Martha Stewart, the renowned lifestyle mogul, made an unexpected departure from tradition this year by spending Thanksgiving in Rome with her grandchildren, Jude and Truman. Known for her iconic Thanksgiving spreads and elaborate home entertaining, Stewart opted for an international holiday experience, trading the customary turkey dinner for a cultural journey in Italy.
The 83-year-old Stewart, who has built a legacy around holiday hosting and home cooking, shared snippets of her Roman holiday on social media. Her itinerary included visits to historical landmarks such as the Colosseum and Vatican City, with meals that featured classic Italian dishes, including pasta carbonara and truffle risotto, adding a distinctly Roman flavor to the holiday.
This move to travel rather than host reflects a growing trend among Americans choosing to replace the traditional Thanksgiving feast with memorable travel experiences. Travel agencies report a significant increase in Thanksgiving bookings to international destinations, as families look for holidays that offer both relaxation and cultural enrichment. Recent data shows that international Thanksgiving trips have risen by 20% in the past five years, highlighting a shift in priorities toward creating lasting memories instead of preparing a home-cooked meal.
“For years, Thanksgiving has been synonymous with gathering around the dinner table,” said a travel industry analyst. “But we’re seeing a significant change as more families use the long weekend to explore new destinations. The concept of Thanksgiving is evolving—it’s becoming less about the meal and more about spending quality time with loved ones, wherever that may be.”
Stewart’s decision to spend Thanksgiving abroad, rather than hosting a large celebration at home, also reflects a broader shift in lifestyle choices. While she remains a leading figure in holiday entertaining, her departure from tradition suggests that the essence of Thanksgiving—celebrating gratitude and family—can be maintained, even in a different setting. Her choice to break with convention highlights the fact that Thanksgiving doesn’t have to be bound by the traditions of the past; it’s about enjoying time together and creating new memories, no matter the location.
As Thanksgiving travel grows in popularity, Stewart’s decision to celebrate in Rome could inspire others to rethink how they approach the holiday season. Whether spent in a cozy Tuscan vineyard, a Parisian café, or even on a tropical beach, more Americans are discovering that Thanksgiving can be equally meaningful when celebrated in a new and exciting setting.
