Escape your family for the holidays

Where to get away for Thanksgiving

The United States may pause on turkey day, but for the rest of the world it’s just another day in November. You’ll find great deals outside the country, in places like Mexico, Canada and South America, said Pauline Frommer, creator of Pauline Frommer’s guidebooks.

“Thanksgiving is an excellent time to be a tourist virtually anywhere,” Travelocity‘s Brown added.

St. Lucia may be a good bet if you’re thinking about the Caribbean, because the low-cost airline Jet Blue recently added a nonstop service to the island, she said.

(Keep in mind the Atlantic hurricane season doesn’t officially end until the end of the month, though late November storms are rare.)

Beware of flying on the Tuesday and Wednesday before the holiday and the Sunday and Monday afterwards, Howard said. There are few deals to be found on any carrier during those peak travel days.

Escaping for Christmas

Vacationing during Christmas is trickier, because people around the planet, not just the United States, travel for the holiday.

“Prices usually skyrocket pretty much everywhere in the world,” Frommer said.

If you heed Howard’s advice about flying to Europe on Christmas Day, check transportation options at your destination. Savings on airfare can be cancelled out by an expensive cab ride in cities where public transportation shuts down during the holiday.

Closer to home, Mexico is still a good value, Brown said.

Cruises can also be a good bet, especially if you live in a home port like San Diego or Miami and you don’t have to pay the air fare to get there. Brown listed Christmas week cruises bound for the Bahamas or Baja California that start at about $350 per person.

Low season escapes

Travel outside the holiday weeks may not provide an escape from the family, but offers the best deals and may give you lots to talk about when you do get together with your relatives.

“If you’ve ever wanted to visit China, there has never been a cheaper time than now,” Frommer said. One company is offering a 12-day tour of the country, including hotels, domestic flights and guided tours, for about $1,000.

The weather may be chilly, but “it’s such a good deal, that you put on your woolen hat and your big overcoat and you go,” she said.

In Europe, an economic crisis in Ireland means that country is a good deal for travelers, especially those who book a package, Frommer added.