Thread: need destination ideas

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" !

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.