Where to travel in December

Best Places to Visit in December

Christmas arrives with full, boisterous energy, decked out and shining like a bell. You can escape it entirely and head to Mexico’s sun-drenched beaches, or embrace the season’s magic in Iceland’s winter wonderland. But wherever you choose to spend these precious winter weeks, we’re here to guide you to something extraordinary. December opens up a world of possibilities – from summer Down Under to Egypt’s archaeological mysteries, and from the Maldives’ crystal-clear waters to Austria’s enchanting Christmas markets.

We’ve hand-picked these destinations to get your mind racing about where to travel this December. As ever, our luxury travel experts are on hand to provide detailed guidance and expert suggestions, ensuring your winter escape becomes an unforgettable adventure.

Take your pick from our favourite wintry December destinations, and those best for warm weather.

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Our Favourite December Destinations

Iceland

Winter brings Iceland's Christmas gift: the aurora borealis dancing across dark skies. December transforms Iceland into a wonderland of ice caves, hot springs, and ethereal beauty. Chase the northern lights between glacier lagoons and geysers - nature's most spectacular light show is just one reason to visit in December. Ask us for the others.
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Austria

Where sachertorte is rich and bitter and white Alps scratch the sky, Austria surprises despite its genteel appearance. December transforms this wonderful country into something truly magical - from Vienna's enchanting Christmas markets to snow-dusted mountain villages, it's the most wonderful time of year in the most wonderful place.
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Canada

Canada in December is a study in contrasts. The glittering skylines of Toronto and Montréal give way, within hours, to frozen lakes and pine forests hushed under snow. Sled behind huskies through the Yukon, soak in geothermal springs beneath the northern lights in Banff, or watch Québec City transform into a tableau of ice sculptures and mulled wine. Vast, wild, and unmistakably festive.
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Alaska

Winter turns Alaska into the last true wilderness - all mirror-still lakes, snow-laden spruce, and skies that ripple green after dark. December means dog-sledding across untouched powder, soaking in remote hot springs ringed by ice, and watching the aurora unfurl over Fairbanks with nothing but silence for company. Raw, remote, and rarely experienced by anyone who hasn't made the deliberate choice to go.
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Switzerland

High above the clouds, where church bells echo through cobbled villages, Switzerland becomes a study in quiet perfection each December. Snow settles on chalet rooftops in Zermatt and Gstaad, fondue simmers in candlelit cellars, and the Matterhorn glows pink at first light. Ski by day, sleigh ride by dusk, and let the mountain air handle the rest.
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Finland

December in Finland doesn't just bring snow. It brings a stillness that money can't usually buy. Sleep beneath a glass igloo waiting for the aurora, sauna beside a frozen lake, then break the ice for a plunge that resets everything. Lapland's snow-hushed forests and Helsinki's designer Christmas windows confirm what the shortest days already suggest: the brightest experiences are often found in the dark.
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Norway

Snow falls silent over the fjords as Norway settles into its darkest, most theatrical season. December means chasing the aurora above the Lofoten Islands, sleeping in glass-roofed cabins built for exactly this, and drifting past ice-blue coastlines on a Hurtigruten voyage. Oslo's candlelit Christmas markets and Arctic tasting menus round it out into a country that turns darkness into its greatest luxury.
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Top Destinations for Winter Sun

Australia

Summer arrives with a vengeance Down Under, bringing endless golden days and warm ocean breezes. December means beach barbecues in Sydney, wine harvests in the Barossa Valley, and Christmas on the sand. It's when Australia shows off its laid-back culture - flip-flops required, worries not.
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Mexico

December in Mexico means perfect weather and plenty to celebrate. From the beaches of the Riviera Maya to the charm of San Miguel de Allende, winter is when the country truly shines. Experience Las Posadas (a festival similar to Advent), swim in cenotes, and taste authentic dishes under cloudless skies. Pure Mexican magic.
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Egypt

The scorching heat retreats, revealing Egypt at its most magnificent. December's mild temperatures make exploring tombs and sailing the Nile a dream. From the Great Pyramids to Luxor's temples, ancient wonders emerge from the desert haze in comfortable splendor - archaeology has never felt so civilized.
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The Maldives

December is when the Maldives really shows off. The northeast monsoon sweeps away the clouds, leaving nothing but endless blue skies and impossibly calm seas. Picture powder-soft beaches, turquoise lagoons, and coral reefs bursting with tropical fish. It's barefoot luxury at its most effortless - the kind of place where doing absolutely nothing feels like everything.
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Uruguay

Uruguay in December feels like discovering something special before everyone else does. Summer's just beginning along the Atlantic coast, bringing long, lazy days to sophisticated beach towns like Punta del Este. Add world-class wineries and that uniquely Uruguayan laid-back charm, and you've got South America's most understated gem - still refreshingly undiscovered.
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Laos

Laos promises spiritual ease and saffron skies. Travel here in December and you’ll be rubbing shoulders with monks, visiting shrines, and slipping serenely along wide, meandering rivers.
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Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka offers the perfect December escape, mystifying and inspiring in equal measure. This emerald island marries luxurious beach relaxation with thrilling safari adventures during the island's dry season. Spend your days at Wild Coast Tented Lodge spotting leopards in Yala National Park, then unwind on pristine beaches under perfect weather conditions.
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Thailand

With the monsoon’s dissipation, the days give way to clear skies and bright sun. We recommend the south and the western Andaman coast, with Phuket, Phang Nga Bay, Krabi, Phi Phi and more. Up north, the culture of Chiang Mai still has its draw.
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South Africa

A true festive escape. Dry, bright, warm days on the Cape and in the winelands. Camps and Bantry bay, Cape Town test kitchens, wine tastings and even some Sabi Sands safari.
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Cambodia

Cambodia is a welcoming and fascinating place to immerse yourself into. The water festival of Bon Om Touk. The races of Phnom Penh. The splendour of Cardamom National Park and the glory of Shinta Mani Wild.
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