Where to go in December

Embrace the magic of winter once December arrives. There are only a few weeks to enjoy the charms of the Christmas season and we can’t think of anywhere better to get into the festive spirit than in Vienna. This city is packed with imperial history and the cosiest coffee houses. Vienna’s prettiest squares are transformed into magical Christmas markets by mid-November. All you have to do is follow the smell of cinnamon-flavoured baked goods and the spice of hot punch. Rathausplatz is the biggest market in the city, with 150 stalls selling everything from sweets to tree decorations. The most romantic market is the one in front of Schönbrunn Palace, so if you’re bringing your sweetheart along, this one’s a must.

When you’re not exploring the markets, Vienna’s historic buildings, museums and sights will certainly keep you busy. The Leopold Museum, and the MUMOK next door, are ace for getting your art fix, while the Burgtheater is our pick for everything from Shakespeare to Woody Allen. If it’s a classical Viennese experience you’re after, you won’t find it difficult to track down a Beethoven, Schubert, or Brahms concert on.

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As you might expect, Vienna in December is a cold affair, with the possibility of frost, ice on the pavement and also snow. Pack accordingly!

The Big Apple may be the most pleasant to visit in the summer, but December is the only time you can partake in some truly iconic New York City experiences. The city sparkles at this time of the year! There is nothing like ice-skating on the rink in front of the Rockefellar Center or in Central Park after a light blanket of snow has fallen. A tour of the holiday lights is a must and in the evenings, the programmes at Radio City Music Hall, the Lincoln Center or a Broadway show will do the trick.

Holiday shopping is of course a highlight this time of the year. From one-of-a-kind craft fairs, flea markets or shopping festivals downtown or uptown. A stop by FAO Schwarz is a must, just so you can dance on the giant floor piano! Macy’s Santaland will also be an essential stop if the kids have come along for the trip. If it’s snowy while you’re in town, don’t miss partaking in some cross-country skiing, sledding down Pilgrim Hill or building a giant snowman.

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New York in December is cold, sometimes very windy and typically snowy, but what else would you expect? Embrace the season the possibility of a blizzard.

December is the month of the snowbird. What’s that? That’s Florida-talk for all the people who migrate south to escape the northern winter. There’s no shame in joining the flock though, and you’ll be in good company, we promise!

Unlike other cities in Florida, Miami has a real sense of old world glamour about her. Visit Máximo Gómez Park for some old-school Cuban warmth, the Venetian Pool for a 1920s Roman swimming experience, shop your way along Lincoln Road and take a tour of South Beach’s Art Deco Historic District. If you’re an art lover, make sure you arrive in early December for the most important art event of the year: Art Basel Miami Beach. Tour the hundreds of art galleries packed into Miami’s Design District for the complete experience. For a taste of Miami nightlife, there’s no better place to be than Miami Beach, sipping cocktails on a waterfront terrace. Who’s in?

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Miami in December is just perfect, when daytime temperatures hover between 16°C and 30°C.

The magic of winter can only be experienced in one region of Europe. We’re talking about Lapland, the northern region of Finland. Lapland is Finland’s true wilderness and come December, the most popular place to visit outside of Helsinki. That’s because it’s also home to Santa Clause and his reindeer. Lapland reaches hundreds of kilometres above the Arctic Circle, so it’s no place for beach bums. Those willing to endure the sub-zero temperatures will be rewarded though.

The long, polar nights in winter offer the chance to catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights dancing across the sky. Fill your days with all the outdoor snow activities you can’t enjoy at home. Mush with husky-dog pulled sleighs, cheer for your favourite reindeer at races across frozen lakes, drill a hole in the ice and try your hand at ice fishing. Snowmobiles replace rental cars up here, so feel the wind in your hair as you skid across snowy landscapes at top speeds. A visit to Santa’s workshop tops off the trip so let’s hope you’ve made the Nice List and not the Naughty one!

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Expect cold and very short days when you visit Lapland in the wintertime. December is particularly snowy and the days are some of the shortest of the year.

Bangladesh isn’t a country that can be rushed. This country’s tourism industry is still developing so getting around is part of the adventure when discovering this Asian country. Don’t pack your itinerary too full of sights. Instead, it’s the perfect place to relax, to meet new people (Bangladeshis are famously friendly, welcoming and warm) and experience a different pace of life. Isn’t that why you escaped the city in the first place?

Cox’s Bazar is the country’s pride and joy. It’s also the world’s longest continental beach (125km!) but you’ll find the sandy stretches on nearby St Martin’s Island and Kuakata much prettier. Discover Bangladesh’s incredible ancient history with a trip to Bogra, where the country’s most impressive archaeological sites, Mahasthangarh and Paharpur, are within easy reach. And then there’s Dhaka, best explored on the back of a cycle rickshaw!

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December is the peak of high season in beautiful Bangladesh. Cooler temperatures are a relief during the dry season, compared toe the unbearably hot temperatures the rest of the year.

The Caribbean is the complete package. It’s got amazing culture, beautiful sugary beaches, it’s fabulous for outdoor activities, the weather is arguably some of the best in the world at this time of the year and they’ve got swimming pigs. Wait, what? That’s right. Where else in the world can you swim with pigs? For this you’ll have to visit the Bahamas, the Exuma Cays to be exact.

Each set of islands has its own charms. Cuba is perfect for old world colonial beauty, Jamaica has the best rum and the food is to die for, the Dominican Republic is literally a beach paradise while Puerto Rico is rich in wildlife and wilderness. The French Antilles is the best place for scuba diving and snorkelling with the sea’s cutest creatures, while the British Virgin Islands will have you feeling right at home, with a tropical twist. Prices on the island spike around Christmastime but you can still enjoy the low season discounts in the first two weeks of the month.

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The weather in the Caribbean is tropical, with some islands sitting right in the middle of the hurricane belt of the Atlantic Ocean. Luckily you won't have to worry about those during December.