Couple Ditches Tradition for Spontaneous Holiday Travels

For the last five years, a couple has been spending the holidays apart from their families, choosing instead to travel to various locations around the world. Previously, they spent over 20 years maintaining a tradition of celebrating in Los Angeles with extended family. Significant life changes, including the passing of loved ones and a transition to remote work in 2020, prompted a shift toward more spontaneous and creative holiday plans. As a child-free couple, they utilize their flexibility to explore new destinations, ranging from domestic road trips to international vacations in Mexico and France. Most recently, they extended a trip to Paris through February, combining work and leisure while embracing their freedom.

For over two decades, the holidays meant staying in Los Angeles to be with parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. The couple reminisced about the fun of eating tamales, dancing to traditional ranchero music, and laughing at family jokes. However, as time passed, relationships changed and loved ones, including the woman's father and grandparents, passed away.

A major turning point occurred in 2020 when both partners began working remotely. This shift allowed them to become much more spontaneous and creative with their holiday schedules. They no longer plan far in advance, preferring the excitement of not knowing where they will be. Despite being close to their families, they have found a balance by seeing them throughout the year rather than just during the holidays.

The couple values their time alone together. They noted that having no children or pets allows them to make the most of their flexibility, particularly during the one to two weeks they usually have off from work. This time serves as an opportunity to rest, reset their minds, and enjoy each other's company without the pressure of deadlines and meetings.

Their initial trips away from family remained within driving distance of their home. During the 2021 Christmas holiday, they spent several days in Phoenix before renting a condo in the Catalina Foothills of Tucson. The woman described this trip as one of her all-time favorites, citing the magnificent views of the city. The itinerary was intentionally low-key, focusing on daily walks among saguaro cactuses, basking in the sunshine, and visiting local spots.

Specific locations visited in Tucson included Coronet, a restaurant-bar with a charming outdoor patio, and Motosonora Brewing Company, a tap room and beer garden. The following year, they continued the relaxed desert theme with a trip to Palm Springs and Joshua Tree. Friends joined them for this leg of the journey, and the group enjoyed the wide-open skies, stunning natural landscapes, and the slower pace of the desert environment.

In 2023, the couple decided to "go bigger" and splurged on a 10-day vacation to Isla Mujeres, a small island off the coast of Cancún. While they admitted to making a few mistakes during the planning phase and that it wasn't their favorite trip, they still found the experience of swimming in the warm turquoise waters of the Caribbean incredible.

Most recently, during the 2025 to 2026 holiday season, they traveled to Paris. This trip was particularly spontaneous, booked at the last minute. The decision was driven by the husband's desire for a wintry Christmas, as he grew up on the East Coast. The experience was described as "magical," featuring gorgeous store decorations, festive street lights, outdoor Christmas markets, and cafés serving vin chaud (mulled hot wine).

They felt as though they were living in a holiday movie. Fortunately, the experience did not have to end when the holidays officially concluded. The couple was able to extend their stay in Paris through February, where they will continue to work remotely.

The couple emphasized that they are not wealthy, despite their frequent travels. They remain mindful of their expenses and budget carefully. However, they adopt a specific philosophy when deciding on trips: when they feel an experience is worth the cost, they do not hesitate to spend the money.

This mindset is rooted in the belief that life is short and nothing lasts forever. Their goal is to follow their bliss while they are able to do so. This approach has allowed them to maintain a lifestyle of travel and adventure, balancing financial responsibility with the desire to explore the world and create lasting memories together.