Home Away for the Holidays

Trying to fit in a vacation over the holiday season while enjoying quality time with the family? Blend the two and enjoy a holiday vacation away. Skip the back-and-forth to the mall shopping for family and friends, planning around the kid’s schedule and the general ups and downs of the season. Instead, prepare the family to be whisked away for the holiday.

With a special seasonal offering from The Alfond Inn at Rollins in Winter Park, Florida, the family can enjoy a less conventional holiday season destination with all the traditional trimmings they expect.

The newly-announced Holiday Shopping Package by The Alfond Inn offers the same holiday shopping experience as home, but in a warm, welcoming, fun new climate. With the seasonal package, guests experience holiday shopping at Park Avenue, luxury offerings from participating shops, $100 Capital Grille gift card and VIP-level transportation to and from the Mall at Millenia.

The shopping package, beginning at $279 per room, per night, includes a two-night stay in a classic room.

Now, you might wonder, why Winter Park? While it sounds like an oxymoron, Winter Park, Florida, is littered with holiday attractions in December.

After a long day of shopping and getting gifts for the family, head to the Orlando Philharmonic. The Winter Park presentation of Holiday Pops includes a winter celebration of live music and holiday favorites in a fun, open-air venue. Pack a picnic, blanket and head to the free event Dec. 2, 4–6 p.m.

For the 66^th year, the Winter Park Chamber of Commerce presents the Ye Olde Hometown Christmas Parade. The longest-running Christmas parade in Central Florida, Ye Olde Hometown showcases hundreds of dance troupes and live bands marching alongside floats — it may even have a special appearance from Santa Claus himself, 9 a.m., Dec. 8.

For the more musically inclined, the Holiday Jazz Concert at The Alfond Inn at Rollins takes place Dec. 20, 6:30–9:30 p.m., and boasts beer, wine, spirits, dining selections and, of course, live jazz. Tickets range $49–75 per guest.

Staying through the New Year? Enjoy the New Year’s Eve Gala, presented by The Alfond Inn for $189 per guest, Dec. 31, 8 p.m.–12:15 a.m. For those staying even later, there will be a dance party at 1 a.m. for an additional $99 per guest.