<p>Where to go for winter break? Looking for interesting - out-of-the-box ideas.
Airfare for D2 to Ak is about $800 and going up the longer we wait to decide. D2 has a stressful schedule this semester/year and will be ready for distraction.
Alaska is wonderful in summer - not so wonderful at Xmas - cold & dark. DH and I could meet D2 somewhere - including somewhere in Europe ?? Budget is an issue. Warm would be nice.
D1 is working in Spain. Her time is limited - and frankly we get the feeling she’s not so sold on us crashing her limited/ very shared space - she would be willing to meet us in Rome or Greece. I am not experienced with international travel - so kind of clueless how to begin.</p>
<p>I don’t know about the weather that time of year, but we loved Rome. Via the internet, we rented an apartment that was about 3 blocks from St. Peter’s Cathedral/the Vatican. (we are not Catholic). It was an amazing place. Or, you could plan a ski vacation in Austria, Germany, Switzerland, or France??? I’d agree to not visit D1 in her cramped quarters. Can you plan to go somewhere she has not been in Europe?</p>
<p>HI! Astropysicsmom! Thanks for getting back to me. Rome is a serious possibility. I have been checking airfares for the last three hours. Amazingly I can get D2 to Rome for $709 tax included - it will cost us about $1300/per person. Tuscany is looking good. D2 turns 21y (not that it matters in Europe) have played with wine tour ideas. Rome would be easy for D1. It would be wonderful to be in a place with great tradition architecture & history. Time to create new traditions.</p>
<p>Maybe Florence too if you have the time?</p>
<p>Italy certainly is a possiblity. Just be aware it can be really cold there in December! (But not nearly as cold and dark as Alaska.)</p>
<p>Now is the time to start researching airfares - some of the airlines are posting the February/March schedules about now, and the seats are snatched up pretty quickly by families going on those school winter breaks. I “dude ranch” it in Tucson to get out of the cold for a while in February, and I usually get the tickets about now…not international, but a lot of people there when we are are European, so that may be a thought…If you are going to Europe, I would get a fare to London, then use one of their smaller carriers to the continent, fares are cheap, but you have to watch it with the amount of luggage…</p>
<p>Hmmm, I just step outside for a nice warm place in the winter!</p>
<p>Keep in mind that Europe in general is fairly expensive now due to the exchange rate so make sure you research and factor in the cost of hotels and transportation. Also, most of Europe is cold and wintry in the winter. Italy is a very nice place to visit and should be less cold than most of Europe. Don’t miss Venice while you’re there. Have you thought about Hawaii? There’s also Florida, Arizona (Tucson/Phoenix), and California (San Diego). There’s also Mexico, the Caribbean, etc.</p>
<p>New Zealand–it will be summer there. All of you will think you have died and gone to heaven.</p>
<p>Barcelona!!! My new favorite city.</p>
<p>Costa Rica!!! The prettiest place I’ve ever been.</p>
<p>I second Costa Rica, but it will be the rainest season. If you go to CR google the Pacuare Lodge. It is unbelievable.</p>
<p>HI Everyone,
Thanks for your wonderful suggestions.We have decided to go to Rome. We will stay in hostels & monasteries -we want a cultural experience as much as an escape. Airfares and timing seem to work best.</p>
<p>Most Alaskans escape to Hawaii - AkAir flies direct and we can use mileage - but that would be impossible for D1.</p>
<p>D1 -is currently doing graduate work in Barcelona.(We did visit her when she was studying abroad her junior year). D1 is also ready for a break so if we go to Tuscany she will be able to join us easily as her schedule allows.</p>
<p>The great American Southwest “Dude Ranch” sounded good only to me. We moved to Alaska after 15 years from my beloved New Mexico - the girls have “been there/done that”. I liked the idea of going to Sedona to sit on a rock.</p>
<p>Thanks again - Happy Holidays to all :)</p>
<p>crabby – mind if I tag along? Our family has done quite a few great vacations, but Italy was one of the very best. We were in Venice, Florence, and Rome and loved them all. Rome is truly amazing. You’re surrounded by history – impossible not to be awestruck. And the food! My mouth is watering at the memories. Have a great time!</p>
<p>In case anyone else is reading this thread, the rainy season in Costa Rica is May-mid November.</p>
<p>
I googled it and it looks quite nice but it’s extremely expensive.</p>
<p>Turkey! Istanbul is amazing, and probably cheaper than Spain/Italy at Xmas</p>
<p>Pacuare Lodge, Costa Rica</p>
<p>5 days and 4 nights for $776 p/p. The property only allows at most 32 people in 16 accommodations at any time.</p>
<p>Includes transportation from San Jose to the Pacuare River, breakfast along the way, bilingual guide, all rafting equipment, Level III-IV white water rafting into the lodge, all breakfasts, lunches and dinners while at the lodge (3 course dinners–the resident chef discusses with each person what they want for dinner), all non alcoholic beverages and then Level IV whitewater rafting out of the lodge to the takeout and transportation back to San Jose.</p>
<p>By my count, that is all ground transportation, 14 meals, all beverages (other than alcohol), 4 nights stunning rooms and views and 2 half-day rafting trips. BTY–the rafting out is some of the best I’ve experienced in beauty and exciting rapids.</p>
<p>Just a recommendation—if you are in Italy during the Christmas season, you might want to book Christmas eve dinner and Christmas dinner ahead of time. Its frequently tough to find restaurants open during big holidays. You dont want to starve on the big day. And I mean sometimes you wont find ANYTHING open. Even better than staying in Monasteries in Italy, you might consider renting an apartment in Rome. Ive done it twice (in my dozen or so trips to Rome) and I found it both economical and very comfortable. Apartments are especially economical if you are staying in one place more than 5 days and you have more than two people . You can go to the big open air market before Christmas, even order a turkey from the local butcher and make your own celebration. ( and be sure to tell’em to pluck it and chop off the head and feet!)</p>
<p>I forgot to add----that I LOVE traveling light and in the winter that can be difficult. Theres nothing better than having a little apartment with a washing machine. On my last trip, I only took four changes of clothes for two weeks.</p>
<p>RMac1721- Please note the date on the thread-16 months old. Too old to help the OP.</p>
<p>Unfortunately, crabbylady’s husband was killed by a drunk snowmobiler shortly after she posted this. Bringing up this thread got my hopes up for a few seconds.</p>