Celebrating Christmas away from home, often in exotic destinations, has become quite usual for many families. Getting away for Hanukkah, which started on December 15 this year, is a bit more challenging. The holidays lasts 8 days and therefore requires more planning - being in a hotel room at specific times to light candles (or bringing them along to dinner) and schlepping more "stuff" along: at least a menorah, a set of candles and multiple sets of presents.

But, like a recent CNN/AP story reports, some adventurous families prefer to spend The Festival of Lights abroad, in this case in Honduras. According to the story, overcoming obstacles having to do with the celebration of Hanukkah in Latin America sounds like fun - setting off smoke detectors in hotel rooms, locals not understanding the candle ceremony, not being able to light a menorah because of the heavy tropical wind or not being able to rely on local electricity to work at specific times...

I am all for it! An 8-day holiday is a good excuse to take a vacation longer than an extended weekend. Americans don't take enough time off.

Filed under: Arts and Culture, History, Learning, Festivals and Events, Food and Drink, North America, Honduras, Hotels and Accommodations