With Thanksgiving less than a month away, eager travelers in search of an extravagant kickoff to the holiday season are itching to get out of the house and try a new tradition on for size. However, the Wednesday before Thanksgiving and the Sunday and Monday following are notoriously the busiest travel days of the year. How can travelers take the hassle out of the holidays while making it one to remember?
Air Partner, a Wheels Up company and leading global aviation services group, offers personalized private flights tailored to every private traveler's needs, so you can fly in calm and comfort – no security lines, baggage claim, or crowded airports necessary. With exclusive options like custom catering, you can enjoy your turkey and pumpkin pie sky high while en route to a new kind of tradition.
Whether a domestic trip that elevates a time-honored tradition or carving a new path with a journey abroad, the destinations and experiences below are sure to make this year one of the most fun-filled yet– and they’re just a flight away:
- Macy’s Parade: Embrace timeless American traditions with a trip to the year’s most celebrated parade. Stay in a 5-star hotel or luxury Airbnb along the parade’s path for spectacular, sky-high views of the 96th annual event. By flying private to the city, you’ll avoid the hustle and bustle of Thanksgiving weekend travel traffic so you can get straight to celebrating in style. Explore all the excitement the city that never sleeps has to offer (including getting a jump on holiday shopping), or spend a cozy day in – room service turkey dinner, anyone?
- Visit Qatar for the World Cup: If you have more of a taste for soccer than American football, follow your favorite team to one of the sporting world’s most anticipated events at this year’s FIFA World Cup final. Fly out with your favorite fans to the Doha tournament and pack your trip to Qatar with plenty of time to experience the country’s endless wonders, including breathtaking landscapes, Instagram-worthy architecture, vibrant food scenes and more. Or, make the most of your trip to the Middle East and head to Dubai, the ever-growing metropolis synonymous with glitz and glamour. While staying at one of the “City of Gold’s” exclusive, luxury hotels, explore the city and see for yourself why Dubai is one of the most captivating places in the world.
- Hit the Slopes in Aspen: Visit the country’s premier winter destination before the seasonal crowds arrive, and enjoy a festive small-town ambiance with a low-key, pre-season atmosphere, mild weather, and plenty of chic spots to après ski. With ski season kicking off Thanksgiving weekend, participate in the opening day celebrations at the mountains, plus get festive with the arrival of the holiday lights, and take advantage of off-season restaurant specials – and, of course, short lift lines! For the non-skiers, take in the great outdoors whilesnowshoeing, dog sledding, or even winter fly-fishing, or keep the adventures indoors while perusing Aspen’s beautiful boutiques, high-end stores, and impressive art galleries. Stay in one of the city’s upscale alpine resorts or rent a chateau-style home with breathtaking views of the Rocky Mountains.
- Holiday the Icelandic Way: Before tourist season is underway, experience all the winter activities Iceland has to offer, including hot springs, glacier hiking, snowmobiling, and even snorkeling between tectonic plates. A trip to Iceland wouldn’t be complete without a glimpse of the Northern Lights, one of the world’s most amazing natural phenomena. Not only is November one of the best months to see this majestic natural light show, it’s also the start of ice caving season – visit the famous Crystal Ice Cave, known for its incredibly turquoise colors. Stay in the capital city, Reykjavik, and swap your traditional turkey for Iceland’s national dish, hákarl (fermented shark).
