There’s just something special about breaking tradition and experiencing a holiday vacation. I finally talked my family into doing that for Christmas this year and I couldn’t be more excited!
Travel during the holidays offers you the chance to experience seasonal celebrations in a way you have never done before. We’ve all seen the quirky images of Santa in board shorts, all while working on his rosy complexion in the sun on the beach. If Santa can take a vacation, why can’t you? Plus, you’ll be able to see first hand those fun Santa and Christmas decorations in the sun and sand, rather than in the snow and cold.
Plan Your Holiday Vacation Early
The 2021 season may already be booked up and if you regret not making plans earlier, know that you’re not alone. The key to planning a holiday vacation is to start planning it pretty early on. We suggest at least 6 months in advance to get the best pricing and availability. If you want to make it happen for next year, we can help you plan your grand adventure for the 2022 holiday season. We understand that travel can be more expensive during the holidays, but Wanderland Escapes offers a few options that allow you to pay for your vacation over time.
You can also choose to travel with family or Give Yourself the Gift of Solo Travel. Giving yourself the chance to explore a new place on your own is a fun way to decompress from the stress of the last several years. Bring this up to your family when you gather for gift giving and see if you can get anyone on board for doing the holidays in a different way next year.
3 Unique Tropical Places for Your Holiday Vacation
It’s no secret that Wanderland Escapes specializes in a lot of tropical places, so if you want out of the cold, we’ve got you covered! When we consider the beauty of the tropics, the ease of travel, and the safety of exploring on a solo trip, three places come to mind as the perfect holiday vacation destination. These three areas below offer rich culture and time-honored traditions to celebrate the holidays.
1. Aruba
Aruba is one of our top picks because of the ease of entry with passport requirements and the safety factor. Aruba is a very safe destination so it’s ideal for family or solo travel. It’s also easy to drive around on your own and explore. However, if you prefer to just lounge on the beach, Aruba has no shortage of amazing beaches and perfect weather.
The holiday season in Aruba begins on November 1st with the opening of its Carnival Season. Carnival music flows, and the celebration honoring the four Queens means parades, festivities, and fun. Once December arrives, Aruba celebrates Christmas more than once. Something different than here in the US is that the Dutch version of Santa Claus visits the children of Aruba on December 5th, bringing sweets and small holiday-themed gifts.
Christmas is traditionally celebrated worldwide on December 25th, and it’s no different for Arubans. On January 6th, it is said that the Three Kings who visited Jesus in his manger visit Aruban children bringing gifts of religious significance, such as nativity models and lessons. Many Aruban parents also use this day to go through old clothes and toys and pass them along, much like Boxing Day in the UK.
Light Up the Mixing Pot
Aruba is proof that we can build a thriving mixing pot of cultures and share traditions from one family to the next. People in Aruba also celebrate the Jewish Festival of Lights or Hanukkah. Celebrating so many different cultures creates some fun and exciting decor ideas. The lights at Seroe Preto are a showstopper for any holiday vacationer, and the community comes together to create a light display that astounds.
Travel Restrictions
Aside from travel restrictions due to the pandemic, Aruba has some of the most lax rules regarding passports and travel visas. As long as your passport is valid for the length of your stay, you’re able to go to Aruba without the 6 month restriction that a lot of other countries have.
2. Puerto Rico
Like Guam and the US Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico is a US Territory. Therefore, it does not require you to have a passport to travel, making it an exotic getaway for those who do not have one. Further, as with most Latin-based cultural travel destinations, the holidays celebrating religious events are massive and revered.
Festivities
In addition to traditional Christmas, citizens and visitors of Puerto Rico celebrate Epiphany or the Visitation of the Three Wise Men. On January 5th of each year, children gather grass or hay into boxes that tuck under their beds. Upon waking in the morning, they discover that the Magi fed and watered their beasts of burden and has left gifts for the children.
Food
Many dishes for a traditional Puerto Rican holiday meal may seem familiar. Arroz Con gandules is a rice and pea dish typical for special occasions. Spit-roasted pork and green banana tamales are also standard fares during holiday celebrations in Puerto Rico. Most people are familiar with Eggnog, but in Puerto Rico, residents and guests enjoy a coconut-based drink served in shot glasses. Coquito is like Horchata, but coconutty, rather than rice-based.
Bold Decorations
Puerto Rican people don’t play it safe with bold and rich colors. There’s no reason to expect their light displays to be muted. Christmas decor in the area can range from the beautiful simplicity of lights on the edge of the roof to full interactive displays of the mesmerizing twinkle of tiny lights.
Adding another splash of vibrancy to the calendar, eight days after Epiphany, Puerto Ricans celebrate Las Octavitas. The event honoring the Magi and Jesus with music and community.
When the parties and parades wrap up, the community kicks off its color festival, las Fiesta de la Calle San Sebastián. Another melodious celebration to bring the holiday festival season to an end. The new year has many gatherings, and when the celebration season eases down, the island gets back to work.
3. Hawaii
Hawaii holds a special place in our hearts here at Wanderland Escapes. Since Hawaii is a US state, no passport is needed for entry, and it’s pretty easy with a few steps to do beforehand, which we can help walk you through the steps. Hawaii has several islands to choose from for different experiences and it’s a very safe place to explore solo or with your family.
The holidays are an even more magical time in Hawaii. The blend of cultures, the decoration displays, and the holiday activities make for some fun and new experiences.
Makahiki
Before Christianity was introduced to the islanders of the Polynesian Islands, there was a four-month celebration called Makahiki. The celebrations of Makahiki were intended to rest, be merry, and celebrate Earth and her offerings through the year. When Christianity was introduced, this period became Christmas. However, many traditions run soul-deep, and the season retained many of the foods, songs, and prayers associated with Makahiki.
Carols of the Islands
Hawaii is an intrinsically musical place. With most of the histories conveyed through spoken word and song, it’s not a surprise that Christmas Carols have taken on their Hawaiian flavor. Accompanied by ukulele and guitar, choirs and family gatherings sing joyously traditional Christmas Carols and more modern lyrics.
Lighting Extravagance
The residents of Hawaii are significantly extra in everything they do. Community holiday traditions include complex and impressive lighting displays around their homes and property, decking out their cars in lights and decor for parades, and extensive community BBQs and Luaus. There’s also an impressive decor display you can walk through put on by the Honolulu city lights in downtown Honolulu on Oahu. It’s a must see!
One thing that the people and culture of Hawaii have never failed to provide is a sense of celebration in everything they do. Traveling to see these islands during the holiday season may be one of the most rewarding trips you have ever taken.
Book Now – Pay Later
Wanderland Escapes will take great care with booking your 2022 holiday vacation, but it’s smart to start looking at your options now. The holiday season is one of the most heavily booked seasons every year. Plane tickets become more expensive the longer you wait to secure them, and hotels can fill up quickly. The longer you wait the higher the rates and the lower the availability gets.
If you’d like to secure your spot for a holiday vacation, put a Plan-To-Go-Deposit down on your trip to start the research now. Once we find a suitable option for you, pay your booking deposit and then you can pay it off slowly throughout the year. This option is often the best choice to reduce sticker shock and make the vacation more affordable. Contact us today to discuss your options.
