December is a month packed with holidays, including Hanukkah, Christmas, and New Years, and for those who live in the northern hemisphere, thoughts on December typically include cooler weather and possibly snow. However, many popular destinations for December throughout the world are popular for specific reasons, whether because December is one of the warmest months of the year or the snowiest. Whether you are looking to visit a place for pristine skiing conditions, sandy beaches covered in sunshine, or intricate and time honored holiday celebrations, your next December dream vacation spot might be somewhere unexpected.
Porto, Portugal
Spending December and the holidays in Porto 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Honolulu, USA
Hawaii, and Honolulu specifically, 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.
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.
Iguazu Falls, Brazil
The Iguazu River is the physical border between Brazil and Argentina, and given that the falls are part of both countries’ territory, it is impressive to note that both Brazil and Argentina have declared the Iguazu Falls as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. There are many bridges, walkways, and viewing platforms built around the 275 individual waterfalls that make up the Iguazu Falls, giving tourists and locals alike an opportunity to view the spectacle in many unique ways. Visiting the falls in December is a special treat because the rainy season brings more water to the Iguazu River, making the falls even more spectacular.
Key West
Florida’s furthest reaches into the Gulf of Mexico often experience warm and pleasant weather right up to and throughout the New Year. There are many events and attractions to keep visitors and locals entertained during the month of December, from spending time on the beach to taking a tour of historic inns around the city. There is an annual Lighted Bike Parade that features a variety of cyclists raising awareness and funds for needy children, and there is also a Lighted Boat Parade that showcases a large variety of different ships decorated in creative and unique ways. Dog lovers won’t want to miss the annual Dachshund Parade. Clearly, there are a number of ways you can ring in the New Year all over the city.
Nashville
If you want a typically snowless holiday still filled with cheer, spending December in Nashville is perfect for any music or food lover who isn’t in search of a tropical retreat. Home to many special December events such as the Deck the Hall program at the Country Music Hall of Fame, Nashville brings its unique charm to the holiday celebration. For a special twist on a holiday classic, Monell’s Victorian Christmas Dinner features Tennessee style cooking coupled with live carolers and music. Reservations are heavily encouraged as this event tends to book fast. For visitors who are staying through the New Year, the Bash on Broadway is a huge concert outdoors, ringing in the New Year with live music and friends.
Prague, Czech Republic
December in Prague features snow capped buildings, gorgeous vistas from many of the cities high vantage points, and one of Europe’s best Christmas Markets. The Prague Christmas Market takes place in Old Town Square, making it easily accessible on foot and by public transit from nearly anywhere in the city. The Christmas Market goes on for nearly all of December, and visitors who find themselves in the city for the New Year celebration will be able to enjoy a spectacular firework show that takes place in the sky over Old Town.
Salzburg, Austria
Salzburg is a city that celebrates many festivals and holidays throughout December, and although the city rooftops aren’t always snow covered, the surrounding mountains are typically snow capped and offer the opportunity for winter sports. From the celebration on December 6th of St. Nicolas’ Day to the larger celebrations on Christmas Eve and Boxing Day, there will be lights and decorations all over Salzburg. Don’t miss the Christmas Markets selling traditional food, toys, clothing, mulled wine, and a number of other warm drinks to keep the whole family happy. Salzburg is a one-stop destination for skiing, Christmas and New Year’s celebrations, and wholesome family fun.
St. Bart's
Given the elite status of this island, it is no surprise that December is one of the most sought out and most expensive times of the year to see St. Bart’s. December is known as the high season, a pleasant lull between the rainy and the hot season, that offers guests to the island a chance to enjoy one of 22 pristine beaches in delightful conditions. To visit in December, it is recommended to book at least six months in advance, as hotels typically fill up fast. Along with the gorgeous weather, there are plenty of shopping, outdoor eating, and boat tours to participate in while spending time in St. Bart’s.
Stowe
With everything from alpine skiing and snowboarding to dog sledding, fat tire biking to ice fishing, and even winter horse drawn sleigh rides, Stowe, Vermont, is the perfect winter getaway to enjoy all that the season has to offer. The Stowe Mountain Resort has an extensive network of trails for riders to enjoy and explore, so this resort is sure to keep the family entertained for the duration of the trip. If outdoor activities aren’t your preference, there are plenty of award winning restaurants in Stowe to keep everyone fed and a selection of craft breweries to try during your stay. Families will enjoy a visit to the Ben and Jerry’s ice cream factory, where they can take a guided tour of the facility and enjoy a sample of the ice cream of the day.
Sun Valley
Sun Valley, a resort town in Idaho, has been charming visitors throughout the month of December since its founding in the 1930s. Although the temperatures may be low in December, the skiing is great and spirits are high with celebration, including many live performances and alpine based events. Families can easily find plenty of outdoor activities like snowshoeing, dog sledding, ice skating, and alpine skiing to keep them busy while the sun is out. After the sun sets there are plenty of family-centric restaurants to enjoy, and for individuals or couples travelling without kids there are many craft breweries and fine dining experiences to explore.
Telluride
Telluride, in the heart of the Rocky Mountains, is a wintertime dream for any outdoor enthusiast, whether they are traveling alone or with family. Telluride offers traditional activities like alpine skiing and snowboarding with added bonuses like helicopter skiing, backcountry CAT access, and Nordic cross country skiing paths. There are snowmobiles, snow shoes, and fat bikes that can be rented, and there are even opportunities for winter fly fishing and challenging ice climbing near the city. Horseback riding is also on option, or for those without any desire to take the reins, there are horse drawn sleighs and carriage rides that can be enjoyed.
Yellowstone National Park
Every year around the beginning of November, most of the park roads close to regular traffic as Yellowstone National Park prepares for the winter season. That means that those visiting in December will have to access the park through the northeast entrance, the only road open being the one that connects to Mammoth Hot Springs. If guests arrive at any other entrance, they will have to leave their cars behind and use an oversnow mode of transportation, such as snowmobiling or snow coaches. The park is a completely different experience during the winter months, and those lucky enough to visit in December can enjoy cross country skiing, snowmobiling, snowshoeing, and seeing Yellowstone with far smaller crowds.
Charleston
Horse drawn carriages will take you from one venue to the next as you enjoy a plethora of food, drinks, and hors d'oeuvres in a variety of locations during the Annual Progressive Dinner, a traditional and festive event that has been drawing crowds since its inception. If carriage rides don’t sound appealing, guests may prefer to attend the Annual Dickens Dinner, held at Circa 1886, which includes a four course meal inspired by “A Christmas Carol,” as well as a live retelling of the aforementioned novella by Tim Lowry. For less interactive entertainment, you may enjoy catching a performance at the 34 West Theater Company.
