Ithaca, a college town in upstate New York, is known for its educated population.  There are several universities in the area (most notably Cornell University), meaning that there is a high concentration of PhDs.  It is no surprise,  then, that even the town’s festivities are center around intellectual and educational themes.

From January 21st to January 24th, A Light in Winter, Ithaca’s festival of science and the arts, will take place at venues throughout town.  Many of the more than 2 dozen events will center around the science of creative endeavors.

The highlight will come on the final day of the festival when celeb chef Tammy Travis will run a seminar about the science (and practice) of using chocolate in cooking and baking.  Local Cornell faculty members will also be a part of the presentation, offering nutritional and cultural insight into the phenomenon of cocoa.  Tickets to this event cost $15 and seating is limited.

Visitors can also get their nerd on at lectures like the Calculus of Friendship and the Physics of Juggling.  Less-math-centered events like dance and music performances and a beer-themed lecture are also on the agenda.  A complete list of events can be found on the Light in Winter calendar page.

As with many college towns, there are plenty of places to stay in Ithaca.  The Hilton Garden Inn is offering a discounted rate of $119 per night during the late January festivities.  Would-be guests who want to take advantage of this offer need to use the promo code LIW1 when booking at 607-277-8900.

The Statler Hotel is offering a $125 per night rate to festival attendees who book two nights.  Details for the Statler’s promotion and other accommodation options can be found via the Light in Winter web site.

The Belgian city of Bruges oozes atmosphere.  It has a combination of historic buildings, unique Belgian culture and plenty of  festivities.  People have been coming to this city, sometimes referred to as the Venice of the North (because of its old buildings and network of canals), to shop at the many boutiques, taste the gourmet locally-made chocolates and take in the historic ambiance.

The Heritage Hotel, a four-star venue in the center of the city, has a special deal for travelers who want to spend part of their holiday season in Bruges.  The hotel is offering rates 20% below regular price to visitors who book a room for a day or more from now until January 10th of next year.  The discount means that room prices start at 364 Euros.

That’s still quite a steep price, but the Heritage offers a pure luxury experience.  Guests are treated to a daily champagne breakfast and a four-course dinner at the in-house restaurant, Le Mystique.  A horse-drawn carriage ride and tickets to the Bruges Ice Sculpture Festival are also part of the package.

Bruges is a city of living history.  The 13th century belfry that sits in the center of the city, not far from the Heritage Hotel, has a resident carillonneur whose full-time job is to work the tower’s 48 bells.  He regularly gives free concerts.  There are dozens of other buildings dating back well over 500 years.  More modern attractions include the many boutique-style chocolate shops and micro-breweries that are found throughout the city.

The Heritage Hotel deal makes it possible for luxury hotel aficionados to save a little money while experiencing the holidays in one of Western Europe’s most atmospheric cities.