Top Places to Visit in December: Your Destination Guide

Posted On: November 12, 2022
Posted By: Terry Miriam

Image Source: Pexels‍

We’ve reached the final month of 2024, and with it comes some of the most festive and exciting times to visit destinations around the world. From Christmas markets to winter wonderlands, December is a time when tourists can immerse themselves in all things snow, Santa and gingerbread men. There are plenty of locations that offer an idyllic getaway during the winter months. Whether you’re looking for a city break, ski trip or Christmas vacation, we have you covered. Read on for our top 5 recommendations of places to visit in December:

Vienna, Austria

Nothing says romance like a Christmas visit to Vienna, especially when you can visit the Vienna Christmas market. This traditional Christmas market is famous for its handmade wooden toys and decorations. It’s a festive way to spend the last days of December, before heading back to work in January. While you’re in the city, you must visit the famous Christmas tree in Rathausplatz, which is decorated with over 60,000 lights and more than 1,000 little glass baubles. You can also take a stroll through the Stadtpark, which will lead you straight to the Vienna State Opera House. If you’re visiting with your family, then you can’t miss the Vienna Advent Calendar. This advent calendar is full of child-friendly events, such as children’s theatre, crafts and Christmas workshops.

Snowboarding in France

If you’re a thrillseeker and want to experience the rush of snowboarding, then the French Alps are the best place to visit in December. This is the perfect time to visit the Alps as the snow conditions are ideal for beginners and experts alike. You should also visit the alpine forests, where the trees have turned glorious shades of pink, red, orange and purple. The French Alps are also home to some of the best ski resorts in Europe, such as Val d’Isere, Tignes and Courchevel. You can also visit the largest winter sports festival in the world, the International Skiing Championships in Meribel.

Prague Christmas Markets

The festive season is synonymous with Christmas markets. Prague is a wonderful city to visit in December, as it hosts one of the biggest Christmas markets in Europe. Throughout the month, the city centre is filled with festive stalls selling all things Christmas, from gifts and decorations, to mulled wine and traditional Czech food. You’ll also be treated to traditional carol concerts, and you can visit Santa’s grotto for a festive photo shoot. If you want to keep the kids happy, you can visit the Toy Museum, which is around 20 minutes from the city centre. Another great trip from Prague is to the nearby city of Brno, which has a different vibe to Prague. Here you can visit the Brno Toy Museum, dedicated to the history of toys and their evolution through the years. You can also visit the charming Christmas market in this city, where you can find gifts to suit all ages.

Rome at Christmas Time

Christmas in Rome is one of the best times to visit the capital, as the city takes on a truly magical feel at this time of year. You can experience the traditional Italian Christmas, which is full of delicious food, decorations and carols. Rome hosts one of the biggest Christmas markets in the world, which offers something for everyone. You can go ice skating on the River Tiber, or you can visit the Christmas tree in Piazza Navona. If you want to shop for gifts, then there are plenty of Christmas markets in Rome. You can also visit Santa’s grotto to snap the perfect Christmas selfie. Another great thing about visiting Rome in December is that it is the perfect time of year to spot some adorable panda cubs. If you visit the Rome Zoo, you can see the pandas, which are expecting cubs. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and you can visit the zoo at any time of year.

Switzerland in December

For a truly magical Christmas, you can visit Switzerland, which has one of the most famous Christmases in the world. The country uses tourism to promote its festive season, which lasts from early December to the New Year. There are plenty of Christmas markets across Switzerland, where you can visit Santa’s grotto, take part in Christmas shows and try various Christmas foods. You can also visit the famous Engelberg Toy Museum, which is home to the world’s largest toy collection. If you’re in Switzerland during the run-up to Christmas, then you can witness the famous Jelm Mountain ceremony. This ceremony has been taking place for over 200 years, and it features costumed Sami people who perform a traditional torch-lighting ceremony.

Conclusion

December is undoubtedly one of the best months to visit destinations around the world. From Christmas markets to winter wonderlands, there are plenty of places that offer an ideal getaway during the winter months. If you’re planning on visiting a new place this December, then make sure you book your travel insurance in advance. You can compare travel insurance quotes online with our travel insurance tool, to find the cheapest deal.