December is the season for cozying up by the fireplace or ditching the chilly solely. The Northern Hemisphere experiences winter with snow and chill, whereas the Southern Hemisphere basks in summer season’s heat.
Vacationers can select something from snowcapped landscapes superb for winter sports activities to sunlit beaches for leisure. Because the year-end approaches, many locations come alive with holiday preparations, every providing distinctive cultural experiences.
So, whether or not you are chasing powder in Canada or looking for solar within the Caribbean, these are the ten finest locations to go to in December.
Banff, Alberta
Within the coronary heart of the Canadian Rockies, Banff turns into a magical winter wonderland in December. Begin your journey with a go to to Lake Louise, which is frozen stable in December, making it a pure ice skating rink surrounded by towering mountains. Should you’re within the temper for a bit extra journey, hit the slopes at Sunshine Village, the place you possibly can ski or snowboard with among the finest views on the planet.
The Banff Hot Chocolate Trail is a pleasant solution to heat up as you wander the picturesque streets of Banff city. Between Nov. 15 and Dec. 31, greater than 20 cafes supply conventional cocoa and limited-time flavors like Raspberry Ripple and Brownie Bauble. The Banff Christmas Market has greater than 150 artisanal distributors promoting items and meals on the Banff Heritage Prepare Station on weekends between Nov. 15 and Dec. 8.
TPG tip: Keep on the Fairmont Banff Springs, Canada’s “Citadel within the Rockies,” for round $422 per night time this December. The resort’s “Christmas at the Castle” expertise, provided between Dec. 16 and Jan. 3, features a adorned Christmas tree in your room, plus entry to festive concert events, stargazing with scorching cocoa and extra.
Associated: Canmore, Alberta: Come for the breathtaking Rockies scenery, stay for the cool mountain vibes
Bogota, Colombia
Bogota is way hotter however nonetheless festive. December marks the start of the dry season right here, making it a good time to discover town’s vibrant streets, cultural landmarks and breathtaking Andean views with out worrying about rain. Enterprise as much as the sanctuary of Monserrate, a mountaintop shrine above Bogota, to absorb town lights from above.
Bogota’s burgeoning culinary scene will not disappoint. Seize some ajiaco (a standard hen and potato soup), or deal with your self to a wonderful eating expertise at Restaurante Leo, which presently holds the eighth spot on Latin America’s 50 Best Restaurants checklist.
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You probably have time, head three hours northeast to the colonial city of Villa de Leyva, Colombia, for its annual Festival of Lights (Dec. 8 to 9) that covers parks, streets and landmarks in a sea of vacation lights.
TPG tip: Keep on the Four Seasons Hotel Casa Medina Bogota within the metropolis’s stylish Zona G neighborhood, the place charges begin at $390 per night time in December. Should you’d somewhat use factors, the close by JW Marriott Hotel Bogota gives charges beginning at $396 or 24,000 Marriott Bonvoy factors per night time in December.
Salt Lake Metropolis
Salt Lake Metropolis is a gateway to among the finest snowboarding within the U.S., with close by resorts like Snowbird, Alta Ski Space and Deer Valley Resort opening for the 2024-2025 season between late November and early December. Whenever you’re not hitting the slopes, head to Temple Sq. to see a whole bunch of hundreds of twinkling lights create a vacation wonderland across the iconic Salt Lake Temple. Stroll by way of Christkindlmarkt SLC (Dec. 4 to 7) at That is the Place Heritage Park for vacation items, or catch a efficiency of Ballet West‘s “The Nutcracker” (Dec. 6 to twenty-eight), a beloved custom celebrating its eightieth anniversary this yr.
TPG tip: Keep on the Asher Adams, Autograph Collection, which opens inside the superbly restored Salt Lake Metropolis Union Pacific Depot on Oct. 31. Charges begin at $234 or 30,000 Marriott Bonvoy factors per night time in December. Skiers who wish to keep nearer to the slopes can verify into the brand-new Grand Hyatt Deer Valley, which opens within the resort’s new East Village enlargement Nov. 20. Charges begin at $321 or 21,000 World of Hyatt factors per night time in December.
St. Kitts
With sunny days and delicate temperatures, December is one of the best time to go to St. Kitts within the Japanese Caribbean. Hike up Mount Liamuiga, a stratovolcano providing views of the island and past. For seashore lovers, head to South Friars Bay, the place you possibly can take in the solar on golden sands or snorkel in crystal-clear waters. Historical past buffs will love Brimstone Hill Fortress National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Web site, whereas nature lovers can discover the island’s lush rainforests.
December can be the beginning of the St. Kitts and Nevis Nationwide Carnival, Sugar Mas, which runs by way of early January. The streets of Basseterre come alive with parades, calypso music and vibrant costumes. The J’ouvert celebration on Boxing Day is when locals take to the streets early for a joyful and colourful parade.
TPG tip: Park Hyatt St. Kitts Christophe Harbour gives sea views, non-public swimming pools and an expansive spa. In December, charges begin at $900 or 25,000 World of Hyatt factors per night time.
Zermatt, Switzerland
Situated beneath the shadow of the Matterhorn, the car-free Alpine village of Zermatt is the final word winter escape for hitting the slopes, sipping Swiss scorching chocolate and indulging in a fondue feast. For a singular expertise, take a helicopter experience over the Matterhorn or e-book an early morning ski session and have the mountain to your self. Or, experience on the Gornergrat railway for jaw-dropping views of the Alps.
TPG tip: Keep at Mont Cervin Palace for unique entry to the slopes on Thursday mornings earlier than anybody else. Charges begin at round $708 per night time.
New Zealand
December marks the start of summer season in New Zealand, making it one of the best time to discover this island nation. From the majestic fjords of the South Island to the sun-drenched seashores of the North Island, New Zealand in December gives infinite journey alternatives.
Begin in Queenstown, the adrenaline capital of the world, the place you possibly can bungee leap, skydive or jet boat throughout Lake Wakatipu. Should you want a slower tempo, cruise by way of Milford Sound, typically known as the “eighth surprise of the world” for its dramatic cliffs and waterfalls. Wine lovers will wish to head to the Marlborough district, well-known for its world-class sauvignon blanc.
December additionally brings lengthy daytime, superb for mountain climbing New Zealand’s well-known trails just like the Tongariro Alpine Crossing and the Routeburn Observe. For beachgoers, the Coromandel Peninsula gives pristine white sand seashores and clear blue waters for swimming, snorkeling and kayaking. Surfers can head to Raglan, a cool coastal city simply two hours south of Auckland by automobile with constant level breaks year-round.
TPG tip: Keep on the Hilton Queenstown Resort & Spa, which sits on the shores of Lake Wakatipu simply outdoors of city. In December, charges begin at $195 or 50,000 Hilton Honors factors per night time.
Associated: Glaciers, beaches and vineyards: The perfect New Zealand South Island road trip
Tortola, British Virgin Islands
Situated within the British Virgin Islands, Tortola is the biggest island within the archipelago and gives the quintessential Caribbean expertise with white sandy seashores, turquoise waters and a laid-back island vibe. December can be a superb time to go to Smuggler’s Cove, a secluded seashore the place you possibly can escape the crowds and luxuriate in a peaceable day in paradise. And with American Airlines expanding direct flights to Tortola from Miami to 5 occasions weekly beginning Dec. 7, getting there’s simpler than ever.
TPG tip: Keep on the Wyndham Tortola BVI Lambert Beach Resort. Charges begin at $185 or 30,000 Wyndham Rewards factors per night time.
Miami
Miami’s common December temperatures hover within the mid-70s, and hurricane season is lengthy gone. Artwork Basel Miami Seaside (Dec. 6 to eight), one of many world’s most prestigious artwork reveals, turns town into an open-air gallery crammed with exhibitions, pop-ups and events galore annually. Pop over to Wynwood Walls on the mainland to see larger-than-life avenue artwork murals or the Pérez Art Museum Miami for a extra conventional museum expertise.
TPG tip: Keep on the National Hotel Miami Beach, an artwork deco treasure with an infinity pool and a major beachfront location. Charges begin at $185 per night time in December.
Nagano, Japan
Look no additional than Nagano, Japan, for a winter escape that mixes world-class snowboarding with a wealthy cultural expertise. Well-known for internet hosting the 1998 Winter Olympics, Nagano has among the finest ski resorts in Japan, together with a tranquil environment and beautiful pure magnificence. Skiers and snowboarders will wish to head to Shiga Kogen Mountain Resort, one among Japan’s largest ski resorts with 18 interconnected ski areas. For a singular winter expertise, go to Wild Snow Monkey Park (Jigokudani Yaen-Koen) to observe snow monkeys soak in scorching springs. After a day on the slopes, loosen up in a standard onsen, the place the new mineral waters will soothe your muscle tissue and heat your soul.
Should you’re a historical past buff, go to Zenkoji Temple, one among Japan’s most vital Buddhist temples, relationship again greater than 1,400 years. The temple advanced is a peaceable retreat, particularly in winter when snow blankets the encircling mountains.
TPG tip: Keep at The Hiramatsu Karuizawa Miyota, the place every room has a semi-open-air scorching spring bathtub. Charges begin from $531 per night time in December.
Associated: 9 under-the-radar ski areas to check out this season
Uganda
For these with an adventurous spirit, Uganda is a December should. It is dry season, which is an effective time for gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest Nationwide Park or embarking on a safari in Queen Elizabeth Nationwide Park. Be a part of a guided trek with teams like Volcanoes Safaris by way of the misty forests of Bwindi, the place you will come face-to-face with endangered mountain gorillas of their pure habitat. For safari lovers, head to Queen Elizabeth Nationwide Park to identify elephants, lions, hippos and extra on a recreation drive.
Uganda can be dwelling to the mighty Nile River. Take a ship cruise or go white water rafting at Jinja for an adrenaline-filled day on the water. For a extra relaxed expertise, go to Lake Bunyonyi, one of many nation’s most lovely lakes, dotted with small islands for navigating on peaceable canoe rides.
TPG tip: Plan your journey with Volcanoes Safaris, the one African safari firm constructing unique luxurious lodges close to Uganda’s famend gorilla and chimpanzee parks. Charges begin at $5,900 per individual for a four-day gorilla safari.
Be aware from TPG editors: Attributable to crime, terrorism, and anti-LGBTQI+ laws, the U.S. Division of State has issued a Degree 3 warning advising vacationers to rethink journey to Uganda. The nation additionally skilled anti-corruption protests earlier this yr, so examine the present state of affairs earlier than reserving a visit.
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