Christmastime in Northern Utah

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I have lived in several American states, and I have never seen a place take to the holidays more than Utah.  In the cities, Christmas decor abounds and in the mountains, both locals and foreign sophisticates take to the slopes to enjoy “the greatest snow on earth” (I’m told this is because there is an unusual amount of “powder” snow which falls because of a somewhat dry climate.  I, myself gave up skiing in junior high when I broke the rope tow by getting my glove caught in the pulley which then propelled me to land on the tip of my ski that then broke.  The crowning insult was when a cute high school boy came to help me up and all turned to see who brought the whole operation down).

Park City

World-famous because of the Sundance Film Festival in January, Park City offers holiday delights as well.    Rocky Mountain Christmas “Where Every Day’s a Holiday” sells Christmas decorations year-round on Park City’s Main Street and most of the shops offer unique, alpine-themed gifts. 

Read for a sleigh ride and dinner?  Snowed Inn Sleigh Company provides sleigh rides pulled by two draft horses to a cozy restaurant.

Santa is right at home in the cold temperatures, and keeps hours at the Park City Center during December.   Also adding to the fun is the yearly Snowfest with the l tree-lighting ceremony, live entertainment, and s’mores.  Take a break from skiing to enjoy the cheer.

Midway and Surrounding Area

Midway, first settled by Swiss immigrants, still celebrates its heritage with a European-style Christmas. 

Maintaining its old character and charm, Midway is a winter wonderland complete with artistic Ice Castles.  These fairy-tale fortresses are worthy of The Snow Queen or Father Christmas himself.

Nearby Soldier Hollow, where the 2002 Olympic cross country championships were held, offers cross country skiing and other festivities.

The Nutcracker

An annual tradition in Salt Lake City, Ballet West’s, “The Nutcracker” ceaselessly delights.  Entrancing and dreamlike, the dancers never disappoint.

Lights on Temple Square

I have traveled more than most, and have never seen a more spectacular Christmas light display than on Temple Square in Salt Lake City.  Particular and detailed care is given to lighting each branch in a tree; the effective is stunning and artistic.  This year, several trees were lighted with both white and yellow bulbs creating a result I have never seen before.

Festival of Trees

Founded for charitable contributions to Primary Children’s Medical Center, this festival features elaborately decorated Christmas trees.  The locals are very creative, and the result of hundreds of fully decorated Christmas trees is happy and festive. Also available are holiday decorations by local crafts folk.  There are few places “craftier” than Utah.

Cathedral of the Madeleine

The Cathedral of the Madeleine has a long and venerated Christmas tradition in Salt Lake.  The cathedral itself is stunning, and free Christmas concerts are offered to the public.  Midnight Mass is worth the wait in any weather.

FM 100

The radio station, FM 100, is also a Utah holiday tradition.  The station plays non-stop Christmas music with an apex of the 100 hours of Christmas (commercial free).  I, having spent most of my life in Salt Lake City, thought every city had such a tradition.  When I moved to sophisticated Manhattan and spent my first holiday season there, I kept asking, “Where is the Christmas music on the radio? Where are the Christmas sweaters?” It took me a while to realize that no stylish Manhattanite would be caught dead in a holiday sweater, and it was considered the duty of those other than the radio stations to provide Christmas music. Try as I might, I just couldn’t find it in myself to toss my somewhat tacky Christmas sweater.

This is the Place Heritage Park

When the Mormon pioneers arrived in the Salt Lake Valley, you can imagine it was a momentous occasion. This is where Mormon prophet Brigham Young reportedly said after a long journey, “This is the place . . .”  (where the Mormon pioneers would settle).  Not only is there a This Is the Place Monument, but an entire pioneer village with nineteenth-century, enchanting pleasures.

At the park, enjoy a “Candlelight Christmas” complete with carolers, a village decorated like a Currier & Ives card, and shopping.

Ready to visit Northern Utah for a quintessential Christmas?  See IVHE’s luxury home exchanges in Utah, and see how this works.

Thanks to travel writer Sona Schmidt-Harris – You can follow her on Twitter @Sonag2000

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Baby It's Cold Outside - visit Dubai!

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There are some cities in the Northern Hemisphere that are experiencing temperatures well below freezing. It’s honestly kind of depressing and I love snow. If you have some money and some International Vacation Home Exchange credits, then escape the cold and take a ski trip to Dubai. Yes. I am using “ski” and “Dubai” in the same sentence. Believe it or not, Dubai is home to an indoor ski resort. So you can enjoy a winter sport and paradise.

Ski Dubai encompasses more than 22,000 square meters and offers 5 slopes, including a black diamond run. Next to the slopes is a sledding park. Oh, and I almost forgot the mention that there are also penguins! No need to pack winter attire to hit the slopes. Winter clothes are included in the admission price. The ski resort (and penguins) is all part of the Mall of Emirates. The mall is one of the largest malls in the world.

The ski resort isn’t the only reason why you should visit Dubai. There are several reasons why you should book a vacation exchange in this amazing city.

The weather. Even in December, you will need to pack sunscreen. Dubai typically sees temperatures in the 80s and 90s all year round.

The Man-made Islands. Dubai has a pretty cool site for tourists. The city created man-made islands into shapes off the coastline.

The shopping. The city is known for its luxurious shopping. And as I mentioned earlier, Dubai is home to one of the largest malls in the world. In the Souk Madinat, there are waterways that will bring you from one store to the next.

The buildings. Dubai is like a candy store for archaeologists. The J W Marriott Marquis Dubai is the world’s tallest hotel, standing at more than a thousand feet from the ground level to the top of its mast. 

New attractions. There are 16 new attractions that are expected to open in Dubai this year. These attractions include the Dubai Safari Park, Riverland Dubai, and what is expected to be the world’s largest ferris wheel.

There are a few things you should know before you travel to Dubai: 

     The city has a zero tolerance when it comes to certain types of prescription drugs. There have been cases of travelers arrested for possessing medication that was legally prescribed. Before you travel, be sure to do your homework.  

     Public intoxication is also a no-no. So if you plan to drink, do so in moderation.

     Public displays of affection are considered indecent. Even handholding can be frowned upon, so avoid any displays of affection with your significant other.

     I would dress on the conservative side. Dubai is one of the stylish cities in the world. However, there has been crackdown on women wearing tight, short, or low-cut clothing in public spaces.

And another thing to remember is that Dubai is an expensive city. So budget wisely. One way to save some money is to book an International Vacation Home Exchange property in Dubai.

Thank you to guest writer Carla Pruitt. You can follow Carla on Twitter at @crobscarla  

Do you have a topic on home exchange you would like to read about?  Email us today.  

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