The Best Holiday Vacations

Holiday vacations during the winter months can be special for many reasons. You can get away with your family to cuddle around the fire in a cozy cabin. You can experience the adventurous thrill of gliding down a snowy slope. You can also escape the cold weather completely and visit an island paradise near the equator. There are no bad reasons for a holiday vacation, and therefore, any destination you choose is valid. Here are some holiday vacation suggestions to suit every taste.

Stowe, Vermont

Vermont is located in the northeast corner of the United States. To stay warm, you definitely need to have blankets and outerwear made of fleece fabric when you go. Stowe is one of the most popular skiing destinations along the East Coast, so if you live in one of the major nearby cities and don’t want to go too far to take your holiday ski vacation, Stowe is definitely a place to check out. Outdoor activities in Stowe are not limited to skiing, but with the snowfall and ski season beginning in mid-November, you’re practically guaranteed a white Christmas, if that’s what you’re looking for.

Saint Lucia

“White Christmas” can mean different things to different people. For some people, it means lounging on the white-sand beach of a Caribbean island. In addition to the activities and amenities usually available to tourists, some resorts on Saint Lucia offer specific holiday-themed activities for their guests, such as a family dinner and making gingerbread houses. By continuing old customs in a new location, you may end up starting a whole new tradition.

Beaver Creek, Colorado

Located in the Rocky Mountains, Beaver Creek is the ultimate winter wonderland. Even though snow is usually plentiful, daytime temperatures are relatively warm, with the averages hovering right around freezing during the months of December and January. Of course, skiing is one of Beaver Creek’s major draws, but there are also plenty of festive activities you can enjoy with the whole family from December 19th to January 1st.

Santa Fe, New Mexico

You may not think of the Southwestern United States as a skiing destination, but Santa Fe is located in a mountainous region that can see up to 225 inches of snow per year. If the weather doesn’t cooperate, making artificial snow is another option. However, even if you are not interested in skiing, Santa Fe has a lot to offer visitors at all times of the year, especially during the holidays when the city hosts a number of special events.

Washington, D.C.

During the holidays, the National Mall is spectacularly decorated for the festivities, with the National Christmas Tree being the focal point. The tree lighting ceremony is an annual event during which families can enjoy music, stories, hot chocolate, and a visit from Santa Claus. Of course, even if you don’t make it to the capital for the ceremony, all the other attractions that it has to offer are still there, as they are throughout the year. The National Zoo may be less crowded because of the cold weather, or you can warm up with an educational trip to the Smithsonian Museums.

Solvang, California

European cities are known for elaborate holiday celebrations, but if a trip across the Atlantic Ocean isn’t feasible this year, a visit to Solvang in the Santa Ynez Valley may be the next best thing. In the early 1900s, a group of immigrants from Denmark settled here, and much of their cultural influence is still very evident. This is especially true during the holiday season when Solvang puts on its annual “Julefest,” the “J” being pronounced like a “Y.”

Jackson Hole, Wyoming

Jackson Hole is a remote vacation spot for all seasons, but it really goes all out for the holidays. Located in the Grand Teton Mountains, Jackson Hole is a ski destination and more. December 24th through 31st are the dates of the Holiday Roundup when unique family-friendly events take place, such as skiing with Santa and greeting avalanche dogs, i.e., dogs that rescue people trapped in a snowslide.

With so many travel destinations, each with something unique to offer, your holiday vacation can be as traditional or original as you want it to be.