brainstorming a winter break trip

[Anonymous]

We have never traveled over winter break, but due to competing teen activities and work schedules we can't do spring break or summer trips in 2027. Family of 4 with two teen boys.

These are vacations that are on our list as places we'd like to go. What would you recommend based on time of year/weather? We are not afraid of cold, but want things to be open and accessible. This would bridge Christmas, so also considering that. I know that anywhere most things will be closed at least Christmas day, and I think Europe closes a lot of places for the 26th as well.

San Francisco/Monterrey/Big Sur/Pinnacles
Amsterdam and Belgium
Iceland
Hawaii
Puerto Rico
Scotland
Sedona/Grand Canyon

We can take about 10-12 days. Past trips we've taken (and we had fun on all): Maine/Acadia, Norway, London/countryside, Bermuda, Disney, Lake Michigan/UP

Or feel free to suggest somewhere else!

[Anonymous]

I wouldn't do iceland unless you are going for the northern lights (they have very little light that time of year). I think it's amazing, but better in a different season. We did CA last december, and it was great. Nice weather and tons to see!

I think the Grand Canyon is sometimes closed (or maybe limited services?) in winter. I would double check.

Personally I'd pick Hawaii or Puerto Rico!

[Anonymous]

Hawaii, Puerto Rico, or another Caribbean island or islands (you can hop around)

Southern Caribbean cruise

[Anonymous]

No Iceland. Daylight hours are so limited and the weather can severely impact your trip. Unless you're there strickly for the nothern lights, but I grew up in an area that had them frequently, so it's nothing interesting to me.

Sedona is very busy that week but it's a good time to go.

[Anonymous]

I would do Hawaii or Puerto Rico. our kids are so tired that time of year that would prefer a warm location with some downtime.

[Anonymous]

Hawaii, Puerto Rico, or California.

Be aware that for Hawaii and Puerto Rico, at least, the two weeks of winter break are basically their highest season of the year. Lodging costs are often double what they are at other times of year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would do Hawaii or Puerto Rico. our kids are so tired that time of year that would prefer a warm location with some downtime.

Agree, or southern California instead of Northern - LA etc are very pleasant in Dec.

We did the northern CA you're talking about in July and the temp was perfect all their places, except Pinnacles where the morning was cool and afternoon was super hot. I wouldn't go there in Dec unless there was another reason - family event, work travel, etc.

[Anonymous]

Hawaii for two teen boys.

[Anonymous]

We are strongly considering Madrid and Seville.

[Anonymous]

Hawaii if your budget is $$$$.

Amsterdam and Belgium (or another European city) if your budget is $$.

[Anonymous]

San Francisco will be wet and dreary that time of year. I don't mind cold, but if I'm taking a winter vacation to someplace cold, I want it to feel like winter - cold and clear, or snowy. 40s-50s and constant rain just doesn't feel like a good vacation to me.

If you can swing the budget, I'd vote for Hawaii. We also have two teen boys and went there over winter break a few years ago (Kauai and the Big Island), all loved it.

[Anonymous]

We are doing Paris - it will be our teens' first trip to Europe.

[Anonymous]

Hawaii for sure especially with teens.

[Anonymous]

We travel a lot over winter break with my brother and his family, as we live in different states and our kids have different summer schedules. So far, our favorites have been the British Virgin Islands, Playa Flamingo in Costa Rica, and surprisingly, Disneyland/Southern California. One thing to keep in mind if you're going to the Caribbean is you want to go south of the Bahamas. We've made the mistake of going several times to the Bahamas, and it was not warm!

[Anonymous]

We did Sedona/GC/Page over Christmas one year. Sedona was fantastic--hiked three days with sweatshirts/coats and it was perfect. We did just one day at GC as a driveby to Page and it was fine. Page--we got snow one night and had to reschedule our day at Monument Valley but by noon it was fine out. I would say the whole thing was fine weather wise except a horrible blizzard in Flagstaff when driving back to Phoenix that looked like zero snowplows out on the roads.