Travel Tip ~ Think Outside The Box for Holiday Travel

Holiday travel is a conundrum for many people. For some, competing school and work schedules make the holidays one of the only times that a family can go away together...for others, it is an annual tradition to escape the cold weather for tropical destinations.  Prices in popular warm weather resort destinations are often 3 to 4 times higher between Christmas and New Year's than other times of the year. AND, many of the most popular resorts are sold out by early summer. 

Several of my clients have called me recently regarding trips to Mexico or the Caribbean for "festive season" and I am having an incredibly difficult time finding availability. Add to that, room rates that are ridiculously overpriced and air fares in the thousands (which for a family of five will quickly carve a huge chunk out of your vacation budget). Suddenly, "thinking outside the box" sounds like a really good idea. 

How about spending the holidays in Europe instead?? Believe it or not, at this point in early September, it would be easier to plan a European vacation than to find space in the Caribbean or Mexico...and it is also a better value!

Imagine Christmas in Rome - from Midnight Mass by the Pope at the Vatican to beautiful nativity scenes in many churches - not to mention delicious Italian holiday food traditions. I have clients headed to Rome for Christmas this year and I was able to get them an excellent deal at the iconic Hotel Hassler for half the price of most high end tropical resort destinations.

Last year, I had clients spend the holidays in Germany - they loved the wandering through the Christmas Markets and seeing the landmarks illuminated for the holidays while also enjoying sightseeing with very little crowds. The price of their nightly hotel room at a Regent Berlin - a five star Virtuoso property  - probably wouldn't even cover a night at a three star property in the islands.  

How about long leisurely days sipping chocolat chaud in Paris or shopping in Knightsbridge followed by a decadent afternoon tea in London?  Insert any European capital into the above scenarios for a similar unique experience. You might not go home with a suntan that will fade after a few days,  but you will have created memories that will last a lifetime...

So, why not save your warm weather travels for Spring Break (which, by the way, you should be planning NOW) and experience another culture's Holiday traditions this year?

 Beyond Europe, the list is as long as the world is vast...I will post later in the week about a few wonderful "alternative" holiday travel ideas on this side of the pond.