For family travelers, January and February are lighter-traffic months between Holiday Season and Spring Break: you can enjoy some uncrowded vacations if your kids are small or for other reasons aren't tied to a school schedule.
Those with school-goers can grad a long weekend with Martin Luther King Day, which is on Monday January 19 2009. Many school districts tag on a teacher's meeting day or two to give a longer break: a good chance to enjoy an all-inclusive getaway in the Caribbean or Mexico without paying the REALLY high-season prices at Spring Break.
"President's Day" -- on Monday February 16, in 2009-- is another long weekend, and some schools give the kids an entire "President's Week" off. Hotels are at a premium and family-of-five rooms are the first to go, so book early if that's your profile.
And now for some ideas for Jan. and Feb.:
Arizona Dude Ranch
Horse-riding, the Great Outdoors, home-cooked meals, cookout under the stars; and maybe a massage and spa treatment... Dude Ranches these days range from rustic working ranches to resort-style luxuries. Many have kids' programs. And for ranches in Arizona, Jan. and Feb are good months to go.
Arizona is classic Dude Ranch country, and Rancho de Los Caballeros -- near Wickenburg- is an authentic guest ranch that dates back to the fifties. Horse-riding's still the heart of the place, but the Ranch has added golf and a beautiful spa. Dude ranches in this area close during the hot summer months, so time to go is October to May.
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