An evening to hear and join in on chunky intellectual debate but, in Irish spirit, in a darkened candle-lit room over a pint or two.

BBC: Dublin's underground literary scene

You can take in a movie at the Deco-style Cathay Theatre, completed in the early 1930s, which has a neon-lit spire towering over its marquee, or dance in the ballroom of the Paramount dance hall, which opened at about the same time.

WSJ: Touring Asia's Art Deco Gems in Shanghai and Napier, New Zealand

She likes throwing a burlap cloth over a table, and adding a self-lit mirror paired with antique crystal lamps and a small-scale, American Federal chair.

WSJ: The Un-Vain Vanity Table

Meanwhile, London's successful bid for the 2012 Olympics -- despite a rumbling row over costs that shows no sign of abating before the torch is lit and complaints that the project has ridden roughshod over the wishes of local residents and businesses -- will ultimately mean the creation of Europe's largest new urban park in 150 years.

CNN: London leads climate change fight

But this closing was all about the party, which became especially apparent when Brazil, host of the 2016 Games, took over the stage for a short interlude, with lit-up Carnivale dancers leading the gathered athletes in a samba dance party.

WSJ: Menu

It was still dark outside when I arrived but the sky was lit up by an incredibly large moon glowing over the ballpark -- a baseball cathedral transformed into a church thanks to a 50-by-50-foot altar in centerfield.

CNN: Behind the Scenes: Thrilling day covering the pope

Over the Christmas season 40 years ago Americans did all the traditional things - decorated trees, lit candles, drank eggnog.

NPR: Affinity Fraud Preys On Group's Trust

Post pampering, compare notes with other hardcore skiers at the Argenta Pub over a pint of beer or glass of wine before slipping on snowshoes for a short trek through a lantern-lit forest to The Yurt, where you can treat yourself to a five-course meal, prepared right before your eyes by a private chef.

BBC: Daily deal: Two nights at Solitude Mountain