The Best Places to Travel in December: Fight against the Winter Blues in 2024

Photo by Frede Langlois

Best Places to Travel in December

During this time, especially towards the end of the year, people start longing for a vacation because of the harsh weather and short days. December is a great time to start visiting new places worldwide if the sun and sand, Christmas markets, or snowy landscapes grab your attention. Here, we'll look at some of the Best Places to Travel in December, where you're guaranteed magnificent and wondrous experiences, yummy foods, and fun memorable times.

Why December is the Best Month to Travel

Every place you visit can look completely different in December. Notably, the world offers beautiful scenery and vacation destinations ranging from snowy mountains to beautiful beaches, which are best for a festive month. If you are in a hurry and looking for a warmer climate to flee or a colder one to enjoy the winter, I've got you covered. Below are some of the best places to travel in December and the reasons why they are ideal during this time.

Sun-Soaked Escapes: The song's title is ‘Chasing Summer in December.’

Photo by Rowan Heuvel

Bali, Indonesia

If one is interested in traveling to a rather warm place, then Bali is among the best places to go for a vacation during December. Discover face-to-face the temples and graciously erected palaces of the ancients; get a massage from a local spa and learn about myths; or sit on the pristine sandy shores of Nusa Dua or Seminyak.

The Best Foods to Try:

• Nasi Goreng is Indonesian seared rice that is very common in Indonesia, Malaysia, and other South Asian nations.

• Babi Guling (and that implies nursing pig in Indonesian or Malay)

• Satay (barbecued or broiled meat on a stick)

Maldives

The Maldives is another country that one can naturally consider one of the best places to travel in December. Featuring glass-bottomed rooms, decks, and white-sand beaches, this gathering of islands has the look and the interesting beauty of the South Pacific. You can swim and, have a candlelight dinner on the beach, or sunbathe on the deck of your isolated villa.

The Best Foods to Try:

• Mas huni, or shredded smoked tuna mixed with coconut.

• Garudhiya (fish soup)

• Lobster dishes

Winter Wonderland: The Trick to Accepting the Cold

Photo by Mahesh Gupta 

Lapland, Finland

If there is anything that can bring the feeling of Christmas so close and simultaneously take you to a different world, it has to be Lapland, one of the most beautiful places to visit in December. The official residence of Santa Claus, the Norwegian Lapland, boasts tours on a reindeer sled or a sled pulled by huskies and seeing the Aurora Borealis. You can also sleep in a clear dome to spend the night gazing at the sky and the stars.

The Best Foods to Try:

• Poronkäristys (sautéed reindeer)

• Lohikeitto: creamy salmon soup

• Korvapuusti (cinnamon rolls)

Zermatt, Switzerland

Zermatt is a picture postcard village in the Matter Valley of Switzerland and turns into a winter sports resort in December. Well-known for skiing, snowboarding, and apres-ski, this beautiful and car-free town is surrounded by the Matterhorn, which is quite famous globally. Undoubtedly, it is one of the top recommendations for travel in December for snow lovers.

The Best Foods to Try:

• Fondue (a special cheese-preparation dish)

• Raclette, the cooking cheese, is reduced to potatoes and pickles.

• Switzerland: Rösti (fried potato cake)

Festive City Breaks: Receiving and giving joy this vacation season

Photo by Kevin Dowling 

Prague, Czech Republic

Prague is one of the best Christmas travel destinations; the city’s construction looks like it's been torn torn from a fairy tale, and the Christmas markets are picture-perfect. Visit the Old Town Square, watch the astronomical clock, and enjoy warm wine while shopping for ArtiSan products.

The Best Foods to Try:

• Trdelník (chimney cake)

• Svíčková (beef sirloin in cream sauce)

• Vánočka (Christmas bread)

New York City, USA

The Big Apple is one of the best places to travel to in December, as it tugs out all the stops during the joyful season. Everything from Central Park ice skateboarding to watching the Rockefeller Center's tree lighting is all in New York. Some of these include window shopping at some of the shops on Fifth Avenue or watching a Broadway show in the city.

The Best Foods to Try:

• New York-style pizza

• Pastrami on Rye

• Bagels with lox and cream cheese.

Off-the-Beaten-Path Adventures: Unusual Places Travel in December

Photo by Nicolas Perez

Ushuaia, Argentina

Often referred to as the ‘End of the World,’ Ushuaia is a great place for journey lovers to visit when it comes to December travels. This town serves as the entrance to the continent of Antarctica and, therefore, offers exciting features such as glaciers, wildlife, and cruises in the Beagle Channel. December is summer in the southern hemisphere; therefore, tourism conditions are comparatively better.

The Best Foods to Try:

• King crab

• Fuegian lamb

• Calafate-berry desserts

Hoi An, Vietnam

Traveling in Hoi An is one of the best things to do in December because of its effectively combined culture, interesting history, and fine climate. This is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with many well-preserved buildings, especially lanterns, and mouth-watering food. You can adore the ancient town by strolling it on foot or riding a bicycle, visiting the cooking class, or searching for the nearby beach.

The Best Foods to Try:

• Cao lầu (a noodle soup served with boiled pork and greens)

• White rose dumplings

• A popular Vietnamese dish made with rice noodles is called Mi Quang.

Conclusion: What December Travel Is All About

By now, you have seen that December offers many offers and possibilities for big and small travelers with different travel wants and needs. From coastal resorts to winter wonderlands and Christmas-lit cities to exploring the wilderness, the best places to travel in December are as varied as they are appealing.

Whether you want to get warm and feel the tinkle of sand under your toes or get cold and meet locals from exotic countries, there is a country for you. If you are planning to travel during December, be prepared to encounter new experiences, the typical mall feeling, and newfound memories towards the end of the year.

Therefore, before the winter holidays come, planning a memorable trip to one of the Best Places to Travel in December will be great. Accept new traditions, taste new types of meals, and live colorful lives you will never forget. However, one has to admit that there is nothing like traveling to enjoy the beauty of the created world at the end of the year.

It is very important to know that the best places to travel in December do not just mean the beauty of the place but also the bliss and memories created in those places. So gather your thoughts and things, and let’s go for a ride, because this December will mark a new and exciting time.

FAQs

Where is it cheap to travel during the Christmas holidays?

Some affordable options among the best places to travel in December include:

• Goa, India

• Chiang Mai, Thailand

• Lisbon, Portugal

• Mexico City, Mexico

• Budapest, Hungary

In which countries can I see the Northern Lights in December?

The best places to travel in December for Northern Lights include:

• Tromsø, Norway

• Reykjavik, Iceland

• Fairbanks, Alaska, USA

• Yellowknife, Canada

• Abisko, Sweden

• Rovaniemi, Finland

Of course, it's not guaranteed that the Northern Light will always be visible; however, these areas have high probabilities.