When Is the Best Time to Book a Winter Vacation?

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99% Recommended

Pam MacIntyre

Maple Grove, MN

Australia & New Zealand Specialist

New Zealand

In all my years as a Travel Professional, I’ve asked countless people, “What’s on your must-see list?” And without fail, New Zealand is always at the top! Honestly, who wouldn’t want to experience this majestic ...

New Zealand

In all my years as a Travel Professional, I’ve asked countless people, “What’s on your must-see list?” And without fail, New Zealand is always at the top! Honestly, who wouldn’t want to experience this majestic part of the world?

I was fortunate enough to visit both the North and South Islands, and what I love about New Zealand is that it offers the perfect blend of laid-back charm and action-packed adventure, all while being nothing short of epic.

The country is home to endless national parks, a rich Maori culture, and unforgettable experiences like sailing through the sounds while dolphins playfully follow your yacht. And let’s not forget the awe-inspiring moment of witnessing a sperm whale off the coast of Kaikoura—talk about jaw-dropping beauty!

Oh, and did I mention wine? If you’re a fan of great wine (and who isn’t?), New Zealand is a must-visit for its world-class Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Merlot, and more. How do I know? Because I couldn’t resist visiting a winery or two during my travels!

Honestly, I could go on and on about the magic of New Zealand, but if you’re reading this, you already know you want to explore this incredible part of the world. Let’s work together to create your perfect New Zealand adventure!

Australia

Let me start by saying, I’ve wanted to visit Australia since I was a child. Why, you ask? Well, to pet a kangaroo, of course! And yes, I did! Not only did I pet a kangaroo, but I actually fed FOUR at the same time. Childhood dream come true, right? And I can’t wait to go back for round two.

While I was in Sydney, I had the chance to experience the spectacular Vivid Sydney Festival, celebrating its 10th year. It was honestly WOW! Never in my wildest dreams did I think Australia would be so perfect to visit during their winter season. But coming from Minnesota, their “winter” felt more like our fall—absolutely ideal! Seeing the Sydney Opera House light up during the festival was something I’ll never forget.

And then there’s the Blue Mountains region—so lovely to explore on foot. From there, we ventured to Hunter Valley (known to the locals as "The Hunter"), where wine flowed freely, and every glass was more delicious than the last.

Australia’s size is truly hard to grasp until you’ve experienced it firsthand. To put it in perspective: Sydney would be in Florida, Cairns (home of the Great Barrier Reef) would be in Maine, Uluru (Ayers Rock) would be in Kansas, Melbourne would be in New Orleans, and Perth would be in Los Angeles.

Whether you're dreaming of visiting the world’s largest Great Barrier Reef, immersing yourself in Aboriginal culture, swimming with whale sharks, or gazing upon the majestic Uluru, Australia has endless possibilities waiting for you.

Let’s make your dream trip to Australia a reality—one that you’ll remember for the rest of your life!     

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Pam MacIntyre

Can Be Reached At

1-763-231-8893

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Thinking About Your Winter Getaway? Here’s Why Booking Early Pays Off!

Winter might feel like a distant memory right now, but in my world, it’s always just around the corner. After all, planning the perfect escape takes time—and that’s what I’ve been helping people do for a while now.

I just wrapped up my 27th winter travel season—not sure how that happened, but here we are. Come May, I’m already starting to book trips for next winter. And around this time each year, the same question always comes up:

When’s the best time to start planning my winter vacation?”

Before COVID, the sweet spot for booking was about 4 to 6 months ahead—early birds would contact me by June, another wave came in the fall, and ideally, everything was locked in before the holidays. After the new year, prices for the best resorts tend to go up.

But today? Things have changed.

Savvy travelers are booking even earlier—sometimes as soon as flights are released! Airlines like Delta, American, and United open their schedules 331 days before your return date, while others like Sun Country and Southwest release theirs around June.

Here’s why planning early is a game changer:

• Low Deposits, Flexible Payments: Many travel options allow you to secure your trip with a small deposit, with the balance due closer to your departure date. This flexible approach helps you manage your budget without the stress of large upfront costs.


• Budget-Friendly, Stress-Free Payments: Spreading out your payments over time makes your trip more affordable and less stressful. With extra time to budget, you might even upgrade your experience—like moving from an oceanview room to a balcony suite or from a moderate resort to a deluxe stay. After all, once you’re there, you can’t get back that time or money, so it’s worth booking the experience you truly want!


• More Time to Choose: Booking early gives you ample time to compare destinations, accommodations, and activities. You can make informed decisions without the pressure of last-minute choices, ask questions, and explore options to find the best fit for your preferences.


• Best Selection & Savings: Early booking often unlocks better rates and greater availability, so you can select the options you want. Last-minute deals tend to be limited and may come with higher costs or less desirable choices.


• Peace of Mind: Securing your plans early lets you relax and enjoy the anticipation of your trip instead of stressing over last-minute arrangements. It also gives you extra time to review and book experiences before you travel, so you can fully enjoy your destination.


• More Time to Look Forward To: With your plans set, you can focus on the fun parts of your trip—like shopping for vacation outfits and daydreaming about your getaway.

I’ve seen it time and again—travelers who plan ahead usually pay less, get exactly what they want, and skip the stress of last-minute scrambling. As your travel advisor, my goal is to make that whole process easy and stress-free, every step of the way.

There’s real value in getting ahead of the game.

If you’d like, I can even send you a yearly reminder to keep your travel plans on track—just let me know!

Thinking about a winter getaway? I’m here to help make it happen.