Ever think of going somewhere other than “over the river and through the woods to Grandmother’s house” for the Thanksgiving holiday? While over a third of Americans will be traveling somewhere for Thanksgiving, the majority of those people will be staying with family or friends. For those of you who might be thinking of using the long weekend for a family vacation, here are some excellent places that know how to do Thanksgiving right – you can enjoy the spirit of the season AND have an amazing vacation at the same time…
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Blackberry Farm, Walland, Tennessee: You won’t miss your home cooking here – voted “#1 Resort for Food Lovers” by Bon Appetit, Blackberry Farm, in the Great Smoky Mountains, is known for it’s excellent farm to table cuisine and luxurious accommodations. For the holidays, they pull out all the stops for families with carriage rides, pumpkin hunts and cookie baking. Children can go to Camp Blackberry while the adults go horseback riding, fly fishing, skeet shooting, take culinary lessons or just relax in the country. Don’t miss the famous Thanksgiving Turkey Fry or the multi-course Thanksgiving feast.
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St. Regis, Aspen, Colorado: For those of you who want to kick off the holiday season by hitting the slopes, there is no better place to do that than at the St. Regis in Aspen. Lifts open at 9am on Thanksgiving Day so you can get in a few runs before the hotel’s Thanksgiving buffet or the unique epicurean experience presented at the Food & Wine Chef’s Club. Don’t miss the nightly champagne sabering ritual or the annual tree lighting which takes place on the Saturday after Thanksgiving. They are currently offering some excellent deals for the fall, including Thanksgiving weekend.
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Hotel Del Coronado, San Diego, California: Where can you ice skate on the beach? The Hotel Del, of course! Enjoy their many Thanksgiving dining options from oceanfront brunch to elegant dining with views of the Pacific. The resort’s holiday programs are kicked off on Thanksgiving weekend, including seaside ice skating against the backdrop of 100,000 white lights.
It would be fabulous to experience any of these hotels during the holiday season, not just at Thanksgiving. Do you have a favorite place you love to visit during the holiday season?
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Each of these luxury properties is part of the Virtuoso network…if you book your vacation through me you will also have access to many additional privileges and amenities!
These all look great Sandy. Great picture of Blackberry Farm. Have a wonderful day!
Good morning, Sandy!
Blackberry Farm tops my list of places I most want to visit!!!! I just need to convince my husband!
I've never thought of the Ritz Amelia Island, but thinking that might just be a great destination any time of year!
We finally booked the Rome tickets, so I'll be emailing you to set up a time to start planning Italian style!
xoxo Elizabeth
Good morning, Sandy! All of these getaways look lovely. I've always wanted to go to Blackberry Farm. For the past six years on the Friday after Thanksgiving, my husband and I have hopped on a ferry to Whidbey Island, WA and the charming, peaceful Inn at Langley. It's our little breath of fresh air and time to connect before the holiday madness kicks in. Can't wait!
Hi Sandy!I love this idea. We are not leaving home, but I was trying to find a great place near our home for Thanksgiving. There are only 6 of us this year. Unfortunately, my family wants to have it at home. I am now looking for a place that will cater it. Go ahead,judge away.
It must be nice to celebrate American Thanksgiving elsewhere. I am not American, but if I do celebrate it, I will go to Lake Placid, NY. There are some beautiful resorts there too offering great accomodation, delicious food and great Lake and Mountain views.
All these locations look very appealing but Blackberry Farm in particular looks so cosy and welcoming and the food sounds amazing too – always an important consideration!!
http://missbbobochic.blogspot.co.uk
Oh I love traveling, especially over Thanksgiving when we are not usually with family because of time constraints. I have been to the Amelia Island Ritz many times but my favorite time is at Christmas when they have the life size gingerbread house.
We have traveled many times to England, Scotland and Paris for Thanksgiving and the hotels have always left us Thanksgiving gifts and thanked us for spending time there.
Have a great weekend.