If you feel like you deserve a gift or two after powering through your family’s list, we don’t blame you (us, too). So why not plan a trip as a reward? Tack on some time for a family visit, perhaps, or burn through some of the excess PTO that you’ve involuntarily accrued.
There are plenty of options for those deciding on where to travel this December. For long-haul trips, consider the Southern Hemisphere for a jolt of vitamin D in a seasonally appropriate place or finally resolve to hit the jet set’s favorite slopes in Europe. Then again, why not celebrate Christmas in one of the unlikeliest of places, Japan?
Here are the 10 best places to travel this December.
This December, take the chance to check off Antarctica—with a cruise line or tour operator committed to sustainability and wildlife conservation, of course.
Photo by Bailey Berg
1. Antarctica
December is great for: conversation, conservation, and consternation.
The South Pole is a destination that’s heating up, in every sense. Though only accessible for three to four months per year, starting each November, it’s increasingly on travelers’ radar. Consider, then, a boat trip to learn from experts aboard about how to protect this landscape and fund those efforts. Book a voyage with luxe operator Abercrombie & Kent, and it will make a donation on your behalf to help underwrite the work of researchers at the U.S. Palmer Station there.
Insider tip
Mid-December is peak baby-penguin-spotting time on the aptly named Penguin Island, says Laurence Gosset-Lukaszczyk, the director of luxury expedition cruising at Abercrombie & Kent: “The chinstrap penguins usually hatch at that time, and you can see large colonies here. The name is just as appropriate as when British Captain Edward Bransfield christened it nearly 200 years ago.”
Where to stay: Abercrombie & Kent
- Book now: abercrombiekent.com
Since no one has opened a hotel here, the best option is one of the ultra-luxury expedition ships now piercing the ice floes, like the ones from Abercrombie & Kent.
If you take a December trip to Prague, relish every twinkly cliché you can.
Photo by Shutterstock
2. Prague, Czech Republic
December is great for: embracing every festive cliché you can.
The Czech capital is unarguably the spiritual home of Christmas markets, which run all month around the city here; the largest and best are in Old Town and Wenceslas squares. Stalls sell classic wooden toys and ornaments, while the scent of mulled wine and sizzling sausages wafts through the crisp air (save room for a trdelnik or two, a traditional Czech pastry). The noise of music and dancing will swell up around mid-afternoon, when musicians and folk groups begin performing—there’s a small stage in Old Town Square—and then each day is capped with the tree-lighting ceremony.
Insider tip
Andaz general manager Axel Ziegler recommends drinks at Lokál Dlouhááá—try a sausage or two slathered in whipped horseradish—and take home a bottle of perfume from Pigemenatirum. “It’s the first independent Czech perfume house really focused on artistic expression,” he says.
Where to stay: Andaz Prague
- Book now: hyatt.com/andaz
The 176-room Hyatt-operated boutique property sits in the heart of Old Town and is housed in the so-called Sugar Palace, a magnificent 1916 building constructed by the Sugar Industry Insurance Association.
Art Basel is not the only draw to Miami this month: Everyone is here to score a VIP invite to a party or two (even if they won’t admit it).
Photo by Mia2you/Shutterstock
3. Miami, Florida
December is great for: skipping the velvet rope.
From December 6 to 8, the world’s arterati will descend once more for that OTT culture fest known as Art Basel. This fiesta was deliberately founded to offer an irresistibly frothy combo of work and play for even the heaviest-weight collector. There’s a chance to snap up masterpieces at the main show, plus satellite fairs like Untitled, or the furniture fest Design Miami. Buy a ticket to the fairs and sweet talk a few gallerinas into adding your name to a party list or two.
Insider tip
Nikki Beach hospitality group cofounder Lucia Penrod is a Basel-going veteran. She says there’s only one way to start the day: At Puerto Sagua, order a strong cortadito at the legendary Cuban restaurant on Collins Avenue, which she calls “a true institution for the best Cuban coffee”. You’ll be surprised who’s grabbing a nightcap at longtime dive bar Mac’s Club Deuce, too (think everyone from celebs to gallery assistants). But bring cash, as they don’t accept credit cards.
Where to stay: Loews Hotel
- Book now: Loews Hotel
Ask any gallerist where the serious collectors stay and they’ll stage-whisper it—not at one of the funky boutique hotels, but instead at the ultra-reliable deliver-your-dry-cleaning-on-time spot right next to the Convention Center, Loews.
On Christmas Island, visitors will find bridges dedicated to red crab migration.
Photo by TravellingFatman/Shutterstock
4. Christmas Island, Western Australia
December is great for: celebrating in the ideal spot.
There’s more to Christmas Island this month than just its name. Barely a four-hour flight from Perth into the Indian Ocean, you’ll see a different kind of Great Migration here this month from the better known one in the Serengeti: 50 million red crabs marching from the rainforest at the island’s heart to the sea, where they’ll mate and spawn. The island seethes with rippling red ribbons of them—look for the special bridges to help them get across key roads—and spawning dates this year are particularly apt, likely to be December 25 and 26.
Insider tip
Start your day the same way as Swell Lodge’s owner Chris Bray: “Go for a morning free-dive in the gin-clear ocean,” he says. “Then grab an egg roti from the local Malaysian Flying Fish Café food van down in the cove. I dip torn-off pieces of the roti in the spicy sambal while watching seabirds soaring above the waves.” Just make sure they don’t grab a piece or two.
Where to stay: Swell Lodge
- Book now: swelllodge.com
This six-year-old stay has just two rooms and rates include everything, including a private chef, all your food and drink, and daily guided walks and swims.
Roam the wilder surrounding Engadin Valley via a 150-mile strong network of cross-country trails.
Photo by Jan Kokes/Shutterstock
5. St. Moritz, Switzerland
December is great for: exploring a new ski pass addition.
If you’ve always wanted to hit the most glamorous pistes in Europe, consider making plans this month—the magnificent slopes here have been added to Ikon Pass for the first time for winter 2024–25. The town earned attention for its superb skiing, with almost 90 trails, including Switzerland’s longest glacier run; the full moon ski nights are a healthier option than glugging champagne at a club, with the cable cars running into the evening so you can hit the snow by moonlight.
Insider tip
Kulm Hotel general manager Heinz E. Hunkele recommends a late lunch at Dal Mulin after a strenuous hike: Order a portion of rösti Nina G. “It’s named after Nina Glattfelder, the owner of the local caviar shop in St. Moritz. It’s a fun twist on the traditional Swiss rösti, topped with a splash of caviar.” Take home some Engadiner nut cake, the walnut and caramel treat that’s a local staple—the best is from the Hanselmann bakery.
Where to stay: Kulm Hotel St Moritz
- Book now: kulm.com
This grand property helped establish the Swiss town as an elite resort when it first opened more than 165 years ago. Don’t miss dinner at the Kulm Country Club, where the menu is by chef Mauro Colagreco.
The 2026 Winter Olympics will mark the first time that Italy’s fashion capital Milan will host the international sporting event.
Courtesy of Ouael Ben Salah/Unsplash
6. Milan, Italy
December is great for: panettone and performances.
Culture buffs should flock to Milan this month for the kickoff of opera season at the magnificent Teatro alla Scala. Opening night, known as Prima, is a national event, with red carpet arrivals and live TV coverage. It’s December 10 this year, with the debut production being Verdi mainstay La Forza del Destino.
In between arias, make time to explore the classic market, Oh Bej! Oh Bej! in Castello Sforzesco—the strange name is local dialect and means “Oh beautiful!” It always starts on December 7, the festival of Sant’Ambrogio, the patron saint of Milan. Try some panettone and torrone (nougat) at one of the stalls—both of them originated right here in Lombardy.
Insider tip
Niki de Saint Phalle, the artist renowned for her big, colorful Nana sculptures, will be celebrated in a new exhibition at the Museo delle Culture, says Valeria Bonvino from Portrait Milano; the exhibit opens in October and runs until next February. According to Bonvino, “The best day to visit is Thursday late afternoon, when the museum closes at 10:30 p.m.”
Where to stay: Portrait Milano
The Florence-based Ferragamo family expanded their chic, fashpack-fave Portrait Collection to Milan two years ago this month, housed in a former seminary dating back to the 1560s.
Almost half of Japan’s population follows the Shinto religion, but that doesn’t mean the country refuses to embrace Christmas markets.
Photo by cowardlion/Shutterstock
7. Fukuoka, Japan
December is great for: an alternative Christmas market.
Some of the largest and most appealing Christmas markets are in the city of Fukuoka on Kyushu Island, with several near Hakata station and in the Tenjin area. Expect all the classic trappings—wafting smell of mulled wines, Christmas souvenirs with a kitschy kawaii twist—as well as a signature mug, with a different design each year. Remember, too, on Christmas Day to follow the infamous tradition of gorging on fried chicken, a marketing masterstroke from KFC, which now sells up to 10 times more on December 25 than on a typical day; it’s a legacy of an ad campaign that went national 50 years ago.
Insider tip
Don’t miss the chance to grab a packet or two of menbei when you’re leaving one of the shops at the train or airport. “It’s a spicy rice cracker infused with mentaiko (spicy cod roe), squid, and octopus, so it combines the rich flavors of seafood with a touch of heat,” explains Ritz Carlton Fukuoka concierge Ryo Hsiangling of the distinctly local snack. “It’s irresistible.”
Where to stay: Ritz Carlton Fukuoka
- Book now: marriott.com
Right in the heart of downtown, the 167-room five-star hotel spans the 19th to 23rd floors of a skyscraper, with superb views out over Hakata Bay.
There are more than 120 miles to explore in the Winthrop area.
Photo by Marina Poushkina/Shutterstock
8. Winthrop, Washington
- December is great for: starting out on cross-country skiing.
Nonprofit Methow Trails operates the largest cross-country ski area around this Cascades-set town in north central Washington State. Even better, of course, you don’t need much experience to try it out, and there are fewer skills to pick up versus hitting the slopes.
If you make plans to come early in the month, there’s an unexpected bonus: a short film festival, now in its second year, which takes place on December 5 at Winthrop Barn. Movies selected are made by and about the community here, so it’s a great chance to immerse yourself in Winthrop’s culture.
Insider tip
Remember this entire region has a raft of superb skiing options in and around the Cascades, says outdoors specialist Cari Gray of Gray & Co. If you want to add a few hours on the slopes to a trip to Seattle, consider Snoqualmie, about 45 minutes outside the city. “Drive I-90 over Snoqualmie Pass in winter, and you’ll be traveling through walls of snow piled up some years 20 feet high,” she says. “It has the most options for night skiing anywhere in the U.S.”
Where to stay: Artemisia Zero Energy Home
- Book now: airbnb.com
This spectacular four-bedroom home, within walking distance of downtown, is a zero-energy, solar-powered property, deriving all its energy from the sun; its eco-cred extends to zero-VOC paints indoors and all-natural latex mattresses.
Grace Bay, one of the most well-known beaches in Turks and Caicos, is among the archipelago’s must-visit beaches.
Photo by jpbarcelos/Shutterstock
9. Turks and Caicos
December is great for: embracing a raucous new tradition with gusto.
Boxing Day, which this British territory still celebrates on December 26, is marked with the Maskanoo street festival, unspooling along Grace Bay Road on the main island of Providenciales. It fuses elements of African masquerade with Junkanoo, that Mardi Gras–like fiesta celebrated in the Bahamas and Jamaica, among others (hence the name). The family-friendly day combines the usual trappings of street fairs, including music, food, and performances, all with an Afro-Caribbean twist.
Insider tip
Try the spicy conch salad at Mr. Grouper’s, says Beach Enclave guest relations manager Randi Carlson. It’s spiked with plenty of fresh lime; enjoy it with a cold Turks Head beer. Heading to Thursday’s fish fry? “Get there early, around 6 p.m. before it’s too busy to enjoy the food and drink, but make sure to stay until 8 p.m. to catch the local junkanoo ensemble.”
Where to stay: The Reserve at Grace Bay
- Book now: beachenclave.com
A trio of villas, an offshoot of hotel Beach Enclave nearby, sits on five-acre Grace Bay beach and will open in November. Every villa comes with its own butler, housekeeping, and daily private chef services.
Schweitzer Mountain is one of the best places to ski in Idaho.
Photo by SharpLumberjack/Shutterstock
10. Coeur d’Alene, Idaho
December is great for: a winter wonderland full of outdoor adventure.
Winter in Coeur d’Alene is a charming all-American experience. There’s world-class skiing and snowboarding, of course: Schweitzer Mountain is Idaho‘s biggest ski hill, with almost 3,000 acres of lift-serviced terrain an hour’s drive or so north of town.
You can still take a lake cruise, too: Over the holidays, Lake Coeur d’Alene Cruises has a Journey to the North Pole theme—it’s the best way to catch the spectacular festive decor at downtown’s biggest resort on the water, and you’ll even visit Santa’s workshop as a pitstop on the trip.
Insider tip
Huckleberries thrive locally, so they’re the best souvenir in any format, according to Mackenzie Ferris from the Coeur d’Alene Downtown Association—try Magpie, Mountain Madness Soap Co., Migliore Olive Oil, or Mix It Up Gift. All have wide ranges featuring the berry.
Where to stay: The Coeur d’Alene Resort
- Book now: cdaresort.com
Although most come to this 338-room resort on 200 acres for its renowned golf course, there’s reason to stay here even outside of green season, including a superb spa and spectacular views across Lake Coeur d’Alene.
This article was originally published in September 2023; it was updated in September 2024.
