When I wrote my first Hallmark film, “Christmas Camp,” it was impressed by a number of charming cities I’d visited doing my “Travel Therapy” TV segments and one magical historic residence, the Quartermain House B&B in Fredericton, New Brunswick.
As I went on to jot down extra Christmas motion pictures for Netflix, Hallmark and Lifetime, I continued to attract from the locations I had visited that introduced me such consolation and pleasure, like a hug from an outdated buddy.
I believe now greater than ever, all of us must really feel that very same increase of positivity and uplifting escape, so why not go to the locations that may give us the identical heat and fuzzy vibe all winter lengthy?
Here are eight favourite locations to go to the place you may really feel such as you’re starring in your personal Christmas film.
Fredericton, New Brunswick
On my first go to to Fredericton, the capital of lovely New Brunswick in japanese Canada, which runs alongside the Saint John River, I used to be instantly captivated by this quaint, artsy metropolis.
Fredericton is understood for its wealthy historical past, tradition, music, distinctive native retailers, eating places and bars, and nature. The metropolis says you’ll discover extra timber in Fredericton, aka Forest City, than anyplace else in Canada, turning Fredericton into what seems like a magical Christmas film set as quickly because the snow begins to fall.
Where to remain: Voted probably the greatest bed-and-breakfasts in North America, the Quartermain House B&B is rather like stepping right into a Hallmark film. When I wrote my first script, “Christmas Camp,“ I remembered my particular keep at Debra Quartermain’s B&B, the place her whimsical historic residence, heat welcome and scrumptious cooking had my coronary heart from the second I arrived.
Don’t miss: A go to to the Beaverbrook Art Gallery, certainly one of Canada’s greatest artwork museums.
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Insider tip: If fiddleheads are on the menu, get them organized. This edible fern prime is a scrumptious native culinary gem.
Closest airport: Fredericton International Airport (YFC) is correct outdoors town. Other close by airports embrace Saint John Airport (YSJ) and Greater Moncton Roméo LeBlanc International Airport (YQM). You’ll discover essentially the most flight choices on Air Canada and United Airlines.
Leavenworth, Washington
I grew up in Washington state, so a visit to the small Bavarian-style alpine village of Leavenworth throughout Christmas was all the time on my want record. The dreamlike gazebo impressed the quilt for my novel “Finding Christmas.”
Leavenworth’s many distinctive retailers, artwork galleries and eating places evoke all of the Christmas cheer. With greater than a half-million Christmas lights, this Northwest gem will spark your Christmas spirit.
Where to remain: The Bavarian Lodge and Icicle Village are standard picks and there are cabin leases all through the world if you happen to’re on the lookout for further area.
Don’t miss: The Nutcracker Museum with greater than 7,000 nutcrackers.
Insider tip: Download the occasion information on Leavenworth’s web site to be sure to don’t miss any of the festive enjoyable.
Closest airport: The closest main airport is Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA), then it’s a few 2 1/2-hour drive within the Cascade Range as much as Leavenworth.
Quebec City
Quebec City will doubtless remind you of these royal romance Christmas motion pictures that all the time prime the scores.
Old Quebec is 400 years outdated and on UNESCO’s record of Treasures of the World Heritage of Mankind. The historic metropolis’s charming cobblestone streets, boutiques and bistros helped encourage the 2 royal rom-coms I wrote, Netflix’s “A Christmas Prince“ and my novel “A Royal Christmas Fairy Tale.”
Related: 5 small Canadian cities the place you should use your factors
Where to remain: I felt like a princess staying on the five-star Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac, which seems like an impressive fort and is persistently rated one of many prime motels in Canada.
Don’t miss: Shops and road distributors rolling up maple taffy on ice is exclusive to Quebec City.
Insider tip: Enjoy native delicacies at Aux Anciens Canadiens, located in one of many oldest buildings in Quebec City.
Closest airport: Quebec City Jean Lesage International Airport (YQB) is about 6 miles outdoors town. It’s solely an hour-and-a-half flight to Quebec City from New York City or Toronto.
Redding, California
In Redding, they’re all about celebrating romance in the identical form of enchanting settings Hallmark Christmas motion pictures are celebrated for.
At the dazzling Redding Garden of Lights, the Sheraton Redding Hotel on the Sundial Bridge commissioned famend artist Tres Fromme to make use of greater than 1 million twinkling lights to create gorgeous festive shows overlaying 10 acres.
Some highlights embrace reindeer encounters and the Candy Cane Causeway, coated with crimson, inexperienced and white lights the place machines pump within the mouthwatering scent of peppermint for an immersive expertise.
Where to remain: Stay within the coronary heart of the place all of the motion is on the Sheraton Redding Hotel on the Sundial Bridge, the place there are a number of in a single day lodge packages and Marriott Bonvoy Moments.
Don’t miss: The Polar Pathway, that includes a super-cool 30-foot-wide illuminated igloo and a snowy pathway to discover.
Insider tip: The Holiday Village is a good place to choose up some scrumptious meals, artisanal snacks and s’mores.
Closest airport: Sacramento International Airport (SMF) is 154 miles away, Oakland International Airport (OAK) is 220 miles away and San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is 228 miles away.
Related: A wellness journey by the Northwest
Sun Valley, Idaho
For certainly one of my first jobs as a TV reporter, I labored at KMVT-TV in Twin Falls, Idaho, and the resort city of Sun Valley was my beloved winter snowboarding escape.
Made well-known by Hollywood’s elite, Sun Valley is a famous person with out the angle. The romantic sleigh experience from the Sun Valley Inn to the Trail Creek Cabin for dinner is an all-time favourite expertise that I can’t wait to incorporate in a film I’m engaged on.
Related: Overlooked ski resorts
Where to remain: Stay within the legendary Sun Valley Lodge, a favourite of author Ernest Hemingway.
Don’t miss: The Sawtooth Botanical Garden, which encompasses a prayer wheel blessed by the Dalai Lama.
Insider tip: If you want distinctive cocktails, strive Duchin Lounge for drinks just like the Jack Winter Sour made with Jack Daniel’s whiskey, cranberry-cinnamon easy syrup, Becherovka liqueur, recent lemon and orange juice, and egg whites.
Closest airport: Sun Valley’s closest main airports are Boise Airport (BOI) and Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC). You can discover nonstop flights from six main cities: Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Salt Lake City, Denver and Chicago.
Related: Why you need to go to Twin Falls, Idaho
Park City, Utah
When I lived in Salt Lake City, I visited Park City as a lot as potential as a result of I beloved town’s genuine attraction and its two world-class ski resorts.
The metropolis’s Snowfest celebration is Christmas film gold with music and carolers, ice sculptures and Santa’s look using in town’s ski raise.
Where to remain: For a ski-in, ski-out property, the luxurious Grand Summit Hotel is a wonderful selection. If you’re touring with your loved ones or mates, the Apex Residences ought to have a trip rental that’s best for you.
Don’t miss: Spend a while on Main Street, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the place you’ll discover some distinctive native retailers, eating places, bars and artwork galleries.
Insider tip: If you’ve all the time wished to strive canine sledding, that is your house. Park City has a number of corporations with some furry four-legged rock stars which can be able to take you on the experience of a lifetime. Mush! Mush!
Closest airport: Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) is the closest airport and is slightly below 30 miles from Park City.
Related: 15 of our favourite ski-friendly resort motels you may guide on factors
Paris
I’ve spent the vacations in Paris and I’ve seen firsthand how the dreamy City of Light is illuminated much more in the course of the holidays, making it really feel like some of the romantic cities on the planet.
From the famed Christmas markets to the stunning Nativity scenes on the metropolis’s historic church buildings, Paris embraces Christmas with an exuberant joie de vivre that our favourite vacation motion pictures are well-known for.
Related: Book this, not that: Getting essentially the most out of your lodge factors in Paris
Where to remain: The award-winning Dorchester Collection’s Paris properties, Le Meurice and Hotel Plaza Athenee, are all the time my prime lodge picks once you’re on the lookout for world-class hospitality and delicacies in a stunning Christmas setting.
Don’t miss: The breathtaking Christmas lights and vacation show alongside the Avenue des Champs-Elysees, Avenue Montaigne, within the Montmartre district and at Bercy Village.
Insider tip: Indulge and chill out with a particular Christmas tea at Le Meurice, the place you may sip Champagne whereas having fun with French pastry chef Cedric Grolet’s glazed chestnuts, gingerbread, truffles, and sugar and cinnamon brioche.
Closest airport: Paris-Orly Airport (ORY) is the closest airport to Paris, simply eight miles away. Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) is the primary airport and is 14 miles from Paris. It’s additionally France’s busiest.
Related: The greatest methods to get to Paris utilizing miles and factors
New York City
I lived in New York City for 14 years, and it’ll all the time have my coronary heart at Christmas.
I’m not alone — hundreds of thousands of tourists come to see Manhattan’s spectacular Christmas decorations, with a spotlight being the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree. Skating on the magical ice rink all the time makes me really feel like I’m in a Christmas film and that something is feasible at Christmas.
Where to remain: For an exceptional festive view of Central Park, the Mandarin Oriental is certainly one of my favourite locations to remain. Its award-winning spa is simply what you should unwind in the course of the hectic vacation season.
Don’t miss: The New York Botanical Garden Glow, the place you may discover this sensational setting all lit up for the vacations whereas having fun with stay music and enjoyable holiday-themed meals and drinks.
Insider tip: If you like Christmas lights, go to the Dyker Heights neighborhood, the place you’ll be blown away by the hundreds of thousands of lights adorning all the homes.
Closest airport: New York’s La Guardia Airport (LGA) is nearly 5 miles from town. Other close by airports are John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and New Jersey’s Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR).
Related: 37 greatest motels in New York City for each kind of traveler
Other choices to get you within the spirit
If you’re on the lookout for much more magical locations to go to that really feel such as you’re strolling into certainly one of your favourite Christmas motion pictures, you are able to do some research and discover out the place these motion pictures have been filmed. Movie areas are sometimes talked about within the present’s credit and film databases like IMDB.
Related: Famous vacation film locations
A Google deep dive will present you that many vacation motion pictures are shot in Canada, particularly in Vancouver, British Columbia, referred to as “Hollywood North.”
Before you pack your luggage and go looking for sizzling chocolate and romance, ensure the locations the place the films have been shot even have the belongings you’re on the lookout for and that they weren’t simply constructed as a part of the film units.
For extra festive enjoyable, make an inventory of locations in your group which have components that really feel like they’re Christmas movie-worthy and create your personal vacation staycation.
Source: thepointsguy.com”