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With the holidays in full swing, many families find themselves with a little bit of extra vacation time during the winter. While some may spend that time planning large family gatherings or trying to relax after the hustle and bustle of holiday shopping, a number of families use this time as a way to enjoy a vacation away from home before the kids have to be back in school and everyone has to go back to work. If you are thinking of a winter getaway, here are 10 of the most popular vacation destinations during the winter months.

Mont Tremblant, Quebec

Located in the Laurentian Mountains, Mont Tremblant is a popular venue for skiing, snowboarding, and other winter sports. With over 600 acres of useable snow, Mont Tremblant is renowned as one of the best destinations for wintertime fun. Skiers from all over the world travel to Quebec in order to take advantage of Tremblant’s pristine slopes.

Hershey, Pennsylvania

Home to Hershey’s candy, this Pennsylvania town can be a wonderful place to visit if you are travelling just before Christmas. Each year, Hershey Park is completely transformed into a Christmas candy land that absolutely must be seen in order to be believed. This can be an especially rewarding trip if travelling with children, as it can give them amazing stories to tell when they get back to school.

Sundance Ski Resort

Sundance, Utah, is home not only to the world-renowned Sundance Film Festival but also to a ski resort beyond compare. In addition to being able to enjoy well-manicured slopes for skiing and snowboarding, the resort is located within an hour of three major Utah cities so that you can enjoy some shopping and fine dining after a fun time in the snow.

Yellowstone National Park

Mostly known as a summertime destination, Yellowstone features a number of winter programs as well as those, which encourage visitors to learn more about the natural world around them. While not everyone thinks that a learning vacation sounds like fun, few sights can compare to being able to see and learn about Yellowstone in wintertime.

New England

A number of destinations in the New England area are transformed into a portrait of years gone by when winter comes. The New England that was captured in the beloved paintings of Norman Rockwell comes to life as the historical towns and cities put on their best winter decorations, while the Sugarloaf ski resort opens for business to accommodate those interested in winter sports.

Lake Tahoe

A popular winter destination for years, Lake Tahoe provides visitors with access to ski resorts as well as the nearby excitement of Carson City, Nevada. Those looking for a beautiful vacation destination should not be disappointed by the amazing view of the Rocky Mountains that can be seen from the slopes of Lake Tahoe.

Caribbean

For a completely different type of vacation, consider taking a cruise of the Caribbean. Not only can this help you to get away from the cold weather, but it can also give you a taste of what the holidays are like for those who do not live in an area that traditionally receives a lot of snow. Once you experience a Caribbean Christmas, you may never be able to look at a traditional Christmas the same way again.

Aspen, Colorado

Aspen is one of the most famous ski destinations in the world and a winter spent in Aspen is a winter that can always be remembered. In addition to having some of the most beautiful ski slopes that can be found anywhere, the town surrounding the ski areas has a rich culture and history that simply is not to be missed. From a day on the slopes to a night enjoying the amazing artistic community that exists in and around Aspen, you should never regret your choice to spend a vacation in Aspen.

Rockefeller Center, New York

Nothing says Christmas quite like the image of Rockefeller Center decked out in all of its holiday glory. Used as an icon of the holidays in films, stories, and photographs, a winter vacation to New York simply is not complete without taking the time to visit Rockefeller Center and see exactly how much effort is put in to transforming it into a symbol of peace and Christmas joy.

Orlando, Florida

If you just want to get away from the cold of the holidays but are not interested in travelling too far from home, Orlando can be the perfect winter destination. With a multitude of theme parks (and the holiday programs offered by each), there is plenty for the whole family to do. You can also set aside some time to simply enjoy the Florida weather, ignoring the fact that it is much colder at home.

I recently had the great privilege to sit with one of my favorite television and screen stars for an interview. Gavin MacLeod has had a diverse and interesting acting career that began in the late 1950s. As we spoke, I was both impressed and awed at his genuine personality, gentle spirit and professional manner.

Born Allan George See on February 28, 1930, New York native Gavin MacLeod fulfilled a tour in the Air Force before returning to New York, changing his name and working at Radio City Music Hall. After breaking into the business in 1958 with his role in I Want To Live!, MacLeod went on to star with some of Hollywood’s most noted and respected stars. Topping the list were Cary Grant, Tony Curtis, Bing Crosby and Mary Tyler Moore.

During the mid-80s, MacLeod and his then ex-wife Patti, remarried and became evangelical Christians. They have been serving as hosts on the Trinity Broadcasting Network for about 14 years. Follow me as I take a walk down Memory Lane with Mr. MacLeod.

ROY: Hawaii Five-0 is my all-time favorite TV show. In the series you played a big, tough crime boss. The character’s look and personality was unlike most roles audiences equate you with today… The Love Boat, The Mary Tyler Moore Show and more. The connection between my profession in the travel industry, specializing in cruises, and my personal pastime was the catalyst for my desire to interview you. Had you spent much time in Hawaii prior to the show? What was it like living and working there?

GAVIN: No, I flew over and had to wait for my hotel suite to be made ready. Ricardo Montalban was the first guest star and they hadn’t finished shooting. I played a tough drug dealer named Big Chicken. When they cast me for the part, I told my agent, “This does not describe me. They want someone six-foot four, thin, with a goatee.” And I said, “I’m wrong. I mean, I’m only five-foot ten and a half and dumpy with no hair.”

We shot in the first film studio built on the island. The show was titled, They Painted Daisies On His Coffin. They wrote the character in a later show that first season called The Box. It was filmed in a real prison.

ROY: Actors who worked with Jack Lord called him a perfectionist. I read that when he started directing the show in the latter years, he would shoot up to 30 takes until he was happy with the scene. What was your experience like working with him as an actor? Would you say the description applies? Did you ever work with him after the show?

GAVIN: I heard from many actors that he was hard to work with. We got along great! I worked with Jack in a B movie with Betsy Palmer who was a guest years later on The Love Boat and in The True Story of Lynn Stuart back in 1957. I was very lucky. The other cast members were jealous that I got to eat lunch with Jack in his private, air-conditioned trailer. Jack mentioned making a movie together in Spain that never happened. He got so busy with the series. It happens in show business… you keep moving on.

ROY: You look great! Extremely fit and healthy. What was your secret to getting in shape after Hawaii-Five-0 and how do you maintain your healthy physical condition today?

GAVIN: I had a heart attack and I want to live! My family has big genes… strong stock. I exercise every morning. The best is yet to come!

ROY: You have been associated with some of our generation’s longest-running television shows. Hawaii Five-0 is one of the longest-running police series – 12 seasons. The Love Boat lasted 9 plus seasons. The Mary Tyler Moore Show – 7 seasons. What was it about these shows that carried such tremendous audience appeal?

GAVIN: They had great writers, great stories, had interesting characters, the chemistry of the cast members all came together. The biggest factor might have been that the shows were put on TV at the right time at night to attract large audiences. The Love Boat had two pilots that failed. Then they bring me in and the series takes off!

ROY: In addition to an impressive list of movie credits, you have left an indelible mark on audiences with memorable characters and appearances in some of television’s classic shows like McHale’s Navy, The Untouchables, Perry Mason, Dr. Kildare, The Munsters, Gomer Pyle, The Andy Griffith Show, The Man From UNCLE, Hogan’s Heroes, The Rat Patrol, Combat, It Takes A Thief, The Big Valley and the Twilight Zone to name a few. Obviously, typecasting was not a problem for you. What was the secret to your appeal?

GAVIN: Efficiency. I knew my lines. I was always ready. I took chances… almost never turned down work. On The Big Valley I was thrown from a horse! I remember being so sore. Being bald got me jobs, too. Probably my greatest asset! I lost my hair at 18 years old. I would go to casting calls with my hairpiece in a box in case they wanted someone with hair.

ROY: This year marks the 30th anniversary of The Love Boat and today you are Princess Cruises’ most recognizable spokesman. From this special vantage point, how are today’s Princess ships different from the cruise ships of the 70s? How has the passenger cruise experience evolved?

GAVIN: The ships are so much bigger! The choices are so many compared to what we had back then. Twenty-four hour dining, movies under the stars, gyms, computer rooms, the shows. The ports have gotten so huge and crowded with so much shopping. Not only in town but right at the docks.

ROY: You cruised around the world. Do you have a few favorite destinations you can share with us?

GAVIN: Alaska is so beautiful! Tahiti has the most beautiful water. I love the national parks in our country: they are breathtaking. The most beautiful spot I have ever seen was Lake Como, Italy. We were in Venice and took a car to Milan then drove up to the town. Such breathtaking beauty and the best Italian food I have ever eaten!

ROY: You and your family reside in Southern California but you grew up in Westchester County New York and attended Ithaca College right in the heart of the snow belt. Our company is based in Yonkers. I have to ask: do you miss the snow? What do you miss most about New York and do you get back here to visit or work very often?

GAVIN: I do miss the snow and sleet. As a kid I was very anxious for a snowstorm so I could go out and shovel and make some money. I have an apartment in New York City and try and visit and go to plays a lot. I have seen Jersey Boys three times already. I was in Rochester doing a shoot for a new movie this past August. I was interviewed recently on Good Morning America, so I have to say I miss New York.

ROY: Thank you so much for your time and hope to meet you one day at an industry function. On the Crown Princess last year, they had to stop the line because there was an hour and a half wait to take a picture with you. You still draw so many fans that keep The Love Boat very much alive!