🌍 Jingle All the Way: Family Holidays Across the Globe ✈️🎄

Hi Besties!

Holidays are calling! Whether you’re craving snowy markets with mulled wine, a sun-kissed beach with no emails in sight, or a family escape where everyone—yes, everyone—has fun, this edition is your passport to festive magic and memory-making. Let’s unwrap the world together. 🌍💫

❓ Travel Trivia

Question: Which country is credited with starting the tradition of Christmas trees? 🎄

(Scroll for the reveal!)

🛡️ Health & Safety Tips

• Winter Flu & RSV Season: Pack travel-size sanitizers, and don’t skip masks in crowded airports.

• Travel Insurance Check: Make sure your policy covers weather delays and medical care abroad.

• Family-Friendly Prep: Carry extra meds for kids, baby supplies, and snacks—because nothing ruins magic faster than a hangry meltdown.

Want more safety tips? We’ve got you covered: Navigating Offbeat Destinations Safely. Travel insurance is your BFF. Missed flights, lost bags, or weather hiccups? You’re covered. ✅ Understand the true benefits of travel insurance here…

🌟 Spotlight Destinations:

🎄 Rovaniemi, Finland – Santa’s Hometown

Reindeer rides, the Northern Lights, and cozy log cabins make Lapland the ultimate winter wonderland. Beyond Santa’s Village, discover the Arktikum Museum for Arctic culture, float under the auroras in a frozen lake, or hop the Santa Claus Express night train from Helsinki for a storybook arrival. Don’t miss a visit to a family-run reindeer farm, where Sámi hosts share traditions over open fires. And here’s a local secret: the riverbank by Lumberjack’s Candle Bridge is one of the quietest, most magical spots to watch the Northern Lights.

Pro Tip: Go in January or February for clearer skies and fewer crowds than December.

Read more about Rovaniemi here

Watch a video here

🏖️ Maui, Hawaii – Tropical Holidays with Aloha

If winter snow isn’t your thing, Maui offers sunshine, whales, and island magic. December through March is peak humpback whale season, and boat tours from Lahaina or Maʻalaea let you spot them breaching close to shore. Families can relax at Kāʻanapali Beach, while adventurers chase sunrise at the Haleakalā volcano crater—a spiritual, once-in-a-lifetime view. For something off the beaten path, drive the Road to Hana and stop at hidden waterfalls and black-sand beaches. Don’t miss Upcountry Maui for lavender farms, paniolo (Hawaiian cowboy) ranches, and a quieter vibe far from the resorts.

Pro Tip: Book sunrise at Haleakalā in advance—permits sell out weeks ahead.

Read more about Maui, Hawaii here

Watch a video here

🏰 Bavaria, Germany – Fairytale Christmas Markets

Cobblestone towns lit by lanterns, the scent of roasted chestnuts, and steaming mugs of glühwein—Bavaria in December feels straight out of a fairytale. Nuremberg’s Christkindlesmarkt is world-famous, but smaller towns like Rothenburg ob der Tauber and Regensburg offer equally magical, less crowded markets. Beyond the markets, tour Neuschwanstein Castle, dusted with snow, or ride the Bavarian Alps’ cogwheel trains for panoramic winter views. Don’t miss Augsburg’s Advent Calendar Town Hall, where 24 windows light up each night in a dazzling tradition.

Pro Tip: Visit weekday afternoons for fewer crowds and easier market browsing.

Read more about Nuremberg’s Christkindlesmarkt here

Read more about Rotenburg ob der Tauber Christmas market here 

Watch a video here

💳 Points & Miles Tip of the Week

• Family Pooling = Big Rewards → Airlines like JetBlue and hotel groups like Hilton allow families to combine points. That means fewer orphaned balances and faster free trips.

• Book Early, Flex Later → Holiday award flights vanish fast, but programs like Delta SkyMiles and Hyatt let you adjust plans later without heavy fees.

• Credit Card Perks for Families → Many premium travel cards now include trip delay insurance that covers meals and hotels if your flight gets stuck—essential during winter storm season.

✨ Trivia Answer Reveal

The tradition of decorating Christmas trees began in Germany during the 16th century. Families would set up fir trees in their homes and decorate them with apples, nuts, and later candles. The custom spread across Europe, then to America—thanks to German immigrants—becoming the global holiday symbol it is today. 🌟

🌍 Until Next Time…

Holidays aren’t just dates on a calendar—they’re the stories we write with the people we love. Whether your season sparkles with fairy lights in Europe, sunshine in Hawaii, or laughter around a family firepit, may your travels be filled with magic, meaning, and just the right amount of adventure. ✨

Thanks for journeying with me this week. Reply and tell me—where are your dream holiday plans taking you? I’d love to hear! 💌 [email protected] 

Sasha ✨
Editor, Travel Report Newsletter

Links and Guides:
To assist you in planning your next adventure, here are some valuable resources:

• CDC Travel Health Notices

• Travel Advisory and Alerts

• World Nomads Travel Insurance

• Lonely Planet Travel Guides

TripAdvisor Reviews and Recommendations

Stay safe, travel smart, and enjoy every moment of your journey.

Until next week, happy travels!