Thanksgiving is a time for family, friends, food and for some students, traveling to far-off places. Whether it’s to another country or even a state away, spending time in a different place has brought joy and unity during the holiday season.

Thanksgiving break occurred from Oct. 27 through Dec. 1, as families traveled to many different places, including Europe and Mexico, and even stayed in the United States to make long-lasting memories. All different types of weather, shops, and tourist attractions excited people as they left the state and traveled to an extravagant destination. 

“I went to Cancun in Mexico, and I was there for five days,” sophomore Aarohi Pathak said. “We went there because of the beach and the weather was really nice. I bought many souvenirs, and overall I loved spending time with my family here during Thanksgiving.”

Even though many people traveled to places with warmer weather and beaches, some experienced a winter wonderland. Although the idea of a colder area is not the ideal vacation for many, seeing snowfall fills people with even more holiday spirit during this time of year.

The weather in Colorado was beautiful,” junior Kaitlyn Dwuznik said. “It snowed on Tuesday night all the way through Wednesday. The snow covered the evergreen trees and made everything look like a snow globe. It was cold and chilly, but it wasn’t too bad as we went outside a lot.”

While many stayed in the states to celebrate Thanksgiving, some students traveled to further destinations. Senior Allie Abboud and her family went to three different cities in Italy including Rome, Florence and Venice. Although the people in Italy don’t celebrate Thanksgiving, Abboud enjoyed every second she spent with her family celebrating this holiday.

“We were gone for nine days,” Abboud said. “We did a lot of tourist things, like seeing the Spanish Steps and the Colosseum. We bought lots of souvenirs like hand-made jewelry for my friends, and overall I thought that all of the history was very interesting.”

Over Thanksgiving Break, students traveled to different states or countries that represented new cultures and broader experiences. These journeys impact youth minds as they create memories with their families and strengthen bonds. With travel becoming easier over time, students can take a step outside their normal lives and become more aware of the beautiful world we live in.