String of lights and palm trees at dusk

Holiday Travel

There's little as stressful, or as special, as holiday travel. Though travelers do have to deal with extra crowds on holidays, they also get the chance to witness something truly unique—a celebration shared across the globe, or an event cherished by a single locale. Whether you're going home for Christmas (or taking a relaxing beach vacation far away from home), Travel + Leisure knows how to navigate the best and worst of holiday travels. We can even help you nail down the perfect reservation for Valentine's Day or discover the best place in the nation to grill on the Fourth of July.
Exterior view of Oheka Castle at night in New York
You Can Spend the Night in This Christmas-trimmed Castle Near NYC — and Santa Will Deliver Gifts to Your Suite
Aerial view of the Christmas Market Vienna, traditional market at Vienna Town Hall in December
I Visited 8 European Christmas Markets in 2 Weeks — and These Were My Favorites
An illustration of Santa in his sleigh
Santa Teams Up With Waze to Help Guide Drivers to Their Holiday Destinations
A view of the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree during the 89th Annual Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony
The 2022 Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting Will Take Place This Week — With 50,000 Lights and a 3-million-crystal Star
Town of Solvang, California
This Small California Town Offers a European-style Holiday Getaway — With Christmas Markets, Festive Events, and Dazzling Decor
People walking at the Cologne Christmas Market, Germany
12 Best German Christmas Markets — Including the Oldest in the World
Christmas stocking on palm tree at Crandon beach, Key Biscayne, Miami, Florida
9 Ways to Celebrate Christmas in Florida — From Disney Parties to Boat Parades
Christmas tree in front of Notre-Dame Cathedral at dusk, Paris, France
How to Spend the Perfect Christmas in Paris
The Holiday Market in Bryant Park, New York
How to Have the Perfect Christmas in New York — Holiday Markets, Epic Light Displays, and Festive Hotels Included
Early morning autumn light near Killington, Vermont. P
The Best Places to Book an Affordable Last-minute Thanksgiving Vacation
Tropical Winter Wonderland at Castaway Cay
7 Cruise Lines Offering Festive Holiday Cruises in 2022
Passenger traffic during the holidays at Leipzig-Halle Airport
15 Holiday Travel Tips for a Less Stressful Festive Season
Yacht in Edgartown harbor, Marthas Vineyard, Massachusetts.
This Ferry Will Take You from NYC to Martha's Vineyard for Labor Day Weekend
Exterior view of Great Wolf Lodge
Great Wolf Lodge Will Offer a Free Night to 100 Families With Canceled Flights During July 4th Weekend
edinburgh castle scotland
30 Most Haunted Places in the World
Find out the best times to book flights for the top deals.
The Best Time to Book a Flight for Domestic, International, and Summer Travel
Snowboarders in Vail, Colorado, in the winter
11 Best Places to Travel in December
Rothenburg at Christmas
The Best Places to Go for Christmas
so many airplanes are in line on the runway waiting for take off
These Will Be the Busiest Travel Days of the 2021 Holiday Season
Biltmore Estate in winter
13 Best Places To Go in the Winter, From Ski Resorts to Sunny Beaches
America’s Best Towns for the Holidays: Aspen, CO
25 Best Christmas Towns in the USA
Varenna village on Lake Como in Lombardy, Italy
T+L's Editors Share the Best Trips to Take With Mom
The Best Places to See Christmas Lights in Every State
The Best Christmas Light Displays in Every State
Fireworks during the Macy's Fourth of July celebration in New York, U.S
Macy's Will Launch Its Iconic Fireworks Display This July 4 — Where to Watch
Best Gift Cards for Travel Lovers
The 55 Best Gift Cards for Travel Lovers in 2023
Gingerbread Houses
10 Gingerbread Houses That Are Actually Works of Art
Waiting Area In Airport With Luggages Near The Seats, Christmas Tree, Ornaments, Gift Boxes
10 Holiday Travel Hacks Travel + Leisure Editors Swear By
Clase Azul Dia de Muertos bottle
Luxury Tequila Brand Clase Azul's New Limited-edition Tequila Is a Stunning Tribute to Dia de los Muertos
Rear view of woman standing against various Lunar New Year decorations and ornaments on city street
How Lunar New Year Is Celebrated Around Asia
Grinch Vacasa
Stay in the Grinch's Cave in Utah This Holiday Season for Less Than $20
The Roosevelt New Orleans, A Waldorf Astoria Hotel decorated for the holidays
20 Hotels in Warm-weather Destinations to Get You in the Holiday Spirit
Airplane landing in snowy weather
How Thanksgiving Travel Will Be Different This Year, Explained in 4 Simple Infographics
Young women enjoy her vacation. She is using laptop in holiday villa, shopping online. It is winter time.
13 Ways to Save Money on Hotels During the Holidays
Canadian actress Emily Hampshire
'Schitt's Creek' Star Emily Hampshire Loves Small Towns in Real Life, Too — Here's One of Her Favorites
Europe Christmas Markets
10 Best Christmas Markets in Europe
Young woman decorating the living room of her apartment; getting ready for the upcoming holiday season.
4 Simple Ways to Take Your Holiday Decor to the Next Level, According to an Interior Designer
Halloween decor is taken down and replaced with holiday decorations all in one night along Disney's Main Street.
We Spent the Night at Disney's Magic Kingdom to Watch the Park Transform Into a Holiday Wonderland
Exterior of The Mark Hotel during Christmastime
This NYC Holiday Hotel Suite Starts at $75,000 — With a Private 'Nutcracker' Performance and Rooftop Skating
Enjoy festive cheer and wine onboard the Napa Valley Wine Train's holiday ride.
13 Festive Train Rides You Can Take for the Holidays
Fourth of July Independence Day Celebrations National Mall Washington monument Washington, DC fireworks
The Best Fourth of July Celebrations Across the U.S.
Fourth of July, Seattle, Washington
The Best 4th of July Fireworks in Every U.S. State
father son father's day travel trip ideas
The best trips to take with your dad
Paddington Bear float at Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
These NYC Hotels Have Prime Views of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade — and None of the Crowds
A performer at the Notting Hill Carnival, shown with motion blur
In a Year Without Carnival, One Writer Reflects on the Meaning of This Quintessential Caribbean Festival
Rome and Juliet balcony in Verona, Italy
Calling All Hopeless Romantics: You Can Win a Stay in Shakespeare's Juliet House in Italy for Valentine's Day
Hello Panda Lantern Festival New York City
The Largest Lantern Festival in North America Is a Truly Dazzling Display — and It's Coming to New York in Time for the Holidays
Chicago River
How and Why Chicago Turns Its River Green for St. Patrick's Day
two men eating a holiday meal
Dr. Fauci's Advice for Holiday Travel This Year
avalon cruises
These Holiday Cruises Will Take You to Christmas Markets Around Europe
Crowds at the Giant Lantern Festival in the Philippines
This Winter Festival in the Philippines Lights Up the Sky With Musical Lanterns
Universal Studios holiday tour with balloons
How Universal Orlando Reimagined Holiday Traditions Amid the Pandemic
Free Things do do in NYC for NYE
Nine Free Ways to Spend New Year's in NYC
Gingerbread house at French Quarter Inn
These Beautiful Charleston Hotels Are Making the Holidays Extra-magical This Year
Visitors enjoying Rockefeller Center.
These Photos Prove That the Holiday Spirit Is Alive and Well in New York City
JetBlue Airways plane
JetBlue Will 'Phase Out' Blocking of Middle Seats As Holiday Travel Approaches, President Confirms
Family enjoying fall leaves with their son who is a cardboard cutout
Jose Cuervo Will Make a Cardboard Cutout of You to Send Home for the Holidays
Hoda Kotb
Hoda Kotb Says the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade Will Be Different This Year — but Just As Much Fun
Small Christmas tree on top of the car
You Can Now Cut Your Own Christmas Tree From a National Forest — and Help the Environment
New York City, Times Square, New Year's Eve Celebration
Times Square New Year's Eve Ball Drop: What to Know If You're Attending or Watching on TV
crowds in Honolulu International Airport
The Most Popular Travel Days for the Holidays in 2020
Best Hot Chocolate - Four Seasons Vail
Where to Find the World’s Best Hot Chocolate
Eastern State Penitentiary
These Are Officially the Best Halloween Haunts in America
A private chef at Edge Retreats
These Holiday Getaways Come With Private Chefs so You Can Actually Relax This Year