The best holiday destinations in December for a dazzling holiday
Now the halcyon days of summer are all but a distant memory, there's only one way to survive the looming winter months... booking another holiday
For many, a highlight of the festive season is not the gifts or the turkey feasts with family. It's the thought of jetting off to sunnier – or snowier – climes.
Before we know it, Christmas will be on our doorstep, so there's no better time to plan a December holiday than right now. Get festive on a river boat cruise of Europe's best Christmas markets, take an expedition cruise across the Arctic Circle in search of the Northern Lights, or wind through the Swiss Alps on a luxurious mountain train. There are so many fabulous options for a December holiday.
If you're looking for a little mid-winter warmth, spread your wings and explore the Mekong River through Vietnam and Cambodia, see the sights of Sydney, or relax on one of Cape Town's sun-drenched beaches. Whether you're searching for snow or sunshine, we've picked out some of the best holiday destinations in December for a trip to remember.
And if you're looking ahead to 2024, you'll want to check out our ideas for winter sun in January and February, and check out our picks for March city breaks.
Northern Norway
Whale watching, cross-country skiing, the ethereal Northern Lights — there are a million and one reasons why Norway is the perfect destination for a December holiday. Cross the Arctic Circle in search of the Aurora Borealis, visit the Viking-era fishing communities of Nordfjord, and see the striking Arctic Cathedral in Tromsø, where you may also spot orca, humpback and sperm whales in its Arctic waters.
The best way to see Norway in all its icy glory is on a proper expedition cruise. Sailing from Tilbury, Hurtigruten's comfortable ships cross the North Sea and cruise around the clear waters of the Nordfjord and the far-flung Lofoten Islands, docking in towns like Tromsø and Alta, the so-called Northern Lights City, where you'll spend five nights above the Arctic Circle in search of those dazzling green ribbons of light.
Lake Como
There's something rather magical about visiting the Italian Lakes in winter. Busy with tourists in the summer months, a dusting of snow can transform Lake Como into a quiet and serene wonderland in the winter.
Explore the region's forested shores and sip hot chocolate in quaint lakeside villages that shimmer under the snow-capped Alps on an eight-day escorted tour this December. It's a chance to ride in the iconic red carriages Bernina Express railway, which wind through the snowy mountains on its journey to St Moritz, and get to know Colico, one of Como's most charming waterfront villages, which is an excellent base for exploring the lakes and the surrounding Alps.
Mekong River
December is the perfect time to visit Southeast Asia, especially Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia. It's the start of the dry season when the weather is more comfortable and less humid than the rest of the year and a good temperature for hiking and cruising. The big cities see fewer tourists than in peak season, and it's also when there are colourful winter festivals and parades.
An escorted tour can be one of the best ways to explore this corner of Asia. Relax on a week-long luxury river cruise on the Mekong River, which winds through paddy fields and stops in rural villages along the delta. You'll hop off to explore the fragrant streets and dazzling sights of Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh and Phnom Penh while guided tours of the incredible Angkor Wat, the Viet Cong tunnels and the painfully atmospheric Killing Fields reveal more about this beautiful region.
Swiss Alps
With its soaring snow-capped mountains, delightful alpine villages, and the shimmering glacial waters of Lake Geneva, the Swiss Alps may be glorious in the summer, but it's December when it truly dazzles. Of course, the best way to explore Europe's heavenly alpine region is by mountain railway, which snakes through the dusted peaks like a toy train set.
For a festive treat this December, take an exceptional escorted tour that includes first-class tickets for the Glacier Express, the Bernina Railway, and the Gornergrat Railway, where you'll see the staggering beauty of the Matterhorn through its windows. The trip also features an exclusive talk and Q&A with former politician, journalist, and train fanatic Michael Portillo, who will join you for part of this extra-special trip.
Transylvania
Forget the bright sun rays of summer. Transylvania is most authentic when seen in the glittering dusk of the winter months. With medieval hill towns, Gothic castles, and bear-prowled forests under a blanket of snow, December is the perfect time to explore the atmospheric region of central Romania. The temperatures drop below freezing, and the austere landscape takes on a magical quality, especially between Christmas and New Year.
For an effortless trip to Transylvania, join an escorted tour. You'll start in Bucharest, then stay in Brasov to explore its authentic Old Town and darkly Gothic Black Church and visit Peles Castle, a glorious Neo-Renaissance castle in the Carpathian Mountains. Highlights of this six-night trip include taking a cable car over the landscape for an unforgettable night in the Hotel of Ice and visiting Bran Castle, where the legend of Dracula began.
Oxfordshire
For a December holiday closer to home, consider Oxfordshire. It's as cosy as a pixie's pocket in winter with its fire-lit pubs – including the 17th-century Eagle and Child, a favoured haunt of C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien – and college spires against winter skies.
For something extra special or a celebratory trip, dine out in the exquisite Le Manoir, Raymond Blanc's two Michelin-starred restaurant with rooms and stay the night in one of the opulent guestrooms. You'll enjoy a five-course tasting menu and a tour of the organic gardens and orchards, which have earned Monsieur Blanc a Green Michelin Star. Housed in a honeyed-stone Manor House, this glorious country escape is heaven for a cosy winter escape in December.
Germany
December can be one of the best times to explore Germany. There are fewer crowds, the weather is crisp yet sunny, and the historic architecture overlooks the atmospheric Christmas markets.
A river cruise is a great way to see Europe's Christmas markets, with iconic snow-draped wooden chalets, twinkling fairy lights and the heady scent of glühwein. You'll board in Cologne, home of the largest Gothic church in Europe, and enjoy a festive welcome dinner onboard before sailing down the Rhine River and stopping off at the markets in Rüdesheim and Mainz, Frankfurt and Koblenz before a farewell dinner as you cruise back to Cologne.
Cape Town
When the dark days of winter start to draw in, we all need to boost our vitamin D. And where better to soak up the sun than Cape Town? December is the beginning of summer in the Mother City. Renowned for its glorious beaches – Clifton, Camps Bay and Boulders Beach, where you'll find the cute African penguins – it's also whale-watching season in Hermanus and cool enough to hike up Table Mountain. And who could resist a tour of Cape Wineland and the wineries of Stellenbosch and Franschhoek?
Dominating the V&A waterfront, under the gaze of Table Mountain, One&Only Cape Town is a luxurious base for exploring the city and its beaches. All 133 rooms and suites have a light, chic decor with African flourishes, many have floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the waterfront and Table Mountain. And don't miss dinner at Nobu, the renowned restaurant's only outpost in South Africa.
Sydney
For a real December treat, why not go all out and head Down Under for Christmas? Home of the Sydney Opera House, the Harbour Bridge and Bondi Beach, Sydney is widely considered one of the greatest cities in the world. Time your December holiday right, and you could catch Sydney's world-famous New Year's Eve celebrations, culminating in a dazzling fireworks display over Sydney Harbour Bridge.
One of our favourite hotels is the QT Sydney on the corner of George and Market Street. Merging the former Gowings Department Store and the State Theatre, the QT can only be described as quirky-luxe. From the copper-wigged Directors of Chaos (concierges, to you and me) who greet you at the stage door to the New York socialite scene in the Gowings restaurant, it feels like staying on the set of a Baz Luhrmann film.
Tenerife
When you're looking for some easy winter sunshine, Tenerife in the Canary Islands is often one of the first destinations that springs to mind. December sees glorious sun-drenched days with an average daily temperature of a lovely 23 degrees, perfect for time on the volcanic black-sand beaches and exploring national parks, including the snow-dusted peaks of El Teide, for when you want to feel festive.
Stay in one of the beach resorts on the quieter western coast. Living up to its name, the palatial Gran Meliá Palacio de Isora in Alcalá offers a little bit of winter luxury. Home to the largest hotel pool in Europe, relax on the water beds, get pampered in the spa, or visit Los Gigantes, Tenerife's famous 800-metre-high rock formations.
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