Episode 23: Holiday Travel Tips: What to Do, What to Avoid & Listener Q&A

In Episode 23, I dive into all things holiday travel! From the festive magic to tips on how to make your trip stress-free, this episode is packed with advice for making the most out of your holiday getaway. Plus, I return to the listener Q&A segment, “Hey Steve, regarding holiday travel…”, where I answer questions about timing, family travel, and more.

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:03):
Hello, travelers and adventure seekers. Welcome to Magical Destinations by Steve,
a podcast that takes you on a journey around the
world without ever leaving.

Speaker 2 (00:13):
The comfort of your headlines.

Speaker 1 (00:15):
I'm your host, Steve Cohen, and I'm filled to be
your guide through the exciting realms of travel, culture and exploration.
Whether you're a season traveler or an armchair explorer, this
podcast is your passport to a world of fascinating stories,
fitting gems, and the cultures that make our planets.

Speaker 2 (00:33):
So rich and diverse.

Speaker 1 (00:34):
I'm here to ignite your boat charting and inspire your
next adventure.

Speaker 2 (00:39):
Join us as we navigate the twist in.

Speaker 1 (00:41):
Terms of travel, offering practical tips, firsthand experience, and expert
insights to help you make for most of your own journeys.
Whether you're planning a weekend getaway or a dreaming of
an epic expedition. Magical Destinations by Steve is here to
be your trustee compass.

Speaker 2 (01:01):
Coming from the Fern Down Magical Destinations by Steve podcast.
This is another episode of this fine podcast. You can
reach me the host, Steve Cohen at as cohenat Curated
travel Collection dot com, my website at Magical Destinations by
Steve dot Com all my social media platforms of Facebook,

(01:25):
TikTok as well as Instagram and threads. Well, welcome back
to another episode of this fine podcast of Magical Destinations
by Steve. Today we're diving into one of my favorite topics,
holiday travel. Whether you're dreaming of a snowy getaway or
a tropical escape, traveling during the holidays can be a
magical experience, but it is also time when but it's

(01:51):
also time when things can get a little let's just
say chaotic. So in today's episode, we're talking about why
holiday travel is so much fun, things you should definitely do,
and a few things to avoid for a stress free vacation.
We're also gonna return to my favorite one of my
favorite segments of this podcast. Hey Steve, regarding holiday travel.

(02:13):
This is where I'll answer some of your questions. So
let's dive right into it. So why is holiday travel
so magical? First off, the atmosphere destinations worldwide pull out
all the stops, beautiful lights, decorations, theme events, and holiday
specific treats. Whether you're in New York City watching the
iconic Rockefella lighting, exploring European Christmas markets, which I hope

(02:37):
to do sometime soon, or experiencing Disney's magical seasonal events.
There's something special about traveling during the holidays. It is
a chance to make unforgettable memories with family or friends
and immerse yourself in traditions from all around the world.
Now here are some things that you should absolutely plan
to do if you're traveling during the holiday season. First,

(03:01):
plan ahead flights, hotels, and event tickets fell up fast.
Booking early not only save you some stress, but can
also save you money. That's where Magical Destinations by Steve
comes in. I can take care of all that for you. Next,
you want to embrace the holiday festivities at your destinations.
Look for local events like parades, festivals, or even theme performances.

(03:25):
If you're at a theme park, they often have special
holiday parades and shows and fireworks. Don't miss those. And Lastly,
pack smart. With the cold weather or seasonal activities, you
need to pack smarter. Think layers, usable water bottles, and
extra chargers. Holiday travel can be long, all right, now
for some few things to avoid. Don't overlook yourself. It's

(03:46):
a tempting to pack in as much as possible, but
remember that holiday crowds can slow things down, leave some
downtime to really enjoy the spirit of season. Another big
one is not skimping on travel insurance. I've talked about
travel insurance, travel protection plans and numerous podcasts in the
past because winter weather can mean delays and cancelations. To

(04:09):
make sure you're covered again, that's where magical Destinations by
Steve can come in and take care of that for you. Finally,
holiday travel can be unpredictable, so having a flexible mindset
will keep the fund rolling. We'll talk some more travel
in a few minutes, but over the weekend I started
my fifth year with Walkham County UMS, and I can
hardly believe how quickly the years have flown by. Aaron

(04:32):
and I are reminiscing about our cross country drive from
North Carolina to Bellingham when we arrived here on November
fourth of twenty twenty. We were settling into our apartment
a couple days later, and let me just tell you,
it's been a journey and the adventure continues. I also
wanted to mention as one of my favorite tips when
you're traveling by air, train, or car, download your favorite

(04:55):
entertainment for that journey. Airports and roads are packed at
this time of year, So download your favorite movies. What
is your favorite movies? And for the kids, make sure
they have plenty of games, maybe coloring books and snacks. Now,
where do you want to travel during this holiday season?
Let me talk about three US holiday destinations you could

(05:16):
think you should think about. San Antonio, Texas. I already
talked about San Antonio a few times. But stroll along
the famous river Walk. It's beautifully lit with holiday lights
and enjoy the festive atmosphere and music, holiday boat parades
and delicious text mix cuisine. Of course, San Antonio brings
a unique culture twist to the holiday season. Maybe you're

(05:39):
dreaming of a beach side holiday. Well, Honolulu offers warm sands,
festive lights, and a unique Hawaiian holiday traditions. You're going
to want to join in all the Christmas Day festivities
or watch Santa patl in on a surfboard. Closer to me, Levenworth, Washington.
This Bavarian style village is like a snoke come to life,

(06:01):
with snow covered mountains, holiday parades and singing in the streets.
It is a storybook holiday escape. As I mentioned, if
you're going to a theme park. I want to offer
five tips going to disney World or Disneyland during the
holiday season. Number one tip, get to the parks early.
Arrive at rope drop to beat the crowds and maximize

(06:22):
your time. Plus you'll catch the parks checked out and
all the holiday splendor before the big crowds hit. Two.
Disney goes all out with holiday themed trees, so grab
them fast, from peppermint chiros to holiday hot chocolates. Make
sure to sample these seasonal goodies. I mentioned before about fireworks.

(06:43):
You need to check out all the parades and fireworks
that disney Land and Disney World offer. Those parades and
fireworks are a muss. Stake out your spot early to
catch your favorite characters and their festive best. Number four,
don't forget about the lightning lane service. This can save
you time and lines, and during the holidays it's invaluable.

(07:04):
Let the lightning lanes help you navigate the holiday rush
like a pro. If you need help with number five,
remember you're still going to Florida. You might want to
bring some layers, but sometimes in Florida and California could
get chili, so bundle up for those late night fireworks.
But stay cool in the afternoon sun. Question I want
to ask you is why you're not booking with Magical

(07:24):
Destinations by Steve. Let's be real, holiday travel planning is hectic.
This is where I come in. With Magical Destinations by Steve,
you get insider knowledge, whether it's snagging a hard to
get dinner reservation or knowing the best time to visit
each park. I've got your back. I can customize that teneries.
I design every trip to match your holiday dreams, from

(07:46):
cozy cabins to bustling city lights. If you're thinking about
traveling during the holiday, please reach out to me at
s Cohen at Curated Travel Collection dot com. Now we're
turning to one of your favorite and one of my
favorite segments. Hey, Hey Steve, this is where I'm going
to answer some of your holiday pressing questions. Hey Steve,
regarding holiday travel, what's the best time to book flights?

(08:09):
That's a great question for holiday travel. I recommend booking
your flights right now, as soon as possible. Usually three
to six months in advance is the best. The closer
you get to the travel date, the higher the prices
usually go around popular holidays like Thanksgiving, and Christmas. If
you're booking last minute, midweek flights or those at less

(08:30):
popular times can be a little cheaper. And always use
those fair tracking tools. They can alert you if prices dropped.
Hey Steve, regarding holiday travel, how do you handle big
family groups? Ah, the big family trip, everyone has a
part to play. Designate one person as the planner, another
as the navigator, and so on. It also helps to

(08:52):
schedule some solo or small goop activities so everyone can
explore what interests them the most, and of course keep
things flexible. That way, if you need to split up
or change plans, it's easier on everyone. Hey Steve, regarding
holiday travel, how do you keep kids entertained on a
long trip? Great one. I always suggest packing a small
holiday travel kit with snacks, games and activities. Travel friendly

(09:16):
card games, few downloaded shows, or even some window clings
that they can play with in the car or the
plane can be a lifesaver. Remember to plan some rest
stops if you're driving. A chance for the kids to
stretch their legs works wonder. Also give you a chance
to stretch yours and take a couple of deep breaths,
especially if the traffic is stressing you out, Hey Steve,

(09:38):
regarding holiday travel, is it better to drive or fly
for holiday trips? The classic question. It really depends on
a few factors, how far are you traveling, your budget,
and your comfort level with holiday traffic. For shorter trips,
driving can be a good choice, especially if you're flexible
with timing and can avoid peak travel days. Plus, it

(10:01):
gives you a little bit more control over your schedule.
For longer trips, flying saves time, but it's key to
book early and be prepared for busy airports. If you
choose to fly, try booking your flights early. As our
final question of this segment, Hey Steve, regarding holiday travel,
what's the best way to deal with crowded places? That's

(10:22):
an important one. When you're in crowded places like airports,
theme ports, or busy city centers, the key is to
stay patient and plan for extra time. Make reservations whenever
possible for popular holidays, attractions or meals. I also suggest
downloading apps for maps, tickets, subways, and real time updates
for places you're visiting. These can save you so much time.

(10:45):
And finally, consider visiting major attractions early in the day
when crowds are lighter, and finally, consider visiting major attractions
early in the day when crowds may be lighter. I
hope this segment of Hey Steve has helped answer some
of your holiday travel quisquestions. Thanks for tuning in to
this episode of Magical Destinations by Steve. I hope you're

(11:06):
feeling inspired and ready to make the most of your
holiday travel. Don't forget to share your holiday travel stories
with me on social media. I'd love to hear about
your adventures, safe travels, and enjoy the magic of the season.