Planning a December getaway? These enchanting places to visit in December offer snowy wonderlands, holiday cheer, and warm-weather retreats—perfect for ending the year in style.
If you are in a hurry, I recommend:
Unique Places to Visit in December:
1. Porto, Portugal
Spending December and the holidays in Porto, Portugal will often lead to better deals than can be found any other time in the year, given that the weather is a bit chillier than average and the rainy season is in full swing. However, even though the weather isn’t pristine, there are still plenty of delightful attractions to enjoy, such as indoor ice skating for children and adults, Christmas performances in and out of theaters, and many restaurant and hotel deals that can’t be found at other times of the year. In Porto, despite the weather, there are always plenty of places to enjoy delicious local food and port wine.
2. Antwerp
Conveniently located less than one hour from Brussels, Antwerp is an exciting city with many attractions on offer for visitors. Architecture enthusiasts will enjoy the juxtaposition of historic old buildings in Medieval Antwerp alongside modern buildings like the Port House. If you love museums you have come to the right place – you can visit Rubens House, MAS Museum aan de Stroom and the wonderful Chocolate Nation Museum. Walking Antwerp is a great way to explore this vibrant city, and you can choose from several self-guided walking tours according to your interests. A few of the most popular include the Diamond District Walk or the Baroque Electrifies Walk.
3. Cortina D' Ampezzo, Italy
Nestled in the southern Alps of northern Italy, Cortina D' Ampezzo was built along the Boite River and has been entertaining Italian and international tourists for many years. Because it sits in a valley, Cortina D’ Ampezzo often has more mild temperatures than the surrounding areas, making it the ideal location when visiting the southern Alps. Cortina D’ Ampezzo is well known for its winter sports, and was even host to the Winter Olympics in 1956. Visitors to this town in December will enjoy festive markets, holiday celebrations, and unbridled access to world class skiing without the inconvenience of long travel times.
4. Costa Rica
As the rainy season typically comes to an end and the sun starts to shine more and more, visitors who find themselves in Costa Rica during the month of December will most likely be enjoying time on the beach or hiking in nature. Given the ideal weather, December is often one of the busiest times for Costa Rica, as most hotels are filled with tourists and many of the adventure packages will be booked up. For those guests who plan ahead and book many months in advance, visiting Costa Rica in December can lead to the perfect sunshine holiday that will keep them coming back time and time again.
Romantic Places to Visit in December:
5. Calistoga
It feels like Calistoga is created for relaxation. A small city in the Napa Valley in California, Calistoga is famous for two things: Fantastic wineries and healing hot springs and mud baths. The wineries are world class and one of several tours will take you through the orderly rows of vines to some fascinating wineries. One of the most scenic is located in Castello de Amorosa, a true medieval castle. While you are strolling through town, visit the Ca’toga Galleria dARte to see works by renowned Italian artist Carlo Marchiori. For a bit of history, take a hike through Bale Grist Mill State Historic Park and visit the well-preserved 1846 mill.
6. Fiji
Visitors to the Fiji Islands in December will be braving the wet season, but it is not without its rewards. The weather will oftentimes be rainy, but because it is not during the peak of tourist season, guests will often find accommodations to be less expensive, and booking for adventure trips, restaurants, and other attractions is much easier to achieve. Depending on which island is the primary destination, the weather may change in accordance with the stormward and leeward sides of the islands. The ocean at this time of year is frequently the ideal temperature for swimming, and if the sun is out it makes for a wonderful day at one of Fiji’s many beaches.
Family-friendly Places to Visit in December:
7. Germany
With thousands of Christkindlmarkt, or Christmas Markets, spread throughout the country, visitors to Germany in December would be hard pressed not to stumble across one of these markets while exploring whatever town they may be in. These markets are typically filled with open air vendors, food, spiced mulled wine, handcrafted toys, games, jewelry, trinkets, and clothing, as well as performances of traditional holiday songs. Some cities, like Berlin for instance, often have over 70 different markets scattered throughout the city going on at the same time. Guests still in Germany for New Years will be greeted with a display of fireworks, a tradition that is said to stem from the desire to scare away evil spirits before the new year begins.
8. Honolulu, USA
Hawaii, and Honolulu, USAspecifically, makes for an an interesting December destination because the first three weeks of the month are relaxed, far less expensive, and not nearly as crowded as the last week of the month, when the city fills with tourists enjoying Christmas and New Years. Although December falls in the rainy season for Honolulu, thanks to the warm and wet climate, many tropical flowers and plants will be blooming during this time. As long as you have a light breathable rain jacket, visiting Honolulu in December allows you to experience a tropical paradise filled with occasional rain showers, sunny beach days, and all the stargazing you could desire.
9. Ibiza, Spain
Mild temperatures that may require a light jacket or sweater certainly do not keep tourists away from Ibiza, Spain , during the winter months. With a wide array of events happening throughout the month, some to celebrate Christmas, others to celebrate New Years, and some just for the fun of it, visitors to this island city will find more than enough entertainment to keep them busy during their stay. When the sun sets, there are many dance and nightclubs open to entertain you until the early morning hours, and many visitors may find the brisk weather more enjoyable after dancing the night away.
📔 I get asked this a lot so I decided to include it:
- What holidays are celebrated in December?
- December is a month packed with holidays, including Hanukkah, Christmas, and New Year's.
- What weather is typically associated with December in the northern hemisphere?
- For those who live in the northern hemisphere, thoughts on December typically include cooler weather and possibly snow.
- Why are certain destinations popular in December?
- Many popular destinations for December throughout the world are famous for specific reasons.
- Why do some places become popular in December?
- Some places are popular because December is one of the warmest months of the year, while others are loved for being the snowiest.
- What kind of December vacation are people looking for?
- Whether you are looking for pristine skiing conditions, sandy beaches covered in sunshine, or time-honored holiday celebrations, your next December dream vacation spot might be somewhere unexpected.
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