15 Best Places to Travel in December

If you’re like us, you’re probably thinking, “December already? Where has the year gone?” It’s not too late to end 2024 with a trip — even a short getaway to kick off the ski season or to relax on a tropical beach before the holidays arrive. We have ideas for destinations both nearby and far away, along with suggestions for the best hotels, resorts, and things to do. Whether you choose summer sun in Rio de Janeiro or winter snow in the Adirondacks, we hope you’ll close the year with travel.

Here are 15 of the best places to travel this December.

Miami, Florida

Miami is the perfect December getaway, whether you want to bask in the sun on South Beach; shop in the Design District, Brickell City Centre, or Aventura Mall; check out the outdoor art in Wynwood; or visit during Art Basel (Dec. 6-8). I just traveled to Miami and stayed in the downtown Brickell area for the first time. While I’m a fan of the beach, I loved seeing the boats on the Miami River, especially lively over the weekend, and the tall buildings that create stunning city views at night. Speaking of lights, Zoo Miami dazzles with “Zoo Lights” throughout the month of December, and even though temperatures in the 80s may not inspire holiday vibes, there are plenty of festive decorations to make up for it.

Where to Stay: I enjoyed my recent stay at Kimpton Epic, including a stop at the Privai Spa and a delicious al fresco dinner at Area 31. The Setai and Faena Hotel topped the Travel + Leisure World’s Best List for Miami in 2024.

San Diego, California

Known for year-round mild weather, pristine beaches, and a lively downtown, San Diego is delightful in December. While temperatures in the 60s may not be ideal for a dip in the Pacific, there’s much to do on land. San Diego goes all out for the holiday season, and from Balboa Park to the San Diego Zoo, SeaWorld, and Legoland, bright seasonal decor will inspire holiday spirit. Lightscape returns to the San Diego Botanic Garden (Nov. 15-Jan. 5) with exciting artistic installations, and the San Diego Bay Parade of Lights boat parade is set for Dec. 8 and 15. For less seasonally specific activity, you can shop, eat, or browse the public art at Liberty Station or take an always-enjoyable cruise. You might even spot a gray whale when their annual migration begins mid-month.

Where to Stay: We’ve rounded up a list of the 12 best hotels in San Diego for your next trip.  Enjoy the boat parade from the Kona Kai in Point Loma, or choose a luxurious stay at the Rancho Bernardo Inn or Fairmont Grand Del Mar.

Boston, Massachusetts

December is a great time to bundle up, don a warm hat and gloves, and enjoy this lively and historic city. Walk the Freedom Trail for a glimpse of Boston’s role in American history, or visit one of the city’s museums. Snowport, the annual holiday market, is open, featuring shops, restaurants, Christmas trees, menorahs, an ice skating rink, and more. There’s also ice skating at Frog Pond in Boston Common, a popular spot for locals and visitors. A short walk away, Faneuil Hall offers shopping, dining, and entertainment. “Holiday Pops” by the famous Boston Pops orchestra centers on favorite songs of the season, and “The Nutcracker” at Boston Ballet is another holiday tradition. 

Where to Stay: Several excellent properties were featured in the Boston rankings for 2024’s World’s Best Awards, including Raffles Boston and Hotel Commonwealth.

U.S. Virgin Islands

Set in the Caribbean Sea with white-sand beaches and clear, warm water, the U.S. Virgin Islands are a convenient getaway, with no passport required for U.S. citizens. The largest, St. Croix, offers a relaxed atmosphere, history, and superb diving (including night diving at Frederiksted Pier), and it celebrates the Crucian Christmas Festival each December with parades, pageants, and events. St. John, the smallest of the islands, is home to Virgin Islands National Park, where ancient petroglyphs, unspoiled beaches, and hiking trails delight visitors. St. Thomas, the most convenient island for travelers with direct service from major U.S. cities, is known for its natural beauty and also for its duty-free shopping in Charlotte Amalie. December’s warm weather attracts many winter-vacation visitors, so if you’re thinking of heading to the U.S. Virgin Islands, start planning now.

Where to Stay: The islands offer boutique hotels, resorts, and all-inclusive properties. For high-end stays, try The Ritz-Carlton St. Thomas or, in St. John, Lovango Resort & Beach Club, which was among the World’s Best Awards picks in the Caribbean in 2024.

The Adirondacks, New York

About five hours north of New York City but seemingly a world away in December, the Adirondacks boast snowy mountains, quaint towns, and the same gorgeous scenery that attracted wealthy guests during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Lake Placid, host of the 1932 and 1980 Winter Olympics, offers ski slopes, shopping, and restaurants. Nearby, Saranac Lake features a charming downtown, historical buildings, and a variety of winter sports, including snowmobiling. Families heading to the mountains for the holidays might enjoy a ride on The Polar Express, a two-hour train route from Utica that lets pajama-clad children visit the North Pole and meet Santa. If your idea of a winter vacation involves cozying up in front of a blazing fireplace, you can find the perfect place to do it in the Adirondacks.

Where to Stay: The Point Resort in Saranac Lake includes 11 luxurious rooms within four rustic log cabins. An hour southeast, The Lodge at Schroon Lake is set on 36 acres with cabins, chalets, and hotel rooms. In Lake Placid, High Peaks Resort offers three different lodging experiences, including rooms overlooking Mirror Lake and on Main Street, while Eastwind Lake Placid is a stylish boutique option.

Washington, D.C.

The nation’s capital greets December’s holidays with cool temperatures (think 40s by day, 30s by night), extravagant decorations, and attractive off-season hotel prices. There’s always an abundance of things to see, and starting in late November, the Downtown Holiday Market is a free open-air village with entertainment, food stalls, and more than 70 vendors. Ice skating rinks at the National Gallery of Art, Wharf, Washington Harbour, and Navy Yard are winter traditions and fun whether you’re a skater or a spectator. Washington is a great place to do your holiday shopping, especially at museum shops where you can find unique gifts. Inside the museums themselves, you can find fascinating experiences for every interest and curiosity and, on cold days, a warm respite from the weather. Many museums feature exhibits and hands-on activities for young visitors, making Washington, D.C. a perfect family destination.  

Where to Stay: T+L has a handy list of the best Washington, D.C. hotels for 2024, featuring World’s Best Awards winners and recent It List favorites.

Fort Worth, Texas

December temperatures tend to be in the 50s in this part of Texas, so visitors can comfortably explore Fort Worth’s historic Stockyards, where there’s a cattle drive of longhorns twice a day. I loved seeing them when I visited a year or so ago, chatting with cowboys, and marveling at the size of the animals’ horns. We toured the actual stockyards where millions of cattle were bought and sold in the late 1800s, watched children at the petting zoo, and browsed the shops on Mule Alley. For evening entertainment, there’s the honky-tonk Billy Bob’s Texas and the lively downtown district of Sundance Square. Hotels, shops, and streets citywide will be decked out for the season, and the Fort Worth Botanic Garden will be a winter wonderland thanks to Lightscape, an installation of more than a million lights running Nov. 22-Jan. 5.

Where to Stay: Hotel Drover, Autograph Collection topped the list of T+L readers’ favorites in Dallas/Fort Worth in the 2024 World’s Best Awards. The art and antiques-filled Bowie House, Auberge Resorts Collection, opened in December 2023, and Le Méridien Fort Worth Downtown opened in August 2024.

Sri Lanka

“Sri Lanka is very popular in the winter months, especially over the holiday season,” according to Niall Causer, a T+L A-List travel advisor. There are “a lot of families traveling for winter sun, adventure, and relaxation,” he notes, and the weather is dry and sunny in the southern coastal region. He continues: “There are some of the world’s best beaches, boutique hotels, and villa-style properties. Activities range from spotting elephants in Udawalawe National Park to potentially seeing leopards and sloth bears in Yala.” Causer suggests planning early for the holiday season, bearing in mind that, while prices are higher, many accommodations get booked up. “Sri Lanka offers superb value for the money, but to get the best deals and pricing, start planning early for the greatest range of hotel availability.” Also, he says, “Allow plenty of time. Sri Lanka can be visited in five or seven nights, but if you are aiming to tour the country and see as great a variety as possible, 14 nights will be much more comfortable.”

Where to Stay: Camp Weligama, Relais & Châteaux, offers villas and residences overlooking the Indian Ocean. An hour west along the same southern coast, the expansive five-star Anantara Peace Haven Tangalle Resort is set on a former coconut plantation. An hour south of Colombo, Anantara Kalutara Resort features the tropical modernist architecture of famous Sri Lankan architect Geoffrey Bawa.

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

“December is one of my favorite months in Rio, the beginning of the summer. So temperatures start rising, and the beach and cultural scenes are getting more lively,” says Paul Irvine, a T+L A-List advisor. “This is when carnival rehearsals kick off in full force, but at the same time, all the locals are still in town — many travel in January and February — and there isn’t the mass tourism of carnival. It’s pretty much the Brazilian summer sweet spot and a great time to book a stay at one of the city’s stellar hotels. New Year’s on Copacabana Beach — perhaps the world’s most famous New Year’s celebration — sees hundreds of thousands descend on the beach, all dressed in white, to watch a spectacular fireworks display and dance the night away to huge free concerts.” For a change from the beach, visit the statue of Christ the Redeemer atop Corcovado Mountain with an enjoyable trip on the funicular railway that offers stunning views. 

Where to Stay: The five-star JW Marriott Hotel Rio de Janeiro overlooks the beach. The boutique Santa Teresa MGallery is set on a historic coffee farm, and Fasano Rio de Janeiro is on Ipanema Beach. Fairmont Rio de Janeiro Copacabana offers views of Sugarloaf Mountain.

Saint-Tropez, France

This glamorous summer resort town on France’s Côte d’Azur is surprisingly lovely in December. While T+L A-list advisor Philip Haslett points out that many hotels and restaurants are closed for the season, he says, “On the plus side, there are no crowds, so people can discover Saint-Tropez in much the same way artist Paul Signac did in 1892 — a small, quiet, and particularly picturesque fishing village.” According to Haslett, “The weather in December is often fine, with cold mornings quickly warmed by the Mediterranean sun. There are stunning coastal walks and great hiking routes with unique discoveries to be made. One of the most extraordinary is La Chartreuse de la Verne, a 12th-century monastery that reveals itself in the dense forests.”

Where to Stay: The boutique Arev Saint Tropez, opened in 2024, features a spa and Mediterranean restaurant. Five-star Hotel La Ponche offers a spa and bay views.

Vienna, Austria

Though beautiful at any time of year, Vienna glows during the holiday season. “For a festive and elegant atmosphere, there’s nothing like strolling through a pedestrian district lit by chandeliers, while gazing in gloriously decorated shops and cafe windows,” T+L A-list advisor Gwen Kozlowski says. She adds that December is the peak of Vienna’s cultural season, with classical music, opera, ballet, and modern jazz all easy to find. Families will be in luck in the city, too, thanks to the world’s oldest zoo, interactive museums like the House of Music, and the Children’s Museum at Schönbrunn Palace. “And the Christmas markets,” she says. “I know other places have them, but Austria knows how to do it with just the right balance of local charm, shoppers’ delight, and amazing atmosphere.” Winter is the perfect time for a delicious slice of Sachertorte along with a cup of hot chocolate or coffee in one of Vienna’s famed coffee houses.

Where to Stay: Almanac Palais Vienna offers a spa, indoor pool, and convenient location on the Ringstrasse. Hotel Bristol, a Luxury Collection Hotel, topped the list of T+L readers’ favorite Vienna hotels in the 2024 World’s Best Awards.

Maldives

December is in the midst of the dry season, when clear seas and abundant marine life attract divers and snorkelers. The holiday season also brings visitors to relax on the beach, enjoy the festivities, and celebrate the holidays and the new year with family and friends. Travel writer Katie Lockhart tells T+L, “In December, the Maldives reaches its peak with resorts at capacity to take advantage of the perfect weather. When it gets closer to the festive season, resorts put on a full calendar of fun activities for kids, elaborate dining experiences, and entertainment. It may not be the most peaceful time to visit, but it is the most fun!” There are about 200 inhabited islands to choose from among the 1,192 total islands of the Maldives, and the luxury resorts scattered among them feature overwater bungalows and upscale amenities. 

Where to Stay: T+L has a list of the best all-inclusive resorts in the Maldives. For more options, consider Patina Maldives, Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi, Conrad Maldives Rangali Island, and Anantara Kihavah Maldives.

Dolomites, Italy

T+L A-List advisor Joyce Falcone has this to say about December in the Dolomites: “I appreciate the calm before ski season kicks in (around Dec. 20) when there are fewer crowds. One can visit a charming village such as Castelrotto or stay in a bigger town like Ortisei. In Sud Tyrol, the intersection of Italian, Austrian, and Ladin culture, you’ll see signs in all three languages.” She continued, “In early December, one can enjoy the beauty of the wooden Tyrolean architecture while staying at Hotel La Perla in Corvara. The hotel will be in her holiday finery with plaid ribbons, velvets, pine cones, antlers, and traditional alpine wooden decor. Alta Badia lifts open Dec. 5, and with enough early snow, you can ski the Sellaronda starting in San Cassiano, a renowned route.” Even if you’re a non-skier, though, you’ll find much to enjoy in Italy’s mountains. 

Where to Stay: There’s year-round comfort at Forestis, and winter is especially beautiful. The Adler Spa Resort is another option. For a luxurious ski trip with all arrangements made for you, Few & Far offers a week-long itinerary that starts with two nights in Venice.

Turks & Caicos

This archipelago is located in the Atlantic Ocean, but its style is pure Caribbean with gorgeous beaches, clear seas, water sports, and resorts. Your goal may be a comfortable beachfront or poolside lounge with a tropical drink and a snack of local conch, but there’s plenty to do and see. Diving and snorkeling are especially popular, with abundant marine life and miles of barrier reef. December weather is warm with perhaps a bit of rain, and holiday vacationers arrive in numbers, especially in the latter half of the month. On Dec. 26, Maskanoo is celebrated with music, fireworks, and local foods, highlighting the islands’ history and culture. Visitors from the U.S. will find convenient flights into Providenciales, and the currency is the U.S. dollar. 

Where to Stay: The Shore Club is ideal for groups, with four-, five-, and six-bedroom villas. Opening in late November, The Strand offers a variety of villas and residences in a secluded oceanfront setting. Beaches Turks & Caicos is an all-inclusive resort with a variety of accommodations and an array of activities for families and couples.

Prague, Czech Republic

The weather is cold but the atmosphere is warm during Prague’s festive season, with holiday decorations on view all over town. At the city’s famous Christmas markets, visitors can find souvenirs, gifts, and handmade goods as well as local foods like ham, sausage, flatbreads, and pastries — not to mention comforting drinks like hot chocolate, cider, and mulled wine. Christmas trees are displayed throughout the city, and musicians and folk groups perform at the Old Town Square. Many visitors enjoy the city with a cruise along the Vltava River, a beautiful sightseeing experience. Prague’s museums offer history and cultural background along with a warm escape from the cold. Strolling along the ancient city’s streets or stopping at a warm café for one of Prague’s delicious desserts are among the best things to do in December. To get there, ride the European Sleeper Train; the Brussels to Berlin route was extended this year to end in Prague.

Where to Stay: Andaz Prague, set in a historic building, is located in Old Town, steps from Christmas markets. NH Collection Prague Carlo IV is another elegant option. For more, check out T+L’s list of the best hotels in Prague.