The New Year is the time for new resolutions. This year, make sure you plan to travel, use those leave days, and venture to places you have only talked about or dreamed about. There is beauty to explore within America and outside of it. Still, trying to figure out where to start? Here are some ideas, including deals for the military family in the coming year.
National Parks
The National Parks hold unimaginable beauty and wildlife. If there were any travel destinations to put at the top of the list for the new year, they would have to be the top five national parks. These parks see millions of visitors between them, and they can’t be wrong. The top five National Parks as of 2023 were Yellowstone, Grand Canyon, Yosemite, Zion, and Great Smoky Mountains. Yellowstone is the oldest of the National Parks and was established in 1872. It’s well-known for its geothermal features, including Old Faithful, breathtaking waterfalls, canyons, Yellowstone Lake, and wildlife. The Grand Canyon looks like a postcard when you visit, but it is genuine as you enter the valley. Yosemite is renowned for its tall, majestic sequoia trees, vast cliffs, and waterfalls. Yosemite Valley is unique as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Utah boasts the beauty of Zion National Park, with red sandstone cliffs lining the hiking trails. A green contrast to the West’s national parks is the Great Smoky Mountains, with its tree-lined mountains, lush forests, waterfalls, and diverse plant and animal life.
Can active duty and retired military personnel and their families get an annual park pass for free? This doesn’t cover camping or cabin fees, but it does provide the cost savings of entering the park. There are free passes for fourth graders as well.
Europe
Per Rick Steves, the father of travel and travel books, the peak season for visiting Europe is the summer – the time when most people have off. This also means the crowds are highest. He recommends visiting in the “shoulder season” – April through June or September and October – the times on either side of the summer busy season that may offer few crowds, weather that isn’t too cold or hot, and welcoming tourist destinations. The off-season of November through March is the cheapest but may have the shortest hours at tourist sites, and the weather may be cold, windy, and rainy. This is caveated by the holidays, especially in the countries hosting large Christmas markets (more about that later).
Staying in Europe may seem overwhelming and perhaps pricey, but did you know there are 34 hotels through DOD Lodging spread across Belgium, England, Germany, Greece, Italy, Portugal, Spain, and Turkey. The key to staying on-base lodging is avoiding the busy PCS season, as PCSing in and out of the country has priority for rooms. These can be great stopping points, especially if you can get a Space A flight into one of the bases, like Ramstein. Get a basic hotel room for the night, plan, and then explore the local economy.
Just a note: If you are traveling to Germany as a retiree, or not on the SOFA agreement with Germany, you are not able to utilize the commissary or exchange on the military base; this includes the barber. Plan accordingly.
Military Hotel Deals
Marines Memorial Hotel
San Francisco is a city full of art, food, and the famous red cable cars. It is also home to the Marines Memorial Hotel. The hotel is in a stunning architectural building close to Union Square in the heart of the historic downtown district. With over 130 rooms, including 13 suites, several different accommodations provide a relaxing spot to wind down after walking up and down all those hills!
Hale Koa Hotel
Looking to add a little Aloha to your life? The Hale Koa is a Waikiki beachfront hotel property on 72 beautifully landscaped acres just for military-connected families. There is much to entertain from their spacious rooms, a delicious menu featuring local ingredients, and a large pool to the on-property luau. They book a year in advance, though, so plan ahead to get the best rate and ensure lodging on the island of Oahu.
Shades of Green
While Shades of Green has become synonymous with visits to the mouse, it is a destination for golfers. The hotel was converted from a Disney hotel made just for golfers, with the two golf courses on the property nicknamed the “happiest place on turf.” With large hotel rooms, several restaurants, daily hotel activities, multiple pools, and various golf and disc golf activities available, staying at SOG can be a relaxing vacation away from it all.
Dragon Hill Lodge
The Dragon Hill Lodge offers incredible prices for luxurious accommodations in Seoul, Korea. For Black Friday deals in 2023, for example, they offered 49% off list pricing! Plan a visit in the new year to dive into a new country, city, and culture. Throughout the year, they offer special events like Breakfast with Santa and movie marathons, offering relaxing stays after touring the local town.
Edelweiss Resort
If seeing the European Christmas markets or skiing are on your bucket list, visiting the Edelweiss Resort in beautiful Garmish, Germany, might be the trip to put on your list. Arriving at Edelweiss is as easy as arranging a shuttle from the Munich airport. They offer tours of the local castles and ski areas and coordinate travel and tours of the many Christmas markets during the holiday season.
New Sanno Hotel
Tokyo’s New Sanno Hotel offers large hotel rooms for the beautiful city open to eligible patrons. The restaurant on-site offers traditional Japanese food or American fare for those who may need to be used to seafood-centric dishes. The hotel rooms in Japan, in general, are smaller, but a stay at New Sanno is more in line with a military hotel that military families are used to staying at for PCSes. It is conveniently located within walking distance of many parks and the local metro, allowing easy access to the city and beyond. Nestled in the city, the hotel is an excellent venturing-off point to get out and explore and enjoy the views and tastes of Japanese culture and hospitality.
Where is on your travel list in 2024?
