August 29, 2003 -- People who celebrate Christmas and Thanksgiving are one of two groups of people; those who travel to visit relatives and those relatives who receive the travelers in their homes as overnight guests. But there's a third option -- blowing off tradition altogether, instead taking advantage of wintertime and Christmas-themed deals at lodgings in the US, Canada and Europe. Consider this an opportunity to create some new holiday practices.
Cambridge, MA
The Kendall, which claims to be the only boutique hotel in Cambridge MA, says also that it is the "only hotel in America housed in a 109-year-old former municipal firehouse." They are currently offering three holiday deals that may interest you. The first is "Breakfast with Santa," running from November 30 through December 31. For $169 per room (single or double) on a Friday or Saturday night, you get a full American breakfast in the hotel café, with guest host Santa Claus. Full color photos with him will be available to take home. Taxes, tips and parking not included.
To coincide with Harvard's "Christmas Revels," the hotel is offering a deal from December 12 to 30 is $139 per room per night for out-of-town ticket holders to the show, which takes place at Harvard's famed Sanders Theatre. For details on the package, go to www.revels.org or phone 617/972-8300, ext. 29.
A third deal is for "First Night Boston 2004," on December 31, 2003 only. You get a New Year's Eve package at the Kendall for $169 per room, the price including overnight parking, a split of champagne on arrival, First Night buttons good for admission to all activities, and full American breakfast for two on January 1, 2004. For the Kendall packages (except Revels), phone them at 617/577-1300 (fax 617/577-1377) or visit their website, www.kendallhotel.com.
Victoria, British Columbia
In tradition-centered Victoria BC, the Hotel Grand Pacific is offering a Grand Christmas Package, costing about $353 per person (CDN $485), which includes three nights in the hotel (December 24, 25 and 26, 2003), meals and festivities. The price is based on two persons sharing a room. You get a basket of goodies, a welcome reception and Christmas Eve dinner. On Christmas morning, there's a big breakfast buffet, with a gift and visit from Santa followed by a Christmas dinner to complete the day. On Boxing Day (the 26th), breakfast buffet is also included in the price, as well as breakfast on the 27. You can also enjoy a horse-drawn carriage tour of Victoria and a Christmas Lights Tour of the Butchart Gardens sporting over 100,000 lights. The 5-star Grand Pacific is a member of Preferred Hotels & Resorts and is located on the city's Inner Harbour. Phone 800/663-7550 or visit www.hotelgrandpacific.com.
Cottages Across Europe
Finally, if you want to take your gang of friends (or family) and escape it all, take a look at Country Cottages, where packages start as low as $498 per person, including roundtrip British Air flights from New York, Newark or Boston. This deal includes flights, use of a fully-equipped cottage, villa, town house or castle for seven nights and rental car(s). Add-ons from other BA gateways range from $40 (Washington DC and Baltimore) to $170 (Denver or Seattle).
The $498 figure is for Thanksgiving week for each of eight persons sharing a four-bedroom cottage in Cotswolds region in England, or 12 persons in a six-bedroom country house in South Wales, or 18 persons in a ten-bedroom manor in Cornwall. Christmas week prices are $684, $667 and $696, respectively. If you have less than the number stated, prices are $69 to $100 additional per person for smaller groups.
There are many other alternatives, so be sure to inquire, with packages in Ireland from $786 per person, for instance. In Italy, packages start as low as $798 for a big group in a Tuscan villa, or about the same for a smaller group in a Rome apartment. Spain is also a possibility, with prices from $798 per person. Contact Country Cottages at www.villacentral.com or at 800/674-8883 or 561/988-4000, fax 561/988-0016, e-mail entrycot@bellsouth.net.
