ROMANTIC WEEKEND
What: Candlelight Tours at Ephrata Cloister
When: Dec. 26-29

Where: Ephrata, Pa. Visit the seductive Ephrata Cloister, a beautifully preserved monastery founded in the 1700s by chaste German-born vegetarian mystics. From 6:30 to 9 p.m., you can explore the rooms by candlelight, take in a play performed by local high school students in costume and guzzle down cheap refreshments. Everything here is as it was back in the 18th century, except that now you, too, can wander the halls. Admission is only $7 but make your reservations soon, before space runs out.

More info: (717) 733-6600

What else: Try the Ephrata Pizza & Italian Restaurant (43 E. Main St; [717] 733-2611) for a piece of the pie. At $1.49 a slice, that’s amore. Wash down the cheese with a few pints at Dollie’s Inn pub (875 E. Main St.; [717] 733-0878).

Where to stay: The Kimmell House B&B (851 S. State St.), was built in 1795 for the caretakers of the cloister. Each of the three rooms has a private bath; arrive in time for afternoon tea (from $85; [800] 861-3385, www.kimmellhouse.com ). If you can’t get a room at the inn (they go fast), try the Clearview Farm B&B ([717] 733-6333) or the Jacob Getz House B&B in nearby Stevens ([717] 335-3510).

THE GREAT OUTDOORS
What: Okemo’s Torchlight Parade and Fireworks
When: Dec. 28
Where: Ludlow, Vt. Who needs Independence Day for that pyromaniacal fix? Not Okemo, Vermont’s little ski resort, which is fresh off a $55 million renovation. This Sunday, join the annual Torchlight Parade and fireworks extravaganza, when the staff, torches in hand, form a snake of fire as they traverse the mountain on snowboards. Take a 7 p.m. walking tour from the base of the mountain to the summit for a great view of the pyrotechnics at 7:30. If slipping down the slopes into a tree isn’t a hobby of yours, take the tour on rental snowshoes ($7 an hour).

Info: www.okemo.com

What else: We’re not fudging it when we say that you can get melted chocolate fondue and a sleigh ride all in one place. Wilmington’s Adams Family Farm (15 Higley Hill Road; [802] 464-3762) is offering just that — for $15 admission and $18 for a fondue pot — every Wednesday until mid-March.

Where to stay: Check out the Governor’s Inn (86 Main St.). Each room features a queen-size bed (and romantic fireplace); from $189 ([800] 468-3766, www.thegovernorsinn.com ).

CHRISTMAS, PART TWO
What: Festival of Trees
When: through Dec. 31
Where: Pittsfield, Mass. The Berkshire Museum’s annual Christmas party features more than 200 gorgeously decorated trees designed by everyone from local school kids to renowned artists. Themes range from Edwardian to Space Age, and this year, the event features toy collections from the 1900s to the 1990s among other nostalgia. The museum, located in downtown Pittsfield, is a short drive from the winter wonderland that is the Berkshire Mountains. Admission is $8 for adults and $5 for children.

Info: www.berkshiremuseum.org

What else: Also in Pittsfield, the Hancock Shaker Village is an outdoor museum interpreting Shaker life — the 1,200-acre campus was home to one of 19 communities of the famous sect dating to the 1700s. This Saturday and Sunday the museum hosts two of its semi-annual Shaker Suppers, replicas of a traditional communal meal — except we bet the food, which includes ham baked in cider, herbed rice and chicken pie, tastes a bit better ($50; [800] 817-1137, www.hancockshakervillage.org ).

Where to stay: Check into the good-looking Cranwell Resort in Lenox, a golf mecca by summer and a spa retreat year-round. It’s not quite Canyon Ranch, its high-profile neighbor, but neither are the prices: from $225 winter weekends ($165 midweek), which includes spa and fitness-center access ([800] 272-6935, www.cranwell.com ).

THAT’S HISTORICAL!

What: Battle of TrentonWhen: Dec. 27-28 Where: Trenton, N.J. Some believe American Revolutionaries shouldn’t have bothered fighting for New Jersey back in 1776. Obviously they haven’t seen Trenton’s quickly revitalizing Delaware River waterfront lately. This weekend’s an excellent time to head to Trenton’s downtown, the site of the re-enactment of George Washington’s men sneaking up on drunken Hessians, firing a few shots and capturing 900-plus Brit-enlisted German soldiers occupying the city. The first fake-blood battle starts at 11 a.m. on Saturday, followed by a memorial service for the dead at 2:30, and the second Battle of Trenton at 3. Sunday’s event lets you follow the gloating American army and its prisoners as they march to Washing-ton Crossing Park in Pennsylvania, from noon to 4. You can watch both battles for free from the streets or pay $6 and explore the excellent Old Barracks Museum.

Info: www.tencrucialdays.com

What else: If you think the reindeer that ran over Grandma was scary, check out the 60-foot Brontosaurus and 25-foot T-Rex that artist Jim Gary has decorated at his Dinosaur Holiday Light Show (54 Hollywood Ave., Farmingdale, N.J.). Viewing hours are 5-9 p.m. and Jan. 5 is when the lizards go extinct ([732] 938-6281).

Where to stay: Ultra-civilized Princeton is rather quiet just now, but the romantic Nassau Inn, which sits at its heart, has been around since 1756. It’s still the place to stay in town, and rooms this weekend start at just $109 (10 Palmer Square, Princeton; [800] 862-7728, www.nassauinn.com ).

LET’S GO SHOPPING

What: Brookfield Craft Center’s Holiday Exhibition When: through Dec. 31 Where: Brookfield, Conn. The Christmas shopping season is for suckers — it’s after Dec. 25 that savvy sale sniffers can find the best deals. The nationally renowned non-profit Brookfield Craft Center is celebrating its 28th annual craft sale and expo —three floors of jewelry, pottery, glassware and gobs of other knickknacks from 400 crafty artists — many who trained right there at the school. Even if you don’t have a red cent left to spend, the view of the breathtaking Still River from the Center is worth the trip (286 Whisconier Road, Brookfield).

Info: www.brookfieldcraftcenter.org 

What else: The Danbury Fair Mall has 1,300,000 square feet of shopping goodness, from Abercrombie & Fitch to H&M. The mall, just a short drive from Brookfield, has extended hours this weekend: 7 a.m.-9:30 p.m. on Friday, 10 a.m.-9:30 p.m. Sat. and 11 a.m. -7 p.m. Sun. (7 Backus Ave., Danbury; [203] 830-4380).

Where to stay: If you want a room with a Jacuzzi for two at the colonial-style Twin Tree Inn, you’ll pay $135 per night this weekend (1030 Federal Road, Brookfield; [203] 775-0220, www.twintreeinn.com ).