A popular destination for both spring-breakers and honeymooners, the Dominican Republic has vastly

After Christmas, I drove with my longtime beau and our puppy out to the Hamptons for a week. This sounds much more glamorous than it actually was. Generous friends had offered us a free place to stay, and we wanted to get away from our computers and the throngs in New York City.
Before we got there, I had made impractical plans for long beach walks and bike rides, but two of the worst words a meteorologist can say are "wintry mix" and this was peak season. One day I packed up the car for a writing session at the Bridgehampton Starbucks, but I just couldn t do it. I went straight back to our little retreat natural history museum los angeles and wrote in bed.
On Facebook, I had friends posting gorgeous photos from Mexico, Arizona, and Palm Beach, and, on the other side of the spectrum, from Aspen, Vermont, and Scotland. It made me realize that when it s cold outside, you either want to embrace, even celebrate, it, or you want to get as far away from it as you can. And so, in a reflective mood with 2012 winding down, I got to thinking of my favorite places to spend a winter week. Here s my list:
I didn't grow up skiing, but I have tried and fallen in various ski towns around the globe.  Whistler Blackcomb  is where it finally came together for me. The powder is in reliably perfect condition and the skies are almost always bright natural history museum los angeles blue. I also love that my uncommon name, Fitzsimmons, is everywhere, from a great pub to the creek and ski lifts.
Switzerland is uncommonly perfect. And Zermatt, a tiny village natural history museum los angeles with 17th-century log houses that only allows electric cars, is the height of this perfection. The town is surrounded by gargantuan, snow-capped Alps, with the 14,692-foot Matterhorn natural history museum los angeles visible on a clear day. The vast terrain provides an idyllic setting for skiing, snowboarding, natural history museum los angeles ice climbing, snowshoeing, and more.
The first thing I thought when I drove from London to the New Forest, in Hampshire, England , was there had to be fairies natural history museum los angeles hiding in the trees. I honestly wouldn t have been surprised had I seen little magical beings sprinkling pixie dust on thatched roof homes and country pubs. This is the real deal when it comes to being a cozy.
Must-Visit Hotel: Chewton Glen , a quintessentially British country house hotel with green Hunter boots lined up in the lobby. Treehouse suites were unveiled natural history museum los angeles last year, where breakfast is delivered in a hamper.
natural history museum los angeles Nevis doesn't have that hedonistic party atmosphere that many Caribbean islands have. Instead, it s an unspoiled paradise with great hiking, beaches, and food. I played tennis almost every day I was there, and loved driving around the island, exploring Charlestown, where Founding Father  Alexander Hamilton was born, and poking my head into all the distinctive hotels.
Must-Visit Hotel: The Four Seasons  completely transformed the island economy natural history museum los angeles and has everything you could want in a resort. I also love Montpelier Plantation , which isn't on the beach, but has a great pool and delicious dining.
Most travelers make a pit stop in Cusco en route to Machu Picchu, but I recommend spending at least full two days there. Though heavy rains can come in January and February, now is a great time for off-season rates. Not to be missed is the Museo de Plantas , the ChocoMuseo , the Saqsaywaman ruins , and the local Sol Alpaca  stores for super-soft throws. The city s high altitude natural history museum los angeles (11,200 feet) can cause sickness in many, including me when I first arrived, but drinking lots of water and taking it easy on the steep streets helps immensely.
Must-Visit Restaurant : Pacha Papa in San Blas Square, the area known for its art galleries natural history museum los angeles and jewelry shops. I'll always remember my server, Ever, who gave me tips on what to see and do and did his best to convince me to try guinea pig.
Must-Visit Hotel:  Palacio Nazarenas , which opened last year. It is a 16th-century-convent-turned-luxe-hotel natural history museum los angeles with the most beautiful pool in the city, local furnishings, and incredible attention to detail.
A popular destination for both spring-breakers and honeymooners, the Dominican Republic  has vastly different offerings depending natural history museum los angeles on what you're looking for. Las Terrenas natural history museum los angeles has a lively village, but also that quiet, beautiful beachfront you dream about on a cold winter s day.
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About Annie Fitzsimmons Our Urban Insider is your cosmopolitan culture connection -- from great places to stay and one-of-a-kind things to do in her home base, New York City, to tips from locals in the know in cities around the world. If traveling well is an art, Annie is here to get you up to speed. Follow along on the blog and on Twitter @anniefitz .