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Home for the Holidays? Not this Year!
By Deborah C. Gerbers
When the winter holidays roll around, most people think of family fireside chats, Christmas trees decorated with lights and ornaments, baking cookies together, and staying warm and cozy while the snow falls down magically outside the window. But, not everyone celebrates the holidays at home like this — destination holiday trips are gaining popularity as a way to spend the holidays together, away from home, in a vacation setting. If you’re interested in swapping your thick sweater-socks for sandy flip flops, and winter parkas for shorts and sundresses, read on to see how a destination holiday vacation might be fun for you and your family!
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One of the nice things about planning a family trip for the holidays is that because of the cost, planning, and effort involved, it’s fair to make the trip itself one big family gift, instead of unwrapping several smaller gifts under the tree. You could also plan to have a small budget and hold a secret Santa exchange at your destination — maybe see who can buy the tackiest, most touristy souvenirs? Or design a family t-shirt and have them printed up at a local shop for everyone to wear to remember the holiday … just make it fun!
Where to go? That’s completely up to you and your family, and what everyone votes would be the best. Are you an active, outdoorsy bunch? Consider a wintry getaway to a northern-Midwest ski lodge, hit the slopes out West, learn how to cross country ski or snowshoe in Appalachia, or plan a cold-weather river rafting trip in West Virginia.
You could also try the West Coast (“best coast”) or the American Southwest for some adventure in the warmer sunshine — surfing, swimming, boating, hiking the Pacific Crest Trail, archeological tours and hikes in Arizona, or camping in the mountains.
Are you more inclined to relax on a beach somewhere? Try southern Florida like The Keys, islands in the Caribbean, or international paradise locations if you have the time and money.
Travel and Leisure Magazine highlights some of the best destinations for holiday travel in a recent online article. Jackson Hole, Wyoming is perfect for skiing; New York City is known for an unparalleled Christmas experience; Saint Lucia offers a tropical Caribbean getaway; charming, smaller-town feels are in South Carolina; Washington, D.C. has “the perfect combination of holiday cheer and interesting activities the whole family will enjoy”; picturesque Santa Fe, New Mexico is an amazing cultural explosion of food, scenery and much more; and the United Kingdom is always a popular tourist destination any time of year.
Wherever you decide to spend the holidays this year, remember that there is a perfect place for every budget and every family. Make it a great time for you and your family to spend time together in a fantastic setting this year!
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