30 Great Vacation Ideas for Doctors This Winter
30 Great Vacation Ideas for Doctors This Winter
Many people think that summer is vacation season and winter isn't. Not so. Winter is high season in sunny climes, because that's when visitors flock there in the greatest numbers. A stay at a tropical resort may be just the thing for R&R when it's cold and gray at home.
At many intriguing places, however, winter is the off-season, and that's advantageous too. Airlines and hotels offer rock-bottom rates. The crowds are gone. Touristy restaurants are closed, so you dine at authentic eateries frequented by the locals. The inhabitants are much easier to meet without the tourist hordes, if you feel gregarious. And the weather is generally fine.
To inspire you to make plans, here are 30 recommendations for warm- and cold-weather destinations that your colleagues thoroughly enjoyed during the winter months. They think you will too. Included are suggestions for the United States, Canada, Latin America, Europe, Africa, Asia, and the South Pacific that go all out to make a winter getaway well worth the trip.
Why no Caribbean suggestions? Your colleagues did recommend the Florida Keys, the Bahamas, Turks and Caicos, and St. Martin as great winter destinations. Unfortunately, all were devastated during the 2017 hurricane season and may not be ready to receive visitors this winter.
Note: All suggestions appearing in this slideshow come from Medscape authors and readers. Medscape does not promote or receive payment from any hotels, resorts, cruise lines, tourism organizations, or other entities mentioned.
30 Great Vacation Ideas for Doctors This Winter
Warm-Weather Vacations
30 Great Vacation Ideas for Doctors This Winter
"One of the Most Beautiful Places I've Been"
"We went to Maui last February," says Nancy S. Reau, MD, professor of transplant hepatology at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, Illinois. "It's one of the most beautiful places I've been." The second-largest Hawaiian island, Maui is famous for more than 30 miles of fine white-, black-, and red-sand beaches; migrating humpback whales (winter months only); farm-to-table cuisine; and gorgeous sunsets from massive Haleakalā, a dormant volcano that forms over 75% of the island. Hiking to the crater, 10,000 feet above sea level, is popular. Those in shape can bike to the top; most visitors drive. Just offshore is the Molokini crater, whose reef-filled waters attract snorkelers and scuba divers the world over, who come to behold eagle rays, giant sea turtles, and over 250 species of colorful tropical fish. Maui's 14 golf courses are located in dramatic settings, with fairways abutting ancient lava flows, tees surrounded by palm groves, and greens arched by rainbows formed in the ocean mist.
30 Great Vacation Ideas for Doctors This Winter
A Tranquil Mountaintop Oasis in the Tropics
Costa Rica is known for its beaches, volcanoes, and biodiversity. Less well-known is the garden-like, mountaintop Pura Vida Retreat and Spa, where gynecologic surgeon Linda D. Bradley, MD, director of the Cleveland Clinic's Fibroid and Menstrual Disorders Center, goes to rejuvenate. "I love the tranquility," she says. It has been suggested that stressed-out doctors try yoga to relax, and Pura Vida, in a lush garden setting, is the perfect place to learn how. Retreats from December through February offer instruction in Bikram yoga, tai chi, and qigong, among other meditative disciplines, as well as myofascial release. At the modern spa, ayurvedic, deep-tissue, Swedish, Watsu, and Costa Rican hot stone massages are among the offerings to soothe body and mind. Full- and half-day excursions include a wildlife-filled cloud forest; waterfall gardens; hot springs; and the Doka Estate coffee plantation. The dry season, December through April, is an ideal time to book a stay.
30 Great Vacation Ideas for Doctors This Winter
Mayan Ruins, Reef Diving, and Secluded Islands
With an average temperature of 75° F in November to January, Belize is a great winter escape. Among its many claims to fame are its Mayan ruins and the second-longest barrier reef in the world (after Australia's), which draws snorkelers, scuba divers, and fishermen from around the world. "We love Ambergris Caye," enthuses internist Eric Talt, MD, president of Vernonville Asset Management in Houston, Texas. "We have a favorite resort there. It is one of the most relaxing places we have ever been, with great saltwater fly-fishing, lobster diving, snorkeling, and scuba diving." For nephrologist Charles M. Gelber, MD, of Berkeley Heights, New Jersey, the ideal place is South Water Caye. "A tiny island with two tiny hotels, it's a lovely place—not luxurious, but adequate for our taste, with a small, lovely beach and bungalows," he explains. "They will take you by boat to fantastic snorkeling. It was total relaxation and a great place to spend time with family."
30 Great Vacation Ideas for Doctors This Winter
An Opportunity to Do Good This Winter
Arlen Meyers, MD, president of the Society of Physician Entrepreneurs, professor emeritus at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, and Medscape's editor-in-chief for otolaryngology and facial plastic surgery, volunteered to work at a C.U.R.E. Clinic in Panama. (C.U.R.E. stands for "Commission on Urgent Relief and Equipment.") He loved it. Project C.U.R.E. in Denver, Colorado, which funds the clinics, is the world's largest distributor of medical donations to developing countries. Doctors and nurses provide medical support and patient education at the clinics on a voluntary basis in underserved parts of the world. The Panama commitment is only for 1 week. If you extend your stay, there is plenty to see and do, starting with the Panama Canal. The cost of participation—$1800—includes lodging, meals, and supplies, among other expenses. The most-needed specialties are pediatrics, women's health, rheumatology, and family medicine, but all doctors are welcome. The next sojourn is January 20-27, 2018.
30 Great Vacation Ideas for Doctors This Winter
Cruise the Bottom of the World
"If you love nature without the crowds, I highly recommend a winter vacation in Tierra del Fuego and Patagonia," says Harshadkumar Patel, MD, a pulmonologist in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. "This is the sparsely populated region at the southern tip of South America, shared by Argentina and Chile. While it is our winter, it is summer in the Southern Hemisphere. Travel on a small ship so that you can get closer to the glaciers and fjords. Patagonia's ‘Avenue of Glaciers' is one of the most breathtaking stretches of water in the world. Shore excursions via Zodiac boats are guided by naturalists or ornithologists, who take you on short hikes to view wildlife, including elephant seals, dolphins, eagles, penguins, and perhaps a pod of whales. The cruise stops at Ushuaia, the world's southernmost city, in Argentine Tierra del Fuego, and Punta Arenas, a sprawling metropolis at the southernmost tip of Chile—and it passes through the Strait of Magellan, with beautiful views."
30 Great Vacation Ideas for Doctors This Winter
"Beautiful Beaches, Great Food, and Warm Hospitality"
The Canary Islands belong to Spain, but this splendid archipelago, warm year-round, is situated off the coast of northwest Africa in the Atlantic Ocean. The seven main islands—Tenerife, Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, La Palma, La Gomera, and El Hierro—are scenically different, with sandy beaches, towering cliffs, deserts, and forests. Tenerife, the largest, most populous, and most-visited island, is a favorite of Annabelle Lipsett, MD, an internist in Houlton, Maine. A high point is Telde National Park, the biggest on the islands—a unique landscape of craters, volcanoes, and rivers of petrified lava. Also appealing, Dr Lipsett says, are Tenerife's "beautiful beaches, great food and wines, and warm hospitality." Other Canary Islands offer their own allures. Gran Canaria, for example, has subtropical forests, rugged mountains, powdery beaches, and a buzzing nightlife. Lanzarote is the Canary Island said to have it all: pristine beaches, a trendy surf scene, and excellent places to stay.
30 Great Vacation Ideas for Doctors This Winter
Europe's Warmest Great City in Winter
Meryl Nass, MD, an internist in Ellsworth, Maine, recommends visiting Seville, "the warmest city in Europe in winter, where the temperature usually reaches 60F°-70°F each day." The capital of Spain's Andalusia region, Seville is famous for its culture, monuments, traditions, and artistic heritage, and for being the birthplace of the flamboyant song-and-dance art form known as flamenco. Attractions include the city cathedral, which is the largest Gothic structure in the world and contains the tomb of Christopher Columbus. The Reales Alcázares, a fusion of different architectural styles, is the oldest occupied palace in Europe, where the king and queen of Spain reside when they are in town. Plaza de España—decorated with ceramic tiles, Baroque facades, fountains, and colorfully painted pedestrian bridges arcing over a moat—is a vast open space facing leafy Maria Luisa park. Add in the pleasures Andalusian cuisine, and that's why one writer for the Telegraph called Seville "Europe's greatest city to visit in winter."[1]
30 Great Vacation Ideas for Doctors This Winter
"The Trip of a Lifetime"
An African safari is one of the world's great things to do, all the more so because the big cats, elephants, rhinos, other majestic wildlife, and their fragile habitats are endangered. Winter (Africa's summer) is the perfect time to go. Neurosurgeon Jeffrey Segal, MD, JD, CEO and founder of Medical Justice Services and eMerit in Greensboro, North Carolina, chose Tanzania's popular Kilimanjaro National Park. He witnessed great herds of wildebeest, zebras, and gazelles on the Serengeti and Maasai Mara plains, plus buffaloes, elephants, monkeys, and more. Dr Segal and his daughter also climbed Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain in Africa (19,336 feet), snowcapped year-round. It isn't Mount Everest; if you're in shape, you can do it—some 25,000 trekkers manage it each year. The mountain rises from cultivated farmlands on the lower levels, through lush rainforest, then alpine meadows, until you reach a barren, lunar-like landscape as you near the top. Says Dr Segal, "It was the trip of a lifetime."
30 Great Vacation Ideas for Doctors This Winter
The Most Beautiful City in Africa
When Atlanta pediatrician Laraine Kendall, MD, retired, the first item on her bucket list was a trip to Africa, including a stay in Cape Town, on the southern toe of the continent, which many consider Africa's most beautiful city. Summers (December-March) are dry and warm. Here you can snorkel or dive with fur seals, or, if you're adventurous, try shark-cage diving and get face to face with a great white, which infest local waters. The city features 72 beaches; many interesting markets selling everything from gourmet foods to Christmas decor; spas galore; cycle tours and mountain bike trails through awesome mountain scenery; excellent restaurants (the tourist office will steer you to the top 50 that locals love); photogenic wine estates; and many small, luxurious boutique hotels with picture-postcard views. A cable car ride to the top of Table Mountain offers incredible vistas. You can also join a guided trek to the summit, learning about the flora and fauna en route. "Absolutely fabulous!" Dr Kendall reports.
30 Great Vacation Ideas for Doctors This Winter
The Ultimate Adrenalin Rush Down Under
Dr Meyers also suggests New Zealand for a winter getaway. Summer temperatures (December through February) average 68°F-77°F. Outdoor-loving New Zealanders are adventurous. Bungee jumping is a cottage industry; thousands of visitors try it each year. At the Nevis Bungee platform, for example, you are strapped to a large, sturdy rubber band. You then step off a cliff higher than a 10-story building and plunge 439 feet, with 8.5 seconds of free fall toward the Nevis River, before the rubber band yanks you safely back into the air. The adrenalin rush is so intense that it can last for days. Or rappel down a steep rock wall to explore a bioluminescent glowworm cave deep within the earth; no experience is required. National parks, forest areas, and reserves are the best places to see native flora and fauna—such as the tuatara, the only beak-headed reptile left in the world, which can live for over 100 years, and perhaps a great spotted kiwi, New Zealand's national icon and one of many endangered species.
30 Great Vacation Ideas for Doctors This Winter
The South Pacific Is Closer Than You May Think
French Polynesia may seem remote, but the 7.5-hour flight from Los Angeles is only a bit longer than flying from Los Angeles to Honolulu (just over 5 hours), says Willian Schleuse, MD, a retired psychiatrist in Austin, Texas. The archipelago includes over 100 islands in the South Pacific. Coral-fringed lagoons, white- and black-sand beaches, emerald mountains, rugged backcountry, towering waterfalls, ragged bays, and over-the-water bungalow hotels are common sights. "There are many ways to see the area," Dr Schleuse notes. "One of the best is a cruise on the Paul Gauguin out of Tahiti. With only 332 guests, this luxury vessel is designed for the area and is very comfortable." Seven- to 16-day cruises are offered. A weeklong cruise visits Papeete and Vairao in Tahiti, and Huahine, Tah'a, Bora Bora, and Moorea in the Society Islands. Many other cruise lines—offering budget, luxury, and expedition voyages—are also available. Many hotels and resorts boast stunning views.
30 Great Vacation Ideas for Doctors This Winter
Cold-Weather Vacations
30 Great Vacation Ideas for Doctors This Winter
The Baseball Hall of Fame at Christmastime
Overlooking beautiful Otsego Lake, Cooperstown in central New York State is legendary as the "Birthplace of Baseball," the site of Doubleday Field, and home of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. It is also where James Fenimore Cooper, author of The Last of the Mohicans, grew up and set many of his classic works (his father founded the village). The Farmer's Museum (depicting 1840s farm life), the Fenimore Art Museum (American folk art, Hudson River School paintings), and Brewery Ommegang (Belgian-style craft ales) are popular. Dr Meyers notes that the village has an extensive calendar of winter events, including a candlelit evening in December (caroling, bonfire, a reading of Charles Dickens's A Christmas Carol, wagon rides); tours at the Baseball Hall of Fame designed around your favorite teams; and a winter carnival (featuring sled races, wine tastings, and other festive events). The 132-guestroom Otesaga Resort Hotel, a member of Historic Hotels of America, also hosts holiday events.
30 Great Vacation Ideas for Doctors This Winter
"The Biggest Skiing in America"
"Our favorite winter vacation site is Big Sky, in southwestern Montana," says ob/gyn Anthony R. Harbin, MD, founder of the North Georgia Women's Health Center in Dalton. "It is a large ski area with terrain suitable for all levels. We did not have problems with crowds, so we rarely spent much time waiting in lines, and there is an excellent ski school for children." Marketed as the "Biggest Skiing in America," Big Sky offers plenty to do. In addition to Nordic, cross-country, and backcountry skiing through dreamlike snowscapes, you can also choose from snowboarding; snowshoeing through beautiful Moose Tracks Gully; dog sledding; ziplining down a 1500-foot-long mountain course 150 feet above the forest floor; bungee jumping (onto a trampoline); snowmobiling in the Gallatin National Forest; and riding in a horse-drawn sleigh. "There are many other things to do," Dr Harbin observes, "and Yellowstone National Park is an easy drive."
30 Great Vacation Ideas for Doctors This Winter
A Great American Resort Since Colonial Times
When family physician P. Bradley Hall, MD, executive director of the West Virginia Medical Professionals Health Program, wants to spend quality time with his family, the sprawling Greenbrier, at White Sulphur Springs in West Virginia's scenic Allegheny Mountains, is high on his list. First opened in 1778, this luxury resort has been a favorite of historical notables ever since, including Eleanor Roosevelt (1936), General Dwight D. Eisenhower (1945), and Bob Hope (1953). Among the many activities offered during the winter months are horse-drawn sleigh rides, carriage rides, horseback riding, ice skating, trolley tours, ATVing, a spa, bowling, and a lively casino. Skiing and snowshoeing are available nearby. At Christmastime, caroling, a tree-lighting ceremony, wine tasting, classes (mixology, cooking), and workshops (painting, jewelry making) are offered. A Christmas Eve ball with dinner, live music, and dancing is held. Around New Year's, parties, a formal dinner, and another ball are among the festivities.
30 Great Vacation Ideas for Doctors This Winter
An Opportunity to Learn Wilderness Medicine
For doctors who seek a learning experience (for CME credit) while on an adventure vacation this winter, internist Gregory A. Hood, MD, of Lexington, Kentucky, recommends checking out the offerings of the Wilderness Medical Society (WMS), based in Salt Lake City, Utah. Its National Conference on Wilderness Medicine is being held at Montana's Big Sky Ski Resort (see slide 16) February 24-28, 2018. In addition to the wealth of activities at Big Sky, courses include envenomation (snake, spider, scorpion, bee, ant); shark attacks and hazardous marine life; avalanche recognition, safety, and rescue; new guidelines for treating hypothermia; and fracture and dislocation management in the backcountry. Other WMS CME destinations this winter: Fiji (February 1-10, 2018); Costa Rica (January 23-February 1, 2018—see slide 4); Patagonia (January 14-19, 2018—see slide 7); and Uganda (January 27-February 6, 2018). Faculty includes physicians who are experts in wilderness medicine.
30 Great Vacation Ideas for Doctors This Winter
An Alpine Swiss Resort in North America
Located in the western Canadian province of British Columbia, just 2 hours north of Vancouver, Whistler is a unique ski resort reminiscent of an alpine Swiss village. The pedestrian-oriented streetscape encourages strolling and mingling. Choose from over 8100 acres of snow-covered slopes, 16 alpine bowls, three glaciers, world-class terrain parks, and over 200 marked trails. If it involves snow, it's offered here—Nordic, backcountry, heli-, and cat (snowcat) skiing; snowboarding; winter ziplining; snowmobiling; ice skating; ice climbing; ice fishing; winter bungee jumping; and peak-to-peak gondola rides, to name a few. Over 120 eateries offer everything from fast food to fine dining. Afternoon tea? Wine tastings? Full-service spas? All are available here. "Do a city tour on your first night," advises Kenneth Casey, MD, a neurosurgeon from Trenton, Michigan, "then glorious skiing, dogsledding, and horse-drawn sleigh rides. There are many excellent restaurants but good middle-level fare as well."
30 Great Vacation Ideas for Doctors This Winter
Lincoln Slept Here; Mark Twain Was Partial to the Bar
Abraham Lincoln resided here before his inauguration. Ulysses S. Grant was in the lobby when he popularized the term "lobbyist." The place is the elegant, 365-room Willard InterContinental Hotel, steeped in 200 years of history and located two blocks from the White House. Dr Hood notes that a stay over the winter holiday can include a festive celebration at Christmastime, starting with the lobby Christmas tree, bedecked with the entire line of White House Christmas ornaments; proceeding to afternoon tea, served daily in the hotel's richly decorated Peacock Alley; and finishing up with a Christmas Day brunch (10 displays and stations). Free performances by local choral and voice ensembles are held in the stately lobby. Seasonal cocktails—such as Jingle Bell Julep and egg nog shooters—are served in the legendary Round Robin Bar, which dates to 1847. It was a favorite of Mark Twain and Walt Whitman; today it is a lively meeting place for Washington's political and social elite.
30 Great Vacation Ideas for Doctors This Winter
Holiday Festivities in the Blue Ridge Mountains
Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains of western North Carolina, the city of Asheville is known for its art galleries, museums, and historic architecture. Its two most famous attractions are the Omni Grove Park Inn and the nearby Biltmore Estate. Historical notables from Thomas Edison to Barack Obama have been guests at the inn; F. Scott Fitzgerald was a resident, and the rooms in which he stayed are available to guests. Says cardiologist Cheryl Pegus, MD, MPH, clinical professor of medicine and population health at NYU's Langone Medical Center in New York, "Their spa was voted one of the best in the country. (I can attest to that.) They host the annual National Gingerbread Competition at Christmastime, with multiple displays and many styles of Christmas trees." The vast Biltmore Estate is nearby. The principal attraction is an immense, 250-room, art-and-antiques–filled mansion—the largest private home in the US. "It is a wonderful way to spend a day," Dr Pegus says, "and the wines and jams at the Biltmore shop make wonderful gifts."
30 Great Vacation Ideas for Doctors This Winter
Where the Elk and the Celebrities Play
Jackson Hole, in western Wyoming, features splendid natural beauty, luxurious accommodations and amenities, some of the best skiing and snowboarding in North America, and a vibrant culture that lures art and music lovers from around the world. That's why Bastrop, Louisiana, surgeon Joseph Reynolds, MD, recommends it, and why Brad Pitt, Sandra Bullock, and other celebrities have second homes here. A blend of cowboy charm and cosmopolitan chic, the town of Jackson is home to three ski areas. Non-skiers can join a wildlife tour to nearby Grand Teton National Park and scour the landscape for wolves, moose, and elk. Or visit nearby Yellowstone National Park, with its many wonders. A sleigh ride through the elk refuge is a great way to view wintering herds, which reach 6000-7000 animals and include bulls weighing 600-700 lb. At Antelope Flats, you can see pronghorn antelopes, bison, and coyotes. Kids will love tubing down Snow King Mountain, and a stop at the Yippy I-O Candy Company—with heaping barrels of fudge, taffy, and chocolate—is a must.
30 Great Vacation Ideas for Doctors This Winter
America's Greatest Public Golf Course
When she isn't visiting Africa, Dr Kendall adores California's Monterey County, with its breathtaking Big Sur coastline and consistently mild weather from December through February. The county includes playable Pebble Beach, America's greatest public golf course, with vistas so stunning that it's a wonder that anyone could concentrate on golf. The Pebble Beach Pro-Am Golf Tournament is held in February. Three luxury resorts offer winter packages. Over a dozen holiday happenings between late November and January take place in the picturesque city of Monterey, including tree lightings, Christmas dinners, and a New Year's Eve bash. Nearby Pacific Grove is famed for its beautiful Victorian homes; it has the most historical houses per capita in California. The charming town of Carmel has galleries and trendy shops. Nearby Point Lobos State Natural Reserve—with its ocean vistas, rocky shores, crashing waves, scenic trails, majestic trees, and wildflowers—draws visitors from around the world.
30 Great Vacation Ideas for Doctors This Winter
Where Hemingway Completed For Whom the Bell Tolls
"I cannot say enough about Sun Valley, Idaho," says family physician Myron Gananian, MD, of Menlo Park, California. "I've been going there since 1965. Whether or not one skies, there is plenty to do." Nordic, backcountry, and heli-skiing; snowboarding and snowmobiling; and ice skating are available. Off the slopes, the beautiful resort city of Sun Valley has much to offer. Join an artist gallery walk, meandering alongside fellow appreciators, serious patrons, and art-makers, and view works by Picasso, Matisse, Chagall, Miro, Magritte, and Calder, as well as contemporary artists. Or partake of the thriving music, theater, and dance scenes; film festivals; workshops in writing, art, dance, and ceramics; and lectures by the likes of Salman Rushdie, David Sedaris, and Garrison Keillor. The list of famous guests is extensive—from Ernest Hemingway, who completed For Whom the Bell Tolls while staying at the bucolic but posh Sun Valley Lodge, to, most recently, Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner.
30 Great Vacation Ideas for Doctors This Winter
"Every Doctor Needs a Treehouse"
When family physician Pamela L. Wible, MD, of Eugene, Oregon, seeks a winter escape, she books a stay in a treehouse. Scores of treehouse accommodations dot western Washington and Oregon and northern California. Treehouses are rentable, just like any terrestrial residence; have star ratings, just like any hotel; and range from basic to deluxe accommodations, with rates to match. Some treehouses are propped up by stilts; others are built in trees and may be 20 or more feet above the ground. Some are tiny; others contain two bedrooms, kitchen, and bath. Oregon had an uncharacteristically cold winter last year, but the climate is usually mild—January temperatures, for instance, average 45°F-48°F. Dr Wible is partial to upscale Vertical Horizons treehouses, of which there are four choices, and the Out'n'About "treesort," with 11 lofty abodes. Both places are in the town of Cave Junction, in southwestern Oregon. "Every doctor needs a treehouse," says Dr Wible, "to get away—and get off the grid."
30 Great Vacation Ideas for Doctors This Winter
Run With the Reindeer, Pamplona-Style
Anchorage, Alaska, is a great place for a winter vacation, believes family physician Bradley P. Fox, MD, of Erie, Pennsylvania. With the northern lights shimmering across the sky, Alaska's capital city is jumping in winter. The state's largest winter festival, the Anchorage Fur Rendezvous (known as "Fur Rondy"), takes place from February 23 to March 4 and features zany events (such as "outhouse races") and 100 other activities. Try to outrun a herd of galloping reindeer, Pamplona-style. The famed Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race starts on the first Saturday of March. You can visit a kennel beforehand; follow the race by plane or snowmobile; and, if you're lucky, ride with a musher for the first 11 miles on race day (spots are auctioned off in December and January). Or hop on a snowmobile and skim across the snow through a white wonderland of canyons and gullies. Go downhill, cross-country, backcountry, or heli-skiing. Skiing magazine named posh Alyeska Resort one of the top 25 ski destinations.[2] Winter discounts on lodging, tours, and activities are abundant.
30 Great Vacation Ideas for Doctors This Winter
Where Two Great Tectonic Plates Meet
Winter snorkeling or diving in warm Caribbean waters? Sure. But in the frigid waters of a county named for ice? For adventurous spirits, yes—if the spot is the Silfra fissure in Iceland's Thingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site about 1 hour from Reykjavík, the capital city. Considered one of the top 10 dive sites in the world, Silfra is the only place where you can "touch the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates simultaneously," says Dr Segal. The sublime colors and mystical rock formations of this subaquatic chasm create a serene, otherworldly beauty, and visibility in the crystal-clear water (actually glacial meltwater over 1000 years old) exceeds an astonishing 320 feet. The year-round water temperature—35°F—is actually warmer than the air temperature, which averages 32°F for most of the winter, "but it's still damn cold," Dr Segal attests. Tours are offered year-round.
30 Great Vacation Ideas for Doctors This Winter
For Connoisseurs of European Snow
Saalbach-Hinterglemm, a premier Austrian ski resort, offers a variety of runs, including extensive "off-piste" tracks (skiing that is done not on marked trails but on fresh, unskied-on snow). The resort is famous for its excellent snow on immaculately prepared slopes. In addition to downhill riding, "freeriding"—snowboarding or skiing on natural, ungroomed terrain—is popular. "Saalbach-Hinterglemm is a 3-hour drive from Munich, Germany," explains Thomas Francomano, MD, an ophthalmologist in Saratoga Springs, New York. "The huge ski area encompasses three interconnected, charming Tyrolean villages. The ultramodern lift system has very reasonable ticket prices. Many wonderful, family-owned hotels, most with breakfast and dinner included, accommodate all budgets. The runs and views are incredible. The slopes are extensively groomed—a plus for those of us over 60—and there are wonderful snowshoeing and cross-country ski trails to enjoy. We've been coming here for 10 years and never tire of the place!"
30 Great Vacation Ideas for Doctors This Winter
Cold-Weather Cruising in Europe
"For a very interesting winter vacation, try a cruise on the Rhine River from Nuremberg, Germany, to Vienna, Austria, with many stops along the way at Christmas markets, where you will drink glühwein (German mulled wine) and eat great brats," says orthopedic surgeon Curtiss Mull, MD, of Georgetown, South Carolina. The Rhine—lined with turreted fortresses, grand cathedrals, historic cities, medieval towns, and magnificent scenery—is one of Europe's most-loved rivers, regardless of the season. "Stops include the ancient cities of Regensburg (one of Germany's top attractions and a UNESCO World Heritage Site) and Melk (in Austria), where you can hear the acclaimed Tölz Boys' Choir in concert and the fantastic organ in Melk cathedral," Dr Mull says. "Then stay a few days in Vienna, the world capital of classical music. Everything—including all transfers—is taken care of by the cruise line. I am an independent traveler throughout Europe, but river cruises are terrific."
30 Great Vacation Ideas for Doctors This Winter
The Highest Ski Resort on the Continent
For Dr Kendall, Zermatt, Switzerland, is a perfect winter getaway. Nestled in the Swiss Alps, surrounded by glaciers, renowned for skiing, climbing, and hiking, Zermatt is defined by superlatives—the highest ski resort in Europe (nearly 1 mile above sea level); the greatest historical certainty of snow; the highest mountain railroad; the highest cable car station; the highest vertical drop (1.4 miles); and a contender for the world's longest ski run (13 miles). Towering over the town is the iconic, pyramid-shaped Matterhorn peak, which a few thousand people manage to scale each year. Nordic, high-altitude, heli-, and night skiing are available. Skating rinks composed of natural ice, snowshoe trails, curling rinks, and Alpine sightseeing with dramatic mountain views are also options. The charming, car-free village of Zermatt—lined with boutique shops, hotels, and restaurants, and with a lively après-ski scene—makes for a delightful visit.
30 Great Vacation Ideas for Doctors This Winter
An Immensely Popular Tourist Mecca—Without the Crowds
Venice, Italy, is an immensely popular summer destination. You can stand in line for hours to see such landmarks as the Doge's Palace. That's why a Telegraph article proclaims that Venice is "Europe's greatest city in winter"[3] and Vogue advises that "winter is the best time to visit Venice."[4] The city is deserted, quiet, and serene. There are no lines. You can have Saint Mark's Basilica, with its glittering cupolas and priceless relics, practically to yourself. And because winter is the off-season, even the poshest hotels—such as the Gritti Palace—usually booked solid until January, drop their princely rates 40%-50%. From January 23 to February 9, Carnevale—an annual open-air festival with music, dancing, masked party-goers, and daily events—takes place. "We did two winter trips to Italy and saw some of the major sites without the major crowds that summer brings," says Dennis Davis, MD, a surgeon from Martin, Tennessee. "Wandering through Venice on a snowy day is a particularly great memory."
30 Great Vacation Ideas for Doctors This Winter
Fantastic Skiing, Italian-Style
Speaking of Venice, the Trevalli ski area, a 2-hour drive away, is one of the widest, most exciting, and best-equipped ski areas in northeastern Italy's Dolomite mountains. A programmed artificial snow network, one of Europe's finest, is able to cover 100% of the slopes. And what slopes, with 87 miles of runs for Nordic skiers, 27 lifts, and cross-country ski trails that wend their way through splendid winter landscapes for 24 miles. Both runs and trails afford breathtaking mountain views. Three resorts are in the area: Falcade (a small resort connected to a large ski area and no mass tourism); Moena (centrally located and edging three valleys with family-friendly slopes); and Passo San Pellegrino (a small resort with unforgettable views of the Dolomites). Dr Casey is partial to Moena, "a great little town," he says, "with authentic, charming, tasty restaurants. A ski pass is good for all three valleys, giving you different places to go for lunch and après-ski."
30 Great Vacation Ideas for Doctors This Winter
An Inspiration to Poets and Painters
For Mark E. Williams, MD, Ward K. Ensminger Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Geriatric Medicine at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, "Hangzhou, China, with a visit to West Lake, would make a fabulous winter vacation." Hangzhou is one of China's most beautiful cities. Renowned for its relics and natural beauty, it's a busy tourist destination all year round. Although the average temperature in December is only 45°F, it can feel colder, so dress warmly. Discounts on accommodations and tours are offered in winter. Two-mile-long West Lake, whose beauty has inspired poets and painters throughout Chinese history, makes for a pleasant stroll. Other attractions, such as the Xiling Seal Art Society, are in the area. As for Hangzhou itself, Hefang Old Street (once lined with imperial palaces of the Southern Song Dynasty); the Museum of Traditional Chinese Medicine; and the Hangzhou Cuisine Museum (hundreds of models of classic Chinese dishes dating back 800 years) are not to be missed.
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