Happy Dec. 2!

The most beautiful and chaotic season of the year is upon us. As I write this blog, I’m staring at nutcrackers, Santas and other holiday décor that needs to be arranged around the apartment so we can finally get in the spirit — I’m one of those that refuses to believe it’s Christmas until my place feels like a little Christmas village, ha!

Between birthdays, work events and the gatherings, December starts and ends in the blink of an eye. Add some travel to the mix, and you have the perfect recipe for madness — that is, if you don’t plan, of course. What’s that popular saying … if you fail to plan, you plan to fail, right?

At Global Traveler we’re gearing up to celebrate this year’s GT Tested Reader Survey awards winners at the beautiful Peninsula Beverly Hills in Los Angeles, California. The event takes place on Tuesday, Dec. 14, (tell a friend to tell a friend) and I am so happy I get to visit the venue during this season. I remember two years ago how beautifully ornate the holiday decorations were around the property. From lights to trees and garlands, everything was decked out!

Since the event is only a few days after my birthday and I’ve enjoyed traveling for my birthday the past two years, I didn’t want this year to be an exception, so I took the opportunity to fly to a destination I’ve wanted to experience for a long time: the vibrant and colorful city of New Orleans. I will meet my boyfriend there to explore and get through our already-packed itinerary! It’ll be especially interesting to return right into the holiday, as we land only a few days before Christmas.

I must admit, I am both excited and nervous about traveling around this time of the year, but mostly excited and eager to go. Do you enjoy traveling during the holidays?

— Yasser Ogando, advertising & production manager