Thanksgiving is my mom’s favorite holiday because it’s focused on family. She loves the traditions around what’s on the table, the parades, and football on TV. Mom’s happy with Thanksgiving, and we are not going to mess with it. But increasingly, others are wondering what an alternative Thanksgiving could feel like. Empty nesters whose kids are scattered. Families who’ve done the same table for twenty years and are ready for something different. Couples who’ve realized they’d rather give thanks in an environment that asks something new of them.
A significant trip has become the answer for a growing number of people. You are still pausing. You are still grateful. You are still (often) with people you love. You’re just doing it somewhere that is different and brings new adventures and memories to the year.
Why this conversation needs to happen in March
Thanksgiving is eight months away, which sounds like plenty of time. It may not be. The November trip you’re imagining in August or September is almost always more expensive and more constrained than the trip you plan now. This is the window for better options.
Here are some ideas to consider for Thanksgiving 2026
Japan in late November
Japan has captured the imagination of travelers in a way few places have in recent years. But here’s what we see regularly: the enthusiasm builds, research begins, and then reality sets in. Cherry blossom season in spring is expensive, intensely crowded, and books out far in advance. Summer is hot, humid, and even more crowded. The dream of Japan quietly gets deferred.
Late November is still busy for Japan – but it’s easier.
The fall foliage, known as koyo, is a beautiful natural event most Americans have never planned a trip around. The maples turn in stages from late October into December, which means late November finds Kyoto and Tokyo at or near peak: deep crimson and burnt orange against temple stone, reflecting in garden ponds, lining paths that have looked essentially the same for five hundred years. You’re seeing this intense color in Arashiyama, or in the grounds of a centuries-old shrine, or along a canal in a neighborhood that has functioned the same way for generations. Late November also means the weather is crisp and clear.There are worse ways to mark gratitude than standing in a Japanese garden in November light.
Europe: Christmas markets and quieter streets
Rosedale Travel Advisor Mollie Romness is a big fan of Europe for Thanksgiving week. It is not a holiday there and the summer crowds are gone. In many cities (Paris, Vienna, Strasbourg, Prague) the Christmas markets are either just opening or in their first glorious week. Think of early holiday lights, mulled wine, and decorations that haven’t yet become tired.
Do note, however, that November in northern Europe is cold, often cloudy, and frequently rainy. For our Texas and warm weather clients, this can be perfectly ok. We have reasons to pull out the cute boots and sweaters. (In summer, Texans daydream about sleeves.) For those from the Midwest and Northeast – there is likely no way they are using vacation time to go somewhere as cold and gray as what they’re trying to leave behind. Our Northerners can consider southern Spain, Portugal, or southern Italy, which offers something closer to warmth.
One escorted trip for Italy caught my eye for families. Tauck runs a Rome and Venice family tour over Thanksgiving week that looks amazing. It’s easy, highly inclusive, with guides and meals and logistics handled, which means no one is navigating a foreign train system while the kids are hungry. And Italy at Thanksgiving sounds delizioso.
Costa Rica: the dry season begins
Costa Rica’s dry season starts right around Thanksgiving. The lush greenery of the rainy months is still vivid, the waterfalls are still running strong, but the skies are clearing and the humidity breaks. The Pacific coast may still see short afternoon showers, and the San Jose area feels spring like with average highs in the 60s and 70s. Great temps for exploring! For families or anyone wanting something active and immersive, it’s a great window. Here is an excellent list top resorts from Virtuoso that look fantastic!
The American Southwest
For those who want to stay closer to home this year, the canyon country of the American Southwest offers a scale of grandeur that feels appropriately sized to a holiday about perspective. Sedona, Santa Fe, the red-rock landscapes of southern Utah…all great choices for Thanksgiving week. Crowds are manageable, the desert light in late November is stunning, and the hiking weather is ideal with southern Utah having highs in the low 60s (and freezing at night).
Ready to make your own Thanksgiving tradition somewhere new? Reach out to your favorite Rosedale Travel advisor, or let us match you with the perfect one.
