Christmas specials may be music to your ears

November 26, 2006|REAL DEALS, Richard P. Carpenter, Globe Correspondent

Not only are radio stations already playing Christmas music, but travel providers are singing the praises of yuletide getaways and trip-related gifts. Here are some examples:

The little town of Bethlehem, Pa., will be forever associated with Christmas. Through Dec. 30, the city celebrates yuletide past and present with horse-drawn carriage rides; night tours that provide a good view of the 93-foot steel Moravian Star on South Mountain ; free concerts in a candlelit, historic chapel; shopping in boutiques along Main Street; and a Moravian Nativity scene. The Hotel Bethlehem starts its Bed, Breakfast, Bethlehem! Package at $134 a night for a room with a view of Main Street or the Moravian Star. Also included are breakfast for two, a complimentary newspaper, high-speed Internet access, an airport shuttle, and parking .

Visit hotelbethlehem.com or call 800-607-BETH . For Bethlehem information, visit historicbethlehem.org or call 800-360-TOUR .

Verana, a secluded boutique hotel overlooking the sea on a remote hillside 30 miles south of Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, is offering a three- or four-day getaway the first and second weeks of December. The package features one spa treatment a day per guesthouse, free yoga, three meals daily , taxes , and boat transportation. The price is $350 per couple per day.

Visit verana.com or call 800-530-7176 .

Shows, shopping, and skating are all part of the scene in Manhattan at Christmastime, and hotels are offering packages at all price levels. For instance:

Apple Core Hotels Super 8 Hotel Times Square's Picture Perfect in the Park package starts at $159, including a horse-drawn carriage ride in Central Park, complimentary breakfast, and 20 free digital picture prints. The offer is valid Dec. 13-Feb. 28 (excluding Dec. 31). Visit applecorehotels.com/promotions/park.

The century-old Mansfield Hotel has a Winter in New York package, available Dec. 17- Jan. 15 starting at $249 a night. Guests get a superior room and breakfast for two. Visit mansfieldhotel.com and click on Promotions or call 800-255-5167 .

For the bigger spenders, the Hotel Gansevoort has two offers . The Coming in from the Cold package starts at $735 a night and includes in-room chocolate fondue, personalized robes, and a choice of spa treatments. The White Winter Wonderland Escape package offers families tickets to Chelsea Piers Ice Skating (with transportation), a complimentary movie, and continental breakfast. Rooms start at $625 a night. Both packages are valid from Dec. 18-27 and Jan. 1-Feb. 28.

Call 877-426-7386 or, for hotel information, visit hotelgansevoort .com .

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