Lake Geneva Is The Midwest Travel Destination Full Of Cozy, European Charm

These cruise escapes are aboard the top cruise lines, according to U.S. News Travel Best Cruises 2024. Bon voyage!

Carnival Alaskan Cruise

Set sail for Alaska from San Francisco or Seattle aboard The Edge, with ocean-facing pools, a rooftop garden, and the Magic Carpet, an open-air venue that transforms between live music, a bar, and a specialty restaurant. Dine everywhere from gourmet French bistros to fresh sushi and experience Alaska's breathtaking glaciers and rugged coastlines from the ship’s decks or your private balcony. Choose from a wide range of activities such as whale watching, dog sledding, hiking, or exploring Alaskan towns like Juneau, Ketchikan, and Skagway.

Carnival Caribbean Cruise

Visit stunning Caribbean islands like the Antigua, Bahamas, Saint Lucia, and St. Thomas, where you can relax on white-sand beaches, snorkel in clear waters, or explore local culture. On the ship, enjoy live music, comedy performances, and a variety of dining options. There's a water park and the Cloud 9 Spa with massages, facials, and thermal suites. Got kids? There's a kids camp too!

Viking European Cruise

Discover Scandinavia by sea with overnights in Stockholm, Oslo and scenic Bergen, plus day trips to charming Ålborg and Gdańsk, Berlin, and Copenhagen. Sail through majestic Norwegian fjords on this stunning escape. The ship offers multiple pools and shops, as well as a cinema, a live performance theater, a jazz lounge, a spa, a fitness center and a salon. Learn about each spot from the onboard historian, and learn about each destination's unique cuisine hands-on at the onboard cooking school.

Viking Mediterranean Cruise

Sail to historical cities like Rome, Athens, and Barcelona for an inspiring and relaxing escape. Onboard, enjoy spacious rooms, luxe amenities, and gourmet dining inspired by local Mediterranean flavors. Viking’s small, elegant ships provide a more intimate vibe, complete with cultural lectures, live music, and spa amenities.

Holland America Hawaii Cruise

Sail to Hawaii’s lush landscapes and pristine beaches, visiting iconic destinations like Honolulu, Maui, and the Big Island. Onboard, enjoy ocean views from your roomy room and fun live events and great dining. Explore volcanic craters, waterfalls, and tropical rainforests during shore excursions for an unforgettable tropical escape.

EMBRACE THE CHILL

Bethlehem, PA

Just a 1.5 hour bus ride from NYC, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania is known as "Christmas City" for good reason. The Historic Main Street transforms into a winter party with twinkling lights, festive decorations, and holiday markets. The Christkindlmarkt is a must-see, offering handmade gifts, local crafts, and seasonal treats. Stroll around charming 18th century architecture and cobblestoned streets, visit the Moravian Book Shop, and stay and dine at the historic Hotel Bethlehem. Find holiday fun at the SteelStacks cultural center too, like a Gingerbread Competition, and visit the Trees of Historic Bethlehem exhibitat 1810 Goundie House, Kemerer Museum of Decorative Arts, the Moravian Museum of Bethlehem, and Single Sisters’ House for a festive experience.

Breckinridge, CO

Breckenridge, Colorado, less than two hours from Denver, is nestled at the base of the Rocky Mountains. The town is bustling with holiday spirit as snow blankets the charming streets and mountain peaks. From ski-in/out resorts to cozy cabins, there are plenty of ideal stays for your bucket-list mountain escape. Stroll back in time along Main Street in the historic downtown district and admire the colorful buildings dating back to the late 1800s. Once a mining town, now you’ll find boutique shops, galleries and restaurants like the James Beard-nominated Roostalk and Radicato. Take a scenic Gondola ride up to the mountains for winter fun and leave your car behind as all the buses are free in town. The town’s Holiday Lights and the Lighting of Breckenridge create holiday fun while you warm up at a cozy cafe after.

NYC, New York

If you've never visited NYC during the month of December, 2024 might be the year to cross that off your holiday wish list. The city comes alive, from uptown to downtown, with festive lights, decorations, and seasonal events, like the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree and nearby ice-skating rink beneath it. Window displays at stores like Macy’s and Saks Fifth Avenue offer stunning holiday scenes, while Christmas markets like the one at Bryant Park have indie gifts and local treats on hand. Central Park covered in snow is an amazing sight and you can explore NYC's darling tea places to warm up after, like Alice's Tea Cup inspired by Alice in Wonderland. Enjoy a Broadway show, grab a French-inspired brunch at Balthazar in Soho before shopping for last-minute gifts, and take the perfect holiday photo on the Brooklyn Bridge.

Prague

Visiting Prague in December feels like you've walked into a fairytale. The city's medieval architecture decorated with festive lights and snow creates this magical experience. The famous Old Town Square hosts one of Europe’s loveliest Christmas markets, where you can find handmade crafts, traditional Czech treats, and mulled wine. The Prague Castle and Charles Bridge offer stunning views of the city. Warm up in cozy cafés with a cup of hot chocolate or try local delicacies like trdelník, a sugary cake. If you have time, plan to extend your European winter escape and visit Vienna and Budapest for more unique Christmas markets, cultural events, and holiday trimmings.

Park City, UT

Just 35 minutes from the Salt Lake City airport, Park City, Utah is known for its luxe ski resorts like Deer Valley and Park City Mountain, making it a top destination for skiing and snowboarding enthusiasts (and après skiaficionados). Stroll the charming, historic Main Street for cozy restaurants like Firewood, art galleries, and local breweries, and enjoy activities like snowshoeing, snowmobiling, and taking scenic chairlift rides. It's the quintessential winter escape!

Paris, France

Here's a holiday getaway, Emily in Paris style. Holiday shop along the Champs-Élysées, where trees are lit up in spectacular red LED lights. While there, grab lunch and a macaron at Ladurée. The cooler temps and smaller crowds make it an ideal time to visit famous landmarks like the Eiffel Tower (catch a great view of it in the Christmas village at Trocadéro), the Louvre, and Notre-Dame Cathedral, where you'll find a Christmas market for the season (also check out the one at the Tuileries Gardens). Parisian cafés and bistros are enticing with warm and comforting dishes like onion soup, coq au vin, and decadent pastries. Sip a café au lait at Café Charlot in Le Marais or dig into the stunning bûche de Noël at the Butterfly Pâtisserie in the Hôtel de Crillon. After her last trip, Content Editor, Haley Sprankle can't recommend visiting Le Bon Georges — and their biblically long wine list — for a delicious meal enough. Regardless of where you wind up, you're sure to have something lovely!

Leavenworth, WA

This Bavarian-inspired escape is nestled in the heart of the Cascades between Seattle and Spokane. The town's charming alpine-style buildings are decked out in festive lights for the annual Christmas Lighting Festival while snow blankets the surrounding mountains. Enjoy winter activities like skiing, snowshoeing, and sleigh rides, and/or stroll through the streets for cozy shops, holiday treats, and German-inspired foods like bratwurst and pretzels. Enjoy the carolers, festive concerts, and holiday markets that fill the town with cheer too!

Burlington, VT

This charming winter escape offers a mix of festive holiday spirit and natural beauty. Snowy streets and nearby mountains create an IG-worthy setting. Church Street Marketplace, decorated for the season, is filled with cozy cafes, unique shops, and local artisans. Enjoy skiing or snowboarding, and sleigh rides, at nearby resorts like Stowe or Bolton Valley, while the scenic views of Lake Champlain are not to be missed. Take a factory tour of Ben & Jerry's too!

ESCAPE THE CHILL

Santa Barbara, CA

With sunny skies and spring-like temps, Santa Barbara beaches like Butterfly Beach and Arroyo Burro are perfect for strolls, picnics, and capturing coastal views. Visit the historic Old Mission Santa Barbara, beautifully lit up during the holiday season; shop and check out the annual Holiday Parade on State Street; and explore the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden for your reminder of outdoor plants. Take a scenic drive to the Santa Ynez Valley to enjoy wine tasting in cozy, festive tasting rooms, or visit Solvang, known for its Danish-style architecture and being "extra" around the holidays. December is also the start of the whale-watching season as gray whales migrate along the California coast so take a tour to catch an amazing sight of them!

The Florida Keys

With temperatures in the 70s and 80s, December is perfect for snorkeling, scuba diving, and kayaking in the clear waters of the Florida Keys, especially at spots like John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park. Known for its beautiful beaches, Bahia Honda State Park offers opportunities for swimming, hiking, and wildlife spotting, like dolphins, manatees, and various bird species. Key West's historic Old Town is beautifully lit up for the holidays, and you can visit iconic spots like the Ernest Hemingway Home. Stay at resorts like the Lime Tree Bay Resort and Ocean Key Resort to relax in warm-weather luxury while enjoying the festive holiday atmosphere.

San Miguel Allende, Mexico

Fly into Mexico City for a wonderful city, food, and culture experience, and then head over to San Miguel de Allende for a creative's dream. The city's colonial charm with cobblestone streets and historic buildings are decorated with beautiful lights and Christmas decorations, especially around the iconic Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel. In mid-December, you can watch or participate in Las Posadas, a traditional Mexican reenactment of Mary and Joseph's journey to Bethlehem. The processions, music, and street celebrations make for a stunning cultural experience. San Miguel is also home to several art schools including Bellas Artes, and visitors can take workshops on their visit. The town hosts several holiday markets where you can buy local crafts, gifts, and festive food, and has a beautiful tradition of Christmas Eve Midnight Mass (La Misa de Gallo) at the Parroquia, often followed by fireworks in the main square (El Jardín).

Oahu, Hawaii

Even in December, Oahu offers warm temps, with highs around the mid-70s to low 80s°F. Sit with a good read and enjoy Oahu’s famous beaches like Waikiki Beach, Lanikai Beach, and Kailua Beach. Surfing is especially big this time of year, with the North Shore experiencing massive winter swells, perfect for watching pro surfers during events like the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing, between November 12 and December 20. For calmer waters, snorkeling in spots like Hanauma Bay is beautiful. Humpback whales migrate to Hawaii’s warm waters in December, and you can often spot them from the shore or on a whale-watching tour. This is also a great time to hike Oahu’s scenic trails, like Diamond Head, Makapu’u Point Lighthouse Trail, and Manoa Falls, where you can enjoy lush greenery and stunning views.

Aruba

December weather in Aruba ranges between 80-85°F with plenty of sunshine. Aruba’s pristine beaches like Eagle Beach and Palm Beach are a highlight. Swim, sunbathe, snorkel, or simply relax by the crystal-clear waters. Explore the island’s coral reefs, shipwrecks like the Antilla, and enjoy water sports such as jet skiing or paddleboarding. Inland, you can explore Arikok National Parkfor hiking, cave tours, and discovering Aruba’s unique desert-like landscapes. The capital, Oranjestad, is beautifully lit for the holidays, and you’ll find Christmas markets, parades, and holiday concerts happening throughout the month with a mix of its Dutch heritage with Caribbean flair.

Who is Sophia Bush?

Sophia Bush has had a lengthy career as an actress, and she's most recognized for her portrayal of Brooke Davis in the hit TV series One Tree Hill. She's also appeared in Nip/Tuck, Chicago Fire, Incredibles 2, and John Tucker Must Die. When she's not showing off her acting chops, she hosts the Drama Queens podcast alongside former One Tree Hill castmates Hilarie Burton and Bethany Joy Lenz!

Who is Ashlyn Harris?

Ashlyn Harris is a former U.S. soccer player who had a successful run — no pun intended — as a goalkeeper during the career. She also won the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup in Canada and continued making an impressionable mark. However, she announced her retirementin 2022 and — per her Instagrampage — has gone on to become the Global Creative Advisor for Gotham FC and Adidas Football.

When did the dating rumors about Sophia Bush and Ashlyn Harris start?

June 2023

Rumors about a possible connection between Sophia Bush and Ashlyn Harris swirled last summer when Cosmopolitanreported they were on a panel at Cannes Lion International Festival of Creativity. Sophia shared a pic of the two at the festival on Instagramand wrote, "Love you @ashlynharris24 and @sophieannkelly" towards the end of her caption.

A source told Page Six, "It’s very new...They are definitely a couple.” But, Sophia Bush and Ashlyn Harris didn't confirm or deny anything at that time.

When did Sophia Bush file for divorce from Grant Hughes?

August 2023

A couple of months after Sophia Bush and Ashlyn Harris were seen getting cozy together, Sophia filed for divorce from her former husband Grant Hughes. Peopleshared that they were only married for a little over a year — 13 months — but didn't end on a bad terms. A source then told Entertainment Tonight, "Grant and Sophia are better off as friends and they weren’t getting enough time with each other before their breakup."

When did Ashlyn Harris and Ali Krieger file for divorce?

October 2023

While things seemed to quiet down, Ashlyn Harris soon filed for divorce from Ali Krieger after getting married towards the end of 2019. What's interesting is that a source told Peoplethis decision wasn't surprising. "Although it’s new information to the public, Ashlyn and Ali’s divorce began months ago and they have been living apart since the summer,” the source said.

This is also around the time it was speculated Sophia Bush and Ashlyn Harris had their first official date. A rep told People, "Grant will always want the best for Sophia, and is supportive of all that makes her happy and fulfilled." We guess it helps he and Sophia had a solid friendship before getting married!

As for Ali Krieger, she basically let the world know things were business as usual with an Instagrampost. She captioned a pic of her playing soccer with, "Preparing for playoffs while in my Beyoncé lemonade era." A comment from user @lgbtlfg said, "the fact that a lot of players in these comment’s usually mind their business and stay out of drama but are supporting ali should tell everyone all they need to know."

The only thing Ashlyn said about it on Instagramis that she never intended for her and Ali's divorce to be made a public matter. A portion of her note says, "This process is never easy, but we were making our way through."

Have Sophia Bush and Ashlyn Harris publicly talked about their relationship?

March 2024

Besides showing up to Elton John's Oscars afterparty together, Sophia Bush and Ashlyn Harris were previously tight-lipped about their relationship. The only hint Sophia offered was much more of a reflective post about 2023 on Instagramat the beginning of January. She said, "This year taught me to listen to myself and no one else. To let go of expectation that wounds and grasp possibility that frees. To not care about optics and instead invest in honesty."

But, she's since chosen to own where she is in life.

April 2024

Sophia Bush has now reached a point where she's publicly ready to stand in her truth regarding her life and her relationship status so much that she penned her own cover story for Glamour. The first thing she did was open up about how she really felt about her marriage and fertility struggles.

She wrote, "But after the wedding I found myself in the depths and heartbreak of the fertility process, which was the most clarifying experience of my life. It feels like society is finally making space for brutally honest conversations about how hard and painful any fertility journey is, but I kept mine private. I was trying to get through months of endless ultrasounds, hormone shots, so many blood draws that I have scar tissue in my veins, and retrieval after retrieval, while simultaneously realizing the person I had chosen to be my partner didn’t necessarily speak the same emotional language I did.”

As far as her relationship with Ashlyn Harris is concerned, the star is enjoying the love that exists between them. Contrary to alleged rumors, their initial relationship was a platonic one that stemmed from a place of understanding and support.

She told Glamour,“I didn’t expect to find love in this support system. I don’t know how else to say it other than: I didn’t see it until I saw it. And I think it’s very easy not to see something that’s been in front of your face for a long time when you’d never looked at it as an option and you had never been looked at as an option. What I saw was a friend with her big, happy life. And now I know she thought the same thing about me.”

She also added, "A lot of effort was made to be graceful with other people’s processing, their time and obligations, and their feelings. What felt like seconds after I started to see what was in front of me, the online rumor mill began to spit in the ugliest ways. There were blatant lies. Violent threats. There were the accusations of being a home-wrecker. The ones who said I’d left my ex because I suddenly realized I wanted to be with women—my partners have known what I’m into for as long as I have (so that’s not it, y’all, sorry!).”

It's safe to say that Sophia Bush is thoroughly comfortable with her love life and identity as a queer woman. She said, "I’ve experienced so much safety, respect, and love in the queer community, as an ally all of my life, that, as I came into myself, I already felt it was my home. I think I’ve always known that my sexuality exists on a spectrum. Right now I think the word that best defines it is queer. I can’t say it without smiling, actually. And that feels pretty great.”

And this is what it looks like to reclaim your narrative when so many people are looking at a brief glimpse of the lives of celebrities. We love that Sophia Bush and Ashlyn Harris are loving each other on their terms without feeling pressured to share anything before they were ready to. Our hope is that their love story continues to unfold beautifully.

Be sure to watch Sophia Bush's interview with Glamour's Editor-in-Chief Samantha Barry here!

Full Credits From Glamour Magazine:

Writer: Sophia Bush

Photographer: Lauren Dukoff

Stylist: Deborah Afshani

Hair: Matthew Collins

Makeup: Afton Williams

Manicure: Brittney Boyce

Have Sophia Bush and Ashlyn Harris made their official red carpet debut?

April 27, 2024

Per Glamour, Sophia Bush and Ashlyn made their official red carpet debut as a couple on Friday. They attended the White House Correspondent's dinner where they were dressed to impress in complementing black ensembles.

It's easy to see the glowing couple couldn't stop laughing and smiling as they posed for pictures that seemed to capture every good angle of their faces and style.

After the dinner, Sophia Bush and Ashlyn Harris posed for more pictures on the red carpet leading to the Correspondent's after-party. Now that we're able to see their full faces, we have to talk about how well their hair and makeup complements their outfits. It's clear that Ashlyn's contour and bronzer were expertly applied to her face while Sophia's blush gave her a natural flush.

*Sigh* Their smiles are the only confirmation we need that they're enjoying the bliss of being a couple.

October 2024

Sophia Bush and Ashlyn Harris are packing on the PDA in Sophia's latest Instagram pic! In celebration of Ashlyn's birthday, Sophia shared an intimate photo of the two with a heartfelt message to celebrate the love of her life. Honestly, this is probably the happiest I've ever seen both of them and that makes my inner romantic giddy. Plus, they're such a good-looking couple! One of my favorite comments left on their picture is "if living her best life was a person" because it sums up how I feel about Sophia's growing romance with Ashlyn.