Save the Dates for 2014 Holiday Travel

 

Ruthanne Terrero
Vice President—Content/Editorial Director, Ruthanne Terrero

Did you ever wish you could map out the entire year in terms of three-day weekends and school holidays so you could plot your clients’ travel ahead of time? Here’s a primer on what’s happening next year and when, with suggestions along the way on how to celebrate.

Martin Luther King Day, Monday, January 20: This long weekend has proven to be strong for girlfriend getaways, report hoteliers.

Mardi Gras, Tuesday, March 4: Carnival, anyone? New Orleans starts the party early with parades and celebrations before the big bash; tourism officials suggest getting to town by March 1. Other hot places to celebrate in are Brazil, Trinidad & Tobago and Italy. Be sure to check exact carnival celebration dates prior to planning.

Valentine’s Day, February 14: In 2014 it falls on a Friday, meaning you can easily pitch a long romantic weekend getaway to clients. President’s Day is the following Monday, so you’ve got four days of bliss to pitch.

Presidents’ Day, February 17: As always, this holiday is on a Monday. It often precedes a week off of school for many, so start planning now.

St. Patrick’s Day, March 17: In 2014 it’s on a Monday. Why not suggest to your clients that they take it as a holiday? Ireland is the obvious option, but so is Savannah, GA, home of one of the largest parades. New Orleans, Boston, New York and Cleveland (among others) also celebrate heavily. Verify exact parade dates. Check to see if hotels offer packages and scout out the top Irish pubs for your clients to enjoy.

Passover starts the evening of April 14 and runs seven days (Reform) or eight days (Orthodox and Conservative). Consider a family reunion for those who want to celebrate with kin from all over. The Hyatt Regency Minneapolis just opened a kosher kitchen and launched a special menu for kosher diners; Loews Hotel in Santa Monica also has a kosher kitchen.

Easter Sunday, April 20: Again, consider getting a family reunion or perhaps your clients would want to travel to Europe to scout out their roots and celebrate Easter as their ancestors did.

Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 11: Need we say more?

Memorial Day, Monday, May 26: If you haven’t planned your clients’ summer vacations by now, you’re late!

Father’s Day, Sunday, June 15: How about celebrating with Dad off-site this year by attending a special event that piques his interest?

The Fourth of July: In 2014 it’s on a Friday. Three-day weekend! Consider a trip to Washington, DC, where parades and fireworks abound and most museums are open on the national holiday. Check out washington.org.

Labor Day, Monday, September 1: If you thought Labor Day came early in 2013, be on the lookout for next year when it falls on September 1. It’s a three-day weekend but it also means that many kids across the country will go back to school September 2. Those last two weeks in August might be used for school supply shopping trips so work that family getaway in earlier than usual.

Thanksgiving, Thursday, November 27: To avoid skyrocket prices on air, ask months ahead if kids are flying home from college or if clients need to fly somewhere. Suggest as well that it’s a great four-day weekend for those who can forego the turkey and family get-together.

Hanukkah starts Wednesday, December 17, and continues for eight days.

Christmas, Thursday, December 25, and New Year's Eve, Wednesday, December 31, are just screaming for long weekends in 2014. Advise clients they may want to ask for January 2 off ahead of time since it will fall on a Friday.