Need ideas for a Christmas get away.
 

I'm really going to do what I've wanted to do for years. I'm going to go away for Christmas. Everyone always talks me out of it, saying I shouldn't be alone. Well, I WANT to go away!
The only trouble is , I can't think of what to do.
I live near Toronto, and don't want to go too far. Europe is too far for 3 days , and so are many parts of the States.

I've thought of the Carribean, but then I would have single supplement to pay.

DO hotels in big cities usually cost an arm and a leg at Christmas? or do the city centres empty out?

I think flights may be hard to get, so driving would be ok, within 6 to 8 hours of driving.

I'd love some suggestions.

More information needed! Do you long to go to sunny climes, a big city, what?

Hi kodi, although I have not done this I have had more then on group of friends that have gone to NYC over Christmas and got some great hotel Christmas packages. NYC is known for being so festive during the holidays and since everyone does not actually celebrate Christmas I was thinking that might be a fun place for you to go to. Best wishes.

Underhill, I have no real idea of what I want to do. But what I don't want to do is outdoor sports like skiing or skating.
The warm sun sounds good or a big city....or any ideas.

Loveitaly, thanks for the great idea. I wasn't sure if the rates would skyrocket at Christmas or be reasonable.
I had been thinking of a big city, but felt everything would be closed. But I had not thought of so many not celebrating. I'll check it out.

I too spent several Christmasses wishing I had scheduled something else. Last year I went to Hawaii. It was the best thing that ever happened to an overrated holiday for those of us without the great family thing. I'll be returning this year.

Charleston SC and Savannah GA make a great combination (about 2 hours drive apart). It is not too cold and lots to see and do.

You can also combine Jacksonville, FL and the Georgia Islands such a Amelia Island, Jekyll and St. Simons. Have fun.

Grab your flight plans early and work around that.

Amie

Hi ShaeC, we have such a big family that one year my late DH said "I am out of here" LOL. And we went to Hawaii. It was such a beautiful time. I truly understand!

kodi, in SF the hotel always have special Christmas packages but SF is to far for you since you nare in Toronto. NYC would be so much closer.
If NYC interest you (and it certainly would me) start checking with hotels now. And btw, if you check with hotels that usually cater to business people they will no doubt have lower rates or good specials because they will not have business clients over the Christmas holiday. Let us know what you work out!

Eeeks, you are not nare in Toronto, you ARE in Toronto. Must use the Edit button, LOL.

Thanks for the great ideas and encouragement. So many friends think it's 'best' if I'm not alone on Christmas. Since it's something I've wanted to do for a number of years now, I'm excited about planning something.

Oh if only Hawaii was closer, but I am checking into a 3 day getaway package to Nassau. I'll have to find out on Monday how much the single supplement is.

And I love the idea of Charleston and Savannah. Would it be too quiet at Christmas? Would anything be open on Christmas day? Here in Toronto, there isn't very much going on. Even on Christmas eve it's hard to find a restaurant open.

New York sounds like a really good choice.
I'll actually be there this Friday, so perhaps I can get some information there. I'm stopping over there for a day on my way to my Europe vacation .
Here I am going away to Europe for 2 weeks and I'm trying to plan the next getaway! But I know for Chirstmas I need to get cracking on it.

Thaks for the great ideas. I'll let you know what I end up doing.

I

Another vote for Charleston and/or Savannah. They are lovely around Christmas. Beautifully decorated and plenty of things to do or see.
The weather won't be hot, but it should probably be (a lot) warmer than Toronto. Pick a nice hotel with its own restaurant. Hotels that do upscale Christmas buffets often attract plenty of locals who don't want to cook for and clean up after a crowd or who can't agree on a menu (you know, where some members of the family are vegetarian, others strictly low fat, low salt, others Atkins, etc).

You might want to consider Williamsburg, VA also. It is absolutely beautiful around Christmas (as it is the rest of the year!) with wonderful decorations from the period, excellent restaurants, and moderate climate (usually!) I've not been on Christmas day specifically, just during the season, but someone else here will likely know specifics for the 25th.

Thanks Ellen. I'll check out Williamsburg, Va. SO many great ideas that I haven't thought of.

NYC was my first thought. We've been there many times over Christmas. It's fabulous that time of year. I will say, however, that it is very popular and it may be hard to find a great hotel deal. Trying a hotel that usually caters to business travelers is a good suggestion.

My next thought was Williamsburg, VA, but I see someone has already suggested it! The decorations are lovely and there are good dining choices. Nightlife would be fairly quiet if that matters one way or another. Really pretty to walk around. (I am a little biased as I went to college there).

You could drive to Boston. The weather is usually not too bad. Lots of things are open the day before and after and just about everything in Chinatown is definitely open on Christmas Day.

You could do a Christmas cruise...but then you have the single supplement again. They are more expensive than the cruises a week or two before and after Christmas, however.

Chicago is probably a longer drive than you are willing to make but it should be considered. The city is particularly special during the holiday season and I bet you could find a nice hotel package for the long weekend if you look now.

Then again, if you can nab a cheap flight (WestJet maybe) to Vancouver, that city too would be a fun Christmas destination. Not balmy, but much milder than what you're used to in Ontario during December.

I looked on some websites and Willimasburg looks amazing!
I like all of your great ideas and now will have to do some research on prices and airfares if I decide to fly. I have never been to any of the places mentioned except for NY.

What about hopping a flight instead of driving and going to Santa Fr, or Albuquerque ? or San Antonio ? or Galvaston? I've never been to the southwest.
I realize that no matter where I go, there won't be much open on the 25th, but I'd like some neat things to do on the other days.

Oh and the Georgia Islands. What are they like? Amelia and St Simon's?

A lot of it will come down to cost. Unfortuantely I feel I must rule out NYC besause of cost.

Thanks again everyone. I'll start on my homework.

WARNING! City centers do not empty out. I found my self in Los Angeles Ca. over a holiday. I assumed no problem. There was not a room to be found within a bazillion miles. Computer checks were made by a hotel. We slept on a surprised friends floor. Not only should a reservation be made but the way lodgings overbook I would not be late and also have an escape plan.

Sobolik, thanks for the advice. I know I've got to get going on this and make some firm plans.

Any other ideas out there?

kodi, Charleston has a large Jewish population so many things do not close down Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

Wonderful time of year to see Charleston. Weather should be lovely, daytime highs 60s but with the humidity, it will feel warmer unless we get a cold snap.

I remember plenty of holidays the weather was in the 70s.

Kodi, if you want to reconsider New York City then Marriott has a special price of $US 99.00 per night between December 23-26 in Courtyard Times Square South. It is a very good price, IMHO

Oh you guys are great! I had no idea at all what I wanted to do, and now I'm spoiled for choice. Enough ideas for the next 5 Christmases!

My next step will be to start checking airfares.

Thanks everyone! I'll let you know what I decide.

I went on a cruise one Christmas- I was single but had teenage daughter with me so no single supplement for us.
I thought it was a perfect trip for a Xmas get away - we sat at a table for 8 so didnt feel so alone and without family AND we both had shipboard romances which was fun - but even if that hadnt happened- it felt good to be part of a group at that time of year.

Club Med might be another option to look into

Hmmmm, a Christmas fling !!! I hadn't thought of that !!
A cruise sounds great if I had more time.

Have you considered Montreal?
Not too warm that time of year but very eclectic and charming city.

Thanks so much to all of you for helping me make my decision !!! After much thought and research I have decided to go to New York City.

All of the suggested destinations sounded wonderful. But I decided that I did not want to have to rent a car. I also did not want to be in an airport any more than I had to be at this busy time of year. So that meant a direct flight somewhere.

After googling NYC + Christmas, I was so impressed with all the lights and store windows!
I'm very happy with my choice and I'm also very happy that I'm actually going to be spending Christmas the wasy I want !

Mama, a special thank you. I didn't think I had a chance of finding a reasonalby priced hotel. Thanks to you, I'm booked into the Courtyard Times Square.

Now for theatre tickets! and I'll be all set.

Hey Kodi, YES! That is what I would have chosen! I think you will have an absolutely fantastic time. Don't forget to give us a trip report after you return home. Personally I sure understand your wishes to do what you want to do versus what other people in your life want you to do. Best wishes and have fun planning your time in NYC!

Thank you LoveItaly. I'm so excited. The more pictures I see and the more I read , the more excited I get. FINALLY to be doing what I want on Christmas.
I've got my hotel booked, my airline ticket booked and also my Radio City Christmas show booked for Christmas day.

Now to make a list of all the lights I want to see .. and store fronts. I think I'll be very busy. And I want to find out about the Christmas markets , but I'll have to wait til I get back from this trip to Europe. I leave in 2 days.

Then will come the time when I have to tell my friends what I'm doing for Christmas!!! It won't be fun, but they will see how excited I am. Hey, they may join me next year!!

Hello again Kodi, wishing you a wonderful time in Europe! And after you get home you can fine tune your Christmas trip to NYC. I really am happy for you. I too the last couple of years have started making all my decisions based on what I need versus what others think I need. I keep learning day by day. My very best wishes to you.

LoveItaly, thank you so much for the best wishes and the kind words. I appreciate them. And a big congratulations to you for standing up and making decisions for yourself. It isn't always easy, but once we take a stand, it feels soooo good.

Making others happy is wonderful, but it sure feels good to be doing something I've wanted to do for a long time.

I hope you DO keep learning. Good for you!!And I hope you DO get to New Zealand. ( Didn't we talk about that ?)
I will post a trip report when I return from NYC.

I'm sure I'll be posting more questions about NYC at Christmas time!
Thanks again.

Kodi, New Zealand, yes dear you are correct...you have a good memory! Again, have a wonderful time in Europe.