First up, a once-in-a-lifetime experience to finally just go do. True, Fairbanks is cold in winter, but the Alaska city is among the best viewing spots in the world. The auroras appear most frequently until the vernal equinox (March 20), so book a room at The Aurora Borealis Lodge, where the staff will wake you up when the lights appear.
HOT: Walk South Island, New Zealand
Or consider a serious hiking expedition. In February or March, join The Wayfarers for a walking tour of New Zealand, where the season is late summer, the trails are verdurous, and the scenery is spectacular. You’ll cover four to seven miles a day at an easy to moderate pace, with a Lord of the Rings setting as your reward.
COLD: Get in Costume at the Carnival of Venice
In winter, Venice is cold and moody—and usually lighter on tourists. In other words, it’s a good time to go, especially during that parade of masks, the Carnival of Venice (February 26 to March 8). For your costume, look no further than Atelier Pietro Longhi; its website showcases a spectacular array of costumes for rent, allowing revelers to reserve their disguise and schedule a pickup date. Stay at the chic Palazzina Grassi, where your couture costume will be matched only by the Philippe Starck design.
HOT: Teach English & Sports in Ecuador
Sprinkle some purpose into your winter getaway by volunteering in Otavalo, Ecuador, where schools are desperately in need of English-speaking teachers. Through Global Vision International, you’ll board with a local family who will provide three meals a day, hot water, and the chance to practice your Spanish. Whether you stay for two weeks or dig in for a few months, your time spent is the essence of giving back.
COLD: Stargaze at the Boulder International Film Festival
Even though the Rockies are its showpiece, Boulder can still be a welcome winter retreat for those people who might be less, shall we say, athletically inclined. The Boulder International Film Festival runs from February 17–20, and with discounted rates at the St. Julien Hotel and Spa, the event is the perfect excuse to treat yourself to a massage after the movie.
HOT: Learn to Surf in Hawaii
What could be better than riding the waves of Oahu? Being accompanied by a few of the island’s best firefighters/surf instructors, that’s what. The guides from Hawaiian Fire Surf School lead safe, memorable lessons, complete with transportation to and from your hotel. The new Trump Waikiki, which anchors the revitalized Waikiki Beach Walk entertainment complex, is a prime base for practicing on your own off Waikiki Beach.
COLD: Shop & Dine at New York's Eataly
Mario Batali’s temple of Italian cuisine has proven to be such a success that it requires a strategy to visit without having to queue up (basically, go between mealtimes). With 700 wines, 400 cheeses, and nearly 100 olive oils, plus seafood, salumi, pasta, and gelato, there’s nothing like it under one roof, anywhere. Watch the shopping show from any one of 12 restaurants, from the formal Manzo (meat) to the festive Le Verdure (vegetarian) to La Pizza & Pasta.
HOT: Soak in Costa Rica’s Hot Springs
These natural thermal springs provide the perfect, carbon-neutral remedy for your winter blues. Whether you visit for the day or make it your resting place for a week, Tabacon Grand Spa Thermal Resort offers a paradisal setting with hot pools ranging from 77 to 122 degrees and luxurious accommodations with views of Arenal Volcano. The spa smartly restricts the number of non-hotel visitors, so make a reservation and prepare to sink into mineral bliss.
COLD: Watch Pro Skiers
Park City, Utah's Deer Valley, one of the nation’s top ski destinations, plays host to the 2011 FIS Freestyle World Ski Championships on February 2 to 5. Opening and closing ceremonies featuring live music are open to the public, and it’s an excellent chance to see the pros up close. Be sure to snag a room at the brand-new ski-in/ski-out Montage Deer Valley. The third property (after Laguna Beach and Beverly Hills, Calif.) in this super-premium chain is located within snowball-throwing distance of three high-speed chairlifts.
WARM: Graze & Spa in Miami
One of the country’s premier foodie extravaganzas, the 10th annual Food Network South Beach Food & Wine Festival (February 24 to 27) attracts chefs such as James Beard Award winner Michelle Bernstein and features tasting tents right on the beach. Work off all that cuisine at the sensational, reopened Fontainebleau, where you can swim laps in one of Miami Beach’s biggest hotel pools and work out on the Lapis Spa’s Trazer 2 high-tech interactive equipment.
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