we are going to Miami from the 28th- new years. I like to be warm on vacation.

Anonymous wrote:I would recommend London for Christmas. Many many things to do, not too cold, and will have a Christmas festive vibe. Where as if you go to some warm tropical place, although nice, it won't feel much like Christmas.

Doing a quick Expedia search a family of 4 can get Air + Hotel packages from $1200 to $2000 per person. With some nice deals/hotels at $1,500 per person.

I would recommend London for Christmas. Many many things to do, not too cold, and will have a Christmas festive vibe. Where as if you go to some warm tropical place, although nice, it won't feel much like Christmas.

We're going to Aruba. Southwest has a nonstop from BWI.

Montreal - quick flight, foreign feel, easy train to Québec City, good food, cheap hotels, nice Christmas feel, great biodome and science museum for kids

Nassau still has dirt cheap flight options - i.e. $250 a head. Check skyscanner.

Anonymous wrote:Why Ashville folks? Tell us what there is to do and see there for families!

We love Asheville. The Biltmore House with all the decorations. Stay at the Grove Park Inn with the enormous fireplace. Wonderful. The town is adorable.

Just to note: Puerto Rico (a great suggestion) is not "international." No passport required.

I think I would do a family-friend caribbean hotel. A place with kids clubs so you can relax some too.

The ones with the cheapest and direct airfare from DC would probably be Jamaica, Cancun, and DR.

Why Ashville folks? Tell us what there is to do and see there for families!

Anonymous wrote:Montreal, Puerto Rico, or Peru for international travel

or for domestic options:

Asheville (NC), Charleston and/or Savannah, or San Diego

Get on Sky Scanner or Cheapo Air and search for cheap tix...you might be surprised! Have fun planning!
P.S. How did you just suddenly realize you had ten days free?!!!

My company just decided to close on the 26th and the 2nd. It made sense to take 3 days off in between for 10 days off. We'd been thinking of Asheville. I'll look at flight prices for your other recommendations. Thanks!

Montreal, Puerto Rico, or Peru for international travel

or for domestic options:

Asheville (NC), Charleston and/or Savannah, or San Diego

Get on Sky Scanner or Cheapo Air and search for cheap tix...you might be surprised! Have fun planning!
P.S. How did you just suddenly realize you had ten days free?!!!

We go to Europe each year. The markets in Germany, Christmas in Paris, it's beautiful, understated and much less commercialized.

What is your total budget? Is $1k per person your budget for flights or total? If total, your options are very limited as I am trying to go somewhere warm with a family of 4 for under $5k and seeing nothing out there. There are a few other threads on here about fun places you can drive to.

I've just realized that I'll be off work for about 10 days over Christmas/New Year. Looking for suggestions of somewhere to go that won't break the bank. We can drive, or fly and could be flexible to get the best prices (e.g. flying on Christmas day or New Year's eve). Also, could go for anything from 4-10 days to get good flights. Open to anywhere in the world (though Europe tickets look very expensive - wondering about South or Central America, the Caribbean or just somewhere less than 5-7 hours drive from DC). We have two young kids who are used to traveling, but preclude us from taking flights with 3 stops that arrive at 2am for example. Need to buy 4 tickets so less than $1k per person, preferably more like $500.

We don't ski so ski-ing is out, though a cozy cabin in the mountains is possible. that said, going somewhere warm is more appealing.

Thoughts?