Vrbo shares tips for a new kind of Thanksgiving travel
*Updated on November 20, 2020 based on CDC travel guidelines. We ask that everyone listen to health officials and follow travel advisories and safety guidelines from government and local authorities. Visit our help article for more resources and tips.
AUSTIN, Texas – October 15, 2020 – For years, the Wednesday before Thanksgiving has been the busiest travel day nationwide – but that’s poised to change this year. With families taking fewer flights, having more flexible schedules and spending months without their extended family members, they’re more likely to opt for a different kind of Thanksgiving: one that entails a stay in a home away from home.
“While, traditionally, families spend Thanksgiving at home – many are looking for a much-needed change of scenery after spending so much time hunkered down in recent months. Vrbo® vacation homes offer total privacy, flexible booking options to accommodate last-minute stays, and plenty of room for families reconnecting with grandparents, cousins, aunts and uncles to stretch out in during the special time of year when family is always put first,” said Melanie Fish, Vrbo travel expert.
To help families navigate what might be their first Thanksgiving away from their own home (and kitchens!), Vrbo is sharing tips for booking a vacation rental for the holiday week or weekend:
- Meet in the middle. Thanksgiving at Grandma’s may not be an option this year. Families who are craving time together but are still hesitant to fly should consider a “meet in the middle” destination that is relatively easy for families at all ends of the country to get to. For inspiration, consider Vrbo’s top trending destinations for Thanksgiving:
- Gatlinburg & Pigeon Forge, TN
- Riverside County & Palm Springs, CA
- Miramar & Rosemary Beach, FL
- Breckenridge, Keystone & Copper, CO
- Phoenix & Scottsdale, AZ
- Book now. Vrbo data shows that the best time to book vacation rentals for the Thanksgiving holiday is mid-October. Families should scoop up their dream cabin, chalet, or other idyllic property now, before demand surges, to ensure you find the best selection of properties in the areas you wish to visit.
- Consider the kitchen. This time of year, the kitchen and dining areas take center stage. When booking a vacation rental, check what kitchen appliances and amenities come with the home or ask the vacation homeowner what general equipment it’s stocked with – just don’t forget to bring traditional family wares like a carving knife or Jell-O mold, or special spices you might want to bake with.
- Don’t forget favorite traditions. If family flag football or frying a turkey instead of roasting it is on your family’s “must do” list for the holiday to be complete, make sure to check out the back yard. Make a list of everything your family will have to have to make it feel like Thanksgiving, and double check the list of amenities to make sure the home can deliver on making those traditions happen.
- Expect the unexpected. If this year has showed us anything, it’s that plans can change. 75% of Vrbo travelers say they are more likely to choose a place to stay that offers flexible cancellation policies. Check the cancellation policy of your vacation home before booking to be prepared for any last-minute changes.
Regardless of what your Thanksgiving celebration brings, check local government and CDC guidelines for any restrictions on traveling or group gatherings.
For more inspiration, properties in Vrbo’s top Thanksgiving destinations can be found in this Trip Board.
About Vrbo
In 1995, Vrbo introduced a new way for people to travel together, pairing homeowners with families and friends looking for places to stay. We were grounded in one purpose: To give people the space they need to drop the distractions of everyday life and simply be together. Since then, we’ve grown into a global community of homeowners and travelers, with unique properties around the world. Vrbo makes it easy and fun to book cabins, condos, beach houses and every kind of space in between.
Vrbo is part of Expedia Group and offers homeowners and property managers exposure to over 750 million visits to Expedia Group sites each month. To learn more, visit www.vrbo.com.
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