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Looking for suggestions for an XMAS week/New Years trip

klpca

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My husband gets the week between Christmas and New Years off and we are thinking of doing a two week trip using that week plus a week of vacation time for 2019/2020. I'm looking for suggestions of where to go taking into account the following parameters:

1. Need to be able to get a week via exchange (we have too many weeks at the moment and need to get through these first - so hotels are out for now)
2. I don't like crowds - for example no to Orlando, Las Vegas or New York. Just couldn't do it.
3. We go to Mexico and Hawaii frequently so we want to do something else for a change.
4. We are doing Sedona this New Years, so that is out for a location.

We would be fine with cities in the off season, places where we could hike/bike without too much worry about the weather (we hike when it's in the 40's, but 30's and snow is usually a little much), or some place warm. We don't want to be stuck in our unit.

We are considering NZ/Australia (works for weather, but exchanging would be tough and then...crowds :p ), Spain/Portugal, Italy, Hilton Head, San Francisco (but we have been there a lot - but we love it). We have deposits at Interval, SFX, and Grand Pacific, points through HGVC, and have access to RCI via HGVC. We don't need to stay at a Marriott or Starwood but have preference in both systems. We tend to prefer smaller resorts, but we are honestly pretty easy going and can be happy anywhere. Since it's a two week trip, we're not too fussy about airfare costs.

Any thoughts?
 

VacationForever

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We like Palm Desert over Christmas and New Year period, in fact all of Nov to Feb. We golf and the weather is perfect for outdoor activities plus there is a great selection of restaurants. It is our favorite area during late fall and winter time.
 
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buzglyd

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Costa Rica? Alaska and other airlines have non stops from LAX.
 

klpca

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Costa Rica? Alaska and other airlines have non stops from LAX.
Good idea! It's been on our B list for awhile and I had forgotten about it.

We like Palm Desert a lot too - but we go there a couple of times each year.
 

Marathoner

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How about a ski town like Park City or Breckenridge? You have hot tubs, nice bars and restaurants, snowmobiling, snow shoeing, reading next to the fireplace, hot chocolates, etc.

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klpca

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How about a ski town like Park City or Breckenridge? You have hot tubs, nice bars and restaurants, snowmobiling, snow shoeing, reading next to the fireplace, hot chocolates, etc.

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Do you think I can pull those weeks with an exchange? It seems like a longshot but I suppose that I could try.
 

Marathoner

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You are correct, Christmas week is very difficult. It is possible but rare. Put in a OGS in II, look for a studio or 1br and maybe you can get lucky. If you expand your search to Winter Park, Steamboat, Midway and Dillon, you will have a much better chance. Good luck.

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vacationhopeful

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Fort Lauderdale ... with a day trip tour bus ride (or a better plan, a 2 night trip to Key West).

Fort Lauderdale is a LARGE cruise port with multiple cruise lines leaving everyday.

If you like laid back, visit the historic Bonnet House (& 35 acres of grounds) .. a walled property which OWNS the beach from eater line to intercoast waterway .. look at the signs defiing who owns the beach (even the lifeguards stands are NOT on that provite beach, but the public is NOT restricted from visiting). Just a few steps north is the 180 acre Hugh Taylor Birch State Park .... again, goes from A1A (divides the beach from the park) to the intercoastal waterway. Bike rentals are available nearby.

Yes, there is great tourist shopping, an Indian gambling reservation very near by, deep sea fishing (multiple speciality boats) in the Atlantic Ocean, outdoor tennis courts, heated resort pools (for the enjoyment of all) PLUS great food of all types with upscale shopping on Los Olas Blvd.

Get a timeshare with a beach/ocean view. Weston is NOT near the beach and Pompano has A1A cutting thru it .. but is more like the suburbs with highrise condos complexes and less walk to shipping and food (car definitle required).

Marriott Beachplace is in Ft Lauderdale on A1A. Everything available will deplete your bank account but you will enjoy the food & drink.

I prefer the Ft Lauderdale Beach Resort (II and RCI resort) ... a very short 3 minute walk to the beach (with traffic light to cross). But it is in a commerical district of dining, drinking and the World Famous Parrot Bar & Lounge (27 TV sets around & above the bar with every Sport's Channel sold on SATdishes ... beers are drafts or bottle along with all the mixed drinks. This is the place the locals come to watch their teams from "BACK HOME" or UP North ... place does close its street for some BIGGER events. Good local food for dinners (some places open after 4PM only) include Italian, Mexican, Thai. etc ... 4 minute walk. The Galleria Mall is a 15 minute walk over the intercoastal waterway, but has Trulucks and Capital Grill plus 2 more UPSCALE places willing to empty your wallet for a great dinner ... Blue Martini, Seasons52 also.
 

WinniWoman

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I like a real XMAS feel for a holiday vacation and to me that means New England- VT, NH, etc. Snow, Pine Trees- even though we don’t ski we will do snow shoeing or just sit by a nice warm fire with a hot toddy. Dog sledding and snowmobiling. Horse drawn sleigh. Tubing and ice skating. Ice fishing. Take a snow coach up a mountain. Hot tub outside during falling snow. Quaint shops. Good restaurants. Take in a movie. Exchange gifts. Drive around to see the light displays. Take in a music venue or a holiday play. Church on XMAS day and then dinner out. You get the picture.
 

DaveNV

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Oregon Coast. Walking on a stormy beach can be exhilarating. Then curl up in front of the fireplace and watch the surf.

Dave
 

Railman83

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If you’ve never been to Massanutten it has more stuff to do than you can possibly do in a week. Skiing, golf, horseback riding, snow tubing, adventure courses and zip lines, go karts, gravity bounce, shows, crafts galore, indoor and outdoor water parks,several rev centers, multiple bars and restaurants with entertainment, spa, escape room and on and on and on.

It is overbuilt so trades are easy, but it is overbuilt for a reason, and not crowded if you take the 6000 acres into account.

If you spend any time on rci you’ve no doubt seen their 8 resorts pop up on all kinds of searches —- 3 gold crown and 1 silver crown 2&4br units.
 

klpca

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Thanks for all of the great suggestions! There are definitely places that I hadn't even considered before. We're going to start researching things so that I can get an OGS in place later this year.
 

heathpack

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Maybe:

St George Utah
Tucson or Scottsdale
Santa Fe
 

Panina

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Hilton Head would work for you, biking, hiking, golf and beach walks. Lots to do at and in surrounding areas. You can take day trips to Charleston and Savannah. Lots of timeshares in the area from big and fancy to small and quaint. Should easily get a trade.
 
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