Last year we took a trip to Vegas with our kids (17 and 20 at the time) in lieu of holiday gifting, which, at this age, results primarily in disappointment, returns, exchanges, etc - all the fun is gone from gift giving, so an experience, together, was the best move, and we really enjoyed it. Concerts, dinners, etc - when kids are this age, that’s where the fun is.
My father-in-law would be included, and keep in mind this would probably be first week of January, after the holiday ‘rush’ but still fully in the throes of winter in much of the world.
Not opposed at all to traveling to the destination (flying, etc) - not big on cruises at all, so that’s not a good option. We have a grand total of 10 days available, 1/2/25 - 1/12/25
Quick thought: Portugal - weather still decent, low tourism post-holiday, and we’ve all wanted to go
Would love ideas, as I’m positive many of you have taken family vacations with similar guidelines!
I’d probably head towards Seville as opposed to Portugal which is a bit more exposed to the Atlantic in the winter, where as Seville further inland is likely a bit warmer and more stable. From Seville you can get to Cordoba, Jerez and its sherry and even up into the hills in Granada or down to the coast around Marbella.
Egypt I think is somewhere that everyone should visit and there is a lot of variety there - in Luxor especially it would be warm. Security situation still seems ok.
Or fully embrace the Xmas feeling - my father took my sister and I for a winter adventure holiday when we were both in our early twenties. Snowmobiling, husky driving, cross country skiing, was a lot of fun. Not sure about finding activites for the father in law though.
Yes, that’s what we’ve been looking into most closely - Peru, Chile, Argentina. We’ve been to Costa Rica already. My daughter (chip of the ol’ block) leans Chile and Argentina, as she wants to do wine tasting, I told her I can easily take her up to Santa Barbara for a weekend of wine tasting whenever she wants!
This sound very interesting, actually…and Granada is @Nola_Palomar 's spot!
Chile is unique in how it straddles so much different landscape…
can hit up wine region near santiago, ocean/beach, down to Torres del Paine for glaciers/patagonia hikes, up to the desert, it’s a pretty amazing country in the diversity aspect…
That said Buenos Aires is a phenomenal city (planned/wide streets/beautiful)… and you can hit up the mendoze region for wine tasting, up north to iguazzu falls, or down south for patagonia/galcier hikes as well.
plenty of choices for 10 days and great weather…
dang it, I love that part of the world…
Granada is amazing anytime of the year! Even though it is Mediterranean, it is on the North side of the Sierra Nevada mountains. So winter is, well winter. There is a nice ski resort that you can ski off the summit Veleta. You can actually see Africa from the top. I’ve skied there numerous times and there some nice runs. There are a number of nice spa hotels. Melia Sol Y Nieve is my personal fav. On the South side of the Sierra Nevada though is Almeria and the rest of the Costa del Sol. Chilly but not cold by any stretch. The sea will be too cold for swimming in Jan but there are excellent restaurants and relaxing lifestyle is a great get away. Wines aren’t too shabby either! I’ve attached a map her so you can see the visual.
From my place in Ugijar it take about 50 mins to get to the Coast. From Granada capital it’s under 2 hours depending if you go to the east or west. The ski resort is about 40 km from Granada capital.
Where ever you decide to go, I hope you have a great vacation!!
Not sure how far you wanna go…but S. Africa would be a bomb multigenerational trip. Cape Town combined with safari would be a trip that everyone would talk about forever. Not cheap tho.
I think the biggest problem with S. Africa is his 10 total days available… 4 of those days are gone just from travel/flights. if he had 3 weeks, that’d be amazing!
Yeah, you’re right, long way to go with just 10 total day. But doable if you don’t need a ton of time on safari. Leave early 1/2, arrive late 1/3. Cape Town and Safari 1/4 to 1/11. Leave JNB late 1/11 since you gain a day going back and arrive 1/12 back at LAX. It would be better to add a couple of days to this itinerary. Ok, probably best to save this until you have two weeks cuz safari is so amazing and needs more than 3-4 days in my opinion.
Looks like we’ve settled on Chile, a combination of Santiago, Easter Island, and Coyhaique.
Any reccs would be great. Gonna make things TIGHT with BerserkerDay 16 since I’ll be headed back Jan 12…just 12 days before BD16 (11 before preview day)
