The 12 best places to travel in December

Everyone should do Christmas in California at least once in their lives. ‘Winter’ in San Diego is clear, sunny days that idle comfortably around the 20C/68F mark – which to San Diegans means sweater weather, but to me, as a Brit, meant bikini days on the beach. For festive fun, join the San Diego SantaCon – allegedly the country’s biggest Santa bar crawl – and check out the extravagant Christmassy decor at Hotel del Coronado. 

Average temp in December: 20C/68F

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Every December, Lyon lights up for four days of dazzlement: a riot of huge light displays across the whole city centre, with millions swarming the traffic-free streets for music, mulled wine and merrymaking. But if you’d rather swerve the crowds and expense of the Fête des Lumières, you’ll still find Lyon (which contends with Marseille for the title of France’s second city) makes for the perfect midwinter city break. Shop for Christmas presents in the hip and crafty boutiques of the Pentes de la Croix Rousse. Walk the Rhône and Saone riverbanks after dark, checking out the illuminated bridges. Take a turn in the winter-only ferris wheel that towers 200 feet above Place Bellecour. And settle in for some epic meals at the traditional bouchons (Lyon’s ultra-trad answer to the Parisian bistrot). Nothing banishes the winter blues like a few of the sausage-heavy local classics and a bottle of burgundy.

Average temp in December: 4C/39F

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This might come as a shock, but Vegas is actually every bit as amazing as they say it is. It’s a bucket list destination for a reason, full of wonder and amazement and music and frozen margaritas the size of a small child. It’s serious fun all year round, but it’s especially exciting in the festive months; in December you’ll find Candelight concerts, ice skating, festive shows and The Strip decked out in Christmas lights. If there’s ever a time to visit Sin City, it’s in its December glory.

Average temp in December: 9C/48F

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December is when Austria really sparkles. Soak up the festive vibes (and the glühwein) at the spiritual HQ of Christmas markets, Vienna. The most iconic is held in front of the illuminated, baroque Schönbrunn Palace, with crafts, gingerbread and an enormous tree, while Art Advent on Karlsplatz has live music and an all-organic policy on the food. And while Vienna may be very good, Salzburg’s a bit subversive, too: at its folkloric Krampus parades in early December, goat-demon characters run riot through the streets. Less scarily, it’s also home to the uniquely Christmassy Salzburg Advent Singing, featuring traditionally dressed Alpine folk choirs and festive markets—the Christkindlmarkt is one of the world’s oldest.

Average temp in December: 3C/37F

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This picturesque Nordic nation is a perennial award winner in annual travel gongs, not to mention eco-centric ones, and it makes sense: Finland is big on conservation, with 39 national parks and nearly three-quarters of its land covered in forest. All kinds of cold-weather dwelling creatures live here, from arctic foxes to lynxes, wolverines and snow hares—but go in December to see Rudolph and his chums in the snowy winter paradise that is Finnish Lapland. Where, of course, you’ll also find Santa—this is the home of Christmas, after all.

Average temp in December: -4C/28F

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For memorable travel moments, Cambodia’s Angkor Wat at sunrise has to be up there. So, how about Cambodia’s Angkor Wat at sunrise, amped up and ready to run a half-marathon? Every December (December 5, to be exact), thousands of runners peg it through the grounds of the 900-year-old Hindu temple, a UNESCO site, in support of Cambodian charities. It’s totally what Indiana Jones and Lara Croft would want (both Temple of Doom and Tomb Raider were filmed in the complex). Afterwards, head out to one of Cambodia’s quieter tropical beaches for well-deserved lounging: Koh Rong Samloem’s Lazy Beach should fit the bill.

Average temp in December: 26C/78F

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For an arty party in the city, it has to be Art Basel in Miami. In December, the Swiss-born contemporary art fair arrives in Miami to exhibit and sell the work of established international artists. But you don’t have to be in the industry, or uber-rich, to get in on the action: plenty of fringe events happen outside the main convention centre at Miami Beach that same week. Check out the public sculpture and the many pop-ups, gallery events and installations that have led this to be dubbed ‘Art Week’ by locals. Welcome to Miami!

Average temp in December: 21C/70F

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It’s easy to see why tourism in India’s serene southwestern state is flourishing, with palm-fringed beaches, tranquil tea plantations, and tiger-spotting opportunities, and it’s also one of India’s more eco enclaves. In forward-looking Kochi, heritage meets hip, between colonial ruins and cutting-edge galleries. Then there is the fabulous Kochi-Muziris Biennale, India’s biggest contemporary art event. Galleries, disused buildings, public spaces and heritage sites across the city are filled with sculpture, film, painting, installations and performance art. Still, that counts as teasing, so best head this way to enjoy India's magical south.

Average temp in December: 28C/82F

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Because of its vast dark skies, Northern Patagonia is an epic stargazing spot at any time of year, but with a meteor shower and a total eclipse coming up, this December’s the time to go. The sky with be illuminated with cosmic debris for the Geminids meteor shower (it’s a big’un) on 14 and 15 December. Fly into Buenos Aires, Argentina, a few days before for steak, street art and sexy tango vibes before basing yourself in San Martin de los Andes for the main event—it’s on the banks of a glacial lake and right at the edge of forested Lanín National Park, at the foot of the Andes. 

Average temp in December: 22C/72F

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In case you haven't heard, nature immersion and eco-tourism are big, and Costa Rica might be the most eco of them all. It is well on its way to hitting its target of being the first carbon-neutral country, and a quarter of the country is made up of unspoilt conservation land. Expect fascinating nature, from vividly hued birds and tree frogs to blissed-out sloths. Eco-lodge-hop your way from the cloud forest at San Gerardo de Dota to the whale’s tail-shaped Marino Ballena National Park to surf spot Santa Teresa.

Average temp in December: 30C/86F

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Brave the harsh Berlin winter and reap the rewards: the run-up to Christmas is when the city is at its most charming. Get a round of glühwein while exploring a Christmas market (at Bröhan Museum market products are handmade by locals, while Spandau’s market is all old-Europe vibes). Alexanderplatz’s funfair will be in full swing, while Berlin’s Botanical Garden becomes an illuminated wonderland with twinkling fairy lights and glowing sculptures every December, with an ice rink to slip and slide around. Warm up after a spin by the fire pit with more hot booze.

Average temp in December: 3C/37F

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With the rainy season and the summer crowds out of the way, December is a great time to hit up Mexico City. Go for the street tacos, tamales and tlacoyos, the Templo Mayor Aztec ruins, and the Frida Kahlo Museum. Then get stuck in to hip neighbourhood Juarez where there are more new design restaurants and bar openings than you can shake a margarita at (if you can find Hanky Panky Cocktail Bar speakeasy, it’ll be worth the hunt). And if you happen to be in the city for New Year’s Eve, make for the nearby Angel of Independence on Reforma Avenue for the street party and fireworks at midnight.

Average temp in December: 21C/70F

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