First and foremost, Merry Christmas to all who are celebrating today. I am planning to spend the day cozied up at home in the shark blanket onesie that my husband gifted me (look it up on Amazon if you have no idea what I am talking about, because it is as warm as it is hilarious) while I watch my kids enjoy the goodies Santa dropped off last night.
I hope you are doing something equally enjoyable and getting everything on your wish list.
Speaking of wish lists, I want to take a moment to share the destinations on a few TPG staffers’ travel wish lists for 2026. Maybe it’ll spark inspiration for your 2026 travels … or give you a few things to ask Santa for when Christmas rolls around again.
Senior Editor Christine Gallipeau is gifting herself a trip to Siem Reap, Cambodia, as an early birthday present. It’s a destination she’s wanted to visit for years because of its incredible temples, rich culture and focus on spirituality. She made it happen with a mix of Chase Ultimate Rewards and Citi ThankYouRewards points to cover business-class flights on Singapore Airlines, and plans to use Capital One miles to cover part of her stay at Amansara, utilizing the feature that lets you redeem miles for recent travel purchases.
Lead Writer Katie Genter is planning return trips to two of her favorite spots next year: Niseko, Japan, for a ski trip and Kruger National Park in South Africa for a seven-night safari. She booked the ski-in, ski-out Hilton Niseko Village for 85,000 Hilton Honors points per night, plus the fifth night free.
Managing Editor Madison Blancaflor is heading to Budapest, Vienna and Prague next year. She’s been wanting to visit all three for quite some time, so she is excited to knock them all out in one visit. She used points to book lie-flat business-class seats on Condor and Finnair — two new-to-her business-class products — so she can arrive rested and ready to explore.
Newsletter Managing Editor Becky Blaine plans to celebrate her 15-year wedding anniversary in Grand Cayman. She used IHG One Rewards points to cover a four-night stay (and got the fourth night free) and redeemed American Airlines AAdvantage miles for two round-trip tickets for her island getaway.
Content Operations Editor Chris Muscardin is heading Down Under on a multiweek trip to Australia. I’ve always wondered what it’s like to celebrate the holidays during summertime instead of winter, and he’s about to find out.
Hotels Managing Editor Ellie Nan Storck hopes to visit Norway next year and take her mom to Bergen, the town where her father is from. While there, she hopes to visit Oslo and show her mom around Tromso, one of her favorite destinations.
Travel Senior Editor Lyndsey Matthews transferred 12,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points — using the recent 40% transfer bonus to Virgin Atlantic — to book round-trip tickets to London in April. Seeing “Paddington the Musical” in the West End isn’t her only reason for going, but it’s a pretty significant one.
Director of Content Carly Helfand is hoping to see the stars in Chile’s Atacama Desert next year. It’s one of the top Dark Sky locations in the world.
And me? The photo above is a little hint, but I am already planning several trips to Orlando next year. It’s my most-visited destination every year. First up, I plan to be in town for Universal Orlando Resort’s annual Mardi Gras celebration (it has a parade every single night), but I am also planning a big family trip to Disney World when the new Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets opens at Hollywood Studios next summer.
Merry Christmas,
Tarah
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