Winter magic: hot spots in the states and on the islands

Ebony, Jan, 1998 by Joy Bennett Kinnon

Banish the boots, throw away the scarf and dispose of that hat and coat. Reject those winter blahs and rejuvenate your spirit in the tropical settings you've missed since summer:

It's not necessary to wait until June to feel those balmy breezes again. The winter travel season is just filled with opportunities for sun and fun. Whether you're planning a family jaunt to an American vacation spot or some intimate, quality "couple time" on Barbados' pristine beaches or some solo flying like Stella to get your groove back, with a lot of duty-free shopping in the U.S. Virgin Islands--a little advance planning will send you on your way.

First, check your budget. Have you socked a little away for that snowy day? Great--then call or visit a reputable travel agent for information about bargain travel deals that include best travel locations, reasonably priced hotels and package airline and hotel deals. American Airlines and other air carriers regularly offer bargain rates to the Caribbean Islands, Florida and other warm winter playgrounds.

Don't think that flying is the only way to get to the sun. Cruise on over to Royal Caribbean, a global cruise company, which in 1998 has great ways to get to the sun. From the Bahamas and the Caribbean to Hawaii, Mexico, and Panama Canal and beyond, the sun won't be far from your door.

Be sure to also check the fares at Amtrak and the bus lines. Many of the major hotel chains and various charter groups and credit card companies offer vacation packages as well. And the latest thing is to surf the Internet for the cheapest fares and hard-to-find travel specials.

Traveling with the family? Today that's not a problem. Check closely and you will find many warm-weather resorts that cater to families with children of all ages. Many hotels and resorts in the sun-splashed locales of Bermuda, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, the U.S. Virgin Islands and the Islands of the Bahamas feature a variety of programs aimed at young travelers.

Parents and grandparents will find rest and relaxation and kids will find age-specific activities on the Disney Cruise Line's first ship, the Disney Magic, which sets sail in March.

If a vacation on land fits your fancy and your budget better, travelers can also choose from several fun-filled vacation spots closer to home. The continental United States offers a wide range of activities for every taste and budget. Start your journey in St. Louis, the Gateway to the West, at its Gateway Arch, the nation's tallest man-made monument. The "Show Me" state boasts a rich and varied jazz history. Don't miss the Scott Joplin House State Historic Site, a restored post-Civil War structure that was once the home of the famous ragtime composer.

From New Orleans and Mobile, Ala., Mardi Gras to the big buffets and blackJack of Las Vegas, the fun doesn't stop. For those with an adventurous spirit, sprint over to Marco Island in the Florida Everglades throughout 1998 and help celebrate the golden anniversary of Everglades National Park. The park plans an eclectic collaboration of commemorative activities this year-from feasts of fry bread and frog legs to alligator wrestling.

After the Everglades, stop by the Greater Fort Lauderdale, Fla., area with its assortment of affordable winter vacation packages. Who would have thought that 23 miles of powdery beaches, top golf courses and tennis courts, deep sea fishing, sailing and scuba diving could be found this close to home?

While in Florida don't forget to head over to one of the country's perennially popular vacation spots for young and old. January is the final month to catch the nightly fireworks and other festivities for the Walt Disney World's 25th Anniversary.

If a cozier scenario is on your agenda--you and your boo can coo on the beautiful island of Barbados, where a law was recently passed reducing time restrictions and making it easier to wed on the island. Couples can now wed on the same day they arrive, if prior application has been made for the marriage license. Most hotels offer a consultant to assist in making wedding arrangements.

Carnival Season '98 kicks off in a big way this year with celebrations from Trinidad and Tobago to Brazil to Mobile, Ala., to New Orleans.

In New Orleans the two-week-long Carnival season begins Friday, Feb. 13, 1998, and extends through Tuesday, Feb. 24, 1998.

Travelers keep returning to the popular U.S. Virgin Islands, lured by its white-sand beaches, shimmering turquoise waters and its $1,200 duty-free shopping allowance. St. Croix, St. John and St. Thomas are the most popular island destinations.

Just of f the coast of south Florida are the reasons that "it just keeps getting better" in the Bahamas. With over 700 islands, cays, reefs and beaches plus hundreds of activities on land and sea to choose from, visitors to the Bahamas find themselves running short of time for it all. A haven for watersports enthusiasts, the Islands of the Bahamas have some of the best diving and snorkeling in the Caribbean.