Tag Archives: holiday travel

Northern Lights, Norway

Unexpected Holiday Travel Ideas For Christmas and New Year’s

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UPDATE (September 6, 2023): Click here to find out where there’s still availability of WOW travel experiences for the 2023-24 holidays. 

It’s the most wonderful time of the year … unless you’re looking for a travel deal. The Christmas/New Year’s holiday is the most crowded and expensive time to vacation almost anywhere. Airfares and hotel rates shoot up, beach resorts and ski lodges impose minimum-stay restrictions, and if you don’t plan far enough ahead, you’ll find everything decent is sold out.

What to do? If your goal is a sunny beach vacation, your smartest move is to travel right before the Christmas rush (the first two weeks of December) or right afterward (the first week of January), since that’s when you’ll find much fewer people and much lower prices. Most of us don’t have that kind of schedule flexibility, though, so here are other strategies for beating holiday prices, crowds, and sell-out conditions, as well as destinations to consider that are alternatives to the typical Caribbean, Hawaii, and Mexico fare.

If you’re not sure how to book these trips so that you’re marked as a VIP traveler and get the best trip possible, I’ve made it really easy for you. And if you’re not sure what I mean by “the best trip possible,” read these trip reviews.

General Strategies

•Travel during the first half of the holiday rather than the second half.
For many people the festive-season period lasts two weeks, with Christmas Day falling during the first week and New Year’s Day falling during the second week. In most vacation spots, and especially at ski resorts, that first week typically has more availability and is more affordable than the second week.

•Choose destinations that are in their shoulder or low season.
Most cities and islands in non-tropical climates qualify, as do countries that don’t celebrate Christmas.

•Fly on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve, or New Year’s Day.
Airfares tend to be lower at these times.

•Consider cities that draw a lot of business travelers.
Business travel stops during the holidays, so you’ll find low airfares to—and empty hotel rooms in—business-travel hubs. In the U.S. consider cities such as Dallas, Atlanta, Cleveland, and Phoenix. If you prefer New York City or San Francisco (which draw a ton of both business and leisure travelers), look for discounts at business-traveler-oriented hotels (extended-stay suite hotels work well for families too). In Europe consider business capitals such as London, Paris, and Rome. Holiday business-class airfare sales to these European hubs come out every year.

•Look for introductory airfares and hotel rates.
When airlines introduce new routes, and when new hotels open, they typically publicize the news with special offers. My family’s best Christmas abroad was at a just-opened hotel.

•Consider redeeming hotel points for free nights.
It’s tough to redeem airline miles for free flights during the holidays, but it can be easy to redeem hotel points because hotel loyalty programs are for hotel chains that cater to business travelers. During three Christmas/New Year’s school breaks I treated my family to ski vacations by redeeming Starwood points at The Equinox in Manchester, Vermont. (Make sure you also know the best credit cards for travelers and other tips for nabbing the best reward flights for your points.)

•When flying internationally, rather than buying one expensive non-stop ticket, combine two inexpensive tickets and get a stopover.
As an example, when I went to Marrakech last year, the best flights I could find for my travel dates were via Switzerland (Zurich on the outbound, Geneva on the return). I did a stopover in Zurich en route to Morocco and a stopover in Geneva en route back. Both are cities where it’s easy, fast, and cheap to take the train from the airport to the center of town. I saw two countries in one trip and topped off the adventure with prosecco fondue, panoramic views of Lake Geneva, and a free ride to the airport. Some airlines even have full-fledged, free stopover programs that enable travelers to easily take a few extra days in an additional destination. Billie used TAP Air Portugal to spend two days in Porto on the way home from a trip in Italy; IcelandAir has a popular program, and SWISS just introduced one as well.

North America and the Caribbean

people shopping on Rue de Petit Champlain Quebec City during Christmas

Quebec City is so close, and so charming. Photo: Ville de Quebec

Charleston, South Carolina
It’s got culture and history, antebellum architecture, award-winning cuisine, southern charm—and, during the holiday season, a Festival of Lights, a Parade of Boats, Gullah spirituals concerts, the clip-clop of horses and carriages, and poinsettias everywhere (they were first imported to America by a Charlestonian named Dr. Poinsett). Temperatures are mild, in the high 50s and low 60s. You’ll find more info here.

New Orleans
The Crescent City gets gussied up for the holidays and abounds with historic traditions such as Reveillon dinners in top French Quarter restaurants, caroling by candlelight in Jackson Square, Cathedral concerts, and bonfires on the levees on Christmas Eve. Temps are in the low 60s. For an insider experience of New Orleans, request your trip here.

San Diego and southern California
Airfares to San Diego may be high, but there are almost always low fares into LAX (since it’s a business-travel hub), where you can rent a car and drive down the coast. There are plenty of seaside resorts in the corridor between Los Angeles and San Diego (e.g., in La Jolla, Del Mar, Laguna Beach), and there are also resorts, ranches, and awesome adventures to be had inland (e.g., in the gorgeous Anza-Borrego Desert—here’s an itinerary for you—or in Joshua Tree National Park, which is only an hour from Palm Springs). December temps are in the 60s. For the best possible California holiday, request your trip here.

Salt Lake City for skiing
When there’s no availability in Aspen or Vail, remember that there are seven ski resorts within an hour’s drive of Utah’s capital. The airport is a Delta hub that business travelers don’t use over the holidays, which means there are low airfares and plenty of empty hotel rooms. So, if the ski resorts are sold out, you might even stay in the city, rent a car, and try a different mountain every day.

Texas
Flights to Dallas are less than four hours from anywhere in the U.S., and temps are in the 50s and 60s. You’ll find plenty of free museums and walkable neighborhoods, plus a Public ArtWalk that is a free, self-guided art trail through downtown Dallas and the Arts District. Three hours away is Austin, a 24-hour town with a legendary live-music scene, hip neighborhoods to shop and stroll in, and awesome barbecue. From there it’s only 90 minutes to San Antonio, known for its River Walk lined with cafes and shops, not to mention the Alamo.

Colonial Mexico
There will still be values on Mexico’s Pacific Coast between Puerto Vallarta and Huatulco (think Ixtapa, Zihuatanejo, Costa Alegre, Costa Careyes) because so many charming boutique beach properties are popping up that few travelers know about. But the biggest values will likely be inland. In the Colonial interior that was not affected by last year’s earthquakes—think Merida, San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato, Queretaro—exquisitely restored haciendas offer a festive atmosphere, nearby cultural and archaeological sites, and award-winning gourmet cuisine. Even though the March 2018 earthquake hit Puebla, the Rosewood Puebla was not affected, nor was Puebla’s airport. For a seamless vacation focused on the sophisticated delights of Mexico that you’ve been missing, request your trip here.

Quebec City 
Yes, it’s freezing in December, but it’s also charming and cozy, with plenty of warm and toasty places to eat, drink, shop, and stay. Quebec City feels like a little slice of romantic Europe, especially if you’re in a room in a turret at the Château Frontenac. The exchange rate is favorable, and as for the frigid temps, I always remember what an Eskimo in the Arctic once told me: “There’s no such thing as bad weather—only bad clothes.”

Whistler, British Columbia
During the holidays, this Olympic ski resort just 90 minutes from Vancouver transforms into a vividly illuminated winter wonderland complete with sleigh rides, dog sledding, winter zip-lining, ice fishing, eagle viewing, heli-skiing, and assorted backcountry adventures. Not a snowbird? Then spend all day in the spa or on gourmet tasting tours. You’ll pay peak-season prices, but a Whistler vacation is relatively affordable, thanks to the good exchange rate, and relatively available, thanks to the huge number of hotel rooms. For the ultimate Whistler adventure, request your trip here.

Caribbean Yacht Charter
If you’re dead set on the Caribbean and dismayed that the best resorts are fully booked, you might consider a Caribbean yacht or catamaran charter. That way, you can explore not just one island but several—including tiny ones where you’re the only tourists. And, instead of the same sea view every day, you get an ever-changing one. The best holiday sailing adventures are not inexpensive—they start at about $17,500 for the week—but that covers six people in three cabins (including all meals, water toys, etc.). Request your trip here.

Overseas but Won’t Break the Bank

rocky coastline of Madeira, an island 90 minutes from Lisbon in Portugal

Just a 90-minute flight from Lisbon, Madeira is easy to add on to a trip to mainland Portugal. Photo: Pixabay

Europe’s cultural capitals
Parts of Europe can be dark and dreary in wintertime. But many of the biggest cities are festively decorated, beautifully illuminated, and don’t shut down on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day—and it’s okay if it’s chilly and gets dark at 4 p.m. because there’s so much on offer indoors (in museums, theaters, restaurants), as well as outdoors, at Christmas markets, where it’s easy to grab a beer with the locals. And, because business travelers are absent, there are airfare sales and hotel discounts. London offers New Year’s Eve fireworks over Tower Bridge and awesome Boxing Day sales. In Paris you’ve got old-world-style Christmas markets, ice skating at the Hotel de Ville, and food markets filled with holiday specialties such as foie gras and marrons glacés. Rome has iconic Christmas markets and Nativity exhibitions, as well as a Christmas Eve midnight mass delivered by the Pope at the Vatican. Edinburgh celebrates New Year’s Eve with Hogmanay festivities that include a torchlight procession, bagpipe performances, street parties, and fireworks above the Castle.

Europe’s southerly islands
Rising out of the Atlantic, off the coast of Africa (a 90-minute flight from Lisbon), is the semi-tropical Portuguese island of Madeira. Known for its great hiking, namesake wine, and yummy cuisine (thanks to fresh seafood and exotic fruits), the mountainous island has temps in the high 60s in late December. There’s also a traditional gala New Year’s Eve celebration at Madeira’s historic grande-dame property, Reid’s Palace. In the Mediterranean, Malta, Sicily, and Crete have enough of a low-season infrastructure, and are culturally important enough, to make a sightseeing trip during the holidays well worth your while. You won’t find bikini weather, but you’ll find ancient monuments blissfully free of the crowds that diminish their majesty the rest of the year.

Christmas markets in Central and Eastern Europe
Europe’s Christmas markets tend to end on December 24, but in some cities they last longer. In Berlin, for instance, the Berliner Weihnachtszeit continues through December 30, and the Christmas market at Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church goes until January 6. Prague’s Christmas market in Wenceslas Square also lasts through January 6. I’ve been to a lot of Christmas markets, and if I had a week to hit some of Europe’s best, I’d probably arrange an itinerary that starts in Germany with Nuremberg and Rothenburg, hops over the Rhine to Strasbourg in France, then jumps back to Germany, winds from village to village en route to Munich, and swings through Salzburg en route to a grand finale in Vienna. Here’s more on Europe’s Christmas markets: How to plan the perfect trip.

Exotic and Unusual

family riding camels in desert in UAE

Camel rides are just one of the desert excursions on offer at Qasr al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara, in Abu Dhabi. That’s me on the second camel.

Northern lights in Arctic Norway
Alta, Norway, offers that rare combo of relatively mild temps (the daily high in late December is about 25 degrees F), thrilling winter activities, and the closest thing to a guarantee that you’ll see the Northern Lights. If your goal is the highest-caliber private trip possible—including private transportation, the best accommodations and food, and activities such as snowmobiling, ice fishing, and/or visiting Sami reindeer herders—request your trip here.

Colorful culture in Colombia
In Cartagena the holidays bring music and parties everywhere. Lights are hung from the brightly colored colonial houses, café tables are pulled into the streets for celebratory dinners, and the Sofitel Santa Clara throws a spectacular New Year’s Eve party. Combine such city festivities with quiet time at plantations in coffee country, in the rainforest, or on the beach. For an in-depth experience of Colombia, request your trip here.

Beach-and-desert fun in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Oman
I recently spent five nights in Dubai and Abu Dhabi (only a 90-minute drive from Dubai). You can have a ton of fun there if you want to combine beach time and desert adventures (think sunset camel rides, dune bashing, desert safaris) with eye-popping luxury (read about my trip, which included many of my favorite travel moments of 2017). The U.A.E. can deliver great value during the Christmas/New Year’s period because the weather is lovely (high 70s and low 80s), there are many new glam hotels offering deals to fill their rooms, and Emirates airline—whose economy class offers particularly roomy seats and elaborate in-flight entertainment—operates frequent flights to its enormous Dubai hub. If the beaches and desert aren’t enough for you, you can throw in skiing too—at Dubai’s 22,500-square-meter indoor ski resort inside a shopping mall. I didn’t manage to get to Oman on this trip—we were having way too spectacular a time at Qasr al Sarab in the Abu Dhabi desert (that’s my family on the camels in the photo above)—but Muscat is only a five-hour drive from Dubai and, like Abu Dhabi, Oman offers otherworldly scenery, resorts fit for a sheikh, and desert activities galore. For an insider’s experience of the U.A.E. and the local clout and connections you’ll want, request your trip here.

Lush landscapes in Sri Lanka
I took my family to Sri Lanka for the kids’ Christmas school break in 2016, and not only was it a feast for all the senses—with a rich culture, delectable food, and friendly people—but it was also less crowded and pricey than the Caribbean. In fact, it was my family’s best Christmas abroad.  (On Christmas Day itself, here’s what we did.)  Since Sri Lanka hasn’t been “discovered” yet by the tourist masses, but big-hotel construction is coming soon, now is the time to go. Read about my family’s experience in Tangalle exploring everything from jungle temples to tea plantations, and for the best possible experience of Sri Lanka with VIP treatment throughout, request your trip here.

Summer thrills in New Zealand
This is where I spent the month of December on my honeymoon (18 years ago). December is the start of summer Down Under, so you’ll find temps in the 70s and daylight lasting past 9 p.m., for maximum sightseeing. Conditions are lovely for everything from wine tasting and caving on the North Island to jet-boating and heli-hiking on the South Island. Read our Insider’s Guides to The Best of New Zealand, Insider’s New Zealand, Queenstown, and the Bay of Islands.

One-of-a-kind New Year’s in Rio
Rio de Janeiro has one of the world’s most spectacular New Year’s Eve celebrations: Two million people dressed in white gather on Copacabana Beach to light candles and throw flowers into the sea, as an offering to the ocean goddess. There’s live Brazilian samba music and fireworks over the beach too. As for other Brazil locales you might combine with Rio, get ideas from our Insider’s Guides to Trancoso, the Amazon, and Five-Star Brazil: Best Things to See and Do.

And, for all you country collectors, St. Helena!
Yes, I’m talking about the isolated island in the South Atlantic that until recently you could reach only by mailboat from Cape Town. That necessitated spending five or six days at sea—each way. But SA Airlink now offers weekly five-hour flights on a 76-seat Embraer from Johannesburg, South Africa. One of the world’s most remote settled islands, St. Helena is best known for being the place that Napoleon was exiled to, but there’s a lot to do besides seeing Napoleonic artifacts. You can dive to shipwrecks, swim with whale sharks, go on picturesque hikes to see some of the 500 endemic species of flora and fauna, and meet the local people—called “Saints”—who are known for their hospitality. The island was discovered by the Dutch in 1504 but colonized by the British—so, if you rent a car, you’ll need to drive on the left. They’ve built a 30-room luxury hotel to welcome all the new travelers who’ll be coming. Here’s more info about St. Helena.

 

If you’re wondering how to book a holiday trip so as to get the best possible experience and be marked as a VIP traveler, I’ve made it really easy for you.

And if you’ve got other great holiday travel ideas, share them below!

Clue #1: We were somewhere tropical.

My Family’s Best Christmas Abroad

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The Christmas-New Year’s school break is one of the few times of the year when families can carve out enough time to go far away. The location of my own family’s best Christmas abroad was remote, for sure—but we recommend it for an awesome holiday!  Can you guess where we were, based on the photo album below?

Our eclectic Christmas included:

  • Christmas morning at a local charity that feeds, clothes, and educates children living in extreme poverty. We brought gifts and supplies from home. Check out the videos (below) to see how much fun giving back when you travel can be.
  • Christmas afternoon at an estate built by the country’s most famous architect.
  • Santa Claus arriving not by sleigh but by WaveRunner. He brought gifts for all the hotel’s younger guests. No matter what the kids’ nationalities or faiths—and they came from Russia, the United Arab Emirates, France, India, Thailand, and Qatar—they were thrilled to welcome Santa.
  • Christmas dinner of fresh-caught seafood al fresco by torchlight on the beach.
  • A Christmas-cookie-decorating contest judged by the hotel’s top chef.

Click through my clue-filled photo album, then in the comment space guess where we were.  Tell me also:  Where was your own favorite Christmas, and why?

A 130-pound Santa arrived at our hotel on Christmas Eve, thrilling young guests of all religions.
A 130-pound Santa arrived at our hotel on Christmas Eve, thrilling young guests of all religions.
Clue #2: Note the open-air design of the resort’s lobby and its batik textiles.
Clue #2: Note the open-air design of the resort’s lobby and its batik textiles.
Clue #3: When guests arrive, they’re welcomed with a dance. (For the music and movement, see the first video below.)
Clue #3: When guests arrive, they’re welcomed with a dance. (For the music and movement, see the first video below.)
Clue #4: Santa came by WaveRunner, speeding past a mosque, a church, and a stupa en route.
Clue #4: Santa came by WaveRunner, speeding past a mosque, a church, and a stupa en route.
Santa brought enough gifts for every child—and the gifts were substantial: Doug, my 13-year-old, got a radio-controlled car.
Santa brought enough gifts for every child—and the gifts were substantial: Doug, my 13-year-old, got a radio-controlled car.
The kids got to make Christmas cookies in the kids’ club.
The kids got to make Christmas cookies in the kids’ club.
Then the hotel held a Christmas-cookie-decorating contest.
Then the hotel held a Christmas-cookie-decorating contest.
The kids’ contest was deemed important enough to be judged by both the hotel’s executive chef and its pastry chef.
The kids’ contest was deemed important enough to be judged by both the hotel’s executive chef and its pastry chef.
First prize was a chocolate Christmas tree. Charlie, my 14-year-old, won!
First prize was a chocolate Christmas tree. Charlie, my 14-year-old, won!
Christmas morning began with breakfast. Every Western breakfast food was available, but I always prefer to eat like the locals.
Christmas morning began with breakfast. Every Western breakfast food was available, but I always prefer to eat like the locals.
After breakfast we visited a local charity that provides food, clothing, education, and medical support to children living in extreme poverty. A lot of homes here were wiped out by a tsunami in 2004.
After breakfast we visited a local charity that provides food, clothing, education, and medical support to children living in extreme poverty. A lot of homes here were wiped out by a tsunami in 2004.
We brought gifts and played games. This is Pin the Eye on the Elephant.
We brought gifts and played games. This is Pin the Eye on the Elephant.
This bat-and-ball game is called rounders. Watch the videos below to see what else we did and how much fun we had.
This bat-and-ball game is called rounders. Watch the videos below to see what else we did and how much fun we had.
Group portrait.
Group portrait.
In the afternoon we explored the lush estate that the country’s iconic architect built as his country home. It’s 90 minutes from the capital city (where he designed the parliament building).
In the afternoon we explored the lush estate that the country’s iconic architect built as his country home. It’s 90 minutes from the capital city (where he designed the parliament building).
The architect liked to bring the outdoors in, blending nature and design.
The architect liked to bring the outdoors in, blending nature and design.
The gardens are a tropical paradise. Check out the height of the trees next to Doug.
The gardens are a tropical paradise. Check out the height of the trees next to Doug.
Begun in 1947, the gardens were the architect’s experimental laboratory for new ideas.
Begun in 1947, the gardens were the architect’s experimental laboratory for new ideas.
We’re in a wet tropical zone where temps range from about 80 to 90 degrees.
We’re in a wet tropical zone where temps range from about 80 to 90 degrees.
Here’s another clue for you.
Here’s another clue for you.
The estate doubles as a country house hotel with five guest suites. They were serving Christmas lunch.
The estate doubles as a country house hotel with five guest suites. They were serving Christmas lunch.
Back at our hotel, note the architectural similarities. In 1995 the architect who built the estate you just saw was commissioned to design this luxury resort. He died before he could finish; years later, one of his protégés took over the project.
Back at our hotel, note the architectural similarities. In 1995 the architect who built the estate you just saw was commissioned to design this luxury resort. He died before he could finish; years later, one of his protégés took over the project.
Note how the resort’s open-air design reflects the deceased architect’s vision.
Note how the resort’s open-air design reflects the deceased architect’s vision.
The hotel’s pool
The hotel’s pool
Late-afternoon view of the beach from the pool
Late-afternoon view of the beach from the pool
One of the hotel’s signature offerings is a private dinner on the beach. This was ours.
One of the hotel’s signature offerings is a private dinner on the beach. This was ours.
Check out the canoe filled with fresh-caught seafood to be grilled.
Check out the canoe filled with fresh-caught seafood to be grilled.
In the lobby on Christmas night, a blend of East meets West.
In the lobby on Christmas night, a blend of East meets West.
They sure went to a lot of trouble with the holiday decorations.
They sure went to a lot of trouble with the holiday decorations.
More of those chocolate Christmas trees, to be delivered to each guest room. Yum.
More of those chocolate Christmas trees, to be delivered to each guest room. Yum.
The next day we left to explore other parts of the country. It’s local custom to tie a string around your wrist as a blessing, for good luck.
The next day we left to explore other parts of the country. It’s local custom to tie a string around your wrist as a blessing, for good luck.
The final farewell blessing.
The final farewell blessing.

 

If you’d like ideas for your own fabulous overseas Christmas, I’m happy to help over at Ask Wendy.

 

overwater bungalows at St Regis Bora Bora

Holiday Vacations You Can Still Book

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Now is the time to book your Christmas and New Year’s vacations if you haven’t already. Many of the most popular destinations have filled up, but the Trusted Travel Experts on our WOW List know about last-minute availability and have other ideas for off-the-beaten-path escapes. Browse our list of holiday getaways and get planning asap.

(For Wendy’s personal picks, see Unexpected Holiday Travel Ideas. Also consider making a holiday gift to the locales you love that were affected by this fall’s onslaught of natural disasters. Here’s where you can donate to hurricane and earthquake relief.)

New Years Eve fireworks Reveillon Copacabana beach, Rio, Brazil

New Year’s Eve in Rio

Rio de Janeiro is one of the most exciting cities for ringing in the new year, rivaling New York, Sydney, and London. “It’s not just the size of the Réveillon celebration that makes Rio stand out,” says Paul Irvine, Trusted Travel Expert for Brazil, of the fireworks display and festivities on Copacabana beach. “Everyone dresses up in white and throws flowers into the sea as offerings to Yemanja goddess for prosperity during the new year, which makes a spectacular sight.” There is still availability at The Emiliano, a design hotel that opened last year on Copacabana beach and that hosts its own New Year’s party with fabulous views of the fireworks.

Read Paul’s Insider’s Guide to Rio de Janeiro, and reach out to him through our site to be marked as a VIP and get the best possible trip.

Photo: New Years Eve Réveillon on Copacabana beach, Rio, Brazil. Courtesy: Leandro Neumann Ciuffo/Flickr

overwater bungalows at St Regis Bora Bora

Island Getaway in French Polynesia

A few overwater bungalows are still available, as well as some catamaran yacht charters, says Tahiti travel specialist Kleon Howe, and no matter where you decide to spend the festive week, he can score you a table for a romantic dinner at La Villa Mahana (maximum seven tables per evening with Chef Damien) with almost 360-degree views of the Bora Bora lagoon. Of course he can also arrange private snorkeling trips to see the manta rays and leopard rays off Bora Bora.

Read Kleon’s Insider’s Guide to Bora Bora, Tahiti, and French Polynesia, and reach out to him through our site to be marked as a VIP and get the best possible trip.

Photo: St Regis Bora Bora

Playa Grande Eagle’s Nest, Cabo San Lucas. Photo: CaboVillas.com

A Villa Vacation in Cabo

This area was not affected by this fall’s hurricanes, so pack up the family—or a group of friends—and relocate to a sunny Cabo villa rental for the holidays. The weather is perfect, the water is beautiful, and when you rent a house, you can enjoy the festive season almost as if you were at home, but with more perks: ocean views, panoramic terraces, gourmet kitchens, private chefs, private pools. Wendy's Cabo travel specialist Julie Byrd still has several available properties over Christmas and New Year’s, including: Villa Bellissima (8 bedrooms, 2 pools, a gym, and oceanfront views), Villa Grande (6 bedrooms, oceanfront views ideal for whale watching), Villa Bahia de los Frailes (off the beaten path close to Cabo Pulmo National Marine Park, a great home for divers), Villas del Mar (beachfront in Palmilla), Villa Real (located on a golf course). These villas have a seven-night minimum, and Julie has a ton of others with only a five-night requirement. “Remember that we can have the villa completely decorated for any holiday and we can provide in-villa chef services—even better than some restaurants.” Of course, if you prefer to hit the town and sample Cabo’s foodie scene, Julie can steer your crew to the best restaurants for holiday feasts.

Read Julie’s Insider’s Guides to Los Cabos Villa Vacations and Beach Vacations, and reach out to Julie through our site to be marked as a VIP and get the best possible trip.

Photo: Playa Grande Eagle’s Nest, Cabo San Lucas. Courtesy: CaboVillas.com

pool at the Azerai hotel in Luang Prabang, Laos

Exotic Affordable Luxury in Laos

“Laos is the one country I have to convince travelers to visit…and the one I get the best feedback about on their return,” says April Cole, one of Wendy’s Trusted Travel Experts for Southeast Asia. There’s still availability in lush, exotic Laos this holiday season, thanks partly to the new Azerai hotel in Luang Prabang. It’s right across the street from LP’s famous night market and a close walk to restaurants, the National Museum, and Mt. Phousi. Combine a stay at the Azerai with visits to colorful villages, traditional Baci ceremonies, a float down the Mekong river (while enjoying a foot massage, no less), day trips to Kuang Si waterfalls, and a homestyle cooking class.

 Ask Wendy to be marked as a VIP and get the best possible trip.

Photo: Azerai hotel, Luang Prabang, Laos

Lisbon, Portugal. Photo: Pixabay

Authenticity in Portugal

Mike Korn, one of Wendy’s Trusted Travel Experts for Portugal, knows of availability in Lisbon, in the Alentejo, and in Madeira. “Lisbon has a mild winter climate, and in the cooler months you can really feel the history,” says Korn. “It is less crowded, and all the buildings have that distinctive type of low-sun shadow that only older European cities have (a photographer’s dream).” He recommends Pousada de Lisboa, describing it as an underrated luxury boutique hotel with an authentic Portuguese feel (it was formerly the home of the Ministry of Internal Affairs). In the Alentejo, he recommends the off-the-beaten-path Torre de Palma Wine Hotel for its many activities, outstanding food, and a 360-degree view from the estate’s main tower. Korn can arrange a visit to the nearby UNESCO World Heritage Site Évora; a private cooking lesson in a local home with an expert chef; and a traditional Christmas Eve in a small village with a local family. “The villagers gather in the town square to light an enormous bonfire (Madeiros in Portuguese), while singing (and drinking) the night away.” In Madeira, an archipelago about a 1-hour-45-minute flight from Lisbon), he says, “The weather is mild and offers city life, great hiking through the famous levadas, island hopping to places like Porto Santo which has beautiful beaches.” What’s more, he adds that New Year’s Eve in Funchal, Madeira’s largest city, is known for having one of the best fireworks displays in the world.

 Ask Wendy to be marked as a VIP and get the best possible trip.

Photo: Lisbon, Portugal. Courtesy: cristinamacia/Pixabay

landscape of coffee region in Colombia

Best of Both Worlds in Colombia

Colombia offers an easy way to have two vacations in one: a vibrant party-filled scene in Cartagena, paired with a quieter escape in the green hills of coffee country. Eric Sheets, Wendy’s Trusted Travel Expert for Colombia, describes the city at this time of year: “It’s a festive scene where café tables are pulled into the roads for celebratory dinners, lights are hung from brightly hued colonial houses, and music is emanating from all directions,” he says. “And the New Year’s party at the Sofitel Santa Clara [which still has availability] is not to be missed.” In the countryside, he still has access to rooms at Hacienda Bambusa, where you can visit coffee estates to learn how the beans are produced, and he still has space at a private three-bedroom farmhouse in coffee country, ideal for families or groups of friends.

Read Eric’s Insider’s Guide to Cartagena, Colombia,  and reach out to him through our site to be marked as a VIP and get the best possible trip.

Photo: Colombia's coffee region. Courtesy: Latin Excursions

Christmas in London

Affordable Festivities in the U.K.

The UK and Ireland remain good value destinations for festive season as the dollar is still relatively strong. “Our hotels in key cities such as London, Dublin, Edinburgh, Bath, and Belfast still have great space, and the value is good. Many of our hotels are offering great specials such as four nights for the price of three on key dates, and others are offering other great specials such as discounting second rooms for families,” says Jonathan Epstein, one of our Trusted Travel Experts for England, Ireland and Scotland. Christmas and New Year’s packages at castles, country houses, manors and resorts can also still be found, and, he adds, “We also have some really great guided experiences such as touring London Christmas lights by mini cooper and even a Charles Dickens Christmas tour around London.” However, he notes that space is going faster than normal as those who had Caribbean vacations are now moving their plans farther north in the wake of a terrible hurricane season.

Read Jonathan’s Insider’s Guides to Scotland and the Cotswolds, and reach out to him through our site to be marked as a VIP and get the best possible trip.

Photo: Christmas in London. Courtesy: visitlondon.com

The Vatican and St. Peter's Square at Christmas, Rome, Italy

Christmas Traditions in Rome

Rome is a natural pick for celebrating Christmas. “You not only get Rome’s festivities, but also Vatican City’s celebrations,” says Andrea Grisdale, Trusted Travel Expert for Italy. “At the Vatican, the Pope delivers a Christmas Eve midnight mass, and tickets for this sell out well in advance, so if you want to guarantee your position in St. Peter’s, book now.” Andrea can help travelers find spots in coveted accommodations such as J.K. Place Roma, Villa Spalletti Trivelli, and Portrait Roma (though she notes these rooms are selling like hot cakes already, so act fast). She can direct you to iconic Christmas activities and can suggest plenty of family activities to keep everyone feeling young at heart, such as the oldest known nativity scene (a 13th-century marble scene now housed in the museum of Santa Maria Maggiore), the annual Christmas concert in the Nervi Aula in the Vatican, and the huge Christmas market in Piazza Navona.

Read Andrea’s Insider’s Guides to the Amalfi Coast and Italy’s Lakes Region, and reach out to her through our site to be marked as a VIP and get the best possible trip.

Photo: The Vatican and St. Peter's Square at Christmas. Courtesy: Patricia Feaster/Flickr

Gustavia harbor, St. Barts

Sunshine in St. Barts

"St. Barth is on the road to recovery and officially reopens for tourism on October 30,” says Peg Walsh, our Trusted Travel Expert for the Caribbean island of St. Barts, which was hit by Hurricane Irma. “It is amazing that some villas had very little damage, other than loss of foliage. A few are ready for rental right now; others November 15 and still others December 15.” She notes that still others were hit harder, so they are postponing their openings until 2018, although many restaurants and hotels are ready for visitors already, so contact her for first-hand input on what’s available and where.

Read Peg’s Insider’s Guide to St. Barts Villa Vacations and St. Barts Beach Vacations, and reach out to her through our site to be marked as a VIP and get the best possible trip.

Photo: Gustavia harbor, St. Barts. Courtesy: St. Barth Properties

Rosewood Puebla hotel exterior Puebla Mexico CR Rosewood

Beyond the Beach in Mexico

While the recent earthquakes caused heavy damage in some areas of Mexico (including Oaxaca state), other parts are fine and will be welcoming visitors as usual this holiday season—when tourism dollars will be appreciated even more than in past years. Zach Rabinor, Wendy’s Trusted Travel Expert for Mexico, reports that there is still good availability in Guanajuato, San Miguel de Allende, Queretaro, Mexico City (“we are hopeful and confident it will be fully recovered in time for the festive season,” he says) and Puebla (“it’s miraculously true that the Rosewood Puebla was undamaged”). The Pacific Coast of the country also has openings, he points out, especially in less popular destinations such as Ixtapa, Zihuatanejo, Costalegre, Costa Careyes—and he’s even still seeing some availability in Puerto Vallarta and Punta Mita too.

Read Zach’s Insider’s Guides to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico City, and the Riviera Maya, and reach out to him through our site to be marked as a VIP and get the best possible trip.

Photo: Rosewood Puebla

 

Be a smarter traveler: Follow Wendy Perrin on Facebook and Twitter @wendyperrin, and sign up for her weekly newsletter to stay in the know.

Family Getaway Tips for Labor Day Weekend

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I can’t believe it’s nearly Labor Day Weekend. My kids go back to school soon, as do most kids in the Northeast—though in other places around the country, school has already started. Either way, we all have one last gasp of summer left. Wherever you might be headed with your family this Labor Day weekend to savor it—even if it’s just a day trip to an award-winning aquarium—I’ve got hard-earned advice to save you money and headaches. Over at TripAdvisor, I’ve often shared such family trip tips, and I’ve gathered some for you in the links below. Happy Labor Day weekend!

 

Georgia Aquarium

Charlie and Doug at the Georgia Aquarium Photograph by Timothy Baker

Tips for Trips to Zoos and Aquariums

If a stellar zoo or aquarium is within your reach this weekend, this advice will help you make the most of your visit, including turning it into a scavenger hunt….

 

Tips for Trips to Amusement Parks

The cost of spending a day (or two) at these places adds up very quickly: admission, parking, food, souvenirs. Here are ways to keep costs under control, including checking the right social-media feeds for deals and making your child C.F.O. of the family trip.

Jelly Belly jellybean flavors of toothpaste rotten egg and skunk spray

Jelly Belly flavors of toothpaste, rotten egg, and skunk spray. Photograph: Timothy Baker

Tips for Family Road Trips

If you’re hitting the road this weekend, avoid traffic jams by taking America’s backroads. Here’s advice for finding quirky roadside attractions, embracing the kitsch, and keeping the kids content without having to stop at any wacky food factories.

What tips and tricks do you use on your own family vacations?

Be a smarter traveler: Use Wendy’s WOW List to plan your next trip. You can also follow her on Facebook and Twitter @wendyperrin, and sign up for her weekly newsletter to stay in the know.

How to Avoid Long Airport Security Lines This Summer

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Airport security lines have grown absurdly long of late, thanks to more people traveling and fewer TSA workers. With the busy summer travel season upon us, the situation is likely to get worse before it gets better. Here’s how to minimize your time stuck in a TSA line on your next trip:

If You’re Flying Soon

Find out if your airport terminal has more than one security checkpoint.

Many terminals do. Before leaving home, go to the airport’s website and pull up a map showing the security checkpoints. (This map, for instance, indicates where the three checkpoints are in Newark airport’s Terminal C; this one shows where they are for all five terminals at Dallas-Fort Worth.) At the airport, ask an official which checkpoint has the shortest line.

Download the MyTSA app.

Available for free for iPhones and Android, this app gives you current security wait times at your airport, as reported by your fellow travelers. You can also view them here; just type in your airport code.

Arrive early and hit the club lounge.

The bigger and busier your airport—e.g., J.F.K., Chicago (O’Hare), or Miami International—the earlier you’ll want to arrive, especially if you’re flying at a peak time.  At least two hours early for a domestic flight, and three hours early for international, may be a good rule of thumb for most airports. To keep your stress level down, you might consider arriving really early and buying a day pass to an airport lounge club (if the club is gate-side).

If You’re Flying Later

Don’t buy airline tickets for flights at peak times.

Avoid Friday late afternoon and early evening, for example, because that’s when business travelers returning from business trips are hitting the airport at the same time as leisure travelers leaving on vacation, creating security-line pile-ups. If you’re taking a long weekend, consider flying on a Saturday morning and returning Tuesday. (That’s also less expensive than a Thursday-to-Sunday long weekend.)

Enroll in TSA PreCheck or, even better, Global Entry.

TSA PreCheck admits you into a priority lane where you need not remove your shoes, liquids, or laptop. The $85 fee covers you for five years. For an extra $15, though, get Global Entry (the $100 fee also covers you for five years), which lets you skip the long customs line on your way back into the U.S. from an international trip, and which automatically gives you TSA PreCheck. Not every airport has PreCheck lanes or Global Entry kiosks, so check whether yours does.

Buy access to the priority security line.

Many travelers who have elite status with an airline can use the express lane at the security checkpoint. If you don’t have elite status, some airlines let you purchase access to the priority security lane on a one-time basis. United, for instance, lets you buy access at 68 airports worldwide (prices start at $15), and JetBlue lets you buy it at 62 airports.

 

Be a smarter traveler: Use Wendy’s WOW List to plan your next trip. You can also follow her on Facebook and Twitter @wendyperrin, and sign up for her weekly newsletter to stay in the know.

Fireworks over London's Tower Bridge on New Year's Eve

The Rewards of Spending the Winter Holidays in London

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London is magical during the holiday season. There’s a festive atmosphere everywhere you go, and the city is lively and vibrant with seasonal events, cultural goings-on and, of course, world-class shopping.

And, when you’ve got family in tow, there’s no better way to experience the holidays in London than by renting the right apartment. You can simultaneously feel at home and on vacation. You get more space for your dollar (remember that most London hotel rooms are tiny), a communal living area for family gatherings, and even a kitchen for preparing your own holiday feast.

To help you pull together a London winter getaway, here are ideas for things to do and where to stay, whether you’re bringing the whole family or just escaping for a romantic weekend alone.

What to Do

• Take a twirl around the Natural History Museum’s ice rink and then warm up with a hot cocoa. There are ice rinks across London, but this one is popular, as it’s only a short stroll from South Kensington.

• Check off a few people on your holiday shopping list with a visit to the beautiful Victoria & Albert Museum gift shop. They have an excellent Christmas display for a bit of artistic gift-giving inspiration.

• Join the crowds for holiday shopping on Oxford Street and Regent Street. The hustle and bustle combined with the glittering Christmas lights makes this a classic London experience during the holidays. Covent Garden and Carnaby Street are also extremely festive for shopping leading up to Christmas.

• Don’t forget the department stores! Get into the holiday spirit by visiting the holiday displays at Fortnum & Mason, Selfridges, Liberty and Harrods.

• November through the end of December, take a stroll along the Thames at the Southbank Winter Market. Get a glass of mulled wine and explore the wooden chalets selling gifts, sweets, and festive food and drinks.

Where to Stay

South Kensington is a top choice during the winter holidays, thanks to central location, excellent transport options, and great sights and dining. Walk to the ice rink at the Natural History Museum and spend a day visiting the sights along Museum Row. Shopping and the West End are just a hop, skip and jump away on the Tube or a bus. It’s a wonderful area for feeling like a local and enjoying cozy evenings in a comfortable home setting.

To find the right travel specialist for London apartments, reach out to Ask Wendy.

Be a smarter traveler: Follow Wendy Perrin on Facebook and Twitter @wendyperrin, and sign up for her weekly newsletter to stay in the know.

Best Ways to Spend Delays in 17 U.S. Airports

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For many of us, Thanksgiving and Christmas mean too much time spent in airports: The holiday crowds require you to get there early, messy weather can mean delays, and planes are so packed that, if your flight is cancelled, it can be untold hours before you get a seat on another flight. But some airports are far more tolerable than others. In some cases they’re even enjoyable. You already know the best way to spend a layover in 10 of the biggest U.S. hubs. Here, a selection of savvy globe trotters—from travel experts to my Facebook followers—share the best U.S. airports to get stuck in, and their favorite way to pass the time there.

Atlanta Hartsfield International Airport (ATL)
“ATL – One Flew South – sushi.”
—Willis McKee, reader

Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS)
“If I had to choose one airport, it would be Austin, Texas, for the great local restaurants, including several that often have live bands.”
—Scott Mayerowitz,  Executive Editorial Director, The Points Guy

Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT)
“Relax in the charming white rocking chairs scattered throughout the airport. Makes me think ‘Southern Hospitality’.”
—Kathy Belden, reader

Centurion Lounge in Miami International Airport

The Centurion Lounge

Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)
“I’ve been stuck for days at DFW, and it was just fine—I looked into declaring residency in the American Express Centurion lounge. The DFW airport grounds are bigger than the island of Manhattan, and the airport offers myriad amenities, including the American Express lounge and an almost-too-nice Grand Hyatt attached to the terminal with a pool deck overlooking the runways. What more could you need?”
—Gary Leff, founder, View From The Wing

Denver International Airport (DEN)
“Food, not too much shopping, lots of open-space feeling from the high ceilings and huge windows— and views of the mountains.”
—Carolyn Trabuco, reader

Detroit Metropolitan Airport (DTW)
“Detroit is the best airport in the USA at the moment. Great local restaurants. Beautiful and clean.”
—David Rosati, reader

honolulu airport chinese garden

Believe it or not, this is an airport. HNL’s Chinese, Japanese, and Hawaiian gardens were designed in 1962, when the airport was built. Photo: Courtesy HNL

Honolulu International Airport (HNL)
“I love the gardens in the middle of the airport.”
—Perri Collins, reader

Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
“My favorite domestic airport to get stuck in is Los Angeles International (LAX)! They’ve brought in a bunch of local restaurants and shops which have made all the difference in the world. A lot of travelers don’t realize that your same-day boarding pass allows you to go into any terminal no matter which airline you’re flying! So if you like a restaurant in one of the other terminals, go ahead and check it out.”
—Johnny Jet, JohnnyJet.com

Minneapolis–St. Paul International Airport (MSP)
“Lots of good shopping and restaurants, and if it’s a long enough layover, in less than 15 minutes you can take the train to the Mall of America for a ride on the carousel.”
—Lori Bruns, reader

New York City’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK): Terminal 5
“I love the JetBlue terminal (Terminal 5) at JFK. They have that great store MUJI to GO, an Ex Officio shop, great restaurants, and a spa.”
—Paula Froelich, founder of A Broad Abroad

New York City’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK): Terminal 4
“I love the Delta lounge in Terminal 4. It’s so big that I can always find a quiet corner. The space is subdivided into a lot of different rooms, so it’s easy to have a different experience each time. Every seat has outlets and USB ports, which is key for last-minute charging. And there’s an outdoor lounge, which is just fun because I’ll take any oxygen I can before being locked in a tin can.”
—Pavia Rosati, founder/CEO, Fathom

Palm Beach International Airport (PBI)
“It’s low-key and truly Floridian, with a relaxing vibe. And if you forgot a souvenir, there are always those kitschy coconut candy treats.”
—Sharon Pomerantz Strelzer, reader

Portland International Airport (PDX)
“PDX has the best store: CC McKenzie has awesome clothes, shoes, and accessories. They also have the Dragontree holistic day spa, and Powell’s Books!”
—Brandy Audette, reader

San Francisco International Airport yoga room

SFO’s Yoga Room, the first ever in an airport, lets you get in a good stretch before you board your flight. Photo: Courtesy San Francisco International Airport

San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
“It has a spa for massages and a yoga room.”
—Deb Arora, reader

Washington, D.C.’s Reagan National Airport (DCA)
“I love taking a walk into the historic lobby in what’s now Terminal A. It’s usually pretty empty there, but if you stop for a moment, you can just feel the presence of all of the historic figures that have graced those halls since the terminal opened during World War II.”
—Brett Snyder, president and Chief Airline Dork, The Cranky Flier

What’s your ideal airport to get stuck in? Weigh in below!

 

Be a smarter traveler: Follow Wendy Perrin on Facebook and Twitter @wendyperrin, and sign up for her weekly newsletter to stay in the know.

San Lorenzo villa rental, Dolomites, Italy

The Rewards of an Italian Villa Vacation in Winter

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Le Ripe villa, Tuscany, Italy
Le Ripe villa, Tuscany, Italy. Photo: Home Base Abroad
Le Ripe villa, Tuscany, Italy
Le Ripe villa, Tuscany, Italy. Photo: Home Base Abroad
Le Ripe villa, Tuscany, Italy
Le Ripe villa, Tuscany, Italy. Photo: Home Base Abroad
Via Lambertesca apartment rental, Florence, Italy
Via Lambertesca apartment, Florence, Italy. Photo: Home Base Abroad
Via Lambertesca apartment rental, Florence, Italy
Via Lambertesca apartment, Florence, Italy. Photo: Home Base Abroad
Via Lambertesca apartment rental, Florence, Italy
Via Lambertesca apartment, Florence, Italy. Photo: Home Base Abroad
San Lorenzo villa rental, Dolomites, Italy
San Lorenzo villa, Dolomites, Italy. Photo: Home Base Abroad
San Lorenzo villa rental, Dolomites, Italy
San Lorenzo villa, Dolomites, Italy. Photo: Home Base Abroad
San Lorenzo villa rental, Dolomites, Italy
Outdoor whirlpool, San Lorenzo villa, Dolomites, Italy. Photo: Home Base Abroad
La Civetta villa rental, Maremma, Tuscany, Italy
La Civetta villa, Maremma, Tuscany, Italy. Photo: Home Base Abroad
La Civetta villa rental, Maremma, Tuscany, Italy
La Civetta villa, Maremma, Tuscany, Italy. Photo: Home Base Abroad
Villa Maria Serena, Lake Como, Italy villa rental
Villa Maria Serena, Lake Como, Italy. Photo: Home Base Abroad
Villa Maria Serena, Lake Como, Italy villa rental
Villa Maria Serena, Lake Como, Italy. Photo: Home Base Abroad
Villa Sola Cabiati, Lake Como, Italy villa rental
Villa Sola Cabiati, Lake Como, Italy. Photo: Home Base Abroad

 

How does a holiday in an Italian villa sound? Like a dream, if you ask us. Sure, the holidays are lovely no matter where you spend them because it’s always wonderful to be with family…but wouldn’t they be just a bit more wonderful if you were sipping Italian wine from the scenic backyard of your own Tuscany estate? Yeah, you know it would. That’s why we checked in with Mara Solomon, our Trusted Travel Expert for Large Italian Villas (four bedrooms or more), to find the best, most beautiful properties for all your holiday getaways. Start planning your Italian villa vacation now…

Thanksgiving in Tuscany

Le Ripe villa, Tuscany, Italy

Le Ripe villa, Tuscany, Italy. Photo: Home Base Abroad

“One of our favorite houses is Le Ripe, outside the village of San Casciano dei Bagni, a little jewel box of a medieval village that’s a 1.6 km walk from the house. The view is of all the hills that go up to Monte Amiata—it’s breathtaking. It’s a main house for eight with an adjacent building that brings you up to 14. You have working fireplaces, and the cook, Antonietta, is amazing. The owner of the house has also developed a lovely spa, and November is a perfect time to visit (so are December and January) because you can sit in 104-degree water and look out over the gorgeous countryside. The other reasons to come here for Thanksgiving are that airfare is cheap and you are deep into the autumn festival. You have fresh porcini, zucca, chestnuts—it’s a huge food time here and there are many simple quaint festivals to celebrate the harvest.”

Christmas in Florence

Via Lambertesca apartment rental, Florence, Italy

Via Lambertesca apartment, Florence, Italy. Photo: Home Base Abroad

“I love Florence for Christmas. They put these long, white banners over the streets with illuminated stars and snowflakes, and it’s beautiful. They don’t do the whole commercial Christmas here—you get together with your family and you eat. And there’s no better place for it. Via Lambertesca is the apartment I would recommend in Florence. It’s between the Ponte Vecchio and the Duomo—there is no better location. It has five double rooms and comfortably accommodates ten people. It’s modern and gorgeous, and we have a terrific cook who can prepare a whole holiday dinner.”

Christmas or New Year’s in Milan/Lake Como

Villa Maria Serena, Lake Como, Italy villa rental

Villa Maria Serena, Lake Como, Italy. Photo: Home Base Abroad

“Milan is fabulous right now—so alive, so interesting, and the people are beautiful. As for where to stay, this is a contrarian view, but I recommend Lake Como. I was at Lake Como a few years ago in December and it snowed, and it was the most beautiful I’d ever seen it. We have three houses that have beautiful working fireplaces, and that are so sumptuous that you just want to relax indoors and enjoy. Plus, it takes no time at all to get to Milan from here—they’ve really improved the highways so it’s only about an hour, and we would arrange the car so you don’t have to drive.”

Winter Break in Venice and then the Dolomites

San Lorenzo villa rental, Dolomites, Italy

San Lorenzo villa, Dolomites, Italy. Photo: Home Base Abroad

“For a February or March break, I am an enormous fan of doing a city culture trip to Venice and then going two hours to the Dolomites for skiing, where you can do the Sellaronda ski loop of connected lifts and trails.

We have a beautiful house called San Lorenzo. It’s small and intimate with four rooms and three and a half baths, and it can accommodate ten people. It’s up in the mountains overlooking Val Badia, Val Pusteria, and Val Aurina. It’s really a retreat: You have a stainless steel heated outdoor whirlpool, you have a full indoor spa with sauna, you have a huge wood-burning stove, and you have people who cook and look after you and who are gems.”

Easter/Spring Break in Maremma, Tuscany

La Civetta villa rental, Maremma, Tuscany, Italy

La Civetta villa, Maremma, Tuscany, Italy. Photo: Home Base Abroad

“April is pretty much the best time for getting a hit of spring in Italy, when it’s still bad weather back home on the East Coast. My preference for April is the Maremma region. There’s a microclimate here, where spring comes early. It’s not pool weather but it’s warm, colorful spring days, and after a long winter, we’re all just starved for that. It doesn’t work if you’re from L.A., but as a New Englander I’m especially drawn here.

La Civetta is one of our properties in this area. It’s five minutes from a cool little village where you’ll find a Croatian tailor who will make you a beautiful jacket in a week, for men or women. It’s also near another thermal bath that’s very natural, rustic, and wonderful.

In addition to this little tailor, there are also food shops—and this is wine country. All the big heavy-hitting wines—they’re from here. You’re driving by the vineyards as you come to the house. So anybody with an interest in wine could easily fill an April here. And it’s nice because this is not when other people are there. You pay nothing for your plane ticket, it’s not crowded, and it’s much easier to see the vineyards.”

Be a smarter traveler: Follow Wendy Perrin on Facebook and Twitter @wendyperrin, and sign up for her weekly newsletter to stay in the know.

 

Mombacho Volcano and Lake Nicaragua

Seven Spectacular Places to Celebrate Earth Day

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It’s Earth Day, a day to celebrate the natural world and its beauty. And while the whole world is a worthwhile playground for those with the travel bug, these particular destinations will satisfy the desire to get back to nature—on Earth Day or any day.

Costa Rica

Kayaking in Tortuguero National Park

Kayaking in Tortuguero National Park. Photo by Sergio Pucci/Courtesy Costa Rica Expeditions.

Thrill seekers can have their pick of whitewater rafting, zip-lining and surfing experiences, but Priscilla Jimenez, one of our Costa Rica Trusted Travel Experts likes to highlight the often overlooked San Vito de Java region, in the southwest corner of Costa Rica, which is home to three of the country’s highlights: La Amistad International Park, one of the country’s prime hiking and birding destinations (start your hike at either the Pittier or Alta Mira ranger station); the Wilson Botanical Gardens, with its thousand-plus plant species, part of the Talamanca-Amistad Biosphere Reserve (join a guided walk or use one of the self-guided trail booklets); and finally, Golfo Dulce, a superb place for ocean kayaking, fishing, and spotting dolphins and humpback whales.

Find out more in Priscilla’s Insider’s Guide to Costa Rica’s natural wonders.

Nicaragua

Mombacho and Lake Nicaragua

Mombacho and Lake Nicaragua. Courtesy Nica Adventures

Pierre Gédéon, our Trusted Travel Expert for Nicaragua, says the place to experience untouched nature at its best is the Rio Indio Lodge, close to Rio Maíz National Park and the Costa Rican border—at the spot where the San Juan River spills into the Caribbean. Amid your fishing, birding, and hiking, make time for a visit to sleepy San Juan de Nicaragua, founded by the Spanish in 1539. For more of an adrenaline rush, sandboard down the still-active Cerro Negro Volcano or kayak through the islands formed by an ancient eruption of the Mombacho volcano.

Find out more in Pierre’s Insider’s Guide to Nicaragua

The Arctic

Polar bear, Svalbard, Arctic

Polar bear, Sea Ice Svalbard, Arctic. Photo by Shelley Fry.

Our Trusted Travel Expert for small-ship expedition cruises, Ashton Palmer, spent nearly a decade as an expedition leader, guide, naturalist, conservationist, Zodiac driver, bird-watcher, and photographer in the last great wild places: the Arctic, Antarctica, the Amazon, and the South Pacific. The prime time and spot to see polar bears, he says, is mid- to late June on Norway’s Svalbard Archipelago, home to about 3,000 of them in the wild.

Find out more in Ashton’s Insider’s Guide to the Arctic by Land and Sea

Patagonia

Estancia Nibepo Aike, Los Glacieras National Park. Photo courtesy Southwind Adventures.

Estancia Nibepo Aike, Los Glacieras National Park. Photo courtesy Southwind Adventures.

It’s just about winter in Patagonia now, but come October, it’ll be the ideal shoulder season, with fewer tourists and more opportunity to spot elusive wildlife. Tom Damon, our Trusted Travel Expert for Patagonia, says the country is a hiker’s dream, in part because of the low elevations compared to the Andes farther north in Peru. If you only have time for one hike in Argentina’s Los Glaciares National Park, don’t miss the flower-filled route following the Electrico River to its junction with the Blanco. After a gradual uphill hike, have lunch close to where climbers stage their big wall climbs up Fitz Roy. The gem of this day is not descending to town as others do but, rather, venturing up a zigzag trail (1,300 feet higher in elevation) to top out at Laguna de los Tres. It’s a completely still lake that reflects the light and vertical rock of Fitz Roy’s east face, the spire of Poincenot Needle, and the unusually blue Piedras Blancas Glacier.

Read more of Tom’s Insider’s Guide to Patagonia

Africa

Elephants in the Samburu National Reserve, Kenya. Photo courtesy Linda Friedman.

Elephants in the Samburu National Reserve, Kenya. Photo courtesy Linda Friedman.

A safari reminds us of the world we need to be protecting—and the animals we share it with. On this sprawling continent, you have many options for a memorable safari: elephants in Zambia, gorillas in Uganda, the great wildebeest and zebra migration in Kenya and Tanzania, lions in South Africa, big cats in Botswana, even an Africa cruise to many of these locations. The options are unlimited. Find the right one for you by exploring our Insider’s Guides to a range of African destinations.

Read more of our Insider’s Guides to Africa

New Zealand

Fiordland Lake, helicopter

Fiordland Lake by helicopter. Photograph courtesy of Jean-Michel Jefferson

New Zealand is a year-round adventure mecca, but each season has its advantages. Jean-Michel Jefferson, our Trusted Travel Expert for New Zealand, picks February as the best summer month, with the most reliable dry and warm weather. Temperatures begin dropping slightly in March, which is nice for hikers and cyclists. April and May bring beautiful autumn colors and cooler weather. August is the top month for skiing: New Zealand has some of the finest heli-skiing in the world, and combining this with a tropical island can be fun. To get off the beaten path, don’t miss the South Island’s east coast which has long been overlooked in favor of the enormously popular west coast (which is also beautiful; see Fiordland, pictured). But now the east coast is on the map, led by places like the lovely historic coastal town of Oamaru. Want to see some real New Zealand? This is it. From Oamaru, a drive through the wide-open landscapes of Central Otago is inspiring and well off the normal tourist tracks, and both areas now also have excellent places to stay.

Read more of Jean-Michel’s Insider’s Guide to Active New Zealand

British Columbia, Canada

Pacific Rim National Park Reserve british columbia

Pacific Rim National Park Reserve. Photo courtesy Destination BC.

Summer is prime time in British Columbia for kayaking, hiking, fishing, and river rafting, not to mention bear- and whale-watching. Marc Telio, our Trusted Travel Expert for the region, recommends exploring the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, which comprises three southern sections of Vancouver Island’s coastline. This area is wild and dramatic, backed by the Vancouver Island Ranges and facing the Pacific Ocean. It has everything from lush rainforest to pristine beaches, with endless hiking trails and excursions for whale watching, bear watching, bird watching, and kayaking. You can also learn about the culture of the Nuu-chah-nulth First Nations, who have occupied this area for centuries. The park is a lovely full-day drive from Vancouver, a half-day trip from Victoria, or a brief flight from either.

Read Marc’s Insider’s Guide to British Columbia

What are your favorite destinations for experiencing nature?

Where to Use Your Vacation Days: New Year’s Resolutions from Travel Pros

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Dear overworked friends: If one of your New Year’s Resolutions is to actually take all your vacation days next year—and to make every trip truly count—you’ll find inspiration in the ideas below. These New Year’s Travel Resolutions from the pros should help anyone eke more benefit from their travels in 2015:

“I’m resolving to make every (discretionary) trip next year a visit to a place I’ve never been before. I make this same resolution every year and can’t seem to keep it, but I guess that means it’s just like all my other resolutions!” — Peter Frank

“Travel off-season because places are more authentic, and you can enjoy them like a local. Last January I visited Venice: No tourists, no lines, just locals. In November I was on Lake Como: The roads were driveable for once, and there was space in the outdoor cafes. I celebrated Thanksgiving in Paris, and it was a different city than in June: It was real.” — Virginia Irurita

“In 2015 I am going to dedicate at least one trip solely to giving back and volunteering.” — Charles Wolfe

“Intense, dedicated travel where you spend more time at one destination, not just to see the highlights but to discover the small details. Rushing from one activity to another to tick off the list might become more and more too stressful for the modern traveler. Just like Pico Iyer is writing: ‘Adventures in going nowhere.’ Having nothing planned in advance and just enjoying the place and moment can be magic.” — Debbie Pappyn

“I intend to make my personal travel in 2015 more real, using my imagination more than my income!” — Stuart Rigg

“My goal for 2015 is to see at least 1/4 of my Facebook friends in person. Virtual friendships are great, but I’m tired of only seeing status updates. I want to see the actual people! I figure this will involve several trips in addition to those that I had already planned – probably SF and NYC—but I could add some international travel as well, if I can see several people in one trip.” — Eric Stoen

“I resolve to: Pack an open mind. Listen more. Talk less. Be curious. Wear practical shoes. Dress in layers. Bring only what I can carry. Observe and mimic local courtesies. Linger. Loiter. Laugh. Accept uncertainty. Let go of the urge to control.” — Ellen Barone

“I have decided to learn to pack ‘the Perrin way.’ Additionally, I will UPS my dirty laundry home and buy new stuff during the trip—i.e., leave with 25 kilos and return with 25 kilos.” — Benoit Gateau-Cumin

“Pack less (so much easier!), buy what you need locally (great for encounters with the locals), and leave anything you don’t need behind as presents (people will have nice memories of you).” — Ileana von Hirsch

“I will fly only in premium economy on long hauls. Fortunately, Turkish Airlines has one of the best premium-economy cabins, and it’s only a few hundred dollars more than economy. I just bought this blow-up footrest to raise the height of the airplane’s footrest; if my feet are up, I can sleep.” — Earl Starkey

“I’m going to spend more intense time in a place I really love and for a longer time. With the exception of a few places, we’ve done the bucket list. Now it’s time to just sit, ponder, gaze, do the laundry, shop with locals, get off a scheduled day, get lost in a city….” — Robyn Webb

As for my own New Year’s Travel Resolution, it’s the same each year: To hightail it to whichever country is about to change forever. 

Where will you travel in 2015?

A Great Last-Minute Gift You Can Give With Your Phone

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Up until now there have been only a few things your phone’s airplane mode was good for: complying with FAA regulations while still listening to music or watching movies on the airplane, saving battery life, and protecting against data overages. Thanks to Lufthansa there is another option now: helping to save the world.

For the holidays, Lufthansa has created a free smartphone app (available for iPhone and Android) which encourages you to turn on airplane mode during the holiday season. There’s a double benefit to this scheme: Not only do your flight mode minutes translate to more quality time with friends and family, but by December 24, all of the flight mode minutes from all app users worldwide will be totalled and translated into donations for school projects in India and Benin, as well as for a children’s daycare center in Brazil. The project is in partnership with the airline’s own philanthropic organization Help Alliance, which was founded by employees in 1999. For a real burst of holiday cheer, just look at how many minutes have already been collected at lh.com/flightmode—almost eight years.

So, if you’re not sure if you’ve made the ‘Nice’ list this year, you’ve got an easy last-minute reprieve. This is a wonderful way to give back without changing anything (or much) in your daily routine.

Europe’s Christmas Markets: How to Plan the Perfect Trip

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When you’re looking for festive Old World holiday charm, you can’t beat Central Europe. Cities and villages decorate and light up their medieval town squares until they look like something out of a fairytale. Stalls sell unique handmade gifts and delicious regional specialties to eat. Locals gather after work to drink glühwein (hot mulled wine with sweet Christmas spices), socialize, and enjoy concerts al fresco. These Christmas Markets are great for holiday shopping too: Most of the merchandise is affordable handicrafts that you can’t find in the U.S. or in any catalog—and notably absent from the experience is the crass commercialism surrounding Christmas that you find in the States.

I’ve now gone Christkindlemarkt-hopping through Central Europe several times (by car, train, and river ship), as well as in several ways (on my own, with my husband, and, just last week, with children in tow), so I thought I’d share my hard-earned tips for how to plan an extraordinary Christmas Markets trip, illustrated with Instagram pics from last week.

1. Hit a mix of big cities and small towns—and more than one country.

It’s surprising how different the markets are in different cities—and how different the handicrafts and foods are. You might see something for sale and think, “I can get that at the next place,” but there are many unique items you won’t find again. The markets vary most by country, which is why country-hopping makes the experience even more interesting. Particularly lovely markets are in Vienna, Salzburg, Nuremberg, Passau, Heidelberg, Regensburg (specifically the Romantischer Weihnachtsmarkt there), Strasbourg, and Dusseldorf, as well as in many small German towns. If you can choose only one city, make it one with several different markets; my recommendation would be Vienna.

Here’s the Christmas Market at Maria-Theresien-Platz. #Vienna #ChristmasMarkets A photo posted by Wendy Perrin (@wendyperrin) on

 

2. Time your trip right.

Each market has different start and end dates. In Central Europe many start in late November and last till December 24, with a few even lasting into the first days of January. Your itinerary will likely be dictated by the dates of the Christmas markets in the cities that most interest you. You’ll find those dates on each country’s or city’s tourism information website.

#Bratislava #ChristmasMarkets in front of the Slovak National Theatre. A photo posted by Wendy Perrin (@wendyperrin) on

 

3. Focus your Christmas-market visits on weekdays.

Factor into your itinerary that the markets are best visited on weekdays rather than weekends, when they can be extremely crowded. Morning is the best time for actual shopping (that’s when crowds are lightest), whereas the best time for photos is at about 4:30 p.m. (the sky turns from overcast to blue at dusk), and the concerts tend to happen in the evenings. Beware Friday and Saturday nights at the markets in big cities.

#Lights, #lanterns, and things that glow at the #ChristmasMarkets at Michaelerplatz, #Vienna A photo posted by Wendy Perrin (@wendyperrin) on

 

4. Don’t rent a car.

Driving between cities with Christmas markets is a logistical pain. Snow conditions can make it difficult, you can’t drive close to the markets because they’re usually in pedestrian-only areas in the old city, and parking is really hard to find. Getting around by train or river-cruise ship is much easier. Train stations are usually within easy walking distance of the old city (where the market is). A river cruise is easy in that you don’t have to worry about the logistics of getting between cities (the ship drops you off in town), and you don’t have to pack things from hotel to hotel. A river cruise is, in fact, what I did last week—aboard Viking River Cruises.

All aboard! Next stop: Bratislava. #VikingCruises A photo posted by Wendy Perrin (@wendyperrin) on

 

5. Forget restaurant reservations.

You’ll be snacking your way through Europe—it’s impossible to resist trying the many intriguing local specialties—and there won’t be space left in your belly for a sit-down meal. Much of the food at Christmas markets you can’t find in restaurants anyway—giant donut pretzels, for instance, or chimney cake. You needn’t even try speaking the local language because at each stand you can point to the food you want.

Have you ever seen a bigger #pretzel? #Salzburg #Christkindlemarkt #gobigorgohome A photo posted by Wendy Perrin (@wendyperrin) on

It’s 5 o’clock somewhere. A photo posted by Wendy Perrin (@wendyperrin) on

 

6. Consider going over Thanksgiving weekend.

Thanksgiving is low season in Christmas-market cities (it’s not a holiday that’s celebrated in Europe), and some of the markets kick off the weekend before Thanksgiving. Last week, on our Danube cruise over Thanksgiving, we managed to hit 12 holiday markets in 6 different cities. If you’ve got kids, depending on their school schedule, Thanksgiving might be the only break that works for your itinerary, timing-wise.

 

7. See if there are low-season offers.

Some hotels run promotions throughout the period of the holiday markets (with the exception of New Year’s Eve, which is generally expensive).  Sometimes those offers are available only through a destination trip-planning specialist with clout. I booked my pre-cruise hotel stay in Budapest and my post-cruise hotel stay in Salzburg through my Trusted Travel Expert for Central Europe because she negotiates reduced rates that include tax, breakfast, and benefits (e.g., free upgrades based on availability). In Budapest, for instance, she had winter promo rates at the four-star Le Meridien (where I stayed, as one of the Christmas Markets is right downstairs). In Salzburg (a very expensive city), she put me in the five-star Hotel Sacher, where midweek rates in November and December start at $350 (again, that includes tax, breakfast, and certain amenities).

Aerial view of the @hotelsacher’s front desk. I’m not sure hotels get any more polished than this. #LHWtraveler A photo posted by Wendy Perrin (@wendyperrin) on

Look what you can expect in your room at @hotelsacher in #Salzburg. #seriouschocolate #INeedToTakeHomeASacherTorte

A photo posted by Wendy Perrin (@wendyperrin) on

 

Stay tuned for my advice for choosing the right Christmas Markets river cruise, based on last week’s Danube trip on Viking River Cruises (and the five other European river ships I’ve sailed on).

And if you’ve got any questions about travel to Europe during the holiday season, by all means ask below!

Cyber Monday Travel Deals

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Note from Wendy: Luxe hotel stays are nice, but sometimes it’s better to scrimp on your hotel room so you can splurge on special experiences at your destination. These steep travel deals let you do just.

It’s that time of the year, when hungry shoppers start lining up in droves for post-Thanksgiving shopping deals, whether it’s on Black Friday or Cyber Monday. This year, even the travel industry is getting in on the action — everywhere you look, there are Cyber Monday deals galore.

Omni Hotels
This year, Omni’s Seasons of Savings Package is giving Cyber Monday a head start to book pre-or-post holiday vacations at almost every Omni property for $89 to $169. The package started last week and is bookable through Cyber Monday, Dec. 1. The offer is valid for stays through Jan. 31, 2015.

MSC Cruises
MSC Cruises, with its fleet of 12 ships, has also started its sale already — and it will continue through Cyber Monday. Here’s a sample: on MSC Divina, passengers can choose from 2015 winter and spring dates departing from Miami and sailing to the Caribbean, as well as Bermuda. Rates range as low as $99 per person for two-night sailing to $349 per person for a seven-night sailing. (Do the math: a seven-day cruise comes to $49 a night… that’s really cheap.)

Atlantis Resort, Paradise Island, Bahamas
Want to hit the beach this winter? Atlantis Resort on Paradise Island is offering massive savings of up to 50 percent off winter travel. This once-a-year-deal is valid for travel between Dec. 1, 2014 through Mar. 31, 2105 and includes great add-ons, like kids under 12 eat breakfast and dinner free, with the purchase of an adult meal plan.

Kimpton Hotels in Florida 
Snowbirds rejoice. Look for savings of up to 20 percent at Kimpton’s Florida hotels: EPIC Hotel in downtown Miami, Surfcomber Miami, South Beach, Vero Beach Hotel & Spa, and The Angler’s. The sale starts on Nov. 26 for Kimpton Karma members; on Nov. 28, the sale opens to the general public. Rates are available for stays now through Mar. 1.

Peninsula Hotels
The Peninsula Hotels’ three U.S. properties — New York, Chicago, and Beverly Hills — are offering their largest rate promotion of the year, with rooms discounted up to 30 percent, as well as other discounts, like 30 percent off some treatments at the Peninsula Spa in New York. And with cool winter events, like an outdoor ice skating rink on the fourth floor of the Peninsula Chicago, you know it’s going to be a can’t-miss experience.

Sonesta Hotels and Resorts
Sonesta Hotels and Resorts has properties across the U.S., from Boston to Fort Lauderdale to New Orleans. Here, the Cyber Monday promotion gives you up to 25 percent off two night stays for reservations — just use promo code Cyber2014.

Liftopia
Ski season has begun, and Liftopia, a digital marketplace for advance purchase lift tickets, just launched its annual Black Friday Preview on Monday, Nov. 24. The promotion allows skiers and boarders to save on lift tickets all season — up to 87 percent when you stack them up against walk-up prices.

More from Yahoo! Travel

Get Ready for Cyber Monday Deals

A Travel Survival Guide for the Impending Zombie Apocalypse

Eye Massagers and Star Wars Toasters—Odd SkyMall Gifts for the Holidays

 

Wendy’s Wisdom:

Sometimes any old hotel room will do, but when you need a one-of-a-kind hotel room–complete with the special treatment that preferred guests get—that’s the moment to reach out to the right Trusted Travel Expert on Wendy’s WOW List.