Holidays tips

The song goes, "It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas everywhere you go. " The best part is that Christmas can look a little different as you travel from coast to coast.

There’s nothing quite like traveling home for Christmas. Well, once you’ve got the journey part out the way, of course. Because I lived overseas for most of my adult life, I made this pilgrimage most years with a suitcase full of gifts for my family from overseas.

If you’re sitting close to a colleague, you might want to dim your screen when reading this because if you’re smart with planning your PTO next year, you could triple the consecutive days off by timing it with federal holidays and long weekends. Although I feel like I’m whispering this while writing, there’s nothing sneaky going on here, and it’s your right to plan your vacation time. Just do it wisely, and you could start with 16 days off and finish with 55.

From Elf on the Shelf to cookie swaps, matching pajama sets, ugly sweater office parties, and countless other traditions, the holidays can be the most wonderful — and exhausting — time of the year.

This month, I embarked on the overnight rail experience of a lifetime: Finland's Santa Claus Express.

Known as the "Danish Capital of America," Solvang's cuisine and architecture have turned it into a popular tourist destination.

Christmas is a time of celebration and festivity, and there are many ways to observe it.

When my children were little, I felt the magic of the holidays deep in my bones.

My hometown of Victoria, British Columbia, is known for many things — quaint architecture, a temperate climate, stunning gardens, and being the backdrop for hundreds of Hallmark holiday movies.

The holiday season is a time for traditions, some of which are specific to individual cultures.

As a travel editor, few things make me prouder than taking my three-year-old daughter, Olivia, with me on the road. For someone her age, she’s spent an exorbitant number of nights in hotel rooms, and recently completed a two-week road trip across central Mexico with more composure than most American adults would be able to muster. Often, though, our travels aren’t solely focused around her, so it was with great excitement that my wife, Alisha, and I brought her four hours south of our home in Palisade, Colorado, to ride The Polar Express train in Durango. Running nightly from late November through early January, the experience is centered around the kid’s Christmas tale – and it does a fantastic job of bringing it to life. Here’s what to know about The Polar Express including what it’s like, how long it takes, and how much it costs.

We are all dreaming of a White Christmas, right? While it’s impossible to guarantee a snowy holiday, some places in the US are far more likely to deliver on Christmas morning. To help you plan your winter getaway, car rental company SIXT, has analyzed historical weather data to identify the top 25 US destinations with the highest probability of a White Christmas.

Every December, hotels across the US undergo a festive transformation.

The desert seems like an unlikely place to visit for some of the best holiday displays in the country, but the Las Vegas Strip is full of surprises.

In 2017, I decided to take my first-ever solo trip — a weeklong jaunt to London during Christmas.

You don't have to take a transatlantic flight to feel like you're in Europe this holiday season.

Americans are projected to travel in large numbers for Thanksgiving: Close to 80 million travelers will venture 50 miles or more from home over the holiday period, according to travel organization AAA.

The first time I saw the Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights at MGM Studios (now Hollywood Studios) in 2000, I was hooked on the magic of Disney World at Christmastime.

The Matador Network team isn’t always shackled to a desk. This year, we’ve explored around the world on memorable trips to places like the volcanic archipelago of the Galapagos, the Northwest Coast of Norway, and stayed in hotels breaking ground on sustainability measures. While doing so, we’ve tested truck loads of gear, from the latest apparel and luggage from leading outdoor and travel brands, to gadgets and packing aids that make our journeys more comfortable, to on-the-road essentials to keep our kids entertained. This year’s gift guide compiles our favorite products — items in our travel tool kits that have become indispensable. Whether you’re looking for a stocking stuffer, an affordable present for a white elephant gift exchange, or something special for a loved one who enjoys traveling as much as we do, our tried-and-tested suggestions will make your holiday shopping a walk in the park.

As if Rome wasn’t already one of Europe’s — and the world’s— most popular destinations, the Vatican’s 2025 Jubilee is anticipated to push the city (and the patience of tourists) to its limit.

Christmas is already around the corner. You may be in denial because snow has yet to arrive, but it’s high time to start planning your holiday travels. Between the mulled wine, carols, and delicious sweet treats, organizing a trip to a Christkindelsmärik in Europe is the most festive way to head straight into the holiday season. Christmas in Europe must be celebrated with a cinnamon coated chimny cakle in one hand and cheese-filled bratwurst in the other. So, this year, plan for a perfectly wintry holiday experience at one of the 15 best Christmas markets in Europe.