Beyond Christmas Celebrations:Here are Best Places To Visit In December
December brings a unique tapestry of travel experiences, with contrasting delights across the globe. While Europe and North America are adorned with vibrant Christmas lights and festive markets, tropical and southern hemisphere destinations offer a sunny escape from winter’s grasp, marking their peak holiday season. Despite the darkness, it’s not the chilliest period, setting the stage for a whirlwind of celebrations leading up to New Year’s Eve. For those seeking a blend of festive charm and warm retreats, the first half of the month holds the promise of enjoying the best of both worlds. These diverse landscapes and celebrations make December an inviting time for travelers seeking vibrant experiences.
Experience Sun-Soaked Bliss: Miami, Florida’s Vibrant Oasis
Best Places To Visit In December, Soak in Miami’s Art Basel Miami Beach, A Fusion of Fashion and Artistry. Scheduled from December 8–10, 2023, this four-day extravaganza attracts global talents, with 24 debut artists among the 277 participants. Delight in diverse perspectives from New York to Seoul alongside engaging lectures and dining experiences, making it a must visit for winter travel.
Moreover, Miami’s Luxurious Accommodations Beyond Art Basel. Experience opulence at The St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort, an art centric haven boasting striking metal walls and captivating sculptures, complemented by exclusive services such as private butlers and a gourmet burger bar, an ideal spot for special celebrations. Alternatively, indulge in beachside luxury at The Ritz Carlton Key Biscayne, offering stunning ocean vistas and a tequila infused restaurant. Embrace the holiday spirit with festive treats like lobby eggnog and rejuvenating peppermint pedicures at the spa, enhancing your winter travel experience.
Discover Natural Wonders: Exploring Yellowstone National Park’s Untamed Beauty
Best Places To Visit In December: Furthermore, Embrace the Enchantment of Yellowstone National Park in Winter. Escape the summer crowds and witness a transformed landscape as the park closes to cars, allowing only snow coaches and snowmobiles. Experience the serene tranquility and surreal beauty of this oldest national park blanketed in snow encounter dozing bison adorned in snowflakes, vibrant pools contrasting against the white surroundings, and steaming boardwalks amid the icy wonderland of thermal features. It’s a mesmerizing winter travel experience waiting to be explored.
furthermore, Experience Cozy Comfort at Yellowstone’s Old Faithful Snow Lodge. Despite limited options, revel in the warmth and convenience of the few open in park lodges. Amidst the heart of Yellowstone, the lodge radiates holiday cheer this December, adorned with trees and offering in room Christmas delights, cookie decorating, and special visits from Santa. Don’t miss out on a range of outdoor adventures, including guided snowshoe tours and captivating wildlife photo safaris, enhancing your winter travel at this remarkable destination.
Explore Timeless Charm: Discovering Salzburg, Austria’s Cultural Gem
Discovering Salzburg, Austria’s Enchanting Christmas Markets. While Germany often steals the spotlight for Christmas markets, neighboring Austria, especially in Salzburg, exudes equal festive charm. The UNESCO World Heritage listed Old City, famed for its role in ‘The Sound of Music,’ hosts the delightful Christkindlmarkt, filled with song and holiday cheer, making it a must visit destination for winter travel.
Best Places To Visit In December: Furthermore, Delight in Salzburg’s Timeless Christmas Market Traditions. Dating back to the 15th century, the market’s enchanting sing alongs and traditional wind music amplify the festive spirit alongside stalls offering mulled wine, ornaments, and cozy socks. Indulge in bauernkrapfen (fried pastries) while reveling in the market’s vibrant atmosphere. Conveniently located steps away lies Hotel Goldener Hirsch, among the world’s oldest luxury hotels, offering a perfect haven to warm up between outdoor shopping sprees during your winter travel.
Glacial Majesty: Switzerland’s Breathtaking Express Journey
Embrace Switzerland’s Winter Magic. Renowned for its year round beauty, Switzerland transforms into a captivating wonderland in winter, adorned with snow dusted city squares and world class ski slopes along majestic mountainsides. Choosing just one Swiss destination can be daunting, making the Glacier Express an ideal introduction to this enchanting winter paradise during your travel adventures.
Experience Switzerland’s Breathtaking Glacier Express Journey. Beyond connecting Zermatt and St. Moritz, this eight hour train ride is a spectacle in itself. Traverse over 290 bridges, treating travelers to sweeping vistas of iconic landmarks such as the Oberalp Pass and the majestic Matterhorn. Indulge in delightful three course meals aboard, enhancing every moment of this extraordinary ride through Switzerland’s winter wonderland during your travel escapades.
Embrace Winter Adventure: Discovering Whistler’s Enchanting Beauty in Canada
Best Places To Visit In December: Furthermore, Revel in Winter Sports at Whistler Blackcomb, North America’s Premier Ski Area. Spanning 8,171 acres with slopes catering to all skill levels, from beginner friendly greens to challenging double black diamonds, these twin peaks offer an unparalleled experience for skiing enthusiasts. Recent enhancements to the Big Red Express lift and Creekside Gondola have eased congestion, ensuring a more enjoyable and spacious mountain adventure, allowing visitors to relish numerous exhilarating rounds on the powder during their winter travel.
Best Places To Visit In December: Moreover, Indulge in Whistler Village’s Après Ski Delights. After a day on the slopes, immerse yourself in the vibrant après ski scene. The village boasts an array of bars and restaurants, from the lively high end eatery Wild Blue to the relaxed yet sophisticated Braidwood Tavern. As for accommodations, the Fairmont Chateau Whistler stands as a picturesque fairy tale castle nestled at the foot of Blackcomb, offering a truly enchanting winter stay during your travel escapades.
British Virgin Islands : Best Places To Visit In December
Examine Caribbean Paradise in the British Virgin Islands. Comprising over 60 tropical isles, this archipelago offers the quintessence of Caribbean serenity, boasting pristine white sand beaches and verdant rainforests. Renowned for its top notch hotels, Richard Branson’s Necker Island stands out as a leading resort, recently reconstructed with a sustainable focus. With new wind turbines supplementing the existing solar farm, the resort operates on 90 percent renewable energy, even incorporating recycled plastic into staff uniforms. It’s an idyllic winter destination for your travel retreat.
Paris : Best Places To Visit In December
Experience Paris at its Festive Peak. The City of Light dazzles during the holiday season, adorned with sparkling Champs Élysées lights and captivating store window displays resembling museum art. This year presents an excellent opportunity with affordable direct flights via French Bee, France’s pioneering low cost carrier, and a slew of new hotel openings. Embrace the novelty by being among the first guests at Bulgari Hotel Paris or Hôtel Madame Rêve, housed in a former 24 hour post office. Alternatively, choose from the array of established hotels in the city for a delightful winter travel experience.
Best Places To Visit In December: Furthermore, Elevate Your Paris Holiday Experience. Enhance your winter travel by joining the ‘Paris at the Holidays’ group trip (November 30–December 7) organized by specialty planner French Affaires. Curated by France travel expert Elizabeth New Seitz, the itinerary boasts an enchanting evening tour of the city’s Christmas lights, an exclusive Louvre private tour, a delightful Buche de Noel (yule log) cooking class, and indulgent French afternoon teas at renowned palace hotels. It’s an exceptional way to savor the festive charm of Paris during your holiday escape.
Antarctica : Best Places To Visit In December
Best Places To Visit In December: Moreover, Embrace the Ultimate Adventure with an Antarctic Expedition. After years of restrictions, consider fulfilling your dream of exploring Antarctica. The white continent shines brightest from December to March, teeming with active wildlife under nearly 24 hour sunlight. While such expeditions usually demand extensive planning, there’s still a chance to secure a spot on an expedition cruise ship before the year ends. However, using this time for initial research might be wise for planning a trip in the coming year.
Furthermore, Explore Antarctic Expeditions with Various Options. Ponant presents a selection of sailings until December’s end, spanning 10 to 15 nights, featuring stops at South Georgia and the Falkland Islands. Alternatively, Quark Expedition’s ‘Antarctic Explorer: Discovering the 7th Continent’ offers an 11 day voyage with six departure dates in December (plus numerous options in 2024). Beyond standard stops, Quark provides an exciting alpine heli trekking add on, granting guests breathtaking views while exploring typically unreachable terrains through helicopter rides for hiking or snowshoeing—an extraordinary experience during your winter travel.
Santiago, Chile
Discover Santiago, Chile’s Hidden Gem. Often overshadowed by more prominent South American hubs, Santiago deserves your attention. Positioned between the Andes and the Pacific, it serves as an exceptional hub for outdoor enthusiasts. Beyond that, Santiago stands out as an enticing destination in itself, offering superb culinary experiences, excellent wines, and abundant shopping opportunities, a perfect blend for a memorable winter travel adventure.
Best Places To Visit In December: Furthermore, Extend Your Adventure to ValparaÃso from Santiago. After exploring Santiago’s vibrant neighborhoods, consider a side trip to ValparaÃso—a two hour drive away but worth an overnight stay. This former home of Pablo Neruda and current Chilean Navy hub allures with its colorful hillside dwellings and an abundance of captivating street art that resembles museum exhibits. ValparaÃso’s charm makes it a place that’s hard to bid farewell to during your winter travel escapades.
Belize
Explore Serene Luxury on Belize’s Caribbean Coastline. Situated near the Yucatán but with fewer crowds, Belize has evolved from a backpacker’s haven into a luxurious destination. Only a five hour flight from New York, Belize offers world class diving reefs, captivating Mayan ruins, and a strong commitment to ocean conservation. Numerous eco friendly hotels, like Turneffe Island Resort, actively support the protection of Antillean Manatees in the nearby Turneffe Atoll. Guests at this 14 acre private island resort may even have the chance to encounter these gentle giants, while contributing to the Belize Manatee Conservation Program through their gift shop purchases—an ideal winter travel retreat.
Best Places To Visit In December: Furthermore, Experience Luxurious Adventure at Matachica Resort & Spa in Belize. Beyond its exclusive adults only beachfront, this resort offers engaging workshops focusing on the Belize Barrier Reef. Dive into interactive sessions, including guided scuba diving tours and exhilarating helicopter trips. As December 4 commemorates World Wildlife Conservation Day, it’s an ideal time to visit these forward thinking hotels and engage in immersive experiences during your winter travel.
Final Thoughts : Best Places To Visit In December
In conclusion, December unfolds as an opportune time for captivating journeys to the Best Places To Visit In December. From the enchanting landscapes of Antarctica to the festive charm of Paris, the possibilities for memorable winter travel are abundant. Furthermore, destinations like Santiago and the Belizean coast offer unique experiences, while indulgent resorts like Matachica in Belize or the scenic allure of Switzerland’s Glacier Express provide unparalleled adventures. As December beckons, these top destinations stand ready to fulfill your wanderlust, promising diverse, enriching, and unforgettable experiences for winter travelers.
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