<p>If you want to ski, how about Oregon? Have heard it has some of the less crowded slopes.</p>
<p>Way too short for any Caribean trips. I would stick to skiing or NYC. NYC only if visiting relatives/friends, otherwise, it is not a “get away” relaxing vacation.<br>
We visit NYC at this time every year. We also go to Mexico every year…for 2 weeks, too expansive travel, too much trouble for shorter time (which we did when I had only 2 weeks vacations).</p>
<p>I disagree. I love going to NYC and find it to be a very relaxing vacation get away from my home. And there is something for everyone to do there.</p>
<p>just a thought–if you do not mind cold then why not visit Quebec City or Montreal or Toronto…all great cities for adults to visit and probably skiing nearby.</p>
<p>HA HA–and yes, please come to Oregon! You would want the Bend area if you want skiing. Bend is a wonderful town and now has something like 14 breweries!
Otherwise, spend sometime in Portland and enjoy amazing food. The slopes are 90 minutes away. Mt. Hood Meadows and Timberline are the 2 main ones. Also, 75 minutes to the West is Cannon Beach–easily a day trip.</p>
<p>In Dec 2010 we took a similar trip with the wisdom found here on CC. On Christmas Day we flew into LAX, rented a car, drove to Palm Springs, rented a house for 4 nights. We then drove back to LA area for 2 nights and visited w high school and college friends we hadn’t seen in a long time. </p>
<p>In Palm Springs we mostly hung out in the pool and hottub, but took day trips to Joshua Tree national forest and the top of Mt Jacinto. (We do nt play golf, but weather was perfect for it). Daytime temps in 70s w no clouds, nighttime lows in 40s/50s, so heat did kick on. </p>
<p>Loved the house we rented - </p>
<p>[3</a> Bedroom Vacation Rental in Palm Springs, California, USA - McManus Private Retreat 0094](<a href=“http://www.flipkey.com/palm-springs-vacation-rentals/p387806/]3”>http://www.flipkey.com/palm-springs-vacation-rentals/p387806/)</p>
<p>Since you’re in DC, you have a lot of flight options. Jump onto Google Flights & put in your options: BWI, Dulles, Reagan one at a time, then on the other side an intended destination: Punta Cana, Puerto Rico, etc. Then use the tabs at the top to sort by travel time. You’ll get current pricing too. Travel times & price combo will help you narrow your list. </p>
<p>We traveled on Easter Sunday one year & it was wonderful. Airport wasn’t crowded. Flying on Christmas Day should be the same.</p>
<p>We are considering a similar quick trip–just to get away…thinking about FLA. Those SW frequent flyer miles will make it a cheap trip! Have never spent any time in there, but thought it might be a good time to explore Miami…Any CC thoughts on Miami as a quick holiday destination?</p>
<p>I’ve never stayed at an all inclusive but there is Caneel Bay in St. John and a Club Med in the Turks and Caicos. Not too far for either of them.</p>
<p>^^Beil:</p>
<p>We lived in Fla for a number of years and I still have relatives there and go pretty often. That said, Miami around Christmas time would probably be very crowded. Not only is it a top destination for students, but it’s also a top destination for Europeans and the rest of the world taking their vacations too! South Beach is quite nice but also very expensive and not necessarily a place for young kids. South Beach “Beach” is nice but we’ve seen many topless women there! :eek: Miami does have attractions…Bayside is a big open air shopping complex in downtown Miami and the Keys are not far away by car…at least the upper Keys. Key West is probably a 3 hour car drive, so doable…there’s also stuff like Monkey Jungle, Parrot Jungle, Vizcaya and boat rides, etc…Key Largo is closer to Miami and has the best snorkeling around, way better than Hawaii and Caribbean islands! You could also do a Dolphin or Sea Lion swim…that was fun…just be careful because it could get pretty pricey there! But all in all a nice vacation if you haven’t been before. Great Cuban food and of course seafood!</p>
<p>I’ve recently had 2 people favorably mention Panama City FL. My dad says it is his favorite FL beach area. A friend mentioned she liked it so much they bought a vacation/rental condo there.</p>
<p>We went to Sarasota last year at the beginning of December. It was very nice. I wonder if that side of Florida might be better!</p>
<p>^^Better than what? 
;)</p>
<p>Both sides have their pros and cons. Some people like the ocean, and some people like the calmer waters of the bay! It all depends on what kind of vacation you want. Having lived on both sides of that state, I personally prefer the ocean side…but loved visiting and vacationing on the other! Many parts of Florida offer much in the way of relaxing or action packed vacations. Nothing like walking around in shorts in February, though! :)</p>
<p>Better in terms of crowds, available airfares, etc. I think both sides of Florida are the same niceness…what did you think I meant?</p>
<p>Hey Thumper:</p>
<p>It wasn’t that clear what you meant (!) In any case, we should probably get back to the OP, which was helping her to find a vacation destination for a few days in December. OP: What have you found and where are you going? 
</p>
<p>We had a little trouble in FL a few years ago when all that snow fell the day after Christmas. We live near DC too and NO snow fell there or in Baltimore yet all the flights were cancelled anyway for the day of the projected snowpocalypse. H was supposed to fly back late on the 26th and the airline told him that the next flight they could fit him on wouldn’t be for 4 or 5 more days! Disaster - we had to rent a car and drive back and he still missed a day of work. It’s bad to leave a hospital short staffed.</p>
<p>Granted, this was Orlando but Florida is very popular for that week between Xmas and New Year’s.</p>
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<p>Oregon101 - I visited Cannon Beach about six years ago, by myself, in late September/early October and fell in love with the area. I stayed at the Sea Sprite Inn on the estuary; had a small one-bedroom place with a kitchen and it was fabulous! Ever since I was there, I’ve been wanting to take H back there some time and show him the area. Our anniversary is in mid-March and we’re trying to come up with a place to go. We’ve done the Mexico/Hawaii/Florida things, and although I’d usually use a trip in March to go somewhere warm, all the warm places are overcrowded with spring breakers. So I’m thinking about suggesting Cannon Beach to H. What would the weather be like in March?</p>
<p>When I was there the one time, as long as I dressed warm enough, I could do a lot of hiking/walking along the beach/walking into town, touring up and down the coast. I really only had one day of rain when I was there before, and even in the rain, the place was beautiful! Is it worth it to try to talk him into going in mid-March?</p>
<p>Again, thank you for all the wonderful suggestions. Although we have been to quite a few of the suggested places, there are several others that I would love to visit. We now have a big bucket list!</p>
<p>We lucked out with our planning. Some good friends own a home in Isle of Palm, SC (gorgeous, on the water, etc ) and have kindly offered it as they won’t be going. We have been there before and love it. Charleston is only a few miles away and is a beautiful place - lots of great food too! :). </p>
<p>Happy travels!!</p>
<p>^^^Sounds real nice. I’ve never been to Charleston, but whoever I talk to that has been there raves about that city! I’ll add it to my bucket list too and hope to visit in the not too distant future! Glad it worked out for you to drive instead of fly. Great, have fun!</p>
<p>New Orleans is very nice at that time of year. There are a lot of packages at the different hotels. Husband and I did a staycation for our anniversary this year, staying at the Omni Royal Orleans. There were some great packages to choose from. You would not need a car, walking distance to great restaurants and historic sites in the quarter. And many airlines fly into our airport, so you could probably get a good rate. And the Amtrak Crescent is also a great option for travel from the Northeast.</p>