25 Best Destinations to Travel in December
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Traveling in December can be rewarding in multiple ways.
Between Thanksgiving and New Year's, many find themselves too busy to hop on a plane or hit the road beyond visiting family. But those who plan ahead will often find places less crowded with tourists than, say, the summer season as well as heavily discounted rates for hotels, flights and more if you squeeze in a trip before Christmas.
And you'll be pleasantly surprised that the holiday spirit is in full swing in many of these best destinations to travel in December.
Nuremberg, Germany
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The Bavarian city of Nuremberg truly comes to life in December when its world-renown Christkindlesmarkt opens.
Since 1530 this pre-Christmas market has transformed Main Market Square into a festive atmosphere filled with holiday trinkets and the scent of hot, mulled wine. It's impossible not to feel the Christmas spirit when strolling its ancient streets and squares.
Where to Stay
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Le Meridien Grand Hotel Nuremberg, a Marriott property, is located near the rail station, which is perfect for arriving by train.
The neighborhood is filled with shops and restaurants while the building itself dates back more than 120 years and is a timeless grand hotel.
Book here.
St. Petersburg, Russia
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With its snowy white background, St. Petersburg, Russia, offers splashes of color with its pastel, Candyland-style architecture that will make you feel as if you entered a fairytale.
The pastel-colored buildings topped with golden domes harken back to a period when the Czars and their families lived in the great palaces and frequented the Baroque churches. A December visit becomes even more magical when all is decorated for the holidays.
Where to Stay
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The State Hermitage Museum, founded in 1764, is the second-largest museum in the world. You can stay at its Official Hotel, connected directly to the former palace.
Added in 2013, guests receive VIP entrance into the museum and can just imagine the luxuries of court life while staying at the artfully decorated hotel.
Book here.
Vail, Colorado
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Colorado's Rocky Mountain peaks beckon skiers and boarders for fun on the slopes, but most wait until after the holidays to visit. Ski resorts, however, open in December and offer special early bird rates for those looking to enjoy some of the best runs without the crowds.
Vail, in particular, provides an alpine village that resembles Europe where you'll see Bavarian-type architecture nestled right up to the mountain and charming cobbled streets packed with boutiques.
Where to Stay
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For the best of the slopes, stay at the Lodge at Vail, a RockResort, which offers ski-in, ski-out accommodations along with a ski valet to make your visit even sweeter. Just wake, grab your skis and go!
At the end of the day, aprés ski is in full effect just steps from the hotel, or simply sit on your hotel room balcony and watch the stragglers descend down Pepe's Face.
Book here.
Yellowstone National Park
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Overly crowded during the summer months, winter is a perfect time to explore Yellowstone. Not only are the crowds gone, but you'll also get to employ unique measures to explore the park, namely snowmobiles and snow coaches.
The park's famous geysers become more picturesque in the snow as well, creating turquoise pools of water rising from the earth that is surrounded by snow.
Where to Stay
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One of only two properties open in Yellowstone during the winter months is Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel & Cabins, which provides first-hand access to miles of backcountry ski trails and the nearby hot springs and the Northern Range.
The hotel closes for its fall season on Nov. 1 but reopens for its winter guests on Dec. 15, often with great deals before the holidays.
Book here.
Antarctica
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December may be the start of winter in the Northern Hemisphere, but in the Southern Hemisphere, spring is just beginning. And so begins the Antarctica cruise season.
Aboard an exploratory cruise ship, cross the Drake Passage and visit the Antarctic Peninsula, where penguins by the thousands can be spotted. (You may also catch whales breeching nearby!)
Where to Stay
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A cruise ship is the only accommodation when visiting Antarctica. Lindblad Expeditions is the pioneer of cruises to this part of the world having launched the first more than 50 years ago.
Partnering with National Geographic, expect the cruise to be a safari of sorts as you discover and learn about the unique landscape and its wildlife.
Book here.
Cape Town, South Africa
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Again, the Southern Hemisphere is a great way to get away from the chill descending upon the Northern Hemisphere, and one of the hottest spots to be is the tip of Africa in Cape Town. From vineyards to beachfronts, a cosmopolitan city to its rugged mountains for hiking, Cape Town has it all.
During the holidays, Cape Town books up with travelers wanting to spend New Year's at the beach, but deals can be found before the rush of people arrive.
Where to Stay
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At the AC Hotel by Marriott Cape Town Waterfront, you can enjoy waterfront sunset views while still being steps from the array of shops and restaurants.
A Marriott hotel, the property rests within the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront district, which is another lively entertainment spot for visitors.
Book here.
Prague
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Known as the City of a Hundred Spires (there's actually a lot more!), Prague is another fairytale setting when dusted with a light coating of snow.
The early setting sun may make the days shorter, but at night, Prague's bridges, churches and castles are aglow to add to the romantic ambiance.
Where to Stay
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Located within minutes of Prague Castle and the Charles Bridge in Lesser Town, the Aria Hotel is a music-inspired boutique property in the Embassy neighborhood.
Each of its 51 rooms and suites is decorated in its own musical stylings, and the five-star property's private manicured gardens are protected by UNESCO.
Book here.
Budapest, Hungary
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This Eastern European capital is also illuminated in the evening, and the place to see the light best is from along the Danube River that divides the former Buda and Pest. You'll witness the monumental architecture lit in the darkness, including Budapest Castle, the city's many bridges and its stately Parliament Building.
Hungarian Baths are found around the city and provide hot springs in which to soak under the stars (or the falling snow) for a December getaway like no other.
Where to Stay
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Like Prague, Aria Budapest is a sister hotel providing another five-star location with music-themed rooms decorated with velvet-covered furnishings and decadence at every turn.
The hotel is steps from a Christmas Market situated at the foot of St. Stephen's Basilica, which you can view from Aria's rooftop restaurant and bar.
Book here.
Quebec City, Canada
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You don't need to travel to Europe to find the picturesque settings of yesteryear when you can cross the U.S. border and find a touch of Europe in Old Quebec. Founded by the French, it has two "levels" of shop-filled streets winding around the iconic Chateau du Frontenac that sits sentinel overlooking the Saint Lawrence River.
In the winter, take a toboggan ride along the same track that has been making people squeal since 1884. If you visit for the New Year, ice sculptures, a winter Ferris wheel and fireworks are all part of the fun.
Where to Stay
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You could stay at the Chateau, but instead, enjoy a cozy room across the street in the Auberge Place d'Armes. The original building architecture goes back more than 400 years, and although renovated and modernized, it provides old-fashioned charm.
There are just 20 rooms in this two-story hotel with dining on the ground floor. Plus, you can look upon the Chateau for the better view.
Book here.
Kyoto, Japan
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Witness the snow falling gently upon Kyoto, when tourism has dropped along with hotel prices. The area is filled with skiers heading to Hirogawara, the only ski resort within the city's limits.
The city is also home to hot springs, and a visit to an "onsen" (hot springs) in the open air provides a combination of hot and cold experiences with the mountain views in the backdrop.
Where to Stay
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Hotel Granvia Kyoto is located directly above the train station to make it easy to reach upon arrival. More than 530 rooms can be found in this massive and contemporary property.
You'll have views of Kyoto Tower from floor-to-ceiling windows in rooms and suites that are thoroughly modern.
Book here.
Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
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Known as Christmas City, the little town of Bethlehem is found between Philadelphia and New York in the Lehigh Valley of Pennsylvania. Founded on Christmas Eve in 1741 by Moravians, Bethlehem comes to life during December.
Stroll brick-lined sidewalks, and see the historic homes open during special holiday tours. The town's history as a leading steel manufacturer is still seen with the old Steel Stacks factory illuminated, and it's home to the largest Christmas market in the U.S.
Where to Stay
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The historic Hotel Bethlehem rests on the site where a hotel was first opened in 1741 and remains the grand dame of Bethlehem, standing tall above Main Street and the historic district.
During the holidays, the hotel is transformed into a winter wonderland and hosts a number of galas and events, including an annual New Year's Eve party.
Book here.
Newport Beach, California
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Visit Orange County, California, the week before Christmas, and you'll find a parade that goes back more than a century. For five days, boats in the harbor are decked in yuletide cheer for the annual event.
What's not to love about a visit to the oceanside town in December when you can also enjoy the California sunshine and wonderful beach views?
Where to Stay
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A destination hotel, Hyatt Regency Newport Beach spans 26 acres overlooking Upper Newport Bay Nature Reserve.
Spend your day in one of three swimming pools or on a nine-hole golf course, and in the evening, you can even glimpse the boat parade from your perch.
Book here.
Hollywood, Florida
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On the opposite U.S. coast, you can find another holiday boat parade at the Seminole Hard Rock's Winterfest Boat Parade.
The South Florida event extends 12 miles, but when you aren't enjoying the tour of decorated boats, you are minutes from Fort Lauderdale and its fabulous shopping and dining on Las Olas Boulevard and A1A.
Where to Stay
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Stay at the Seminole Hard Rock, the host of Winterfest, and you can also enjoy special Winterfest events and a black-tie ball.
The resort offers multiple swimming pools, a casino and entertainment venues for live music — this is a Hard Rock after all.
Book here.
Salzburg, Austria
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The hills are alive in the winter months in Salzburg, and in December, the quaint Bavarian city's historic buildings, fortress and gardens become a holiday wonderland.
You'll find Christmas markets here as well, but even without its holiday charm, Salzburg is magical. A musical city — the birthplace of Mozart — it feels as if classical music pours from every building.
Where to Stay
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Stay at the riverfront Hotel Sacher with its commanding views of the Salzburg Fortress. This historic five-star hotel has welcomed royalty and celebrities for decades, and there is luxury at every turn.
It's not the home to the original Sacher Torte, created at the Hotel Sacher in Vienna, but you'll still enjoy the famed Austrian cake — a must-have while visiting.
Book here.
Strasbourg, France
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Strasbourg, located in France's Alsace region that expands into Germany, rests beside the Rhine River and offers winding streets of French Normandy-style homes and buildings.
The fairytale city's Romanesque cathedral is more than 1,000 years old, and surrounding it in December are more of the trinket-filled Christmas markets found across Europe.
Where to Stay
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Although there are many hotels in which to choose in Strasbourg, consider a Rhine River cruise aboard Uniworld River Cruises. Not only will it stop at intimate towns decorated for the holidays, but the two-story barge ships are also opulent in every way.
The all-inclusive cruises provide your meals and entertainment when you aren't exploring riverside towns of Germany and France.
Book here.
Stowe, Vermont
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Back in the U.S., head into Northern Vermont's Green Mountains for one of the best winter getaways in New England. Stowe, home to the ski resort of the same name, is a place to spend your days on the slopes and your nights by a fire.
The pines of Vermont get covered with snow early in December, so winter fun-seekers can get an early start (and discounts).
Where to Stay
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Formerly Stowe Mountain Resort, Spruce Peak offers ski-in/ski-out facilities along with a choice of hotel rooms and suites or vacation homes for accommodations.
The family-friendly resort provides programs for children, ski lessons, ice skating, snowshoeing, horseback riding, dog sledding and sleigh rides. Of course, leading up to the holidays, the resort is decked out in holiday cheer.
Book here.
Lake Placid, New York
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Across the border in New York awaits the winter destination of Lake Placid, home to not one but two winter Olympic games.
Whiteface Mountain becomes the place to be for slope-side activities in the Adirondack Mountains, while in the heart of town are ice skating, an Olympic museum and utterly cute restaurants and shops open year-round. Don't miss Santa's Workshop at the mountain.
Where to Stay
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Be surrounded by Adirondack Park at the Whiteface Lodge, a luxurious log cabin resort getaway.
When not enjoying the spoils of Lake Placid, the resort features year-round swimming, ice skating, bonfires and s'mores, and activities for the entire family throughout the day.
Book here.
Azores, Portugal
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December is a great time for an island getaway, and the remote archipelago of Portugal known as the Azores is just the spot. December is the end of hurricane season and, although it can get chilly at night, makes a good month for travel.
Due to the Azores' dramatic mountains and sea landscapes along with culture-rich towns, many people who visit these islands enjoy hiking and exploring the rugged landscape.
Where to Stay
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Located in Portas Do Mar, the Azur Hotel overlooks the marina and is within walking distance from Ponta Delgada, where you can spend your time roaming the city center and sampling Portuguese foods.
Of course, the main draw of rooms at this property are the floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the sea.
Book here.
Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia
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Visiting Colonial Williamsburg is a chance to step into the past, with costumed re-enactors in historic buildings showcasing what life was like in Colonial America. And that definitely includes the holiday season.
Visiting in December means fewer crowds and a chance to see what a Christmas was like during the 1700s through decorations, seasonal programming and, yes, Christmas feasts.
Where to Stay
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Stay at the main property of Colonial Williamsburg, the Williamsburg Inn. Located in the heart of the old village, this beautiful hotel gets adorned for the season. If there happens to be a white Christmas, you'll be even luckier to call it home for a few nights.
Rooms and restaurants are elegantly decorated in Regency style to match the surroundings but with modern amenities at every turn.
Book here.
Iceland
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If you have always wanted to witness the phenomenon that is the Northern Lights, from December through March is when they are most often caught dancing above Iceland.
The island's hot springs, such as the renowned Blue Lagoon, can also be enjoyed during the cold months even as snow falls upon you.
Where to Stay
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Alda Hotel gives you a chance to stay in the capital and largest city in Iceland: Reykjavik. The boutique property is located on Laugavegur Street, where the hippest restaurants, shops and entertainment can be found.
Of course, in order to have the best Northern Lights views, you'll need to leave the city at night, which is easy to do with Thingvellir National Park just right outside the city limits.
Book here.
Nantucket, Massachusetts
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Before Nantucket practically shuts down to tourism until the spring, you can enjoy a wintery visit right before the holidays when the idyllic island is covered in garland and bows.
Most restaurants and shops remain open through New Year, and although the beaches will be whipping with chilly ocean winds, the quiet early winter environment gives a truer sense of what it is like to live on the island.
Where to Stay
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Just steps from the ferry within Nantucket town is the Nantucket Hotel, a family-friendly New England property.
With a decor straight out of a beach-cottage stylebook, you'll find Nantucket Hotel is the only year-round property and offers holiday dinners, New Year's Eve parties, fire pits and hot tubs to warm up your stay.
Book here.
Walt Disney World Resort, Florida
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Yes, Walt Disney World Resort is in Orlando, but it's really Disney that's the draw during this time of year. Disney is a year-round destination, but with so many guests visiting with children, the school-year dates keep ticket sales down. This means a December visit (pre-Christmas) can be rewarding, with less time standing in lines and special deals.
As Disney always does, it goes all out during the holiday season and features Christmas-themed parades, activities and decor — they even make it snow in Florida!
Where to Stay
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Arguably the prettiest of the Disney World properties, the Grand Floridian overlooks the Magic Kingdom with private boats that deliver you to the gates. From this hotel, you can even see the nightly fireworks that go off at Cinderella's Castle (perfect for when you have little ones that need to go to bed early).
The hotels, like the theme parks, get decorated to the nines, and inside this Victorian-styled resort is a life-size gingerbread house of Victorian design to match.
Book here.
St. Croix, Virgin Islands
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Americans don't need a passport to jet off to the Caribbean when they're visiting the U.S. Virgin Islands. If you're wanting a last warm-weather gasp before winter descends, the islands will definitely give you a good dose of sun.
The more remote of the USVI, St. Croix is also the largest of the island collection and home to the only underwater national park, Buck Island Reef National Park.
Where to Stay
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The Buccaneer is a family-owned property that was founded in the 17th century and has four generations of history in its main buildings. Built on a former sugar plantation, the resort offers white-sand beaches and plenty of ocean views.
You can even take a historical tour around the property with a staff guide who showcases the gardens, plantation life and St. Croix history.
Book here.
London
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Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol" is one of the most beloved stories of the holidays, so it goes without saying that spending time in England during December could be Dickensesque.
The city's shops feature holiday windows, lights are strewn from park trees and holiday cheer abounds with ice skating rinks and Christmastime events taking place throughout the month.
Where to Stay
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London's Mayfair neighborhood is one of the toniest in the city and located within steps of high-end shops and London's best parks. There are also many five-star hotels located here, including The May Fair by Radisson Collection.
The hotel originally opened in 1927 and remains the epitome of high society, so live it up and enjoy the glitz and glamour.
Book here.
New York
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When it comes to pre-holiday hotspots, New York takes the cake. From the moment the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade makes its way down Fifth Avenue until the ball drops in Times Square on New Year's Eve, this city is the place to be for shopping and holiday cheer.
Crowds are going to be plentiful if you visit, especially while shopping or visiting Rockefeller Center and Central Park. Still, there isn't anything more romantic than Manhattan in December.
Where to Stay
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Hotels are a dime a dozen in the city, but a favorite is the Archer Hotel, found near the Empire State Building and Bryant Park.
This boutique property offers rooms with direct, unobstructed views of the Empire State Building, as does its rooftop bar. The key to visiting the city when it is crowded is to make your way to these hidden rooftops after a long day to enjoy the views.
Book here.