This is a “round-up” post based on my experiences and recommendations from Lonely Planet, The Blonde Abroad, and Condé Nast Traveler.

The holidays are my favorite time of year! I love a white or tropical Christmas followed by a rockin’ New Year’s. 

December is when many of the world’s most important festivals are celebrated, and it’s an incredible experience to take part in familiar and new traditions.

Are you ready to end your year with an amazing trip? Here are the best destinations to visit in December!

Saint Lucia

St. Lucia is one of my favorite destinations in the whole world! This island is the closest thing I’ve found to paradise, and December has some of the best weather all year. This month is in the middle of the peak season, so book your accommodation or vacation home and tours in advance to save money and ensure availability.

I recommend staying at Cap Maison Resort & Spa, and my Must-Do Activities In St. Lucia include sailing along the Caribbean side of the island (for views of the Pitons), hiking the Tet Paul Nature Trail, spending a day exploring Pigeon Island, riding the Aerial Tram, snorkeling, and sea kayaking.

Quebec City, Canada

The beautiful French architecture, snow, and North American Christmas culture make Québec City a perfect holiday destination. Check out the best vacation homes and hotels in Québec City!

Plan The Perfect Trip To Québec City

Québec City transforms into a picture-perfect Christmas village in December. Every street is decorated with wreaths and lights. Plus, there’s an authentic German Christmas market.

Death Valley National Park

Death Valley is one of my favorite U.S. National Parks. In December, daytime temperatures only fall to the mid-60s, so this month is one of the most pleasant times to visit.

I highly recommend staying at The Oasis At Death Valley. My top activity recommendations are hiking the Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes, driving Artist’s Drive and Palette, participating in a ranger-led stargazing program, admiring the valley from Dante’s View, and booking a Farabee Jeep Tour to Racetrack.

December is the beginning of summer in Antarctica. Penguin chicks will be hatching, blue whales will be migrating, the temperatures will be above freezing, and the pack ice will have melted enough for ships to pass through the Drake Passage. 

Visiting Antarctica – one of the most remote and important ecosystems in the world – is a delicate endeavor. You must use tour operators that implement best-practices for sustainable travel.

Yellowstone is one of the most-visited national parks in the U.S. The park averages 4 million visitors in July but only 300,000 visitors in the winter months. So visiting Yellowstone in December will let you experience the park with significantly fewer crowds.

Wildlife viewing is easier in the Winter because most animals congregate in the valleys. The park’s most famous residents, the Bison, will be easy to spot as they trudge across the white plains.

In December, most roads are closed to private vehicles, so you’ll need to take snow transportation to most places in the park. And the majority of trails will need to be explored by snowshoeing or cross-country skiing.

United States Virgin Islands

The U.S. Virgin Islands are a December paradise. The sea is warm enough for water activities, and this month has some of the best weather all year.

Make sure you experience the St. Thomas Lighted Boat Parade, where contestants (aka the boats) are judged on lights, holiday cheer, and originality.

December is the beginning of the peak season for the U.S. Virgin Islands. The earlier in the month you visit, the lower the prices and crowds will be. But if you want to be here during Christmas or New Year’s, don’t book your accommodation on St. Thomas. The other islands will have lower accommodation rates and fewer tourists (most of the cruises dock at St. Thomas).

New York City

New York City is an epicenter of holiday celebrations. The city’s holiday window displays, Rockefeller Center ice rink & Christmas tree, snow-speckled Central Park, and chestnuts roasting on a street stall make this a truly iconic December destination.

December is one of the busiest and most expensive times of the year to visit NYC, so book your hotel or vacation home, entry tickets, and tours in advance. You can find lower rates earlier in the month while still enjoy all the festive lights and culture the city has to offer.

United States Ski Resorts

A U.S. ski trip over the holidays is an incredible trip, but it will be crowded, and prices will be at their peak, so book your accommodation, tours, and lift tickets in advance.

If you travel in the beginning or middle of December, you can have lower prices and smaller crowds while still enjoying the holiday festivities and decorations.

Uganda

If you want an adventurous holiday trip, then head to Uganda. In December, the landscape is lush, but the weather is dry, making this an ideal month for gorilla trekking. Uganda is still a relatively under-the-radar destination, but only a limited number of gorilla trekking permits are issued a month, so make your reservations in advance.

December is also an excellent time for boat safaris because the dry weather means the animals will be gathering around the water sources. This would be the perfect destination and month to check off all the Big Five from your safari list.

Central Europe

Central Europe is one of the most festive destinations in December. Almost every town and city in Austria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Switzerland turns into a picture-perfect Christmas village.

All of these counties will give you Christmas markets, light shows, and snow activities to enjoy this month. Traveling earlier in December will save you some money because the holiday corridor from Christmas to New Year’s is a peak travel time for this region.

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