HERE

CELEBRATE THE HOLIDAYS IN N.H.

Go on a candlelit stroll through the history of the holidays, see festive musicals productions, and enjoy ice skating on a pond during Portsmouth’s annual Vintage Christmas celebration. The self-proclaimed “Christmas capital of North America’’ offers a monthlong lineup of events. Don’t miss the renowned Candlelight Stroll, Dec. 16, when visitors walk along candlelit dirt lanes and learn about 300 years of winter holidays through musical performances and skits. See the wonderful creations for the 26th Annual Gingerbread House Contest at Discover Portsmouth on Middle Street (free exhibition runs through Dec. 23), and attend a holiday dinner at Strawbery Banke’s William Pitt Tavern on Dec. 11, 16, 17, and 18. The Ogunquit Playhouse also presents the Broadway musical “Disney’s Beauty and the Beast’’ at The Music Hall through Dec. 18. 603-436-8433, www.vintagechristmasnh.org.

SEE DINOSAURS IN MAINE

Find out what dinosaurs looked like, sounded like, and how they moved, at the Portland Science Center, which just launched a new multimedia, interactive exhibit, running through spring 2017. Dinosaurs Unearthed chronicles the discovery of dinosaurs since the first skeleton was found on US soil in New Jersey during 1858. The exhibit includes more than a dozen life-size animatronic dinosaurs, full-size skeletons, fossils, an excavation site, and hands-on activities that will tap your inner paleontologist. Philip Carlo Paratore, a local artist and adjunct professor of art from the University of Southern Maine, also exhibits his Dinosaur Portfolio, which evokes the spirit of exploration and discovery. Rates (includes both exhibits): Free, 3 and under; $14.50, ages 3-12; $17.50, military, college students, and seniors; and $19.50, ages 13 and older. 207-812-3850, www.portlandsciencecenter.com.

THERE

GET A FREE PASS TO CANADA’S PARKS

Explore more than 200 of Canada’s natural treasures in 2017 thanks to a free park pass. To celebrate Canada’s 150th birthday, all domestic and international visitors receive free entry to the country’s national parks, national historic sites, and national marine conservation areas that are operated by Parks Canada for the entire year (a savings of up to $102 per family). Explore all of Canada’s parks, from Banff National Park in Alberta (the nation’s first and a UNESCO World Heritage Site) to Mealy Mountains National Park in Newfoundland and Labrador (the country’s newest park). Free admission does not include camping or accommodations costs, reservation fees, or any tour or service. See the website for a full list of sites. www.parkscanada.gc.ca/visit.

VISIT JAPAN’S NEW FOUR SEASONS HOTEL

Four Seasons Hotel Kyoto recently opened in the temple district of Japan’s ancient capital. The 123-room secluded property sits on five acres in a 12th century pond garden that is also near the city’s main business and historic areas. The hotel’s Experience Creator organizes custom programs to match guests interests. Take a traditional Kiyomizu ceramics-making class, learn how to make Japanese lanterns, or sign up for a ninja-training session, which includes meditation, movement, and weaponry. Or go on one of three rickshaw tours around the city. The contemporary hotel has the Brasserie, an onsite bistro, the Lounge, where you can grab a gourmet bite, and a teahouse, which offers sakes and champagnes. The special introductory rate includes about $108 credit for the Lounge, Brasserie, or Spa at Four Seasons, also onsite. Rates start at $665 per night. 800-819-5053, www.fourseasons.com/kyoto.

EVERYWHERE

A FEATURE-RICH TRAVEL BAG

The Brevite Rolltop backpack, made by three brothers from Hingham, blends smart design with clever features. The rugged dual-purpose bag can act like a regular travel or commuter backpack with pockets galore for stashing your laptop and other work supplies, or slip in the adjustable padded insert and it functions as a handy camera bag. The stylish bag has a magnetic, roll-top closure, and a cavernous interior with a 15-inch laptop sleeve and about 24 liters of space. The unassuming front pouch is an organizer’s delight: This little gear library has pockets, pouches, sleeves, and elastic straps for securing your equipment. The bag’s exterior has a handy cap buckle on one shoulder strap — perfect for storing a 52mm, 58mm, or 67mm lens cap — an exterior water bottle holder, straps for securing a tripod, an attached rain cover, and two narrow zippered pockets on the waist band that can hold SD cards, filters, or a protein bar. A side zipper provides quick access to your camera or other gear, which can be arranged in the fully customizable padded insert. $140/$185 without/with insert. www.brevite.co.

RELAX AND THIS HOLIDAY SEASON

Nervous travelers can help alleviate their stress from flying, visiting relatives, and more with Nervana, a small portable device that stimulates the vagus nerve and promotes a sense of calmness. The lightweight battery-powered device sends electronic signals from the left earbud, which has been sprayed with a saline solution, to the nerve fibers in the outer ear canal. This helps combat the fight-or-flight urge and preps the body for a more pleasant experience. To use, squirt the left earbud with saline water and ensure there is a snug fit, and then listen to your favorite tunes, pack for your trip, or just kick back and chill out while signals are transmitted to the nerve. This bioelectric approach may help travelers avoid using anti-anxiety and other related medicines. Current price: $289. www.experiencenervana.com.

KARI BODNARCHUK