Five Pennsylvania towns are among ‘coziest winter destinations’ in US.

Five Pennsylvania towns and villages recently appeared among a collection of spots across the U.S. offering the best appeal, weather and atmosphere this holiday season. The list, published online by New York Travel Guides, recognizes 110 of the coziest winter towns in the country. 

Towns ranging from New Hampshire to Wyoming and beyond earned a spot on the list after the digital publication surveyed nearly 600 small towns and examined their popularity, climate and entertainment offerings. Here’s what you need to know about Pennsylvania’s representatives among New York Travel Guides’ coziest winter towns in 2023.

Lititz

This Lancaster County borough is home to roughly 9,730 people, according to 2020 U.S. Census estimates. Lititz, which earned the No. 15 spot among New York Travel Guides’ coziest winter towns, is named after a Bohemian town that, in the 1400s, sheltered members of the Moravian Church, one of the oldest Protestant denominations within Christianity.

Formally founded in the 18th century, Lititz offers plenty of history to visitors and locals alike. It hosted a hospital during the American Revolution and remains home to the Linden Hall School for Girls, the oldest all-girls boarding school in the U.S. “Lititz, a town in Pennsylvania that was founded in 1756, is one of the coziest winter towns in the country,” New York Travel Guides writes. 

“The historic town looks magical when covered in a layer of snow, and there’s so much to do during the winter season.” Through Dec. 24, Lititz is hosting a holiday decorating contest and asking locals and visitors to vote for their favorite contestants. Venture Lititz, the area’s tourism bureau, asks guests to take a tour downtown and help pick a worthy winner. Lititz’s 10-day Fire and Ice Festival returns starting Feb. 16. The annual event lines the streets with “wow-worthy ice sculptures,” plus food trucks, bar crawls and plenty of opportunities for local shopping. 

Easton

This city serves as the seat of Northampton County in eastern Pennsylvania. Easton checked in this year as the No. 23 coziest winter town in the country, according to New York Travel Guides. Today, Easton has a population of roughly 28,127, according to 2020 U.S. Census estimates. It was first settled after land was purchased from Lenape Native Americans in 1737 and later became a military center during the American Revolution and, eventually, a railroad and shipping hub.

Some of the biggest attractions in the area include the National Canal Museum and The Crayola Experience, a family attraction centered around the popular crayon and art supplies brand founded in Northampton County.

Jim Thorpe

Located in Carbon County in northeastern Pennsylvania, this borough is home to about 4,507 people, according to recent U.S. Census Bureau estimates. Jim Thorpe earned the No. 28 spot among New York Travel Guides’ coziest winter towns. First known as Mauch Chunk, the town became Jim Thorpe in 1954 to honor the life of the eponymous Olympian and Native American sports legend, though he never stepped foot there during his life. Instead, his third wife shipped his remains to the area after hearing it was hoping to attract business. Local officials “purchased” Thorpe’s remains, erected a monument at his grave and later named the area’s reshaped municipality after him.

Visitors to the area might also consider heading to the Mauch Chunk Museum & Cultural Center and catching a showing of “A WhiteChristmas Cabaret,” which features selections from Irving Berlin’s “White Christmas.” Jim Thorpe’s annual WinterFest returns Feb. 16-18 to offer ice carvings, live entertainment, food and drink specials, round-trip train rides aboard the Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway and more.

Stroudsburg

This Monroe County borough sits within the Pocono Mountains in northeastern Pennsylvania. Stroudsburg offers a population of about 5,927 people, according to recent U.S. Census Bureau estimates, and earned the No. 50 spot among New York Travel Guides’ coziest winter towns. Stroudsburg dates back to the 18th century and offers plenty of historic attractions, including the Academy Hill Historic District and the Stroud Mansion, which are both listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Visitors to the area might also seek recreation at the nearby Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area.
During the winter, Stroudsburg offers farmers markets in Courthouse Square each Saturday. Meanwhile, the sixth-annual Snowmen of Stroudsburg project tasks guests with completing a scavenger hunt for dozens of hand-painted snowmen throughout town until late February. Downtown Stroudsburg’s Winterfest returns Feb. 17 to transform the area into “an ice-sculpted winter wonderland” complete with live entertainment and plenty of stunning sculptures.

Doylestown

The county seat of Bucks County, Doylestown ranked No. 74 among New York Travel Guides’ coziest winter towns. You can find it located roughly 25 miles north of Philadelphia’s Center City in southeastern Pennsylvania. Much like Easton, Doylestown was once inhabited by Lenape Native Americans before it was settled by Europeans in the mid-1700s. Roughly 8,300 people live in the borough today, according to 2020 U.S. Census Bureau estimates. Doylestown is home to a cultural district featuring a belt of historical attractions along the Mercer Mile. Key stops include Fonthill Castle, the Mercer Museum and The Tileworks, all of which celebrate the life and work of famed archaeologist Henry Chapman Mercer. Most offer holiday-themed events throughout the winter, including evening tours and light displays at Fonthill Castle. 

Elsewhere, visitors to the area can visit the County Theater for screenings of classic holiday films, including “White Christmas” Dec. 20 and 21 and “The Polar Express” Dec. 24. The ever-popular Peddler’s Village, located just up Route 202, offers its own massive Christmas light display with plenty of opportunities for shopping and live entertainment, too.

Arrange for a car/limo service and make your winter trip a bliss, enjoy the scenic routs of the beautiful Pennsylvania. Philadelphia Limousine is Philly’s highest-rated car and limo service, with drivers who can get you to any destination of your choosing. Call (215) 485-7265, or book online to reserve your limo or van today.  When life gets busy, ride easy with Philly Limo!

What to Know If You’re Traveling During the Coronavirus Outbreak

As of February 27, more than 31,500 cases of coronavirus have been confirmed around the world.

Starting in Wuhan, China, the virus has rampantly spread to other parts of Asia, Europe and the U.S leading to more than 600 deaths.

As a result, flights and cruises have cancelled their routes and cities are under quarantine. Here is everything you need to know about traveling while coronavirus spreads, courtesy of Travelandleisure.com.

What is coronavirus?

Coronavirus is a specific strain of coronavirus called 2019 Novel Coronavirus, or 2019-nCoV. It was first discovered in December 2019 in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China.

“Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses, some causing illness in people and others that circulate among animals, including camels, cats and bats,” according to the Center for Disease Control (CDC). And 2019-nCoV is the most recent “novel” version found.

Both Middle Eastern Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) are caused by a coronavirus, but not the strain that’s currently circulating.

What are the symptoms of coronavirus?

The first symptoms of coronavirus feel a lot like the flu. “You’ll get a fever, cough — it’s primarily a lower respiratory virus — general malaise, there may be some gastrointestinal distress,” Dr. Rebecca Katz, a professor and the director of the Center for Global Health Science and Security at Georgetown University, recently told Travel + Leisure. When complications of the virus occur, patients could develop pneumonia or kidney-related issues, which could lead to death.

What should you do to prevent coronavirus?

You can protect yourself from catching coronavirus the same way you’d protect yourself from catching any other virus. Wash your hands regularly, cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze and be sure to thoroughly cook all meat and eggs. Avoid close contact with people you may see coughing or sneezing.

Which countries are impacted by coronavirus?

As the virus has affected the world, professors from Johns Hopkins University have developed a real-time map to track confirmed cases of coronavirus as it spreads.

Conditions in Wuhan, where the virus was first detected were likened to a wartime scenario this week. The city has been completely quarantined from the rest of China, with transportation links cut. Streets and shelves are empty as residents are urged to go outside only for essential supplies. There have also been two makeshift hospitals put in place to accommodate all patients.

While museums are closed until further notice, China’s National Cultural Heritage Administration has put much of its collection online for visitors to peruse.

The region of Macau has completely shut down for two weeks and none of its famous casinos will be open.

The doctor who first discovered this strain of coronavirus and alerted authorities, Li Wenliang, has died at age 34 of the disease. China has launched an investigation into his death and as to why according to a statement released by the official Xinhua news agency.

Taiwan announced Thursday it would no longer process online or landing visas for citizens of Hong Kong or Macau. The suspension will continue indefinitely.

In Japan, a total of 25 cases of coronavirus have been confirmed. It is the most affected country outside of China; however, no deaths have been reported. Japan’s response to the coronavirus outbreak has been laxer than other countries. Tokyo has only imposed an entry ban for travelers who have been to the Hubei Province within the last 14 days or those who have a passport issued from Hubei. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was adamant that the outbreak will not affect the start of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics this summer.

The other most affected Asian countries are, in order, Singapore, Thailand and South Korea.

Australia closed its borders to foreign arrivals who have been in China within the past 14 days. Australians who are arriving home from China are being met with additional health screenings. There have been 15 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Australia.

Australia flew out 243 citizens who wished to leave Wuhan and transferred them to quarantine on Christmas Island in an immigration detention center, according to the New York Times.

The U.S. has confirmed a total of 12 coronavirus cases since the outbreak The borders have been closed to anyone who has been in China within the last 14 days. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) now requires airlines to ask passengers on inbound flights if they have visited mainland China in the past 14 days.

If they have, they are rerouted to screening centers at one of several airports around the country, including New York JFK and Los Angeles International. If passengers show no symptoms during their enhanced screening, they are rebooked to their final destination — although they are asked to self-quarantine for 14 days.

How are airlines responding?

Airlines around the world have halted service to mainland China amid warnings from the World Health Organization.

In a statement, Lufthansa Group (including Austrian Airlines and SWISS) said they will not accept new bookings to China through the end of February, however the airlines will continue to operate flights to Hong Kong. British Airways announced an “immediate” suspension of flights to mainland China. Reuters reported that there are no flights available to China with the airline through the end of February. Air Canada has also temporarily suspended flights to Beijing and Shanghai.

United, American and Delta have all suspended their service to China, citing low demand. The longest of these cancellations is with Delta, who have suspended mainland China service until April 30.

All airlines will continue to monitor the situation and could change their schedules should there be any change in the situation in China. Many airlines are still operating flights to Hong Kong. Travelers should contact their airline directly for more information.

Airlines are also looking out for their employees as flight attendants on Cathay Pacific were first told to wear masks while working and have now been asked to take three weeks of unpaid leave between March 1 and the end of June, due to a “significant” drop in demand for flights.

Thai Airways is practicing extreme precautions as they are spraying down cabins with a disinfectant after each flight.

How are cruises responding?

While cruise lines have released their own safety in how they’re handling the outbreak, isolated incidents have occurred on various ships.

At the time of this writing, at least 61 passengers on a Japanese cruise ship have been diagnosed with coronavirus. The ship was initially quarantined when an 80-year-old passenger boarded in the Japanese port of Yokohama after having been diagnosed. Sickened passengers have been transported to a hospital on the mainland for treatment.

A ship in Italy couldn’t offload passengers last week for fear that two of them had contracted the virus.

On Friday, February 7, a Royal Caribbean cruise docked in Bayonne, N.J. — 20 miles away New York City — with passengers that will be assessed for coronavirus as they deboard. Four passengers have been sent to the hospital, according to NorthJersey.com.

Should I cancel my trip because of the coronavirus outbreak?

Earlier this week, the U.S. State Department issued a Level 4 — its highest level — warning, notifying Americans not to travel to China. The CDC also issued a warning against all nonessential travel to China. However, this does not include Hong Kong, Macau or Taiwan.

The State Department hasn’t issued any health-related travel advisories against any other Asian countries.

To ensure any upcoming travel plans, calling your hotel and airline directly as well as monitoring updates and alerts will give you the current information.

Organize your ground transportation service ahead of time.

If your travel takes to the Greater Philadelphia Area and you need corporate transportation services such as airport limo service or any other business travel arrangements, please contact Philadelphia Limousine Service. Whatever your travel requirements, Philadelphia Limousine Services has everything to meet and exceed them. We offer a wide selection of the newest models of luxury sedans, SUVs and mini coach bus rentals, for you to choose from. Enjoy the convenience of online ordering and a one call/one bill service for corporate transportation. We’ll get you to your destination in a timely manner so you can focus on one thing and one thing only — the business you need to handle on your trip. Your clients are precious, and we understand you can’t be late for an important meeting. When your company selects Philadelphia Limo as your preferred corporate transportation provider, we become a part of your support team. To setup a corporate account with Philadelphia Limousine, call (215) 485-7265. From the moment that we answer your call all the way through reaching your final destination, Philadelphia Limousine is luxury travel done right.