How to avoid Cousin Eddie this Holiday
We all have that relative. The one who shows up uninvited to the holiday get-together and essentially ruins everything.
We will refer to this unwanted relative as Cousin Eddie.
The holidays should be a stress free time to spend with the family and friends you love, but all it takes is Cousin Eddie to make you want to get back to work faster than ever. If you think this problem is inevitable, I’m here to give you the secret tip that will make your holiday the magical time you deserve.
I have four words for you: Travel for the Holidays.
Instead of stuffing up the entire family in a home and filling it with mostly unwanted gifts and people, take the ones you love to a destination that will provide everyone with an experience and the memories you will never forget.
Not sure where to travel for the holidays? We can help. Here are the best Christmas vacations, new Hanukkah traditions, best places to travel for New Years, and everything in between.
Look no further, here is the list of the best places to travel for the holidays.
- Prague
A winter wonderland waits for anyone who visits Prague during the Christmas season. With Christmas markets open daily at the old town spare, you will get your fair share of holiday spirit, carolers, local food and drinks.
In the Czech Republic the Vanocni Trh (or simply Christmas Markets) fill the city streets, and Prague’s is the most impressive. Even though it is a famous tourist attraction, the locals also enjoy the Old Town Square market. This allows you to see and experience the true authentic Czech culture.
The markets illuminate the squares and bring life into the chilled air. The Prague Christmas markets are open every day from November 26th to January 6th.
While there you must make sure to try some of the traditional food such as barbequed sausages called klobása. To wash down your dinner and keep your warm while shopping at the variety of huts, you must have a cup of hot mulled wine called svarené víno or svarák. Say that 3 times fast.
2. Amsterdam
The Dutch have a word called gezellig, and in English the translation is closest to cozy. This is the word that the people of Amsterdam use to explain their charming city during the holidays.
The silly season spirit starts to pour out of the warm cafes and shops during this time of year and into the intimate streets gleaming with lights. When I say gleaming lights, I’m not sure you are getting the full picture.
The Dutch enjoy their light displays, possibly more than Americans.
The Amsterdam light festival takes advantage of the beautiful city center and canals to use the space as their personal masterpiece of lights. Artists from all over Holland gather to contribute to the extensive light formations that cross Canal Ring, the River Amstel, and other locations throughout the quaint city.
The Amsterdam Light Festival runs through December and ends January 22nd. Bucket list
3. New York City
“It’s the most wonderful time of the year!” And New Yorkers tend to agree. You have seen the holiday narrative centered around New York City many time, and that is for good reason.
The city comes alive during the holidays, as the Bryant Park, Rockefeller Center, and the window displays literally deck the halls will bells, holly, and a whole bunch of Christmas joy.
Central Park’s little brother Bryant Park steals the show becoming a winter village during the holidays. From free ice skating to the 100 plus shops, Bryant Park transforms into a hub for good holiday eats, shopping, and just overall fun. It is a winter village for all of December and into March 6th, but be advised that the shops shut down after January 3rd.
A trip to NYC for the holidays is not complete without checking out the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree. This behemoth Norway Spruce is 78-feet tall, weighs 10-tons, and is sparkling with over 45,000 LED lights.
That my friends is one large tree, and it will not disappoint when you see it in person.
4. Israel
There is no better place to celebrate the holidays than where it all started back in the year 165. Israel is the place to celebrate the eight days of Hanukkah, as you will see and experience traditions that have been passed on for centuries.
The annual Hanukkah Torch Relay marks the beginning of the holiday in Israel, and is truly a beautiful display of humanity. The road between the city of Modi’in to the Western Wall (Kotel) in Jerusalem’s Old City is lined with people. A torch is then lit in Modi’in and passed from hand to hand until the torch makes its way to the Western Wall to light the giant hanukkiyah or menorah.
Not only is your heart full while celebrating the holidays in Israel, but your belly is as well. Enjoy a calorie loaded, sugar covered, deliciously fried treat called sufganiyot, most similar to a doughnut.
Just like doughnuts, these tasty morsels come in all shapes and sizes. They are also known for being stuffed with filling including strawberry jelly, halva, dulce de leche, chocolate, and pistachio to name a few.
5. Hong Kong
Hong Kong is already awe inspiring city to the eyes, so when you add a dazzling firework display to the picture you can imagine how spectacular it is.
This is exactly what happens every New Years in Hong Kong, and every year the firework display gets more impressive and surpasses all expectations. Imagine a pyrotechnic dragon dancing across the sky, well that happened to be the finale one year.
If you think that is pretty cool, the New Year kicks off in Hong Kong’s Times Square shopping mall, where they do a replica ball drop in homage to New York City’s famous tradition.
If you are lucky enough to be in Hong Kong to bring in the new year, the only spot you should be is Victoria Harbour. From here you will get the most amazing view of the lightshow that outdoes itself every year.
