I’m going to be blunt: leaving the US for Thanksgiving sounds a little sacrilege.
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Where in the world will Americans find similarly gorgeous golden-and-red leaves fall foliage displays?
Are travelers packing turkeys into their suitcases before they leave—and have they been cooked yet?
What about the spiced drinks? The kitschy decorations? The arguments with Druncle?
I have some doubts about the quality and atmosphere of a Thanksgiving spent outside a cool-weather zone—nonetheless about packing up and flying to foreign territory.
That being said, I’m very uppity about Thanksgiving. (Could you tell?) And I’d hate to let my own preconceived love of apple cider, stuffed turkeys, and dear Druncle stop me from learning more about this great holiday in all its forms.
After all, early colonists had to sail across the Atlantic all the way to Plymouth Rock before Thanksgiving was born in the first place.
In the spirit of those storied pilgrims and the indigenous tribes who mercy-threw corn over their palisades, let’s explore the world of popular destinations to celebrate Thanksgiving abroad.
Thanksgiving abroad, according to Allianz…
The cities listed below are sourced from Allianz Partners (a global insurance company that also offers travel protection), which conducted a study on around 750,000 travel itinerary plans.
The study draws on both international and domestic data. For the purpose of this article, I’m sticking with those international figures.
The study drew on data like online booking for airfare, package paths, and similar deals to collect information on where Americans are flying from November 23-December 3.
Here are the rankings for Thanksgiving abroad:
- Cancun, Mexico
- San Jose del Cabo, Mexico
- Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
- London, United Kingdom
- Nassau, Bahamas
- Paris, France
- Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
- Montego Bay, Jamaica
- Oranjestad, Aruba
- Mexico City, Mexico
Big love for Mexico
I’m guessing the appeal here is pretty similar to what drives Americans to Florida during Thanksgiving: warm weather, bright sunshine, and tropical beaches.
The top three selections for Americans heading abroad over Thanksgiving are all chock-full of all-inclusive resorts—many of which offer curated Thanksgiving programs, activities, and meals.
For small families or younger couples looking to avoid a trip home, areas like Cabo, Puerto Vallarta, and Cancun offer accessible and affordable hotels and resorts. It’s a set-it-and-forget-it style vacation that appeals throughout the year.
At Thanksgiving, the real appeal is a sense of escape and that pure golden sunshine.
Across the Pond
London and Paris have once again graced the Top 10 placements—but what’s behind the big move across the pond?
Above, I said I found it slightly sacrilege to leave the US for Thanksgiving… and I’d say that’s doubly true for heading back to the UK.
That being said, there are tens of thousands of American expats residing in London—and there’s a booming community that really comes alive during Thanksgiving. Family members with loved ones living in London are the first to fly over, while other families who want to shake things up are also known to book trips to London over the holiday.
Both Paris and London offer huge appeal for a few reasons.
First, Americans can avoid the Thanksgiving rush—especially if they plan their flights well. Second, there’s always a Thanksgiving dinner to join (or avoid). Third, both London and Paris are global favorites for tourism, meaning there’s plenty to do.
It’s an island thing
Why would Americans head to the Bahamas, Jamaica, Dominican Republic, and Aruba for the holidays?
Similar to Mexico, they’re geographically close and tropical year-round. These locations are ideal for Americans who are burnt out by the cold weather, Thanksgiving hustle, and even family pressure.
If you’d rather drop off the map on a beach for a week or two than contend with potentially burnt casseroles and family arguments, then places like Nassau, Montego Bay, Punta Cana, and Oranjestad let you escape without much fuss.
