Your last summer vacation has passed and you are not really looking forward to the colder winter months? No problem! Gladly, our planet is so big that there are always interesting destinations to visit. We looked into the 9 best places to travel in December – when many people just wish that winter would be over soon!
1. Mexico
If you are tired of the cold and short days without enough sunlight, Mexico is one of the best places to travel in December. The winter period in the northern hemisphere is exactly the time when people escape to the southern hemisphere – for instance to Mexico in Latin America. With beautiful beaches and a richness in culture you can forget your reality at home for a bit and also dive into ancient places such as Yucatan that simply do not exist elsewhere.
2. Austria
A little bit different from sunny beaches and winter escapes is Austria in December, where the true snow fans find happiness. The mountainous areas are particularly popularly as the winter months cover them even more in white magic and thousands of visitors enjoy the country on ski or snowboard, including the famous après-ski parties. Cities such as Vienna are also welcoming you with warm drinks and Christmas markets that are beautifully shining in the night.
3. Dubai
The city of Dubai has evolved into a vibrant metropolis in the Middle East over the last decades and nowadays you really do not have to worry that you would die of thirst. Dubai has managed to create beautiful architectures around large pools of water and if you visit in December, you catch the best time to be there. With temperatures around 28°C, it will be a good compromise between too warm and too chill and in case it gets above that, you can just jump right into the pool!
4. Turkey
A popular tourist destination throughout the year, Turkey is especially one of the best places to travel in December. The temperatures are still comfortable with around 22°C and if you want, it is still possible to swim in the sea. At the same time, the peak season is over then and you can find much better travel deals for flights and hotels. For people who want to have a more affordable vacation in a beautiful country with enough sun, Turkey could be a good pick!
5. Thailand
At least once in your life you need to go to Thailand and experience the friendly locals with the amazing food – at really low prices. Even though December is kind of the high season for tourists, you will still be able to find really cheap hotels. For instance, we managed to stay in a 5 star hotel suite in Bangkok for 30€ per night per person. In Europe, you often pay this much for shared rooms in hostels. High season is really the best period to go to Thailand because otherwise you have a higher risk of facing lots of rain between May and October.
6. Switzerland
Another dream destination for winter vacation is Switzerland, where you will get to see some of the best landscapes Europe has to offer. In December everything kind of looks like in a fairytale: just imagine you stand on top of a hill, looking down to the valley with light shining from the houses, and roofs are covered in snow. A very romantic experience or a good adventure with friends in the mountains, Switzerland is certainly one of the best places to travel in December and deserves a spot on this list.
7. South Africa
High season in South Africa is the best time to see the country – starting from December, many travelers come here as it is barely raining during these days and nature starts to show off its beauty. With beaches, exciting cities and fascinating wildlife, the country has a lot of activities to offer. If you rather avoid masses of tourists and take a compromise in having a few rainy days, it is also a good idea to go to South Africa in another month, such as March.
8. Australia
You could not get much further away from the wintertime sadness at home – in Australia you have relatively warm temperatures throughout the year and amazing opportunities to explore a completely new destination. Many people take a few months off to drive along the coastal areas, but even a few weeks in December could be a perfect getaway to enjoy some beaches, Australian lifestyle and animals that you have never seen before. The flights are a bit more expensive and time consuming so if you go, better stay at least 3 weeks!
9. Brazil
The joy and kindness of Brazilian people might be exactly what many need during the winter months. December in Brazil is considered as one of the top months to visit as the whole country flourishes in sun and life. Relax at the Copa Cabana, visit the Cristo statue and if you stay long enough, spend New Years Eve at the beach with the locals where thousands of people dress up in white and dance to good music and fireworks – sounds fun, right?
