Jessica Welch

4/26/2020 Skip tradition, get a tan line | Josephine | newspressnow.com https://www.newspressnow.com/josephine/skip-tradition-get-a-tan-line/article_971614aa-fa62-11e9-b0ba8fd92efd40a2.html Skip tradition, get a tan line By JESSICA KOPP Josephine magazine Dec 4, 2019 As the holidays get closer, scraping ice off the windshield for 15 minutes every morning, eating too many cookies during the office Christmas party and making small talk with every distant relative at mandatory family events are as unavoidable as Mariah Carey on the radio. Who hasn't fantasized about leaving it all behind and lying on the beach on Christmas Eve instead? https://www.newspressnow.com/josephine/skip-tradition-get-a-tan-line/article_971614aa-fa62-11e9-b0ba-8fd92efd40a2.html 1/3 4/26/2020 Skip tradition, get a tan line | Josephine | newspressnow.com Skipping tradition and celebrating the holidays with your nearest and dearest on a dream vacation might be more attainable than you think. But before you pack the bikini and throw out the eggnog, here are a few things to consider: Beach vacation or winter wonderland? Leaving town for the holidays doesn't necessarily mean you also need to skip out on winter. Skiing destinations featuring romantic chalets and hot grog are located right here in the United States and can be reached by car or plane. Other wintry options include cities like London, which is famous for its festive light decorations and numerous Christmas markets. For an option closer to home, check out Quebec City. U.S. News lists the Canadian city with European charm as No. 2 on its list of cheapest winter vacation destinations. If you've had enough of the cold and early nightfall, plenty of warm-weather destinations are cheaper and less crowded during the winter months than in the summer. U.S. News recommends Rome for a relaxed vacation worth its money. Down under, Australia and New Zealand are in the middle of summer and offer a mix of city life, surfing and outback adventures. Holiday cruises take a lot of planing out of the equation and guarantee a worry free, allinclusive experience for couples and families. Most major cruise lines offer holiday sailings starting from a variety of ports. Winter weather can ruin even the best planned vacation, so be aware if your dream destination requires flying. "The airline industry as a whole performs lower during the holiday travel period," Brent Bowen, publisher of the Airline Quality Rating, told Forbes. "There's a significant downturn. It's a period of high demand and there are winter storms." The safest bet is Delta Airlines, according to Bowen, due to its warm-weather hubs in Atlanta and Salt Lake City. Other good options include JetBlue Airways and Alaska Airlines. Avoiding traveling the days right before major holidays is also a good idea, as these days are busy and a missed flight means you might spend Christmas at the airport. And if you're flying, don't forget to book travel insurance. If you're worried about getting the best deal and planning a stress-free vacation during the holidays, getting a travel agent might be a good idea, even if you usually book on your own. https://www.newspressnow.com/josephine/skip-tradition-get-a-tan-line/article_971614aa-fa62-11e9-b0ba-8fd92efd40a2.html 2/3