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December
Christmas arrives with full, boisterous energy. Decked out and shining like a bell. You can escape it (and go to Thailand). Or you can embrace it (and go to Lapland). But wherever you chose to spend the winter, we’re here for you.
We’ve hand-picked the ideas below to get your mind racing about where to travel in December. As ever, our luxury travel experts are on hand to give you detailed guidance and expert suggestions in choosing your trip.
Where to visit in December
Where the sachertorte is rich and bitter, and the white Alps scratch the sky itself, Austria – home to mirror-seeming lakes and the outrageously fun winter krampus festival – is, despite its genteel appearance, a really very surprising country. It’s the most wonderful time of year in the most wonderful place.
Sri Lanka is sure to both mystify and inspire. This tear-drop-shaped, emerald island is the perfect marriage between a luxurious beach holiday and an immersive safari adventure. Spend your days at the family-friendly Wild Coast Tented Lodge at Yala National Park spotting leopards.
There’s remote, and then there’s remote. The Mitre Peninsula is a wildly diverse, protected ecosystem in the southernmost region of Argentine Patagonia. Snow-capped peaks, dense evergreen forests, glaciers, and fjords. Read more in our Where to go in 2024 article. Or get planning.
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.
We’ve spent years perfecting our list of the best lodges, the perfect safari itineraries, and the best cultural excursions. As the original safari destination, Kenya does safari with unbeatable aplomb. What’s more, we specialize in pairing Kenya with post-safari sojourns in the Seychelles and Zanzibar.
Quietly, thirteen volcanic islands lie 600 miles adrift of the coast of Ecuador. These are the Galápagos Islands, home to giant tortoises and marine iguanas. We’ll take you on an adventure following in Darwin’s footsteps around the islands on one of our smaller vessels.
Two interlocked islands strung out in the Pacific Ocean, New Zealand is an ecological and geographical dream come true; laying claim to some of the most outrageous landscapes on earth. If it was good enough for Peter Jackson and The Lord of the Rings, then it’s good enough for us. It’s one of many reasons why it’s featured in our Where to go in 2024 list.
Our Morocco Travel Expert, Jihane says
“In December the weather is still warm but cooler days, the gentle breeze and lack of crowds makes exploring the spice scented markets all the more enjoyable. Treat yourself to a local hammam for some ultimate R&R or enjoy a private cooking class using locally sourced ingredients.”
Our hand-picked recommendations for where to stay and what to do
Here’s a quintessential family Christmas escape. Finnish Lapland, featuring Santa Claus Village, Northern Lights sledding, outdoor forest spa experiences and campfire picnics. Some seriously stylish properties, too.
Really this is the best of everything. North in Sigiriya (with its enormous rock-etched carvings). Tea country, colonial plantations, hikes and kayaks. There’s also stupendous Yala National Park and the fortress town of Galle. This is special indeed.
Perched in the Icelandic countryside, Hotel Ranga is widely considered one of the best hotels for seeing the northern Lights. Oh, and if you don’t fancy staying up to wait for the lights. Don’t worry, they have an Aurora wake-up call to ensure you’ll never miss them.
Our notes from the field. Videos, guides, and stories to get your ideas flowing
“Black Tomato helped us plan an excellent, well organized, fun, and relaxing honeymoon! We loved our trip to Thailand, Cambodia, and the Maldives. I’d definitely recommend them and would use them again for future trips.”