Anonymous wrote:Price shop the major FL airports...Tampa, Orlando, Ft Meyers, FLL, Jacksonville, Key West, MIA, then see what comes in cheapest. Build a vacation around that. For example, if it is cheaper to fly into MIA you can go to Ft Lauderdale or drive down to the Keys. Also, a 3 day cruise to Bahamas may be an option.

Just be warned that even the Keys are frequently too cold to swim that week. It was definitely true the last 2 years and intermittent years prior.

Price shop the major FL airports...Tampa, Orlando, Ft Meyers, FLL, Jacksonville, Key West, MIA, then see what comes in cheapest. Build a vacation around that. For example, if it is cheaper to fly into MIA you can go to Ft Lauderdale or drive down to the Keys. Also, a 3 day cruise to Bahamas may be an option.

We’ve done southern CA (San Diego or LA), Arizona or Las Vegas as more affordable winter break trips (cheaper tix). We’re doing Texas this year.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We usually wind up traveling the first week of break to save some money and deal with slightly lower crowds. Much of the western world is off that week, and hence, much more demand.

We tried this a couple times when school let out around 12/15 or 12/16 but as the mom I found it incredibly stressful to get Christmas fully prepped before we left for the trip, while also prepping for the trip. Then we had to unpack and do all of the Christmas food shopping immediately upon our return. It was just a lot and I decided I'd rather travel other times instead.

+1 ^^

Adding to this that the kids wanted to be home. Rushing around prior to Christmas was stressful. Plus, we missed out on Christmas festivities (gingerbread house making, 2 Christmas parties at school, etc - the small things, yes, but big deal to the kids).

Anonymous wrote:We usually wind up traveling the first week of break to save some money and deal with slightly lower crowds. Much of the western world is off that week, and hence, much more demand.

We tried this a couple times when school let out around 12/15 or 12/16 but as the mom I found it incredibly stressful to get Christmas fully prepped before we left for the trip, while also prepping for the trip. Then we had to unpack and do all of the Christmas food shopping immediately upon our return. It was just a lot and I decided I'd rather travel other times instead.

We are really big into travel. We always travel spring break, fall break and two weeks in the summer. We don't travel over winter break because its too expensive to go anywhere reliably warm (FL isn't reliable that time of year.) I can pay for two of my other trips with what I'd spend on just that week. The few times that we have tried it, I've also just found it really stressful to prep for Christmas and prep for a big trip at the same time. The last few years we've stayed home and we've all enjoyed it much more. And at least in our area, fewer people travel over Christmas than over spring break so there are lots of people around to meet up with.

Set up a google flight alert for some places you’d like to visit. I hate cold, so I try to head to warm spots over winter break: PR, CR, Colombia, etc. You might be able to find deals in Spain/Portgual/S. Europe.

For accommodations, book early and book often. By book often, I mean an occasional re-check of lodgings+ prices and a willingness to cancel reservations. For example, we were booked to stay at a basic hotel in Italy; a couple weeks ahead of time, I re-checked prices and moved the reservation to a nicer room at a posher hotel for less money. This works with airbnbs too, as good places get booked then cancelled.

Anonymous wrote:When faced with this same dilemma, we went to northern Finland that week. Yes, it’s dark and cold. It’s also magical - dog sledding, skiing (XC & downhill), snowshoeing, snow giants, saunas.

I actually loathe being cold but I love this idea - would be such a change!

We usually wind up traveling the first week of break to save some money and deal with slightly lower crowds. Much of the western world is off that week, and hence, much more demand.

We usually wind up traveling the first week of break to save some money and deal with slightly lower crowds. Much of the western world is off that week, and hence, much more demand.

What is your definition of "reasonable price"??

You're traveling during peak season. What are you expecting?

Maybe start considering an airline cc or like a Chase Sapphire for points and travel perks. Do some research and find the one that fits for you. Start now.

When faced with this same dilemma, we went to northern Finland that week. Yes, it’s dark and cold. It’s also magical - dog sledding, skiing (XC & downhill), snowshoeing, snow giants, saunas.

Anonymous wrote:Why can’t you go back to a place you have been?

We all get bored.

Why can’t you go back to a place you have been?

Kids have a two week winter break, and we like to get away the second week, but I feel like we have exhausted all of our easily driveable options. I don't want to pay top dollar for the Caribbean, but any recs for FL or thereabouts that might be fun and not triple the usual price? (Except for Miami - we were already there this year.)