Forget about spending yet another Thanksgiving in front of the TV watching football in a turkey-induced food coma. This year, why not try something new and visit a destination you’ve never been to before? Whether you simply want to celebrate the holiday somewhere new or you want to avoid it altogether, late November is a wonderful time to go travelling.
From magical European cities embracing the winter season to sunny beach resorts along the Caribbean Sea, we’ve rounded up the top Thanksgiving destinations in 2015 where you should spend your holiday this year.
Top Thanksgiving Destinations in 2015
Cologne, Germany
By the final week of November, most Christmas markets in Europe are in full swing and where better to indulge in a bit of festive retail therapy than Cologne ? This city is home to Germany’s biggest and most popular Christmas market which is held in the shadow of the UNESCO-protected Cologne Cathedral . Here you’ll find more than 160 stalls to browse whilst sipping on traditional mulled wine and listening to all the Christmas favourites being played by live bands.
Cancun, Mexico
November marks the beginning of the dry season in Cancun, Mexico which makes it one of the best and cheapest times to visit. Here you can avoid Thanksgiving altogether by spending your days working on your tan on the golden sandy beaches and hitting the nightclubs along the infamous hotel zone after sunset. But if you do feel a twinge of homesickness and decide that you want to celebrate the holiday after all, you’ll find many hotels, bars and restaurants which throw homely Thanksgiving parties, broadcast the games, show the parade on TV and serve roast turkey dinners.
Vancouver, Canada
There’s no doubt that Vancouver will be cold toward the end of November, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. The cold temperatures in Canada at this time of year create the ideal environment for skiing, so grab your skis and hit the slopes! Skiing down Grouse Mountain will reward you with unparalleled views of Vancouver below, but if you’re not one for soaring down mountainsides, there’s always the cosy après ski to enjoy after sun sets.
Orlando, Florida – US
If you’re celebrating Thanksgiving with the kids but you want to get away from the norm, take a family holiday to Orlando, Florida . Theme parks are well known for going all-out for the holidays and Thanksgiving is certainly no exception. At this time of year, Disney World , Universal Studios and Legoland offer extended opening hours and decorate every visible inch in Thanksgiving-themed regalia. Of course, you’ll need to get there early to avoid the worst of the crowds, but this is always the case with popular theme parks.
