By: Gina Kramer | From: USA Today
Christmas getaways represent a rare opportunity for families who like to travel. No matter what stage of parenthood you're in, you can usually count on some time off from school and work for everyone to gather in one place.
One of the great things about Christmas vacations is they don't have to be spent at home for everyone to have quality family time together. In fact, some of the best Christmas vacations for families are the trips where everyone's traveling to a new and exciting destination (or festive hotel) that goes all in on Christmas spirit.
If you're dreaming of twinkling lights and a family-friendly, white (sand or snow-filled) Christmas, here are 13 destinations around the world that do it up for the holidays.
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2. San Antonio, Texas
For hundreds of years, the home of the Alamo has adorned its iconic River Walk with Mexican Christmas lanterns believed to help light the way for the Holy Family. Families visiting San Antonio for Christmas vacations between mid-November and mid-January can immerse themselves in this awe-inspiring tradition either by foot or boat with Go Rio Cruises, a kid-friendly tour operator that even lets you stow strollers onboard.
The holiday magic continues at The DoSeum, San Antonio's kids museum, which hosts an elaborate Winter Wonderland event once a year, and at the San Antonio Botanical Garden, whose enchanting grounds twinkle with more than a million Christmas lights. Celebrations continue underground at the Natural Bridge Caverns, where professional Christmas carolers' voices echo 180 feet below the surface. There's also ice skating, beautiful Christmas trees and more, making San Antonio a fab place to spend the holidays.