Winter seems awful when it hits. The cold prevents the car from starting, and the snow turns gray. And not to forget a runny nose. In short, the season gets better of us just in a few days.
December may be chilly and dark in much of the Europe and North America, but it is, by no means a dull and boring month to travel. December is the time of excellent musical events, the sunshine of the southern hemisphere and colorful festivals. It’s the perfect time to dust off your passport and celebrate the holiday in style. And honestly speaking, winter is the best time to travel. It makes traveling easier, and neither does one experience fatigue due to the heat.
So, you no more need to hibernate during the winter season. Whether you want a break from the holiday madness or wish to dive into the festivities, we have compiled ten of the best places to visit in December.
1. New York:
New York may be chilly during December, but the Christmas there is truly one of the best to witness in the world. The city literally comes alive during December. Yes, it will be crowded, but it will be totally worth it. The city also honors and remembers people who died of the Pearl Harbor attack on 7th of December. You should visit the USS Arizona Memorial located in the Honolulu’s harbor. You must also take a tour of the USS Bowfin Submarine Museum and Park and USS Bowfin during this season. It is a must visit attraction for history buffs.
2. Rio De Janeiro:
If you want to escape the winter, and then hit to Rio De Janeiro. Summer is in full swing in December in Rio. And the Christmas and New Year celebration on the Copacabana Beach is outstanding. The city actually parties like no other. Millions of people flock to this place for the parties, wearing white to bring good luck. And the decoration is simply dazzling. You can also visit the neighborhood and the beaches near Copacabana. There’s a beach for everyone in Rio De Janeiro. If you are on a vacation with family, then you can head to Baixo Baby, if you are a surfer, then Praia do Arpoador is the one for you and if you want to go gliding and stroll in the nearby parks, then you can head to the Sao Conrado Beach.
3. Australia:
Another place to heat your winter up is by exploring Australia. You can eat your way through the Taste Festival in Tasmania, or celebrate the New Year’s Eve at the Opera Gala in Sydney. And if you are a music lover, then check out the “Life’s a Beach Music Festival in Rockingham”. The place is just 30 minutes from Perth. Or you can visit the Woodford Folk Festival in Queensland. It is one of the biggest cultural festivals in Australia. To sum up, everything is wonderful in Australia in December.
4. Hawaii:
December is one of the most popular months to cruise around Hawaii. Hawaii is an ideal family trip. This tropical paradise looks the best during December. You can select a cruise liner or visit the ports of call like Honolulu on Oahu, Kona on the Big Island and Nawiliwili on Kauai. You can also take a boat from here to explore Mexico’s Cozumel, Costa Maya, Puerto Vallarta, Cabo San Lucas, and more.
5. Phuket:
Do you want to witness the biggest and most famous regatta in Asia? Then you must head to Phuket, Thailand. The King’s Cup Regatta is held every year during the first week in December. It celebrates the birthday of the King of Thailand. Besides, the beaches of Phuket are a must visit. The popular beaches include the Patong Beach, Mai Khao Beach, Surin Beach and Kamala Beach.
6. Munich:
If you want to experience an old-fashioned Yuletide, then Munich is the perfect place. The first Christmas Market was held here in the 14th century. Today, there are more than a dozen of Christmas market, most of which center on Marienplatz. Here, wooden stalls appear at the beginning of the month. The malls, shops, and streets are decorated beautifully with Christmas tree, candles, and Lebkuchen. But the highlight of Munich is a mug of glühwein, fortified with a shot of brandy.
7. Mexico:
December is the best time to visit the white sand beaches of the Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula. The temperature hovers around 25 degrees and stays pleasant for several months before the summer launches its assault on Cancun. Every year on the 16th of December, the Mexican families take part in the procession and posadas re-enacting Mary and Joseph’s journey to Bethlehem. The Piñatas stuffed with sweets make plenty of appearances here.
8. Colorado:
Colorado is the best place if you want to go skiing. The resorts making up Colorado’s Aspen Snowmass open by the second week of December. The Glenwood Springs, located 30 miles from the north, provides a perfect respite after hitting the snow. The hot spring pool here is heated by the geothermal Yampah spring every year. The springs pump out more than 3 million gallons every day at 51 degrees. But fret not as the temperature of the pool is kept scalding at 40 degrees. And the sight of the steam rising against the backdrop of snow-capped mountains is truly mesmerizing.
9. Fiji:
December, with the cheaper price and fewer crowds, is the best time to travel Fiji. Fiji offers more than 330 tropical islands to choose from, so you are unlikely to get bored. There are plenty of activities to perform in Fiji during Christmas. You can go scuba diving, island hopping, cruising and attending Christmas picnics on the beach. And if you stay in Fiji during Christmas, then you could be among the first people in the world to welcome the New Year. Isn’t that amazing?
10. Kerala:
If you are a citizen of Kerala and are tired, seeing the frosty mornings during winter, then you can head to Kerala during December. Kerala experiences a tropical weather during the year’s end. You may also experience occasional showers if you hit the beaches in the droves. The real highlight of Kerala is a boat cruise around the Kochi Harbor. You must also explore the Kerala Backwaters on a traditional houseboat. And watching the sunset over the idyllic Kovalam beach will be an experience in itself. And the large Christian population of the place means that you won’t even miss out on the Christmas celebration.
These ten destinations will help to defeat the seasonal doldrums and cure your wintertime blues. So where are you planning to head this December? Can you suggest us some places other than from the list to visit in December?