December brings frigid temperatures and howling winds to the city of Boston, but fortunately, the holiday season serves as a major silver lining for winter residents. Clad in twinkling lights and a towering Christmas tree gifted from Nova Scotia, the city takes on a particularly charming ambiance that makes it well worth visiting in spite of the weather—and as an added bonus, Boston’s hottest hotels, bars and restaurants are all joining in on the festivities. As you plan your next foray into New England’s most dazzling city, don’t miss out on these holiday-themed promotions and events.
Mariah Carey superfans, take note: Boston’s favorite bird-themed brewery is kicking into holiday mode with the release of Owl I Want For Christmas, a festive Witbier that’s brimming with ginger and winter spices. While visitors can swing by the Night Shift Brewing Everett Taproom for a taste all throughout the month, all are welcome to attend the December 9th holiday party and enjoy their pour amidst live music and a screening of Elf or bring the whole family on the 10th for a day full of face painting and cookie decorating.
The Bay State is welcoming the spirit of Kentucky this winter, with Buttermilk & Bourbon’s Watertown location hosting a December 12th “Down The Rabbit Hole” celebration with one of the Bluegrass State’s most iconic distilleries. In addition to curated Alice in Wonderland cocktails and book-themed decorative flourishes, the event will feature a wealth of decadent favorites crafted by Chef Jason Santos, with dishes ranging from Nashville hot chicken bao buns to shrimp and andouille egg rolls.
A beloved tradition within Italian-American culture, the iconic Feast of the Seven Fishes invites participants to dine on seven separate seafood dishes during one grandiose meal—and Bostonians can join in on the fun with a trip to Harvard Square’s Bar Enza. Running from December 19th to 24th, this four-course dinner invites visitors to sample flavorful favorites like fried Nova Scotia smelts, Nantucket Bay scallop crudo and broiled dorade with the added option of curated wine pairings.
The Seaport is taking a particularly adorable turn this winter with the arrival of Holiday Teddy Bear Brunch, a Davio’s special taking place on December 3rd, 10th, and 17th. While cuddly stuffed animals are the main attraction during the event, each iteration also offers savory breakfast fare like buttermilk pancakes and truffle oil-infused gnocchi alongside mimosas and storytime presented by some of Boston’s most beloved local celebrities.
There’s a wealth of refined French fare to enjoy during a visit to Bistro du Midi, and this polished two-story space is expanding the options with the release of a curated Holiday Bouchon Lunch
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Few traditions are as cherished and timeless as the annual performance of George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker by the New York City Ballet, which will be performing through December 31, 2023. This beloved production has become an integral part of the holiday festivities, attracting over 100,000 spectators annually.
Everyone loves a new beginning—and that’s the theme we’re seeing with this season’s splashiest hotel openings. In Aspen, a town most known for over-the-top luxury, a design-forward, approachable four-star hotel (with five-star food) sets up shop. A historic, Southern Gothic mansion enters its glow-up era as a contemporary, sceney hotspot in Savannah. And the latest offering from Auberge Resorts gives a compelling reason to extend your next Texas work trip by a night or two. Here, some of the most exciting openings this winter to have on your radar.
With more than 115 million Americans expected to travel over the next few weeks, according to AAA, this holiday season is gearing up to be one of the busiest ones ever.
With nearly 40 million people slated to fly during the holidays this year, airlines are preparing for what could be one of the busiest holiday travel seasons on record.
Perched above the Ionian Sea on a rocky promontory, the iconic San Domenico Palace welcomes guests to a world of unparalleled luxury that’s not only reminiscent of the TV show “White Lotus” — it actually served as the filming location for Season 2. This beautiful hotel in the heart of Taormina, Sicily, is a 14th-century convent reimagined, seamlessly blending historic charm with modern opulence. A testament to Sicilian elegance, the hotel’s lush gardens and stunning sea-view deluxe rooms give guests intimate spaces to unwind in a place that feels more like a sanctuary than a hotel.
Paris is the global capital of romance but the 2024 Olympics and Paralympic Games bring yet another reason to summer in the City of Lights. The Games is that rare sporting event that works its magic on all kinds of travelers and adds a unique twist to a vacation. In addition to the Olympic Village in the suburb of Seine-Saint-Denis, major landmarks including the Eiffel Tower, Les Invalides, and Place de la Concorde will be transformed into venues. Pencil in a date night at one of these romantic Airbnbs close to the Paris Olympic sites.
Although Luxembourg is very small and made up of primarily rural land, this wealthy European country offers an impressive amount of opportunities for excitement and relaxation. It’s bordered by Belgium, France and Germany — and the culture of its nearby neighbors are reflected in the atmosphere of luxury and adventure of Luxembourg. The geography features dense forests and rocky gorges, but the capital city of Luxembourg City hosts urban opportunities to explore including castles and museums. There are many fine Luxembourg Airbnbs, but staying in a hotel offers a more traditional European hospitality experience.
There is no question about it: 2023 has been a tremendous year for hotel openings, not just in the U.S. but spanning some of our favorite destinations across the globe. Now, it's time for the travel experts at TPG and our global network of contributors to share our annual list of the best new hotels of 2023, with recommendations for where you should spend your hard-earned money, points and free night certificates.
The year may be coming to a close, but the night sky has at least one more major treat in store: the Geminid meteor shower, which will peak tonight into tomorrow.