It’s the fourth Thursday in November and you’re not in the mood to host annoying Uncle Bill for the 10th year in a row.
Although you usually like to keep things traditional, you decide to treat yourself to an elaborate vacation for the holiday season. You didn’t text your ex once this week. You deserve it.
Celebrate Thanksgiving with loved ones (with the exception of Uncle Bill) in destinations that offer unmatched luxury, soul-enriching experiences, and one-of-a-kind culinary encounters.
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Gather and give thanks with a bountiful feast within your family’s private villa featuring a spectacular backdrop of the Sea of Cortez in Anguilla, immerse yourself in authentic local experiences in Santa Fe, New Mexico or give thanks for nature’s bounty in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia.
We’ve rounded up the five best last-minute Thanksgiving destinations to escape your overprotective family members. You can thank us later.
Strike the ideal holiday balance by savoring moments with your loved ones and finding relaxation rooted in the lush, natural playground. Relish the smell of pine on a family hike, indulge in quiet moments, and partake in art classes and feasts imbued with Southern charm. Partake in an herbal session and nutritional cooking demonstration combined with a community experience learning the benefits of local herbs and foods so guests can maximize their own self-care practices in congruence with the shift of the seasons. Or join artist Jess Snow to learn acrylic techniques to paint the colors of Fall in the Blue Ridge Mountains and take home your own work of art to keep your Primland memories alive. Enjoy an Appalachian Harvest on Thanksgiving Day or a turkey trot the following day which winds through the woods and over the golf course.
Gather and give thanks with a bountiful feast and bask in the spectacular backdrop of the shimmering turquoise waters of Anguilla. Express your endless gratitude surrounded by your nearest and dearest, and immerse yourself in experiences that will usher in harmonious moments of joy. Thanksgiving festivities include Inner Gratitude Morning Meditation, Sunrise Yoga, Four Course Family Style Thanksgiving at Celeste, Malliouhana Bluff Concert Series, Poolside Holiday Happy Hour, Bobbing Cove Beach Bonfire with Festive Island S'more, Moonlight Lucid Paddleboard Mini Explorers Children Programming, Pedaling Tour of Malliouhana, Sunset Drinks at Bar Soleil, and Live Musical Performances at Leon's.
Gather and give thanks while savoring Baja’s fresh bounty. Week-long family-friendly activities include Las Bajas dinner, family cooking class: street taco edition, kids ceramics class, inflatable game day, alfresco family dining under the stars, Colores y Sabores La Fiesta!: a mariachi and firework display dinner experience, pickleball, Sunday game day activities and more. On Thanksgiving Day, engage in a rugged terrain walk peaking at the perfect point to enjoy a majestic view of the Sea of Cortéz. Upon your return, treat your senses with a combination of seasonal ingredients with a rich pumpkin spice body scrub treatment. In the season of togetherness, celebrate with family and friends, surrounded by the sound of waves, sharing special moments, laughs, and love – and making memories. Feast on traditional Thanksgiving favorites and coastal interpretation of the classics. Or opt for a private culinary experience in your private villa by Esperanza’s Executive Chef, Alexis Palacios for an exclusively curated menu drawing on the bounty of the Sea of Cortez and the area’s abundant organic farms.
Amid swaying palms and tranquil shoreline, travelers will find gratitude for time spent with loved ones. Guests can start the day Baja-style with a guided meditation session atop Mirador Point to set intentions for the holiday season ahead and explore personal gratitude. End Thanksgiving Day at COMAL with a farm-to-table dinner under the stars featuring a family-style carving station, organic vegetables, and “La Gintoneria,” fresh cocktails with Mexican Gin-Mezcal. The entire week offers something for everyone, including ping pong and beach volleyball tournaments, a kids-only Pescaditos pajama party and movie, a cocktail class with small-batch Mexican liquors, floating Blackjack in the pool, and a romantic night under the stars with Chileno Bay’s astronomer.
Situated on 317 secluded acres bordering Santa Fe National Forest and just minutes from downtown Santa Fe, guests can enjoy a week of gratitude giving and gifting, locally-inspired experiences, and soulful offerings this Thanksgiving. Imbibe specialty cocktails and enjoy a unique Deer Dance in the Meadow performance ahead of your feast at Chef Dean Fearing's SkyFire. Or participate in a Southwestern rattle and drum workshop where guests will learn the local history of two-headed drums and create their own personal drum made from natural materials. Enjoy a Gather & Give offering at SkyFire complete with a tree lighting to commence the holiday season and traditional Victorian carolers. Embark on a gratitude hike, sip hot cider, nibble on culinary delights sourced from New Mexico’s Green Tractor Farm, attend a wreath-making class, and take home your festive piece of art.
Photography by: Courtesy Auberge Resorts Collection
