<p>We like to travel over Christmas week and are looking for some exciting, off the beaten path destinations. Typically, we go someplace warm but more and more, we like to have things to do rather than just lay on the beach. Our kids are all teens/college aged, so we have a limited time frame which, unfortunately, tends to coincide with the most expensive time to travel. We’ve been to Jamaica, Mexico (playa del carmen), Costa Rica, Belize, Nassau and Colorado ski areas in December and have traveled to Europe in the summers. We took a cruise one year but felt too confined. We have about a week. I’d love to hear about anyone’s December travel experience!</p>
<p>We have friends who had a great time in Paris between Christmas and New Years. Three families traveled together with teens and college students.</p>
<p>Washington DC</p>
<p>Paris or Barcelona. Good public transportation, good food, lots to do. Rent a flat.</p>
<p>My brother’s family went to Venice one Christmas, it was the only time they were all going to be able to be together that year. My sil said the minute the eldest stepped off the boat he said, “Mom, I thought you were crazy, but now I get it.” They had a great time. The biggest downside of a Europe winter is that it gets dark even earlier there than in most of the United States. Venice is about as far north as Montreal!</p>
<p>For another Costa Rica-like vacation, how about the Yucatan? Cool ruins such as Chichen Itza and Uxmal, cenotes (enormous circular holes with crystal clear water in which you can swim), beaches, huge colonies of flamingos (sounds boring but my teens thought they were pretty cool), ziplining, derelict sisal factories converted into resort haciendas.</p>
<p>[cenote</a>, yucatan - Google Search](<a href=“http://www.google.com/search?q=cenote,+yucatan&hl=en&client=safari&rls=en&prmd=imvns&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=_iL8T-rDMs3J0AGY3c3mDw&ved=0CE8QsAQ&biw=1233&bih=850]cenote”>http://www.google.com/search?q=cenote,+yucatan&hl=en&client=safari&rls=en&prmd=imvns&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=_iL8T-rDMs3J0AGY3c3mDw&ved=0CE8QsAQ&biw=1233&bih=850)</p>
<p>^That’s gorgeous!</p>
<p>Our only child was impossible to go places with at that age so we didn’t travel. Relatives did however. Their son often planned the trips. Why not ask your children for their ideas? Let them brainstorm. Those in college will have met people who have different backgrounds and experiences.</p>
<p>^LOL. Because of our son we’re planning to go to Jordan in December. :)</p>
<p>Although I was thinking of a non-resort vacation, I just realized you may not want to go back to the Yucatan if you’ve been to Playa del Carmen recently. Here’s another idea-Iceland. If you’re on the East Coast it’s an easy flight. West Coast would be more of a slog. It’s a great place to go for a quick trip. Hit Reykjavik then the Golden Triangle (cool geysers, waterfalls and the Blue Lagoon).</p>
<p>European, safe, strange enough to appeal to teens. The older ones can hit a club in Reykjavik as a group when they need a little space from their parents, but most of the trip would be family-friendly outdoor activities such as hiking, swimming in thermal baths and enjoying the scenery.</p>
<p>When we were there we saw the Northern lights, took tons of pictures next to the geysers and waterfalls, fed Icelandic ponies, had a blast at the Blue Lagoon and tried a lot of unfamiliar food including reindeer and whale. My kids dared each other to try some of the weirder foods. The one thing that takes some getting used to is the “whale water”. Most of Iceland is powered on geothermal energy and the water tends to smell slightly of sulfur. It’s disconcerting for the first couple of days but then you get used to it.</p>
<p>[Iceland</a> - Reykjavik, Geysir, Gulfoss, Blue Lagoon - Glenn’s Website](<a href=“http://www.glennstevens.biz/reykjavik.htm]Iceland”>http://www.glennstevens.biz/reykjavik.htm)</p>
<p>[Iceland</a> Night Clubs](<a href=“http://www.icelandic-traveller.com/Night-Clubs-in-Iceland.aspx]Iceland”>http://www.icelandic-traveller.com/Night-Clubs-in-Iceland.aspx)</p>
<p>Turkey—Istanbul and Izmir(Ephesus)</p>
<p>We fell in love with Istanbul last year. Fantastic modern, hip hotels. Great food and 3000 years of history. Surprisingly sophisticated and fun. I’m not sure what city you use as a departure point, but for us in
Los Angeles the new non stop flights with Air Turkey are reasonable.</p>
<p>Agree with musicamusica - Turkey is fabulous. Love Istanbul, Kusadasi (closer to Ephesus), and Cappadocia.</p>
<p>We have done Italy (Rome/Venice), Germany (Heidelburg, Rothenburg, Munich), and Austria (Salzburg) over Xmas/NY during various years. Just keep in mind that in many places in Europe, the Christmas markets close by noon on Dec 24 and many places are closed Dec 25 and 26. So - research is needed to find things to do those days. </p>
<p>This year, we are doing Spain and Portugal. Guess I’d better get busy planning that… </p>
<p>And for something completely different - how about South Africa? Yeah, it’s a REALLY long way away, but the temps will be cool, but not hot, and there is tons to do - Cape Town, wine country, safari, Garden Route.</p>