Places to Go During the Christmas & New Years Holidays

Want to go somewhere this holiday season? If you get a week or so off during the holidays and want to get away…

Where to go? Popular places include Hawaii (especially Oahu and the Big Island), Europe (especially the Holiday Markets in Germany), Mexico (especially Cancun, Cozumel, and Acapulco), Australia (our winter is their summer), and Caribbean cruises and resort stays (lots of places but best deals are to Punta Cana, Bahamas, Dominica, and Jamaica).

What do you want to do? It may help you decide where to go if you figure out what kind of vacation you want: adventure trip? sunbathing on the beach? non-stop nightlife? shopping? skiing? romance? luxury cruise? five-star resort or three-star hotel? Tip: Three or four day Caribbean cruises are cheap and ideal for those who can only get away for a few days.

How to do it? If you decide on a resort vacation, book an all-inclusive resort package. Be sure to pick the right resort. Many are geared to certain themes, such as singles or couples or families. If you choose a cruise, look for holiday deals and last minute specials. If you want a ski vacation, be sure to go with a ski package. Be realistic. The best deals are not going to be in Park City or Aspen! A good package includes everything from lodging to lift tickets, which will save you lots of money. If you opt for Australia, you will probably want to add a week of vacation time to your holiday week. You can do Australia in a week, but it is a long way and quite expensive for what little time you’ll have (takes a day to fly each way). I recommend booking a highlights package that includes air and land. Generally, folks add-on a brief visit to New Zealand, Fiji, or Tahiti since they’re so close. FYI: New Years arrives first in New Zealand! Use a resort resource to find the best deal, such as www.resortvacationstogo.com, to book a Hawaiian or Mexican vacation.

P.S. You can always find deals to Las Vegas and there is always alot going on, including first class shows and attractions. Although some may argue, I don’t think it is a good family vacation option.

Places to avoid during the holidays? Most places are fairly hopping, but some places are worse than others. At Christmas and New Years, it is very expensive and extremely crowded in New York City, London, and Disney!