Where to Go For Your
Year-End Vacation
Consider exploring the Mojave Desert on your end-of-year vacation
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Whether you’re dreaming of a city break or a
nature escape, we’ve got you covered
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Explore Las Vegas and Scotland this winter with Hilton Grand Vacations.
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Club Traveler
Planning to take a much-needed vacation this upcoming holiday season? Most people head to destinations such as New York City to enjoy the Christmas lights and festive markets or to sun-drenched places — including Hawaii and Florida — to escape the cold.
For a different end-of-year vacation, consider immersing yourself in the bright lights of Las Vegas or getting back to nature in Scotland. Below, we’ve put together handy three-day itineraries for each location to inspire your travel planning.
Embark on a desert adventure in the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area
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Morning
Begin your Las Vegas adventure at Peppermill Restaurant and Fireside Lounge. A Strip stalwart since 1972, the restaurant is beloved for its “Old Vegas” ambience — think neon lights, mirrored ceilings and red-leather booths. Tuck into classic dishes like pancakes, steak and eggs and French toast while soaking up the retro vibes.
Afternoon
Once you’ve fueled up, make the 30-minute drive to the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, which sprawls across more than 195,000 acres of the Mojave Desert. Spend an afternoon exploring its numerous hiking trails or opt for a guided scooter tour — you’ll get to feel the wind in your hair while taking in the spectacular views and learning about the region’s unique geology and wildlife. On the way back to your suite at Elara, a Hilton Grand Vacations Club, stop by Lazy Dog in the Summerlin neighborhood for a bison burger or grilled shrimp tacos.
Evening
For dinner, book a table at Sparrow + Wolf, which ranks among the best restaurants in town. Expect to see inventive dishes such as shrimp agnolotti with aged soy butter, black pepper and honey pork secreto, and oxtail hummus with crispy chickpeas and curry oil on the menu. Then, it’s time to hit the city’s famous casinos, such as Wynn and The Venetian — if only to enjoy the heady atmosphere. Be sure to also check out the iconic Fountains of Bellagio, a popular attraction that comes alive every 15 minutes between 8 p.m. and midnight.
Las Vegas: For a city break
Day One
Take a spin on the High Roller for bird’s-eye views of Las Vegas
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Morning
Start your day with a hearty breakfast at Hash House A Go Go, located a 20-minute walk from Elara. The restaurant serves generous portions of brunch favorites, including the colossal fried chicken and waffles. Then, take a spin on the High Roller beside the restaurant. At 550 feet tall, it’s the largest observation wheel in North America. Tip: Use your current-year, Saved or Borrowed ClubPoints and/or Bonus Points to purchase a Go City All-Inclusive or Explorer Pass from our ClubPartner Leisure Pass Group, which includes a daytime ticket to the High Roller.
Afternoon
Spend an afternoon browsing the over 170 boutiques at the Miracle Mile Shops, an enclosed shopping mall adjacent to Elara. Pick up some sportswear from Lululemon or perhaps some jewelry from Swarovski. You’ll find plenty of lunch options here, too, including La Salsa Cantina for Mexican cuisine and Pampas for Brazilian-style grilled meats and seafood. Tip: You can use 3,200 Bonus Points to redeem a $200 Miracle Mile Shops gift card.
Evening
Las Vegas is known as the “Entertainment Capital of the World,” so it would be remiss not to catch a live show during your time here. If you’ve purchased a three-day Go City All-Inclusive or Explorer Pass, you’ll get access to several theater productions including “KÀ” by Cirque du Soleil. Featuring awe-inspiring acrobatics and spectacular pyrotechnics, the circus show is bound to leave you on the edge of your seat.
Day Two
Downtown Container Park is home to a 40-foot mantis sculpture
Image by Kenny Eliason/Unsplash
Morning
Enjoy a morning swim in the outdoor pool at Elara. Once you’ve worked up an appetite, take the roughly 15-minute drive to Mothership Coffee Roasters in the Fremont East District for arguably the best brews in the city. Go for a pour-over coffee or a bourbon vanilla latte, best enjoyed with one of the many muffins and sandwiches on offer.
Afternoon
From the cafe, it’s a six-minute walk to Downtown Container Park, an open-air shopping center built from stacked shipping containers. After checking out the quirky boutiques, grab lunch at the nearby Carson Kitchen, which serves contemporary American fare such as pork meatloaf with a molasses glaze and short rib steak with pepperoncini pesto. Thereafter, spend a few hours at one of the neighborhood’s intriguing museums. The Mob Museum chronicles the history of organized crime in the United States, while The Neon Museum showcases vintage electric signs from Las Vegas’ golden age.
Evening
Stop by Atomic Liquors, the city’s oldest freestanding bar — so named because customers used to flock to its rooftop to watch explosions taking place in the nearby Nevada desert. Keep with the theme by ordering a Nuclear Daiquiri, a potent combination of Wray & Nephew White Overproof Rum, falernum, green Chartreuse and lime. Then, end your evening with a bang by splurging on a lavish meal at Andiamo Steakhouse. You can’t go wrong with the 32-ounce tomahawk steak, which is seasoned and charbroiled to perfection.
Day Three
Craigendarroch Hill offers great views of the surrounding countryside
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Morning
Wake up bright and early to tackle Craigendarroch Hill, which is right by Craigendarroch Suites, a Hilton Grand Vacations Club. It’s around a 2.5-mile hike to the viewpoint, which overlooks the village of Ballater and offers some truly incredible vistas of the surrounding mountains. The path features several steep sections, so be sure to wear appropriate walking shoes. Not into hiking? Organize a bespoke half-day tour of the area with Yellow Welly Tours. Knowledgeable guide Simon Blackett (often found sporting yellow Wellington boots, hence the name of his company) will take you to the best local spots while regaling you with intriguing folklore.
Afternoon
Make your way to Aviemore, a bustling town home to a variety of restaurants and boutiques. Close by you’ll find the Cairngorm Reindeer Herd, Britain’s only free-ranging herd of reindeer. Embark on a guided hill trip to spot the magnificent creatures — there will be plenty of photo-taking opportunities, so don’t forget your camera.
Evening
End the day exploring Aviemore’s other offerings. Pick up some outdoor apparel at Cairngorm Mountain Sports or traditional candy from Young’s Auld Sweetie Shop (note that retailers here typically close around 5.30 p.m.). If you’re visiting in December, don’t miss the Aviemore Christmas Market, where you can sample festive food and drink. Then, have dinner at the Old Bridge Inn, a cozy gastropub where you can tuck into local specialties like cullen skink (smoked haddock soup) and Scotch beef sirloin.
Scotland: For a nature escape
Day One
Make time for a dip in the indoor pool at Craigendarroch Suites
Morning
It’s time to hit the slopes! With runs extending over three valleys and four mountains, plus Britain’s largest ski-lift system, Glenshee Ski Centre in Ballater is a bona fide winter sports playground. There are options for all skill levels, including extensive nursery slopes for beginners and blue and red runs for intermediate skiers. Seasoned pros can challenge themselves on the infamous Tiger run — with numerous bumps and an 820-foot-long vertical descent, it frequently ranks among the most formidable in all of Scotland.
Afternoon
After all that action, spend a leisurely afternoon exploring the charming village of Ballater, where many shops hold a Royal Warrant of Appointment — a mark of recognition given to those who have supplied goods or services to the British monarchy. Be sure to check out the Old Royal Station, a listed landmark once frequented by the royal family and their guests visiting Ballater. Today, it’s home to a restaurant, a tearoom and a public library.
Evening
Head back to Craigendarroch Suites, where you can make full use of the indoor pool and whirlpool spa, or simply relax and unwind in your spacious accommodation. Then, enjoy a delectable dinner at the on-site Keiller Lounge, which serves local and seasonal fare in an elegant setting.
Day Two
Sample contemporary Scottish cuisine at The Clockhouse Restaurant
Morning
Get an early start for the 1.5-hour drive to Ruthven Barracks, an 18th-century stone fort and garrison located on the site of a medieval castle. Spend an hour or two exploring the ruins of the historic complex, which was built by the British government following the 1715 Jacobite rebellion in a bid to police the Highland clans. Fun fact: While the barracks can house up to 120 troops, there were just 12 soldiers defending the facility during the Jacobite uprising in 1745.
Afternoon
No visit to Scotland is complete without sampling some of its famous wares. From Ruthven Barracks, it’s a 25-minute drive to Dalwhinnie Distillery, the highest working whisky distillery in the country. Sign up for a guided tour of the facility, which includes a tutored tasting of three single malts paired with handmade chocolates. As a bonus — if previous years are anything to go by — tours conducted during the winter months are typically free of charge.
Evening
Cairngorms National Park is one of the best places in the United Kingdom for stargazing, thanks to its low levels of light pollution. When night falls, enjoy dinner at The Clockhouse Restaurant in the village of Tomintoul, which celebrates the finest seasonal Scottish ingredients. Dishes on the menu include chicken breast stuffed with haggis and spinach, and Scotch lamb rump served alongside root vegetable gratin. Thereafter, take a short walk to the Field of Hope Car Park (designated as a Dark Sky Discovery Site) for some stellar fun. Here, you can marvel at the beautiful night sky and perhaps even glimpse a shooting star or two.
Day Three
