While there’s nothing quite like being home for the holidays, some years a break from the norm during the holidays can be a welcomed alternative. Whether you’ve lost a loved one this year or have a different family dynamic than in previous years that makes holiday traditions hard or you’re just looking for a little bit of adventure and relaxation, taking a trip can be just the change you need this holiday season.
For those with limited time off from work, traveling during the holidays is a great way to make the most of your PTO and the most bang for your buck when using vacation days! With many companies giving paid holidays off for Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day, it’s a terrific way to extend a trip. For people who get bonus days off, such as Black Friday, Christmas and New Year’s Eve, it’s easy to transform just a few PTO days into a full week’s vacation! Also, for families with kids in school or college, traveling during the holidays can be convenient because there is a better chance of everyone’s schedules aligning since most extracurricular activities are put on hold.
When many people think of holiday travel, they associate it with crowds, delayed flights, and travel chaos. While that can be true, many times it can be just as easy, if not better, than a normal travel time. For example, traveling internationally when America celebrates Thanksgiving—but other countries don’t—can often mean smaller crowds at attractions because people in the native country aren’t off to celebrate or those in other countries don’t have that time off school to vacation to that city. Also, many colder weather locations—ski towns not included—tend to have smaller crowds in the winter months.
Traveling to different areas—either internationally or domestically—will allow you to experience firsthand how people in other places celebrate holidays. Whether it’s the Icelandic tradition of gifting books on Christmas Eve or embracing a different culture’s signature foods for a holiday feast, a new tradition can let you experience the holidays in a different way and you may just want to incorporate these customs into future holidays spent back home.
For those wanting to stay in the U.S. but still want to mix it up a little with a change of scenery, websites like Airbnb and VRBO make it easy to rent someone else’s home for the holidays! Whether it’s a big cabin with a hot tub and fireplace in the Colorado Rockies for the whole extended family to enjoy or a Florida beach house with a pool for some fun in the sun, it’s still easy to keep traditions such as decorating cookies, hanging stockings, and gathering around the table for a holiday meal, along with some new ones!
So, if you’re looking to mix it up this holiday season, consider a holiday getaway!
Climate-Driven Activities and Experiences
While some locations allow for more activities in the warmer weather months, visiting places like Europe in the winter can allow for an entirely different experience, such as enjoying hot cider under the twinkling lights of the magical European Christmas markets. If you want a break from the cold escape to warmer weather during the holidays, try a surf trip to Costa Rica or sandboarding in Morrocco’s Saraha Desert.
Set Sail for the Holidays
If you’re not entirely willing to give up your holiday traditions at home but are looking for an easy holiday getaway and still want to get some of the extended family together, consider a cruise during the days between Christmas and New Year’s. Three- or four-day cruises from Florida to Mexico or the Bahamas are a wonderful way to get everyone together for quality time while making memories that will last a lifetime!
Ring in the New Year in a New City
With extravagant celebrations, New Year’s Eve can be one of the coolest holidays to celebrate away from home. Whether it is the bucket list item of waiting in New York City’s Times Square for the ball drop or witnessing elaborate firework displays in cities such as London, Rio de Janeiro, or Sydney, New Year’s Eve celebrations can provide some of the best travel memories.