From an Austrian sleigh to horsing around Waterville Valley Resort

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HERE

AN AUSTRIAN SLEIGH RIDE

IN NEW HAMPSHIRE

Snuggle under warm blankets on a 12-passenger Austrian sleigh and let two Belgian draft horses pull you around New Hampshire’s Waterville Valley Resort. The 30-minute ride takes you past historical homes and along village roads on weekends and holidays throughout the winter season. The ride is free for children under 2 on a lap, $12 for ages 2-12, and $18 for 13 and older. Or reserve the 12-person sleigh for $185, or a smaller one-horse sleigh for $149 with two to four passengers. Rides depart from Town Square every half hour on Fridays, 4-8:30 p.m., Saturdays from 1-8:30 p.m., and Sundays 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Reservations are required, even at the last minute. 603-236-8175, www.waterville.com

LEARN TO COOK IN MAINE LUXURY

Foodies interested in an experiential culinary package should sign up for Maine Indulgence, offered by The Inn at English Meadows, a chic bed-and-breakfast in Kennebunk’s Lower Village. This epicurean package blends the flavors of coastal Maine, a hands-on cooking event, and luxurious accommodations. It includes champagne, charcuterie, and cheese upon arrival, a night in one of the inn’s 11 recently renovated rooms, a private hands-on cooking class for two guests at 50 Local in downtown Kennebunk, dinner for two at The White Barn (said to be the only five-star restaurant north of New York), and a souvenir. Package rates start at $1,132 for two people. 800-272-0698, www.englishmeadowsinn.com

THERE

TAKE A SCENIC TRAIN THROUGH THE SIERRA NEVADAS

Climb aboard the Reno Fun Train and Sierra Scenic Train between Feb. 6 and March 16 and enjoy a ride through the stunning Sierra Nevadas. The 15-car, 500-passenger excursion train runs between the San Francisco area and Reno. It operates as the Reno Fun Train (pictured) on weekends, drawing an over-21 crowd, and as the Sierra Scenic Train on weekdays, attracting families and other travelers. The three-day round-trip adventure includes meals, a dance car, a piano lounge with live music, a smoking car with a cigar lounge, and an onboard gift shop. Themed trips include Soul Train, Mardi Gras, Rock ’n’ Roll, St. Patrick’s Day with Beer Tasting, Fabulous ’50s, and a Motown Celebration with Martha Reeves. The Reno Fun Train operates Fridays to Sundays for $250 per person, and the Sierra Scenic Train runs Tuesdays to Thursdays starting at $240; neither rate includes the two-night hotel package. 800-783-0783, www.keyholidays.com

VANCOUVER FESTIVAL CELEBRATES CANADA’S FOOD AND DRINK

Visit Vancouver, British Columbia, this month and indulge in the decadent flavors (pictured at left) of this cosmopolitan city during the Dine Out Vancouver Festival, Jan. 16-Feb 1. This renowned 17-day festival includes more than 30 events, such as Street Food City, a lunchtime gathering of the city’s popular food carts; The Grape Debate, a wine-centric event at which industry experts verbally spar with facts and humor; Brunch Crawl, a series of tasting tours showcasing Vancouver’s brunch hot spots; and Dinner at the Birdcage, a drag show with dinner in a swanky cabaret space. More than 230 restaurants citywide will offer three-course, prix fixe menus for $18, $28, or $38 throughout the festival, and more than 20 hotels will run special offers, with room rates as low as $78. 604-682-2222, www.dineoutvancouver.com

EVERYWHERE

A TRAVEL PRODUCT FOR THE POTTY TRAINEE

To make potty training easier for travelers old and young, Kelly Smith, an innovative mom from North Carolina, created the Pack ’n Potty, a seat designed for use in public restrooms. The super lightweight unisex potty seat offers a clean and stable seat for little kids to sit on. The cushioned seat slips out of its attached stuff sack and goes on any standard-size toilet. Protective antimicrobial and waterproof material drapes down over the back, sides and front of the toilet to keep little hands off soiled surfaces. The
Pack ’n Potty has a wet-dry storage pocket for stashing wet clothes, for instance, or a supply of wipes, and it slips off the potty seat and is machine washable and dryer safe. The Pack ’n Potty just hit the market; see Smith’s website, Tottigo. $39.99. 888-816-9204, www.tottigo.com

A BRIEFCASE THAT DOES SOME FOOTWORK EN ROUTE

Carry your laptop and other important travel items in a briefcase that doubles as a massage tool. LEGGAGE, created by Reading-based entrepreneur Jin Kaur, carries like a shoulder bag and has room for a laptop up to 15.6 inches and other small travel items. What makes it stand out, however, is the triangular bump-out on one side that’s made of stiff polycarbonate material with ridges, and can be used to rest and massage your feet while sitting on an airplane or in a business meeting. The quirky-looking but practical bag weighs just 3.1 pounds and has an outside sleeve that can slip onto the retractable handle of your rolling suitcase for easy carrying. $79.99. 781-640-4516, www.leggage.com

KARI BODNARCHUK