If you are reading this and thinking it is too late to plan a holiday trip, let me reassure you. It is not. Whether you want a warm beach for Thanksgiving, a cozy winter wonderland for Christmas, or an unforgettable celebration for New Year’s Eve, there are still incredible options out there. You just need to know where to look.
Here are my top picks organized by holiday, along with specific recommendations to get you started.
Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays to travel. The fall weather opens up some beautiful destinations, and escaping the kitchen for a resort or a new city can be the reset you did not know you needed.
Aruba is practically guaranteed sunshine, sitting outside the hurricane belt with warm, breezy weather year-round. The beaches are stunning, the island is easy to navigate, and resorts like the Ritz-Carlton Aruba and Bucuti and Tara Beach Resort offer excellent Thanksgiving experiences. It is one of the most reliable Caribbean options for late November travel.
Grace Bay Beach consistently ranks among the best beaches in the world, and for good reason. The water is unreal. The Shore Club and Grace Bay Club are two properties I love recommending for families and couples alike. Turks and Caicos has a quiet, upscale energy that makes it perfect for a relaxing holiday week.
If you want warm weather without leaving the country, Scottsdale is a fantastic pick. The desert in November is gorgeous, with comfortable temperatures perfect for golf, hiking, and spa days. The Phoenician and Mountain Shadows are two standout resorts that go all out for Thanksgiving.
For a holiday trip with Southern charm, Charleston delivers. The historic district is beautiful in the fall, the restaurant scene is incredible, and the pace of life slows down just enough to feel like a real escape. The Hotel Bennett and Belmond Charleston Place are both wonderful choices.
Christmas travel is all about atmosphere. Whether you want snow-capped mountains, European holiday markets, or a warm beach with a palm tree decorated in lights, these destinations bring the magic.
Aspen at Christmas is a postcard. World-class skiing, charming town streets with holiday lights, and some of the best mountain dining in the country. The Little Nell and St. Regis Aspen are both exceptional properties that make the holidays feel truly special. Book early for Christmas week, as Aspen fills up fast.
If you want a European Christmas feel without crossing the Atlantic, Quebec City is your answer. The Old Town looks like it belongs in a fairy tale during the holidays, with cobblestone streets, French architecture, and festive decorations everywhere. Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac is the iconic property here, and it lives up to the hype.
For the real deal, the Christmas markets in Vienna and Munich are extraordinary. Sipping mulled wine, shopping for handmade ornaments, and soaking in centuries of holiday tradition is an experience that stays with you. These cities are easy to combine into one trip, and mid-December is the sweet spot for market season.
If your idea of a perfect Christmas involves overwater villas and turquoise lagoons, the Maldives and Seychelles deliver a truly unforgettable holiday. Properties like Soneva Fushi, One and Only Reethi Rah, and Four Seasons Seychelles offer the kind of luxury that makes a Christmas trip feel like a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
The Caribbean is always a strong choice for Christmas travel. Barbados has a festive energy with local celebrations and beautiful west coast resorts like Sandy Lane. St. Lucia’s Pitons provide one of the most dramatic backdrops for a holiday escape, with properties like Jade Mountain and Sugar Beach. Antigua’s Jumby Bay Island is an all-inclusive private island experience that is hard to top.
New Year’s Eve is about the energy, the countdown, and starting the year in a place that feels exciting. Here are my favorite spots to ring in the new year.
There is nothing quite like New Year’s Eve in New York. Even if you skip Times Square (and I would recommend that you do), the city comes alive with rooftop parties, incredible restaurant prix fixe dinners, and an electric atmosphere. The Plaza, The Mark, and The Carlyle are all iconic places to stay for the occasion.
Midnight on the Champs-Elysees with the Eiffel Tower sparkling in the background is as romantic as it gets. Paris at New Year’s is magical, from the festive bistros to the champagne toasts along the Seine. Le Bristol and Hotel Plaza Athenee are two properties that make the experience unforgettable.
For a more bohemian, beachy New Year’s celebration, Tulum has become a top destination. The combination of cenotes, Mayan ruins, and stylish beach clubs creates a unique atmosphere. Eterea and Habitas Tulum offer the kind of laid-back luxury that pairs perfectly with a midnight bonfire on the beach.
Hawaii offers a warm, relaxed New Year’s experience with fireworks over the ocean and a pace that feels celebratory without being overwhelming. Maui’s Four Seasons at Wailea and the Big Island’s Mauna Lani are both stunning options. Hawaii’s time zone also means you can watch East Coast friends count down while you are still at the pool.
Miami brings the party. South Beach, Wynwood, and Brickell all have their own New Year’s energy, and the weather is reliably warm. The Faena, Four Seasons Surf Club, and 1 Hotel South Beach are excellent picks for a glamorous way to start the year.
No matter which holiday you are planning around, the key is to start now. Even last-minute trips come together beautifully with the right guidance. I would love to help you find the perfect destination, property, and itinerary for your holiday getaway.
Reach out and let’s make it happen.
Jacqueline Scrivanich, Luggage and Leisure Travel
Not at all. While the best availability tends to go early, there are always options for last-minute holiday travel. Flexibility with your exact dates, destination, or room category opens up a lot of possibilities. Working with a travel advisor helps because we can see availability across multiple properties and destinations at once.
For the most popular destinations and resorts, booking six to twelve months ahead gives you the best selection. But if you are planning closer to the holiday, focus on destinations with more inventory, like larger resort areas in the Caribbean or domestic cities. Last-minute deals do pop up, especially on cruises and all-inclusive resorts.
Aruba and Turks and Caicos are both easy direct flights from many East Coast cities, with reliable warm weather and plenty of resort options. For a domestic option, Charleston offers holiday charm without the stress of a long flight. All three tend to have availability even closer to the holidays.
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