An opportunity recently came to our attention; an award winning home in East Hampton is available for the Thanksgiving and Christmas/ New Year’s holidays. While the area is known as a summer getaway for New Yorkers, insiders know the holiday season is truly magical on the East-End of Long Island.

The summer car traffic in East Hampton is replaced by window shoppers on foot. The shops and restaurants are decorated in the finest holiday fashion yet there is a serene calmness as locals and weekenders enjoy the crisp ocean breezes and the flat winter light which brought so many artists to the East End. Days are spent strolling along the quaint streets.

During the evening hours, dinner in town or maybe a supper at home and relaxing by the wood-burning fireplace. Be your own Barefoot Contessa and try some of Ina Garten’s recipes where they were created and conceived.  Need some “big-city excitement, hop on an LIRR Train or Hampton Jitney and spend the day in Manhattan (see NYC blog)

May we suggest Whale Rock House as your holiday getaway in the Hamptons. With three bedrooms on one level, all generations of the family are welcome. The expansive living room with fireplace will be the gathering place for family and friends.

For the chef, the gourmet kitchen will entice even the most jaded cook to consider roasting a turkey or glazing the ham for the holidays. Cooks, head into East Hampton for some local produce while the rest of the family plays touch-football in the yard. Before dinner, maybe a sunset walk on the beach.