The gift of travel can be the perfect item to place in a stocking or under the tree this year. Leanne Swanson Sanchez, owner of Hood Canal Travel in Belfair, has some grand ideas to share as destinations.

First up, Sanchez recommends a ski trip to Switzerland. For around $2,000 per person, folks could get their round trip, spend seven nights in Swiss chalets, pay for lift tickets, breakfast and train fare. Sanchez says traveling for a week of skiing in Switzerland is cheaper than going to Colorado. And it is much more unique. Booking a trip off-season (as early as April) saves a bit, too.

For those who seek the heat, either Fiji in the South Seas or Aruba in the Caribbean is nearly crime-free, safe and family-friendly.

Fiji is “two meals and two movies from the West Coast,” according to the travel agent’s timeline. And it is far less expensive to stay there than in Hawaii. One can go to a resort on one of the smaller islands, then return to the mainland, all by catamaran. That allows access to the best of both worlds – some time of near isolation in Paradise, and some time mixing and mingling with the fun nightlife there, too.

Aruba is much closer, and will soon be served more directly, with six hours of flight time, Sanchez indicates. It contains a wealth of history, culture and natural wonders, and is awesome for scuba diving and snorkeling. With so much coral, it attracts a variety of exotic fish.

The people of Aruba, with combined influences of North America, South America and Western Europe, speak four different languages, one of which is English.
Giving travel as a gift does not mean having to select all the details, or even the destination for someone else, though. There are multitudes of ways to share in someone’s dream vacation.

Carnival Cruises has gift certificates, so one could pay $500 or $1,000 toward a cruise, for example. There are tickets or vouchers available for the dinner train from Renton to the Columbia Winery for around $60 to $70. Booking a trip on the Clipper to Victoria, B.C., is also a nice package, priced according to accommodations desired.

December is not the best time to plan for travel for this holiday season, but it is a good time to contemplate and plan for next year. But with 12 months ahead, why not give a gift that stretches the holiday feeling around the world and throughout the year?.