Sun, Skiing, and Family Fun - Something for Everyone This Winter Season
(ARA) - Give the perfect gift this holiday season or anytime-- one that will leave you or that special someone de-thawed or revitalized -- a vacation at one of three top destinations will be the gift that keeps on giving throughout those long, dark winter months. Choose from a romantic winter getaway to the secluded and unplugged Caribbean island of Antigua,

enjoy breathtaking scenery as you hit the slopes of Colorado, or find affordable family fun at Panama City Beach in sunny Florida! (Photo Above Arapahoe Basin Colorado)

Colorado Welcomes Winter On and Off the Mountain: A Flurry of Activities Keep Colorado Cool
The first signs of winter arrived in Colorado, with steady snowfall and the opening of  Arapahoe Basin (first in the nation) and one day later, Loveland Ski Area. With snow continuing to fall in the high country, conditions are at their peak for winter travel pursuits. And, as the temperature drops, the state's signature outdoor activities heat up. A cool gift for the holidays!

Play in the Powder
Skiing and snowboarding are a way of life in Colorado and visitors will find Colorado Ski Country USA's (www.coloradoski.com) 25 mountain resorts offer various ways to experience this rich tradition. Along with the vertical challenges, visitors also can choose from 260 kilometers of groomed cross-country and snowshoe trails for all skill levels in the Winter Park-Fraser Valley (www.winterpark-info.com).

Ice is Nice
For more quality time in Colorado, take a spin on one of the state's outdoor ice skating rinks. Keystone Village (www.keystoneresort.com) features the largest, Zamboni-maintained rink in North America. Ice fishing provides another chance for anglers to cast their lines at the Blue Mesa Reservoir, near Gunnison-Crested Butte (www.gunnisoncrestedbutte.com). For a vertical ascent, try ice climbing at the Ouray Ice Park (www.ourayicepark.com), the first park in the world devoted to the sport of ice climbing.
 

Surf's Up, Rates Down in Panama City Beach, Florida
Panama City Beach, Fla., beckons with white-sand beaches, emerald-green waters and fall/winter savings of up to 70 percent on beachfront accommodations. The destination on the Gulf of Mexico ranked as a 2005 Top Ten Family Beach Destination in USA Today. With award-winning beaches and attractions, Panama City Beach teems with opportunities for affordable family fun. Here's a sampling:

Dr. Beach has called St. Andrews State Recreation Area the number 1 beach in America. Offering miles of silky white sand, the park provides excellent swimming and snorkeling in the Gulf's warm waters. Anglers appreciate the piers and deep-sea jetty, while hikers and bikers like the trails. The park is characterized by rolling, white dunes; woods; marshes, and abundant birds and other wildlife. Trails offer exceptional vantage points for spotting herons, ibis and an occasional alligator.

Gulf World Marine Park recently completed a $6.5 million expansion. Visitors go behind the scenes on Meet the Dolphins tours. They learn about marine mammals and conservation before getting into the water for a dolphin swim. At night, Dolphin Stadium is aglow for the spectacular "SplashMagic Laser Show."

ZooWorld Zoological & Botanical Park houses lions, tigers, and bears -- along with monkeys, alligators, camels, reptiles, exotic birds, orangutans and jaguars. The Tilghman Infant Care Facility provides up-close-and-personal views of baby animals born at ZooWorld, including endangered and threatened species.

Known for its subtropical climate, Panama City Beach enjoys an average temperature of 78 degrees and boasts sunshine an average of 320 days annually. For more information on the destination, including deep discounts on winter getaways and attractions, visit www.thebeachloversbeach.com or call 800-PCBEACH.

Courtesy of ARA Content