If you’re looking for some last-minute ideas for the winter holiday, it’s not too late! Here are 5 itineraries for different types of vacations that you should consider. From cozy ski resort destinations, to the beach, to taking a trip across the pond, there’s plenty to choose from. And all are festive too! Each of these options are great for families with kids or teens, a girls trip, or a couple’s getaway. Well, maybe not wine country with the kids, but sometimes the parents need to decompress after all of the stress of the holidays!
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- If you want to get away to the beach, visit Maui, Hawaii…click here for the detailed 7-day itinerary.
While Lahaina still has some recovering to do after the fires earlier this year, the rest of the island needs visitors! I recommend staying in the Wailea area at either the Wailea Marriott or the Fairmont Kea Lani. Both are in beautiful locations overlooking the water, and have everything you need on site. If you’re all about relaxing, spend your days at the beach and the pool, and enjoy one of these best Luau’s on Maui. But if you’re looking for more action and adventure, do a private Road to Hana tour, take an unforgettable bike ride down the Haleakala Volcano, or go for a Helicopter Tour with Air Maui to see parts of Maui that can only be seen from the air!
- If you want to get away to winter ski destination, visit Park City, Utah…click here for the detailed weekend itinerary.
This 2-day itinerary does not include any skiing, but you could certainly substitute our Apres-ski day for an actual ski day, or add a third day to hit the slopes! And while this trip was just my husband and me, you could definitely take kids along and skip the Apres-ski portions of the itinerary. There are so many beautiful places to explore outside, or stay cozy and warm inside and enjoy the views. If you’re not a skier, I highly recommend a half-day Snowshoe and Sledding Tour like this one through Viator (check their app for the latest on guided tours and reserve in advance). Otherwise, explore the shops downtown or visit one of the fantastic resorts like St. Regis or Waldorf Astoria for drinks or food!
- If you want to get away for some warmer weather and outdoor activities, visit Palm Springs, California…click here for the detailed 4-day itinerary.
Palm Springs has something for everyone, and is a great destination for a vacation with or without the kids. You can spend some of that Christmas money shopping at the Desert Hills Premium Outlets (this one has stores like Gucci, Fendi and Balmain), play a round of golf at Cimarron, or burn off some of those holiday calories on one of these beautiful hikes. If you’re interested in celebrities and entertainment, sites like Trip Advisor, Viator, and Get Your Guide offer several options for celebrity tours like this Legends and Icons Tour. And finally, Joshua Tree National Park is a must-do day trip from Palm Springs!
- If you want to get away and cross the pond, visit London, England…click here for the detailed 3-day itinerary.
London is a fabulous destination any time of year, but is extra special during the holidays! Once you’ve had a chance to enjoy some of the seasonal festivities, be sure to take in all of the sites that this beautiful and historic city has to offer. I recommend getting a London City Pass (catch-all ticket that includes admission to several popular tourist sites, including Kensington Palace and Tower of London, along with other discounts), plus it includes 24-hour access to the Hop-On, Hop-Off Bus Tours, and a River Thames boat cruise. Or if you’re looking to get out of London for a little day trip, check out these tours from Viator to Stonehenge, or Windsor, Stonehenge and Oxford…all are definitely worth seeing if you have the time!
- If you want to get away without the kids, visit Napa and Sonoma, California…click here for the detailed 3-day itinerary.
Wine country is a great destination during the holidays. Everything is festive and beautifully decorated, and it’s a little quieter than other times of the year…and hotels tend to be cheaper! I recommend staying at the Archer Hotel in downtown Napa…the location is perfect, and the hotel is gorgeous. Of course, you must do some sparkling wine tasting in Sonoma at Domaine Carneros or Gloria Ferrer, and then spend a day touring the Napa Wineries with Platypus Wine Tours…they are the best!