We're bringing you this week's issue early in part due to the impending holidays (hurrah!) but really because New Year's Eve is upon us - and we haven't got our plans finalized.
Like most New Yorkers, we've got a few concentric circles of friends in the city, and trying to figure out how to get all of them to intersect as we ring in 2010 is way complicated. Add in the cold, the tourists, and the challenge of getting cabs or car services, and it's easy to feel overwhelmed as opposed to festive.
As formerly featured jauntsetter Elizabeth recently
Twittered, "I just want to be in a cabin in the woods somewhere for New Year's Eve. Is that too much to ask?"
Of course not Elizabeth! Cabins in the woods with availability for New Year's do exist. And we've found one for you in East Hampton. We've also got some in-city hotel party options for those who want a local escape, an easy getaway to Philly, and an affordable upstate home all ready for you to rent...
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[Check back on our blog later this week for more from Louise, including tips on how to take a dreamy California roadtrip]
When traveling you can't live without: Camera, film, batteries.
An exception you make when you travel: I tend to majorly overeat when on travel days. I'm a sucker for “bad” airport food like McDonald's and crummy pizza, and kind of go into Hungry Hungry Hippo mode for it on the road. Something about traveling makes me crave saturated fat.
Packing style: Overpacking. I make everyone I’m with feel better as I always bring far too much.
Favorite easy escape: A visit to my dear friend's amazing and photogenic family home in Quogue out on Long Island. We cook, drink and play house with beach jaunts to boot. If you happen to nab an invite, it's a lucky day, so pack up your cameras and a gift of booze for the hostess and get thee on the LIRR. One day I would love to spend the summer out there, maybe renting a house and doing a sort of ad hoc painting residency...
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Because many of you are halfway out of the office - or traveling home already - we're sending you a short and sweet travel deal roundup for this holiday week. Take a look below at an overview of a few fantastic deals that have caught our eye, or
click on through to get details on each fabulous special.<
We're sure you'll find something that appeals, and we hope you purchase a ticket or reserve a room for yourself somewhere soon. After all, we think travel is one of the best experiences in life, and memories of trips are the ultimate gift that keeps on giving.
Happy Holidays!
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- Parisian Apartment for Rent: Our friend-of-a-friend Lithe's beautiful one bedroom flat in Paris is available January 1st for short term rentals. In the heart of the 9th, with two fireplaces, designer touches, and a full kitchen, this apartment feels both cozy and chic - we want to move in based on the photos alone. It's also just 650 euros a week.
- West Coast on a Whim, in the Low $200s: Ever wish you could just leave the frantic East Coast behind for awhile? We know the feeling. And luckily for all of us, low fares just went on sale to the West Coast on one of our favorite airlines for Christmas week and beyond - San Francisco for $237, Los Angeles for $227, and Las Vegas for $238. See you somewhere warmer for New Year's!
- Valentine's Day in Paris: Yes, another Paris special - but we can't help ourselves. You know how much we love it there (after all, we've featured it as our Trip Pick not once, but twice). And if there's anything we love more than a jaunt of to Paris any old day of the week, we especially love the thought of going there on Valentine's weekend. Sure, it's a bit clichéd, but at the same time, why not take every chance possible to celebrate love in 2010, and do it in style? We've found the perfect luxury hotel for you to whisk that special someone away to, and its rates are reduced by 30% off for select readers.
- A Superluxe Local Escape - for Less: We wrote about the Gramercy Park Hotel, one of New York's poshest hotels, in our New Year's Eve Trip Pick this week. And we feel it's worth re-mentioning, especially if, like us, you love fancy hotels regardless of where they're located. There's a private sale where rooms are reduced by over 50%, and you're invited (by us!).
- Farmhouse for Rent, This Weekend: No Christmas plans? Want to get out of the city? We've got just the place for you. Liberty Farm, a classic (but newly renovated) three story farmhouse is available just 2 hours north of the city in Claryville. Super spacious with two large living rooms (ground floor pictured) and a lovely design, this house would be perfect for a group of friends who love to cook, play board games and hang out by the fire together. Sleeps 6 at $325/night.
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