Recently updated on September 27th, 2025 at 05:45 pm
Thanksgiving is a holiday where we gather with our families to make memories, feel gratitude, and feast together. But who said you had to cook? What if this year you changed the location from grandma’s dining room to somewhere else in the world? Why not change up your traditional family gathering and instead connect over special memories made while on vacation.
This year, trade crowded kitchens, dry turkey, and hours of clean-up for sun-drenched beaches in Greece, ancient landmarks in Jordan, and wild natural scenes in Australia. Whether your family vibe is a cozy pub in a small Irish village, or floating serenely along the backwaters in Kerala, we’ve wrapped up the best Thanksgiving vacation ideas with something for every family.
Ditch the stress of hosting and embrace new traditions this Thanksgiving. Choose to connect more deeply with your own family while discover new cultures and cuisine on some of the best Thanksgiving getaways around the world.
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1. Seek gratitude in Greece
Hop, skip, and jump over to beautiful Greece, the cradle of Western civilization, to celebrate Thanksgiving this year. While November is edging towards winter, the time of year means fewer crowds (and distractions) as you connect with your family.
The Greeks are famous for their ability to gather together, celebrating family and culture every other week. Take a leaf out of their book when you join Trafalgar’s Best of Greece tour. You’ll explore ancient landmarks and feast like kings as you exploreAthens, Olympia, Delphi, and Meteora over eight days.
2. A dash across Europe
Stop saying “We’ll explore Europe one day” and make plans to actually do it this Thanksgiving. It’s a long weekend, so you’ll only need to take a few extra days to join a whirlwind seven-day European adventure. Trafalgar’s European Highlights whisks you through four incredible European countries – Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, and France.
Discover the charm of Amsterdam’s canals, see the iconic Eiffel Tower in Paris, and cruise along the scenic Rhine River. This tour is the perfect way to experience the best of Europe in one action-packed Thanksgiving getaway.
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3. Family history in Ireland
It’s estimated that more than six million Irish people have emigrated to the US since 1820. At its peak, some two million emigrated in just one decade in the mid 1800s due to the Great Famine. What that means is that many Americans have Irish heritage.
One of the best ideas for Thanksgiving getaways is to bring your multigenerational family on a trip to the motherland to reconnect the family tree. Discover the cities, towns, and villages where your ancestors emigrated from and feel gratitude for their courage.
Tour not found.4. Wild side of coastal Australia
Of course, it’s a bit of a stretch to turn a Thanksgiving long weekend into a trip to Australia. But life is short, and the Thanksgiving holiday is about making memories with family being grateful for the people around you. So why not plan an adventure like no other together?
While Australia’s cities are fantastic, the real reason to go Down Under is for the nature. Discover the wild side of Australia on the seven-day Great Ocean Road & Kangaroo Island Escape, which treks from Melbourne to Adelaide following one of the world’s most scenic drives and popping out to Kangaroo Island for two nights.
Since you’re going so far, you could do that tour back-to-back with the nine-day Contrasts of Australia, which ticks off sunny Sydney, cool Melbourne and tropical Cairns, where you’ll cruise around the Great Barrier Reef.
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5. Get lost in the colors of Kerala
For the adventurous family, there’s nothing like the colors and cuisine of India. Leave the modern world behind and dive into the enchanting region of Kerala, where you’ll find vivid colours, tranquil waters, and the lingering aroma of spices.
Trafalgar’s Captivating Kerala goes deeper, connecting your family with the special and natural region over six amazing days.
6. Tick off Machu Picchu in Peru
Another great adventure for go-getter families would be the Highlights of Peru. Together you could explore the mysterious Inca empire, discover ancient legends, and see Peru’s wild landscapes. Best of all, you’ll tick off bucket list landmark Machu Picchu, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.
Peru’s capital Lima has a reputation for its world-class food scene, and after a few classic Peruvian pisco sours you’ll wonder why you didn’t travel for Thanksgiving sooner.
Tour not found.7. Go early for the European Christmas markets
Turn your Thanksgiving holiday into an early Christmas trip with a family tour of Europe’s amazing Christmas markets. Many of the best markets open a full month ahead of the Santa Claus’ arrival, so you can experience the spirit of Christmas in late November.
Trafalgar’s Christmas Markets of Austria Germany and Switzerland tour dashes across these three cozy countries, exploring markets in Vienna, Munich and Lucerne. As a fun idea, you could draw names from a hat and with a $25 budget have to buy a gift for another family member!
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8. Or explore Europe’s Christmas markets by boat
While a European river cruise isn’t on the traditional list of Thanksgiving vacations, it’s a perfect option for those who want to see a different part of the world and kick off the Christmas season in style.
Trafalgar’s Danube Christmas Markets Cruise from Budapest to Passau is an 8-day easy-going excursion through the Hungarian capital, Austria, Slovakia, and Germany. Sip mulled wine after walking Budapest’s Jewish Quarter. Stroll around Bratislava’s Christmas markets and sample seasonal treats in Vienna. With hidden-gem stops at Christmas markets in Linz and Krems, you’ll be thankful you spent Thanksgiving along one of Europe’s mightiest rivers.
9. Explore Jordan
Our final suggestion for one of the best Thanksgiving getaways is Jordan. You can explore the best of this petite country in six days on Trafalgar’s Jordan Experience, traveling from Amaan to the “Rose City” of Petra and Wadi Rum.
With Trafalgar you’ll always connect with the locals at a Be My Guest experience. On this trip you’ll learn about Jordanian culture with the Khzoz family, have dinner with a Bedouin tribe and spend a soulful night gazing at the clear night’s sky.
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10. Skip the snow days for sun in Hawaii
Imagine watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, but instead of standing in the cold, crowded streets of New York City, you’re watching it on a hotel TV as you get ready for a day trip to Hawaii’s Punalu’u Black Sand Beach Park.
Hawaii is a family friendly destination where you can work on your tan while the kids trade snow angels for sandcastles. Trafalgar’s Best of Hawaii tour has it all: tropical drinks on the shoreline, jaw-dropping views on the hiking trails of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, and an optional Hawaiian buffet at the Polynesian Cultural Center that’ll more than suffice as your alternative Thanksgiving feast.
11. Take advantage of shoulder season in Egypt
Life’s too short to save bucket list trips for another year which is why Egypt is a fantastic choice for a Thanksgiving getaway. Take Trafalgar’s Best of Egypt tour, for example: it hits the highlights of this ancient landscape from Cairo to Aswan without you having to plan a thing.
A four-day cruise along the Nile is bookended with time in the capital city. Tour the Pyramids of Giza and attend a carpet weaving workshop. Discover the Temple of Kom Ombo and wander the Valley of the Kings. It may not include cranberry sauce and dinner rolls, but an exclusive visit with a local family will treat you to a warm cup of mint tea and fresh-baked bread with honey.
12. Flock to the Southeast U.S. with the snowbirds
Thanksgiving is a popular time for snowbirds — residents of northern U.S. states — to head south for the winter. While some drive across the country, winding through the Great Smoky Mountains and visiting Great Smoky Mountains National Park, others jet set right down to Florida.
You can do a variation of both on Trafalgar’s Charms of Southeast USA tour. Starting in Charleston, South Carolina, you’ll make your way into the warm weather of Florida, stopping along at Hilton Head Island, Tybee Island, and St. Simmons Island along the Georgia coast. With time to savor classic cuisine that’s often included in Southern-style Thanksgiving meals, you’ll spend Thanksgiving taking in the stunning views of the Southeast’s beautiful beaches.
13. Opt for Canadian Thanksgiving instead
Are you dreaming of a Thanksgiving getaway but don’t want to miss out on the holiday with your family and friends? Then we highly recommend U.S. residents stay home for the American holiday and give Canadian Thanksgiving a try.
Canada’s Thanksgiving holiday takes place on the second Monday of October, smack dab in the center of spooky season. While Canada doesn’t go all-out like the United States does, Canadians still take advantage of the day off to spend time with their loved ones. One of their favorite ways to celebrate this harvest festival is going on hikes.
Explore the Canadian outdoors during the Great White North’s Thanksgiving on Trafalgar’s Iconic Rockies and Western Canada tour.
14. Find a Thanksgiving feast for the eyes in Africa
Two weeks, two countries, one unforgettable way to kick off the holiday season. Trafalgar’s safaris in Kenya and Tanzania are calling your name, offering a feast for the senses so incredible that you’ll hardly miss your grandma’s Thanksgiving spread. Watch cheetahs dig into their own large meals in the Maasai Mara National Reserve and enjoy Swahili cuisine in Mto Wa Umbu.
Prefer more of a food-focus on your perfectly timed Thanksgiving getaway? Trafalgar’s Best of South Africa tour has an optional wine tasting tour of the Cape Winelands, a delicious South African braai in Hluhluwe, and an opportunity to trade the traditional hot air balloon safari ride for a helicopter flight over stunning Cape Town.
15. Pay an early visit to Santa Claus in Finland
If your kids want to get their Christmas list in Santa’s hands before they dig into the Thanksgiving turkey, take them due north to Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi, Finland. Finnish Lapland starts its transformation into a winter wonderland between October and November, which means the year-round Santa Claus Village will look spectacular when you arrive.
Visit jolly ol’ Saint Nick on Trafalgar’s Scandinavian Northern Lights tour which includes plenty of time within the Arctic Circle.
16. Discover Native American culture in the Dakotas
Native American history is at the heart of Thanksgiving’s origin and is often an under-explored element of United States travel. Get a glimpse into the authentic heritage and culture of the Midwest’s Tribal Nations on Trafalgar’s National Parks and Native Trails of the Dakotas tour. This immersive experience offers an opportunity to attend the Black Hill’s Pow Wow and tour the Rosebud Indian Reservation with locals of the Sicangu Lakota Oyate Nation.
17. See where the Pilgrims began their journey
Before they were known as the pilgrims of Plymouth, North America, they were the Europeans who were leaving behind the only home they’d ever known. Their final port of departure before setting sail across the Atlantic was Plymouth, England. Trafalgar’s Best of Devon and Cornwall 8-day sightseeing tour includes free time in Plymouth, a scenic boat ride, and hearing stories from the Pilgrim Fathers at the Mayflower Steps.
18. Spend Thanksgiving at its source in Plymouth
Where better to spend Thanksgiving than where it was first held? Trafalgar’s East Coast USA and Canada tour allows you to end your visit in Boston, only an hour away from Plymouth. This two-week adventure lets you experience the lively music, culture, and cuisine of Philadelphia, New York City, Washington, D.C., Montreal, Toronto, Ottawa, and Quebec City before saying goodbye to your fellow travelers in the heart of historic Boston.
Those are the best Thanksgiving getaways. Which one would you choose for your family and why? Leave us a comment….