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| Christmas on the beach? |
It's that time of year again.
Everyone is making plans for the holidays and going through the difficult
process of deciding who to spend Christmas with. Rather than deal with the
stress at home, why not book a vacation rental? Whether
you decide to escape as a couple, or bring along the entire extended family,
going away for the holidays can be a fun and easy way to celebrate.
Traveling
at peak times
People are often put off from
traveling around the holidays because they see the journey as a big hassle.
True, the airlines are busy, and family travel can be annoying to arrange,
but booking well in advance and doing things like car sharing to the airport
can help make it easier on the family. If you're traveling within the USA, then
a road trip may be a better option. Hire a minivan or
even a bus so you've got plenty of space for your family and their luggage.
Don't be afraid to explore options like taking a train as part of your trip,
whatever makes your itinerary less stressful. Remember that a vacation rental
gives you a great deal of flexibility. Not everyone has to arrive or depart on
the same day, so if there's a large party you can organize your trip around
different schedules. This can allow certain people to travel and quieter times
and help you organize a convenient itinerary for everyone.
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| Warm Christmas memories. |
Where
to go?
There is no shortage of
options when it comes to vacation rental. If you're the kind of family who
enjoys summer all year round, then perhaps you'd enjoy Florida. It's a classic
family vacation spot, and there are plenty of indoor and outdoor activities,
perfect for when you've got to keep all the generations happy. California is
also popular. Accommodations in beachfront areas will often be condos, but if
you have a bigger party there are plenty of villas available, many with private
pools, so you can celebrate the holidays with a BBQ or pool party.
Perhaps the holidays just
wouldn't be the same for your family without snowy landscapes, cozy fires and
everyone in warm sweaters. If so, consider a place in the mountains, such as
the Colorado Rockies or the Lake Tahoe area. You’ll find the kind of
picture-perfect day normally seen on greetings cards. Whether it's a sleek
townhouse in Aspen, or a classic mountain home far from civilization, you're
guaranteed a white Christmas and a peaceful vacation. Or, if you're feeling especially adventurous, try heading to Europe for a truly magical Christmas.
If your family enjoys big
cities, endless Christmas light, and plenty of culture, then consider a vacation
rental in a larger metro area such as New York or Montreal. Many
people are put off trips to larger cities because of the expense, but with a
vacation rental is often much more affordable than a hotel. You have the
convenience of your own kitchen, meaning you don't have to spend money on
eating out for every meal.
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| Perhaps a Holiday escape to Europe. |
Celebrating
away from home
If you've never spent the
holidays away from home, it can be a daunting prospect. After all, this time of
year is stressful and often involves lots of planning and coordination. One of
the joys of going away for the holidays is that you can make your Christmas a
lot simpler. If you're staying near a major tourist area then there will be
plenty of grocery and department stores for any last minute shopping, and being
in a group means you can assign people to take on different tasks. Keep things
informal, and remember that the point of going away is to relax!
What
to pack
Your vacation home will have
most of the essentials such as cooking utensils, so don't feel like you need to
bring too much. You may wonder what to do about gifts, since you may not have
much room for luggage. Consider doing a secret Santa gift exchange, or setting
a limit on the amount you spend on each other. Buy small presents such as gift
cards or jewelry, or perhaps make this the Christmas where you all agree not to
buy presents for each other. The money you'll save will help pay for your
vacation or give you some extra cash to spend on a fun day out.
Wherever you decide to spend
your holidays, consider a vacation rental to bring your family together and
enjoy your celebrations in a beautiful location with all the amenities you'll
need for a stress-free trip.
