The Fabulous Family is looking to book a vacation for Thanksgiving this year.
Every year we always go to my grandmother's house in East Texas (Tyler, to be exact), where my mom grew up (except 2003, because my mom had just had her first of several cancer surgeries and couldn't be in the car to drive out there).
Since my grandmother just died last month and we won't be going to Tyler for the first time ever, my mom wants to plan a family vacation for the four of us (mom, dad, me, 23 year old brother).
We want to do something quick (Wednesday-Sundayish), so Hawaii/Europe is out (I don't like Europe anyway), but we are having a hard time coming up with ideas.
My brother suggested Vegas, but I don't want to do Vegas because I'm unemployed and broke so I have no desire to go somewhere where all you do is gamble and shop and go to nightclubs because yeah, I have no money.
My mom suggested Napa possibly, which sounds alright to me.
Our last family vacation was to the Caymans, so we'd prefer not to repeat.
We've done Mexico a gazillion times before, but we always stay at resorts, so I suggested maybe doing something different and getting a villa instead of a hotel.
So - suggestions for vacation spots for the fam? (and keep in mind my parents like to drink just as much as I do so pretty much anywhere goes). And if you've done Mexico villas before - please share the website and let me know about your experience!
My favorite vacation ever was San Francisco and Napa/Sonoma valley. I can think of no better way to give thanks than to gorge on seafood and wine.
ReplyDeleteSanta Barbara is really nice and has great wineries if you want somewhere warmer. New Orleans would be fun. Phoenix and Scottsdale are also really nice as well. My mom has always wanted to do a holiday cruise.
ReplyDeleteOf course I'm partial to Napa (hello October honeymoon) because the wine and food are terrific, so you know, bonus! I'd also suggest New Orleans (the Ritz has great rates at that time of year) and do T-giving at Commander's Palace OR I'd suggest Scottsdale where there are quite a few very nice resorts.
ReplyDeleteI would suggest Scottsdale or Palm Springs~ both are still warm and relaxing that time of year ie: pools & cocktails...no matter where you go sounds like a blast !!
ReplyDeleteWe sometimes do thanksgiving in NYC, because my brother lives there. Granted, it's quite pricey there, but so fun during thanksgiving,. You can check out the Macy's day parade!
ReplyDeleteOtherwise, I've always wanted to do san fran/napa.. I've done southern cali, but never northern.. Good luck! I want to come!
-Erica
Even though I live in SF, Napa and Sonoma are my favorite vacation spots. It's so relaxing and low key, and the area is beautiful. Plus, you can always drive down to SF for a day (it's only an hour away).
ReplyDeleteThere's a lovely little family-run winery called Goosecross Cellars up in Napa that I think has some of the best wines (check out reviews on yelp.com), not to mention some of the other major California wineries in the area. Anyway, I think it would be perfect for a family vacation around Thanksgiving.
look up club med. they have excellent all inclusive resorts and the food is amazing! the one in FL has a lot of fun things to do activity wise and they're all included but they also have a very relaxed atmosphere.
ReplyDeletealso check out www.homeaway.com its a site where people list their vacations homes for rent for a day to months. JAB found a cabin in TN there for our spring break trip and it was amazing!
the central coast of california is gorgeous and has wineries too! check out cambria, cayucos and pismo beach for fun beach town type places. the wineries are located in paso robles, which is over the hill. these towns are not easy to get to from LAX or SFO, but flying into the san luis obispo airport will get you to all of them.
ReplyDeletealso, where did your twitter go? so sad, i don't have a twitter but enjoyed reading you.
Charleston, SC is amazing...
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed Jamaica when I was there a few years ago...
And this might sound weird, and somewhat random, but I've heard New Mexico had some amazing spa type resorts...
What about a cruise over the weekend. You guys being centrally located in TX could go either direction.
ReplyDeleteCheck out the villas at Sunset Key, near Key West in Fl. It is a short boat ride away from all the eating and drinking you can do on Duval St.
ReplyDeleteAtlantis. A lot of the packages there are all inclusive, so if your parents are picking up the tab for airfare/the resort, your drinks are paid for, and everyone can get as sloshed as they want. Well kept secret that you can make your flight much cheaper on Jet Blue (like $49-59) if you fly to a FL big city first (like Orlando), and then to Nassau.
ReplyDeletePunta Cana or Bahamas
ReplyDeleteKey West!
ReplyDeleteAlso, isn't Tyler the town that Friday Night Lights is based on?
Seaside, Florida or Rosemary Beach, Florida
ReplyDeleteYou will love!!
Bahamas. Atlantis if possible. My fam went (sans me :() And they say it was super amazing. Plus that time frame sounds just right for there.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.theredtreehouse.com/
ReplyDeletemexico city
I think taking a tour of a winery would be fun!!!
ReplyDeleteWhat about Key West? I'm going next month and super excited. You can walk everywhere and lots of fun bars/restaurants.
ReplyDeleteSteamboat Springs, Colorado.
ReplyDeleteI have always wanted to go. My mom's friend has a condo there. She said it's her hide out when she needs to get away from life. There are hot springs that I'm sure are pretty sweet and cozy during the winter months. Who says you need to go somewhere hot like Mexico?
http://www.steamboat.com/
We do Savannah/Hilton Head every year, and since you say your fam likes to keep the liquor aplenty, Savannah may be the perfect choice. The city is gorgeous and basically devoted to eating delicious food and getting drunk. There's also plenty of shopping and beaches nearby - it's a great fam vacay.
ReplyDeleteMy parents go to a Mexican villa twice a year every year. They love it. There is a direct flight from Houston and it is a beautiful place. This is where they stay- http://www.casa3amigos.com/
ReplyDeleteOr, What about Turkey? ;)
wine tasting? hmmm love to..
ReplyDelete