That snow outside will eventually melt, so make sure your friends or loved ones have experiences on the horizon. Cowboy adventures, ultrafast cars, and award-winning actors are all waiting for them in 2025. And if you’re lucky, maybe they’ll extend an invitation.

Issue Features

Club News 6 Ways to Prioritize Your Well-Being While Vacationing Think Outside of the Gift Box This Season The Top Things to Do in Myrtle Beach That Don't Cost a Thing Uncork Your Best Wine Getaway This Holiday Season Relax and Recharge in St. Thomas Q + A with Olympic Swimmer Katie Grimes 5 Membership Perks to Try in 2025

6 Ways to Prioritize Your Well-Being While Vacationing

Q + A with Olympic Swimmer Katie Grimes

Katie Grimes

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Competitive Swimmer

profession

Las Vegas, Nevada

hometown

A

Q

Paris was incredible! My favorite part was probably just the city itself — the culture, the architecture. There’s so much history and excitement. It was super special. And of course being there with the team and being part of such a huge event was amazing!

What was your favorite thing about traveling to Paris for the Olympics?

01/10

Winter issue 2024

checking in

FEATURE

dining

INTERVIEW

Relax and Recharge in St. Thomas

ITINERARY

Rejuvenate your senses in the sun-kissed paradise of St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands, where pristine beaches, historic landmarks, and gourmet dining will help you kick any winter blues. Here’s how to savor its laid-back charm.

Time to abandon your perch for an afternoon at the world-famous Magens Bay Beach — a postcard-perfect Caribbean paradise. Relax on its pristine white sands, splash in the clear waters, or explore its underwater world via mask and snorkel. The calm bay is ideal for kayaking and paddleboarding. (And rentals are available for both activities.) Satisfy your post-water appetite with your packed picnic or devour a burger or chicken wings from Magens Point Bar and Grill.

Afternoon

Cap off your first day on the island with dinner at Old Stone Farmhouse, perhaps with chef Paul Trujillo’s cioppino — a fisherman’s stew with lobster tail, mussels, and shrimp — or grass-fed filet mignon. A 200-year-old restored field house, formerly the center of a 300-acre Danish sugar plantation, offers upscale-yet-inviting ambience. Stone walls and exposed rafters nod to the structure’s traditional West Indian architecture.

Evening

Before leaving Paradise Point, treat yourself to a memorable dinner at Prime at Paradise Point, a contemporary steakhouse serving both wet- and dry-aged steaks along with marbled Wagyu beef as the sun dips below the Caribbean. Pair your main course with the wood-smoked, bourbon-forward Toast ’N Jam or a sommelier-selected wine.

Evening

It’s time to board The VI CAT for a three-hour catamaran excursion to the uninhabited Buck Island National Wildlife Refuge, where you can snorkel among the graceful sea turtles and vibrant coral reefs in Turtle Cove — or just work on your tan on the vessel’s deck. When you return to the main island, enjoy a seven-minute ride on the Skyride to Paradise Point aerial tram. At 700 feet above St. Thomas Harbor, you can step out onto the new Skywalk, soak in sweeping vistas, and sip a Bushwacker cocktail.

Afternoon

Dig into St. Thomas’ rich history at Fort Christian, the oldest-standing structure in the U.S. Virgin Islands that now houses historic artifacts. Built in the 1600s, the Danes’ red stone fort protected Charlotte Amalie and its harbor for centuries before turning into a prison and police station. Continue your cultural journey at the St. Thomas Synagogue, the second-oldest synagogue in the Western Hemisphere. Its unique sand floor symbolizes the sand 15th-century Jews put on their floors, allowing them to quietly pray in secret and avoid inquisitions. The synagogue offers a guided tour to learn more about its history and the island’s Jewish community.

morning

Start your last morning with a pick-me-up at Stir It Up Coffee Shop & Bakery, the island’s go-to spot for wake-me-up beverages and pastries. Explore Charlotte Amalie’s hidden courtyards and duty-free shopping in a delightful array of boutiques and gift shops — each housed in historic buildings constructed from centuries-old Danish bricks and molasses mortar. Before your flight, grab lunch at Side Street Pub, a lively spot known for its tacos, sandwiches, and friendly atmosphere befitting of its family ownership.

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The Top Things to Do in Myrtle Beach

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5 Membership Perks to Try in 2025

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The off-season is a most wonderful time of the year to visit U.S. wine country for a laid-back, personalized experience. Indulge in award-winning, region-specific varieties while marveling at twinkling lights — and even meeting Santa Claus.

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About the Issue

This winter, get into a wellness state of mind. Journey to places you’ve always dreamed of visiting, and seek out restorative experiences in big and small ways: Attend a yoga retreat, experience the grandeur of the natural world, or reconnect with loved ones at a new-to-you destination. Your mind and body will truly appreciate the vacation time.

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EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Kylee Krizmanic PROJECT EDITOR Allison Vancura GRAPHIC DESIGNER Ruby Pierce CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Lisa A. Beach, Melody Beuzelin, Austin Cannon, Gary Thompson COPY EDITOR Diane Penningroth WYNDHAM DESTINATIONS EDITORIAL TEAM Anna Reinert, Leslie Johansen, Jenny Rains, Alissa Miller, Karen Johnson Destinations Editor 6277 Sea Harbor Drive Orlando, FL 32821 WorldMarkbyWyndham.com ClubWyndham.com MargaritavilleVacationClub.com ShellVacationsClub.com Destinations is produced quarterly for WorldMark, Margaritaville Vacation Club, and Club Wyndham owners, and semiannually for Shell Vacations Club members. ©2024 Wyndham Resort Development Corporation; Wyndham Vacation Resorts, Inc; Shell Vacations Club, LP. All rights reserved.

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Think Outside of the Gift Box This Season

Uncork Your Best Wine Getaway This Holiday Season

We didn’t have tons of free time, but I did get to see the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre. Walking around and seeing all the little cafes and shops was cool too.

Did you get to explore the area? What did you see?

02/10

In an ideal world, vacation bliss begins the moment you set your out-of-office message. But time off can come with its own flavors of stress, which is why taking care of your mental and physical health during your adventures is just as important as planning your itinerary. Here are six tips for being proactive about your wellness and helping you savor every memory.

Unfamiliar environments and general disruptions to routines can wreak havoc on your sleep cycles. Anticipating these obstacles before vacation may help you rest easier, and it all starts with your packing list. Use earplugs to soften outdoor sounds like honking horns and rattling train cars, or create a white noise playlist to listen to with comfy headphones if you can’t sleep in silence. Pack an eye mask to filter out unwanted light and distractions, and keep your room cool and dark to promote restfulness.

Catch Those Z’s

They say the best things in life are free, and it’s certainly true for Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Though splurgeworthy adventures abound in this sunny beach destination, you can experience the essence of the place without spending a dime. Here are four top activities to enjoy for free.

Myrtle Beach’s premier amenity — its soft, silky sand — is absolutely free. You’ll find 60 miles of it along a great white arc called the Grand Strand, and beaches are open 24/7/365. Get up early for a walk, run, or yoga on the sand. Hear the gentle waves and feel the cool ocean breezes as the sun rises over the water. Hundreds of species of shells wash up on shore, along with starfish, sea urchins, and sand dollars. Search the sand for these free souvenirs from the ocean, or bring a Frisbee or cornhole bags to toss. And if all that sounds too taxing, just lounge outdoors and soak up the sun with a favorite book. It is a vacation, after all.

Feel the Sand Between Your Toes

Phantasea Tropical Botanical Garden

WRITER MELODY BEUZELIN

WRITER Gary Thompson

WRITER Austin Cannon

WRITER Lisa A. Beach

WRITER AUSTIN CANNON

Use the power of your RCI member benefits to get even MORE out of your next great adventure.

Unlock exclusive deals on cash vacations — no exchange needed! Choose seven-night getaways with Extra Vacations℠ getaways, or be spontaneous and save on last-minute weeklong resort deals with Last Call℠ vacations starting at just $309 USD per week.

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Club News Meet 5 Extraordinary National Parks Vacation Experiences You’ll Remember Forever Discover Desert Tranquility, Culture and Urban Thrills in Las Vegas Mix-and-Match Meals — Food Halls Service Itinerary: Branson, Missouri Q+A with Hiking Concierge, Ash Nudd RCI Exchange: Massanutten, Virginia

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Club Wyndham Ocean Boulevard (Club Pass)

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Limetree Beach Resort by Club Wyndham (Club Pass)

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Automate your vacation-planning efforts. Set up an Ongoing Search for your preferred vacation dates and locations, and let RCI do the 24/7 legwork for you. You’ll be notified as soon as there’s a match, and then it’s up to you to say yes or no thanks to that next getaway.

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2024 PHOTO CONTEST

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Many of your fellow owners submitted their favorite vacation photos in the 2024 Destinations Photo Contest, “Story in a Single Shot.” The entry period for this annual contest is closed, but you can still participate in the fun by voting for your favorites. Photos submitted during this year’s contest will go head-to-head on the WorldMark Instagram page, so head on over to IG to see the full collection and pick your fave. Some photos are touching and heartfelt, others are funny and lighthearted, but the most important thing is that all of them tell a story — the unique story of that vacation and the experiences that were shared. Don’t miss your chance to participate throughout the month of December.

Vote for Owners’ Choice

2024 PHOTO CONTEST

Learn More

Your owner website, worldmarkbywyndham.com, is the perfect place for getting club news, managing your online account, and (of course) booking amazing vacations. In order to maintain a high level of quality, the website is regularly updated with new features, often ones that owners like you have asked for, to ensure that your site continues to grow and improve. Over the course of the past year there have been several new added features, functions, and improvements to your site, and many more are planned and in the works. From search options to booking enhancements, find out just how much work has gone into improving your owner website.

Improving Your Owner Website

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All of the exciting benefits, offers, and access will be here soon, but more time is needed to get them just right. VIP by WorldMark is now launching in early 2025, which is perfect for you — now there’s more time to join! VIP by WorldMark was built based on your feedback, which means you keep the benefits you love plus get all-new perks, including a whole new tier, additional housekeeping services, guest certificates, and complimentary Club Pass fee waivers. These changes ensure that the new VIP program will help you maximize every vacation.

All-New Program, Coming Soon

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Share Your Story

WorldMark by Wyndham Travel enhances your ownership and your WorldMark vacations. From airfare and rental cars to tours, cruises, and other travel packages, WorldMark by Wyndham Travel is truly your one-stop travel shop. And the best part is that there are no out-of-pocket costs to using their service, it’s simply a benefit of ownership (and it’s owner-exclusive, too). Many owners have used their services over the years, and some have taken the time to share their positive experiences so that other owners may benefit from them. If you’ve got a WorldMark by Wyndham Travel experience worth sharing, take the time to share it today. Your fellow owners will thank you for it.

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Improving Your Owner Website

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While you’re touring a new city, walking is one of the best ways to meet your daily steps goal and stay physically fit while exerting minimal effort. But, if you want to take your wellness further, yoga is a practice that’s proven to improve blood circulation, energy, and overall vitality. Check if your resort offers activities like an all-levels yoga, or search online for a studio in your area. Many offer special drop-in daily rates or weekly packages for visitors.

Embrace Movement Wherever You Are

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Immerse yourself in local culture and customs while expressing your creativity. Make leis in Hawaii and discover the garlands’ history; create pottery in Santa Fe, New Mexico, with skilled artisans who employ traditional methods; or craft an identity-obscuring Mardi Gras mask while learning about New Orleans’ vibrant festival culture. And, taking home something you made will serve as a memorable souvenir of your special trip.

Flex Your Creative Muscles

CLICK TO REVEAL

Social interaction is powerful for your well-being, and one of the biggest gifts travel can give you is the opportunity to make lasting memories with others. That’s not limited to your family, either. Engage with fellow travelers during group tours, classes, and volunteer events, or meet local shop owners while you’re out and about to enrich your travels and deepen your connection to your environment.

Create Community Through Shared Experiences

One of the best parts of visiting somewhere new is the chance to try the food (which you absolutely should!), but unfamiliar ingredients can disrupt natural digestion. Pack a reusable water bottle and some go-to snacks from home to ensure you stay hydrated and give your metabolism a break. Protein- and carb-rich foods like eggs, yogurt, whole-grain breads, rice, pasta, and veggies will keep you fueled for activities like hiking, cycling, and exploration.

Eat to Experience and Nourish

Spending time in nature has stress-reducing benefits for travelers of all ages. Try shinrin-yoku, the Japanese practice of “forest bathing,” and experience nature slowly and mindfully through all your senses. Note wildflower colors and the different shades of green on the trees. Tune into the birds singing or crickets chattering. Feel the cool breeze against your skin. It doesn’t have to be in a forest, either. Do the same by a beach, in a city, or in the mountains.

Connect to Nature

6 Ways to Prioritize Your Well-Being While Vacationing

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Man and woman stretching on yoga mats outside

Hawaiian woman helping a young girl and her mother make leis on a table at a resort

Healthy rice bowls topped with chicken, avocado, and beans

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HOLIDAY GIFTING

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REASONS TO GIFT EXPERIENCES

MAKE MEMORABLE MOMENTS

The thrill of doing unique activities or attending a live show can stay with you for a lifetime.

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The gifts that keep on giving: anticipation, the experience itself, and the opportunity to grow and try something new.

EXTEND THE MAGIC

The only thing better than watching your favorite athlete or actor? Seeing them with a friend or loved one.

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THAT DON'T COST A THING

Aerial view of the beach and SkyWheel in Myrtle Beach at dusk

Fans of classic board games might say Myrtle Beach has a monopoly on boardwalks. And you can stroll them without taking a chance (card) or money from the community chest — they’re free for all to amble. Myrtle Beach Boardwalk — America’s Boardwalk — is a 1.2-mile-long oceanfront path leading to shops, restaurants, and fun (like SkyWheel Myrtle Beach). A recent facelift replaced old wooden boards with recycled plastic versions in nine colors, making the surface more attractive and durable. Murrells Inlet MarshWalk takes you on a 0.5-mile jaunt beside a saltwater estuary in a historic fishing village. Once a hangout for pirates, the spot is now a hub for waterfront dining and live music. In the picturesque town of Conway, saunter the 1.5-mile Conway Riverwalk as it follows the dark waters of the Waccamaw River. Then keep exploring the community’s delightful downtown with streets built around majestic live oaks.

Walk the Boardwalks

A handful of people standing or sitting in a museum, admiring art on the walls

Aerial view of the beach and SkyWheel in Myrtle Beach at sunset

Myrtle Beach is a mother lode of history, and you can mine it for free at the Horry County Museum and L.W. Paul Living History Farm. The museum, housed in the historic 1905 Burroughs School, offers exhibits on the area’s natural history, military history, Native Americans, and textiles. A highlight is a freshwater aquarium featured on Animal Planet’s Tanked. The farm re-creates life on a family farmstead in the early 20th century, with folks in period costumes tending to the working operation. Visitors can tour the various outbuildings and help harvest crops, milk cows, and grind corn. You also get a peek at domestic life, including cooking with a woodstove and doing laundry by hand. Warbird Park, another free attraction, honors those who served at Myrtle Beach Air Force Base, which was located on the site for nearly 40 years. It also displays fighter jets flown on the base.

Connect with History

Three friends walking on a boardwalk in Myrtle Beach

World-class art awaits just steps from the beach at the Franklin G. Burroughs-Simeon B. Chapin Art Museum. This free art museum maintains 11 galleries in a century-old cottage once used as a vacation home by textile magnates. Live oaks and Atlantic Ocean vistas provide an ideal setting for viewing collections with a Southern accent, though regional works are complemented by those with international pedigrees. Past shows have featured Ansel Adams, Frank Lloyd Wright, Norman Rockwell, John James Audubon, and Jasper Johns. The ever-changing exhibits represent a rich mix of media. There’s even a collection of antique maps dating back to 1606. You’ll see contemporary art, too, such as Primary Structures (September 12, 2024–February 23, 2025), an exhibit showcasing abstract painter Paul Yanko. He juxtaposes architectural and organic shapes with pops of energetic color.

Admire Local Art

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where to stay

Club Wyndham Ocean Boulevard (Club Pass)

WorldMark Grand Palms

Kick off your St. Thomas vacation by immersing yourself in the island’s natural beauty. You’ll drive through the hills and lush vegetation in the island’s north before reaching the intimate Phantasea Tropical Botanical Garden, home to colorful orchids, bromeliads, and rainforest palms. Just over 1 mile away, Drake’s Seat sits above the coastline. Named after explorer and privateer Sir Francis Drake, the overlook provides breathtaking panoramic views of turquoise Magens Bay.

morning

Magens Bay Beach

Old Stone Farmhouse

Peeking through tropical forest to see an ocean bay and island far away

Magens Bay Beach

Phantasea Tropical Botanical Garden

Picturesque beach with palm trees, white sand, and blue water

White plates with gourmet food and wine glasses set on a white tablecloth at a restaurant

Prime at Paradise Point

Skyride to Paradise Point

St. Thomas synagogue

Students listening to a women give a tour presentation in a synagogue

St. Thomas Synagogue

Skyride to Paradise Point

Prime at Paradise Point

Gondola lift above a beautiful ocean bay town

Small appetizers on trays at a restaurant

Charlotte Amalie

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Open up your travel possibilities in 2025 with RCI’s all-inclusive resort options. One up-front payment provides access to top-notch amenities and personalized services to further enhance your stay. So, where to next?

All-Inclusive Resort Stays

The Wyndham Championship is the final tournament of the PGA Tour’s regular season, occurring each August at Sedgefield Country Club. Designed by renowned Donald Ross, the course challenges players who are trying to solidify their spots in the upcoming FedEx Cup Playoffs. With a seat alongside a green, get a close-up look at popular golfers like Jordan Spieth, Billy Horschel, and Zach Johnson.

Greensboro, North Carolina

Championship Golf

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Time to saddle up. Horsin’ Around Adventures leads 90-minute group rides into the wilderness surrounding Sedona, moving through canyons and alongside vineyards. Private tours are also available for anyone who wants more wildlife and a beautiful desert view at sunset.

Sedona, Arizona

Horseback Riding

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where to stay

Club Wyndham Sedona (Club Pass)

Sundara Inn and Spa’s offerings include stress-easing massages and rejuvenating body scrubs, and there’s always the option to try the latest treatments. The detoxifying thermal mud treatment under chromotherapy lights tightens and exfoliates skin, while the Wellsystem Wave combines a pressure-perfect massage with soothing light, sound, and aromatherapies.

Lake Delton, Wisconsin

Spa Getaway

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where to stay

Club Wyndham Sundara Cottages at Wisconsin Dells (Club Pass)

This is for the hikers, campers, and outdoors explorers who don’t want to worry about fees to get into their favorite national parks. You can opt for an annual pass to a specific park, or go for the America the Beautiful pass. The yearly card waives entry and day-use fees at all national parks — from Acadia to Yosemite.

National Parks Pass

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The Great American Race opens the NASCAR Cup Series season each February, with more than three hours of roaring engines, daring overtakes, and squealing tires. With seats just ahead of the start/finish line, racing fans have the best view of the eventual winner speeding around the tri-oval’s final turn.

Daytona Beach, Florida

NASCAR Speed

where to stay

WorldMark Ocean Walk

Through RCI Exchange, book a stay at the all-inclusive All Ritmo Cancún Resort and Waterpark. Spend your stay on the beach with a frosty cocktail in hand or plummet down waterslides. If you want to venture into the shimmering sea, rent a Jet Ski or take your first scuba-diving lesson.

Cancún, Mexico

All-Inclusive Resort

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where to stay

All Ritmo Cancún Resort & Waterpark

Any trip to New York City is incomplete without a Broadway show. Six-time Tony Award winner Audra McDonald takes the lead in Gypsy, while George Clooney stars in Good Night, and Good Luck (which he also cowrote). Looking for a classic? The Pirates of Penzance opens in April, marking its return to Broadway after 40 years.

New York City

Broadway Show

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where to stay

Club Wyndham Midtown 45 (Club Pass)

There’s no better way to bask in the sun’s morning glow as it rises over the Vaca Mountains. During an excursion with Napa Valley Aloft, which lasts about an hour, balloons float over the region’s famous vineyards and eclectic small towns. On clear days, passengers may even be able to spy the far-off San Francisco skyline.

Napa Valley, California

Hot Air Balloon Ride

where to stay

Club Wyndham Vino Bello Resort (Club Pass)

WorldMark Windsor

Greensboro, North Carolina

Championship Golf

Sedona, Arizona

Horseback Riding

where to stay

Club Wyndham Sedona (Club Pass)

Lake Delton, Wisconsin

Spa Getaway

where to stay

Club Wyndham Sundara Cottages at Wisconsin Dells (Club Pass)

National Parks Pass

Daytona Beach, Florida

NASCAR Speed

where to stay

WorldMark Ocean Walk

Cancún, Mexico

All-Inclusive Resort

where to stay

All Ritmo Cancún Resort & Waterpark

New York City

Broadway Show

where to stay

Club Wyndham Midtown 45 (Club Pass)

Napa Valley, California

Hot Air Balloon Ride

where to stay

Club Wyndham Vino Bello Resort (Club Pass)

WorldMark Windsor

where to stay

WorldMark New Braunfels

A woman serving glasses of wine from the bar at a winery

The Lone Star State may not immediately come to mind for viticulture, but the cool nights on the rolling hills between Austin and San Antonio have nurtured more than 100 thriving wineries over the past 50 years. As the calendar turns festive, you can sample the area’s best wines during the Christmas Wine Affair. Your $100 passport gets you a free tasting plus discounted purchases at dozens of participating wineries. The event lasts several weeks, so you can space out your visits — maybe a glass of Merlot at Becker Vineyards in Fredericksburg before trying some Tempranillo at Spicewood Vineyards in Spicewood the following day. In Fredericksburg, the town’s German heritage is always at the forefront, especially during Weihnachtszeit (Christmastime). Each evening during the Christmas Nights of Lights, holiday music accompanies a history-rich presentation that leads into the nightly lighting of the Marktplatz. A little after 6 p.m., the community tree and traditional Christmas pyramid — handmade in Germany — burst aglow with jolly colors and holiday motifs. During the Lights Spectacular in Johnson City, more than 2 million lights adorn the Main Street square’s buildings and trees, enough that “The Twinkliest Town in Texas” can be seen from outer space.

Texas Hill Country, Texas

View between two rows of grapes at a vineyard

Swap the snowy chill for autumn-like temperatures in Napa Valley. It’s usually sunny but on the off chance you catch some rain, a bold glass of Cabernet Sauvignon will keep you company indoors. The valley’s most popular grape thrives in its Mediterranean-like climate, so much so that a 1973 Cabernet Sauvignon from Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars was one of the Napa Valley wines that triumphed at the industry-shocking 1976 Judgment of Paris competition. Sip a newer vintage during a visit to the Stag’s Leap tasting room, where you can also book a tour that descends into the winery’s caves. Back at the surface, the Napa Valley Wine Train transforms into the Santa Train. The Jingle on the Rails excursion features a three-course holiday meal — followed by a freshly baked cookie and hot chocolate — in a historic Pullman car. St. Nick himself will visit your table, and you’ll take home a photo to prove it. In the new year, you can plan your visit around a pair of celebrations sure to delight the senses. For just 10 days in January during Napa Valley Restaurant Month, some of the valley’s most talented chefs debut special multicourse menus. After dinner, walk through Napa during the Napa Lighted Art Festival to view the artistic, innovative projections on downtown buildings.

Napa Valley, California

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where to stay

WorldMark Seventh Mountain Resort

About an hour southwest of Portland is where you’ll find the home of Oregon Pinot Noir. The varietal is widely regarded as one of the best in the world, thanks to the valley’s dry, cool seasons and volcanic soil. Reserve a seat at Elk Cove Vineyards near Gaston to savor its critically acclaimed Pinot Noir Willamette Valley. The tasting room and patio overlook the vineyard in the foothills of the Oregon Coast Range mountains, where the Campbell family has grown grapes for 50 years. Other valley vineyards specialize in sparkling wines. In Dundee, Argyle Winery stakes its claim as “Oregon’s original sparkling wine house.” Learn how Argyle crafts its bubbly during the Master of Sparkling Experience, which includes a tour of the production facilities and vineyards. Afterward in the tasting room, try a flight of four wines with charcuterie snacks. Willamette Valley is best known for its grapes, but its fertile floor also provides the perfect conditions for another earthy culinary export: truffles. Find out about these fungi that grow underground at the annual Oregon Truffle Festival in February. Take part in one of the festival’s truffle-focused dinners (often held at local wineries), and be sure not to miss the event’s cutest contest: the annual truffle dog competition.

Willamette Valley, Oregon

where to stay

WorldMark New Braunfels

Texas Hill Country, Texas

Napa Valley, California

where to stay

WorldMark Seventh Mountain Resort

Willamette Valley, Oregon

where to stay

Club Wyndham Vino Bello Resort (Club Pass)

WorldMark Windsor

where to stay

Club Wyndham Vino Bello Resort (Club Pass)

WorldMark Windsor

The two-time Team USA Olympian and four-time World Championship medalist talks about taking the silver in the women’s 400-meter individual medley in Paris, exploring the City of Light, and staying active on vacation.

TRAVEL + LEISURE CO. BRAND AMBASSADOR

Take some time to walk around. Paris is super walkable and there are so many little spots you’d miss in a car or if you just focus on the famous spots.

What’s one tip you would give to a traveler planning to visit Paris?

03/10

Lake Mead is really beautiful for relaxing with friends or family. The Hoover Dam is close, too, and that’s a great historic spot.

Do you have a favorite day-drive destination or nearby attraction/activity?

06/10

Probably the Arts District downtown. There are a lot of cool galleries, murals, shops, and some great food too.

What are some hidden gems or off-the-beaten-path activities visitors should plan for on their next trip to Las Vegas?

05/10

Shopping, hanging out with my family, and there’s some great nature nearby, like Red Rock Canyon. It’s nice to get away from the city sometimes, and it’s really gorgeous there.

What’s your favorite thing to do in Las Vegas?

04/10

Take any opportunity you can to stay active. Walk to wherever you’re going instead of taking a taxi.

What advice would you give travelers looking to stay active while on vacation?

10/10

A pair of comfy shoes. It’s such a game changer when you have good shoes; it’s so much easier to get around.

What’s the one item you always pack for a vacation?

09/10

Go with the flow. It’s nice to have a plan, but don’t be afraid to step outside of your comfort zone.

What’s your No. 1 travel tip?

08/10

Croatia, probably. The coastline is incredible and the food is amazing.