End of Year Holiday Trips by Marty Sarbey de Souto, CTC

For many folks, the end of year holidays are something to look forward to every year. Be
Christmas, Hanukkah or New Years, to them it’s a time for festivity and family togetherness. But
many others, the holidays can be lonely, a time of nostalgia, perhaps a time of heartache. And it might also be a time of exhaustion and frustration, when some say “I don’t want to go through all this again next year; I’d like to get away from it all – all this shopping and commercialism.”

FILL AN EMOTIONAL NEED

So here’s where you come in. Perhaps your tour program can provide not only a wonderful travel experience but can fill an emotional need, giving those folks who want a “family” to travel with at this important time of year. And for those who would love to experience the holiday scene but who don’t necessarily want to go away on the holiday itself, why not consider a pre-holiday trip, perhaps with shopping, or, consider a post-holiday New Year’s trip. Certainly one of the most popular holiday trips is to the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Parade on New Year’s Day. Most such trips include, in addition to hotel accommodations and breakfasts, an introductory city tour of Los Angeles, a New Year’s Eve party, perhaps the “Glory of Christmas Show” at the Crystal Theatre, and, of course, reserved seating along the parade route.

MEXICAN POSADAS

A country that knows how to celebrate Christmas in a big way is Mexico – nine days of it. Known as “Las Posadas,” the nine days before Christmas represent Mary and Joseph’s search for a room in Bethlehem. Local families and many hotels feature re-enactment of the search. No country decorates its streets and buildings for the holidays as does Mexico with canopies of lights on principal streets and with huge building façade displays.

LAS LUMINARIAS

If you have not taken your group to San Antonio, Texas recently, the holidays are a wonderful time to consider it. A riverside city, one of the highlights is the “Fiesta de las Luminarias” when Christmas carolers sing from barges and the Paseo del Rio (Riverwalk) is illuminated by thousands of candles. These festivities can be combined with visits to The Alamo, the colorful Mexican Marketplace, and the LBJ Ranch. Adding Fredericksburg, a nearby German settlement, can round out an interesting five-day package. If your group hasn’t been to New York to see the Christmas show at Radio City Music Hall with the world-famous Rockettes, perhaps now’s the time to think of a future trip to the Big Apple. Browsing Fifth Avenue with its fabulous Christmas windows, watching the ice skaters at Rockefeller Center, and taking in first run Broadway show can make for a fabulous package. Add an educational component like a visit
one of the city’s renowned.

CRUISE ANYONE?

And, a holiday cruise is certainly another way to celebrate the season with flair. Since the cruise line provides all the decorations and activities, you can devote your energies perhaps to a special en route party or two to enhance the cruise line’s activities. If you are planning local one-day trips, there should still be time for this year’s trip. However, if you are planning longer trips including air travel, you may it’s too late to secure group reservations on the days desired. Many tour operators already have group space blocked and may still be able to help you. But, it’s not too early to start making plans for next year’s holidays NOW!