Savannah
Savannah is a laid back city with lots of parks, fountains, a river walk, and Cathedral of St. John the Baptist. There is also Leopold's Ice Cream with great tasting chili and of course ice cream for dessert.
Savannah History Museum, which shows Savannah's history from the American Revolution to today. Lots of artifacts regarding Savannah's culture, including the bench from Forrest Gump. As a bonus there was a re-enactment of the Battle of Savannah which we got to participate in.
Historical homes tour - mostly seeing the outsides of houses that were built over 100 years ago and renovated. Some were converted to hotels. The typical front pattern is: 5 windows on the second floor, 2 windows + door + 2 windows on the first floor. Windows on the front and back were perfectly aligned to allow for maximum air flow to keep the house cool - the houses were built well before air condition was invented. We got to tour the Davenport house.
Near Savannah are Fort Jackson, Fort Pulaski, and Typee Island. Lots of big canons on the forts.
Whistler
I stayed at Westin Whistler Resort, in between Whistler Village and Whistler mountain. The hotel is a short walk to the Excalibur and Whistler Village gondolas, providing access to Blackcomb and Whistler mountains. Each day was the same: ski during the day (Springboard, Jersey Cream, Dave Murray, and Peak to Creek were the biggest workouts), enjoy hot chocolate in late afternoon, relax in the hot tub, then go to Whistler village for dinner (Dubb Linh Gate and El Furniture). Blessed with plentiful, powdery snow and two mostly sunny days - perfect ski conditions.
Also did the Fresh Tracks once, where you take the Whistler Village gondola to the top and enjoy a breakfast at RoundHouse before hitting the slopes. It was a mostly clear day so got to enjoy the sunrise during the gondola ride. At the top, the moon was still visible.
Vancouver
Granville Island, filled with shops and restaurants. There is also a big public market with fresh produce, seafood, plants, and baked goods.
Capilano park Christmas lights. Walk through a rainforest, along the cliffs, and across a suspension bridge all while immersed in a colorful light display.
Washington DC
Christmas displays in the United States capital city.
National Christmas Tree near the White House. Surrounding the big tree are smaller Christmas trees, each representing a state.
U.S. Capital Christmas Tree. The 80 foot tree is an Engellman spruce from Idaho.
Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. The largest Catholic church in North America is well decked out for Christmas. As a bonus, I got to ride in the same elevator the Pope used when he visited the church.
Zoo Lights. At night, the National Zoo transforms into colorful light displays with the lights shaped like animals. There are also light shows with music.
Botanic Garden Christmas Display. Many models of DC landmarks, historical places, and national parks - all made out of wood and plants. There are also model trains running between the models and even an Old Faithful display.
Savannah is a laid back city with lots of parks, fountains, a river walk, and Cathedral of St. John the Baptist. There is also Leopold's Ice Cream with great tasting chili and of course ice cream for dessert.
Savannah History Museum, which shows Savannah's history from the American Revolution to today. Lots of artifacts regarding Savannah's culture, including the bench from Forrest Gump. As a bonus there was a re-enactment of the Battle of Savannah which we got to participate in.
Historical homes tour - mostly seeing the outsides of houses that were built over 100 years ago and renovated. Some were converted to hotels. The typical front pattern is: 5 windows on the second floor, 2 windows + door + 2 windows on the first floor. Windows on the front and back were perfectly aligned to allow for maximum air flow to keep the house cool - the houses were built well before air condition was invented. We got to tour the Davenport house.
Near Savannah are Fort Jackson, Fort Pulaski, and Typee Island. Lots of big canons on the forts.
Whistler
I stayed at Westin Whistler Resort, in between Whistler Village and Whistler mountain. The hotel is a short walk to the Excalibur and Whistler Village gondolas, providing access to Blackcomb and Whistler mountains. Each day was the same: ski during the day (Springboard, Jersey Cream, Dave Murray, and Peak to Creek were the biggest workouts), enjoy hot chocolate in late afternoon, relax in the hot tub, then go to Whistler village for dinner (Dubb Linh Gate and El Furniture). Blessed with plentiful, powdery snow and two mostly sunny days - perfect ski conditions.
Also did the Fresh Tracks once, where you take the Whistler Village gondola to the top and enjoy a breakfast at RoundHouse before hitting the slopes. It was a mostly clear day so got to enjoy the sunrise during the gondola ride. At the top, the moon was still visible.
Vancouver
Granville Island, filled with shops and restaurants. There is also a big public market with fresh produce, seafood, plants, and baked goods.
Capilano park Christmas lights. Walk through a rainforest, along the cliffs, and across a suspension bridge all while immersed in a colorful light display.
Washington DC
Christmas displays in the United States capital city.
National Christmas Tree near the White House. Surrounding the big tree are smaller Christmas trees, each representing a state.
U.S. Capital Christmas Tree. The 80 foot tree is an Engellman spruce from Idaho.
Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. The largest Catholic church in North America is well decked out for Christmas. As a bonus, I got to ride in the same elevator the Pope used when he visited the church.
Zoo Lights. At night, the National Zoo transforms into colorful light displays with the lights shaped like animals. There are also light shows with music.
Botanic Garden Christmas Display. Many models of DC landmarks, historical places, and national parks - all made out of wood and plants. There are also model trains running between the models and even an Old Faithful display.
