You Must Be Trippin'

One year we were fortuante enough to be on a cruise over Christmas. We stopped in Jamaica on Christmas Day. There is nothing quite like a raggae Christmas carol and your toes in the sand early in the morning. We climbed the falls and had a blast. Later on the ship, a bunch of the passengers gathered in the atrium and sang carols. It was truly one of my favorite Christmas memories ever. We weren't with family but everyone felt like family at that moment.

My sister was away in the Virgin Islands for an extended period and was not able to be home for Christmas. My husband and I decided to surprise her with a visit and so we flew down on Christmas day. It was a remarkable reunion.

My favorite of memory of travelling during the holidays happened about 10 years ago. We had started out on our 26 hour drive from Ontario to Eastern Canada when not long afterwards the weather changed and began to snow quite heavily. There were discussions as to whether or not to continue but I was so homesick and knew it wouldn't be easy to holiday time from work again anytime soon. That trip ended up being my best east coast vacation ever. The scenery with the fresh snow was beautiful and when we arrived to our destination we were greeted by lots of hugs from our family and both the warmth and smell of wood burning in the fireplace. As it turned out, that year was the last time my whole family was together and I wouldn't trade the memories for anything.

My favorite memories of holiday trips were going to my grandparents house in Arizona. It was always a lot of fun and we got to play in the snow

Last winter I drove to Edmonton and then on to Pincher Creek to go snowboarding. We had on hill accommodations, and met some very nice locals. Although, I have had better snow, getting up in the morning, walking out the door and seeing the mountain in front of you is an amazing feeling.

My favorite memory of traveling during the holidays is going to my Aunt and Uncle's house in California where the entire family always gathered when I was little and they would break out the guitars, drums and piano and we would have hootenanies and celebrate being together! Along with lots of food of course during Thanksgiving and Christmas!

we use to drive to Philly every year and one year a tire came off the car while driving it was funny the car kept going and the tire passed us we said hey look someone lost a tire turned out it was ours LOL

My favoite trips are the one to Maui, Hawaii. This is definitely paradise with perfect weather.

Traveling to introduce the Grandparents (and other family members) to their first Grandchild one Christmas! Their son was away that year with the Military (war zone); so I took it upon myself to drive up from Jacksonville, Fla. for Christmas with his family. A 6 hour drive with a baby under 1 year old and Best Western is a great place you can count on wherever you go! Clean, save, trusted and I could rest there easily with my child. Thanks for making our Christmas trip an enjoyable one!

I loved to visit my grandparents especially during the holidays. One of my favorite holiday travel memories was my grandpa's last New Year's Eve. He made me one of his famous Christmas drinks and we all toasted the new year. I'm eternally grateful for that time with him.

Making rounds to the grandparents each year making the holidays continue into what appeared as an endless holiday.

One of my favorite Christmas' was 14 years ago. We got two dachshunds on December 02. This was their first Christmas. They had a ball climbing on the wrapped gifts and tore many of them open. They would stare at the blinking lights and all the shiny balls. And of course Santa left each of them a stocking full of goodies. These were our children and it was just a joy watching them.

My fave travel memory was having the time of my life late one wintery night in Newark Airport-i met the most amazing woman who turned out to be a mortician...surely that was the reason for her fantastic sense of humor!As the weather grew worse,her stories and infectious character left us all in her spell.It was one of my best nights,ever!

My favorite memory of traveling during the holidays is waking up in the morning in a rental house filled with friends. As we get older, it becomes harder to get everyone together. However, by setting aside time to ski and snowboard for a few days and stay in a rental house, everyone is together and ready to really make the most of our time.

Last Christmas Eve it was seeming like we wouldn't make it home because our flight was cancelled. We got rerouted and upgraded to First Class.

I enjoy travelling on Christmas day. Quiet airports and roadways. People also seem to be in a good mood as well. Lately, I try to bring chocolates to share with those working on the 25th.

Travelling to my friend's house during a snow storm.

I enjoy travelling on Christmas day. Quiet airports and roadways. People also seem to be in a good mood as well. Lately, I try to bring chocolates to share with those working on the 25th.

Best memory traveling during Christmas would be driving home in a blizzard on a country road look for poles on the side of the road...so we new, we where still on the road. We where listing to Christmas music and stuffed with turkey....the Blizzard wasn't stopping us from a soft bed at home.We where in the Christmas mood . We made it safe and sound, with out a problem. We probably had some help from some snow covered angels!

My favourite memory was all of us piling into the car and driving to my grandmother's house every Christmas eve. It never mattered what the weather was like - we always managed to make it there.

Every year we went to my Grandparents house for Christmas Day. I can remember sooooo many presents under the tree. I got a toy dog that had puppies inside and there were 3 of them. I was so excited to get this!! At dessert we always had Coconut Cake and chocolate pudding. I miss those days so much! I know every year my Grandma is watching down on me. Happy Holidays everyone!

Every Thanksgiving and Easter, we would pile into the station wagon and drive from PA to CT to visit my father's mother. We would see our cousins and have lots of great food with 20 - 25 at the dinner table every night. The treat for us was getting a whole lobster for each person!

My favorite traveling memory has to be Thanksgiving two years ago when my then boyfriend and his parents went on a cruise. On Thanksgiving night, we all went on the top deck and his parents stopped to say a prayer (thought that was weird just out of the blue..lol). Next thing I knew my bf asked me to look down in the miniature golf hole where there was a small little box. He bend over to pick up the box (me standing there clueless) went down on his knees and proposed!!! I was in total shock and totally had no idea what just happened. Then it snapped...and I screamed YEEEEEEEEEEESSS!!! Ohhh...beautiful times! Wedding is set for next summer! YAY!

My favorite memory of traveling during the holidays is when we took our family (4 kids and grandmom) to visit my brother in Pennsylvania on Thanksgiving. My brother has a wonderful farm out in the Amish Country. It was like visiting another country. Horse and buggies everywhere. It was absolutely wonderful. We were surrounded by rolling hills and fields, endless farmland, covered bridges and wonderful country. The kids had a great time running free and feeding the goats and other animals. I am truly thankful for such a wonderful Thanksgiving!

When we were stationed in South Korea, there was a record breaking snow storm. All the roads on base were steep hills that we turned into sledding ramps. Those of us far from family shared fun times playing in the snow and made new family memories.

My family was not that close, but when it was time for the holidays we always made a point to get together. I have fond memories of travelling to my aunts for Christmas Day and just spending time catching up with all my cousins.

I always had a blast travelling to my grandmother's house for Christmas. Lots of fun on the way there with us kids excited about Christmas, baking and games!! Never a dull moment!

We always enjoyed the long drive to Grandma's house. There would be goodies and family waiting for us

I lived in a very small town in Ohio........my grandpa and ma lived behind us and my other grandmother lived across the street. My travel was uber simple, we walked back to Grandma & pa's for Christmas Eve then to Grandma's on Christmas Afternoon. Being with grandparents for Christmas was magical. They made my life so full. When we moved away when I was 13, we didn't have the luxury of traveling back for those special memories. It was hard to celebrate Christmas without them. Now....I am the grandma that the kids come to see. So, I try to make their day as memorable as mine were.

my favorite memory is visiting family every year at xmas going on a 6hr drive on the 24th morning arriving early afternoon having a huge xmas eve dinner and staying up till midnight to open a gift. It stopped after a few years because we ran into bad weather and they decided to stay home at xmas and go at easter instead.

I remember we would go to my parent's big log house the day before Christmas,and we would all stay the night so we could be together on Christmas morning.It was so much fun,opening gift's togehter and eating our meal's together that day. I will never forget those special times even thow it was not a long or big road trip it was so worth going.

I took my daughters to Waikiki - and we lucked into staying at a boutique hotel where several other Canadians were staying, some of whom went each Christmas. The staff organized a potluck dinner, and everyone brought their homemade specialties form their own cultures - islands in the south pacific, mainly. Their families and hotel guests attended, and there was a gift exchange and sing-along....... To this day I sing Mele Kalikimaka at Christmas!! We stayed through New Year's, and from the rooftop of the small hotel saw the fireworks on the beach. It was an absolutely magical vacation........

My favorite memory is baking Christmas cookies every year. Everybody loves them!!

My favorite memory of traveling on a holiday was the Easter that I made a trip to Houston, where most of my family was living at the time, to be married!

My boyfriend was in the military and i hadn't seen him in 6 months, but i made the trip to North Carolina to visit him for Christmas! It was amazing and my most fav holiday travel ever! :)

My favorite memory is eating gingerbread cookies in the car on the drive to grandma's house.

My Favorite Christmas memory is when We used to Go, as a Whole Family, mom and Dad, me and my Brother, to Paris to my Grandparents House. It was a 3 hour Drive from our house in Illinois. ALL of our Big Family would show up, Aunts, Uncles, Cousins, Everybody. They Had a Giant Farm Table that would fit the Whole Family around. and we would All sit down, TOGETHER, and enjoy a Christmas meal Together. Oh the Paris I am Talking about is Paris, Illinois 8-)

My favorite travel memory was this august when we took the kids to California on vacation. It was amazing to see the kids reaction to the beach and waves. My 8 yr old stood on the beach and just stared with amazement for about 30 minutes before he had is together enough play in the water!

My favorite trip for christmas was going back home two years ago to a big christmas party that was for me since I had not been home for 5 years while I was in navy that was extra special because since then 2 of my family members including my sister and a nephew have passed away

My favorite memory is going to my grandmother's in Texas for Christmas. She was the best cook and had it all festive looking for us. Since my family is somewhat small it was a real treat for us because we usually didn't make such a big deal about things because we were such a small family!!

My favorite holiday memory is taking my kids home for Christmas

We had tried for years to have a child. Went through all sorts of fertility treatments including IVF. We dreamed of having a child, when we finally found a great Dr who helped us with that. We traveled to Chapel Hill, NC and a year later had a wonderful baby girl to make our Holidays great. That completed our family by making an impossible dream come true. Traveling during the holidays with our miracle child is so rewarding, my parents passed away within 18 months of each other, and remembering driving to their house with our daughter makes the memories a little happier. This will be the first year we don't make that Holiday trip, knowing that the cycle of life continues with my girl....makes everything complete.

Going to see my parents for the whole week of Christmas vacation! Wish I could have those days back!

Going to my grandma's house in Portugal is my best traveling til this day!!!!

My favorite memory of holiday travelling was the year I got to go up to 100 Mile House and spend Christmas at my dad's house when I was about 12. Up until then I had always been at my mom's. It was fantastic not only to wake up Christmas morning and see my dad, but to have my granny and grandpa there as well instead of just saying "Merry Christmas" on the phone. And it snowed like crazy, we got to play in the snow and ride snowmobiles! It was the first Christmas Day I ever remember being white. What a wonderful memory, I'll never forget the look on my dad's face in the morning when we all got up to eat breakfast, he looked so happy :)

My favourite memory would have to be driving to Disney World in Florida for Christmas when I was 11 years old. It was our first time going and I got to be the ''navigator'' with my dad in the front the whole drive down. I couldn't sleep in the car so it was a great way for me to keep busy. Also, my grandparents who stay in Florida in the winter gave my brother and I little gifts to keep us busy and entertained on the drive down. We could open one that was labeled with that state's name as we went through each state. We spent Christmas in Disney and it was great! Now that my parents are divorced and I'm married we seem to spend too much time travelling to make sure we visit with each family over the few days we have for Christmas and we forget what it's all about. When I get wrapped up in everything, I look back at the picture I have on my mantel from that Christmas in Disney and remember the TRUE meaning of the holiday season.

My favorite Christmas was 15 years ago when I first moved to Michigan and had my first ever White Christmas. Before that every Christmas was a picnic/BBQ in the summer!

I remember going to grandma's and making cookies with her on Christmas eve. Then we would have to drive 3 hours to get back home before Santa comes. We always had all the cookies devoured before getting home , leaving only milk for Santa!

Going to Grandmas for the holidays was always a fun time for us, possibly not so much for my parents! LOL ( 4 youngsters on a 5 hour trip!) We were going to Chicago from central WI. We played alot of games and singing songs. My parents must found a quieter way by leaving at 3 or 4 in the morning so we all would sleep! LOL

We took our 2 year old son to Disneyland for the holidays and loved seeing his eyes light up at everything around him.

The only family vacation we ever did, was my favorite. We loaded our 7 and 9 year old into the extended cab 4x4 F250 and drove from New Jersey, to Illinois, to Pensicola, FL, to Fort Lauderdale, FL and aback to Tuckahoe, NJ in 10 days. We had so much fun!! This is my favorite! :)

My favorite holiday travel memory is actually one of the saddest as well. It was when my father passed away in December and my sister and I had to travel to Iowa where he was visiting. Although it was a sad time, we were able to see family we hadn't seen in 15 years or more. It brought everyone together and we were able to spend a lot of time with them. We also were able to meet my dads friends from Jen he was growing up. His funeral had over 100 people, and it was nice knowing he had that many people that cared for him.

My favorite Christmas memory goes back to 2002 when my parents traveled from Va to Al to spend Christmas with me and my kids and to meet their first great-grand-child.My Mom was battling cancer and wore a chemo bag but she didn't let that stop her from making the 8 hour trip to spend her last Christmas with me.I lost her on Jan 19th .....3 weeks after Christmas and now this time of year brings back so many memories.I have many photos of that time together to always remember.I would use the gift card to travel to Va where my Dad still lives and my Mom is laid to rest.

We took our 2 year old son to Disneyland for the holidays and loved seeing his eyes light up at everything around him.

When we were kids Mom & Dad took us to See Santa's workshop in New Mexico! I couldn't believe he had a workshop so close to us! LOL :) #HappyHolidays

my favorite memory was traveling the beaches of thailand. it was such an amazing sense of adventure and fun.. and I wish i could capture those feelings in every day life

My most memorable trip of the holidays was a simple drive around the city and watching the amazement on my daughters face as she saw all the holiday lights. I so wish I could get that look on her face back.

My favorite is going to see family on Christmas and us being all together.

My favorite memory traveling was when we were in Mexico during New Years. We saw grown drunk men in giant diapers wheeling around the old father time people. It was so hilarious to watch. One group accidentally got too close to the pool and fell in.

My favorite memory of traveling was when we lived on the MA coast and had to travel to the south western corner of NY. My son was 2 years old and it started snowing. It snowed so hard that year that my husband had to call off of work for three days, so we got an extended vacation in NY with my parents.

The first Christmas after my son was born. He was the first grandchild on both sides of the family, and bringing him to my parents house was so special and full of special memories.

I always remember travelling to my dad's house every year to spend Christmas with him. The lights always let me know when we were getting close to his house and I would get so excited. Ahhh, the memories of my little self.

We were going on a trip over Christmas to Aruba. My children were young, and my daughter in particular was very concerned that Santa would not find us because we wouldn't be at home. So she wrote a Christmas letter to Santa, at his address in the North Pole, postal code HOH OHO, and advised him of the address of the resort we would be staying at. And Santa found us! My daughter loves this memory of the trip, now that she is a wise old 14.

Going to Disney World and Seaworld and seeing all the Christmas Lights and hearing the Christmas Carols playing thru Seaworld. Watching the excitement in my son's eyes was priceless.

We have never had had the funds to take a vacation ever...but wht I DO remember was living 1 mile from the beach down in Delray Bch FL, and taking a bicycle "trip" on thanksgiving day to the beach where we endulged in Turkey Sandwiches and Cranberry Salad. It might not have been much...but it was tradition...and we loved it!

My greatest memories as a kid for Christmas was going to my grandparents home in SoSo, Missisissippi for the day and then on to Collins, MS to my other grandparents house Christmas Night!!

Was the times when we would drive 8 hours one way with 4 kids in the car to spend the Holiday with my Grandparents. Go to sleep at my house and Dad drive all night long and just wake up as we arrived. Spent the holiday between 2 sets of Grandparents 10 miles from each other.

My favorite holiday memory was going to my soon-to-be in laws home, sitting down with my girlfriend and her family and enjoying a great dinner. As the dinner progressed I asked if I could have the floor for a moment, and then asked my girlfriends father for permission to wed his daughter! The answer was yes, and 22 years later we are still most happily married!

Our family got stuck in snow storm with car full of presents. Had to stay in hotel and spent Christmas there. Managed to get carry out food and celebrated Christmas with great gusto. Best Christmas ever.

Our family got stuck in snow storm with car full of presents. Had to stay in hotel and spent Christmas there. Managed to get carry out food and celebrated Christmas with great gusto. Best Christmas ever.

My most memorable trip was to Tennessee 2 years ago. We unfortunately spent the majority of the first day on the side of the road with a flat tire. We watched as the semis whizzed by and scared us to death. It all turned out fine, but it was a trip I will never forget!

Although it was a short trip to grandma's house, I remember looking forward to seeing the tree in all it's glory and anxiously searching for those boxes with my name on them. Grandma had a bowl of hard candies that were red/white and green/whited striped and were so delicious. My cousins would all be there and it's just something that warms my heart thinking about how long ago it's been (30 years!)

When traveling back home we stopped to stay an extra night at a Best Western with a water park on the inside. The kids thought it was way cool to swim in the winter.

As a young kid, I was fortunate enough to be the youngest child. Therefore I remember having 7 Grandparents. It was always special to get to see all of them during the holidays. Now I'm down to just one grandparent.

My best holiday travel memory was when I went with my dad to visit my grandmother in Florida. Lights look great on palm trees!

My husband and I went several times to California to visit his grand-parents which are 92 and 95 years old. But our trip few weeks ago was simply unforgettable because for the first time since we are married we spent time on his uncle's for Thanksgiving. Everything was just perfect. The Thanksgiving dinner with our family was a blessing. Those were happy days that will be in our memories forever. The employees of BW Plus Sunrise Inn in Redondo Beach, CA were simply the best. Go check out this hotel because I guarantee you will not regret! They make every trip a memorable trip.

My favorite memory is when my folks loaded us three kids in the car and headed to my Grandmother's place in western Montana the week before Christmas. When we got there, Grandma had two fawns that the game warden had asked her feed and take care of. It was a blast feeding them with baby bottles. They would come into our bedrooms and climb on the beds to wake us up when it was time to eat.

My best Christmas memory is flying home from overseas to surprise my parents on Christmas Eve.

Big storm happened while we were celebrating. My daughter had her new license so we let her drive her siblings in our big van while my husband and I drove separate. She had never driven in snow and drove 10. Mph the 13. Miles back to our house. Scary then but funny now!

My favorite memory is driving to Virginia with my parents! I was so young but I remember staring at all of the big trees while we were driving and singing Disney songs!

I love NYC and have been there many times.When I remarried in 2007 to a good old country boy that had never been to NYC, we decided to go there for our Christmas present to each other. Well he was glad he got to see NYC but once was enough. I walked him to death and did everything we could possibly do in four days. Planes,trains,taxis and subways. We really had a great time and I can't wait unil he is ready to go again!

we always went to my grandparents house across town. Nothing ever smelled as good as Grandma's baking of Italian holiday cookies! I really miss it.

When I was twelve my best friend, passed away. Mom sent me to stay with my Grandma over the holidays and I got to know my Uncle Wade who became my hero and gave me a barbie brides dress.

we used to travel to a different relatives house every year, some not so far, some out of state. Finally my mom said nope, no more, holidays will be at our house from now on, and so I don't travel any further than my parent's place :)

My baby's first Christmas, his laughing at the shiny lights.

When I was 7 years old and we lived in Uniontown, Pennsylvania. My parents and us 6 kids drove to Florida in an old bus for a Christmas camping holiday! We looked like the Partridge Family (with an extra kid) and even picked up a couple of hippies along the way who were hitchhiking. We had a blast, but we wondered how Santa would find us so far from home. I remember pulling up to our house and finding a letter from Santa in our mailbox saying that he would return on January 3rd (The Epiphany) as we weren't home on Christmas Eve. Well, he did return and I remember getting a board game (Clue) and a Peanuts watch. This was the best trip ever and the only time we ever traveled this time of year. Merry Christmas!

The only time I did not celebrate Christmas w/family on Dec. 25, 1999. We celebrated at Thanksgiving that year, because I was enticed to spend Christmas and New Year's aboard a cruise ship w/some widowed friends. We left the US and arrived in Sydney, Australia where we met some other widowed folk from our internet group who live there.. they showed us around, and then it was time to board the ship. We sailed to Melbourne, disembarked to be greeted by yet another lady who was a member of our internet widow/er's group. She and a friend drove us to a wildlife preserve where we saw Kangaroos and Wallabys etc. Back onboard the ship and a short sail to Tasmania, where we met some very nice Aussie gents who bought us a drink in a local pub.. maybe they thought we were RICH Americans.. which we were not. We crossed the Tasman Sea on Boxing Day.. the seas were very rough that night. We got to celebrate two New Year's Eve... one on each side of the International Dateline.. and it was the Millenium Celebration.. an experience one will not forget easily. After that we sailed to Christchurch and several other ports on both the South and North Islands.. where in fact we met one more of our international widows.. we are all still friends, even if only on the www.

My sister, husband, basset hound and dear friend drove threw an ice storm on I80 threw Neb and Iowa to make it home for Christmas. It was a long drive but was happy we all made it there in one piece!

One of my best travel memories was my first Christmas without snow. I travelled to the southern U.S. to have Christmas with one of my children. There was not snow but I took all my special Christmas goodies. The lights were beautiful everywhere. Being together with the ones I loved was special. I still smile when I look at a picture of me sitting "outside" having coffee on Christmas morning. It is special because where I come from -30 is more the norm. Love to win this as maybe I could try for a second memorable trip.

My favorite memory was the year when funds were tight, but we found enough for my daugher and myself to shop at the last moment. Christmas Eve, we headed to a Brooks Pharmacy and completed the list with some food items.

My husband and I always go to my sister and brother-in-law's house for the holidays and stay with them for several days. I don't see my sister very often so it's a good time to catch with her.

Favorite memory is last Christmas when we drove to California to see Disneyland, stayed at Best Western along the way. Love road trips, the longer the better!

My wife and I always drive to see my siblings and their families during Christmas. We eat lots of good food and open presents around the Christmas tree.

One Christmas week my wife and I plowed through the snow in northeastern California, just beating the road closures. We found ourselves at a remote lake with a lodge and a chef who made the best butterflied shrimp I ever tasted. The cabin was cozy with a nice fireplace. After a few days, the snow melted enough for us to return home. The joy was in not knowing where we were going or where we would spend the night, but just enjoying the adventure and sharing the season with newly-made friends..

My grandparents lived about 12 miles away, but the roads were rural.........which meant muddy or icy in bad weather. I can remember two different Christmases that we ended in a ditch before reaching my grandparents' home. On one occasion I remember cracking the windshield with my forehead. Obviously that was in the days before seatbelts. I can still point out the ditch where it happened. :-)

My favourite holiday travel memory is when I drove from Fort McMurray to Coquitlam with a friend on Christmas eve. We were on our way back home from working in Fort McMurray for three months so the anticipation was great. We drove through the Rockies at the most beautiful time of year and although the highway was snowy and icy it was the most scenic trip I have ever taken. The sun shone through the day and everthing around us was like a crystal landscape. I will always remember that trip home.

My family and I travel via car from WI to Disney World annually. It is a good time to see the country and stay in different places. The children enjoy staying at different hotels. I enjoy the time with my family.

One year my grandparents took us to Disney World for a few days during the xmas holidays. I was about 10 and saw their huge firework light show. The park was completely different back then.

As a child every year we left either Christmas Day or the day after and went to Downeyville, Ca for a week. It normally started snowing while we were there and there was never good electricity so we would always be without it for most of the trip staying warm by the wood stove, sledding down the hills during the days and playing games under the lantern light at night. This is one of those memories that is so strong it seemed like it just happened yesterday, really want to go back but we haven't had a chance, a great place to take my new husband some year and share our fun times with him

Mine was when I was little my parents use to wake my 2 sisters and myself up super early in the morning (3am) to go up north to see my great grandma.. We would just stay in our pajamas and sleeping bags in the car.

Crazy part is she actually died on Christmas morning several years back.

Would love to use the $250 gift card. I just got back from a Best Western in Houston, TX for my mothers breast cancer treatment.

When I was six or seven years old I was toted to upstate New York to see relatives,,the car beoke down and it began to snow..The first snow Id ever seen being from San Diego and all...was the coolest thing Id ever seen,,still remember it like it was yesterday,,and I guess it was give or take 40 years...:)

My favourite memory is when my husband and I travelled to Paris over the holiday. We spent 8 days over new years in Paris. Honestly, I thought New York was cool over the holidays, it has nothing on Paris, the windows, the lights, the food. The trip was amazing. I can't wait to get back there.

My favorite memory of Christmas was going to my parents house. We had dinner, opened gifts and had fun just being together. Now that both my parents have passed away I have dinner at my home with all my family(husband,daughters,son-in-laws, grandchildren and my father-in-law). We all enjoy opening gifts, playing games and just spending time with one another. These times I will cherish .

My favorite holiday travel memory was going on a Safari to Kenya with my family several Christmases ago - being "bombarded" with sights of amazing wildlife was certainly a once-in-a-lifetime experience - the best part of this trip however was that I was able to go with my entire family (including my parents and siblings), which we don't do often enough... and oh yeah, getting out of the -30 C weather to basked in the African sun was just a bonus!

Favorite Christmas travel memory was a trip to Mexico as family members came from different places so we could all be together for Christmas.

We never traveled during the holidays except to travel to Midnight Mass at church which, to me, is a memorable and *mystical* experience because, as a child, I would drift in and out of sleep during the mass.

All six of us kids would pile into the 4-door sedan and travel two hours to the grandparents' house every Christmas Eve. We spent the entire travel time bickering and fighting with each other. We must have been such a nightmare for our parents, but now we all laugh about the experiences we endured.

Christmas Eve, 1992. Two time zones away from my family in what would turn out to be a disastrous first job after college. I had been in Ely, Nevada for six months and decided that I would go exploring. Ended up staying overnight In Twin Falls, Idaho and wandering about Southern Idaho and Northern Nevada all Christmas Day. My first Christmas alone, and it looks like it won't be my last.

My most memorable Christmas away from home was in Spain with a group of
Canadian teachers and their families who were stationed at the
Canadian Base at Baden Baden in Lahra, Germany. We had all traveled by vehicles (some in campers and some pulling trailers).
We camped at a campsite near Algeciras across the bay from Gibraltor. On Christmas Day a local restaurant opened just for us and served the most delicious Spanish meal. After dinner my husband told a Red Skelton story about how a little boy kidnapped Santa Claus to all the children. It was fun to see the Spanish waiters and waitresses stopping to listen! Even though it was pouring out the fire in the fireplace kept us toasty warm.

My most memorable Christmas away from home was in Spain with a group of
Canadian teachers and their families who were stationed at the
Canadian Base at Baden Baden in Lahr, Germany. We had all traveled by vehicles (some in campers and some pulling trailers).
We camped at a campsite near Algeciras across the bay from Gibraltor. On Christmas Day a local restaurant opened just for us and served the most delicious Spanish meal. After dinner all the children gathered in front of the fireplace and my husband told a Red Skelton story about how a little boy kidnapped Santa Claus. It was fun to see the Spanish waiters and waitresses stopping to listen! Even though it was pouring out the fire in the fireplace kept us toasty warm.

One of my favorite memories of traveling for the Holidays is this year's Thanksgiving. We left Brookings, Oregon on Friday November 18th after I left work. We went from Brookings to Lebanon, Oregon. We (the kids and I) spent the night with my sister, brother-in-law, niece, and nephew. We got up the next morning and my brother-in-law drove us to the airport. It was my grandson's first flight. We flew from Portland to Billings. Spent the night at the Clock Tower Best Western. Got up the next morning drove to Lodge Grass and attended church. On Monday we went to the cemetary where my Dad's headstone is at, saw my aunt, and my sisters. Tuesday we relaxed, Wednesday we went and had Indian Tacos. Thursday we had Thanksgiving Dinner with Pastor Devin Dasson and his family. Friday we drove to Bozeman and spent the night at the Gran Tree. Saturday we went to my great-nephews 2nd birthday party. Saturday afternoon we drove back to Billings and spent the night at the Best Western Kelly Inns and Suites. The kids played in the indoor pool. Sunday morning we were up bright and early to catch the plane back to Oregon. Had an awesome time.

I loved Christmas Eve. We would bundle up and get in the car for the hour and a half drive to my grandparents' house. There would be 40 or more people crowded into that house..and so many cousins to play with! And at dinner there was the kids' table and the adults table.. It was so exciting to become old enough to move up to the other table until you realized, hey...it was more fun at the kids' table! Dinner would end with my grandfather lighting the plum pudding and we would all gasp at the flames. It was a sight. Afterwards the little ones would pass presents out, we would open them and then gather it all up for the ride home. Something is missing in my life on Christmas Eve...my grandparents and those huge family gathering were a special part of my childhood.

To my sister's house in Charleston with the whole extended family gathered!

A trip to Oregon with lots of family to see, and fresh snow falling on Christmas morning.

MANY years ago my family took the train to visit my grandmother in Virginia. The first train took us to Chicago. In spite of the broken water pipes in our car, which created ice between the window panes, we had a great kids' Christmas party and a great time. My first visit to Chicago, because of the layover between trains, was very brief - we stepped out of the train station, made it about a half block before the 2 California kids could stand the icy wind no longer and spent the rest of our wait in the Chicago train depot! All in all, train travel is sorely underrated. We saw so much of the country we would have missed flying!

My radio station was running a contest for free tickets to George Jones concert at WinStar casino. I had never been to a concert or to a casino so I was taking to things off my bucket list at once. I was so excited me and a friend went and we made a reservation for the Best Western in Thackerville so we didnt have to drive back to Waxahachie that night. The concert was amazing love me some George Jones and the casino was incrediblly beautiful about a mile walk through the whole thing we walked it twice. Then we went back to hotel ordered pizza an stayed up till 4am and then fell out. I will never forget that night!!

Going to visit my grandparents was always great every year!

Twenty-five years ago I married my wife on Dec.13 1986. And every year we try to go somewhere to remember our love for each other and to enjoy Christmas and what it means.

The Christmas memory that stands out the most for me is going to my grandmothers. She would get up real early that morning and start cooking the best desserts you could think of. The entire family (she was a busy lady ;)) would be there. There was at least 50 people in the house at all times. We would open presents and bless the food then we would eat. Afterwards us kids would go outside and shoot fireworks. The reason I remember those Christmas' so well is that I would give anything to have them back. My grandmother passed away in 2005. Both my grandparents were the back bone of he family so needless to say when my grandfather passed the next year our family fell apart. There ia no large Christmas anymore! Everyone is scattered and worries about theirselves. I wonder if they think about Christmas like I do? My goal in life is to start my on tradition with my kids and brother and sister that won't fade away when i am gone. Hopefully in the future these are memories that my children will cherish.

My favorite memory is when my young son yelled from the back of the van seat that he just saw a camel! Since we were in Vermont we decided that was very out of the blue and not normal. So we turned around...drove back down the road and sure enough...there was a camel beside the road! He belonged to a farm there. Very funny sight to see in Vermont!

Getting snowed in on the way home making vacatio another week, yes stuck in a hotel but it was a blast

My favorite memory is loading up the car for Thanksgiving and hitting the road. Not far away, we stopped for gas and returned to see that our miniature poodle had taken a bite (or two) out of every pie. Even through the cling wrap! Now we have a large extended family so we're talking 10-12 pies. My mother was beyond herself and as a child, I thought it was hilarious that my puppy was SO hungry.

The year I was 5, my parents took us to DIsneyland for Christmas. I guess I couldn't enjoy the 1st two days of our trip very much, because I was terrified Santa wouldn't be able to find us!

But I woke up on Christmas morning to a small artificial tree that my mom had brought hidden in her luggage, presents & our stockings, filled with goodies. It was so magical. I remember how I told everyone I saw that day that Santa had found us afterall.

many years ago took 6 preteens boys to Florida with my mom Christmas/New Years. It rained whole time keeping us closed in hotel room, with kids bouncing off walls and driving us luuluu we headed back on New Years Eve which found us on road at midnight and eventually in a Denny's Restaurant in Louisville shortly after that. Lets just say the night life that was in there is something to chuckle about now but at the time those kids grew up real quick seeing a different sort of folk. lol

Being on road on New Years Eve stopping in Louisville at a Denny's just after midnight with my mom and 6 preteen boys. Wow it was eye-opening, thankfully can chuckly about it now.

One year we got in our old Ford Van and drove to Missouri and Ohio to visit our families. As we traveled across Kansas, it was sooo cold that the gas pumps kept freezing. When we arrived at each parents house we put on Santa hats as we knocked on the doors.

Going to the Netherlands to see my long distance lover. It was well worth the transatlantic spontaneity. Saw a lot and did a lot. Haven't seen snow since I was 8! Most of all loved spending time with amazing company!

My favorite Christmas memory, we were taking our first born infant son to his grandparents for his first Christmas Eve and stopped by an old friend's house who was in town for the holdays. While we were passing around our son, my husband noticed his Christmas footy pajamas were wet. Upon further inspection, we discovered in our rush to get everything required for traveling with an infant we forgot to put a diaper on him! Good thing it was only wet, and we had to put him in not-so-Christmasy footy pajamas!

My favourite memory of Christmas was the first Christmas my family immigrated to Canada. We had never seen or played in so much snow before! The snow was knee deep and it was so quiet and serene all around. It was incredible to celebrate Christmas with my family in a new country, yet feel so at peace and at "home."

My favorite Christmas memory was travelling to Washington DC on Christmas Day to visit friends who were soon to move. The airport staff and flight attendants were very festive, and waking up in one country and going to sleep in another was awesome.

Driving to Missouri to spend Christmas with my family after a year in Iraq. The weather was horrible, I got my first speeding ticket, but it was totally worth it, there's nothing like being home again.

One year while I was away at college I had only a few days for my break. Instead of flying home, my parents drove down and met me and a cousin, who was heading north, at a hotel where they cooked a big dinner with all of the trimmings. It wasn't Mom and Dad's house, but the food was just as good!

My favorite Christmas travel memory was our last trip to Walt Disney World with all three kids. We spent Christmas day at the Magic Kingdom.

Leaving the cold and ice in Kansas City to the sun and beach in Ft Myers, FL. All my siblings gather at mom's each season! Hoping for warm weather again this year.

Sunday mornings we would go to church. Then stop for doughnuts and eat them in the park. Except for the days we would be heading up North to visit Grandma and Grandpa. This was before the superhighways, so it would take easily 2 hours.

I can't really choose which year was my favorite and most memorable. Every holiday is memorable. I have all of my family there and I couldn't ask for anything more joyful than to have everyone together.

my favorite holiday travel is when we go to florida for christmas because the weather is so nice compared to where we are from at this time of year

My favorite was going to my sisters house and spending the holiday with her family. She is deceased now and I would love to have that time back.

Favorite memory of travelling during the holidays was December 2002, my family took a family vacation to Florida two days after Christmas. We had a lot of fun.

My favorite travel memory is taking my husband and I taking his maternal grandparents and our three children to see Christmas lights/events. We spent quality time traveling, enjoyed lights, and watching Christmas events. We also allowed our children to get to know their great grandparents that is now gone. we have some wonderful lasting memories.

We've always run around crazy for Christmas making sure my daughter sees everyone....this year I will spend Christmas Eve Day with my daughter at Disneyland! So excited!!

We took a Christmas Markets river cruise on the Danube. Bringing home handmade gifts from Vienna, Salzberg, Nurnberg, and other small towns was very special . Seeing the Christmas traditions in different countries made for a most memorable vacation.

Back in 1980 when the kids were 5 & 6 years old, we owned a motor home and travelled from Calgary to Winnipeg for Christmas-there was whiteout conditions in Saskatchewan-we followed the shoulder to stay on the highway-white knucle ride for sure-but had a wonderful family holiday at Gramma & Grandpa's home.

My favorite Christmas travel memory is our family taking my husband's maternal grandparents to see Christmas events/lights. My husband, his grandfather/mother, our three children, and myself spent two or three years traveling to different locations to view their Christmas activities and lights. This allowed our children to meet their great grand parents that are now gone.

My favorite traveling for the holidays memory is driving at night and looking at all the Christmas lights and decorations that just glow and make it so beautiful. I just love seeing what people have out at night to look at.

I think my favorite travel memory was many years ago when we were traveling from Seattle east and my dad was driving. We left Seattle late a night and as we got into eastern Washington in the wee hours of the morning I remember watching the northern lights light up the sky for several hours until daybreak. That has always stuck in my head and this happened probably in the late 1950's.

Traveled to Vancouver and stayed at the Best Western Chateau Granville. Wow, in the middle of downtown Vancouver's nightlife, what a great time! Definitely will be back, they did a great job of fixing up that old, classic hotel.

After my Dad passed away we took my Mom- in her 80's on a Vacation through the West to visit as many of her relatives as we could-stopping in out of the way towns all the way to Nanaimo BC to visit my sisters family-best Western was the first choice when we found one even out of the way!!!!!!could afford to squeeze in and more room-!

My favorite holiday travel was the roadtrips home to my parents house when I was away at college. I always love hitting the road and its even better when your destination is home to good family and friends!

My favorite traveling memory is going home to see my folks every year,and staying at the Best Western in Bennington...

2 years ago on a drive from north east TX to Reno NV we decided to do a side trip and see the grand canyon, the side trip added 3 hours of driving on a 25 hour drive! We almost didn't make it as pulled in at sun set with our children and got to see the most magnificent sun set ever, as well as a doe and her faun, and a HUGE moose. The kids still talk about that side trip, they can't tell you want they got for Christmas, or what movies they watched, but they can tell you about the moose, the colors of the Grand Canyon, and the snow on the ground. We managed to get a fantastic family photo and it is still one of my favorites. We're looking forward to doing the drive again this year!

My favorite holiday travel is going home to see my family,and staying at the Best Western.

My favourite Christmas travel was actually coming home. I had been travelling the world all year doing missionary work and arrived home in Canada just in time for Christmas to see friends and family and finally relax from the intensity of the year.

A fond Christmas road trip memory was back in the 90s, we drove 8 hours from Tucson AZ to Fullerton CA, the place where my grandparents, aunts and uncles lived. It was the first time we had come back to our hometown in a few years, so my sister and I were beyond excited to see everyone again. I remember running into my grandparents house, excited to see the huge christmas tree, the singing santa, the stockings over the fireplace......sadly, it was the last Christmas with my grandfather, as he died 8 months later. I am just glad we made it out for that last Christmas with him.

The part I like about Christmas travel is when I got to where I was going, is seeing people that you haven`t seen in a long time. Another nice thing is seeing all the christmas displays in a deffrent town or city.

Every year our family went to my Aunt and Uncle's house where the whole family would meet. They only lived a mile and a half away, but we lived for this day every year. We were very close knit and had a wonderful time with dinner, opening presents and then my Uncle would get out his favorite albums (Camp Granada was a favorite). We would all sing and laugh. It was a really special Christmas if my Great Grandmother (I was 16 when she passed) would fly in from Nebraska to visit for the holidays. I am married with grown children, but I remember these Christmas celebrations like they were yesterday.

Our trips to mIchigan in thesnow for the holidays

Well, it would have to be "bagging the normal holidays" for the Hawaiian Isalnds! So relaxing to step out of the holiday hassle and, yes, the lights DO look superb on a palm tree!

In the last 3 years, my husband lives in another state because of his job...so our travel is either going to see him, or he gets to come home...

Drove to Florida to visit my family I hadnt seen in years

My favorite Holiday travel memory is when I attended college in remote Upper Michigan.I had a car full of friends traveling through a blizzard to get home downstate, about 425 miles away. The half way point is the Mackinac Bridge which connects the Upper Peninsula to the Lower Peninsula. Upon our arrival at the bridge after a harrowing and snowy ride we were told the bridge was closed due to extremely high winds. Mind you, we were college kids and had pretty empty pockets. We drove into the darling town of St. Ignace and went to the only open establishment, a tavern, of course. We spent many happy hours there while the blizzard raged on. We were invited to a local's home where we called our parents to tell then we were "delayed" (way before cell phones!)and fell asleep on couches. In the morning we were treated to breakfast at the local pancake shack then sent merrily on our way. We had so much fun and I think our rescuers did too. As an adult I make it a point to try to pay those kindnesses in 1969 forward today. A very fond memory, thanks for letting me share it!

My mom lived in a retirement community. One year for Thanksgiving, my husband , kids and I drove down with our Weber and planned on BBQ'ing our turkey. In this community, there are no backyards, but plenty of room out front. So, being in sunny California, we BBQ'd, sat up our lawn chairs, and had a good time with the kids and my mom. The neighbors were a little taken aback, and probably my mom was a little embarrassed, but what the heck?! We had a great time!

My favorite holidays are always spent with family. I love that I live close.

My fave travel memory was many years ago my husband and I were racing all over visiting relatives in Niagra falls area. A huge snow storm blew in and we were forced to find a hotel room.We ended up being snowed in for 2 days. It was the best holiday celebration ever. The hotel was practically deserted. Just he and I curled up by the fireplace. No more hustle or bustle. It was amazing.

My most memorable time traveling is when I was going to visit my future inlaws for new years who were throwing a bridal shower for me. It was frosty, snowy, icy, slippery, and scary. Many other cars slid off the road and were stranded, but somehow we made it without incident other than slow traffic just in time to arrive for my bridal shower. We had to go straight to the shower instead of going to freshen up first, so I was just wearing jeans, and I was the bride.
We ended up having a wonderful long weekend, even fitting in a ski day. By the time we came home the bad roads were cleared, so we had a great trip home.

I moved to the far north a few years ago, and so the best traveling for me is going back to visit my family. Two years ago at Christmas, I met my niece Payton for the first time, and this year, I'll be cuddling with her little sister Danika. In addition to their 5 older siblings!

We were lucky two years ago to travel along with muy husband to a conference a week before Christmas. Orlando ..perfect .. my girls were 5 & 7 and while he was at work we went to Disney World Epcot by shuttle .. every country had a Santa and my girls thought they were in heaven .. visiting Santa in every country and meeting Mrs. Claus was the icing on the cake. They talk about it to this day. Hopefully one day we will be able to go back and visit Epcot again at Christmas as the joy will never be same when they get too old.

We always go back to my husbands small town home for Christmas. Every year after a big Christmas supper and gift exchange we go skating with the whole family...good times!

When I was 7 years old we traveled to Nebraska to my grandparents farm. It was Christmas eve and I remember the evening was dark and cold with cool icicles hanging from the roof. Upstairs my Uncle Pat and my Uncle Joe had taken us upstairs to put my sisters and I to bed but before doing so they read "The NIght Before Christmas" and while reading the story we "heard" a noise that seemed to becoming from the roof. My Uncle Pat opened up the double hung window and looked out and exclaimed "Santa and his reindeer are up on the roof!". My sisters peaked out the window to see if they could see Santa and the reindeer. Before you knew it we went downstairs and upon entering the living room we saw a Christmas tree FULL of presents under it with all of the family there too. Santa had come! My grandparents and uncle Pat have passed but that Christmas they gave me the greatest gift.....a wonderful memory.

My favorite traveling the holiday is on Christmas morning. My husband and I go to my friend Donna's house 10:00 a.m. on Christmas morning and she makes us a delicious breakfast . Then we exchange gifts. We have been doing this for years, and she is like a sister to me.

My fvorite memory of traveling during the holidays was when we lived in southern Louisiana and would drive home to see our parents for Thanksgiving or Christmasss. We did not know how much those memories would mean until now we do not have them to go see. I can remember their faces when we first got home and the excitement we all felt. Going home for the holidays is extra special and everyone should go if they can.

I have had many great holidays,but the best ones are the ones where all the family is together which doesnt happen often enough.

Mty favorite memory is singing with the kids in the car. They are grown and we sing when we travel together!

Many years ago when I was in the RCAF (Royal Canadian Air Force), my first year away from home for Christmas I was taken in by strangers and made to feel part of their family. They had a cottage in Northern Ontario they took me to and we did sleigh rides and toboggan and many winter activities in the snow. We caroled door to door with the children and I will always remember that Christmas despite it being 51 years ago. Those were the simpler times when small things made life great.

As I thought about this question, I drew a blank. I've never traveled for the holidays except to extended family within just a few miles of my home. And then I remembered the one holiday that I did travel.

It was December, 1976. I had finished college a semester early and had packed all my belongings the week before and sent them home with my fiance. For a year and a half I lived in a large off campus house with fifteen guys on the second floor and fifteen girls on the third floor. We had become like family during that time. And now it was time to leave all that had become familiar -- the campus life of classes, studying, and meetings, and friends, shared meals, and late night chats. I was returning to my parents' home as a sojourner. No longer the child they raised and not yet the independent adult I longed to become, I would only be there for four months.

A number of housemates walked with me to the bus station, helping to carry my bulging suitcases and bags of Christmas gifts that I should have sent with my fiance the week before . It was a bittersweet time as I knew that I would most likely never see these people again. Not only was my life now going in a new direction, but in a few short months, many of them would also be moving on after graduation. It was highly unlikely that our paths would cross again.

I fought the tears as I boarded the bus and tried to stow all the luggage and bags in the space around me and above me. I settled into my seat, looked out at my friends, and knew that exciting days lay ahead for me and that I needed to look forward to the future and treasure the past, but not try to hold on to it. As the bus pulled away, I said goodbye to not just those friends, but to a lifestyle that had become comfortable. And then I set my eyes on what the future would bring me as I returned to my parents' home to spend one last Christmas with them as their little girl before embarking on the great adventure of life.

My greatest memory of travelling at Christmas is that my husband and I were married just before Christmas and so for our honeymoon travelled to California Disneyland and San Diego over Christmas. It was so magical that when we had kids we took them on two occasions on road trips back to Disneyland. It has magical memories for all of us!

Holiday family visiting.. around Christmas time.. the trip is always great looking at Christmas lighting on houses!!

During the Holidays we love to travel home to Orange County to visit family. We stay at the Westminster Best Western because it is close to all the relatives as well as the beach. Huntington Beach is a must visit at Christmas time.

My best memory of travelling was last year. It was the last Christmas with my Mom. All of our family, including all the grandkids were able to make it home and we got to spend a very special holiday with a very special Lady. Her birthday was on Boxing Day and we were all able to celebrate her 85th birthday with her. We lost her in March but we all have the memories of that last Christmas and birthday.

My favorite holiday memories are driving up with my husband to visit family every year. It's a long drive so we get a chance to talk a lot and spend time remembering past holidays. We sing, listen to talk radio, pick up snacks and get hot cocoa on the way. It seems like it wouldn't be that enjoyable but it has been some of the best memories for us.

Traveling across town to spend the day with family...may not be a far trip, but definitely worth it everytime!

My favorite memory of traveling during the Christmas season is going from Ohio to Florida to visit my grandparents. Leaving all that cold and snow behind was such a treat. So was getting to see my grandparents for Christmas. We went to Sea World, drove to the Keys and toured Cape Canaveral. It was an amazing vacation. Even now, after 45 years, I remember so much of the trip. My grandparents are no longer with us, but I still have the beautiful memories of our time with them.

My favorite memory of travelling for the holidays was when I was 5 and I went on a plane for the first time. We had Christmas at my Grandmas and Grandpas in the Yukon Territory in a little town called Faro.

My favorite memory of traveling during the holidays is when we went to visit my grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins that all gathered at my grandmas house on Christmas eve. It was about an hours drive from our house to my grandmas house and on the way home Christmas eve me and my two sisters would be on the lookout for Santas Sleigh in the night Sky. It would be freezing cold and the stars shining bright in the dark sky, at times we would see a falling star and my parents would tell us that it was Santa Sleigh going by. Oh what fun times we had with everyone on Christmas eve. My mom had 9 siblings, so it was a large gatherings at grandmas house.

My favorite memory of travelling for the holidays was when I was 5 and I went on a plane for the first time. We had Christmas at my Grandmas and Grandpas in the Yukon Territory in a little town called Faro.

My favorite memory of traveling for the holidays was the journey from Nebraska to Massachusetts when I was very young. We spent two days driving, the four of us crammed into a tiny ford taurus. The floors of the backseat were littered with Polly Pockets and Barbies. We would play all day and at night we would watch out the windows for shooting stars until we slumped down into our pillows.

It was an unseasonably warm winter so we didnt see snow until almost New York. Something about snow covered mountain tops as we got closer to the coast really made it feel like a winter wonderland but our Christmas cheer wasn't complete until we pulled into Grandma's driveway just in time to see her decorating the most perfect Christmas tree through the lightly frosted window.

It was like a scene out of a movie that I could watch a thousand times over.

My dad was a co-owner of a fireworks company and we would go all around a 20 state area shooting fireworks shows. (What a wonderful life for a kid!) Poor dad,a traveling salesman traveling with a wife, a kid and a dog!) No matter where we were we would always come home to Tulsa and have Christmas at Grandpa Dock & Grandma Sadie. Grandpa Dock & I would go uptown & go window shopping & I would pick out which toys and the special doll I wanted. Of course we all would go downtown to watch me tell Santa Clause exactly what I had picked out. When I was standing in line to see Santa when I was about 3 1/2 , I noticedthat Santa always asked every child what their name was and how old they were and if they had been a good little girl or boy. I really wondered about that. How could he know if I've begen naughty or nice if he didn't even know kid's names? My turn came & Santa said, Hi Vicki, have u been a good girl? How is your dog Blackie? How's ur Grandpa Dock & Grandma Sadie? How 'bout your Grandpa Frank, is ihe a pretty good ole Grandpa? And last, but not least he asked ~ How's that mean ole Grandma Doris ? My eyes got big as saucers! He knew. He knew everything about me including that my Grandma Doris was mean. Come to find out, my Grandpa Frank was acting as Santa's helper that Chrismas! I guess that year everyone in 20 states heard all about Santa Claus knowing all about my dog Blacky & Gandma Doris! (I loved my Grandma Doris, but sure was glad she lived in California and only came toTulsa once a year!) When I got older we were great friends & traveling buddies.. Come to find out she just didn't like kids! But it , Dock & Sadie were a sweet as Grandma Doris was honery, & it sure was a priviledge to pull into Dock & Sadie's driveway after being away for a long time!

I remember most years our family traveled by car to my grandmother & grandfather's house out in Tahoka, TX for the Christmas Holidays. I was the oldest and had four little brothers. One year my Dad let me take a new kitten I had. I was so happy, but there were problems. The kitten liked to climb the Christmas tree at my grandmother's house, and THAT was a problem.

My grandmother was the best cook ever and she always had the best Christmas goodies. I loved these grandparents very much. And I loved going to their house on a farm.

My favorite memories of traveling during the holidays is when I was a child, the day after Christmas our family would take off for Disneyland & Seaworld. All packed up in our blue '78 station wagon headed to the warmer weather of California. My younger sister & I in the back on the 3rd seat where we would play games, color, draw ,or raid the snack box while. We would leave early in the morning & drive all day and stay in a Motel & even get to go swimming in the pool! the next day we'd climb back in the car so very excited knowing that abit more driving & we'd be there! One day @ Disneyland & then the next would be @ Seaworld! When we headed back home mom & dad would take us to the beach for a few hours before heading to Las Vegas to spend the night (usually this was New Years Eve!) Dad & Mom would go play the slot machines, while our brother would take us swimming in the Motel's pool! We were loving life! The last day of the trip was spent traveling home, we'd talk about the treasures we had gotten, fun things we had done, & the gifts we had for friends! Year after year we'd go.
A couple yrs ago my sister & I took our families,and our parents too! Clare & I had the chance to sit & relax on Main street ,USA (Disneyland) remembering all those magical memories so many years before!

On thanksgiving my parents and I travel with my two yr and seven yr long trip but worth it to visit my SIS in nc I was so sick the trip instead of taking 14 took 17 hours but it was worth it to see my sister and spend my bday with her. Will do it all over again.

Our best trip when my sister and our husbands went to Italy .When had beautiful memories staying there especially when we stayed at The Best Western Parco paglia in Chieti.the most beautiful and clean hotel and the staff was amazing.Would go back in a heartbeat. What a amazing time we had in Italy travelling down to Sicilly and knowing that the Best Western hotels are there. Thanks Best Western for being one amazing place to stay during your holidays!!!

Every year I go to my parents' house to meet up with my brothers and their families. Sometimes I wish I was staying at a Best Western instead of staying over at my parents' house. But looking back, those are the times you cherish. Happy Holidays everyone!

The last place i traveled was about a 40 minute drive to see my 2 yr old god daughter for Thanksgiving this year. She just loves me so much and i love her back in return. She told me she was sad when it was time for me to go. That was so cute that i didnt want to go. She is the only person i'm interested in seeing on any holiday. Can't wait to see her again this christmas and make her smile with all the gifts i have for her.

When I was very little,1964-1971 Every Christmas Eve, My Daddy would take me and my two older Brothers on a very long drive looking at Christmas decorations and lights. He would bring us hot chocolate and cookies. we would listen to christmas music... we would always save this one particular street on the outskirts of town. for the very last.... The Decorations at the home were Amazing and Magical.. These people had a larger than life nativity sceen with real lambs and donkeys...a real Manger.. the Wise Men had velvety vividly colored clothes and jewels,,, Their lights on the house and in the yard were so beautiful... They had speakers playing beautiful christmas music you could hear from our car... At the end of their street was the Nike Missle base... way up in the air was a small red blinking light... my older brother would always get so anxious and say "hurry home Daddy.. we can see Roudolphs nose!".... we would hurry home run to our bedrooms, Daddy would read the "Night Before Christmas.... and we would try to hurry and fall asleep....In 1969 my favorite present was a little stove fashioned out of a card board box, with the knobs and hardware from a junk yard afixed to the beautifully painted cardboard box.. My Brother and Daddy are both gone now.... Great memories, however a little sad as well.... I was never ale to read the Night Before Christmas to my Boys without crying...My Daddy was an amazing father and person.... Love you Daddy, Love you Curty XOXOX

I was about 8 the winter that our plane was snowed in at the Denver airport so our flight home to Los Angeles was . Mom was traveling with me and my younger siblings; as you can imagine, stuck in an airport with four kids so young--headache! Finally, Dad, who was waiting for us in LA, cajoled someone into getting us onto a plane. There were so few seats that Mom sat in one of those little flight attendant seats the drop from the wall. When we finally got home, Dad had set up a big white Christmas tree covered with giant red ornaments. We were wowed.

We went to Boston for Christmas and spent the whole holiday in a NH ski resort. It was our fist time ski. It was of great fun.

My best and most favorite holiday was last May my x-husband and I took our kids to Disneyland for the first time, they are 8 & 6. It was a very special trip for our family.

best family vacation was a month in france when I was 8. we had a young woman deliver baguettes every day, yum!

Meeting my husband-to-be on New Years Eve in Seattle!

Christmas in Germany when my husband was in the service and we were stationed over there. It was fantastic!

Heading back East to visit Home (Connecticut) after living on the California Coast and raising all our Boys here, and it was snowing, the First time the Boys had ever seen and been exposed to snow. It was certainly Holiday Magic!!! A memory never to be forgotten.

Since I had a bad car accident, its changed the way I travel now, and do other fun things. I decided to take advantage of going on a nice vacation before anything else happened that wouldn't allow me to go at all. I had to put off our 25th wedding anniversary cruise trip because of surgery, so I decided to take advantage of the inexpensive cruise rates right before Christmas, and go to Mexico. I also decided to add on a quick day trip to Disneyland before the cruise because I always wished I could see it all decorated for Xmas, and never had the chance before. I stayed at the Best Western that's right outside of the park entrance, which made it convenient to get there easily by wheelchair. I had an amazing time seeing all the lights, colors and special holiday rides there were. It was truly memorable because it was a real "first" for me, even though I'd been to Disneyland at least 50 times in my lifetime. Not only was it my "First Christmas" at Disney, my first time seeing the "World of Color" and a chance to see it with California Adventure all lit up to promote the new "Tron" movie, it gave me an opportunity to experience a family vacation from a whole different perspective since I was dependent on the wheelchair to get around. The employees at Disney, Best Western and on my cruise never allowed me to feel like I was missing out on anything, and I appreciated every second I could be together with everyone. I had so many new memories that I'll remember forever.

My best Christmas Travel memory was when I as 15 my mother, brother and I went to visit our Aunt & Uncle in the Miramichi! They were staying in 200 year old farmhouse down over a long hill. There had been a snowstorm and they didn't have the driveway plowed. My uncle brought up a toboggan and piled all our bags on it as well as my mother and we all pulled her down over the hill. We were snowbound there for three days, and the old home had little insulation..needless to say we had a great time..all sitting around an old wood stove in the kitchen, playing board games, cooking Christmas dinner and enjoying each others company.

I was in the Air Force in 1968 and deployed in the war in southeast asia. It was the first time my wife and I had been separated and we had a 18 month old daughter. I left my base a week before Christmas on leave and caught rides on space available and flew to Bangkok, Thailand on a C130 cargo plane. Within 6 hours I found a seat in the back of a C141 cargo plane and eventually arrived at a Air Force base in California after a stop in Okinawa and Hawaii. Withon two hours I found room on another cargo plane and arrived at Kelly AFB in San Antonio Texas two days before Christmas surprising my wife and daughter. After Christmas, I returned to southeast asia to complete my tour.

We actually just got back from my favorite holiday. We were fortunate enough to get tickets on the Polar Express in North Conway NH. My daughter loved it and so did we. She was convinced we were at the north pole. After we spent a couple of nights at the Best Western in Franconia NH which has always been amazing to us. We managed to get all our shopping done and had a great time playing in the pool afterwards. We has such a great time there and looking forward to going back.

Vegas at Christmas is spetacular. The hotels all lit up with decorated displays are beautiful. Snow in the mountains was fantastic. Warm weather in the desert wonderful. What a great time.

Back in 1996, I was on military deployment for 6 months and returned in November, just in time to celebrate my first born son's 2nd birthday and then Thanksgiving and Christmas. After being gone for so long, it was a real treat for my son to get to know me again and me him. Being with family during the holidays is the most precious gift of all.

GETTING THERE!!!!!

Last year we went to Petosky Michigan. We had hoped to cross country and down hill ski, but right before we arrived it started to rain. So we walked in the woods, found a romantic dining spot for dinner and celebrated the new year. The time spent with my husband was quiet and special. The day after New Years we left town in a blizzard. Missed the snow but still had a great time. Trying to do it again this year, but praying for snow not rain. It is so beautiful in Northern Michigan.

I always wanted to go to Hawaii and finally a couple of years ago my dream came true. We went to Maui, the most beautiful island on earth, for 10 days. It's a true paradise. We drove to the very end of famous Hana Road, went whale watching and waiting for sunrise on the sumit of Haleakala was an experience I wil never forget. The people were warm and friendly, the air was filled with sweet scent of tropical flowers and everything else was just perfect. Aloha everyone.

Our first Christmas away from home when we were in Phoenix. It felt more like summer than it did Christmas but it was a wonderful experience.

My favorite Christmas travel was going to Portugal to visit my family. We spent Christmas at my uncle's house near Lisbon and travelled to the north to my grandparents' house for New Year's. For both Christmas and New Years we had a big long table full of wonderful delicious Portuguese food cooked by the entire family. We were able to watch the fireworks over the Rio Aveiro from the balcony, sip champagne and celebrate at New Years. It was a short 3 weeks that I will never forget, and I wish they lasted longer.

We were in St. Stephen's Cathedral in Budapest ,Hungary for Christmas Eve Midnight mass. It was a beautiful service, and as we walked out, it started snowing!
My wife is a California Girl, and had never seen snow fall!
We spent a few hours standing outside with our hot chocolates just watching the snowfall in the absolute quiet.

I usually fly when I travel, but a few years ago my sister invited me on a roadtrip to Las Vegas with her family to see her parents-in-law for Christmas. It was a lonnnnng car ride, but I'd almost forgotten what can be seen from the ground - especially the landscape. It was also a chance to spend time with the only "baby" in our family - my now-8 year old niece! Happy Holidays to you all!

We were in St. Stephen's Cathedral in Budapest ,Hungary for Christmas Eve Midnight mass. It was a beautiful service, and as we walked out, it started snowing!
My wife is a California Girl, and had never seen snow fall!
We spent a few hours standing outside with our hot chocolates just watching the snowfall in the absolute quiet.

Memorable birthday for husband, to VICTORIA, CANADA. Aboard Victoria Clipper, from Seattle, it's a 2:45min trip..beautiful blue skies, smooth sailing. Chirstmas lights of Victoria, Parliment bldg, Empress hotel, harbor boats & Buchart Gardens, truck parade...street carolers; Christmas filled the air, people happy & friendly
Our BW hotel Carlton, was located within walking distance of everything, Market Street shops, (don't miss Chintz & Co. or Inside Out). Near Chinatown, lantern covered streets, food markets "FanTan Alley"..lined by brick building this narrow pathway is an experience in itself, filled with unique shops,
Don't miss BC Museum, be sure to follow their exhibit map, it's easy to miss some displays. The exhibits place you at water's edge; with marine animals, on-board ships, in a logging mill, Indian village complete with totem poles & hut or "1800" towns. Exceptional.
There are great paths to walk along shore, or rent bikes, kayaks, or take a carriage rides
A real getaway...Victoria

Favorite holiday story would be,,,,, when my two kids were about 5 and 7, siting in the back seat fighting over a flashlight... my husband who normally has the patience of a saint had asked them several times to stop fighting, the road conditions were terrible,,,,, the drive slow,,, but the two in the back seat , just didn't understand the situation,, so they kept it up... my husband finally had all he could take and then asked for the flashlight and very slowly rolled the window down and threw the item out of the car window... no more flash light, no more crying, no more fussing,, and now 15 years later my kids still tell the story of the trip to Grandmas with the flashlight flying out the window,,,,,and since then we have given them flashlights in their stockings so they can rememeber that story.......

My fondest memory of a Best Western was not a vacation but the first time my mom was driving me to college as a Freshman. My dad had just passed away in July and I was apprehensive about going out of state to college anyway. My mom, grandmother, little sister and I were driving for the first time on a 10 hour trip without my dad. We got confused on the directions and made several wrong turns and had to turn around. We ended up going in circles and finally by 1:00 AM we realized our mistake. My grandmother, a diabetic was long past her time to eat and take her medicine. We tried several hotels but all of them were full since a big car race was taking place that weekend. We had almost given up when we pulled into the Best Western in Johnson City. They were completely booked. We explained our situation and asked if the desk clerk knew of any place we could stay that was not as far away as Knoxville. He looked at his registrations and explained that he had one room that had been reserved for check in early at 1:00 PM. If we could promise to be out by 9:00 AM so that his cleaning staff could prepare it, he would let us stay there. My mother, sister and I shared the king sized bed and my grandmother the pullout couch. I can't tell you how appreciative we were that the deskclerk was willing to find a way for us to rest. We got up that morning at 8:00 AM and able to drive the rest of the way to my college campus in Cleveland, TN. I will always be a Best Western customer because of the night clerk on duty in Johnson City! He truly saved the day!

My favorite memory would have to be (not fun then but funny now) when we broke down on a road trip from VT to FL . While staying in the hotel while stressed out and not knowing how to get the car fixed. My lovely daughter just starts yelling that "this is the best vacation ever". She was enjoying the pool and just the fun of the adventure. We eventually had the car towed down to FL so a mechanic that we knew could fix it. Over 2k in transmission repairs to be done you want someone you know. We stayed at a wonderful Best Western in Norfolk VA.
Now to do the drive all over again for this Christmas... worry worry worry...but love the adventure and it's comforting to know that Best Western has the nicest staff and hotels around if we do break down in the middle of the night, thank you...

My favorite trip on the Holidays is going to see my nieces, nephew and two reat nephews for Christmas in Virginia. Everyone is happy to be together and to watch the boys who are 5 and 6 open up their gifts is the most satisfying gift for me. I enjoy my family very much and they mean a great deal to me. My great nephews are so funny and I just can't wait to hear what they have to say because more then likely it is pretty funny. Last year my great nephew gave his cousin some of those gold wrapped candy coins and he told his mom that "it was so romantic" and we all got a good laugh out of this. They are just so funny that i really enjoy them. I look forward to seeing them again this Christmas.

This past summer we went to Vicksburg for our summer vacation and toured the vast civil war sites. My 10 year old son had a wonderful time. He swam in the indoor pool at the hotel. He studied the civil war in school and was very excited to see the battlefield. Thanks Best Western for making our stay so nice.
Rick

My favortie Christmas memory actually involves the Best Western Smokehouse Lodge in Monteagle, TN. I live in Atlanta, Ga and was traveling back home to visit family in St. Louis, MO. My husband, son and I had to car packed with gifts for our family members that were so much 'just the right thing' for each person that we were talking about how we had to be sure to catch the moment when they opened their respective gift on film. WE love Christmas lights and always look forward to seeing them on the way from Georgia as we pass through Tennessee, Kentucky, Illinois then finally Missouri. We were playing Christmas carols and singing along...looking forward to reaching just outside of Nashville, TN so we could take a bite of our much missed fast food..White Castle.

The rains as we passed through the mountains grew heavy as did the fog. Reluctantly we decided to stop and stay the night as the trek was becoming hazardous, the moods dampened and the criticism sharp. We checked into the Smokehouse Lodge for the night. The staff was warm and welcoming. They made hot chocolate for us. Some of them had family members bring some of their Christmas dinner in as so wouldn't have to eat fast food on Christmas eve. It was we fell into a very special Christmas just for us. The next morning we enjoyed a marvelous breakfast and then the manager called late to make sure we made it home. ....amazing.

Our family was so glad we made it safely that we almost let dinner get cold as we expressed the things for which we were grateful that year. We are grateful for a group of people who made us feel safe, warm and welcome when they should have been at home with their own families.

When the kids were young and all living at home, we regularly drove out to my wife's family in the mid-west for Christmas. It's a big family and there was lots of singing and music. Great memories.

We always traveled to Grama's farm for the holidays. She had 2 propane tanks outside the kitchen window and always said "Turn Tanks' before we ate. My sister and I decided we would be really smart and stood up to go outside 'cuz "Grama wants the tanks turned around outside". We were sat down and glared at and prayed and ate. On the way home, we were lectured ALL the way to never mock Grama again. In her 'German Accent', she was saying "Return Thanks". We really miss Grama!!!

We always traveled to Grama's farm for the holidays. She had 2 propane tanks outside the kitchen window and always said "Turn Tanks' before we ate. My sister and I decided we would be really smart and stood up to go outside 'cuz "Grama wants the tanks turned around outside". We were sat down and glared at and prayed and ate. On the way home, we were lectured ALL the way to never mock Grama again. In her 'German Accent', she was saying "Return Thanks". We really miss Grama!!!

My favorite part of traveling was getting my own side of the back seat and not having my sister cross over into my area! I loved my personal space in the big station wagon and having a place in the very back to spread out and nap!

My fave way of travelling during the holidays is by train

Travelling on the airplane to my father's house with wrapped christmas presents.

Travelling on the airplane to my father's house with wrapped christmas presents.

My favorite memory of travelling during the holidays is hopefully yet to come. I have always lived close to my family but will soon be moving hours away to live with my fiance who is in the Navy. I am a little nervous, but I hope that I will be able to have memorable and enjoyable travel experiences to spend the holiday times with my family and keep those traditions going.

Driving up into the national forest to pick out our Christmas tree and cut it down. Love the smell of a fresh cut tree.

I have childhood favorite holidays and favorite holiday memories with my own children. Growing up we often would travel into the USA over Christmas break. The best part was always the scenery for me. One visit we would see Grand Canyon, another visit would be LA or into Tijuana. The Redwood forest was definitley an AMAZING sight. As an adult I dont have a lot of time to take my boyz on far off adventures, but we try to go to the Rocky mountains once in the winter. If we cant take the time we stay at the Best Western in their hometown and we have a holiday of swimming and sliding, movies and friends...all "in our own backyard"!

My BEST Best Western Christmas memory was when I stayed at the Best Western Hotel Pension Arenberg in Vienna, Austria. The hotel was warm, inviting, and very comfortable. The staff members went out of their way to make my Christmas week in Vienna a beautiful experience.

In the early years of our marriage, when are children were very young and money was even tighter, my mother-in-law gave each of her children $500.00 for Christmas; that was a huge amount of money for us at the time. My sister-in-law and brother-in-law spent their money buying something for themselves (as was intended). My husband decided what he wanted most was to take our daughters to Disneyland. We stayed in a Best Western close to the park, packed lunches, managing on a shoestring, and spent two days (all we could afford) in Disneyland; it was absolutely magical! And even though it wasn't the most expensive trip we've ever taken, we still talk about that trip, and how much fun we had, and my daughters and I agree, we're pretty lucky to have such a wonderful man in our lives.

I remember all our family vacations to florida but one was the best my son was comming of age we shaired a beer together and talked like two men
and i thought of all the kids that me and God have raised and what a wonderful
time , i have had and just being blessed to share time and space with the very people that God made just for me Best Western your the best that is where we always stay next year I think we are going Crusing yea!!!

The best holiday I've ever had was Thanksgiving 2007. My family went to New York City for Thanksgiving. We had the opportunity to stay on Broadway and saw the Macy's Day Parade from just above Time Square and on the street. The weather was cold and crisp, it snowed and the floats were amazing. My partner, parents, brothers and their families were all there. Thanksgiving is always my favorite holiday and it is so important to me to be around my family.

Traveling to Hawaii with my 7 children and husband was a wonderful, insane trip!

After my husband passed away, my two boys and I took a month long camping trip accross the United States. Something my husband and I always wanted to do, but he was unable to get that much time off work. We went from Scranton, PA to San Francisco and back. We stopped at Dollywood, the Grand Canyon, San Francisco, Yosemite, Yellowstone, and Mount Rushmore, to name a few. I had never driven the camper before and I made a point of stopping at a Best Western every few days to get a "good shower". The Best Westerns were one of the few hotels along the way that seemed to always have ample parking for my camper. What a blessing. It was a great adventure and a healing experience. The only thing that would have made it better was if my husband and their Dad could have been there in person and not just in our hearts and thoughts.

I was about 12 or 13. My family drove to Western Minnesota from Michigan to spend Thanksgiving with family friends. At the time, it was the furtherest west I had ever been. It started a love of the western states I still have.

My best holiday trip was a trip to Disney World a couple of years ago. It was a surprise Christmas present to our 9 yr. old daughter. It was hard to keep it secret and start packing without her knowledge, because the plan was to leave the next day before daylight. We were tandem traveling with my brother and his family to stay in a condo near Disney. The trip was so exciting that it seemed like it was over very quickly. Best vacation ever!

Traveling in the car from California to visit relatives in Nebraska. We usually only got to see them every 2-3 years, so it was wonderful to make that trip to see my Grandpa, aunts, uncles & cousins!

Travelling by car from California to Nebraska to visit relatives who we usually saw only every 2-3 years. It was wonderful to see my Grandpa, aunts, uncles and cousins.

My best vacation travel happened a couple of years ago when my wife and I visited my mother during Thanksgiving. Her work schedule did not allow travel, so we decided to plan a suprise visit to her. We had a great time and was able to get most of the Christmas shopping done.

My favorite holiday memory was when my husband, son, daughter, nephew and I were driving to Anaheim to spend Chanukah with my mother in law, and the traffic was terrible on the I-405 so our nephew played his keyboard in the car and we were singing songs and having a wonderful time, not realizing that we had passed our turn off miles back. We laughed so hard and then kept singing.

The best Holiday Travel memory was driving down from the Northeast to Florida with my spouse and children in pursuit of a week;s vacation in Orlando at all the Theme Parks there. It was actually Thanksgiving Day, and we stopped at about 4PM at a chain family restaurant for a Turkey Dinner. It was the nicest Thanksgiving I'd had in a long time, as I didn't have to cook or deal with my ultra critical, unpleaseable, abusive In-laws for for the first time in my married life (more than 12 years!) We ate 'in peace' for once, and enjoyed the cameraderie of the others in the restaurant. They were playing Christmas music in the dining room, and suddenly someone starting singing, and soon, everyone in that room was smiling and sining. It was stressless and magical, and for the first time, my kids got to see how decent, kind and loving families behaved during a holiday dinner.

When I was 10 years old my family moved from the West Coast of B.C. to a town in the interior of the province so my dad could take a teaching job. A vivid holiday memory is driving home from the cold and snow of the interior to the relative warmth of the West Coast to visit my grandparents for Christmas. The winter weather up north was new for me and it was wonderful to see the green grass again and be able to go outside without gloves, toques and scarves. Even though I was enjoying a new town and new friends that Christmas visit truly felt like coming home.

Traveling to Myrtle Beach sending quality time with my children and shopping for my grandchildren over the Christmas holiday season. The Best Western Carolinia Beach Resort is the best.

We don't travel during Holiday's our family comes to our house because it is easier that way we have 6 children, but this year we are surprising our kids with a Disneyland trip for Christmas. Grandparents, are giving money toward tickets and we have been saving , so I am thinking this will be the year to remember.

My favorite holiday memories involve family get togethers when our daughter & her 3 cousins were little. Her aunt bought matching holiday sweat shirts for all 4 kids and photos of the 4 of them playing together are still fun to look at.

My most memorable holiday travel was Thanksgiving 1951. I was 11 years old at the time and the memory is still very vivid in my mind. Our family was invited from friends of the family to share Thanksgiving with them in a small Adirondack Mt. town of Lyons Falls N.Y. From the friends house we all drove to a cabin in the woods near the Black river. As we entered the cabin there was a pot belly stove for heat with a giant fireplace and the wood smell was so pleasant that even today when I smell wood smoke,I am taken back 61 years to that day. We all slept in crude log made bunk beds and remember the serene feelings of the quiet. In the morning we awoke to the smell of bacon and eggs cooking and the joyful mood of the women cooking. To my surprise there was no running water and fresh water was had from a mountain stream 50 yards from the cabin. The huge fireplace was used to cook the Thanksgiving turkey and venison steaks. The top of the pot belly stove had multiple pans cooking the Thanksgiving fixings. I can remember the smells,laughter and conversations bringing back the pleasant memories of that day. Our families remained friends but Thanksgiving 1951 will never fade in my mind or be forgotten.

My favorite holiday is my honey moon.

My favourite memory was from more than 20 years ago. My son was going to school in the S. of France and I flew over to spend Christmas with him. I drove by myself from Amsterdam to Nice.. The family he boarded with gave us the use of their apartment in a tiny pieton village in the mountains. And that was where we spent Christmas. Our turkey (not real) was an Italian Panetone bread shaped like a turkey and iced in chocolate. We bought it in an Italian border town. our tree was a sprig of evergreen picked at the side of the road and we made our own decorations.
I've had many wonderful Christmases but that is my best memory.

One year we travelled on boxing day to Vermont to go skiing at Killington. It was so busy for first night we had to stay 30 miles from hill but got accomodations closer for next few nights. Had a great ski trip

A few years ago my daughter were living in California and drove out to Texas to spend Christmas with my Mother. We hadn't seen her in several years and it was a great Christmas for everyone.

Always loved traveling to my grandparents house for Christmas near Chicago, Illinois. They always had the best Christmas treats ever and visiting all my great aunts and uncles was fun.

My favorite memories are being in the car listening to Christmas music and singing along with anticipation of arriving at our holiday destination. We always see someone in another car who looks like Santa. The familiy waves and guesses where he's going. Neither rain, sleet, or snow can dampen our spirits.

In December 2008, a winter storm kept us from getting home from a business conference. The freeways were closed for several days and even after they opened, travel was treacherous. So we spent an extra week staying at Best Westerns along the Oregon coast, which were mostly empty because many people had to cancel their holiday travel due to road conditions. Our favorite was the Lincoln Sands Suites in Lincoln City, which have balconies to watch the surf and also have full kitchens. We spent Christmas eating clams instead of more traditional fare. It was great to have such a vacation!

Last year in November, I realized my life as well as my precious families was about to change. I had been a bread winner and major contributor to my famililies happiness. I suddenly found that the actions of others as well as my own jeaopordized my family and all that surrounded me. I made a mistake due to my PRIDE. This mistake took a toll on so many. I faced losing my childrens respect as well as my spouse and possibly my freedom. With Gods help and a truely loving family, I was afforded freedom that allowed me the CHANCE to rebuild my relationship with my the most precious things in my life, MY FAMILY. This was all afforded to me during the Christmas Holidays. This will truely be a most memorable Holiday, today we are all together. We are a family! I will never forget my oldest son curling up beside me on the couch Christmas eve and telling me, Im so greatful for you being my daddy, I love you!!!!!

One year my mom, sister and I joined my mother's best friend, her 2 children and their spouses in the Dominican Republic for a wonderful holiday trip - from Christmas through New Years Day. It was a nice, relaxing trip in the warm sun. We met many nice locals and saw a lot of the island. The locals didn't have a lot of money, and they worked LONG days - but they were always happy! It definitely made me appreciate what we have at home a lot more after visiting the Dominican Republic, and I would go back any day!

My Fav Holiday Travel Memory was about 2 years ago, when my Daughter, whom is in the US Army, Came Home for the very first time after her Basic Training. I was sooo happy to see her and her being Home made Christmas at Home so much Better!

Have a best western mary Christmas for all.

On the spur of the moment one year we went Victoria, B.C. It was beautiful and magical. Our favorite memory, however, was of the Customs officer who looked at us quizzically and asked, "So you don't know anybody here, aren't travelling on business, and are just coming here for Christmas??"

Went to Mohegan Sun Casino in Connecticut ...stayed at the Best Western. Didn't win but had a great time anyway.

Growing up in Louisiana, my family drove to Grandma's house in West Virgina for Christmas. All three of us kids were sitting on a long bench seat in the back of a Bronco. As we headed north it got colder and colder. We cuddled closer and closer under blankets because the heater was for the front, not the kids in the back! Our dad bravely manuvered through snow and ice, and many chilly fill-ups. A couple stops along the way sharing a hotel room with 2 full beds for 5 people and finally we made it. Louisiana kids had to get coats and sleds in West Virginia, but we were quick studies and found a love for that rare precipitation in our lives, SNOW!

Going to visit relatives with Mom and Dad on Christmas Eve.

We love to travel from our home in Marin County down the coast to San Diego , via San Luis Obispo stopping along the way at places that seem like X- Mas all year long. such as Solvang, Of course we have our favorite -Best Western's which includes Shell Beach ( Pismo) , Moonstone Beach ( Cambria) and Moonlight Beach(Encinitas). This year a Best Western stay also included Costa Rica.We love Best Western's.

After dealing with an illness I was finally on my way to recovery and had gained back enough strength to go on a vacation. My wife and I pulled our two daughters from school and surprised them with a five nights in Myrtle Beach. It was a long but enjoyable drive from Ontario and I loved every minute of it. We had a great time and it really reminded me that family is my highest priority!

Traveling to Duluth, Minnesota to see the lights at Bentleyville. Visiting the best friends in the world at Superior, Wisconsin and staying at the Best Western Bridgeview in Superior, Wisconsin.

My most favorite memory has always been when I arrive at my destination safely. Don't like the trip, don't like the planning but love the arrival. The destination has always been the prize.

My favorite travel memory is when my second daughter was about 15 months old and she was not the best traveler in her car seat. She would scream and cry the whole 2 hour trip to my inlaws house. We figured out that if we played a certain country song she would smile and be content. So for 2 hours we would play the same song over and over and over again. Back then it was cassette so we had to rewind the song and during the rewind she would cry.

My grandparents died when I was just a year old but we would go see all my aunts and uncles on Christmas day, I loved going to see my Uncle Harry and Aunt Dorothy who had no children but had all the games for us to play with and Aunt Dot made the best cookies ever.

My favorite holiday travel memory was when I was about 10 years old and my family drove from our home in southern Indiana, a six hour drive, to Chicago to visit my grandparents. The snow was coming down in a gentle flurry and as we drove on the Outer Drive heading up to the Lincoln Park area, the sailboats in marinas were decorated with lights, the high rises were decorated with colored lights, the Shedd Aquarium, Museum of Natural History and Soldier Field were decorated. Snow was piled up on the sides of the streets but I don't remember the snow being dirty. In my mind everything was fresh and white, the lights were reflecting and twinkling off the snow. As we pulled into my grandparents' apartment building I knew what was awaiting upstairs. I still think my grandma's brisket is the best holiday meal ever :).

My favorite holiday memory is driving from my family's home in southern Indiana and up to Chicago, a six hour drive. I remember driving in to town along the Outer Drive up to Lincoln Park, the Shedd Aquarium, Soldier Field and the museums lit up with with spotlights, the Magnificient Mile buildings, the sailboats in the marinas decorated with lights outlining the sails like little trees themselves :) My mouth was already watering for my grandma's brisket. I still think, thirty years later, that my grandma's brisket is one of the best meals ever.

My favorite memory is traveling to my grandmothers house on Christmas Eve. All the family would gather on that evening with our favorite dishes. Of course, grandma would cook the cornbread dressing and our(cousins) favorite her fried pies. Cousins would line up first for the pies before the turkey and dressing. One of my favorite memories is my grandmother sitting at the head table with all the men. It was a tradition that the men got to eat at the table. The rest of the family just had to find a spot. She had a small home. But it was a warm and cheeful family gathering. I miss it a lot.

When I was a child my grandmother always made toast and hot chocolate for us during the holidays when we would visit. Now that I'm older and she's no longer with us I can carry on that tradition and make her specialty for my family. She never lived to far away and the trip was never to long but getting there was always warm & cozy.

Driving to Maine to have dinner with relatives and getting stuck in the snow. A logging team of huge horses and great big bearded men got us back on the road.

I managed a lodge and cross-country ski center in Mammoth, CA, for a lot of years. Even though I used to work most holidays, I think these were some of my favorite Christmases, because so many of our guests were like family. The lodge was so classic and comfortable that many guests used to come to breakfast wearing their slippers. I think a great hotel experience can feel every bit like "coming home!"

Going to my aunt Ginny and Uncle Bo's house on and off for years where we would sing Christmas carols every single year after supper at a "post-Christmas" party! One of those songs was always invariably The Twelve Days of Christmas. And every year, though neither one of them can sing on-key to begin with, either my cousin Phyllis or Steve would take the "five golden rings" line and butcher it to death going EXTRA off-key in the process. I told my mother that I'd have really like to take that line just once myself to sing one year, but she said I ought not to count on it, as "Steve and Phyllis have that one pretty well sewn up already." Nevertheless, family stresses aside, it was a pretty good time, and nothing compared to dealing with my nasty in-laws several times a year.

My favourite memory was when me, my husband and 3 sons went to Toronto for a weekend getaway. We all had a great time and I will always remember it!!

My best friend and I went to Washington DC and seen the "Dolly Madison" house as we were sight seeing, We were so excited that she had her very own house..
.fast forward a few years we were on a weekend trip, we were doing word puzzles, one part was on first ladies, fill in the blank _ _ _ _ _ Madison..My friend and I started laughing so hard, we couldn't catch our breath. This whole time we thought the cupcake queen "Dolly Madison" was being paid homage in Washington DC, We hadn't a clue it was Dolly Madison first lady,

My best friend and I went to Washington DC and seen the "Dolly Madison" house as we were sight seeing, We were so excited that she had her very own house..
.fast forward a few years we were on a weekend trip, we were doing word puzzles, one part was on first ladies, fill in the blank _ _ _ _ _ Madison..My friend and I started laughing so hard, we couldn't catch our breath. This whole time we thought the cupcake queen "Dolly Madison" was being paid homage in Washington DC, We hadn't a clue it was Dolly Madison first lady, That is one trip I will never forget

My best friend and I went to Washington DC and seen the "Dolly Madison" house as we were sight seeing, We were so excited that she had her very own house..
.fast forward a few years we were on a weekend trip, we were doing word puzzles, one part was on first ladies, fill in the blank _ _ _ _ _ Madison..My friend and I started laughing so hard, we couldn't catch our breath. This whole time we thought the cupcake queen "Dolly Madison" was being paid homage in Washington DC, We hadn't a clue it was Dolly Madison first lady, That is one trip I will never forget

Driving across the mid-west and singing Christmas Carols and always sing High Hopes when we traveled. LOL "Once there was a silly ol Ant, thought he could move a Rubber Tree Plant" LOL :)

My favorite memory is Christmases as a child at my gramma's house - they were nothing special, but just all the family together at her house opening presents, and then preparing dinner for later that day.

I kids love to visit grandma and grandpa for the holidays. We make cookies and stay up till midnight to countdown to midnight and open gifts. Staying up till midnight has been a tradition since I was a kid. We have enjoyed letting the kids have a night where bedtime is optional. Then we all sleep in Christmas morning and enjoy a delicious brunch on Christmas.

My best holiday memory is of the entire family driving down the highway and all of us singing at the top of our lungs. Now that the kids are all gone, it's a terrific memory - always makes me smile.

I am hoping it will be this year, when our grandson will be 10 months old. We will be there to see him open his presents.

I loved travelling to my Grandmothers house. She would give us all such a great big hug. We would spend the day playing with our cousins and eating tasty homemade treats.

I always like to see my family over the holidays. We always have a good time at my sister's on Christmas Eve. Our family has practical jokers so you never know who's going to get the "gag" gift for the night. It wouldn't be Christmas without seeing them.

I always like to see my family over the holidays. We always have a good time at my sister's on Christmas Eve. Our family has practical jokers so you never know who's going to get the "gag" gift for the night. It wouldn't be Christmas without seeing them.

I remember traveling to my grandmother's house for Christmas Eve during a big snowstorm.

Going to grandma's and shaking so bad because I was so excited about the presents we would find there.

The best has been having the kids and grandkids (as they arrive) coming to the house. So much fun playing with all of them.
The most memorable holiday was when my family moved from California back to Oklahoma to care for our grandparents.

I was 7 years old and was riding the TGV in France with my older sister and parents. We were bored and started running in the car we were in as there was no one else. We went back and forth through the automatic door that connects from that car to the bathroom compartment and to the next car. Well... at some point i was in the bathroom compartment and the automatic door stopped working. I was sweating... waited for 30 sec... finally it opened and we went back to our seat. Never told the parents that we might have broken (or at least created an interruption to those doors). My sis and I still laughed about it.

when me and my husband went to the redwoods yosemite for a few weeks, the snow, sounds of the stream outside our door, deer eating in front yard, the smell of the trees. wonderful and peaceful time.

Loved going to see my grandmother in Florida. Christmas lights on palm trees are the best!

I always loved going to grandmas.

My favorite was always going to grandmas house.

Driving from southern California to Seattle Washington to spend Christmas with my Dad's family. It was more than 2 days each way but so worth it for the 3 days to celebrate with family! Cherished memories!

My favorite traveling memory was actually just this past week. My entire family traveled together to Florida to go on a Christmas cruise to the Bahamas together! It was amazing to be together and be in 80 degree weather! We loved it!

My funny holiday memory was not very funny at the time....It was snowing, my mom, dad, sister and I went to pick up our older sister at the airport. It was snowing and took us about 3 hours for a 45 minute trip - I was coughing and irritating everyone the entire way. My sister's plane was the last one allowed to land - in the snow. Her luggage never made it because so many planes were delayed. I coughed the entire 3 hours home. Only on our street did my dad decide to put on the 4 wheel drive - and we shot up to the driveway not sliding - the first time the entire trip!!

I usually don't travel over the holidays, but last year I REALLY wanted to go see a display in Michigan and we ended up going the 2nd weekend in December. We drove right into a blizzard (that the weather had described as normal winter driving - not so much). I've never been so grateful to get off the road and into a hotel in my life.

Back in the 1990's we drove crosscountry 3000 miles to visit both grama's with our then young children. It was a geneology experience for the children and we even visited graceland! We could hardly walk after all those miles in the car but so glad we made the trip since both grandparents are now past we have memories forever ! Now we need to go visit OUR grandchildren :)

One of my favorite memories is going to my Aunt n Uncle's in Australia..... Seeing the lights and the Port Harbor bridge lit up at night when flying over it and then moving on from the East Coast airport to West Australia to where we landed in Perth . The ocean from the air was spectacular!

Being a little girl going with my dad to visit my uncle an brother they raised it was the high point to be able to see the Christmas decorations an be with family nothing to do with gifts sticks in my mind as much as the family being together.

My best holiday memory was camping in the Red Wood Forests of California in the 70's, we were on our way to Disneyland from Canada, and planned to spend one night camping in the Red Wood Forest. It was so magical and we met a family with six kids and were having too much fun to leave, we stayed almost a week.

My first New Year's morning in Australia. I was staying at a friends house in Adelaide after a New Years Eve party. I'm from Canada, so waking up on New Years morning to +40C weather and being able to go outside and jump in a pool was a great experience for me. Not to mention a great breakfast and 'Barbie' for dinner later that aft/evening.
Culture shock, but in a good way!

My favorite memory is when I won a free getaway to Okemo mountain resorts. My boyfriend and I enjoyed the scenery and the guiet and beautiful condo.

When I was a kid I loved going to my Grandparents for Christmas. The family all together. Going home and seeing all the Christmas decorations on they way home.

My favorite traveling Christmas is when we spent the holiday in Zijuantanejo, Mexico. It was strange not having snow (or even cold weather), but the festive holiday lights gave a magical glow to the night.

My Christmas memory is one of the few where we stayed home. My son, who can't stand to not know what any gift is..., well to get back at his opening the gifts and resealing prior to Christmas morning, we pulled a fast one on him. I took a can of soup a box of elbow macaroni and his gift (it was about the size of the macaroni box) dropped them in a moving box, added wads of paper and placed it inside another box. We watched him try to guess the gifts on the sly for days. You could tell it was driving him crazy. On Christmas morning, he wanted to open the box....so badly. We assign "Santa" duty to one member of the family and since Dad was voted in; we had pre-planned for the big box to be almost last. The anticipation was awesome and the craziness of having to unwrap and finding food items was pushing him over the edge. This was priceless and still is....welcome to our house for Christmas.

My favorite Christmas traveling experience was going to California with my mom and aunt. We did lots of shopping and sightseeing.

My favorite memory was going home for Christmas. My parents always had the aunts, uncles, cousins, and anyone who didn't have a place to be on Christmas Eve. Santa would always show up after dinner and pass out gifts to the little kids. It was a fun and memorable time.

One of my memories is right after we purchased our van...inviting my daughter, husband and 3 grandboys to go with us on a trip to Texas just prior to Christmas.
The boys were so excited when we reached Pecos, TX the hotel was decorated just like home for Christmas...it was beautiful. Our plan was to return to Pecos for Christmas as they make us feel so much at home. But 2 of the 3 grand boys got very ill and spent days in the hospital...so we spent Christmas with friends...we enjoyed celebrating the Birth of Christ....Christmas is Christmas wherever one is. Shortly after Christmas we could again travel and once again we stopped at our favorite BW hotel in TX and once again they welcomed us and made us feel right at home. No holiday travels planned this year.

Christmas at grandma's house was always a great ride and a fun time celebrating with aunts, uncles, cousins and grandparents.

I can remember back in 1999, I was stationed in Colorado Springs, but my wife and sons were in North Carolina. Through sheer luck and the grace of God, my follow-on orders called for me to move back east to Norfolk, Virginia. On top of that, in order to perform a good turnover pass-down with the master chief petty officer I was relieving before arriving permanently in February, they wanted me to come out for a Joint Task Force Exercise before the holidays. As luck would have it, my wife and sons drove up to Norfolk for my arrival & we got to spend the entire weekend together - an opportunity I wouldn't of had if I had stayed in Colorado & my wife stayed at her mother's in North Carolina. My greatest gift was delivered nine months later upon the birth of my youngest son. :-)

well i remember most of my childhood christmas's we had habit of going up to my grandma's and grandpa's on christmas eve and opening presents one year we came home in a blizzard that came off lake huron but didnt damper our spirits we had the toys our grandparents just gave us boys ... but my mom and dad where on edge seemed .... the car kept getting buffeted by the wind and was hard for dad to steer .... well remember us stopping for lil bit and a officer coming to check on us .... but us boys thought it was santa clause .... cause he had a the santa hat over his police hat .. he made sure we got home safe .... the last 15 miles or so to home he road behind us to this day i remember that night every christmas oh my brothers have long forgotten it but not me

Last year our first child was old enough to open his own presents. Every stop we made for Christmas was so much fun.

My favorite trip is the one we do every year. On Christmas eve we drive an hour South to visit my family and have our Christmas celebration with them. We spend the night there with all the siblings, step siblings, and our respective spouses. The next day we head back and have Christmas again with the husband's family. Then later if she is in the country, we go and give my mother a visit as well. By the time we get home we are exhausted and usually we wait until the next day to share our Christmas gifts to one another. Usually I try to make a nice breakfast to enjoy beforehand.

being bumped twice on my flights back to Denver from Alabama

I was raised in Hawaii, but moved to California when I was in my early 20s. That first year was so hard, and the weather so cold. My mother sent me a plane ticket to come home for Christmas. I can still remember feeling the warm sun, and seeing friendly faces, and eating all the great food only those who have visited the islands can relate to this. That one visit fortified me for another year, until I could again re-visit the islands. Today, my two children often go back to see relatives and to enjoy the Hawaiian weather and hospitality. As they say, "Hawaii, No Ka Oi", it means, "Hawaii is the best".

My first Chrismas home after 2-tours in Vietnam!

My favorite Christmas holiday occurred many years ago when I was 10 years old. We visited our grandparents who lived in the country. We lived in the city and this was a real treat. After a big dinner of fried chicken prepared by my grandmother on an old fashioned stove (heated by wood), we would go to the barn to look at the animals and play in the hay. We had a wonderful time even though I sat down on a rat trip and had a scar for many months. Ouch!

Traveling to go ski vacation in Colorado with the family on frozen roads. What an adventure.

My personal favorite was one coming home from a long deployment and meeting my daughter for the first time. She was a year old when I arrived home and I was happy but yet so scared, here was this precious baby that I havent seen. I remember getting off the plane and seeing my wife and son and there she was the most beautiful bundle of joy I had ever seen. Chritmas is a very special time for me and my family, In the 20 years I was in the serive the majority of the time I was off in a different country and fighting for freedom and now I spend my time with my family and trying to make up for lost time.
Merry Chritmas and never forget the importance of Christmas...Family.
Also help out people that need help and maybe this world would be a better place.. Merry Christmas and may all your dreams come true...

The one and only time my family took the train from Washington State to Montana to visit my grandparents for Christmas still lingers as a warm memory. My parents, two sisters and I rode a crowded train for hours and got more and more excited with each clack of the rails. My grandfather had worked for the railroad previously but was now an electrician. Each year he decorated the HUGE fir tree growing in his front yard with what seemed to be a million lights. As the train approached the snowy, small Montana town where they lived the tree glowed and beckoned travelers still miles away. All night as the trains passed my grandparents house the engineers would blow the train whistle to acknowledge the tree. My sister and I would hear the whistles and then rush to the window during the night to watch the trains pass and marvel at the magnificent tree. Wonderful memories....

My favorite trip was this fall traveling to europe from Paris Barcelona
Venise and then a transatlantic cruises Venise to Ft-lauderdale my
favorite city is Barcelona have to go back to Barcelone spain

My favourite holiday memory was when I was able to save up enough money to take my whole family on a trip. Normally just my husband and I go south in the winter, but three years ago, we decided to take the kids with us and spend Christmas in Mexico. It was such a fantastic holiday and very different as we are a very traditional family when it comes to Christmas. I almost forgot it was Christmas morning until I walked past a huge Christmas tree in the hotel lobby all decorated with lights and beautiful ornaments. It seemed strange to me to be in the sun and have sand all around us instead of the usual snow. The best thing for myself was I didn't have to prepare any meals, it was all done for us. The whole family thoroughly enjoyed swimming in the ocean, snorkelling and playing volleyball on the beach with new found friends instead of shovelling snow. It was a wonderful way to spend Christmas that year.

My favorite Christmas Holiday was 34 years ago when my Grand Parents were alive and they wanted to take a trip to Myrtle Beach. We packed up my car and I started driving. We had to stop at every Gift Shop on the way! We stopped at a little called Gatlinburg, Tennessee for the night! We got a room at Zodier's Inn and walked downtown together! We ate at a place called the Lazy Susan and looked at all of the shops. When we got up the next morning my grandmother felt ill and did not want to travel anymore so we went home. But on the way home my Grand parents said that they had the Best Time and every year we went to Gatlinburg for the Holidays! In fact I still go there for the Holidays and love it! I really miss them since they raised me when my parents died in a car accidenet but every time I pass by Zodier's Inn I think about them!

Always love to go Vancouver and be with my children and granddaughter at Christmas. This year will even be better because my youngest son will be there for Christmas. it's been 10 years.since he was with us all.

Just being in the mountains during the Christmas Holiday makes it feel more nostalgic. A trip to Dollywood with all the lights was warm and festive for us even though the temps were below freezing. The themes there help remind you what the season is really all about.

It goes back aways... about 27years My wife as of today and I were getting married and were to head straight to the airport right after the reception. When we arrived at the airport we were to fiind the travel agent had booked us on a 6:00AM flight to catch a cruze ship in florida. being that it was 4:00 PM we only missed the flight by a few hours. The airline managed to get us reconfirmed on another morning flight and found a way to get us boarded on the ship. We headed to the Local portland BW airport hotel lookng like we had been traveling for days and were greated with "Can I help you" The best four words that was the beginning of a memoral honeymoon.

A favourite memory was travelling to my parents in Orillia at Christmas. Going along the highway I spotted a car with the owner standing beside her vehicle. I stopped even though we had a time line to follow, but I thought that this was not how the lady who was stopped wanted to spend her Christmas trip, standing in the cold beside her vehicle.
She explained that her car suddenly lost power even though it was still running and that the gas pedal was unresponsive. I opened the hood and reached down to where the throttle cable was supposed to be attached. It was not there so I looked under the car and the cable was hanging down. Taking the air cleaner off I noticed the throttle linkage was broken
I had a coat hanger in the car and retrieved it. Opening it up I reached it through the engine compartment and fished the cable up. Then snipping a piece of the coat hanger off I attached the cable to the broken throttle linkage. I said that should get her to where she was going and then she could get it repaired.
The lady reached for her purse and said that she wanted to give me something for my trouble. I said that this was her first gift of Christmas and gave her a kiss on the cheek. She said this would never happen where she was from. It was then that I noticed her license plate - from Georgia. I followed her as far as my trip went to be sure that all went well.
I was glad that I had stopped. It felt very good to give the gift of Christmas.

We live on the west coast and we just took our new daughter to meet her grandmother and other relatives for the first time! Such a joy! The Best Western we stayed at was great.

Same memory, past and present; traveling down home in the country on Christmas day and the nice, peaceful experience of very little traffic. I would like it that way every day.

When I was 5 we travelled 2 days on a train to visit my grandparents for Christmas! It was awesome! I would love to do it again!

I was a single parent stationed overseas on the Island of Crete in Greece and in the winter we didn't see much snow. My son was 3 years old. We were getting ready to head back to the United States during the holidays, as my tour there had ended. My neighbor contacted her in-laws to inquire if they would put my son and I up for the night. We were flying in to JFK International in New York, they lived across the river in New Jersey. It was a planned stayover so I could be rested after picking up my car to drive on to my parents in Ohio. When we got to the States and I picked up my vehicle we were on our way to their home. We didn't have any snow that day which was odd being December in that part of the U. S. ! When we got to the people that so kindly put two strangers up for the night, we were met with warm hugs and smiles and hot chocolate! I was overwhelmed at the hospitality and the wonderful attic loft where there was the most comfortable huge soft bed. My little boy and I went to sleep that night only to wake up in the morning and see a winter wonderland out the window, it was all so magical and my little boy was so thrilled to see so much snow for the first time in his life.

As empty nesters, my husband and I started our own tradition over the holidays. Instead of cooking for hours and taking 15 minutes to eat, we take care of ourselves during this time. We now go to a wonderful motel (Best Western). We'll take three or four days to relax, read, swim, and eat out at a nice resturaunt. We come home happy and relaxed with no holiday hustle and bussle.

Last year we cruised down to Antarctica -- it was amazing -- Christmas on board ship was very special -- Boxing Day we stopped in Falkland Islands and we spent the day with the Gentoo, Magellanic and King penguins at Volunteer Cove -- that was one of our most memorable holiday seasons ever. Antarctica is one of the most special places in the world -- not many are as fortunate as we were to get there.

Riding horses through Petra was an unforgettable experience,

My favourite memory happens every year when I spend christmas time with my wife and daughters serving christmas dinner to people who are homeless, destitue or just need a helping hand. We see so many happy faces when we give of ourselves and make someones day brighter.

My favorite memory of traveling during the holidays was when I was a teenager living in Canada and driving down to southern New Mexico to see my grandparents for Christmas. We had relatives in several states and would stop along the way, coming and going. I remember getting stuck in our quarter mile long driveway when we were leaving! We finally ran out of snow somewhere around the Texas/Oklahoma panhandle. Time we reached my grandparents home, it was in the low 70's. Grandpa had pecan trees and we would pick them for roasting and making pecan pies. Any extra sacks we got to take and sell so we had money to buy gifts for kids that didn't have anything. While we were considered "poor" by national standards, we were rich in love. I can remember going to the Carlsbad Caverns and singing Christmas carols while we waited to walk down into the cave. The drive back up into Canada was an adventure, and we got stuck in our driveway when we got back home. I remember losing my watch somewhere and my dad found it in the driveway the next spring when the snow melted...it still worked!

My favorite memories of Christmas are going to Grandma and Grandpa's house for Christmas Eve. The whole family would get together and have a huge supper my Grandma would make for us. Than after everything was cleaned up, Santa would always come over to the house and give us each a present. We would always look for Rudolph's red nose and someone in the vehicle that drop the man off would have a red flashlight in the car so that it looked like his nose. We would open presents after Santa left and have a wonderful night of fun and games! Miss you Grandpa!!!

In 2007 our family was living in Canada. Our youngest daughter was suffering terribly with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and in early December we admitted her into a hospital in Wisconsin for treatment. At Christmas we flew our other daughter in Utah to Wisconsin and the rest of us drove from Canada to meet with our daughters for Christmas. We stayed in a Residence Inn apartment for several days, cut out a paper Christmas tree and taped it to the wall. We didn't have a bunch of decorations, couldn't afford to spend money on gifts due to the medical and travel expenses and just spend time together as a family talking, playing games and providing support to our daughter. It was probably the sweetest and most relaxing Christmas travel experience we have ever had.

We used to love driving from New Jersey down to Georgia. My grandma had pecan trees!

We spent a great Christmas in London one year, and did all the traditional stuff!

My favorite holiday memory was when I was riding on a train to Budapest back in the day when it was a closed country. A woman asked if my friend and I would like to stay at her house and when we arrived in Budapest, she took us home.
We were able to meet her family and we saw first hand the oppression the people of that city lived under. The kindness of her family and the memories of the brave Hungarian people will always be with me.

Every Christmas we would go to my Grandparents house for dinner. There I and my 17 cousins would play with all the new toys, have card game tournaments and eat too much dessert.

Our cross country trip was my favorite. We traveled from one coast to the other of the U.S. Glacier Park to Seatlle, Napa Valley to Death Valley, Tucson to New orleans, then ended in Florida. A whirlwind trip that exposed the diverse terrain and exposed the endless beauty of the U.S.

My favorite memory of holiday traveling is when I was a child we lived in Hawaii and since there were 5 of us kids, we could only afford to visit family on the mainland on rare occasions. When I was 5, we all flew to the mainland for Christmas to visit family - it was the first time I saw snow and it was magical!

being unable to use the 2010 voucher at ANY bw in CO.since they all demanded a CC for a comp night, THAT was fun.-then getting a 'half value' points in its place instead-so, the 'free night' was only for half the properties, however, FINALLY finding one property in SLC willing to redeem those points, without hassle, that was cool.

We just returned from a week long vacation in California staying at an Anaheim Best Western. Not that the hotel wasn't special, (the staff was fantastic, service was great and room was super clean), the special part of the vacation was spending a week with our grandkids! They dragged us, often unwilling on every ride and attraction from Disney to Universal, California Adventure to San Diego and we loved every minute of it. Although I swore Splash Mountain was out of the question how could I refuse! Thank goodness for the guest dryers at the hotel! Fantastic vacation, priceless memories.

Our best Christmas ever was spent in Durango, Colorado. We stayed at the Best Western Hotel located in downtown Durango. We live in South Texas so to us snow means Christmas although we never get to experience it at home. That Christmas in Durango there was snow everywhere! Downtown Durango was very very festive with Christmas decorations and music. We felt like we really truly experienced Christmas that year. We were able to walk from our hotel to all the shops and restaurants. We also went snowmobiling and rode the holiday train along the river up to Silverton, Colorado, and old restored mining town. We pledge to take that trip again real real soon.

I remember as a child going to my Grandma's house on Christmas eve and spending time with my Mom's entire family. We would eat dinner and open gifts and laugh and have a great time. Then around 8 o'clock we would pack up all of our presents into a laundry basket and head over to my other Grandparents house for more goodies and presents and family. It was the best night of the year because everyone was together having an amazing time and enjoying the holidays.

My favorite thing.I did for the holidays was go visit my grandma and

My favorite holiday travel is coming to Chicago for the holidays and seeing the Marshall Fields (now Macy's) Tree... We stay at the Best Western on Ohio Street and we go and look at the sights of Chicago and enjoy Hot Cider or Hot Chocolate while strolling the streets and looking at the beautiful Christmas Lights .. Then we come back to the hotel and have a few drinks poolside and wake up the next day and do it all over again!!!

As a small child, I recall hopping into our old Ford and heading to my grandmother's house for Chrismtas Day. I can still feel the excitement during the ride, although it was never very long. Running into the house and seeing my cousins, aunts, uncles, grandparents, and friends was the most amazing feeling. Feasting on a meal made by many loving hands and later opening gifts, taking pictures, and playing games like Dirty Santa rounded out the day. The car ride home was usually uneventful, because we slept the whole way, smiles on our faces and memories of sugarplums in our heads!

My favorite memory is traveling to my grandparents house in Northern Wisconsin during term break from college. I had previously been there only during the summer, so it was nice to see all the snow and beauty during the winter. It was also great spending the time with my wonderful grandmother.

A few years ago, my son, daughter-in-law and grandson invited me to join them on a wonderful Christmas trip: we explored San Diego and Old Town, shopped on Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills, visited Hollywood, Santa Monica and Venice Beach and spent two days in Disneyland before heading to Long Beach to board our cruise ship for a weeklong cruise to ports along the Mexican coast and a few days at sea, including Christmas Day! We had a splendid holiday vacation and intend to spend Christmas at sea sometime again.

It was July of 2011. My partner and I decided to spend our first one year together out of state south of British Columbia in the City of Bellingham, Washington. It was a memorably three nights at the Best Western Plus Heritage Inn, and being able to absorb the City's hospitality of fine dinning at Bostons, and Red Robins. On the celebration on the 4th we spent the night watching fireworks on the patio of Anthony's Hearthfire Grill, where a very hospitable server allowed us to order hot drinks and dessert outside despite the light rain. I was very impressed by this establishment and can not compare it to anything we have in B.C. The trip was very relaxing and romantic for us, and we hope to plan future trips south of the boarder in the future.

My favorite memory about traveling during Christmas time was when I was about 23 yrs old. I spent the morning with my family and after brunch I decided to take a drive to a small mountain town and explore. I knew nothing would be open due to the holiday so I packed some warm clothing and went on a hike. It was peaceful and serene. There is nothing like making the first tracks in fresh powdery snow.

My favorite holiday travel memory was the time I took a group of high school students to Agua Prieta, Mexico to build a home for a destitute family. We were on
the last plane to leave the Seattle airport before it was closed by a blizzard. Two days before Christmas we were sitting on the roof of the completed starter home in the sunshine singing "I'm dreaming of a White Christmas." What a wonderful experience for us all -- except for the parents who took us to the airport and couldn't get home until the next day because the highway closed.

We were in Memphis one Christmas day and could not find anywhere at all to eat. We finally ate at a Hospital cafeteria. We were together and that is what made it Christmas-- not the meal.

Great memory of taking train to Sebring Florida and spending all day Christmas on train. Decorated our window on train with battery Christmas lights, shared cookies with others on train, then went to bathroom and changed into Santa costume and gave candy canes to all the kids on train. The kids loved it after spending all day Christmas on the train and their parents enjoyed it also.

My favorite holiday travel was on New's Year Eve, (My Birthday Dec. 31st). My husband surpised me with his birthday plans for us to go to Las Vegas. We also took our grandson who was 10 yrs old. All the time during our flight to our destination my grandson kept saying " are we there yet? When we arrived in Las Vegas all he kept saying during our entire stay was "Where are we going to now grandma?" We spent 2 days of several fun things we could all enjoy together. We wanted see the "Aaron Neville" show for the New Year at Caesars Palace, but the show was already sold out. Coming back home on our flight the stewardess said there was a problem with our seating arrangements and only had 2 seats available in the Coach area, but she would move one of us to First Class. I was moved to First Class and was seated with the entire Aaron Neville family going back to their home in New Orleans. It was a fantastic trip going back home and a great story to tell the rest of my family and friends.

My favorite memory has always been the memories I have as a young girl when we would travel to my grandparents farm for Christmas. Grandma was a wonderful cook. Just walking inside the house your nostrils would begin to fill with all the aromas of the duck in the roaster and Grandma's freshly made pies and bread. While she busily prepared our Christmas feast with the help of my mother and my aunts, all the kids would go outside with Gramps. He would keep us busy in the barn helping to feed the animals and when the chores were done we could go for a ride in the pony cart. Grandmas would ring the dinner bell when our feast was ready. As a child, I thought that they must have the biggest table in the world as it would allow our large family to all sit together. Even back then it wasn't about getting presents it was about enjoying our meal with our wonderful loving family.

Back in the 1970s I was attending college in Tennessee. Christmas time I headed home to Clearwater, Florida to spend the break with my parents. I arrived home to no decorations, no tree, no presents. Surprise! My mother had booked rooms for her and my Dad and me south of Clearwater at Sanibel Island, where she had always wanted to spend some time. So although we lived NEAR the beach, that particular Christmas was spent ON the beach, walking, collecting shells, enjoying the holiday lights, and marvelling at the moonless clear winter night sky. What a wonderful memory!

My most memorable trip at Christmas probably wasn't for how the trip went but what I learned. I flew coast to coast in the cross country frenzy of people and blizzards to spend a few precious days with my family. I was about a day late on my arrival and had only a poorly "half-sewn" outfit that I tried to finish for Christmas day. Lucky it was in a carry on bag as my other meager student clothes didn't arrive for another 3 days. My Mom and my Great Aunt spent many hours with me over the sewing machine trying to make something out of my attempt. It was horrible and there were whispers back and forth between my Mom and Aunt as we struggled to make the best of the worst. Luckily, Christmas morning I awoke to a gift of the perfect outfit in the same shade of pink that was actually wearable. We laughed at my sewing that morning and my Aunt's pleas for my Mom to break her rules and give me an early gift that would have ended the trials of sewing the impossible outfit.
The snow followed me and we were snowed in with a houseful of family and friends and great food and infinite times of bonding. Christmas is about who you are with and how you spend that time because these are the memories you will keep with you forever. I only wish that Best Western owned an airline too so I could expect that same great service in the air and the land!

My husband and I are from the New England area so this may be the most memorable Christmas travel ever as we are spending Christmas in the Florida Keys. Warm weather, beautiful landscapes, but no family either. Memorable holidays can be bittersweet ones too.

My favorite memory was traveling on the holiday morning to my family's homes. Some lived on the same street and we would go from house to house, greeting and having a cordial or some refreshments until everyone was connected. We would then settled down for a nice Christmas dinner celebration. It is one of the warmest memories ever.

THE BEST CHRISTMAS EVER
This has been a few years ago. I flew into McAllen, Texas on Christmas eve to spend the holiday with my mother and father. As soon as I saw my parents, and this was about 10pm, my mom informed me we were getting up at 5 am and driving into Mexico. I have to admit, I wasn't looking forward to getting up at 5 am!

So we drove into Mexico to participate in "Amigo's de los Nino's". This is a Christmas tradition that Americans work towards all year long. They gather donations of money and toys, and school supplies, and food. Then on Christmas day all along the border, I guess, these Americans, and I was one this Christmas, drive into Mexico to a prearranged location, and set up an assembly line and Christmas "village". Dozens of volunteers take their station, and for hours, distribute food, toys, school supplies to very poor Mexican children. There is a hot meal, fruit, all kinds of stuff. And the kids are lined up for blocks to come to this event. At the end of the line there is a pinata, and they get to sit on Santa's lap.

Truly the meaning of Christmas!

My favorite memory is driving to Grandma's house, and shortly after arriving, Santa would show up before he "started his delivery route" ... SO MUCH FUN!!

my favorite holiday memory is when i lived in NYC & one year didn't go home. so christmas morning my pal & I went to get something to eat. surprisingly, lots of places were closed, so we went to times square and had breakfast of fruit & coffee from the 7-11 across from port authority! it was so urban and grimy - it's a treasure memory even today.

a few years ago my family was returning home from visiting our parents in Pittsburgh, traveing north on I79. It wasn't snowing when we left but by the time we reached Grove City, PA, it was snowing so hard you could hardly see. we still had a normal two hour trip east across I80 which is the direction the storm was going. I spoke to some truckers that had come from that direction and they recommended not taking a chance of getting stranded and staying the night. Fortunately there was a Best Western Grove City Inn and we took their advice and stayed at the INN.

My wife and I took a western Caribbean cruise over Christmas for our 25th wedding anniversary. It was great. Stayed at the BW near the Tampa port, got away from the cold for a few days. We need to do this again.

When I was a little girl, Christmas dinner was always at Grandma's house, about a 30 minute drive away in a rural area. I remember one particular year when Dad had cooked the turkey at our house to take there. Snow was lightly falling as we left home but before long int was thick & deep. The plows had not been out, the road had disappeared, and we trusted that the last person on the road had not driven into the ditch because we only had the ruts in the snow to tell us where the road was. That trip seemed to take forever, as the wonderful aroma of roasted turkey filled the car. Eventually we reached Grandma's house full of warmth from the wood stove, laughter of all the cousins, a twinkling tree and Grandma's cabbage rolls and wonderful Scandinavian baking. At least, this is how I remember that Christmas.

Staying in the Best Western closest to Disney World. Best breakfast, best pool, best fun!

One year after Christmas dinner at my bf's house. 10 of my friends and I took a road trip on Christmas night to Toronto from Chicago. 8 hours drive thru the night. We had a gift exchange in the van. It was tons of fun!

My favorite memory is eating my grandma's home made Italian seafood feast every christmas eve!! yummmmm

For my late husband and I's first Christmas, we drove to Toronto to see his family, some of whom he hadn't seen in almost two years since moving to the United States. We enjoyed celebrating with his cousins and their children, mother, brother and uncle. We explored Toronto on our own and enjoyed the merging of our families in our first, and only, married Christmas together.

We are immigrant Hindu family migrated from India to USA last year. We were invited by a Christian family here for a Christmas party. Though it was a very first Christmas party in our life, we were so blessed to be part of such a wonderful party. We love the gathering and it helped us a lot to mingle with neighborhood. Last years Christmas holidays season was the best one in our lives. We look forward to another grand celebrations event this year too.

My then girlfriend and now wife had been living in New Zealand for around a year and were getting used to the sun and warn weather at Christmas but missing our family and the snow terribly. That is when both her parents and my mom and sister decided to travel down and visit us during Christmas. Needless to say the two of us ended up sleeping on the dinning room floor, her parents in the spare bedroom, my mom and sister in our room and my university buddy on the couch in the living room. So glad to see everyone and it was a wicked time and very glad we decided to rent something bigger than a studio apartment.

Our family was traveling to Williamsburg VA to spend Christmas. With about an hour left to our drive the weather had changed from rain to sleet making the drive a little rough. We had received word shortly after arriving at our hotel that the highways we had just travelled over were being closed due to the icing conditions. The weather continued overnight causing power outages and many fallen trees. The hotel had many fireplaces throughout were you could cozy up. My kids treated it as though they were camping enjoying light by candles and the fireplaces. Christmas Eve we spent walking through the colonial portion of Williamsburg. The icing made everything absolutely beautiful. We did get to experience a beautiful church service, caroling, and tree lighting (candles). Power outages continued over the next few days causing many of the restaurants to find alternate ways to prepare meals for customers. The day we were due to leave the weather was bright and sunny and except the the damage you would not have known of the icy weather. It was one of our best Christmas visits to Williamsburg.

We were moving from Ohio to California in Jan 1978. Christmas 1977 all my brothers & sisters and their families and my parents travelled from Cincinnati to Columbus to spend Christmas at my brother's house. There were 13 adults and 10 children, ages 1 - 11. We had a lovely dinner and played games by the fireplace. All of the adults with the exception of my sister and her husband (who slept in the living room on the couch and cot) had a bedroom to sleep in. The kids slept in sleeping bags in the family room. They had a blast!!! We could hear them giggling all night and running to the refrigerator for a snack. That was a Christmas I will remember, as it was the last Christmas we all spent together.

i still remember taking my first flight to New York as a kid to visit my grandparents. They gave me a green gum ball on the plane to help with the air pressure change.It was all so long ago but so much fun.

One of my funny stories at Christmas. Is when I was on the last leg of an around the world trip. Arrived in Flordia at Christmas....so hot and no snow. I decided then to make my own Christmas day. I rounded up a plastic Christmas tree and decorations, plastic table cloth, champagne bucket, glasses, etc. I set everything up on the beach on Christmas day with the little plastic tree in the middle. It was hillarous to see the faces of all the Floridians out walking on the beach. They couldn't believe their eyes when they saw our Christmas table decked out on their beach. What a great Christmas....Went swimming in their wonderful water, then had our Christmas lunch on the beach. Will never forget that.

We decided to drive to Yosemite in winter and made reservations at the Tenaya Lodge at the south end. When we got near the park entrance, the roads were closed due to a huge snow storm, preventing us from reaching the lodge. Our car insurance covered lodging and dinner that night at a Best Western a few miles from the park. At the late hour we arrived, we had the entire dining room to ourselves. The waitress made us feel like royalty! The next morning, everything was blanketed with snow, but the road was open. We drove into Yosemite and it was an awesome winter wonderland, the oaks and pines draped with heavy snow.

In 1978 I was living on a military base in Sicily. My husband was a civil service transportation director and we had been there for two years. I was only 22 and missed my family terribly, more so at Christmas. That year my husband and I decided to fly home for the holdiays. I was thrilled! I would fly over early and he would join us closer to Christmas. Upon my arrival I cried on the bus trip taking me from the military base to a civilian airport. I never realized how much I missed my beautiful country until I looked out at familiar billboards in english and very American farms. I flew on to California, visited with my family and was so happy until I received a phone call from my husband. He would not be joining me. In fact, he wanted a divorce as he had found someone else. I was devastated. But my family would not let it get me down. We had a huge family celebration with more relatives than chairs! My parents and siblings reminded me of how lucky I was to be a part of a loving family and of how special I was to them. Every time I see or ride a bus, I think of coming home to America and how very wonderful that felt.

My favourite memory was going to Winnipeg to celebrate in a Wintery Wonderland!

We do not travel much during the holidays. We stayed at Best Western here and there and found them to be much to our satisfaction. Recently we joined the rewards program. We now book only Best Western if available.
So I guess our story is that we no longer worry about accomodations but are confident and look forward to having a great place to stay when on the road. Our dashie loves it also!

I left a comment, The first ever on your site. ! am a rewards member. I was refused because I made comments too often..........Whats up eh?

One of my favorates places to go to is vegas for new years and love the breakfast in the morning after a whole day and night out. Is always is a plasure to stay at best western.

My husband were driving by car from Lahr Germany to England (my home) for Christmas. We were travelling though France and stopped at a service station on the Autoroute. It was an automatic service station that could serve you in many languages, after trying English, German and very bad French we still didn't get gas. (Fortunately a gentleman from Holland helped us and we were on our way again). On leaving the service station my husband was muttering bad things about the French. The Bobby McFerrin song came on the radio and he was singing "Don't worry be Happy" We started to laugh and every time we hear that song we think about the trip from Germany to England.

In 2005, we were living in Halifax, NS. Our children and grandchildren were in Ottawa, ON, Christmas eve was a Sunday that year. We went to church and the pastor kept talking about family. I got home sick for family. After church we packed up and started driving to Ontario. On Christmas morning we awoke in a hotel room. I had piled our gift into a tree shape. We opened our presents early and got on the road again. Most gas stations were closed but we managed to keep gas in the tank. We ate the snacks we had with us because most restaurants were closed. We made it to Ottawa by 1 o'clock, just in time for Christmas dinner. It was a happy surprise for everyone. It was one of my best Chrismases.

My first trip to the East coast 20 years ago was very memorable being the holiday time of year. We were fortunate to be in New York City over New Year's Eve and got to celebrate in Times Square. On New Year's Day we visited the Statue of Liberty and walked up the stairway inside the statue and looked out the windows of the crown -- it was something I'll always remember.

My family and I went on vacation to Egypt four years ago and saw many wonderful historical sights. The Cairo Marriott hotel, which used to be a former palace, was beautifully decorated with Christmas lights.

Last Christmas I flew to L.A. For the birth of my first grandchild. I arrived just in time to go with my luggage to the hospital. The nurse shooed me out of the hallway as delivery approached. I was in tears in the empty waiting room. It seemed like a forever wait. Finally I was holding my beautiful granddaughter and it was worth the wait. I later checked into my Best Western to shower and get some peaceful sleep. We had our Christmas baby and it will always be my favorite favorite Christmas memory!

My favoriate holiday travel was as a child and we went to grandma's house. We got to see all types of weather. Sun to snow. I loved it

One Christmas several years ago; my daughter & Her husband and out two grand sons suprised us for Christmas by driving from Chicago to Denver on I80 thru a snow storm. Best Western was there home in the dark each night. They were suppose to fly; but no planes were leaving Chicago. 3 days latter after we assumed they were not coming they appeared at our door. Christmas morning we all went up to Loveland skiing. It turned out to be a memorable Christmas after the dissapointment of hearing about no flights; and they were not coming.
Denver was sunny and cold and very beautiful that Christmas.

We drove to Florida one year with our three children from Ontario right after Christmas, thinking it would be warm and lovely but it turned out cold and rainy so had to wear our jackets to walk on the beach but did have a good time at Disney and it is a holiday that none of us will ever forget.

I remember the Christmas my young sons and I went to Baja. We went fishing on Christmas Day. They caught their first fish and we saw a Great Blue Heron only about 5 feet from us on the riverbank. Later that night there were fireworks.

Of all the road trips we made from the San Francisco Bay Area to my grandmother's house near Salt lake City, UT, I most remember and cherish the trip we made one Christmas in the mid 1950's . We couldn't get through the Sierras on our way to Grandma's house because the roads were closed by heavy snows. This was before 8 lane freeways and four wheel drive SUV's. Dad pulled in to a motel and negotiated with the manager for a better rate if we did not use the kitchen. A motel?? What luxury was this?? We kids had never stayed in a hotel/motel before.Even stopping at a diner was a rare luxury. Dad always drove straight through to Salt Lake City, while Mom, who didn't drive, usually made sandwiches in the front seat and passed them out to us four kids in the back seat. I remember the motel room had what I believe were real knotty pine walls and that we played and played in the thick snow for hours until we were just about frozen stiff. No snow boots or heavy coats for these California kids, but we did not care.Nor did we all have our own beds, much less seperate rooms.We were all warm and very happy to be together. They must have cleared the roads over night because I don't remember being in the motel for more than one night. I haven't thought of that trip in years...thanks for the memories Best Western.

My favorite memory of holiday travel is the year that I brought all of my pets home to my parents' house for a long holiday weekend. I squeezed in my two rabbits, two guinea pigs, a dog, all of their food and supplies, along with all my luggage and presents into my little car with no room to spare. I felt like a traveling circus driving down the freeway in the snow. My Mom enjoyed her furry guests, and spoiled my critters for Christmas with plentiful carrots, apples, and greens for treats. They made out like bandits, but I'm sure my parents were glad to see me and my zoo leave for home.

My favorite holiday travel memory was staring out the back window of our station wagon in the 1950's driving through the snow to Kansas City, Missouri with my brothers and sisters to visit my grandparents and my mother's sister's family traveling from Iowa. I always knew I was almost there when I saw the colors changing on the top of the Power and Light building in the Kansas City skyline. It changed from one color to another and I was fascinated by it. This landmark is still there but other buildings in the skyline now shadow it, but the lights still change on the tower at the top of the building. It is beautiful at night, and my thoughts always go back to my childhood with my nose pressed against the cold glass of the car staring up at it thinking how beautiful it was as the lights switched from one color to the next. I knew I was almost there and would be arriving at my grandparent's home very soon. Growing up in the country, seeing the City at Christmas was something of wonder.

My favorite holiday travel memory was staring out the back window of our station wagon in the 1950's driving through the snow to Kansas City, Missouri with my brothers and sisters to visit my grandparents and my mother's sister's family traveling from Iowa. I always knew I was almost there when I saw the colors changing on the top of the Power and Light building in the Kansas City skyline. It changed from one color to another and I was fascinated by it. This landmark is still there but other buildings in the skyline now shadow it, but the lights still change on the tower at the top of the building. It is beautiful at night, and my thoughts always go back to my childhood with my nose pressed against the cold glass of the car staring up at it thinking how beautiful it was as the lights switched from one color to the next. I knew I was almost there and would be arriving at my grandparent's home very soon. Growing up in the country, seeing the City at Christmas was something of wonder.

Going to my grandparents house. Decorating the tree with brother and cousins. Playing.

The best, but also hardest, holiday was the two-car trip we (husband, in-laws, son, wife and 2 hunting dogs) took from Austin to central Iowa - encountering deep snow (which we don't see much in Austin) for a "real" holiday. The hotel permitted pets and let us plug in the diesel truck block heater. It was a delight to be with my family (all of whom live in Iowa), but the real adventure was returning home following an ice storm which reduced major highways in Okla to one-lane each. The most remarkable sight was a lone wolf standing near the highway fence line watching the slowly-creeping traffic.

My most cherished holiday travel memories don't involve long distances. My family all lived close, within 20 miles of each other growing up. On Christmas Day after we opened presents that Santa brought, we would get ready to go to my grandparents house. The whole family would be there. Aunts and Uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews. We had a house full. Everyone would come if they could. One year my cousin who was in the military made it home for Christmas. Special memories.

I come from a huge family of 13 children and most of us lived close. A few sisters lived in other states. One of my sisters lost her 19 yr. old son in a car accident and my brother in-law thought she really nneded her family to be there for thanksgiving so as many of us that could go surprised her, an
d the holiday she was dreading was better for her having the people that she loved and needed the most were there for her. We had a very emotional yet healing holiday. I'll never forget it.

I come from a huge family of 13 children and most of us lived close. A few sisters lived in other states. One of my sisters lost her 19 yr. old son in a car accident and my brother in-law thought she really nneded her family to be there for thanksgiving so as many of us that could go surprised her, an
d the holiday she was dreading was better for her having the people that she loved and needed the most were there for her. We had a very emotional yet healing holiday. I'll never forget it.

some of our favorite memories are when our 4 boys were little and we would pack everyone into our car. drive 11 hours to northern saskatchewan and they would sleep. play any kind of game we could think of, this was before they had any electronic games for travel.through all kinds of weather because this is what we were all excited about for weeks and arrive to open arms from grandparents and a whole house full of family, and eat until we had to sleep again. and cry when we had to leave for our long trip home again to alberta.good times.

well not quite as exciting as some of the other stories but one time on our 875 mile drive to grandmas house about 9 pm and 400 miles to go everyone in the car was tired, grumpy and hungry ...again... so there it was a Best Western on top of the hill just down the road and for some reason that sign and the food and the indoor pool area woke us all up to the point we stayed up most of the night , overslept the next day and almost missed the entire Christmas Eve party and dinner...but it didnt matter that was a fun night, one to remember...

Traveling during the holidays to visit family was always special for our family! Myself, wife and 4 small children and the family dog! Rekindles fond memories of getting children still sleeping in bed with only Pj's on into a warm Van, strap into their car seats and off we would go down the road! The crisp winter air and the wonder of watching a sunrise over the Sierra Nevada mountains was stunning! Looking at my children and wife sleeping in my rear view mirrow as the first rays of morning light started to shine inside the van always keep me focus on how grateful I was for my small family. We did not have much in those days, but what we did have was shared, the kids would wake up to my wife serving them hot chocolate and oatmeal for breakfast. Remember seeing my wife often crawling out of her front seat and seat with between the kids and read to them books, play games and when those activities started to loose their interest, out from under my drivers seat would come a water squirt gun and suprise everyone! The kids would roar and laugt so much!!! Mama would just smile and the dog would look for cover! (lol Makes me smile in my heart even today!) We would sing songs, tell stories, play word games by looking at street signs on the road to see who could find letters to the alphabet (No we did not have electronic games or cell phones! This was back in the early 90s!) The van would become our home for the day on these long drives to meet family during the holidays. We bonded as a small family, would point out beautiful places to the kids as we made stops on the way or during the trip! Such fond memories of long ago! My wife and I smile now when we think of those special times of 4 small children, a van, dog, blankets, coloring books, squirt guns, flying paper airplanes in the van and yes, getting the family dog to sing with us as well ! Even today our kids all now grown tell us how much fun those simple times were for everyone in the family van and travel to family during holidays!

When my siblings and myself were younger our parents used to take us 3 different towns over the holidays. None of the towns were close together. Talk about a lot of family time!!!

My favorite holiday memory was my wife and I giving my mother a surprise visit. She was not able to travel because of work, so we hopped in the car leaving the family gathering to go where she was.

I love the time each Christmas we have to get together as family. I think my favorite are on the years that we go to my sister-in-laws house for Christmas. It is so fun to have all the family (about 19 of us) in the same house and wake up with all the cousins eagerly waiting at the top of the stairs together for the permission to come down to the Christmas surprise that awaits them downstairs. Then it is time for wonderful times of gifts and food and games and relaxing.

The family flew from Brazil to San Antonio, TX for Christmas. We stopped off at Disneyworld (Orlando) for the kids, then went on to Texas, where they had a rare snowstorm. The kids were even more delighted with that than with Disneyworld.

Before we had children, we always loved traveling from New Hampshire back to Connecticut to our parents' homes. Made us feel like little kids again!

I remember my first Christmas with "my love". We drove 60 miles one weekend to shop and get wonderful gifts for each other...a leather jacket so popular at the time for him, and italian suede boots for me. The "Plaza" was all decorated in lights and the snow began falling when we walked to our favourite place to eat dinner. He was so attentive and romantic, and our energy for having fun was endless. We were just beginning our lives together, but we knew our happiness was special, and the winter wonderland of that December weekend was the perfect scenery to accentuate it. When we returned home we walked our snow covered street, running and sliding laughing and smiling. 32 years later I still remember every time it snows.

our travel is usually to my mom and dads to celebrate with ALL of the girls, but since my dad passed on, we now try to bring my mom to one of our homes instead. It can be fun to drive down to pick her up and just catch up on everything.

My favorite travels around the holiday season are trips to different local cities to look at christmas lights. As long as i have family and friends around, i don't need a big luxurious vacation. I like the simple things, plus the times in the car are just as entertaining.

I remember sleeping on my Grandmothers glassed in front porch and lying on the cot looking at all the lights and decorations on the houses up and down the street.

I took a trip to Key West Florida during Thanks Giving this year and had the most valued time of my life. I am a Geocacher and I traveled up and down the Islands finding my prizes as I went. This was the most Outstanding trip I have taken and the weather was Beautiful. I met many good people along the way and made new friends while I was down there. This trip will live within my memory for ever and I thank Best western for my memoral stay.

The happiest Christmas I ever had was the first Christmas with my wife and all 4 of my children when they were old enough to go snooping for presents and had an idea of what Christmas was really all about.

My memories of traveling during Christmas are of my family going to visit my grandparents about 2 1/2 hours away when I was a child. We would pack all the presents up and drive there a few days before Christmas. It was great to see all my family during this time and we would always talk the adults into letting us open our presents Christmas Eve! It has good memories attached to it now that my parents are divorced and it's just not the same as I got older.

Fondest memories of going to my Russian grandmother's house to see all my cousins and playing silly games that we would make up as we went along. My cousin in Maryland would sometimes come to Connecticut to visit for Christmas and that was always fun because we didn't get to see him very often.

I took a trip down to Key west Florida for ThanksGiving and had the time of my life. I am a Geocacher and I found many smileys while driving around the Islands. This was one of the best trips I have ever taken and I thank Best western for the coolest place to stay while in Key West. Become a Geocahcer and see the world like nobody else sees it.

We live 2500 miles from where I grew up. So trips back home to see my mom during the holidays were always special. My wife and I were there that first Christmas after we got married 16 years ago. We were there when our oldest child was almost two. That was when she cut her chin on Christmas Eve and needed stitches! We were there two years ago with all four of our children for some very special memories, pulling the decorations from my childhood down from the attic. The kids decorated the house up beautifully, since mom was no longer physically capable.

That house is now for sale. My mom passed away during the summer. But the wonderful memories our family has of those holiday travels will remain in our hearts forever!

I always remember the long drives to grandma's house. No matter when we got there, the house always smelled of good food cooking, and the cookie jar was always full.

We live 2500 miles from where I grew up. So trips back home to see my mom during the holidays were always special. My wife and I were there that first Christmas after we got married 16 years ago. We were there when our oldest child was almost two. That was when she cut her chin on Christmas Eve and needed stitches! We were there two years ago with all four of our children for some very special memories, pulling the decorations from my childhood down from the attic. The kids decorated the house up beautifully, since mom was no longer physically capable. That house is now for sale. My mom passed away during the summer. But the wonderful memories our family has of those holiday travels will remain in our hearts forever!

I have never traveled during the holidays. My family is local. The farhest I went was about 3 miles to my aunt's for Christmas Eve. I loved going there because it was a small affair. Just my husband, grandparents, mom, aunt, uncle and 2 cousins.

I have never traveled during the holidays. My family is local. The farhest I went was about 3 miles to my aunt's for Christmas Eve. I loved going there because it was a small affair. Just my husband, grandparents, mom, aunt, uncle and 2 cousins.

I remember traveling to my aunt and uncle's home on the Oregon coast. He was a mortician, and they lived in a large residence hooked to the mortuary. If there were no "clients", we could run up and down the halls and I was allowed to play the organ in the chapel.
Family gifts were opened on Christmas Eve and Sant gifts were opened Christmas morning.
Lots of family and fun!

One Christmas my mother and I went to visit her 90+ year old mother who lives in the nursing home in a very small town. The restaurants in that town closed around 3 p.m. on Christmas Eve, so we had purchased pre-made salads at a Wal Mart 40 miles away and stored them in the refrigerator in the room for supper that evening. The next day we went to that larger city to have Christmas dinner, and the only place we could find that was open (and suited our budget) was IHOP! So, we had grilled chicken breast and steamed broccoli at a place famous for pancakes, but just being with my mom made it wonderful. However, I'll never forget that Christmas!

We were only traveling 20 miles and doing so with our 2 dachshunds. Our item to bring for the meal was dessert. First stop was for a church service, we put the dessert on the dash of the van so the dogs could not get it. Well when we came out, low and behold, the little buggers had found a way to get up and get the dessert and ate over half of it. We had a great family meal and excellent get together but we will always remember why we had no dessert.

Many Christmas breaks ago, our family went to Walt Disney World by car. We the adults thought that it would only be enjoyable for the kids, but we were very pleasantly surprised by the grandeur of the theme park, and we found things for us to enjoy as well. The whole family had a great time!

I love every Christmas!

With my in-laws in town watching our new baby, my husband and I spent Christmas night in a hotel with an outdoor hot tub. It snowed into my wine glass. And I was OK with it. A perfect evening away.

My youngest niece had been born in September, and I wanted to get to Indianapolis to see her. We lived in Northwestern Illinois. My husband was a pastor. We couldn't leave until the day after Christmas. We got up to an inch of ice with 7 inches of snow on top of that. My husband insisted we were still going, that I needed to see that baby! We packed up our three kids and headed out on unplowed highways. Our muffler dragged in the snow. We had to stop to have that repaired. The repair took three hours. We counted over 140 cars off in the ditches between us and Indy. It took us about 12 hours vs our usual 6, but we finally made it and I got to hold that beautiful baby girl!

our favorite holiday travel memory involves playing the alphabet game with our son while traveling to visit the relatives - he is 16 and we still play it on long trips :D fun way to keep everyone awake and alert!

Years ago driving from Indianapolis to San Francisco for Christmas I got stuck in Laramie Wyoming due to a blizzard shutting down I-80 for three days. The motel(s) were all full, lots of us sleeping in the lobby and enjoying a truly unique Christmas morning together.

I dont know that it is a favorite - but it was definitely memorable. In 1989 we moved from Monterey CA to Livermore Ca. On Thanksgiving Eve. I still cant remember exactly why we chose that day - I think it was because of days off from work. Anyway a 90 mile drive turned into a 5 hour drive. You have never seen anyone unload a UHaul as quickly as we did when we finally arrived cause it had to be turned in that day! Luckily we brought the turkey with us and it thawed out pretty well on the drive so it was ready to cook the next day while we unpacked.....

I think Favorite Funny holiday would fit our family to a tee. It was Xmas school break 1974 I had just moved in with the love of my life (we married in 1976). We put together a blended family of 6 kids. His 3, ages 6,7 & 8. My 3 ages 5, 12 & 14. We decided to drive from BC. to Disneyland, a surprise the kids. It was at times a nightmare from you know where. We did survive the turmoil, we laugh and tell friends even today we lived to tell about it. This Feb.13, 2012 we will celebrate 36 yrs. of marriage, we are still solid as a rock. Our beautiful 6 children, who still reminisce about our first trip to Disneyland have now blessed us with 18 grandchildren & our 1st. great grand-baby will be born June 2012.

My favorite Christmas travel memory was my first year married, and my husband and I got bumped from our flight from LAX, back home to Chicago. Being broke, and the airline being unapologetic, we ended up spending Christmas Eve night, sleeping on seats in the LAX airport. Our feast was bad burgers and watered down soda - but it was our first Christmas together and we made the best of it anyway.

We used to spend Christmas at my grandmother's house with all the aunts, uncles, and cousins. There was always a lot of food and a lot of love and laughter.

My favorite memory is Christmas in Hawaii on a cruise. Learned to say Merry Christmas in Hawaiian while riding an open street car to tour holiday lights. A great treat for us Californians and Arizonians. Got there via United miles.

Last September 2011 we finally spent one week long with my daddy at rent vacation house for a long time to enjoy beach at the Folly Beach, SC and time with my daddy and relatives. My husband was his first time to stay at the rent vacation house and he enjoyed very much. We enjoyed walking at the Charleston, SC, so beautiful and romantic. Loved all those sunsets at the beach and Charleston, SC. First time to spend 2 weeks and one day at SC. Loved those yummy fresh seafood at different restaurants.

I only get to see my siblings and parents about every 15 years so when we go visit it makes for a very nice Christmas and a chance to make a lot of memories to take back with us....

I only get to see my siblings and parents about every 15 years so when we go visit it makes for a very nice Christmas and a chance to make a lot of memories to take back with us....

My favorite memory of traveling is when I had the opportunity at the age of 10 to 12 to go to the grand canyon with my grandmother, grandfather and my great-grandmother to be at their services. It was cold and bland and oh so hard to sit through it. However, my great-grandmother and I sang all four verses of Amazing Grace all the way to and from the grand canyon from amarillo, texas. My grandfather was no fan of car singing of any kind and we were both terrible, but enthusiastic singers.. her with her squeaky aging voice and me with my horrible tween voice that had not been developed yet and although he wanted to shut down the singing within everything within him, it was his mom and he couldn't say anything. I got a glare or two in the rear-view mirror, but it didn't stunt my enthusiasm because I knew this was a rare moment and I was going to take it. Not long after my great-grandmother passed away and I asked my grandfather if he wishes we could repeat that singing experience and with tears in his eyes he said yes. Now my kids and I sing in the car and love it because I treasure this time I had and want my kids to have memories like this also. Thanks for the opportunity to share and hopefully we can win something!!!

One morning we woke up Christmas morning and there were several feet of snow on the ground. The whole family all got snowed in, and we didn't see plows until almost 6pm that night. It was great to have the whole time together!

One Christmas morning we woke up to several feet of snow, and didn't see plows out until nearly 6pm that night. It was great to have the whole family snowed in together!

We always enjoy staying home for Christmas, but when my son was younger, he always wanted to do something "special" for New Years (which can be hard to do with two children and one of them handicapped). So one year we took the train down the coast of California to Disneyland. We loved the train ride and it was so nice not having to battle the LA freeways. The train arrives less than 10 miles from the park (an easy & inexpensive cab ride to the hotel). We thought we would spend New Years Eve in Disneyland, but it was shoulder-to-shoulder people...so we went to California Adventure instead, which was reasonably new at the time (2002), but just as much fun with live music and parties throughout the park, parade, free celebration hats, and a countdown & fireworks at midnight. On some of the rides he didn't even have to get off at the end if the lines weren't too long, and they weren't. And I always fealt he was safe running around the park. It was so perfect, we took the exact same trip the following year!

One tradition we have started is the day after Christmas we head to the ocean.There is nothing like seeing the ocean and relaxing on the beach for a few days, after all the hustle and bustle of the holidays. And the weather is beautiful in Monterey California, this time of the year. We love to stay right on the beach at the Best Western Beach Resort.

I spent last Christmas bringing my mom home from the hospital to die. Hospice was comming to care for her after the holiday. Mom keep telling the Doctors and staff that she was not ready to die as she had to attend my 60th birthday party in Las Vegas. They shook their heads and said, "OK whater ever you want:". There was no hope. She sent Hospice home in early Febuary.
In late Febuary mom meet me, my brothers and a large group of cousins in Vegas. We had a wonderful time partying at the Voo Doo Club as well as shopping. The best part is that many of us had not seen each other for a very long time. Everyone knew that it was a mirical that mom was able to get around, althouh very frail. We laughed, danced and sang through the evenings. Making jokes and remenesing. She attended my birthday dinner pary with a great big smile and lots of love.
Well, last week we buried mom. We all knew she was on borrowed time and that we were blessed to have one more party. Traveling to Vegas was the best trip I ever took, No worries, no timelines, no rush. Everyone will remember this as the best vacation ever, as it was a gift.

Two hours away from my parents' house on Christmas Eve in West Texas, and we had to stop because of ice and stay at the Poor Man's Motel (promise, real name). Definitely not a cozy Best Western. Got there the next day as the sun warmed the roads!

My favourite memories of Christmas centre around travelling every Christmas from Toronto to Hanover, Ontario. My mom died when I was only eight years old. My Dad`s sister and her husband always had our family of four people for Christmas. Many fond memories of travelling through snowstorms and celebrating with family and relatives. We carried this tradition for 10 years. Christmas in small Ontario towns hold many positive memories!
Merry Christmas to all of you!

I was only away from home for Christmas once I was teaching in a distant town and decided to return home on the train. We travelled through majestic snow covered forests which were bathed in moonlight. Everyone in the observation car was in a festive mood, heightened no doubt by all of the imbiding we were doing, being Christmas and all. I got home in time for a lengthy holiday and had a relaxing holiday before returning to the rigours of teaching elementary and middle school kids.

Driving from eastern Pennsylvania to New York City to visit both sets of grandparents. The three hour car ride seemed to take forever, but the best part was stopping at a gas station midway. My parents gave change to each of us and we were allowed to select a candy bar from the vending machines.

One trip that comes to mind was the first Christmas spent with my husband. We traveled to his hometown in TX. Met his family and drove around looking at Christmas lights & it snowed. My 1st snow since I was 3yrs old. Lived in Mass. for a yr as a toddler so not very memorable) Lived in FL most of my life.

I had the wonderful pleasure of taking my favorite Aunt and Uncle to Mexico for the holidays when he was told he had cancer.They were so happy and do so much for Christmas, that we were able to put the bad news to the back of our minds.
I am taking my Aunt back so she can be warm and enjoy the warm and wonderful people.

My favorite holiday was when my 90 year old father came to Florida to be with my sister and my family. We were all worried that it might be his last visit. But, low and behold here we are one year later and Dad is doing great. He is sharing the holiday with my sister in Michigan. He is living on his own, mowing his lawn and shoveling his snow up in Kalkaska, Michigan. We are so blessed and thankful.

A few years ago, my wife and I went to Torrey Pines in La Jolla, CA. It was a well-needed vacation and we had great time. We even got a free gift ornament from the hotel.

Seeing my grandchildren after a year - and finding out they are truly delightful youngsters.
Of course, they have truly amazing parents!

watching my nephews and nieces grow over the years has been very special and beautiful. especially not having children myself. family gatherings are always a treat

watching my nephews and nieces grow and be together during the holidays always a treat as i dont have children. family gatherings always special

After my parents divorced we used to drive up to Jamestown New York or Buffalo NY sometimes to visit my cousins and grandpa for the holidays. Had so much fun with the cousins! It was about a 9-hour drive, and we'd always stop at the same restaurant to eat. So many great memories!

This year's celebrations will be long be remembered because they started early, with two other friends. Both of them were severely ill and hospitalized (one in Philadelphia, the other in Baltimore during the same time period. Both came close to death and both miraculously recovered! In addition, our birthdays just happen to fall in November, December and January, so with everyone now in good health - we had much to celebrate. Thanks to Best Western Plus Hotel and Conference Center in Baltimore, we shared an early Christmas together December 10 -11 in our mini suite, with free shuttle service to the Inner Harbor and delightful buffet breakfast. three of us will never forget this Christmas and 3-way birthday celebration.

My favorite holiday trip was to North Carolina to stay with my fiance's aunt and uncle. I went from 90+degrees in South Florida to 37 degrees in North Carolina in one day. All my fiance's family were so warm and welcoming. I experienced a true southern Christmas!

My favorite and most memorable holiday travel was with 9 other great friends in 2006; we decided to spend the week on a cruise to Mexico. It was such an amazing experience; taking in the different culture and being away from the typical craziness of Christmas. And what a great way to escape the freezing temperatures at home - can't wait to do it again!

Last year we planned a trip to Branson, MO to see the Christmas lights at Silver Dollar City which we had heard were so special. Our plans had to be canceled because I had a unexpected heart attack and spent part of the holiday in the hospital. This year we rescheduled that trip and had the time of our lives. The weather was beautiful, the lights were spectacular, we trip was magical for two old people who felt like kids again.

When I was young my grandfather was the Sheriff of a small community in Northwest Missouri and my grandmother was the tax collector at City Hall. So we would pile into the car and travel there to meet the rest of the family. They had six children and each of them also have large families so we had our Christmas at the large City Hall building. I remember all the men would hunt quail, pheasant and turkey for a couple of months for our Christmas dinner. They tables would be stacked high with all the different meat. The women would spend hours cooking the other dishes and visiting while the children ran and played in the wide open building. There wasn't much money but there were always presents for us under the tree. I remember the smell of the orange slices and peanut clusters. It was a real "Hard Candy Christmas".

i remember going to see my greatgramd ma,she lived in the hills of arkansa so we had some traveling to dosince we lived in oklahoma.the year we went there was so mush rain the roads were flooded and we were not sure how to get to her house.we had a great time seeing all the sights of the hills of easteren oklahoma and arkansas.my greatgrand ma was so happy to see all of us.

My favorite holiday was in a cabin with no electricity and about twenty relatives. We made pretzels in a wood fired oven. The grandkids and i went fishing.

When our children were younger the grandparents lived a couple hundred miles apart in MO and OK.. 1/2 of our vacation at each place allowed for wonderful FAMILY memories, even the snow(ice) ins. For our FL children those were great Christmas times.with fun , food, and family. Those yeare coupled with the years we stayed home and were all part of live Nativities at Church and now with grandkids......no better memories than these! >

Traveling over 3,000 miles across country to see my daughter and grandson. Planning the trip, the excitment of traveling and then finally able to see them in person once again, just to hold them close is always enough Christmas for me!

My most recent and memerable vacation on a Holliday was to Disney World on Thanksgiving. My wife and i traveled with my youngest daughter, her husband and three grandkids. The youngest is 4 years old, seeing her enjoy all of the Disney chariters was very rewarding to Grandma and Grandpa. The older two are 12 and 15 I haven't been on any amusement rides for quite a long time I went on as many as they did, that was an experence. I might add we had great stayes at two Best Westren hotels on the way there and back.

My favorite memory was flying across country from east coast to west coast a couple of years ago and spending time with my children in northwest Washington state in what turned out to be one of their most severe winter storms in decades.

Getting to go to Grammy and Grampy's house on Christmas day is a special memory. All of our Aunts and Uncle's and cousins would be there. We would be spread out all over the place in different tables. If I close my eyes I can still picture my Grandmother's Christmas apron.

My most memorable Christmas memory is when we were little traveling to my grandparents in the next town Christmas Eve night coming home about 10pm watching for santa's sleigh go through the sky.

One year my wife and I were in Greece for Thanksgiving. We were in a small town on the island of Crete. We couldn't find a turkey for dinner but we were determined to make pumpkin pies. We couldn't find pumpkin in any of the markets, but we did find a huge squash. We cooked the squash and used the pulp to make pies that tasted just like pumpkin pie. We shared our pies with some of the local folks there and shared a little bit of the American holiday of Thanksgiving with the people of Greece.

Travelling by car on Christmas Eve to be with family and listening to the reports of NORAD sightings of Santa and his sleigh on the radio with my enthralled and excited toddler.

My best memories are taking my kids to both my parents and in-laws homes to open our presents from them and to spend time with them. We took turns eating dinner at thier homes every other year. I am sad that my in-laws are both gone and my mother has such mobility issues that those days ae gone. Of course we still visit with my mom weekly and on holidays but I do miss theold days.

One Christmas my Dad was in the hospital over the holidays. He was so disappointed because they told him he would be home for Christmas. When that didn't happen we got busy got a hold of all his sibblings and even brought his Dad home from Florida. With help of the hospital staff we transformed the waiting area into a winter wonderland! When we got there we told him to close his eyes. When he opened his eyes there were all of us, all of his siblings and his Dad.

I remember traveling with my new husband to see my parents for our very first Christmas together. It was so much fun to travel together for the first time, to see snow coming down as we drove down the silent roads. We've been married for almost 13 years now and are happy to be planning another trip to my parents in 2012...this time with our four children!

We didn't travel much growing up, but when I met my bride, her family invited me up for a Christmas visit in Virginia. I have lived in Florida my entire life and hadn't ever had the opportunity to experience snow. I traveled up there and was ecstatic to enjoy my very first white Christmas. They did laugh a good amount though, as I ran outside into knee-high snowdrifts in my SHORTS!

when my son was young we would go to the san diego zoo all day

Wonderful trip to SanDiego aroundThanksgiving and the Christmas celebration at Balboa Park seen with my late husband. Have a great pic of us with the Grinch.

o.k...Best Western Stoval Hotel @ Disney 5 years ago during Christmas week! Wow! the park was so crowded, we must of only rode 4 exciting rides each of the 3 days while we visited the Magic Kingdom. Everything seemed to be a mile long line, but the staff and hotel "attractions" (continental breakfast, pool, clean rooms) made all the difference for my kids. They kept wanting just to relax at the hotel, wake up and have a relaxing breakfast and just try to watch (or hear) the fireworks from comfort and "safety" of our hotel room :) Just spending time with my (3) kids at an affordable Inn was worth it....and we sure had some great laughs about "what Fast Pass...you mean SOLD OUT FAST PASS or Holiday Inn @ Disney- the real Happiest Place near the so-called-Happiest Place on Earth!"

Merry Christmas...remember to take in all the hotel has to offer! It's definitely the best E ticket you'll ever ride near the PARK :D The Stoval Inn was great back in the Day and is great in the present Day

As a kid, we were traveling to my Grandparents house for Christmas Eve when the windshield wipers on my dad's car quit working. He had all 4 kids and my mom take the shoelaces out of our shoes. He tied them to the wipers. My Mom would pull on her side then she would say "pull". I was sitting in the backseat behind my dad holding on to the shoelaces on the driver side. I would pull then my mom would pull until we got to grandma's. The family still talks about it.

I remember the last year my grandma was with us and we travelled to her place. It was only about an hour away but the whole family came to her house and we had a great time together.

I remembewr driving to Grandma's house during the Christmas holiday. She lived in the country and when there was snow, we slipped and slid all the way to her house.

My favorite Christmas memory is one when I was about 6 or 7 and our family went to my grandparents house and our grandparents had a silver fake tree and grandma always put blue lights on it. Grandma would make salt dough and we would make ornaments for our Christmas tree at home. This particular Christmas, after everyone had gone to bed my brother showed me how beautiful the lights were on the tree if you laid under it and looked up through the tree. For some reason that seemed so magical to me. Also that Christmas our dad was going to run to town and asked us if we would like anything, typical kids and being smart-alecs we said "A new car!", and when dad returned from town he had 2 hot wheel cars for my brother and I. I will never forget that Christmast for the rest of my life!

My favorite life memory was when we become
my wife and me members of bestwester rewards
and we enjoyed it our first time stayed there
last February 2011 in Moline IL
THANK YOU
CONGRATULATIONS FOR YOUR GREAT SERVICE..!!!

My favorite memory very simply sitting down with my family on Christmas Eve. After dinner we all head towards the Christmas tree to see what Santa brought us. Looking over and seeing my mom laughing, my nieces smiling and laughing too. My bro and sister are there. My sis in law and the newest addition to our family, my great niece. Troy and I had such a nice time. All the hustle and bustle finally stopped, It seems all is well in the world. That feeling of peace knowing you are with the ones you love. Even if its insane every other day of the year.

My favorite memory would be the first year we flew back east for Christmas. Neither of my children had seen snow before, and the second day we were at my in laws we woke to find the ground covered with snow. My daughter could hardly walk yet but she was all about trying to crawl to the edge of the snow and grabbing handfuls to stick in her mouth, I think she was fascinated by how it melted. I got to make snow ice cream with my son on the back porch for the whole family that day. I remember clear as day how my son's face brightened more and more I explained how my grandmother had taught my mother to make her own ice cream and my mother had taught me and by the time I got to the part where he was going to make snow into ice cream, he was literally glowing, I think he ate nearly 3 bowls of the stuff that day. That year being able to watch my children explore the wonders of snow for the first time was better than any presents I could have ever gotten. My children are 4 and 6 now and each year around Christmas time, usually when we start pulling out Christmas decorations and making our Christmas goodies they begin to talk about how they want to go visit the mainland so they can make snow ice cream. I think that Christmas will be my favorite for years to come, it will deffinately remain a very happy memory for the rest f my life.

My best memory was when I went to Statesville NC to welcome my son and future daughter-in-law back to the states. My son went to the Ukraine to bring her back home to get married. I don't get a chance to see him very often.
It was wonderful to get to see him and meet Olga. She is my Princess.
I was lucky enough to get to spend 3 months with them before I had to go home.
Sadly I did not get to spend Christmas with any of my family but just to be able to spend that Wonderful time with them was great.
I hope to be able to spend Christmas 2012 with them.
Hope everying had a Beautiful Christmas

This Thanksgiving we went to St Augustine, Fl. We stayed at the Best Western in the Olde City and that evening we went on a horse and carriage ride to tour the city's Christmas lights. We went with two other couples and drank wine and rode through the streets loving every minute of the whole experience. The next morning we had a lovely breakfast and shopped for Christmas in some very unique stores. It was such a wonderful time we have decided to make it our traditional Thanksgiving trip!

My favorite trip was flying to different places visiting with friends and family. It was the best 2 1/2 weeks and will not be forgotten. I visited with family in the ice cold north, then went to the west visiting family in the rain, and then headed south to enjoy some beach time with friends. It was amazing to be spending Christmas in so many different climates: spending time sitting by the fire drinking hot cocoa, watching the snow fall, and singing Christmas carols; to putting on my favorite bikini, putting my toes in the sand, having a drink in my hand, and singing more Christmas carols. Life couldn't be better.

My favourite memory is proposing to my fiancee in the Auvergne region of France. We had a great hike up a volcano, and the view was spectacular. The countryside was an incredible site. As the sun went down, the mountain emptied out and we were almost alone. I popped the question, she said yes, then we sprinted down the mountain before it got dark.

Super Fun in the Sun at the Saint George Budget Inn........
We took our grandkids and went to see their "Great Grandma" in Utah's "Dixie" during the holidays. We had a great time besides, where else could you go and bask in winter sunshine while Ice skating in the "Sun Bowl", winter hiking in Snow Canyon, visit Zion's Canyon, make a day trip to Las Vegas, see Dinosaur tracks at the Johnson fossil farm, visit local Mormon Histric sites (including St. George Temple) and see the New Years Eve fireworks from Red Rock bluffs.
Not to mention seeing Grandma and relaxing at the Best Western either in their comfortable rooms, swimming pool or enjoying their staff's great hospitality and awesome complimentary breakfasts................everything was 1st Class!!!
No doubt, we'll go back again........many times......Thank you l!!!

Super Fun in the Sun at the Saint George Budget Inn........
We took our grandkids and went to see their "Great Grandma" in Utah's "Dixie" during the holidays. We had a great time besides, where else could you go and bask in winter sunshine while Ice skating in the "Sun Bowl", winter hiking in Snow Canyon, visit Zion's Canyon, make a day trip to Las Vegas, see Dinosaur tracks at the Johnson fossil farm, visit local Mormon Histric sites (including St. George Temple) and see the New Years Eve fireworks from Red Rock bluffs.
Not to mention seeing Grandma and relaxing at the Best Western either in their comfortable rooms, swimming pool or enjoying their staff's great hospitality and awesome complimentary breakfasts................everything was 1st Class!!!
No doubt, we'll go back again........many times......Thank you l!!!

Traveling with our children to the grandparents on two lane country roads after a snowfall, with the beautiful snow covered scenery, sometimes we were first ones making tracks.

My favorite memory was when I arrived in Berlin, Germany during the holidays. It was snowing when i arrived at The Best Western President Hotel. I checked into my room, then went to the hotel restaurant for a wonderful hot chocolate served with German cakes and cookies. The view of the city from the hotel was awesome.

We woke up at 3:30 AM to squish into the car with Mom, Dad and 5 of us kids. We had put pillows on the floor for make shift beds. We would only stop for gas and if there was an emergency bathroom stop. We were headed on our annual vacation from San Francisco to our cousin's in Anaheim California. Every year we would play with our cousins, aunts and uncles. The highlight of every trip was going to Disneyland! Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln, Submarine Voyage. General Electric Carousel of Progress, PeopleMover, Adventure Thru Inner Space (one of my favorites and it was a FREE ride), Mule Pack, Rainbow Caverns Mine Train, all rides and attractions that only live in our memories! Fantastic wonderful memories they are!

Every year over winter break, we try to go to the Best Western in Portage, IN. It is the best kept secret in the IL/IN/MI area! Our grandchildren, aged 3 and 5, LOVE it and call it the "bucket hotel", because of the waterfall bucket in the pool. There is a miniature waterpark that is perfect for small children - it has a zero depth entry and is only about 2 feet in the deep end. If we win the $250, we'll be able to go back again and again...

One of the last trips we took together before my Mom died was to spend Christmas in Victoria, BC, which we could always see across the Strait of Juan de Fuca from my bedroom growing up. First, we took the old ferry from Port Angeles to Victoria Harbor. Besides tea at the Empress and Christmas dinner after walking through the Christmas displays at The Butchart Gardens, we also spent time beachcombing on the west coast of Vancouver Island, always one of our prime-time winter activities. During our second day beachcombing, I scored my first ever Japanese fishing net float. Shortly, we found a phenomenal piece of driftwood that we named Cookie Monster because, though all the bark had worn off, two small pieces of cobalt blue beach glass were embedded in the wood near one end, looking just like eyes. Finally, we took the ferry back to Port Angeles and drove home through the night. Even today, Cookie Monster is a reminder of the very special time we spent that week on Vancouver Island.

One of the last trips we took together before my Mom died was to spend Christmas in Victoria, BC. Though I lived in Southern California at the time, I always remember seeing Victoria's lights from my bedroom window across the Strait of Juan de Fuca as I was growing up. First, we took the old ferry from Port Angeles to Victoria Harbor. Besides tea at the Empress and Christmas dinner after walking through the Christmas displays at The Butchart Gardens, we also spent time beachcombing on the west coast of Vancouver Island, always one of our prime-time winter activities. During our second day beachcombing, I scored my first ever Japanese fishing net float. Shortly, we found a phenomenal piece of driftwood that we named Cookie Monster because, though all the bark had worn off, two small pieces of cobalt blue beach glass were embedded in the wood near one end, looking just like eyes. Finally, we took the ferry back to Port Angeles and drove home through the night. Even today, Cookie Monster is a reminder of the very special time we spent that week on Vancouver Island.

Our most memorable and meaningful Christmas was in 2010. Our family had plans to visit my oldest daughter in the mountains. We were all very excited to see some snow and enjoy the wintery scenery, a true Christmas vision.

The week before Christmas, my daughter came to see us and picked up presents from my youngest daughter, to take up to her cabin. It had been constantly raining for several days. On 12/23/10 my youngest daughter's house flooded out. She had to leave her home along with a huge mess when she returned. I can remember her tree ornaments floating in the living room. She came to stay with us along with our 2 grandbabies.

Seeing that this was our 2nd flood in the same year, the 1st being in Jan 2010, you can imagine us being a discouraged family. However, for the next couple of days, we began to see things a little differently. For one, all the gifts were spared since our oldest had picked them up. As we continued on with our Christmas plans, we all arrived at the cabin and what started out as a sad Christmas, turned into a wonderfully blessed time. Family came together with hearts full of thankfulness that we were together safely and the day was filled with fun and laughter as the kids played in the snow and we were warmed by the fire.

It is a Christmas we will never forget.

Our daughter and husband were living in Virginia. We drove from Ohio to visit them with our Husky/mix dog, for Christmas. We stayed at the Best Western in town. The houskeeping woman was happy to spray our room for bugs for us. Bugs are large enough to carry you off in Virginila! She warned us to watch out for snakes which come in through doors if you're not carefull. I think at that point she was pulling my leg. Wonderfull staff.

My son-in-laws dog did not like our dog so they fought. One of them bit my son-in-law while he tried to break up a fight, and sent him to the hospital for a few days.

On the way home, our dog got sick in the back of our suv and we had to stop in the mountains to clean it up!

We will never forget that Christmas trip.

This year we went to Madison, WI right before Christmas to do our shopping and see the Capitol Christmas Tree. We stayed at the Best Western Inn on the Park, which is directly across the street from the State Capitol Building. It was great because we parked our car, and all weekend we walked around and shopped. The Capitol tree was huge and beautiful. It was my fiance's first time in Madison and we had a wonderful time exploring the city. It was even better that we didn't have to drive at all!

The year my sister got married, we travelled to Calgary to spend Christmas with her and my brother-in-law. Having worked on Christmas Eve, I flew into Calgary on the first flight of the morning. My mid-afternoon, I was exhausted and fast asleep on the couch. I woke up just before dinner to find that the shy cat who had avoided me all morning was curled up beside me with her paw possessively placed on my knee.

In Oakland Best Western Chistmas day, all the power went out except for the fire alarm rang.......in every room, the lobby and outside. No one could turn it off and no one could turn power on. The fire dept told the hotel how to do it, but that didnt work.
So, all the people in the rooms came out to the front to try to get away from the noise and be with people
Some people said they did have some power and they saw that some people had young children, some were quite elderly, and some were handicapped. They offered their rooms to those in need.
So, there was room at the Inn on Christmas day!!!!!!!!!!!!

This Christmas has been especially memorable for me. First, in early December, I went to Disneyland to see all the wonderful decorations of Christmas. I've been to the park many times, but never before when it's ready for the Holiday's. It was so beautiful and I was able to make many new memories with my girls. I also was able to have my son home in time for Christmas. He had been studying in Europe for 3 months and we thought he'd be spending the Holidays over seas, so I was very blessed to have him home for Christmas!

Last Christmas we spent 15 days driving from Alberta to Mexico and back. Every day was magical because by driving, we got to experience the truly diverse geography and the climate differences, even within a 5 hr drive. We saw all the sights we could taking in places like Salt Lake City and Vegas, ending with Legoland, and coming back seeing Area 51 and geocaching along the way. It was a blast - the kids learned so much and the experience was so much better than flying. We stayed at Best Westerns all along the way and had wonderful experiences in all of them!

As a youngster growing up, my family always said that I would be a world traveler. It all began when I was about 2 years old. My grandparents always traveled back and forth to South Hill, VA, to visit my grandmothers' family. My mother wasn't too thrilled with the idea of me traveling so far without her at the age, and also being her first child. But considering my grandmother and I were inseparable, against her better judgement, she allowed me to go. It was that very moment, I would be considered the "Young Traveler". Whenever there was someone traveling, you could bet your last dime, I was tagging along. Although I was considered the traveling child or the young traveler, there was only one trip that was very memorable. This was right before Christmas, during our Winter Recess Break, from school. We only had a little over a week, but the trip lasted 2 weeks.

I was 12 years old and my dad came to me and asked me what did I think of the idea of taking a road trip. It would be, him, my younger brother, and I. Just the boys trip. How could I say no. Just the thought of traveling period, made me excited, so I said yes. My dad said I would be his navigator and he would be the Captain. He said that I would have to navigate the entire trip. Back during this time, GPS was unheard of, Map Quest I don't think existed. However, the internet era was just beginning so the directions that I was able to get, my dad didn't think they were correct.

Later that day he and I took a ride over to Office Max. I remember this because it was very difficult to find an road map. We checked several gas stations, and supermarkets, with no luck. The only maps we could find were city, county, and state maps. The auto parts stores were closed, so on the way home I suggested we try Office Max. My dad was so sure that Office Max would not carry something like that, but I insisted that we try. Would you know they had some.

That Sunday night, I mapped out an entire route to Hampton, VA, while my dad and brother packed clothes and food in the Jeep. After everything was packed, my dad reviewed the directions and choice of roads I selected. He was very impressed, but changed the roads because many of them were out of the way. The trip was just for fun. An opportunity for him to bond with my brother and I, and talk to us about anything. ANYTHING! It was absolutely wonderful. An excellent learning experience that would never be forgotten. My brother and I were under the impression that this was just an road trip. Once we reached Virginia, we learned that would be visiting family along the routes, spreading the Christmas joy.

We met family I never knew we had. It's was almost like every other day, we were in a different state, with a different extension of family members. Because we were having so much fun, we lost track of time. By the time we reached Mississippi, my dad asked me when did school start. At that point, we knew trying to make it back home was impossible. Thus we continued to enjoy our "Boys Only" road trip, and took another week off from school. As we journeyed back north, we retraced our routes to revisit our family members once more. I'll never forget when we were traveling through Tennessee, in the Smokey Mountains, we ran into a Winter Storm. It started to rain, snow, sleet, and worst of all, it became very foggy. I remember looking out my window and I could see that we were on a mountain. Because I was able to see lights and cars that looked so tiny from where were. And to make matters worst, we couldn't see anything in front of us or the lines on the road. I also remember seeing many runaway ramps for large vehicles that were unable to stop safely. This started to scare me, and I asked my dad to stop for the night.

Out of all the trips I've ever been on, I would say that this is the most memorable trip during the Christmas Holiday. Its also a trip I'll never forget, and wish I could turn back the hands of time to do it again. I'm sure I would be able to write a book on the many trips I've taken. Furthermore, throughout this trip every Hotel we lodged at was an Best Western. And because of that trip, I've been an Best Western Fan. In fact, I'm an Diamond Elite Member with the Hotel Chain. I also enjoy that fact that I've been able to find an Best Western in every country I've visited.

We stayed at the Best Western Chiswick Palace when we visited London last year. We went on a day trip to Windsor Castle, Stonhenge and Bath which was a very memorable day. I had always wanted to visit Stonehenge.

My favorite memory was flying into O'hare Airport. The airport was so busy, that they wouldn't allow us to land for about an hour. As the plane circled in the air, the passengers broke out in Christmas carols. It was wonderful and I've never forgotten that Christmas trip to visit my parents.

My favorite memory of the holidays was when I was growing up my parents took my brother and I skiing. The lodge we were staying at was covered and surrounded by snow. There were icicles hanging from the roof. My dad decided he was going to try to reach a couple for my brother and I. As he was reaching out, he tumbled off of the balcony, head first into the snow. He landed safely, however unfortunately he only had a tshirt and shorts on. When he tried to come back in discreetly through the side door, it was blocked by snow. His only option was to enter through the crowded lobby. So with a brave face, soaking wet, and carrying two icicles, he marched through the lobby to deliver our treats. I was young, but will never forget that moment.

My favorite memory is driving cross country with my grandma and grandpa and seeing all the nature and smile on their faces

I was 12, and my Grandmother had never been out of Colorado. Her son, my uncle, had just gotten out of the navy and married a woman in Maine. So my mother, my grandmother and I drove from Colorado to Maine to meet the new family and see my Uncle.

We stopped at the Arch in St. Louis, we stopped at Niagra Falls. It was both the best and the most bittersweet road trip/vacation I've ever taken and I will forever remember my Grandmother's joy at seeing so much of our country and spending so much quality time with her daughter and granddaughter.

Best. Vacation. Ever.

My best Cristmas was travelling to New Zealand to visit family it was strange because i have never had a Christmas in the summer. I was great though we went to the beach pulled mussels of the rocks and cooked them later.
We even had a real Christmas tree as well.
I enjoyed the flight and travel Christmas is better in snow and cold though thats what I am used to.

We traveled alot around the country my sister and Brother in-law were the tour guides and took us all around the North Island and South island.
Beautiful country,awesome scenery and great food and drink.
I was so happy to be well looked after and being across the world with Family at
Christmas.
Happy New Year to all.

When I was a kid my grandparents lived in the country at the top of a very steep, private road. Since we usually had a white Christmas, 9 times out of 10 we couldnt get our car to make it up the hill. We would have to park at the bottom and hike through the snow to the top- which was probably a pain for my parnets but always seemed like such a cool adventure to me as a kid!

This year on our first time holiday trek from Sacramento CA to Mesa AZ to visit relatives, our family of four decided to rest for the night at the Date Tree Best Western outside of Palm Springs. We had no reservations but called to check for availability around 11 pm. The host was very friendly and was ready for us when we arrived for a no hassle check-in. The ammenities were great and the free continental breakfast was one of the best we've had. Probably saved us $40 right there. In the hecticness of the holidays it was one of the more pleasant experiences of the season.

I remember the early Christmas years when we would go to my grandfather's house late on Christmas Day night and eat a nice supper with him and my stepgrandma, who was like a grandma to me. The food was great, and it was so good seeing them, since we didn't see them much during the rest of the year.

My favorite memory is traveling to California with my mom and aunt. I took them shopping everywhere!

This year, all 5 of us spent the 1st Christmas away from home for the 1st time in Michigan and Niagara Falls in Ontario, only a few words would describe the whole trip: Good memories; enjoyable; relaxing; pleasant; family time and , gained a few lb...

Traveling froom Joliet Illinios north to Roscoe, on the Wisconsin state line, in near white out conditions. That is when you can't see the hood of your car. My husband's dad was a long distance truck driver and he never follows them close. But that not that night, we got behind a tombstone pizza truck near Joliet and followed him home on route 80 west and 39 north. We stayed right in his draft. We made it, as my husband put it he broke trail for us. My Buick which we were driving, now has 262,300 miles on it and the drive, and comfort is still the best part. I keep working on the rust on the lower sides..

Sandy Kuykendall

The best holiday travel memory I have is when we drove 15 hours to Omaha, NE in the cold to spend Thanksgiving with my dad and sister's family. It was just two months after the passing of my mother. Being with family, but far away from home and the memories here, was a great blessing!

My favorite memories of holiday trips were traveling to my friends in Mainz (Germany). It was always a lot of fun to travel around Reinland-Pfalz. Very good places, many new acquaintances and we were happy to stay there. And o course a lot of Beer)))))

Christmas 1979 I arranged trade days with friends at work so that I could surprise my parents and fly home for the holidays. We had lost my brother in a car accident that August so it was difficult to get excited about the holidays. Only my sister and BIL knew so when I showed up at my Grandma's house on Christmas Eve, everyone was in shock. I even heard my brother say, "If I didn't know better, I'd think that was Kathy." It was the best trip I ever made as my parents were speechless and it helped overcome the void without my oldest brother.

The most memorable Christmas holiday was in 1964/65 when we lived just outside Washington, DC. My Mom was teaching at Suitland High School and my Dad was teaching Political Science at the University of Maryland. My Dad hated Christmas because his best friend had killed himself at Christmas in 1952 so we did anything but celebrate. We usually took road trips in an old car, the 47 Chevy, the 62 VW wagon or the 58 Chevy Panel Van that my Dad made into a "camper" by putting a plywood bed behind the back seat and he would sleep under the bed, my Mom and my brother would sleep on top off the bed and I would sleep in the front seat... white trash on holidays. But the real thing we were doing was touring historical places in America. That Christmas we drove north to the Boston area. We visited relatives in Newton where I drank my first glass of cranberry juice - so sophisticated. We had a New England Boiled Dinner which was not my favourite then we hiked around Boston to the various historic places where my Dad would explain the American History of that place. We drove to Concord, Massachusetts and my Dad took us to the place where Henri David Thoreau lived and we lay on the ice on Waldon Pond and looked at the dead fall leaves trapped underneath the clear ice as my Dad read from Thoreau's works. It was an ice cold but sunny day and that stayed in my mind and heart forever. We then went into the graveyard nearer town and wandered amongst the headstones reading dates and names and ages and discussing why people died so young, what they died of and how thankful we were to be living in a modern age.

My favorite holiday travel memories are from a few years ago, when I managed to not only book off holidays at the last minute, but also snag a cheap flight to Europe. I didn't even have enough time to let everybody know that I was coming for a visit. I loved the reaction of my friends and relatives when I showed up for the traditional Christmas luncheon at a friend's cabin in the woods. The reactions were priceless and made up for the mad dash home.

i know my story was kinda a long time a go about 8 years, when i came from Saudi Arabia for vacation to the US, and my little brothers were in love with the best western logo .. it was like MacDonald's happy meal to them . Always different, its like kinder Surprise you don't know what you will get but you are sure your gonna love it !

When my family and I were travelling to the USA, it was the best time of my life !

My best memory of travelling is when I could bring my cat and play with him in the car. He loved to travel and it was very fun !

This year on Dec 8th it was freezing here in Clarkston WA and I flew back home to San Diego, California and stayed at the Best Western closest to my Mom's house I grew up in. My first day there I woke up got my swim suit on and went down to the outdoor heated pool and just swam and swam. I sat in the sun and read and then swam some more. I spent a couple of days in that Best Western, where I always stay. I then drove past my Mom's house again, she passed away 15 years ago, and flew home to freezing weather in Clarkston. Thank goodness for that Best Western and the full breakfast they offered. I really needed those couple of days in the Sun!

A great holiday trip occured a few years ago. My family went to Memphis. We listed to oldies along the way. We ate at lots of good eateries while there and got a chance to do some Christmas shopping.

The most interesting thing that I have seen on vacation to date is a closeup of a humpback whale. I could hardly believe my luck as a fifty footer came up next to the whale watching boat that we were on. His eye seamed almost close enough to touch and you could smell the fish odor as he exhaled through his blow hole. As he move he splashed sea water on those of us viewing him up close. FYI, we were visiting Bar Harbor, Main and boarded the boat from that harbor to the North Atlantic.

One of my favorites was surprising our daughter for her 21st birthday. Best Western was so accomodating she truly thought we had left to return back home since she had classes and weekend was over. The tears on her face were priceless as she had been blindfolded after leaving a restuarant. when she saw her family and friends it was the BEST!!!! None of us will ever forget that special time. Thank you Best Western for providing a memorable day for everyone.

I remember trying to fly home to new england one christmas and I got stuck in the airport in Detroit. An old friend from high school actually drove her 4-wheel drive truck to the airport and got me, bringing me about halfway to meet my family in time to make it there on Christmas day! I was so amazed at the generosity and happy to make it home.

We were on a cruise that stopped in St. Croix, USVI, on Christmas. We had heard that there was a bar up in the hills that had beer-drinking hogs, so we hired a taxi to see if we could find the place. The cab driver, who had lived on St. Croix all his life, never heard of it, but very very reluctantly he drove around until we found it. It was very strange to hear the music of Hank Williams blaring out of his open-air establishment, but even stranger to feed non-alcoholic Hamm's beer to giant hogs.

My favorite memory of the holidays is when my parents and I were going to Florida for Christmas to visit my grandparents and other family members. One early morning we loaded up our little escort in Wisconsin. Our destination for the evening was Kentucky. Traveling was going well, until we were getting close to Kentucky. We start hearing announcements that the town had been hit hard with snowfall and all roads were being shut down. Us Wisconsinite, used to the snow, thought we would continue on and see how far we could get. Well, not very far. We ended up stuck on a turn ramp. My father had to push us out and we were told to go to a armery. My father, mother and I had to push the car up a steep hill in the blizzard. We were then given wool blankets and had to spend the night on the floor. We met a drifter from North Carolina and we all the made the best of it. We shared our road snakes and drank cold coffee. We ended up spending Christmas day in Kentucky with a man we barely new. We made his day and we ended up having one great memory, and story to tell when we finally arrived in Florida. This memory is also great because it is one of the last memories of a trip I had with my father, who passed away only a few months later. :)

My favorite holiday travel memories are pulling off the highway and peeing in the snow.

When I was young my whole family would travel in a camper down to San Carlos Mexico. It took 3 solid days of driving from Calgary, through the US and finally into San Carlos. I recall the icy hiways of Rogers Pass, neverending lights of Vegas, the heat of Arizona, and finally, the border crossing. We would spend 3 weeks together, so many happy memories!

I'm going to Monterey beach with my family tommorrow and stay in Best Western hotel for two nights. Hope it's a wonderful vacation.

Traveling on Christmas Day from our home in Florida to New Jersey when our kids were young was one of my fave Holiday experiences. As much as our children loved their grandparents they also wanted to be home to see what Santa brought them. We decided to make it work for everyone. We got up early on Christmas morning and the boys opened all their presents. Then it was off to the airport to fly to New Jersey to arrive for Christmas dinner. The boys were allowed to take one fave present with them on the airplane. We explained their would be more loot when we got to Grandmas house and how they would really look forward to coming home to the presents they left behind. It was a fun time which taught the kids patience and the fact that family is so very important all year round but especially during the holidays!

Three Floridians stuck in snow 3 miles from destination on I95 in 2008. For six hours we crawled around stalled out cars and truckers who just decided to stop where they were & sleep. There were no traffic lanes visible and the plow trucks had broken their plows. At least my car stayed warm even when we were in off position. When I finally got to a point without vehicle obstruction I made tracks to the exit we needed and you would not believe how many people followed, thinking I knew some sort of short cut. Well lucky for them I did. US 1 was plowed. I'm smarter than a local.

I flew to France for Christmas 1987 to visit my girlfriend who was French. She and a mutual friend met me at the airport. That day we toured Versaille. The next day we went out together, intending to have dinner at the Jules Verne resteraunt in the Eiffel Tower. Neither of us thought you needed reservations in mid-Decmeber. Sadly, we were mistaken. We had dinner a couple of blocks away. After dinner I told her I wanted to see the Eiffel Tower again. As we strolled under it, I asked her to marry me. She promptly said Oui! That Christmas is a memorable one for us! We have been happily married for twenty three years now.

Canmore, AB for New Years need I say more. Should be beautiful to spend the coming year with my wife in the mountains.

4 years ago, my parents offered to take their 3 daughters (and families) to DisneyWorld for Christmas. The kids ranged in age from 2 to 10. It was SO much fun to plan! From choosing the airline to renting the cars, AND we stayed in a fantastic 4 bedroom presidential suite in Orlando where we could see MGMs Tower of Terror and huge Mickey Ears from the balcony! There were some interesting moments like when our youngest threw up after playing in a jungle gym area and how we found out he was not thrilled with the fireworks shows at night. The best part is we had a lot of adults to work out the kinks with the kids, the cousins enjoyed being together for an extended period of time, great food and tons to do! It was very much the trip of a lifetime with the people we love most and we had a blast! Our kids love looking at the pictures and still bring up fond memories when we have our get-togethers. Rock on grandma and grandpa!

Our favorite holiday trip memory is happening right now - staying at the Best Western Fort Walton Beach in Florida for the first time ever, from December 25 to New Year's Day! Beautiful beach and great hotel right on the ocean, great price, free breakfast. Wonderful sunshine and plenty of places to explore in the area!

My favorite holiday trip memory was of going to Hawaii during Christmas and New Year's Eve! My husband surprised me with the trip for a Christmas present, then bought tickets to a New Year's Eve concert with one of my favorite band's performing!

Since my birthday is near Christmas, and I wanted to do something special for my 50th birthday, I had a most wonderfull time in Maui Hawaii. I did not think about how Christmas was going to be on the tropical island, as I was really just thinking about "the birthday trip". So I was delightfully surprised and entertained by eveything Christmas on my island in the sun. So festive and fun and naturaly I had to buy everything I could find "Chrismas in Hawaii" to bring home for the years to come. It was a fantastic trip. SCUBA all around the island. Day tripping on a horse inside the volcano. Luau's and so much more. Hmm... time to plan the next trip. :)

Had a great trip to Wisconsin and the best western was nice.

A move from the Southwest to central Wisconsin brought us within a 3-hour drive of extended family in Chicago and Milwaukee. Our first Christmas season in Wisconsin included a drive to my wife's family gathering at Grandma's house in Chicago. We saw something in the night sky, and pulled off the highway at a rest stop south of Madison. We walked to the darkest area, crunching the snow crust as our breath sparkled in the calm but intensely cold night air. A "corona" aurora was playing overhead, with rays of red and green emanating outward from rings and arcs above us. We watched entranced as the northern lights pulsed in form and color for more than an hour, stomping our feet and huddling against the cold until we couldn't stand any more. As we finally drove on to Illinois while our feet and fingers thawed to the car's heater, we could still see the green and occasional red glows low in the north until we were miles past Rockford. I hope I can see another display as beautiful as that cold winter night almost 20 years ago.

We went to Colorado for the first time a few weeks ago. It was so cold but very pretty. It was a great trip and only the second time I have got to see my niece. Thanks for a great giveaway!

The year my husband and I went skiing for New Years at snowbird. I am a terrible skiier but still had lots of fun with him.

My favorite memory of traveling during the holidays is back when I way maybe 10 years old and my family took a trip to Disney World. Even though it was only a 3-4 hour long car ride as we lived in South Florida, I felt like it took forever! I remember bringing music, a notebook, and three books to keep myself occupied. Of course, I never got around to reading all of the books and ended up taking a nap for the length of the ride instead!

For almost 20 years, I drove to CA (from Oregon) every year for the holidays. Sometimes, we'd make the trip all in one day; but it was a real treat when we got to stay at the Best Western in Roseburg, OR ;)
My parents finally moved up to Oregon, so now I don't need to travel to CA during the holidays. I'll always cherish the road trips and the good memories of times spend with loved ones.
p.s. When I first came to school in Oregon, back in 1976, I stayed at the Best Western in Roseburg. Moved here permanently in 1978 ;)
Best wishes for the New Year!

Memories are treasures in the mind. Some good and some bad. My husband and I are ones that love to travel and fond memories are always noted. We have several Holiday travel memories, but there is one that always floats to the top. I embrace it and then smile...

It was 1989, winter had set in rather early across the states, and my husband and I had longed for a sojourn in our newly purchased crew cab pickup. Dec. had started as did our adventure across the nation beginning in Southern California. Our plan was to arrive in Ohio within the week before Christmas for an 'immediate' family reunion for the holidays. Most of the members from each side were still living, except for both of our fathers. My husband's had been gone many years. Yet on the opposite side, my father had passed less than two years prior. Mother was alone. Yet not alone for that Christmas. She flew out from California to be with us and to complete the family 'gathering'.

As we traveled across and through the states we experienced each town's (small and large cities) decorations, lights, weather and the joy of people. Of course each town donned their streets differently with decorations ranging from garlands to greenery to arches with holly and bows... oh the list could go on. Imprinting our memories with the diversities of our beautiful nation's celebrations, created a mural of what our country is. The country and nation of opportunity and expression.

As we arrived, the streets of Columbus were blanketed with the purity of snow, and still falling. Familiar arms were open and hugs were dispersed at the threshold of the house. For an entire week the joy and love of a family Christmas branded the importance of never forgetting the real meaning of the season - Loving on those dear and close to you.

Our family is smaller now by experiencing the process of life, as more have been escorted into eternity. But the memory and branding of that one Christmas has maintained the closeness of our family.

During the return home trip we were able to easily find many Best Westerns along the way. Even then. And, as a result of that one memorable trip, have been faithful rewards members since. Thank you for your many many locations across the country and abroad.

Just as our imaginations and minds are expanded when we travel, so is the available accommodations of the Best Western Family. There is something worthy knowing there has always been a familiar place to rest and relax while having to travel... whether business or pleasure. We travel a lot...

I wish and pray for all to experience good and lasting memories while they travel!
Happy New Year.
G. W. Mozley

Spending Christmas morning at Bondi Beach, Sydney, Australia with the family!

We had a wonderful time at Disney World in Orlando over the holidays - it was a great time for the entire family!

We always try to spend our holidays in New York City! NYC is such a wonderful & exciting place with delicious foods and mega entertainment! The holiday displays are a treat to see! Rockefeller Center is amazing!

I remember years before the DVD players, iPods, & hand held games we went back to my hometown state of Oregon during the holidays to visit my parents . The children seen their first snow and we stopped at a rest-stop so they could play. We also played slug-bug, ispy, and sang songs nothing like it is today so miss these memories when the children were younger.

One year, over the holidays we covered off three towns to see everybody in two days. It was like running a marathon, and yet it was still fun!

One year, in order to see everyone, in lauding some ill family members, we visited and celebrated Christmas in three cities over two days! It was like running a marathon, but it was worth it!

One of my favorite Christmas memories was about 40 years ago, before I was married. My current friend, Chuck surprised me by flying me home for Xmas. He rented an airplane at the local airport in southern WI to fly up to northern MN. As required he did his preliminary flight check. He got out the passenger side when finished. When I got in I got in the pilot's side, not checking my door. As we took off my door flew open, we landed quickly, but not before I lost my scarf and one glove. Took off again and had terrible head winds so took us two hours longer for the flight. The small airport we were flying into had already closed, so we had to get landing info from an airport 35 miles away. We landed safely but were almost out of gas. With the airport closed down for the night, we didn't know what to do. It was -40 degrees out, tried to use the pay phone but it was froze up. So taxied around the airport with the plane and found they were having a civil air patrol meeting. Found a couple I had gone to school with previously so they helped us. Called the airport gas man and he said to park the plane by the gas pumps which we did. Then I called my parents and they came and picked us up. The airport gas man said to call him when we were ready to leave and he would come fill us up at that time.

So at about eleven o'clock we arrived back at airport, filled up with gas, etc. only to find out the plane had froze up. There were only four of us my brother, friend, airport gas man , & myself. So I drove the car to provide light as the three men pulled the plane down the runway, around to back of an hanger so they could blow heat on engine to unthaw it. At about four in morning we were able to start engine, so we took off. It was a six seater so small in size. As we looked out the windows we could see where we came from, Duluth to one side, Brainerd on the other side and the glow in the sky from theTwin Cities. The Xmas lights were lit below us on the ground. What a sight to see. Makes one realize just how small the world is. As we were about halfway thru our trip, the opened the air waves so everyone could hear and we heard them give the go-ahead for them to orbit the moon for the first time from NASA.

What a Xmas Plane ride!! Unforgetable!!

My favourite holiday travelling memory is of our trip to Winnipeg this summer with the kids.

As a child I loved getting in the car to go to Grandmas house around Christmas time. She had a cabin in the mountains, and it was so beautiful with all the snow falling!

Our best holiday trip was when we decided to spend Christmas at Disney. It was of course, a magical experience, and we didn't have to clean the dishes after dinner!

Several years ago my mother and sister and I travelled to visit my aunt just a few hours away for the holiday. Once we arrived at our Aunts, we dropped off mom and drove down to Mexico for an afternoon while our dinner was cooking giving time for everyone there to catch up on ol times. Its nice to see how others in different cultures just miles away celebrate the season.

When we traveled this year and had to stop, because of the snowy, cold weather we chose the best western for our stay. The staff was so welcoming and nice Tried everything to help us and get up our moods, because we wouldn't make it in time for Christmas eve... It was such a great experience.
Thank you!

Several years ago I went with a group to Big Bear, once a year for several years. One time we were almost snowed in. We made it out on time, but I was hoping we'd have to stay there for several more days.

I enjoyed traveling on the holidays to see my family in Southern Indiana and Kentucky. Christmas always brings back so many memories. The family didn't have alot of money but at least we were all together sharing that special moment,

When I was young the whole family would gather at my grandparents house. It wasn't far away but it had that magical quality at the holidays. I still fondly remember the whole family gathered around the table for dinner and the fire crackling in the living room. There was always laughter, talking, and most of all, love.

About ten years ago I wanted to take my kids down for a suprise trip to Grandpa and Grandmas house. My husband could not go because of work. My dad helped me plan the surprise with his agreement to fly up and help me drive the kids back down to Arizona for a week. On Christmas morning there was one wrapped present for all of the kids. I made them open it last. Inside was a piece of paper that said "Get your bags packed we are leaving for Arizona in the morning." My dad flew in that night and the next morning we took the kids and left for an 11 hour trip to Arizona. My kids were so excited they could not stand it. I was not wanting to travel alone because of the possibility of snow between Utah and Arizona. We stayed a week in Arizona, dad drove us home and we took him straight to the airport where he flew home the same day. It was a fun trip for all of us spending time with family and cousins. It made for a lot of fun memories.

My favorite travel memories almost always involve my children when traveling for the holidays. One year when I only had my first 2 sons, I had to work extra hours to have off for Christmas Eve and for the following week. I took the boys to the bus depot and got our tickets barely in time after I got off work. We had to travel all night and had a 5hr layover in Omaha. I was dreading that being so tired and having a 2yr old and a 9mo old, but there were many young military personnel heading home too and they really entertained my boys and were so kind. Once back on the bus, it started snowing, the pretty big fluffy flakes and it was so beautiful. It was so good to see my family for Christmas Eve with the beauty of the snow all around. The kids were fascinated with it and we had a wonderful stay for the holidays.

My favorite travel memories at Christmas are from taking my granddaughter to Disneyland and watching her have so much fun.

My favorite memories of Christmas are when my Grandfather was alive and living in Florida!!! Memories of Florida in the winter, camping in the campgrounds, making new friends, making new adventures, and just being with my grandfather!!!! I use to love the ride there and spending time with the family!!!!!

When I was small we went to our grandparents house for christmas they live in an

old farm house and it was dirt road most of the way there and that year our cousins stayed as well ...good times and lots of fun

I love the memory I had of when My Dad dressed up as Santa. This was almost 25 years ago, so I still "Believed" It made me the proudest boy in my class, and I had others very jealous of me.

In 2009 my husband and I flew to Colorado from California to surprise his Mother for the Thanksgiving Holiday. We rented a car and drove to her house. She suddenly appeared standing in the driveway. My husband got out of the car and asked if she needed a ride, her reply was "No, I am waiting for my brother". Then my husband said "Which one?" as he walked closer...then she finally recognized him! It was so funny! She quickly called her brother and told him not to pick her up because she had a ride, of course without telling who the ride was with so we could surprise the whole family. What a fun holiday that was to remember.

My favorite memory of Christmas is traveling to Grandpa and Grandma's house and spending time with the cousins and aunts and uncles. Now that Grandpa and Grandma are now gone I charish those memories the most. I now am making memories with my husband in Utah but there will never be anything like a good old fashioned Michigan Christmas with family watching old family movies on 8mm film and no sound just laughter of how everyone dressed. :)

Mine was actually this weekend... My youngest son was blessed to be born on Christmas 6 years ago, and it has been hard to make sure he doesnt get Happy Birthday Merry Christmas gifts, so this year we let him chose what he wanted to do and his idea was going to Myrtle Beach. I booked at Best Western Plus Carolianian Ocean Resort, we got our room and it was amazing, huge, just what we needed. After the boys found their room with each having their own beds, of course they jumped on them to make sure they would be comfortable enough, turned on cartoons and just chilled. I was in aww how big the room was having 2 bedrooms a full kitchen etc, it was home away from home. We opened the birthday gifts, which included Nerf guns, and than the fun began, Nerf gun war, parents vs adults! I was the one who decided to shoot them while they are on the balcony and down goes the foam bullets, which from the 21st floor didn't go too far suprisingly! It was an amazing weekend of fun on the boardwalk, broadway at the beach, and the good times in our room! 3 days later its time to come home and Brandon told everyone he had the best birthday ever!

Mine was actually this weekend... My youngest son was blessed to be born on Christmas 6 years ago, and it has been hard to make sure he doesnt get Happy Birthday Merry Christmas gifts, so this year we let him chose what he wanted to do and his idea was going to Myrtle Beach. I booked at Best Western Plus Carolianian Ocean Resort, we got our room and it was amazing, huge, just what we needed. After the boys found their room with each having their own beds, of course they jumped on them to make sure they would be comfortable enough, turned on cartoons and just chilled. I was in aww how big the room was having 2 bedrooms a full kitchen etc, it was home away from home. We opened the birthday gifts, which included Nerf guns, and than the fun began, Nerf gun war, parents vs adults! I was the one who decided to shoot them while they are on the balcony and down goes the foam bullets, which from the 21st floor didn't go too far suprisingly! It was an amazing weekend of fun on the boardwalk, broadway at the beach, and the good times in our room! 3 days later its time to come home and Brandon told everyone he had the best birthday ever!

We went to visit my Aunt at Christmas and had to take a Greyhound bus. I got sick right before we left. My brother got sick the day we left. At the bus station, he threw up and my mom dropped the bag of Angel Fish we were bringing home. The bag broke open and fish and puke were all over the floor. He then threw up again on the bus and my mom turned around to the people in the seat behind us and said, "You might want to pick up your feet." Not the most pleasant trip but memorable.

The holidays are all about family. I love Christmas eve with my dad's side of the family, when i was younger at Mrs Mendoza's house (who passed away this year) and now at my uncle's house with Santa visiting. Christmas day with my mom's side, at my aunt's house. I hope one day my kids appreciate the hustle and bustle of Christmas.

We went to visit my Aunt at Christmas and had to take a Greyhound bus. I got sick right before we left. My brother got sick the day we left. At the bus station, he threw up and my mom dropped the bag of Angel Fish we were bringing home. The bag broke open and fish and puke were all over the floor. He then threw up again on the bus and my mom turned around to the people in the seat behind us and said, "You might want to pick up your feet." Not the most pleasant trip but memorable.

Two years ago traveling cross country from CA to NY we stopped and stay at the Best Western outside of the Grand Canyon. The lobby was beautifully decorated and there was a fresh snow. Standing outside late in the night you could here the wolves it was pure magic.

Driving thru a snow storm to be home for Christmas!

Excitement traveling to grandmas house then finally arriving and seeing the antique santa greeting us in the front window. Home sweet home!

We just drive down to my moms house every year. Although we've all said we want to cook supper at our houses, my mom does not like to travel, so each year we head down to her place with our families. Its always n ice to have everyone together

I think the thing that stuck out the most was the decorations ,even with the economy being in a slump everyone was still celebrating and showing that the love Christmas and right after thanksgiving people were out in the yards putting up decorations, that was the 1 thing I loved more that anything else.

The year I didn't get socks and underwear but rather a set of 2 axels with 4 wheels that I used to create a go cart using an old lawn mower engine from a neighbor. Opps no brakes tho - but that's another story!

My favorite memory is looking at old family photos with my family.

I remember going to New Hampshire for Thanksgiving one year. I was about 5, my mom and dad and baby sister. We had a red Volkswagon. They took out the front passenger seat to hold my sisters bassinet without the legs. Yep, that was safety in the 70's. :)

Driving through the mountain on my way from Michigan to Florida.

Driving through the mountain on my way from Michigan to Florida.

Mine was when we went to visit my grandparents in California, my sister and I fought a lot in that back seat lol but that was the best trip ever besides all that, my Dad was still alive then, it was the last trip before he died so it means so much to me. A memory I'll always have and treasure.

My favorite memory was when we traveled from Washington to Oregon and had Christmas in July with all of my cousins and aunts and uncles. As a kid, it was so cool to me to go to the beach and say we were having Christmas!

The year was 1966 and the family-Mom, Dad, two boys and myself-were driving from Jacksonville, Florida to Columbus Ohio to see Grandma for Christmas. I remember being sound asleep with my head laid on my older brother's shoulder, when my mother exclaimed, "Wake up kids, it's snowing!" We all jumped up, rubbing the sleep out of our eyes and blinked repeatedly . As our eyes cleared, we saw snow falling in soft, beautiful flakes all around our 1961 plymouth. Dad pulled into a mall parking lot, which was empty due to the lateness of the hour, and we three children threw open the car door, sailing out into the wonderful white of a true winter. We played and ran trying to catch snowflakes on our tongues as Mom and Dad sat on the hood of the car laughing. It was the best Christmas present ever!

I grew up on a small farm in Northern Lower Michigan. We often would drive downstate to visit my Grandparents in East Lansing. Coming from a town of 400 into a large populated city was always very exciting to me. My favorite memories were spending time with my Grandma and Grandpa and cousins. I can still picture driving by the huge Christmas tree in front of the State Capital. It was pretty amazing to see as a child.

I never have travelled for a holiday!!! My family was always together at our home!! I guess I don'!t qualify. All my memories are precioue. One in particular. We lived in Toledo Ohio and lost everything in a flood. But we were all safe together in a motel room provided by red cross. Presents were few but we had each other!!!

One of the best trips we ever took was in 1974 going from Detroit to Washington D.C. with my parents. It was the first time going there and my brother and I were so amazed by the White House, Capital Building and all the monuments. We were there for three days and had the best time ever with our parents. Trips with the family are always the most important and fun times.

With being a single mom of twins, we didn't have alot of money for trips, but one year my Aunt had invited me and the kids to go to South Carolina to visit some relatives. It was one of the first times my kids were able to see the Ocean and get to know some relatives that are a very special part of the family. Memories were made that will last a lifetime :)

Travelling by Train, having our own small compartment for four meaning we kids could literally climb the walls in there (Mum: I said sit down!) and hang halfway out the window (Mum: You will lose your head, get back in here!) sing songs (Dad:Not so loud, there are other people on this train!) talk about what we saw through the window and playing board games none stop (Dad: Ok we need to be quiet for 5 minutes!) getting lulled to sleep by the Trains motion, eating in the dining car, sleeping on the top bunks, announcement that Train will be delayed (Kids:Yaaaay! Parents: Groan!)...I have the best memories of travelling by train to visit my Grandparents!

My favorite memory of the holiday season is when I went to Tampa, Florida! I got to spend time with my family! I swam on christmas eve! I loved seeing my little cousins open up their gifts with excited expressions! One of the best parts of that christmas was getting to give gifts and christmas cards to people with cancer!

My favorite memories were waiting for Santa but as I realized there wasn't one and as I aged,(lol)met my husband Fred, after Christmas dinner with my future in-laws at the time, packing up and heading north to Vermont to ski all week. The cold winter mornings getting on the ski lifts and skiing all day, warm fire by night. Waiting for New Year's Eve and celebrating with people I love is a great memory that will always be special. Traveling is always fun and special to me and I still love making great memories with each trip.
Staying at Best Western in N.Miami is also another favorite time, visiting my son's college and staying so close to campus is another great memory, seeing him go to college and staying at the Best Western where I stay every time we go to see our son or drop him off, makes such a large town familiar.

My favorite memory was the year I spent Christmas vacationing in Hungary. Everything was so beautiful it was almost surreal. The two day stop in Paris on the way home wasn't bad either.

Every year since I can remember we would go to my grandmother's house late evening and stay until midnight with all of my aunts, uncles and cousins. 30 years later the same tradition is in place except now it extends down to great-grandchildren. It is so heart-warming to see the little house filled up even more, and with another generation on its way up through.

WE HAVE BEEN GOING TO HALLANDALE BEACH FLORIDA FOR THE PAST 4 YEARS FOR CHRISTMAS AND THE PAST 3 YEARS FOR 4TH OF JULY AND ALWAYS STAY AT THE BEST WESTERN. ITS A GREAT HOTEL, GOOD PRICES AND AMESOME PEOPLE THAT WORK AT THE HOTEL. GOOD MORNING BREAKFAST TO.

My favourite memory is driving out to my sister's house for Christmas one year. We often got lost on the way there, since we didn't go out her way very often. Then when we finally found her address, we were buzzed into the building, then took the elevator upstairs and knocked on the door. When there was no answer, we finally realized that we were on the wrong floor and at the wrong suite. It was very funny.

We didn't travel much especially during the holidays. We went to my grandparents house and church mostly. It was a wonderful childhood though with eight siblings and a lot of love.

My favorite travel memories are the times my mother and I would take off to the Tennessee mountains (Gatlinburg, Tennessee) and spend a day or 2 just taking in the sights, walking around to look in shops and just having mother - daughter times together. I lost her 2 years ago and miss our travel time together.

The best trip that i can tell ya about it one with my best friend when we went to NY for New Years. It was awsome we had a journey needless to say. WE got lost a few times along the way made some stops at some fun and intresting places on our way up for SC and all in all it was one of the best trips that i have ever taken. We also took a trip one time where we did 7 states in 3 days started in SC and ended in Memphis TN. With stops in Tallidaga Al, Tupelo MS and finally Memphis i miss going on our unplanned trips and doing just what ever we felt like when we were traveling. It was always a journey and tons of fun traveling with her.

My favorite travel memories are the trips my mama and I would take once a year, around Christmas time, to Gatlinburg, Tennessee to take in the scenery, shop, walk around and just have mother daughter time. I lost my mother 2 years ago and I sure do miss our travel time together.

My favorite memory is when my husband and I took our then 2 year old grandson and our daughter to Disney World during the holidays. The decorations were so beautiful and the nights were cool enough to enjoy hot chocolate on Main Street at the Magic Kingdom. We had our family picture taken with Santa at Downtown Disney and enjoyed snow falling as we watched the dancing lights at Hollywood Studios! We now have a 4 year old son (our grandson is now 7) and would love to experience that again as a family!!

My favourite travel memory was going to my Grandparents for Christmas in Winnipeg. There was a terrible snowstorm, my dad was driving extremely slow and my brother and I didn't think we would get there before Santa came.

My freshman year in college, it felt great driving home after being gone and knowing I'd be home for a month.

A few yrs ago, my husband and I rented a house in Tuscany, Italy for a week w/8 other people plus all 5 couples (including us at the time) had one child. It sounds stressful but ended up being the most relaxing vacation I have been on. Truly an amazing feat to pull off and it was an incredible trip. What memories we made - and every year in May we share our photos with each other again and laugh and laugh. Good times!

Love the garberville, ca best western. I am staying there now. The wine and cheese reception was fantastic.

driving with the family to the mountains to get a Christmas tree

My Christmas travel memories are just the simple drive to Grandma's house. Love, children, food, fun, games, presents, laughter. It is a wonderful memory. Oh how I long to be on the beach one Christmas...or at least somewhere warm with my hubby and two beautiful boys. :)

I remember the Christmas we drove home to Wisconsin to introduce our first child to the family. We chose to split the trip from Texas into two days and stayed at the Best Western in Lebanon, MO. The return trip was an adventure, as it was extremely foggy on New Year's Eve day. We even missed the McDonald's on an exit due to the thick fog! Friends in Springfield, IL let us spend the night and bring in the new year with them. What a memorable first Christmas/New Year with our daughter!

My favorite memory is getting my new dog!

One Christmas we drove north to Canada. We left on Christmas day in 50 degree temps. We arrived that evening at the border of Canada near Thousand Islands in a foot of snow and single digit temperatures. It snowed for the remainder of our visit to Ottawa enabling us to enjoy cross country skiing, ice skating on the canal and walking in a winter wonderland. We arrived home a few days later to warm snow free Pennsylvania. Our family will always remember this fantastic trip.We even stayed in a great Best Western Hotel with a pool!

One year I had terrible traffic going home for Christmas and I was late for my sister's party. When I showed up, the party was still going full swing and the atmosphere was so warm that I felt relaxed right away. She had saved a ton of food for me so it was so nice to sit and eat, while each person at the party came over and kept me company during my meal. I had such a nice time and felt so appreciative.

a couple of years ago we traveled from louisville, ky to utica, pa to visit my in-laws. we were packed to the brim inside my escort wagon, but made it there and had a great time. the thing is, when you travel for the holidays, you are more than likely going to come home with more than you left with. needless to say, we did just that... so much so, we had to tie stuff to the roof of my wagon and drive 400+ miles home. fun times!

My favourite memory is the plane ride going south to the sunny Caribbean!

going to see my daughter who i had not seen in 3years. We went from ky to md and it was the greatest time , we even stayed at a Best Western.

Went to Columbus to visit our daughter and baby Raylee was born on New Year's Eve! Happy 2011 tax deduction!

My son and I went to Mexico this past Christmas and it was bittersweet. My husband passed away unexpectedly last December so we did not want to stay home this Christmas. We had a lovely time and talked a lot of memories we had of John especially from family trips.

I loved being in Yosemite with friends for the Christmas holidays. The Bracebridge Dinner was spectacular.

Congrats Shelly F. for winning our December blog contest! Will you win in 2012? Be sure to participate and you just might! Visit http://bit.ly/wpEM0f for a chance to win a $250 Best Western Travel Card!