Try Vacationing for Your Thanksgiving Holiday

For most of my life I spent Thanksgiving with one family member or another (or all of them), eating a huge turkey dinner, listening to football-related yelling, and navigating the delicate balance between family arguments and peaceful co-existence.  If that sounds familiar, and the thought of spending another holiday like that is truly painful, consider taking a Thanksgiving vacation this year.

And I’m not talking about a vacation to go visit family – I’m talking about a real vacation – for everyone!

Ashford Castle, County Mayo, Ireland

I first tried the holiday vacation plan nearly 10 years ago, and while I don’t do it every year, it’s become an important part of mixing up my holiday celebrations.  It’s also done a lot to restore peace and balance in my life, something for which I am very thankful!  The vacations have occasionally occasionally included extended family members, sometimes not, and I’ve found that getting people out of their usual places and roles, can go a long way toward establishing new traditions and having fun.  You don’t have to do the same thing every single year!

In past years, I’ve celebrated Thanksgiving on a cruise (several times, including cruises to Mexico, the Caribbean, and through the Panama Canal) and in Hawaii.  This year’s plans haven’t been finalized yet, but since I’ll be in London earlier in November, this may be a stay-at-home year.

Need some inspiration to do a mind switch on a Thanksgiving vacation?  Why not suggest something different for this year?

Here’s a Thanksgiving travel package that I came across to get you started thinking outside the box:  Spend Thanksgiving, including a hearty dinner, at Ashford Castle in County Mayo, Ireland.

Ashford Castle is located on 350 acres on the shores of Lough Corrib and the River Cong.  It’s surrounded by the lake, river, mountains, and lots of green.  The Castle has 83 guestrooms, and features an equestrian center, a falconry school (the first in Ireland), a 9-hole golf course, and fly fishing.  There are several dining rooms and bars on property.

For a Thanksgiving stay, you can take advantage of the Thanksgiving special which is a 3-night package that includes breakfast each morning, and a gourmet Irish-style Thanksgiving dinner.  Packages start at €375 (about $548) per person, and is offered for November 26 – 28th.

Don’t get me wrong – I love my family.  Sometimes, though, you have to break with the old to establish new, healthier, and more memorable family traditions.

Have you vacationed for Thanksgiving?  How did it work out?

Photo credit:  Courtesy of Ashford Castle

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