need destination ideas

I was wondering if anyone has any travel suggestions for me...

Here's the deal: Last year we were able to go to Jamaica just before Christmas--December 16-22. (7 of us, all family, all traveling on my DOH). This year that won't be possible due to my kids' college schedules--they'll be in school through friday, December 21. I know from experience we won't make it anywhere in the Caribbean once winter break starts (remember...there will be 7 of us again).

We'd like to travel somewhere over Christmas break, beginning December 21 through end of December. Preferably someplace warm (we live in Minnesota), but lack of warm weather isn't a deal-breaker. We've been to Amsterdam, London, and Paris, but are not averse to other European destinations...but it'd probably be our "plan B".

Anybody know from experience where we might have success non-revving at that time of year? Australia? Japan? Singapore? Beijing? South America?

Wide open to any knowledgeable advice, and thanks for any suggestions you may be able to provide.

:)

There are a million flights between MSP and Denver, are you folks skiers at all? Denver is actually very tame with its winters (you know how it's awesome to hit 40° out in Minnesota a couple times a year? We get up to 65°) and any snow that comes in melts a couple days later. But go on I-70 through the mountains, and you're in ski country. Lots of neat ski towns with great food and, of course, skiing. If you make it out to ASE, they have a bus that runs from the airport to the city of Aspen, which has a ski hill or two within walking distance from the bus stop. I haven't been in that direction, but that bus also goes to Snowmass, CO.

Edit: And in a point of something amusing and possibly useful, the busses have ski racks

Beijing is not a good choice due to the visa situation for nonrev--lots of $$ and you must have sponsor. I can attest to how cold and nasty it is at the Great Wall Mutianyu late Dec.
Maybe Costa Rica. You have a very tall order for 7 pax. Hire date? All pass riders or some buddies? What about San Diego? You can split family members in groups. May I recommend LuxuryLink.com and their sister site, Familygetaway?
Also, homeaway.com for some villas/large accommodations for groups?
Best of Luck and happy holidays (a bit early)

So you are in 'Cold Country USA' - with the weather of recent it is as if the whole universe has been tilted upside down. Have you entertained taking a cruise - lots of offerings here and the possibility of combining an air package with cruise is possible with more than Delta. Your HomeTown airline Sun Country has some tremendously competitive fares and cruise options. And the best part of traveling with reservations is the fear and uncertainty of standby travel is eliminated. Yes I am from Minnesota and "I know better" !

thanks for your responses thus far...

We did San Diego two years ago at Christmas (it was our "plan B" when we couldn't get to Cancun on Christmas morning)

Thanks for the heads-up regarding China...I wasn't aware of the visa costs or the sponsor requirement.

We did an Alaskan cruise a few years ago, before my wife passed away. It was a very expensive trip, but it was our last one together and the memories will last a lifetime. Not really interested in cruising again...

We are all family, flying on my priority. We're all eligible for ZED travel, if necessary.

Denver is a great option...beautiful place, but we're not skiers...

Costa Rica would be a pretty iffy nonrev on Dec 21

I know this is a tough one...a real brain-teaser. That's why I came here for help.

;)

I went to Prague & Vienna in early December a few years ago. Really enjoyed the Christmas markets in Vienna.

I've also been to the Costa del Sol in Spain January. No crowds and temps were mild but not warm enough to lay out on the beach. We tried to take a day trip to Morocco by boat but the waters were too rough the day we went and our ferry was cancelled.

I've been considering Madrid, either from ATL or JFK. From there perhaps we could take an AF flight to Tenerife. I spent two weeks there over Christmas many years ago. The hotel and restaurant workers were on strike, and most of the European tourists went home. We were camping on the beaches in a tent and practically had the place to ourselves, save for a die-hard group of surfers from Newcastle who were also roughing it. And I'll never forget the Christmas Eve parade through the street of Santa Cruz....Mount Teide....I wonder how full those flights would be?

I'm sure this has been discussed elsewhere...but just wanted to toss in this day trip idea: Washington DC, if it's accessible from your location. I've taken the kids out on the first flight in the morning, and return on the last flight of the day. A round trip train ticket to the mall from Ronald Reagan is $5. All of the museums are free. It's cheaper than staying home and going to the Science Museum in St. Paul.

Thomas, first, I'm sorry to hear about your loss but it sounds so wonderful to have had that Alaska cruise with your wife. Memories of loved ones can be so cathartic.
If you all have zeds, you'd be able to go almost anywhere. What about Budapest? DL doesn't fly there anymore but it's almost as magical as Prague. You can get apts--look for JohnFarago (not FARGO, Mr. Lundegaard) in tripadvisor--he has at least one that would suit your needs. We stayed at a castle hotel on the Buda side: St. George Residence in Budapest, Hungary - Hotel Travel Deals
There is so much to do in Budapest--underground catacombs (spoooooky for the kids!) mineral baths and the Terror Museum. If they like history, it's a MUST. If they don't, make them go anyway--for the scary part. Central market is a blast for foods and they also have Christmas Markets (which are usually a huge ripoff but fun to walkabout) Paprika for gifts to take home--buy at major supermarkets or from farmer's markets. again, tripadvisor has one of the best forums for BUD. You can take a short side trip to Brno or small medieval towns for the day.
St. Stephen's cathedral would be a lovely place to light a candle for your wife.
You can also get apts in Prague--czech (haha) the posts here for more info from one of our members.

BTW--are the 6 others all "kids" or mix of adults and college ages?

Thomas, I would rethink Tenerife, due to the heavy charter biz from Thompson UK (thousands of cold, damp folks on holiday). From what I understand much of the canaries are jammed now with rental apts and condos. Might not be the same place you remember...just a thought.

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Originally Posted by ThomasD59

I've been considering Madrid, either from ATL or JFK. From there perhaps we could take an AF flight to Tenerife. I spent two weeks there over Christmas many years ago. The hotel and restaurant workers were on strike, and most of the European tourists went home. We were camping on the beaches in a tent and practically had the place to ourselves, save for a die-hard group of surfers from Newcastle who were also roughing it. And I'll never forget the Christmas Eve parade through the street of Santa Cruz....Mount Teide....I wonder how full those flights would be?

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MAD is cold and damp in December. Don't do it. 7 persons is a tall order. I recommend PVR or MZT. Good flight options out of LAX, SAT,ATL, DEN. And the weather is nice.

Going to Mexico - Plan your activities carefully - Mexican drug lords have made travel difficult if not impossible in places near the border and some large cities to wit MZT Mazatlan; Cruise ships are not making many stops there anymore. Cancun & Cozumel are OK. ACA Acapulco is having some problems if you get too far off the beaten path or the wrong end of a city. Better to go to a very large beach city PVR is great. If you are a member of AAA (CAA) take advantage of browsing thru the travel stuff they have - go to the website for more free info. Keep in mind if Delta is full or leaning to problems with NRSA travel use your ZED benefits and by all means check with a general search under Google for Cheap Tickets; Orbitz; Priceline; Kayak; etc. for bargains.

Don't worry about MEX. Just stay away from the border..