Ultimate travel destinations of 2012

>>> it is time for today's "countdown to the new year" with great getaways for 2012 .

>> after ringing in the new year, it's time to pack your bags and take advantage of great deals all over the country.

>> sara spagnola is the editor at "travel & leisure" magazine who always gets it perfect.

>> perfect. hello, honey. what you got for us today?

>> is it okay, should we be booking flights now to go away for new year's?

>> yes, right after the holidays is the perfect time to travel. especially if your resolution is to get out there and explore.

>> take us.

>> jacksonville, florida, the one ocean resort and spa has a great deal. $119 a night. you'll stay on a 254-foot stretch of sand in one of 193 rooms which have floor-to-ceiling windows. so you can overlook the water. you can get right into the sun and in the sand. they have all sorts of activities such as deep sea fishing and jet skiing . a great kids camp for sand castles , sculpture making. all sorts of fun stuff and fire pits where you can drink martinis and watch the sunset.

>> a lot of folks, we are lucky enough to live in new york , but a lot of people want to come here.

>> yes, new york can be a very expensive city just around the holidays. but what i love about staying at this hotel, not only are they offering a deal at $345 a night and throwing in breakfast which makes it even more affordable, but you have easy access to great shopping and all of the sales in january.

>> oh, that's smart.

>> you can go shopping and explore a fun part of town.

>> that's a steal.

>> that is a steal.

>> and you can still see all the holiday decorations .

>> somewhere october, go to hawaii.

>> who doesn't love hawaii? particularly a more relaxed side. it's on the eastern side of maui. no kids are allowed. only 16 and over so you can relax. it will be quiet. to get there, you take a 2 2 1/2-hour drive past 59 bridges. you'll see incredible rainforests and beaches. unwind, do cooking classes. they have a great spa. rates there, $219 a person. and i mean, look at that. that is just heaven.

>> i love how open air .

>> hoda's there.

>> i wish i was there right now, but i kind of am. vermont.

>> so from warm to cold, woodstock, vermont, it's called one of the most charming small towns in america. and isn't it such? you can tour independent bookstores . you can walk a country market. the woodstock inn and resort is an historic resort. what i love about it is the rooms, four-poster beds, 600 thread count sheets. they also have a wonderful restaurant called the red rooster in locally sourced ingredients such as cheeses, apple cider brined pork shop. they have a sommelier. you'll cuddle next to fireplaces, cross-country skiing. just a lot of fun.

>> you may not want to go home.

>> speaking of skiing, aspen is a hot spot.

>> aspen is a great ski destination. and you know, of course, it's prime season in january and february. but they're offering a deal for $345 a night which might sound like a splurge, but they're going to throw in a $175 resort credit which you can spend at the spa or at the restaurant. they have 3,000 acres of skiable terrain, a great ski school , great choice to bring your kids, and they have a kitchen in the room. if you want to make your own breakfast and save money.

>> you know what sara da? she did it again!

>> she did it again!

>> happy holidays .

>> happy new year.