ArcaMax

Ready for some fun? Now that the stress of the holidays is behind us, we can plan a fun getaway this winter. For too many of us, meeting up with family over the holidays doesn’t qualify as a bonafide vacation.

Now, whether we want to head to the mountains or tropical beaches, Orlando, a favorite city, or a new one to explore, or perhaps to a cruise when WAVE season offers some of the best deals of the year, it can be about us and not our obligations — within budget, of course.

You’re not alone. According to the most recent American Travel Sentiment Travel Study from Longwoods International, a near-record 91 percent of American Travelers indicated they have plans to go somewhere in the next six months.

Join us in exploring the very best, affordable, fun, and safe family winter vacation ideas with our partners at The Family Travel Forum and Little Family Adventure.

A few tips first: Protect your investment with travel insurance. You don’t want to be out of pocket if someone gets sick, there’s a volcano (as in Iceland recently ), a blizzard, a war or your luggage gets stolen.

If you are considering the value of an all- inclusive resort, think about whether your family will use all of the amenities. Do you drink? Will your kids participate in the children's programs? Will you enjoy the entertainment? All of the food offerings? If not, your family may be better served by a beachfront condo with a pool.

Ditto for a cruise where you also must consider how much shore excursions, alcohol, and specialty restaurants (if not included in your package) will add to the tab. Also take the time to consult a travel adviser to choose the right cruise line and ship for your family — a megaship with all the bells and whistles; a small ship offering a more intimate experience and less visited ports or a ship from a port you can drive to.

If you are heading to the slopes and your kids are relatively new to snow sports, consider smaller, less expensive resorts. Another plus: ski school classes likely will be smaller whether in New York state, Pennsylvania, or the Midwest. Colorado Gems are 11 smaller Colorado snow resorts that are less expensive and less crowded than the big resorts and, for younger families, easier to navigate. They include the famous-for-its-long-season Arapahoe Basin, Ski Cooper and Sunlight in Glenwood Springs, home to the world’s largest hot springs pool. Choose between 2-for-1, single-day adult tickets or 30 percent off one single-day adult ticket at 10 laid-back local ski areas.

Make your goal a winter festival and turn it into a long weekend adventure. Winterfest, for example, runs through February 2024 in the Smoky Mountains. Tour Tennessee to explore the Dollywood theme park, drive the Winterfest Driving Tour of Lights along Pigeon Forge Parkway or fly over it with Scenic Helicopter Tours in Sevierville. Explore Gatlinburg and beyond. The Steamboat Springs Winter Carnival takes place Feb. 7 to 11, celebrating more than a century of winter tradition. At SNOWFEST in Tahoe City, Nevada, catch 20 chilly events over the 10-day period February 29 to March 10. The fun Western town of Park City is filled with chic shops and restaurants, plus condos, hotels and B&Bs where you might snag a lodging bargain. And the annual Sundance Film Festival in mid-January is a winter highlight.

Opt for a long weekend in a nearby city where you can take in some theater, some restaurants, and a new museum exhibit or two. In New York, the “The Secret World of Elephants” at the American Museum of Natural History explores the 60-million-year evolution of the elephant family. You can save 24 percent on hotels when you book rooms from Jan. 3 to Feb. 4 during NYC Hotel Week.

...continued

(c) 2024 DISTRIBUTED BY TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES, INC.