Holiday Travels

Several years ago we booked a four day holiday - at about this time - in December.  It was fabulous!  It started a December travel trend … the covid years aside.  We don’t head to beach destinations, but take more of an “adventurer’s” approach to our mini-break.  

A lot of people have asked if planning a holiday for the 10 days before Christmas is stressful.  It’s surprisingly not … if anything, I find it gives me breathing room.  

Yes, it requires planning … gifts need to be ordered, cards sent.  I’m a planner anyway - so that’s not a new thing.  Our trip is usually planned and booked in the fall, so I’m not out that expense or figuring out how to manage those costs.  Helpful.  

I also find taking a mini-break - our shortest holiday has been 4 days and our longest 8 - gives me an excuse to not attend a lot of holiday parties, luncheons, or post-work drinks … I’m on holiday! I’m usually returning as everyone else is heading out.  Feels like a win.  

Take the holiday obligations out of the mix and just consider the adventure part … I’m seeing places or experiencing things that make me happy.  I often get an insane amount of steps - because we do a lot of walking … because that’s the best way to experience a new place.  

Thus far our adventures have taken us to New York - if you’ve never been in December, I’d highly recommend it.  There is something magical about the oversized ornaments, Rockefeller square - I love the angels … and the tree … two exhausted and grumpy girls were suddenly wide-eyed, brimming with energy and smiling ear to ear when we stumbled upon the tree on our way back to our hotel on our first night.  I can honestly say … it did not disappoint … I found I was giddy and couldn’t stop smiling … I love Christmas lights - this was amazing!  We did all the things you expect to do in December … saw the window displays, the markets and skated in Central Park … and all the things you just do while in New York … visited the Museum of Modern Art, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Brooklyn Bridge etc. 

The following year we changed it up and spent our mini-break in Iceland.  The landscape is beautiful, even with only 4 hours of daylight.  Truthfully - that added to the magic … holiday lights were everywhere … and I do mean everywhere.  The highlight … hiking the glaciers (with a guide - safety first).  Ice takes on interesting shades, textures … it didn’t feel like anything or anywhere I’ve ever seen or been.  Pictures did nothing to capture the depth, the beauty … they are merely reminders that we were there.  

The covid years halted travel and we stayed home … obviously … 

Last year was our first year back to our December travel and we opted for Prague.  The city has an interesting history … I won’t lie … parts of that history hurt my heart … while I don’t love that people lived those horrors, I am glad they preserve those stories - so future generations can see, can feel the impact … so we remember.  On a lighter note … the markets have the most amazing food.  Not expensive, warm and utterly delicious.  Some of the best food I’ve had on holiday - I experienced in those markets!  

This year, well, this year we opted for something entirely different … we were fortunate enough to get tickets to Taylor Swift’s Eras tour.  Nothing I can say or will say hasn’t already been said … by everyone who has attended.  

I love music, I love live shows … especially when the artist connects with both the music and the audience.  I don’t often do big stadium concerts … honestly, I can count on one hand the number I have been too … Most of the venues we choose to go to are smaller, tickets are inexpensive and the shows - always amazing.  

This show … was a whole other level.  First - I should say,  she started on time. I find that is hit or miss and personally, when artists are aggressively late starting, it feels like a lack of respect for the audience … which annoys me.  Prompt starts … I will always have respect for!  She played for just over 3 hours … 64 000 fans … the sound quality and energy was as high at the end of the show - if not higher - than it was at the start!  Fans singing, dancing … dressed in the most amazing and utterly creative outfits, costumes, personalized takes on the eras … was next level and fun to see.  There was a cute little boy 2 rows behind us that had his father ask a mother in the row in front of them if the little girl (probably the same age) wanted to trade bracelets … gah … the night was filled with moments like that one.  Touching … kind … supportive … respectful … core memory moments.  

Experiencing that was just that … an experience.  Like one I haven’t come across before in my concert going experience.  

On a side note … I’m lucky to have family in Vancouver, so I had a place to stay and got to visit - which was the cherry on top!

I am flying home as I write this … so have a moment to process this trip … which still feels surreal.  

I love holidays for SO many reasons, but as the journey home part of the trip begins, I do look forward to being home … in my space, routines … It won’t be long before I long for adventure again.  Thankfully, it doesn’t always require far off places … sometimes it's as simple as a day trip.  Exploring local haunts - just in different seasons - which makes them feel new!

To those travelling in the weeks ahead, be safe, enjoy.  To those staying local, hopefully you are able to find small moments for yourself … either way … I hope you find the joy the season boasts of … even if it’s just in small things.