We live in Northern KY and do this same week each year. We are also a couple in our 50's (well DH is 60)but, we both still work so vacation time is limited.
I agree if you have the time you need to get further south if you want a better guarantee of warmth but, for us we have about 7-9 days depending on how the holidays fall and I don't want to spend it all driving.
We leave Christmas morning -- traffic is great!
We come back New Years day.
Will be going to Gulf Shores again, we love anywhere along the panhandle and taking this route we avoid I75 and Jellico (just in case it snows).
I just made our reservation at the SP in Gulf Shores last week -- no problem.
Many snowbirds wait to go South until after the Holidays.
Have a great time!
