When picking the right place for you and your family to travel in winter, it’s all about making the most of the winter conditions. Powdery plush white snow with warm brisk fireplaces, a lustrous ice-skating rink, a 56-seat movie theater or beautiful panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean will make your vacation an unforgettable experience. Here are three alluring destinations that gives travelers a special experience to make the most of vacationing in a winter wonderland.

At Mohonk Mountain House located in New Paltz, N.Y., you can choose from a variety of winter activities such as ice skating, cross country skiing, snowshoeing or snow tubing. When you need a break from the wintry conditions, you can relax in a plush robe and sit in front of a fireplace in the resort’s award-winning spa. During the holiday season, they have fun for the whole family with gingerbread house-making, a Santa photo booth and a craft workshop.

Winter is a tranquil time of year at Gurney’s Montauk Resort & Seawater Spa located in Montauk, N.Y.. Here you can take a dip and swim or participate in stand-up paddleboard yoga in their indoor ocean fed seawater pool with panoramic ocean views of the Atlantic Ocean. During the holidays the spa offers a seasonal Cranberry, Pomegranate and Pine Yuzu Body Treatment which is meant to prime the skin for the harsh winter weather.

The Whiteface Lodge Lake Placid, N.Y. has 86 nearby trails on Whiteface Mountain. The lodge offers a wide variety of amenities like fireplaces in-suite and warm homemade cookies at turndown. After a long day in the snow you can gaze at the stars under a wool blanket and sit by the fireplace enjoying hors d’oeuvres. If you’d prefer warmer activities, you can head down to the 56-seat movie theater or hit some pins in the two-lane bowling alley.

Reserve your dream vacation by contacting Lainey Melnick, the owner of the Westlake-area branch of Dream Vacations, 855-GR8-TRIP, www.855GR8TRIP.com, lmelnick@dreamvacations.com. Lainey has been a part of the Westlake community and an Eanes ISD parent for more than 20 years. She is the 2017 recipient of the OPAL Award for Women for outstanding performance and leadership, and leads the Westlake Chamber of Commerce Humanitarian Committee.

While most weeks onboard a cruise ship are all about stuffing yourself with delicious foods, cruising over Thanksgiving adds a festive holiday spirit, individualized menus for each guest, and the best part of all, no cooking and no clean up.

My own family decided to give it a try last Thanksgiving. We took a Disney cruise out of Port Canaveral with my family of nine, including my four children and two grandchildren, and it was one of the best Thanksgivings of our lives. Granted, we weren’t surrounded by our extended family, but our immediate family had everything that we normally would have at home, but on a grander scale with a tropical setting, water sports and activities, Broadway-style entertainment plus an amazing variety of delectable foods for all of our various dietary requirements. The sports bars played the football games so the fans could celebrate victory with new friends, and those who don’t like football could have their choice of other activities. Celebrating onboard created lasting memories for our family, and we can’t wait to go back again this year.

There are a number of options for Thanksgiving cruises and since Eanes ISD is offering a whole week off for the holiday, it’s a great time to go. In addition to Disney Cruise Line, you can choose from luxury lines to contemporary or ocean to river cruises, with destinations cruising the Caribbean, Mexico, Hawaii, Europe, South America and Asia. For those who want to stay in one spot, all-inclusive resorts are another great option for Thanksgiving fun with either adult-only resorts or family-friendly resorts.

Reserve your dream vacation by contacting Lainey Melnick, the owner of the Westlake-area branch of Dream Vacations, 855-GR8-TRIP, www.855GR8TRIP.com, lmelnick@dreamvacations.com. Lainey has been a part of the Westlake community and an Eanes ISD parent for more than 20 years. She is the 2017 recipient of the OPAL Award for Women for outstanding performance and leadership, and leads the Westlake Chamber of Commerce Humanitarian Committee.

Nothing says Fall like Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany. Starting as a royal wedding celebration, Oktoberfest has transformed into an 18-day festival in which 7 million people from around the world consume more than 6 million liters of Bavarian beer. In 2018, Oktoberfest officially begins on September 22^nd and ends on October 7^th. It is customary to come dressed Bavarian-style wearing a Dirndl or Lederhosen. These can be purchased in Munich or you can bring them from home.

Oktoberfest has a ton of delicious foods to try. A must-order is the classic “Wiesn-Hendl” (grilled chicken), best enjoyed with french fries. The slow-roasted, butterbasted chicken is irresistible after a few beverages. Freshly-baked and doughy, salt-strewn pretzels are delicious and extremely popular. Also expect to sample traditional sausages and the seemingly endless dessert options available at Oktoberfest. For the foodies, Ochsenbraterei, huge oxen, are roasted each day for hungry visitors – 114 oxen were consumed last year. This is the food and drink that helps put the Volk into Volksfest.

The highlight event is the Oktoberfest Costume and Riflemen’s Parade. The parade occurs on the first Wies’n Sunday of Oktoberfest. It starts at 10am and lasts about 3 hours. More than 7,000 performers will participate along the 5 mile parade route. You can travel by air or train to Munich and stay at a hotel near the fairgrounds, or take a cruise that includes Oktoberfest activities. Crystal River Cruise offers an overnight stay in Munich with their Danube River Cruise sailing on September 20^th. Tauck River Cruising offers two departures on the Rhine River that combines with two nights in Munich for the festival. Uniworld offers a VIP package with dinner and beer tent access. For families, Adventures by Disney has partnered with AMA Waterways for their Oktoberfest-inspired river cruise including one adults-only departure. The drinking age for beer and wine in Germany is 16 years old, and by 18 you can purchase distilled alcohol and spirits. Children under 6 are allowed at Oktoberfest until 8 pm if accompanied by a parent.

Reserve your dream vacations by contacting Lainey Melnick, the owner of the Westlake-area branch of Dream Vacations, 855-GR8-TRIP, www.855GR8TRIP.com, lmelnick@dreamvacations.com. Lainey has been a part of the Westlake community and an Eanes ISD parent for over 20 years. She is the 2017 recipient of the OPAL Award for Women for outstanding performance and leadership, and leads the Westlake Chamber of Commerce Humanitarian Committee.

There are few places in the world that showcase the spectacle of autumn like the Northeastern region of North America where nature’s artistry is on dazzling display every Fall. The best way to experience these changing colors is via cruise ships.

Silversea offers a small ship luxury option that winds along the Canadian Maritimes and through the St. Lawrence Seaway, chasing whales along the way. Imagine blinking lighthouses and lobster bakes, historic cities and fishing ports, red apples and purple grapes ready for harvest — all set amid the glory of autumnal foliage. On ships that hold less than 300 people, this line strikes the perfect balance of yacht-like intimacy combined with the space, amenities and diversions typically reserved for larger vessels. Their Silver Cloud Expedition ship sails this itinerary in September equipped with zodiacs and kayaks, and offers complimentary programs of unique, small-group shore experiences led by a team of expert guides and lectures. Cruising Canada from Greenland and then round trip from Newfoundland, and finally from there to Fort Lauderdale, you’ll explore the Gulf of St. Lawrence with underwater life incomparable to any other body of water on the planet. This journey goes beyond the Canada of your imagination — from monolithic limestone sculptures to 223 different species of bird, the fertile waters are also home to the crown jewel of Canada’s national park service, accessible only by special permission. The Silversea Spirit and Wind also makes this journey in September and October, sailing between Montreal and New York, Boston or Maine with repositioning options from Iceland and to Fort Lauderdale.

Silversea offers an all-inclusive cruise experience with nine intimate ships from 100 to 608 passengers, covering all seven continents with itineraries to Europe, Australia, Asia, the Galapagos and the Caribbean. Contact Lainey to get 10 percent savings on your next 2019 Silversea cruise booking. Plus, if you mention this article you will also receive a $200 shipboard credit for any new 2018 or 2019 voyage booked with Lainey.

You can also cruise with a variety of other luxury cruise lines such as Crystal, Regent Seven Seas, Cunard, Seabourn, Viking Ocean and Windstar. For foodies, there are also offerings from Oceania. Premium cruise lines Princess, Holland America and Celebrity also travel this itinerary. For those who want a more family-friendly option, choose from Disney, Norwegian and Royal Caribbean.

Reserve your dream vacations by contacting Lainey Melnick, the owner of the Westlake-area branch of Dream Vacations, 855-GR8-TRIP, www.855GR8TRIP.com, lmelnick@dreamvacations.com. Lainey has been a part of the Westlake community and an Eanes ISD parent for over 20 years. She is the 2017 recipient of the OPAL Award for Women for outstanding performance and leadership, and leads the Westlake Chamber of Commerce Humanitarian Committee.

UPDATE: New version without music behind my narration is here: https://youtu.be/5HZXSGc3D1Y. Join me via video for a ship tour aboard the Royal Caribbean Liberty of the Seas.

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— Lainey Melnick & Associates – Dream Vacations

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When you need to escape the sizzling Texas summer heat, do it in style by adventuring into the vastness of Alaska. Witness ice shear off a glacier and explode into the ocean below, look into the eyes of a wild grizzly bear, fly in a surreal experience over a sea of mountains and glaciers, spot whales throw their tons of mass into the air, all with the expanded daytime that comes with the Midnight Sun.  You’ll find Alaskans are among the friendliest, most trusting people in America and will make your adventure a memory to remember.

The best time to visit is May 10th to September 15th, when the days are long, dry and warm. You’ll save money traveling the shoulder season in May and September. Avoid the mosquitos by travel in late July or August.

The most common way to see Alaska is by cruise, you can choose from a variety of family-oriented to luxury cruise lines with Princess and Holland America leading the pack with their premium Alaska specialty offerings. For luxury cruising, you can choose from the very best, Crystal, Regent, Seabourn, Silversea and Windstar. Oceania offers a deluxe cruise with the focus on a spectacular culinary experience, and even Disney has added Alaska to their summer cruise options.

Any Alaska cruise, though, is only a means to an end. You would miss the best of Alaska if you don’t see the big 5 land mammals and the beautiful vast interior landscapes. The best way to do this is to cruise one-way across the Gulf and add a land tour either pre- or post- cruise. You can get a great taste of Alaska with a 10-14 day combination land and sea package. Each port of call offers bucket-list experiences that are well worth the price. Helicopter to a glacier for a dog sled ride, take a small boat to witness a glacier calf and whales close-up, venture out to catch crabs with the Deadliest Catch, watch grizzly bears fish in the wild, or go fishing yourself for some amazing salmon that will be shipped home for you.

If you are more of a land animal, then a land tour can take your through beautiful landscapes by the famous Alaska Railroad dome cars. You can get to off-the-beaten track destinations like Mt McKinley and Denali National Park and visit the gold rush city of Fairbanks and its largest city, Anchorage. Princess offers land packages that take advantage of their lodges and land tours. G Adventures offers active packages with hiking, biking, rafting and kayaking in partnership with National Geographic and Jane Goodall.

Alaska, with its jaw-dropping beauty and abundant wildlife remains America’s last truly unconquered frontier. It’s time you conquer it.

Reserve your dream vacations by contacting Lainey Melnick, the owner of the Westlake-area branch of Dream Vacations, 855-GR8-TRIP, www.855GR8TRIP.com, lmelnick@dreamvacations.com. Lainey has been a part of the Westlake community and an Eanes ISD parent for over 20 years. She is the 2017 recipient of the OPAL Award for Women for outstanding performance and leadership, and leads the Westlake Chamber of Commerce Humanitarian Committee.

Our planet is home to incredible natural beauty, but the race is on to visit some of these amazing sites before they vanish, putting these destinations at the top of many bucket lists. From our own Florida Everglades and Glacier National Park in Montana to the Outer Banks of North Carolina, you don’t have to go far to catch a glimpse of endangered destinations before it’s too late.

In Europe, Venice has been sinking under relentless flooding which has contributed to the disappearance of this Italian masterpiece. Due to the low altitude of the Alps, there could be no more glacier ice in Switzerland by 2050.

South America’s Machu Picchu, the ruins of the Incan Empire in Peru, are at risk of collapse from over-tourism, erosion and natural landslides. Patagonia’s beautiful Glaciers are shrinking from rainfall and higher temperature. The unique eco-system of the Galapagos Islands is being threatened by the introduction of foreign species. While Brazil’s Amazon, the largest rainforest in the world, could disappear due to expanded agriculture.

Due to agricultural demand and diversion for drinking water, the Dead Sea has evaporated down to 1,300 feet below sea level, the lowest point in the world. Pollution is the culprit threatening collapse of Egypt’s Pyramids and India’s Taj Mahal, which may

be closed to the public within only five years. The Great Wall of China could be reduced to ruins within 20 years due to over-farming. The Maldives are sinking due to climate change and are expected to be completely submerged within 100 years.

For 20 million years Australia’s Great Barrier Reef has been the only living thing visible from space. In only 30 years, half of the reef has vanished and is expected to be extinct within our lifetime.

In Africa, Mount Kilimanjaro may lose its iconic snow-top, which has already shrunk 85 percent since 1912. Madagascar’s Forests are expected to exist only 35 more years due to deforestation and fires. One of the world’s most bio-diverse areas, the Congo Basin, may be completely gone by 2040.

There is no time to waste. Visit these beautiful endangered areas before it is too late.

Reserve your dream vacations by contacting Lainey Melnick, the owner of the Westlake-area branch of Dream Vacations, 855-GR8-TRIP, www.855GR8TRIP.com, lmelnick@dreamvacations.com. Lainey has been a part of the Westlake community and an Eanes ISD parent for over 20 years. She is the 2017 recipient of the OPAL Award for Women for outstanding performance and leadership, and leads the Westlake Chamber of Commerce Humanitarian Committee.

Conjuring up timeless images of rich and famous jet-setters of the past, the luxury train is back. There is nothing like being pampered with white-glove service, gourmet local cuisine, and the camaraderie of like-minded travelers in the lounge cars on iconic train journeys.

The most iconic symbol of elegance is the Belmond Venice Simplon -Orient Express. With storybook destinations across Europe like Venice, London, Paris, Vienna, Prague and Berlin, you will join the ranks of Tolstoy, Marlene Dietrich, Mata Hari and Sean Connery as you are transported to a world of opulence from the golden age of travel. With single or twin cabins or suites inside the renovated sleeping cars of the 1920s and 1930s, you will experience rolling countryside and majestic mountain scenery. Evening dress for dinner is part of the experience as you enjoy the famed cuisine.

Some would say that the world’s greatest train journey would be on the Golden Eagle Trans-Siberian Express which travels through the mysterious countryside of Russia on east and west itineraries connecting Moscow to Vladivostok. They also have other itineraries including Silk Road to Beijing. Their largest suite is 120 square feet and sleeps two in a king bed with a private bathroom with shower.

You can safari in style on board the luxurious trains by Rovos Rail in South Africa. The largest suites are 172 square feet and take up half a carriage; each has its own private lounge area, full bathroom with Victorian bath and separate shower. The journeys include time to safari and sightsee off the train.

Belmond Andean Explorer is South America’s first luxury train that combines genuine daytime getaways with sleeping accommodations at night, all while traversing the Peruvian Andes.  On one of the highest train routes in the world, you will cross through breathtaking cities on its way from Cusco to Lake Titicaca and Arequipa, and exploring natural wonders and ancient kingdoms on one and two-night trips.

Sail into an age when the jewel studded maharajas with swords in hand rode ornamented war elephants. Palace on Wheels, the first luxury train of India, recreates a bygone era of indulgence and grace. With its ethnic interior decor, gracious hospitality and a tastefully crafted journey that chugs along former Rajput princedoms and the Taj Mahal in Agra, this Indian luxury train journey is a ride of a lifetime.

A scenic train journey through beautiful landscapes will give you memories to last a lifetime.

Reserve your dream vacations by contacting Lainey Melnick, the owner of the Westlake-area branch of Dream Vacations, 855-GR8-TRIP, www.855GR8TRIP.com, lmelnick@dreamvacations.com. Lainey has been a part of the Westlake community and an Eanes ISD parent for 20 years. She is the 2017 recipient of the OPAL Award for Women for outstanding performance and leadership, and serves as the Westlake Chamber of Commerce Humanitarian Committee Chair.