Holiday Travel Destinations

Traveling this holiday season is something many people are looking forward to, whether it is within the U.S. or abroad. With dozens of destinations to choose from, it is a good idea to narrow down that list based on a few factors.

One thing to consider is the climate. For those of us who currently live in a chilly climate, it is somewhat of a dream come true to be able to escape it for a little while to a tropical area. The Bahamas, Peru, and other Latin American countries are great options, as is Southeast Asia and South Africa. Of course Florida, California, and Texas always sound great during the winter months as well.

According to a recent CNN report, there are ten destinations that are especially fitting for the holiday season.

One recommendation that might be a little late this year is to attend the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. This is one trip you won't soon forget. Most spectators arrive between 6:30 and 7am and dress in layers.

New York City is also a great destination for the holidays for a variety of reasons. The entire city gets decked out for Christmas from Rockefeller Center to Carnegie Hall. Also, Radio City Music Hall hosts a Christmas spectacular every year. It is also a great place to watch a Christmas Performance and just be a spectator. Of course, New York is also famous for their New Year's celebration in Times Square every year.

Europe is also a beautiful destination this time of year. Germany and Austria have gorgeous street lights and Christkindlmarkts or Christmas Markets. You'll be able to find unique handicrafts and gifts unlike any other place. Also, this area of Europe has great ski slopes and lots of historic beauty to watch and discover.

Ireland also has a lot to offer as a holiday destination, along with London and the rest of the U.K. Candles and lights flood the streets as they glow from people's houses and historic buildings.

Branson, Missouri is also a beautiful destination for the holidays. It is also a city that dresses herself in splendor throughout the holiday season. Also, the entire town gears up for an "Ozark Mountain Christmas" with special themed shows filtering throughout Branson's multiple music theatres. Branson also hosts a "old Time Christmas" festival through December 30. It brings the classic elegance of an old fashioned Christmas into the current age.

Some other tips for holiday traveling include being flexible. While it may be challenging to find a good deal at this point, there is definitely still hope. Allowing a little flexibility in your arrival and departure dates may just help to land that lower priced deal.

Travelocity and Orbitz are great sites to look at for cheap tickets.

Also, traveling to a destination you may not have thought of may be the best way to go during the holidays. Choosing a less crowded destination may mean lower fares and a fantastic trip.

The top ten list of domestic destinations included Florida, California, Arizona and Denver Colorado.

Another recommendation is to drive to your holiday destination. Airfares are up over the past several years and airports can be quite hectic this time of year. Many travelers choose driving as their option because of the stress of flying.

If you do choose to fly, however, there are also several recommendations to make it a little smoother.

Review the rules carefully before you fly. Check with the airline's website for baggage regulations, both the weight and size.

Also, make sure that you are aware of how many carry on bags the airline allows.

Be aware of the an on liquids and it may be best to store them all in a single one-quart zip-tip plastic bag. The bag will also need to be removed from your carry-on and placed on the conveyor belt to be x-rayed.

Also, many airports require additional security measurements during the holiday season. You will most likely be asked to remove your laptop, belt, coins, shoes and jacket.

Also-if you are traveling with Christmas Gifts, wrap them when you get to your destination. Unfortunately, some security measures include unwrapping carefully wrapped gifts to make sure they are safe. It would be quite a disappointment to wrap presents, only to have them unwrapped at the airport.

It is also recommended to fly early in the day to avoid traffic and chaos in the airport.