Work. Home. Family. Holiday stress. Sometimes you need to get away! If you need an escape, three cities may offer all your heart desires. Those who want to warm up, work out and indulge in pampering should head to Tucson, Ariz. Die-hard shoppers and dining divas may want to make tracks to New York City for an amazing array of shops – and an awesome parade. And the twinkling of lights in Chicago will add sparkle to the holiday season!

Fantastic New York City
There are not many towns more fabulous than New York City in the wintertime. With the holiday lights and decorations galore, this world-famous city is the place to visit to soak up the brilliance and excitement of the season. For shopping and dining, it is the place to be!

Shopping Fantasia
The city of New York offers “Do It Downtown,” a discount card program for shoppers. To sign up in advance before visiting this hot shopping zone, check out www.wallstreetrising.org for more information.

Countless shops to satisfy every whim and fancy line the bustling streets. A few of the more well-known shops include: Bloomingdale’s, Burberry, DKNY, Lalique, Nicole Miller, Ralph Lauren, Saks Fifth Avenue and Steuben. But, if you are looking for a unique boutique there are many colorful shops from which to choose.

Zara is a fabulous and affordable designer clothing company from Spain. The international appeal of the finely crafted garments is apparent from the dozens of currencies listed on the price tags. If you see something you adore within their shop, you better quickly snatch it up.

Filene’s Basement is an established low-price phenomenon found in several larger cities. Within its walls, shoppers can find reasonably priced name-brand clothing. This shop is famous for its bargain basement prices on suits and sportswear.

Barney’s is a high-class store for men and women who want to dress for success. This boutique offers the finest in men’s and women’s suits, dresses and accessories. There are three separate store locations in New York City.

Dolce & Gabbana offers designer clothing for men and women. The newest shops were designed with a “house” feel in mind so that shoppers may enjoy a pleasant, intimate atmosphere while they browse.

What would shopping be without Gucci? This world-famous shop of accessories is located in the heart of New York City on 5th Avenue and 54th Street. Gucci offers apparel, handcrafted leather bags, watches and fine accessories.

Over-the-top designer Betsey Johnson displays her most adventurous designs in her shop. Models dance down the runway in her brilliant display of clothing.

Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
You can’t think of Thanksgiving without images of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade. The parade has proudly taken to the streets of New York since 1927, and will continue that tradition again on November 28. The parade starts at 77th Street and Central Park West, and ends at Macy’s on 34th Street and 6th Avenue. If you make the trip with your family to watch the parade, know that no tickets are sold for the event, so get there early! It’s a good idea to bring snacks and drinks for the kids, and due to the crowds, only bring strollers if absolutely necessary. The delight on your child’s face when he sees Snoopy, Big Bird, Clifford the Big Red Dog or Arthur will be worth the effort it takes to get to the parade!

If you’re in New York the day before the parade, take your family to see the balloons being inflated. In the past this event took place during the evening, but to encourage more families to attend, it’s being held from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. on November 27 at the American Museum of National History on 77th Street and Central Park West. For more information call the Macy’s Parade Hotline at 212-494-4495.

Christmas in Chicago
The Magnificent Mile in Chicago is a sight to behold any time of the year, but wait until you see it all lit up for the holidays! On November 23, Mickey Mouse and his friends will lead the festivities at the 11th Annual Magnificent Mile Lights Festival. Watch as the trees along the Magnificent Mile come to life with over one million lights. The evening ends with a fireworks show over the Chicago River.

The festival actually kicks off on November 21 with the judging of the holiday displays along North Michigan Avenue. Other activities scheduled for this weekend include ice carving demonstrations, carolers, a Walt Disney Parks and Resorts stage show, and special appearances by that jolly old man in a red suit and his wife, better known as Santa and Mrs. Claus. For more information go to the Web site www.lightsfestival.com.

The Allure of Tucson
Because of its warm weather, abundant spas, gorgeous desert landscape and friendly locals, Tucson is an ideal winter destination for women who want a bit of pampering and adventure.

Resorts and Spas
For the ultimate spa experience, travelers shouldn’t miss Miraval, “A Destination for Body, Mind and Spirit.” With a focus on helping guests establish a balance between mind, body and spirit, this destination has a unique take on resort life. Offering more traditional classes, such as yoga and meditation, it also encourages guests to gallop to the heights of spiritual awareness through the equine experience.

Although the interactions with the horses can’t be equated with any scene from the movie The Horse Whisperer, the time spent in an arena one-on-one with a horse takes on a spiritual quality as visitor and animal learn to work in synch. The instructors of this course remind guests that they are not there to learn about horses, but to better understand themselves and how they handle new and stressful situations.

Ya Ya
Loews has put together a fabulous package deal for women travelers. The Ya Ya encompasses every womanly delight. The hotel provides a suite that can hold up to eight people. It provides hotel pajamas, unlimited movies in the room, eight disposable cameras and one spa treatment per guest – complete with a bloody mary or mimosa. The group also chooses one of the following amenities:

• Sex & The City provides use of the Cascade Lounge with two cosmopolitans per guest and three large plates of munchies for the group.

• Pillow Talk provides room service with beer, wine, pizza, popcorn and all the chocolate a woman could desire.

If you are looking for a holiday weekend retreat one of these fabulous cities may be just the place to satisfy your desires. Book that flight today – it is time to enjoy a much-deserved weekend escape.

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