3 places I'd like to be this weekend!

The weekend is full with hockey, wrestling, basketball, tae kwon do, confirmation breakfast, laundry, winter weather prep and to top it all off those darned kids need to be fed 3 times a day, so going anywhere this weekend is really just a fantasy but a girl can dream! I do dream and the places I've been dreaming of for a holiday visit are Toronto, Ann Arbor and Woodstock, VT.

photo credit: Country Living

Woodstock is celebrating it's 33rd Wassail Weekend tomorrow and Sunday (Dec. 10 & 11). This town has already been calling to me with it's New England charm, beautiful inns and location near skiing at Killington. Wassail Weekend would be the perfect time to enjoy this beauty while taking in events like a tour of Billings Farm & Museum Christmas or joining in on the annual house tours throughout town. There are places sharing live music and refreshments, breakfast with Santa on Saturday and the Wassail Craft Fair all weekend. The biggest and best part of the festival is said to be the Equestrian Parade which features period style costumes, classic wooden carriages and well adorned horses following a 2 mile loop around town. The village green seems to be the best spot to view the parade, hear the carolers and warm by a Yule Log. There are quaint little shops in historic New England buildings, food to please everyone and a covered bridge to top of the charm. There are 2 inns that stand out to me, The Woodstock Inn and Resort and 506 on the River Inn. The prices for one night at each of these places is more than I would usually spend but this is a dream, so pass the sugarplums and let's splurge. The Woodstock Inn is a true classic, right out of a Hallmark Christmas movie with a life size gingerbread house in the lobby and a full spa. 506 on the River is new and stylish and equipped with a game room, playroom and indoor pool for kids of all ages, therefore just right for the family. This might be a bit to far for me to pull off without proper planning, so let's go closer.

While searching for a place to visit between here (Buffalo, NY) and Chicago over the holidays, I found Ann Arbor and Detroit. Now I want to grab some girlfriends and hit the town around Christmas. We could shop & stroll the streets while taking in the art from a group of window artists, the Novemberistas. Their awesome paintings, all over town, inspire me to go slow and savor the day. Nickel's Arcade, a covered shopping district that was originally built around 1917, looks like a great place to wander through, even if just for the ambiance of the walkway and the skyway. I would definitely spend some time in Rock, Paper, Scissors, a stationery store with more and make dinner an experience with signature cocktails, appetizers to share and the ambience of a speakeasy at The Raven's Club. The second day of my little dream would be spent at The Henry Ford, which also has fascinated me. After the day at the museum, the night would be spent sipping hot cocoa, strapping on ice skates, riding a classic carousel and taking in the lights and times of Greenfield Village. I would probably save some money and stay at a chain hotel, unless I win the HGTV dream house in the middle of town than you can all come over for hot toddies in your pajamas and we can wrap presents together.

photo credit: the star.com

The final place I would love to be and the one that might actually happen in real life, not just dreams, is Toronto, Ontario. I can just drive up for the day and enjoy the Toronto Christmas Market and some window displays at Hudson Bay. The best time to go is on a weekday when the lines are shorter and the price is right (free). The market doesn't open until noon so start at Balzac's Distillery District, a coffee shop near the market that is housed in an 1895 pump house with a Parisian feel. The shops in the Distillery District open early so window shopping can commence at any time and be sure to bring the camera to snap some shots of the old buildings that have been in this place for more than 150 years. When the clock strikes 12 have a leg up by already being in place to start shopping the Christmas Market and finding unique treasures. Make sure to enjoy some mulled wine and chimney stacks, classics at the market. After your fill of the distillery, finish the day with some spectacular and brand new window displays at the Hudson Bay store on Yonge and Queen Streets. The windows have been updated to include 29 animatronic animals and true artistry and should not be missed if you are in the neighborhood.

These places are just so dreamy anytime of year, but have a healthy dose of that Christmas magic in December and if you are looking for some of that holiday joy in the form of travel, let us know so we can help plan the best trip for the holidays or any days!