Give the Gift of Travel

Thanksgiving is right around the corner, and before you know it Christmas and New Year's Eve will be here and gone again. The Holiday season is upon us, with a wide range of cultural and religious celebrations happening all over the world, this is the also the season of giving. No matter how you celebrate, time spent with family and friends is to be cherished, and as one year ends, now is the time when many of us are able to come together for some quality time.

It's also the time for giving gifts to those we love. Often we are faced with a conundrum when it comes to gift giving. What do you give to someone who has everything?  What can you give to someone who, try as you might, won't give you a wish list? And what can you give to that special someone which will make their heart melt and their spirit soar?  The answer is simple-  Travel!

The gift of travel is an ideal gift for just about everyone, no matter their likes and dislikes, a vacation to somewhere is sure to please. Travel is also a gift which keeps on giving, in the form of life-long memories to share and re-live once you return home. To give the gift of travel is to give the gift of a unique experience.

Is it time for a family vacation soon?  Why not surprise the kids during the holidays with a cruise or theme park vacation?  You can still plan a quick getaway during the season, or reserve your space for next spring break or summer when school is out. The holidays are a great time to book your travel plans as there are a lot of year-end sales going on.

Are you looking to enjoy a romantic getaway with that someone special? A long weekend at the coast or in Mexico could be just the way to go. Near or far, there are a log of romantic travel ideas, such as staying at a Bed & Breakfast in Gold Beach on the Southern Oregon Coast, or an all-inclusive beach resort near Mayan ruins in Cancun.

A girlfriends getaway to a luxurious spa need not just be for an afternoon. Surprise your best friend with a trip to Arizona, where some of the best, full-service spa resorts can be found. Or perhaps it's time for a guys' weekend to the extreme, treat your pal to a fishing weekend in Alaska, it will be time well spent and full of memories.

The holidays are a great time to also surprise a loved-one with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Recently engaged? Why not surprise your fiance with the gift of travel for your upcoming honeymoon, The Cook Islands are a tropical paradise like no other, or perhaps a magical trip to Ireland is in order. Do you or a loved one have a special birthday or anniversary coming up next year? Go big with your gift with a European river cruise or an African Safari.

The world is an amazing place, the gift of travel can take you and your loved ones all around the globe, and leave you with experiences and memories to treasure for a lifetime. For more inspiration, check out our Website for vacation ideas, special deals and more, including our service fee schedule. Then call one of our agents such as Cindy Passannante at 503-658-5646 or by email cptrips@aol.com, to get the conversation started towards planning your Gift of Travel this Holiday Season.

Holidays around the World

What better time to learn about different destinations, than during the holiday season? All over the world people take some time as winter begins and the year ends, to celebrate love, life, peace and joy. Some festivities are spiritual and sacred, while others are simply about community connections and family. A sense of liveliness and fun can also be experienced when celebrating the spirit of the season. May You and your family have a blessed and bright holiday season. Merry Christmas, Happy Yule, Hanukkah Sameach, Habari Gani, Happy Dhanu Sankranti, and a Merry Winter Solstice to all!

One of my personal favorite destinations for the holidays is the Bavarian region of eastern Europe. Here you will find the Holiday Christmas markets of yester-year. Much of what the Victorian era brought us in the way of Christmas traditions comes from this part of Europe, where Prince Albert was from. You can find old-fashioned, hand crafted toys, decorations and gifts at world famous markets in Germany and Austria. River Cruise up the Danube to visit all the world's greatest Christkindlesmarkts with Collette Tours, perfect for anyone who wants to step back in time for the holidays.

Across the globe, the winter holidays are centered around the Winter Solstice. Long

celebrated by various people from different countries world wide, the winter solstice is an important time of year for many cultures. Celebrating the power of yin-yang energy within the cosmos, which ebbs and flows, and balances throughout the year at the solstices and equinoxes, the Dongzhi Festival is a popular holiday celebration you can find in many countries around East Asia, including China and Taiwan. One popular tradition is time spent with family making sweet treats of tangyuan rice balls or dumplings together. 

There are also Winter Solstice celebrations and observances at some unique sites. Stonehenge brings people by the thousands to witness the rising of the winter solstice sun. A little lesser known, but just a dramatic is a local celebration in Lokken, Denmark. A celebration is held at Solhvervssøjlen a piece of modern art which marks where the sun sets over the North Sea at the winter and summer Solstice. 

If you are thinking a holiday season spent in warmer weather is not a bad idea after all, south of the border, Mexico has an amazing 9 day celebration, Las Posadas, this festive celebrations takes Christmas Caroling to a whole new level, with community processionals lead by candle light, and ending with a family fun, feasting and of course pinatas. If you want to get into the heat of one of the world's largest, and best New Year's Eve parties, plan a trip to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Here the fireworks will astound and the dancing in the street will seem to never end. Wear white to Copacabana Beach, for good luck in the coming year. Being in the Southern Hemisphere, the new year begins at the height of summer, add in incredible Brazilian festivities, food and culture, and you are sure to chase away any winter blues. One of our preferred travel vendors, Avanti Destinations has incredible vacation packages and deals centered around Rio for New Year's, this is one experience which is sure to transform you.

Whether you stay close to home or travel the globe for the holiday season, there is always something exciting to do and new to discover each year. Travel makes a wonderful gift, helping you and your loved ones create life long memories together. The agents of C.P. Trips are ready to help you plan your next holiday adventure, where ever you want to go, within your budget and with all ages in mind. Call us at 503-658-5646 or email cptrips@aol.com to book your next holiday.