Christmas trip ideas? (not Disney)

[Hopscotch]

Looking for ideas for a Christmas trip for my immediate family. Myself, husband and 3 kids ages 22, 21, and 17. Last year we did a cruise and it was fun but the weather as not great (days a sea were cold and 1 port got cancelled due to wind). Would ideally like to spend under 12k for the week. Leaving from Boston area. Cruise all in last year was around 10k. All-inclusive or cheap food and drinks would be ideal as kids eat (and sometimes drink) a lot. Would like somewhere warm. Any ideas?

 

[pezgirlroy]

Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Turks & Caicos, Cancun, Puerto Vallarta.

 

[Cadiewampus]

Sanibel Island Florida or maybe the Keys.

 

[hertamaniac]

Savannah. It's gorgeous around Christmas time and plenty to do.

 

[MICKIMINI]

Key West is a really awesome place and small enough, if you stay at the right place to walk pretty much everywhere. There is a hop on/hop off "train". Sanibel is one of our (or was) happy places, but I'm not sure there is much left from all the hurricanes. Last I looked, places were just getting up and running before the recent storms. Charleston SC is another favorite of ours. Hilton Head Island is very low key which we enjoy.

Though we haven't been, USVI is definitely on our radar!

Whatever you do, enjoy!

 

[LuvOrlando]

Boston goes direct to Key West, not all inclusive but you wouldn't go over your limit. It was very walkable with a lot of food carts and pubs with food everywhere have live music and we felt it was a lot of fun last year, used to be a party place but seemed to age out of that into more adulting. We liked Margaritaville and they have nice room setups for a family and they have a beach, oddly there is almost no beach space in Key West. We had a car but you don't need one there but to drive up the Keys you'll want a rental from the loony tune airport, the place is like a sit-com. It was nice to see the Keys driving up but I'd only do it once. While there we visited family in North Miami but I do not like Miami itself. I did really like Ft Lauderdale when we went for a drive, it was more upscale and vacationish - it is on my family to do list.

Also direct, loved Aruba with our family too, there are Marriott Timeshares there that are all inclusive that my cousin raved about.

 

[jalapeno_pretzel]

I'd maybe go to San Diego and spend time between beach, touristy stuff, and Joshua Tree NP.

 

[fly girl]

Puerto Vallarta.

 

[HeatherC]

The Virgin Islands are amazing or Aruba which always has great weather for the most part.

 

[LynnTH]

Where did you go on the cruise? Should be warm weather in the Caribbean. Cruises are our go-to. We go on them a lot. Kids' always have fun and love cruising. (they are 23 and 25 and still cruise with us) They are just so easy and includes food/hotel/entertainment. We love them. Our favorite is the Southern Route with the ABC Islands. I would think they should be warm in December.

 

[Darcy03231]

For all-inclusives with family we like the Iberostar resorts. We've stayed in several and been happy with the food/service/accommodations.

 

[Travel60]

New York City (Radio City, Rock Center)
Williamsburg, VA
San Antonio, TX Riverwalk
Hershey Hotel in Hershey PA
Opryland Hotel in Nashville
Greenbrier Resort in Virginia
Blackberry Farm, Walland TN

 

[NotUrsula]

New Orleans at Christmastime is great fun and often warm during the day, but that weather isn't guaranteed. Sometimes it can get down to the 30s in New Orleans in winter, though never for long; just a couple of days usually.

 

[hertamaniac]

New Orleans at Christmastime is great fun and often warm during the day, but that weather isn't guaranteed. Sometimes it can get down to the 30s in New Orleans in winter, though never for long; just a couple of days usually.

Yep. We were there for a MNF Saints game in December a few years ago and it was in the low 80's. The next day, it was blustery cold in the upper 30's during the day. We were clothing unprepared.

I also vote for New Orleans during the holidays.

 

[Dug720]

It’s not usually warm, but my family rented a cabin in the Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge area a few years ago and loved it!

 

[MICKIMINI]

Boston goes direct to Key West, not all inclusive but you wouldn't go over your limit. It was very walkable with a lot of food carts and pubs with food everywhere have live music and we felt it was a lot of fun last year, used to be a party place but seemed to age out of that into more adulting. We liked Margaritaville and they have nice room setups for a family and they have a beach, oddly there is almost no beach space in Key West. We had a car but you don't need one there but to drive up the Keys you'll want a rental from the loony tune airport, the place is like a sit-com. It was nice to see the Keys driving up but I'd only do it once. While there we visited family in North Miami but I do not like Miami itself. I did really like Ft Lauderdale when we went for a drive, it was more upscale and vacationish - it is on my family to do list.

Also direct, loved Aruba with our family too, there are Marriott Timeshares there that are all inclusive that my cousin raved about.

Before all the hurricanes, we took the ferry from Fort Myers Beach to Key West. It is about a 3 hour trip and you avoid the long drive and parking issues. Not sure if they were damaged from the recent storms?