Where to go in December
Best places to visit in December.
December is peak season for beaches, deserts and Christmas markets, and the first proper snow in the hills. Book early around Christmas and New Year.
In India (37)
- 01
Rajasthan
Jaisalmer
A living sandstone fort, carved havelis and a night under the stars in the Thar.
Desert days are warm and nights cool from October to February, the only comfortable time for the dunes. The Desert Festival usually lands in February.
Oct – Mar3 days · from ₹2,000/daySee the 3-day plan - 02
Rajasthan
Jodhpur
The Blue City under Mehrangarh, one of India's mightiest forts.
Pleasant 25°C days from October to March make the fort climb and old-city walks easy; the Rajasthan International Folk Festival is held at the fort around October.
Oct – Mar2 days · from ₹1,800/daySee the 2-day plan - 03
Rajasthan
Pushkar
A holy lake of 52 ghats, the Brahma temple and the world-famous camel fair.
The Pushkar Camel Fair runs around Kartik Purnima in late October or November: thousands of camels, folk music and a carnival in the dunes.
Oct – Mar2 days · from ₹1,500/daySee the 2-day plan - 04
Rajasthan
Ranthambore
Tigers among the ruins of a thousand-year-old fort.
The park reopens on 1 October after the monsoon; winter safaris are cool and the forest is green, with good tiger sightings.
Oct – May2 days · from ₹3,000/daySee the 2-day plan - 05
Gujarat
Rann of Kutch
A white salt desert that glows under the full moon, and villages of master craftspeople.
The salt flat dries out by November and the Rann Utsav tent city at Dhordo runs from about November to February; full-moon nights are magical.
Nov – Feb3 days · from ₹2,500/daySee the 3-day plan - 06
Karnataka
Gokarna
A temple town with a string of quiet coves you walk between on cliff paths.
After the monsoon the sea calms, the shacks reopen and the beach trek is green and cool. It's Goa twenty years ago.
Oct – Mar3 days · from ₹1,500/daySee the 3-day plan - 07
Puducherry
Pondicherry
Bougainvillea, French villas and croissants on the Bay of Bengal.
Once the northeast monsoon eases in December, the weather is perfect into March, and the Christmas and New Year season in White Town is lovely.
Dec – Mar3 days · from ₹2,000/daySee the 3-day plan - 08
Andaman & Nicobar
Andaman Islands
Powder-white beaches, glass-clear water and coral reefs, without a passport.
November to April is dry, calm and sunny: the ferries run on time and diving visibility is at its best.
Nov – Apr5 days · from ₹3,500/daySee the 5-day plan - 09
Karnataka
Coorg
Coffee estates, misty hills and Kodava cooking in the Western Ghats.
Post-monsoon Coorg is lush, waterfalls are full and the coffee blossoms and harvest run through winter.
Oct – Mar3 days · from ₹2,000/daySee the 3-day plan - 10
Karnataka
Chikmagalur
Where coffee first grew in India, beneath Karnataka's highest peak.
Clear skies after the rains bring sweeping views from Mullayanagiri, and the estates are at their greenest.
Oct – Mar2 days · from ₹2,000/daySee the 2-day plan - 11
Tamil Nadu
Ooty
The toy train through tea country to the Queen of Hill Stations.
Crisp, clear winter days are perfect for the Nilgiri Mountain Railway and the tea estates; frost on the grass in December and January.
Oct – May3 days · from ₹1,800/daySee the 3-day plan - 12
Kerala
Varkala
Red laterite cliffs above the Arabian Sea, with cafés along the edge.
The cliff cafés reopen after the monsoon and the sea calms down; winter sunsets from North Cliff are the best in Kerala.
Oct – Mar3 days · from ₹1,800/daySee the 3-day plan - 13
Kerala
Wayanad
Neolithic caves, heart-shaped lakes and spice-scented forest.
After the rains the forest is green, waterfalls are full and treks to Chembra and Edakkal are open again.
Oct – May3 days · from ₹2,000/daySee the 3-day plan - 14
Tamil Nadu
Kodaikanal
A star-shaped lake, pine forests and cliffs above the clouds.
Cool, misty winter days and fewer crowds than the summer rush; it's a classic honeymoon escape.
Oct – May2 days · from ₹1,800/daySee the 2-day plan - 15
Tamil Nadu
Mahabalipuram
Seventh-century stone temples on a beach an hour from Chennai.
Cooler winter days are best for walking the monuments, and the Mamallapuram Dance Festival runs from about late December to January against the rock carvings.
Nov – Feb2 days · from ₹1,800/daySee the 2-day plan - 16
Tamil Nadu
Madurai
A 2,500-year-old temple city that never sleeps.
The heat eases from November to February, making the temple corridors and the night ceremony far more comfortable.
Oct – Mar2 days · from ₹1,500/daySee the 2-day plan - 17
Karnataka
Mysore
A palace lit by 100,000 bulbs, silk, sandalwood and Mysore pak.
Dasara turns the city into a festival in October, and the palace is lit up every Sunday evening through the winter.
Oct – Feb2 days · from ₹1,600/daySee the 2-day plan - 18
Tamil Nadu
Kanyakumari
India's southern tip, where three seas meet and the sun rises and sets over water.
Winter's clear skies give the best sunrises and sunsets, and the ferry to the rock memorial runs reliably.
Oct – Mar2 days · from ₹1,500/daySee the 2-day plan - 19
Lakshadweep
Lakshadweep
Coral atolls and turquoise lagoons, India's answer to the Maldives.
Seas are calm and visibility for snorkelling and diving is excellent from October to May.
Oct – May4 days · from ₹6,000/daySee the 4-day plan - 20
Odisha
Puri & Konark
The Jagannath temple, the Sun Temple of Konark and Asia's largest lagoon.
Winter is the season: the Konark Dance Festival is held in early December and migratory birds crowd Chilika from November to February.
Oct – Mar3 days · from ₹1,500/daySee the 3-day plan - 21
Uttarakhand
Auli
India's best ski slopes, facing Nanda Devi.
Snow usually arrives by late December, and skiing runs from January to March with courses for complete beginners.
Dec – Mar4 days · from ₹2,500/daySee the 4-day plan - 22
Himachal Pradesh
Shimla
The old summer capital, its Mall Road and the toy train through 100 tunnels.
Christmas on the Ridge and the first snowfall, usually in late December or January, make winter Shimla's most magical season.
Oct – Apr3 days · from ₹2,000/daySee the 3-day plan - 23
Uttarakhand
Mussoorie
The Queen of the Hills and the quiet lanes of Landour.
Winter skies are clear enough to see the snow range, and the occasional January snowfall is a big draw from Delhi.
Oct – May2 days · from ₹2,000/daySee the 2-day plan - 24
Uttarakhand
Nainital
A lake town ringed by seven hills, with Bhimtal and Sattal close by.
October and November are crisp and clear, with views of the snow peaks from Snow View, before the cold of December.
Oct – Jun3 days · from ₹1,800/daySee the 3-day plan - 25
Uttarakhand
Jim Corbett
India's oldest national park: tigers, elephants and the Ramganga river.
Dhikala, the park's heart, usually opens in mid-November; winter brings misty mornings and good sightings.
Nov – Jun3 days · from ₹3,000/daySee the 3-day plan - 26
Uttarakhand
Chopta & Tungnath
The trek to the world's highest Shiva temple and the Chandrashila summit.
October and November give the clearest Himalayan views of the year; from December the trail turns into a snow trek.
Oct – Dec, Mar – May4 days · from ₹1,500/daySee the 4-day plan - 27
Himachal Pradesh
Tirthan Valley & Jibhi
Wooden homestays by a trout river, at the edge of a national park.
Autumn colours in October and November, then snow on Jalori Pass from December, with quiet cosy homestays.
Oct – Dec, Mar – May4 days · from ₹1,500/daySee the 4-day plan - 28
West Bengal
Darjeeling
Tea gardens, a toy train and sunrise on Kanchenjunga.
October to December has the clearest skies of the year: the best chance of seeing Kanchenjunga turn gold from Tiger Hill.
Oct – Dec, Mar – May3 days · from ₹1,800/daySee the 3-day plan - 29
Sikkim
Gangtok
A clean, friendly mountain capital with frozen lakes above it.
October to December brings clear views of Kanchenjunga and the first snow around Tsomgo Lake.
Oct – Dec, Mar – May4 days · from ₹2,000/daySee the 4-day plan - 30
Meghalaya
Meghalaya
Living root bridges, waterfalls and a river so clear the boats seem to float on air.
From November the Umngot river at Dawki turns glass-clear, and dry winter days are perfect for the root-bridge trek.
Oct – Apr4 days · from ₹2,000/daySee the 4-day plan - 31
Assam
Kaziranga
Two-thirds of the world's one-horned rhinos live here.
The park opens in November after the floods; winter grasslands are short enough to spot rhinos, elephants and buffalo easily.
Nov – Apr2 days · from ₹2,500/daySee the 2-day plan - 32
Uttar Pradesh
Agra
The Taj Mahal at sunrise, a red fort and a ghost city.
October to March is cool enough for long monument days; misty winter dawns make the Taj look like it's floating.
Oct – Mar2 days · from ₹1,800/daySee the 2-day plan - 33
Punjab
Amritsar
The Golden Temple, the border ceremony and the best kulchas in India.
Cool winter days suit long hours at the temple, and Diwali and Gurpurab light the Golden Temple up spectacularly.
Oct – Mar2 days · from ₹1,500/daySee the 2-day plan - 34
Madhya Pradesh
Khajuraho
A thousand years of sculpture in sandstone, next to a tiger reserve.
Winter is the season, and the Khajuraho Dance Festival brings classical dancers to the temples in February.
Oct – Mar2 days · from ₹1,800/daySee the 2-day plan - 35
Madhya Pradesh
Kanha
The sal forests that inspired The Jungle Book.
Kanha reopens on 16 October; winter mornings are misty and the meadows full of barasingha.
Oct – Jun3 days · from ₹3,000/daySee the 3-day plan - 36
Maharashtra
Mahabaleshwar
Strawberry fields, valley viewpoints and a Maratha fort.
Strawberry season runs from about December to March, and the cool, clear days are perfect for viewpoints.
Oct – May2 days · from ₹2,000/daySee the 2-day plan - 37
Maharashtra
Alibaug
Mumbai's weekend beach, a ferry ride from the Gateway of India.
After the monsoon the seas are calm, the ferries run and the weather is perfect for beach days and forts.
Oct – May2 days · from ₹2,500/daySee the 2-day plan
Around the world (97)
- 01
Thailand
Phuket
Island hopping, old town food and the Andaman Sea at its bluest.
The dry season from November to April brings calm seas for boat trips to Phi Phi and Phang Nga Bay.
Nov – Apr5 days · from ₹3,500/daySee the 5-day plan - 02
Thailand
Krabi
Limestone cliffs, Railay's beaches and the four-island tour.
From November the monsoon has passed: boats run daily and the sea is calm and clear.
Nov – Apr4 days · from ₹3,000/daySee the 4-day plan - 03
Vietnam
Hanoi & Ha Long Bay
Old Quarter street food and a night aboard a junk among 1,600 limestone islands.
October to December is dry and cool in the north, with clear days on Ha Long Bay and pleasant evenings in the Old Quarter.
Oct – Dec, Mar – Apr6 days · from ₹2,500/daySee the 6-day plan - 04
Vietnam
Phu Quoc
Vietnam's island of white sand, sunsets and the world's longest sea cable car.
November to April is the island's dry season: calm seas, blue skies and the best sunsets.
Nov – Apr4 days · from ₹3,000/daySee the 4-day plan - 05
Singapore
Singapore
Gardens in the sky, hawker food and Sentosa's beaches.
Christmas lights on Orchard Road and the year-end festivities make November and December a great time, and school holidays make it a family favourite.
All year4 days · from ₹5,000/daySee the 4-day plan - 06
Malaysia
Kuala Lumpur
Petronas Towers, Batu Caves and some of Asia's best street food.
Short flights, easy entry and year-end sales make KL one of the most popular quick trips from India this season.
Dec – Mar, May – Aug4 days · from ₹3,000/daySee the 4-day plan - 07
Malaysia
Langkawi
A curved sky bridge, mangrove kayaking and duty-free island life.
December to March is the dry season, with calm seas for island hopping and clear views from the Sky Bridge.
Nov – Apr4 days · from ₹3,500/daySee the 4-day plan - 08
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka
A rock fortress, tea-country trains and whales off the south coast.
December to April is dry on the west and south coasts and in the hill country, and whale-watching season off Mirissa begins.
Dec – Apr7 days · from ₹3,000/daySee the 7-day plan - 09
Maldives
Maldives
Overwater villas, or local-island guesthouses at a fraction of the price.
November to April is the dry northeast-monsoon season: sunny skies, calm seas and the best visibility for snorkelling.
Nov – Apr4 days · from ₹5,000/daySee the 4-day plan - 10
Nepal
Kathmandu & Pokhara
Ancient temple squares and sunrise over the Annapurnas.
October and November are Nepal's best months: clear post-monsoon skies, mountain views and festival season with Dashain and Tihar.
Oct – Dec, Mar – Apr6 days · from ₹2,000/daySee the 6-day plan - 11
United Arab Emirates
Abu Dhabi
A white marble mosque, the Louvre and the theme parks of Yas Island.
November to March is the only comfortable season in the Gulf: warm days, cool evenings and outdoor events.
Nov – Mar4 days · from ₹6,000/daySee the 4-day plan - 12
Oman
Muscat & Oman
Wadis, forts and dunes in the Gulf's most beautiful landscapes.
Oman's winter is ideal for hiking wadis, swimming in sinkholes and nights in the desert.
Nov – Mar5 days · from ₹5,000/daySee the 5-day plan - 13
Azerbaijan
Baku
A medieval walled city below the Flame Towers, and snow a few hours away.
An easy e-visa, short flights and winter snow at Shahdag make Baku one of this season's most searched trips from India.
Oct – May5 days · from ₹4,000/daySee the 5-day plan - 14
Kazakhstan
Almaty
Snowy peaks above a leafy city, with a ski resort 30 minutes away.
From December Shymbulak has snow for skiing, Medeu has the world's highest outdoor skating rink, and flights from India are short.
Dec – Mar, Jun – Sep5 days · from ₹3,500/daySee the 5-day plan - 15
Georgia
Tbilisi & Georgia
Sulphur baths, wine country and a church beneath Mount Kazbek.
October is grape harvest (rtveli) in Kakheti, and from December Gudauri has some of the cheapest good skiing in Europe.
Oct – May6 days · from ₹3,000/daySee the 6-day plan - 16
Egypt
Egypt
The pyramids, Karnak and a cruise down the Nile.
Winter is the only comfortable time for Luxor and Aswan, and the Grand Egyptian Museum near Giza is the new must-see.
Oct – Mar7 days · from ₹4,000/daySee the 7-day plan - 17
Mauritius
Mauritius
Lagoons, seven-coloured earth and an island with a big Indian heart.
October to December is warm and dry before the cyclone season, and Diwali is a national holiday on the island.
May – Dec6 days · from ₹5,000/daySee the 6-day plan - 18
Austria
Vienna
Christmas markets, palaces and the coffee-house life.
From mid-November to Christmas, Vienna's markets fill its squares with lights, mulled wine (punsch) and roasted chestnuts.
Nov – Dec4 days · from ₹7,000/daySee the 4-day plan - 19
Canary Islands, Spain
Tenerife
Winter sun, black-sand beaches and Spain's highest volcano.
The Canaries are Europe's guaranteed winter sun: 22–25°C from November to March, just four hours from northern Europe.
Oct – Apr5 days · from $80/daySee the 5-day plan - 20
Portugal
Madeira
Levada walks, sea cliffs and the best New Year fireworks in Europe.
Madeira stays mild all winter (18–22°C), and its New Year's Eve fireworks over Funchal bay are among the largest in the world.
Oct – Apr5 days · from $80/daySee the 5-day plan - 21
Morocco
Marrakech
Souks, riads and the Atlas Mountains on the edge of the Sahara.
Marrakech is pleasant from October to April, a short flight from Europe and a world away.
Oct – Apr4 days · from $60/daySee the 4-day plan - 22
Czech Republic
Prague
A fairy-tale old town, Christmas markets and the best beer in Europe.
From late November, the Old Town Square Christmas market fills Prague with lights, carols and mulled wine.
Nov – Dec, Apr – May, Sep – Oct4 days · from $70/daySee the 4-day plan - 23
Hungary
Budapest
Thermal baths, ruin bars and Christmas markets on the Danube.
Soaking in an outdoor thermal pool while snow falls is a winter highlight, and the Christmas markets at Vörösmarty Square are among Europe's best.
Nov – Dec, Apr – May, Sep – Oct4 days · from $60/daySee the 4-day plan - 24
Alsace, France
Strasbourg
The Capital of Christmas: half-timbered houses and France's oldest Christmas market.
Strasbourg's Christkindelsmärik has run since 1570 and fills the whole old town with lights from late November to Christmas.
Nov – Dec3 days · from $90/daySee the 3-day plan - 25
Bavaria, Germany
Munich
Beer halls, Christmas markets and fairy-tale castles in the Alps.
Munich's Christmas markets and the nearby Neuschwanstein castle in snow make winter magical.
Sep – Dec4 days · from $90/daySee the 4-day plan - 26
Denmark
Copenhagen
Hygge, harbour swims and Tivoli lit up for Christmas.
From mid-November Tivoli Gardens becomes a Christmas wonderland and Nyhavn's market glows along the canal: the cosiest city break in Europe.
Nov – Dec, May – Sep3 days · from $110/daySee the 3-day plan - 27
Scotland, UK
Edinburgh
A castle on a volcano, cobbled closes and the world's biggest Hogmanay.
Edinburgh's Christmas markets and its legendary Hogmanay street party on New Year's Eve draw visitors from around the world.
Dec – Jan, May – Sep3 days · from $100/daySee the 3-day plan - 28
England, UK
London
Royal palaces, free museums and the West End lit up for Christmas.
From mid-November London's streets are strung with lights, Winter Wonderland opens in Hyde Park and the West End is at its most festive.
Nov – Dec, Apr – Sep4 days · from $120/daySee the 4-day plan - 29
Netherlands
Amsterdam
Canals, Rembrandts and the Amsterdam Light Festival.
The Amsterdam Light Festival fills the canals with light art from late November to January: best seen from a canal cruise.
Dec – Jan, Apr – Sep3 days · from $110/daySee the 3-day plan - 30
Lapland, Finland
Rovaniemi
Santa's official hometown, husky sleds and the northern lights.
December to March brings deep snow and long dark nights: the best chance of the aurora, and Christmas with Santa on the Arctic Circle.
Dec – Mar4 days · from $150/daySee the 4-day plan - 31
Northern Norway
Tromsø
The northern lights capital, fjords and whale safaris.
Tromsø sits under the aurora oval, and from late October to January orcas and humpbacks feed in the nearby fjords.
Sep – Mar4 days · from $170/daySee the 4-day plan - 32
Iceland
Reykjavik & the Golden Circle
Geysers, waterfalls, ice caves and the aurora.
Long winter nights mean the best northern lights, and November to March is the only season for blue ice-cave tours.
Sep – Mar5 days · from $170/daySee the 5-day plan - 33
Switzerland
Zermatt
Skiing under the Matterhorn in a car-free Alpine village.
Zermatt has one of the longest ski seasons in the Alps, with snow from late November and skiing across the border into Italy.
Dec – Apr4 days · from $220/daySee the 4-day plan - 34
French Alps
Chamonix
Mont Blanc, the Aiguille du Midi and legendary off-piste.
Chamonix has snow from December to April and the Vallée Blanche, one of the world's great off-piste runs.
Dec – Apr4 days · from $180/daySee the 4-day plan - 35
Italy
Dolomites
Sella Ronda skiing, pink peaks at sunset and Italian food on the slopes.
The Dolomiti Superski area has 1,200 km of pistes, and Cortina hosts events in the 2026 Winter Olympics.
Dec – Mar, Jun – Sep5 days · from $170/daySee the 5-day plan - 36
Hokkaido, Japan
Niseko & Sapporo
The world's best powder snow, onsen soaks and the Sapporo Snow Festival.
Siberian storms dump light 'Japow' on Niseko from December to March, and the Sapporo Snow Festival fills the city with giant ice sculptures in early February.
Dec – Mar5 days · from $150/daySee the 5-day plan - 37
British Columbia, Canada
Whistler
North America's biggest ski resort, a pedestrian village and the Peak 2 Peak gondola.
Whistler Blackcomb has over 8,000 acres of terrain, and the season runs from late November to April.
Dec – Apr5 days · from $180/daySee the 5-day plan - 38
South Africa
Cape Town
Table Mountain, penguins and winelands in the southern summer.
November to March is summer in the Cape: long sunny days, beach weather and the winelands at their best.
Nov – Mar6 days · from $90/daySee the 6-day plan - 39
Tanzania
Zanzibar
Spice-island history, Stone Town alleys and white-sand Indian Ocean beaches.
December to February is a dry, hot season with calm, clear water: perfect after a safari or as an escape from northern winter.
Dec – Feb, Jun – Oct5 days · from $80/daySee the 5-day plan - 40
Yucatán, Mexico
Cancún & Tulum
Caribbean beaches, Maya ruins and cenote swims.
December to April is dry, sunny and outside hurricane season: the Caribbean coast's peak.
Dec – Apr5 days · from $90/daySee the 5-day plan - 41
Mexico
Mexico City
Day of the Dead, Aztec ruins and the best tacos on earth.
Day of the Dead (1–2 November) transforms the city with marigolds, altars and a giant parade, and the dry season runs to spring.
Oct – Mar4 days · from $70/daySee the 4-day plan - 42
Costa Rica
Costa Rica
Volcanoes, cloud forests, sloths and two coasts.
December to April is the dry season, with sunny days for hiking, wildlife and the Pacific beaches.
Dec – Apr7 days · from $90/daySee the 7-day plan - 43
Puerto Rico, US
Puerto Rico
Old San Juan's colours, a rainforest and a glowing bioluminescent bay.
December to April is the dry season, and for Americans it's a Caribbean escape with no passport needed.
Dec – Apr5 days · from $110/daySee the 5-day plan - 44
Hawaii, US
Maui
Humpback whales, the Road to Hana and sunrise above the clouds on Haleakalā.
Thousands of humpback whales arrive to breed from December to April, and Maui's west coast stays sunny and 27°C all winter.
Dec – Apr5 days · from $180/daySee the 5-day plan - 45
New York, US
New York at Christmas
The Rockefeller tree, ice skating and Broadway in the city that never sleeps.
From late November New York is at its most magical: the Rockefeller Center tree, store windows on Fifth Avenue and holiday markets at Bryant Park and Union Square.
Nov – Dec, Apr – May, Sep – Oct4 days · from $180/daySee the 4-day plan - 46
Louisiana, US
New Orleans
Jazz, gumbo and the French Quarter's iron balconies.
Autumn to spring is comfortable and full of festivals; Mardi Gras season builds from January to Fat Tuesday in February or March.
Oct – Apr4 days · from $120/daySee the 4-day plan - 47
Caribbean
St Lucia
The Pitons, a drive-in volcano and some of the Caribbean's most romantic resorts.
December to April is the dry season, with sunshine and calm seas: the classic Caribbean winter escape.
Dec – Apr5 days · from $150/daySee the 5-day plan - 48
Chile & Argentina
Patagonia
Granite towers, glaciers and the end of the world.
November to March is the southern summer, the only season when Patagonia's trails and boats fully open.
Nov – Mar7 days · from $130/daySee the 7-day plan - 49
Argentina
Buenos Aires
Tango, steak and grand boulevards in the Paris of South America.
Spring (October to December) brings jacaranda blossoms and warm evenings perfect for outdoor parrillas.
Oct – Dec, Mar – Apr4 days · from $70/daySee the 4-day plan - 50
Brazil
Rio de Janeiro
Christ the Redeemer, Copacabana and the world's biggest Carnival.
December to March is Rio's summer, with New Year on Copacabana and Carnival in February.
Dec – Mar5 days · from $80/daySee the 5-day plan - 51
Hong Kong
Hong Kong
A skyline on the water, dim sum and mountain hikes minutes from downtown.
October to December brings clear skies, low humidity and the best harbour views of the year.
Oct – Mar4 days · from $110/daySee the 4-day plan - 52
Northern Thailand
Chiang Mai
Temples, night markets, elephant sanctuaries and the Yi Peng lantern festival.
November's Yi Peng and Loy Krathong festivals fill the sky with lanterns, and the cool season runs to February.
Nov – Feb4 days · from $40/daySee the 4-day plan - 53
Cambodia
Siem Reap & Angkor
Sunrise at Angkor Wat and jungle temples wrapped in tree roots.
November to March is dry and cool, ideal for long days among the temples.
Nov – Mar4 days · from $40/daySee the 4-day plan - 54
Laos
Luang Prabang
Saffron-robed monks, Mekong sunsets and turquoise waterfalls.
November to February is cool and dry, with misty mornings on the Mekong.
Nov – Feb3 days · from $40/daySee the 3-day plan - 55
Philippines
El Nido & Palawan
Limestone lagoons, island hopping and some of Asia's most beautiful beaches.
December to May is the dry season, with calm seas for island-hopping tours.
Dec – May5 days · from $50/daySee the 5-day plan - 56
New South Wales, Australia
Sydney
The Opera House, Bondi and the world's most famous New Year's fireworks.
Summer runs from December to February, with beach days and New Year's Eve fireworks over the harbour.
Oct – Apr5 days · from $130/daySee the 5-day plan - 57
Victoria, Australia
Melbourne & the Great Ocean Road
Laneway cafés, the Australian Open and the Twelve Apostles.
Summer brings the Australian Open in January and the best weather for the Great Ocean Road.
Nov – Mar5 days · from $120/daySee the 5-day plan - 58
New Zealand
Queenstown
The adventure capital: bungy, jetboats, Milford Sound and alpine lakes.
Summer (December to February) brings long days for hiking and Milford Sound; winter is ski season.
Nov – Mar, Jun – Aug5 days · from $130/daySee the 5-day plan - 59
Australia
Tasmania
Wild national parks, MONA and Wineglass Bay.
Summer brings long, mild days for hiking Cradle Mountain and Freycinet.
Nov – Mar6 days · from $120/daySee the 6-day plan - 60
Colorado, US
Aspen
Four mountains, a Victorian silver town and the most glamorous après in the Rockies.
Aspen's season runs from late November to April, with reliable Colorado powder, bluebird skies and a town that comes alive over the holidays.
Dec – Mar4 days · from $250/daySee the 4-day plan - 61
Utah, US
Park City
America's largest ski resort, 'the greatest snow on earth' and the Sundance Film Festival.
Park City is 35 minutes from Salt Lake City's airport, has over 7,000 skiable acres, and hosts the Sundance Film Festival each January.
Dec – Mar4 days · from $220/daySee the 4-day plan - 62
Wyoming, US
Jackson Hole
Steep skiing, cowboy bars and wildlife under the Grand Tetons.
Jackson Hole has some of the steepest in-bounds terrain in America, and winter brings herds of elk to the National Elk Refuge just outside town.
Dec – Mar4 days · from $230/daySee the 4-day plan - 63
Alberta, Canada
Banff
Frozen turquoise lakes, three ski resorts and hot springs in the Canadian Rockies.
In winter Lake Louise freezes into a giant skating rink, Banff's three ski resorts open, and the Icefields Parkway turns into a snowy wonderland.
Dec – Mar, Jun – Sep5 days · from $170/daySee the 5-day plan - 64
Québec, Canada
Québec City
A walled French city, the Winter Carnival and Europe's charm in North America.
Québec City is magical under snow: Christmas markets in December and the Carnaval de Québec, the world's largest winter carnival, in February.
Dec – Feb3 days · from $120/daySee the 3-day plan - 65
Florida, US
Key West & the Florida Keys
The Overseas Highway, Hemingway's house and sunset on Mallory Square.
December to April is dry and warm (24–27°C) in the Keys, the classic winter escape for the US and Canada.
Dec – Apr4 days · from $170/daySee the 4-day plan - 66
Florida, US
Miami
Art Deco South Beach, Little Havana and Art Basel in winter sun.
Miami's winter is warm and dry, and December brings Art Basel Miami Beach, one of the world's biggest art fairs.
Dec – Apr4 days · from $160/daySee the 4-day plan - 67
Florida, US
Orlando
Walt Disney World, Universal and Christmas at the theme parks.
Autumn to spring brings mild weather and holiday events: Halloween nights, Epcot's festivals and Christmas parades.
Oct – Mar5 days · from $180/daySee the 5-day plan - 68
Nevada, US
Las Vegas
The Strip, world-class shows and the desert parks beyond.
Autumn to spring is pleasant for exploring the Strip on foot and the nearby canyons, and New Year's Eve on the Strip is legendary.
Oct – Apr4 days · from $140/daySee the 4-day plan - 69
California, US
San Diego
Beaches, Balboa Park and gray whales migrating offshore.
San Diego has the mildest winter in the US, and gray whales pass the coast from December to April.
Oct – Apr4 days · from $150/daySee the 4-day plan - 70
California, US
Palm Springs
Mid-century modern houses, pool days and Joshua Tree's desert.
Palm Springs is 25°C and sunny all winter, and February's Modernism Week celebrates its famous architecture.
Nov – Apr3 days · from $150/daySee the 3-day plan - 71
South Carolina, US
Charleston
Pastel Rainbow Row, Southern cooking and oak-lined plantations.
Autumn is mild and pleasant, and the holidays bring candlelight tours of historic homes.
Oct – Dec, Mar – May3 days · from $150/daySee the 3-day plan - 72
Illinois, US
Chicago at Christmas
Christkindlmarket, skyscraper skylines and deep-dish pizza.
From mid-November the Christkindlmarket fills Daley Plaza and the Magnificent Mile's lights switch on: a classic US Christmas break.
Nov – Dec, May – Sep3 days · from $150/daySee the 3-day plan - 73
Caribbean
Aruba
Outside the hurricane belt, with white beaches, flamingos and steady trade winds.
Aruba is dry and sunny all year and sits below the hurricane belt, so winter is a safe bet for Caribbean sun.
Dec – Apr5 days · from $180/daySee the 5-day plan - 74
Caribbean
Barbados
Rum shops, turtle swims and calm west-coast beaches.
December to April is dry season and peak time for UK travellers escaping winter, with calm seas on the 'Platinum Coast'.
Dec – Apr5 days · from $180/daySee the 5-day plan - 75
Caribbean
Turks & Caicos
Grace Bay's powder sand and the clearest turquoise water in the Caribbean.
Winter brings calm seas, low humidity and humpback whales passing Salt Cay from January to April.
Dec – Apr5 days · from $250/daySee the 5-day plan - 76
Caribbean
Jamaica
Reggae, jerk chicken, waterfalls and Negril's Seven Mile Beach.
December to April is dry and sunny, the best season for beaches and climbing waterfalls.
Dec – Apr5 days · from $120/daySee the 5-day plan - 77
Caribbean
The Bahamas
Swimming pigs, sandbars and Nassau's colourful harbour.
December to April is dry and sunny, and the Junkanoo street parade fills Nassau on Boxing Day and New Year's Day.
Dec – Apr5 days · from $200/daySee the 5-day plan - 78
Baja California Sur, Mexico
Cabo San Lucas
El Arco, whale watching and desert meeting the sea.
From December to April, humpback and gray whales gather off Cabo, and the weather is dry and sunny.
Dec – Apr4 days · from $160/daySee the 4-day plan - 79
Mexico
Oaxaca
Mole, mezcal and the most moving Day of the Dead in Mexico.
Oaxaca's Día de Muertos (31 October–2 November) is famous for candlelit cemetery vigils, parades and altars.
Oct – Mar4 days · from $70/daySee the 4-day plan - 80
Colombia
Cartagena
A walled colonial city of bougainvillea balconies on the Caribbean.
December to April is the dry season, with breezy sunny days, and January brings the Hay Festival of literature and music.
Dec – Apr4 days · from $80/daySee the 4-day plan - 81
Ecuador
Galápagos Islands
Swim with sea lions and walk among giant tortoises and blue-footed boobies.
December to May is the warm season: calm seas, warm water for snorkelling and green sea turtles nesting.
Dec – May6 days · from $250/daySee the 6-day plan - 82
Central America
Belize
The Great Blue Hole, Maya temples and jungle caves.
The dry season from December to April is perfect for reef diving and jungle trips.
Dec – Apr6 days · from $120/daySee the 6-day plan - 83
Austria
Salzburg
Mozart's baroque city, Christmas markets and the birthplace of 'Silent Night'.
Salzburg's Christkindlmarkt below the fortress is one of Europe's oldest, and 'Silent Night' was first sung in nearby Oberndorf in 1818.
Nov – Dec, May – Sep3 days · from $110/daySee the 3-day plan - 84
Belgium
Bruges
Medieval canals, chocolate shops and a Christmas market on the Markt.
Bruges' Winter Glow light trail, Christmas markets and ice rink make it a perfect short winter break, just two hours from London by Eurostar.
Nov – Jan, Apr – Sep2 days · from $110/daySee the 2-day plan - 85
Germany
Berlin
History, art and over 80 Christmas markets.
Berlin has more Christmas markets than any city in Germany, from Gendarmenmarkt's elegant one to Charlottenburg Palace.
Nov – Dec, May – Sep4 days · from $100/daySee the 4-day plan - 86
Italy
Venice
Misty canals without the crowds, and the masked Carnival in February.
Winter Venice is quiet and atmospheric, and the Carnival of Venice fills the city with masks and costumes for two weeks before Lent (February).
Nov – Mar3 days · from $130/daySee the 3-day plan - 87
Switzerland
St Moritz
The birthplace of winter tourism, a frozen lake and the Bernina Express.
St Moritz invented the winter holiday in 1864 and still hosts horse races on its frozen lake every February.
Dec – Mar4 days · from $250/daySee the 4-day plan - 88
Swedish Lapland
Abisko & Kiruna
The 'blue hole' for northern lights and the original Icehotel.
Abisko sits in a rain shadow with famously clear skies, giving some of the best aurora odds on earth, and the Icehotel is rebuilt each December.
Dec – Mar4 days · from $180/daySee the 4-day plan - 89
England, UK
The Cotswolds
Honey-stone villages, cosy pubs with log fires and Christmas at Blenheim.
Autumn colours and Christmas markets make the Cotswolds a classic cosy break, with festive lights at Blenheim Palace from November.
Oct – Dec, Apr – Sep3 days · from $130/daySee the 3-day plan - 90
England, UK
Bath
Roman baths, Georgian crescents and a Christmas market around the Abbey.
Bath's Christmas Market fills the streets around the Abbey from mid-November, and you can soak in rooftop thermal pools in the cold.
Nov – Dec, Apr – Sep2 days · from $130/daySee the 2-day plan - 91
England, UK
York
The Shambles, York Minster and St Nicholas Fair.
York's St Nicholas Fair Christmas market and the medieval Shambles under lights make it one of England's most festive cities in December.
Nov – Dec, Apr – Sep2 days · from $120/daySee the 2-day plan - 92
Queensland, Australia
Gold Coast
Surf beaches, theme parks and rainforest hinterland.
Summer on the Gold Coast means warm water, school-holiday theme parks and long days on the beach.
Sep – May4 days · from $120/daySee the 4-day plan - 93
New South Wales, Australia
Byron Bay
Surf, the Cape Byron lighthouse and a laid-back hinterland.
Spring and summer bring warm surf and long days, and humpbacks pass the cape until about November.
Sep – Apr3 days · from $120/daySee the 3-day plan - 94
Western Australia
Perth & Margaret River
Quokkas on Rottnest, wine country and empty white beaches.
Summer in Western Australia is sunny and dry, with long beach days and wineries in full swing.
Oct – Apr5 days · from $130/daySee the 5-day plan - 95
South Australia
Adelaide & the Barossa
Shiraz country, Kangaroo Island and a festival city.
Summer brings outdoor dining, the Tour Down Under cycling race in January and Adelaide's Fringe festival in February–March.
Oct – Apr4 days · from $120/daySee the 4-day plan - 96
New Zealand
Auckland & the Bay of Islands
The City of Sails, Waiheke wineries and dolphins in the Bay of Islands.
Summer in New Zealand means long days for sailing, beaches and island wine-hopping.
Nov – Apr5 days · from $120/daySee the 5-day plan - 97
New Zealand
Rotorua
Geysers, Māori culture and Hobbiton nearby.
Summer is ideal for exploring geothermal parks and the Hobbiton movie set.
Nov – Apr3 days · from $110/daySee the 3-day plan
Good questions
Which is the best place to visit in India in December?
Top picks for December are Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Pushkar, Ranthambore, Rann of Kutch.
Where can I travel abroad in December?
Phuket, Krabi, Hanoi & Ha Long Bay, Phu Quoc, Singapore are all in season in December.
Where can I see snow in December?
Auli, Shimla, Chopta & Tungnath, Tirthan Valley & Jibhi, Gangtok