Where to go on holiday in December

Of course, if you are wondering where to go on holiday in December, Lapland has to be on that list.

The festive month is an ideal time to visit Lapland, and there’s a Lapland experience to suit every member of the family.

Enjoy the magic of Christmas with the Northern Lights and whether you are enjoying exhilarating snow sports or meeting Father Christmas, you will have a festive break that you will never forget 

The epitome of those picture-perfect scenes of Christmas cards, the snow-dusted trees in Rovaniemi are home to Father Christmas’ very own post office, a husky park and cute little shops that are ideal for buying those last-minute presents.

Love a Christmas Market? Head to the place that started it all in Strasbourg!

This medieval Grande historic city has been designated a UNESCO-listed World Heritage site and as well as being ridiculously beautiful, it’s also incredibly Christmassy too.

If festive is what you are looking for when it comes to where to go on holiday in December, then the fairytale town will give you all the Christmas vibes and more.

t transforms into a winter wonderland with wooden chalets filling the winding streets with all manner of things.

Glide around the ice rink then warm up with a soothing cup of hot chocolate or a glass of mulled wine before you take your pick of the impressive market stalls selling locally-made crafts and culinary treats such as choucroute.

The former imperial capital of Japan is famed for its love of the  holiday season and for the whole month of December, locals and visitors alike will see the stunningly beautiful city of Kyoto filled with markets and festivals celebrating the festive season.

Whilst Christmas isn’t officially celebrated as a holiday in Japan as New Year’s is the biggest of the winter holidays for the Japanese, Christmas in Kyoto is a wonderful time to visit as they really go to town when decorating the city for the holiday and they also host a variety of cool  and interesting festivals too.

Held in early December, the Arashiyama Hanatouro is a magical lantern festival that illuminates the famous Arashiyama bamboo forest which makes for quite the unforgettable spectacle.

Make sure you try one of the local delicacies – Kaburamushi, a fragrant combination of grated turnip, egg white, lily root, gingko, and mushrooms over a white fish which looks just like a snowball!

If one destination in December looked like a Christmas card, it would quite possibly be Krakow in Poland.

Even in December, it is relatively cheap to travel to as well as being a cost-effective destination to consider when wondering where to go on holiday in December.

Picture the Old Town’s delightful historic main square, Rynek Główny, in all its cobblestones glory! Chock full of quaint horse-and-carriage rides, and colourful Christmas markets serving up traditional dishes of dumplings and pork knuckles. 

Head into one of Krakow’s ruin bars for a restorative drink such as a warming wine or even a shot of flavoured vodka.

The nightlife in Krakow is absolutely fantastic and has something for every discerning taste.

Make sure you check out the buzzy Tytano, an old tobacco factory which is now a complex of cool bars and restaurants where you can party all night long.

Of course, there’s no bad time to visit the achingly-cool city of Berlin. Whilst summer presents itself with endless outdoor opportunities, Berlin is one of the best places to enjoy a fab night out in December. 

There are various celebrations taking place throughout the city in December from ice skating at Potsdamer Platz to enjoying a warming glass of glühwein at Christmas Avenue, you can certainly get your festive kicks in Berlin.

If you are planning your visit towards the end of the month, you are in luck!

Berlin is one of the best places to spend New Year’s Eve in the world, when they throw a city-wide street party with gigs and celebrations all along the Party Mile. 

Prefer to celebrate indoors? Berlin is king of the nightclub scene and whether you prefer dance, techno, rock or house, you will find a bar or nightclub that will have you dancing until the sun comes up!

If it’s a tropical treat that you are looking for, then Mauritius ticks all the boxes and more.

The natural landscape of Mauritius is simply sublime and is home to some of the most beautiful beaches in the world.  

December is summer in Mauritius, and one of the best times to visit for a slice of adventure.

It is the wet season in Mauritius, but mainly the rainfall is fleeting and you can still enjoy some fun in the sun!

Mauritius remains a great option when thinking about where to go on holiday in December as you are almost guaranteed a warm and sunny climate making it ideal to enjoy all the treasures of this beautiful island!

With a culturally diverse population who enjoys celebrations from a variety of faiths, in December, you can expect to see beautiful Christmas decorations all over the city along with the island’s striking red flowers and the streets are packed with locals selling Christmas cards, toys, decorations, firecrackers and gifts.