Top Holiday Travel Destinations

Despite the high cost of fuel and other travel expenses, an estimated 63.5 million Americans are planning to travel at least 50 miles or more from home this Christmas and New Year. Hotel rates are up nearly 15% at some popular destinations, yet bookings are full or nearly full.

So where do all of these people plan to go? 

Domestic Destinations

According to AAA of the United States, here are the top destinations based on the number of bookings for each location.

Florida

Orlando is the top destination for fairly obvious reasons but Ft. Lauderdale is also in the top ten. Florida offers a wealth of activities and options for families, singles, and all types of traveler. Perennial favorite Disney World will attract hundreds of thousands of visitors between Christmas and New Year's Eve, while other Florida attractions like Gatorland, Kennedy Space Center, and the Everglades will also be popular. It is also common for the beaches of Ft. Lauderdale to be filled with vacationers during the holiday season, which is second only to spring break in terms of number of tourists.

It is not too late to check out some of the great last minute deals throughout Florida. With a little research and a willingness to be flexible, you can still enjoy Florida this holiday season.

California

California has three cities in the top ten travel destinations this holiday season -- Los Angeles, San Francisco and San Diego. All three offer a wide range of activities for tourists of all ages, and the generally pleasant December weather in California makes it a favorite place for vacationers from colder climates in need of sunshine. 

Enjoying New Zealand Paradise

New Zealand's wild, elemental beauty made it the perfect locale for filming Lord of the Rings. For this is a raw land of sheer mountains, icy glaciers, swift flowing rivers and geysers that spout from the hot earth.

Auckland : city of sails

 New Zealand's largest city, Auckland sprawls scenically around a range of inlets and bays. Lapped by the waters of the Pacific, Auckland has a distinct seafaring air to it.

Transport : getting there and getting around

Auckland is New Zealand's centre for international flights. You can take direct flights from here to all Australian airports, the US west coast, many Asian destinations, and London and Frankfurt. There are also a wide range of domestic flights.

Regular bus services connect Auckland with major towns and tourist attractions. And there are morning and overnight trains to Wellington daily.

Auckland is a sprawling city so walking is not convenient. Car hire or cycling are the most convenient ways to get around.

Climate

Auckland's coastal location keep temperatures lower than the in the hinterlands. Temperatures hover in the mid-20°s in summer and it rarely freezes in winter.