gondola in all of Europe lives here. The best part? You can ski into Italy. No passport on the slopes? No problem. Grab a bowl of pasta for lunch and head back to some Swiss après ski. What surprised me the most about this slice of paradise was that it’s a car-free city. The only “cars” allowed are small electric buggies used by hotels for transport purposes. If you need a guide to Zermatt, look no further.
Where to stay: My stay with the Schlosshotel Zermatt was amazing. It was centrally located, beyond comfortable and houses Switzerland’s first CBD spa. A 4-night stay here will earn you about $45 in OneKeyCash to use towards your next trip!
Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain
Why we love it: For five months of the year, much of the northern hemisphere turns into a snow globe sending its inhabitants longing for warmer days. The grass is always greener, isn’t it? That’s certainly the truth for this island situated off the coast of west Africa. The warmest place in Europe during winter months is without a doubt Spain’s Canary Islands, and I suddenly wish Ed Sheeran’s Tenerife Sea could be playing softly in the background as you continue reading. Tenerife is the largest island out of seven in the Canaries, and with *so* much to do on one island, I’d suggest 4-5 days or more on the Island of Eternal Sunshine. Keep in mind there are about 23 different microclimates on the island, allowing visitors to experience all seasons in just one day.
Where to stay: I traded the winter cold for The Ritz-Carlton Tenerife, Abama a few years back, and I’d stay at this hotel again and again and again. Think pinky hotels hues and blues as far as the eye can see, and if you’re in need of a guide to Tenerife, I got you covered. This island retreat has 7 swimming pools, Michelin Star restaurants and the biggest Ritz Kids in Europe. Need I say more..? $30 in OneKeyCash is calling your name.
Bora Bora, French Polynesia
Why we love it: When a resort is this sprawling, simply exploring the grounds is an activity in itself. The spa was intoxicating, surrounded by tropical groves and pristine Pacific waters. The chapel beckoned us in…prematurely planning our nuptials for next year. The tennis courts and fitness center were tempting, but I chose to get my movement in via complimentary kayaks, SUPs and snorkeling. The boutique was by far the best I’ve ever seen at a resort…calling me in to purchase *slightly larger* bikinis than the ones I brought.
Where to stay: Go big or go home with the Four Seasons Bora Bora. We went all out for our babymoon when I was pregnant with Nora, and to this day it’s probably my favorite hotel I’ve ever experienced. A week here is certainly equivalent to a week in heaven and send you home with $178 in OneKeyCash.
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