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As the effects of the holiday season and the eggnog wear off only to be replaced by the chilly sensations accompanying shoveling snow drifts and walking the dog during a blizzard, now might be the time to open the U.S. Atlas and remind yourself that at 26.68 latitude, 80.12 longitude snow is a foreign concept. In fact, at these coordinates-the geographic location of Palm Beach and neighboring West Palm Beach-the average January temperatures hover around 74 degrees and ice scrapers are a useless, special-order item. Add world-class art and antiques shows, museums and galleries to this balmy haven, and the result is a perfect winter destination for art collectors and antiques aficionados.

Time your visit for one-or all-of the area's three blockbuster events: PalmBeach3 (Jan. 13-16), Palm Beach! America's International Fine Art & Antique Fair (Feb. 3-12) and The Palm Beach Jewelry and Antique Show (Feb. 17-21). Previously known as “palmbeachcontemporary,” PalmBeach3 unveiled its new format in 2005, attracting 109 galleries and more than 26,000 visitors. In 2005, Palm Beach!, one of the top vetted fine art and antiques fairs in America, drew 34,000; this year it showcases more than 100 international dealers specializing in fine art and decorative objects and presents collections ranging from classical antiquity through the 1960s, including masterworks of Greek, Roman and Egyptian periods; Asian art; tribal art; Old Master paintings; American and European 19th- and early 20th-century fine art; classic modernism; 18th- through 20th-century furniture; contemporary jewelry and historical jewelry; armor; textiles and rugs; silver and ceramics; and objets d'art. The vetted Palm Beach Jewelry and Antique Show attracted more than 50,000 attendees in 2005 and plans a repeat this year. Most art and jewelry on exhibit range from the antiquities to the early 20th century, but a select few from recent years add a contemporary touch. According to organizers, while the show is eclectic and represents a wide range of art movements and time periods-for example, American art pieces by James Bard, Charles Sidney Raleigh and Frank B. Hoffman-antique furniture will be another strong feature this year. Around 200 of the world's top dealers are exhibiting, including Peter Tillou, Hyland Granby Antiques, Guinevere Antiques, Talisman Antiques, Greenwich Gallery and Camilla Dietz Bergeron.