Where should you travel to in December? If you’re wondering where to go and what to do, look no further. We’ve compiled a list of the top ten best places to travel in December based on your interests, so you can choose the perfect getaway. From beaches to mountains, from theme parks to art galleries, find the perfect spot for your next holiday!
Charleston, South Carolina
November and December are perfect months for exploring Charleston, South Carolina. It’s less crowded than it is during peak season, so you’ll have an easier time finding a table at restaurants and nabbing a room at one of Charleston’s well-known hotels. The weather is also mild with temperatures averaging around 60 degrees. Another benefit of visiting in December? Southeastern Game Fishing Association members get discounted hotel rates on Sundays when fishing tournaments aren’t taking place at Murrells Inlet Marina, which sits just south of downtown Charleston. Other notable attractions include Fort Sumter National Monument, where Civil War history buffs can see where Confederate forces fired upon Union troops, beginning America’s bloodiest war; and historic Market Street where you can shop local boutiques and grab a bite to eat from food trucks parked outside.
San Francisco, California
The holidays are all about spending time with loved ones and giving thanks. If you’re looking for a festive getaway, it doesn’t get much better than San Francisco, California. The city is decked out for Christmas with colorful decorations adorning many of its downtown buildings and neighborhoods, and holiday events are scheduled throughout December. You can also take advantage of one of San Francisco’s many museums, art galleries or historical sites before heading off to explore Golden Gate Park or another city attraction. A variety of transportation options makes getting around easy—no matter where you’re staying. It’s also relatively affordable; if you don’t mind sharing a room, accommodations typically cost between $50 and $100 per night. For those who want more space or privacy, vacation rentals start at around $250 per night. Of course, flights into San Francisco tend to be expensive due to high demand during peak travel times like Christmas week. It may be worth your while to drive instead of fly into nearby Oakland International Airport; round-trip flights from Oakland usually cost less than half as much as flights into San Francisco.
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Whether you’re traveling on business or pleasure, there’s no shortage of things to do in Ho Chi Minh City. Start your day by stopping by one of Saigon’s many food stalls for a traditional Vietnamese breakfast of noodle soup and dumplings. Afterward, take some time to explore this vibrant city with a walking tour from Viator that explores Ho Chi Minh City’s colonial architecture and local art scene. You can also grab tickets for an evening performance at The Opera House or browse designer boutiques along Dong Khoi Street; at night, head over to Bui Vien Street for dinner and drinks at an open-air beer garden. Alternatively, take a guided tour through HCMC’s Chinatown or venture out to District 1 where you can sample authentic regional cuisine such as Pho (noodle soup) and Bun Cha (vermicelli noodles). And don’t forget to try some street food while you’re here! One of our favorites is banh mi—the Vietnamese version of French bread pizza. This sandwich combines fried baguette with fresh herbs, pate and grilled pork. Finally, make sure to stop by Ben Thanh Market for souvenirs before heading back home!
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Amsterdam is a Dutch city and municipality, and capital of the province of North Holland. It is located in the west of The Netherlands and is by far Amsterdam’s most populous municipality with more than 1 million inhabitants. Amsterdam’s population within its administrative limits was 1,038,577 as of January 1, 2014 (1st), making it one of two cities in Western Europe with a population over one million (the other being London). Additionally, many people who live in Amsterdam are actually commuting from surrounding municipalities. As a result, it feels like much more than just a big city; almost everyone lives on or directly adjacent to an urban area without agricultural land between them and there are no rural areas within its boundaries any more. In fact, Amsterdam colloquially means something along the lines of urban area.
Hanoi, Vietnam
This vibrant city is a great destination for history lovers, especially those interested in Vietnam’s 20th-century struggles. With three days, you can soak up some culture at Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum and museum and see centuries-old temples, or spend time in lively markets like Hang Dau, Bao Khanh and Kim Ma. If you have more time – about a week – consider visiting nearby Hạ Long Bay for amazing views of limestone islands and caves. And with temperatures hovering around 32 degrees Fahrenheit (0 C) at night and 77 F (25 C) during the day, December is a great time to visit without having to worry about wearing too many layers. As an added bonus, flights from North America to Hanoi are generally cheaper than flights departing from other Southeast Asian cities in December. But be sure to book early; since it’s low season for tourism, seats fill up quickly! The new year will be celebrated on January 31st and travel within Vietnam may be difficult due to crowds and traffic jams so plan accordingly if you want to celebrate in style. The end of December is also Tet holiday where people return home from all over Vietnam so hotels get booked fast as well as domestic flights.
Seoul, South Korea
Why you should travel to Seoul in December: It may be cold, but few places are better suited for a winter getaway than South Korea. The changing of seasons is an even bigger celebration here than it is back home, so make sure you’re on hand for Dano (Hangul: 단오; Hanja: 單元), one of three major Korean holiday periods (along with Seollal and Chuseok). The event lasts from mid-November through late January. Koreans believe that during Dano, all spirits return home for a family reunion, so doors are left unlocked and kimchi pots left outside throughout winter months as a way of greeting their ancestral spirits.
Paris, France
This city is known for its French atmosphere and culture, making it one of our favorite places to travel in December. Although Paris has a rainy season from October until March, it’s ideal if you’re looking for a romantic getaway that won’t be too crowded with tourists. If you’re not into winter weather, you can take advantage of some of nearby ski resorts that are about an hour drive away. While traveling through France isn’t cheap by any means, we recommend staying at Hotel Mercure Paris Pont Neuf or Hotel Jumeau Saint-Antoine. Both hotels have great reviews and they’re located just minutes away from major attractions like Notre Dame de Paris, Musee du Louvre and Champs Elysees Avenue.
Rome, Italy
Known for its breathtaking architecture, lively city life and elaborate, ancient rituals, Rome is a popular year-round tourist destination. But during December, it’s at its most festive. The weather is mild (high of 53 degrees F), making it ideal for wandering from one Christmas market to another. You can also find winter activities such as ice skating and sledding at some of Rome’s top attractions like Piazza Navona or Spanish Steps. Don’t miss Christmas Eve Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica and Midnight Mass with Pope Francis on Christmas Day! December 23 – January 1: Bali, Indonesia: If you’re looking for a warm tropical getaway, Bali might be your best bet. This island paradise has been an international travel destination since 1965 when Life magazine called it the island of ten thousand temples. Though many travelers flock here during peak season (November through April), there are plenty of reasons to visit in December including smaller crowds and lower hotel rates. Take advantage of balmy temperatures—averaging about 80 degrees F—and unwind on white sand beaches before venturing out to explore Balinese culture through traditional dance performances, village tours and local markets filled with unique souvenirs.
Tokyo Japan
An east coast country, Japan is warm and tropical as well as crowded and expensive. Not only will it be an unforgettable experience, but you will meet a diversity of people. The Japanese are very hospitable people who love to welcome visitors into their homeland. There is so much culture there that it might blow your mind! A lot of times you want to travel somewhere new, but you don’t want to spend thousands on airfare when you could go somewhere close for much cheaper. That is why Tokyo Japan should be your top pick for where to travel in december because of its affordability and accessibility from America as well as its interesting history, culture, food and scenery. It has something for everyone! If you decide to visit, take time out of your trip to visit Fuji-san – considered one of Japan’s most beautiful natural wonders.
If you do not have enough money to afford going all over Asia, then Hong Kong would be another great option for where to travel in december because it is located in Asia with many exciting places such as Macau (for gambling), Guangzhou (for shopping) and Shenzhen (for technology). All these places are just across from Hong Kong which makes them easy day trips. They also offer very good value for money compared with traveling within Europe or America which can sometimes cost several hundred dollars per day.
Prague, Czech Republic
It may be cold and snowy, but Prague is still beautiful. It will be crowded—so consider doing some of your own local exploring as a more affordable way to enjoy yourself. As one of Europe’s most affordable capitals, it’s also one of its most lively. Take a trip on a traditional English-style punt or go ice skating with locals at Stromovka Park while enjoying mulled wine (for adults) and hot chocolate (for kids). On Christmas Eve, join locals at Old Town Square for caroling and hot gluhwein – where you can sing out loud about how cold it is outside because it’s fun! A three-hour drive from Vienna and only three hours from Berlin, Prague is worth every bit of its popularity. After all, where else can you celebrate both Christmas and New Year’s Eve? Be sure to plan ahead so that you don’t miss any important festivities – especially if traveling during peak season! Most hotels are already booked solid weeks in advance around New Year’s Day. For those looking for cheap flights , check out Skyscanner . If that doesn’t work, Kayak does a great job too! To save money when booking hotels , use TripAdvisor ‘s Priceline Negotiator tool . You’ll never know what amazing deals are available until you ask!
Conclusion
Ultimately, you should go where you want. If you want to go on a cheap trip, head to Southeast Asia. If you’re looking for some serious winter sports, Iceland is going to be your best bet. But if you’re like me and just want a tropical beach—go ahead and book that ticket now. Wherever you go, make sure it has a great WiFi connection! You never know when you might need to check your inbox or email. Wherever you decide to travel, have fun with it! Make new memories with friends and family or enjoy yourself alone—but always remember: the world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page. – Saint Augustine of Hippo
Traveler’s quote: Wherever you go becomes a part of you somehow. -Carl Sandburg