nature – Page 76 – Stylish Heath

{Picture of ceiling display at Saks and the drummer boy at Rockefeller Center in New York City}

What is it about Christmas in New York that transports one to wondrous time and place, akin to being in the North Pole mixed with a bit of Neverland? Everything sparkles and appears to have magical glow. Each meticulously decorated store becomes more inviting to enter than the next.

{Ice rink and glistening trees at the Reston Town Center}

But, whether you are in a metropolis such as New York for the weekend like my dear friend Quy or a planned city like Reston, just being out and seeing people laden with packages, ice skating on rinks or viewing trees with twinkling lights pulls one into the allure of the season.

Oia, Santorini was the last stop for our guys after Venice. They took in the picturesque villages of this extraordinary island. A small town built upon impressive cliffs with spectacular views of the Aegean. In this scenic community one can maneuver by foot or mule through the narrow streets dotted with shops, cafes and blue domed churches.

Constructed upon steep slopes called a “caldera” these whitewashed houses and restaurants are carved into volcanic niches, which are an architectural feature. These idyllic surroundings offer the perfect location for gorgeous sunsets and views of the harbor. With many thanks to our on the spot reporter’s.