If you feel you deserve a present to yourself after powering through any holiday gift lists, we don’t blame you (us, too). So why not plan a trip as a reward? Tack on some time for a family visit, perhaps, or burn through some of the excess PTO that you’ve involuntarily accrued.
There are plenty of options for those deciding on where to travel this December. For long-haul trips, consider the Southern Hemisphere for a jolt of vitamin D in a rugged, determinedly uncommercial spot, or take a dip in a memorable, albeit temporary, Japanese onsen. Then again, why not celebrate Christmas in a country that’s so festive-obsessed, decorations are usually in place in most homes by early fall?
Here are the 10 best places to travel this December.
Come to Keystone for Winter Carnival and night skiing.
Photo by Ryan J Long/Shutterstock
1. Keystone, Colorado
December is great for: exploring fresh slopes close to home.
Colorado’s newest town, incorporated as a self-governing municipality from Summit County in 2024, has embraced its autonomy with gusto. There’s new skiing terrain—550 acres in the Bergman Bowl, newly accessible thanks to a six-person lift—and the opening of Kindred Resort, aiming to lure luxe-loving piste-seekers from Breckenridge and Vail.
You can ski here until 7 p.m., which is later than anywhere else in the state, thanks to the extensive slope lighting, a standout amenity that the major sites nearby don’t have. Come in December, and you can enjoy a festive twist, including ice-skating shows on Keystone Lake and the Winter Carnival on December 13, with carolers, free hot cocoa, and the lighting of River Run Village’s tree, an event attended—of course—by Santa himself.
Where to stay: Kindred Resort
The property, opening this month, is the newest luxury crash pad in the region, with 107 rooms and ski-in, ski-out access, steps from the River Run Gondola, plus a slopeside tavern and the best bonus of all: First Track access for guests.
Insider tip
Want to commemorate a particularly challenging and rewarding run or trail experience? Kindred general manager Daniel Dohner directs you to Keystone Sports – Mountain House, which sells custom ski run signs. “These aren’t your ordinary resort merchandise; these are real replicas of the actual trail signs you see on the mountain, which can be engraved with your favorite run or a trail,” he raves. “I own several on display in my home, and they are always conversation starters.”
This month, Bath is celebrating 250 years since Jane Austin’s December birthday.
Photo by Tanasut Chindasuthi/Shutterstock
2. Bath, England
December is great for: all things Austen with a festive twist.
The postcard-pretty Georgian city of Bath has been feting one of its favorite daughters, Jane Austen, all year, marking the 250th anniversary of her birth. This month, those celebrations are capped by a ball. On December 13, three days before Jane’s birthday, you can immerse yourself in an Emma-style fantasy for the evening (join a preball dance workshop that afternoon if you’re not sure of your footing).
In December, of course, the city’s also decked out for the holidays, including a 150-stall Christmas market throughout downtown, running until December 14. Westonbirt Arboretum, just outside town, also hosts a dazzling light installation and Enchanted Christmas events. They’re held on several evenings throughout the month and are a chance to wander along a mile-long trail amid one of the world’s finest tree collections.
Where to stay: The Gainsborough Bath Spa
Stay here for direct access to the thermal pools, which first brought the settlement to prominence in Roman times, when it was known as Aquae Sulis; the 99-room property is the only spot with direct access to those baths.
Insider tip
Sample a Sally Lunn, the brioche-like staple offered at the namesake bakery for more than 200 years, says Gainsborough general manager Wayne Fernsby; get there as early as you can to avoid the inevitable lines. “Bath Aqua Glass produces hand-blown ornaments, paperweights, and jewelry in a signature blue that reflects the city’s thermal waters,” he adds, noting that each December they offer festive baubles that are “light to pack, durable, and immediately recognizable.”
Frankenmuth, Michigan has several aspects reminiscent of Germany.
Photo by Craig Sterken/Shutterstock
3. Frankenmuth, Michigan
December is great for: experiencing the wintry joys of Europe right here in America.
If you’re not heading to Europe this year for twinkly cheer, why not opt for the next best thing: Little Bavaria in Michigan, two hours north of Detroit. A group of Lutheran immigrants originally established Frankenmuth during the 1840s, bringing their traditions with them to the Midwest. One such tradition: a devotion to Christmas, which remains evident each December, as visitors can meet reindeer-in-training at Grandpa Tiny’s Heritage Farm or see the upside-down Christmas tree at the Bavarian Inn Lodge, a nod to the German tradition in which the tree represented the Holy Trinity. Hitch a ride on the Golden Ticket Trolley to trundle round town in style and see the festive decor in comfort.
Where to stay: The Bavarian Inn Lodge
It’s worth checking into the 360-room, German-accented hotel for its retro-style architecture alone. But the lodge also just opened the state’s largest indoor waterpark, the 170,000-square-foot Bavarian Blast, with 16 waterslides and a swim-up bar.
Insider tip
Joanna Nelson, general manager at the Bavarian Inn Lodge, says, “No visit is complete without visiting Bronner’s Christmas Wonderland,” which claims to be the largest Christmas store in the world. The almost seven-acre site stocks more than 50,000 festive items. One standout item: a $15 custom ornament painted to your exact liking by one of the staff painters and penners.
Arid landscapes meet the blue ocean (and Magellanic penguins) at Punta Tombo.
Photo by Joanne Wastchak/Shutterstock
4. Patagonia Azul, Argentina
December is great for: off-grid adventures for nature and animal lovers.
Coastal Patagonia is a radical departure from the jagged, snowy mountain ranges most immediately associated with this region—and that’s a compelling reason to consider visiting (as we’ve advised this year). The wildlife-crammed region is now a UNESCO Biosphere, a designation that will protect and rewild countless acres of land here over the coming decades.
Home to fuzzy guanaco wandering close to the ocean and sea lions bobbing in the water, the region is particularly appealing to birders, who can expect to see the world’s largest colony of Magallenic penguins on the Punta Tombo peninsula, as well as Chubut steamer ducks, Olrog’s gulls, cormorants, and petrels. This part of Patagonia is already growing in popularity; 489 people visited in 2023, but more than 5,000 came the following year. Come here soon to see the untouched wilderness while it’s still largely devoid of crowds.
Where to stay: Bahía Bustamante Lodge
This cluster of family-owned oceanfront cabins is in a former seaweed-farming village, with private access to Toboganes Beach on its own peninsula. It offers the ideal base for exploring, with fully guided excursions by boat, on foot, or on horseback.
Insider tip
Caroline Maber from ultraluxe travel specialist Cazenove + Loyd suggests this region is a great place for any first timer to try fishing and saddling up with the local cowboys. “You won’t find markets or souvenir shops here, but you may be able to find a traditional gaucho beret as a great memory of your time here, especially if you’ve been out horse-riding with them,” she says.
Every part of Savannah is decorated during December, including Forsyth Park.
Photo by zimmytws/Shutterstock
5. Savannah, Georgia
December is great for: seeing the Hostess city at its most welcoming.
The Hostess City rolls out the red carpet for the holidays, and you won’t need to pack anything too cozy—daytime averages are in the mid 60s. In addition to festive decor on Victorian and Gothic Revival homes, there’s the Old Town Trolley tour around the decked-out city and the botanical gardens (including ‘smores at the Merry Market).
You’ll also find the River Street’s Christmas Market, seasonal refreshments like the cranberry-spiked Bee’s Knees at the Prohibition Museum, and the family-friendly “A Christmas Tradition” variety show at the historic Savannah Theater. If you’re in town on December 12, head down to Tybee Island for its Lighted Boat Parade—look for Santa at the head of that flotilla—or you can catch various themed Riverboat holiday cruises throughout the month.
Where to stay: Thompson Savannah
The four-year-old 193-room property is a soaring new-build skyscraper in the Eastern Wharf district, with killer views of the city. Have a sundowner at the rooftop Bar Julian if you can, which usually has a pop-up festive-themed takeover, dubbed Frosty’s, each December.
Insider tip
Savannah is a sweet-tooth dream. Byrd Cookie Company’s been a city fixture for more than a century, and Thompson concierge Amanda Marks is a firm fan. She recommends trying the bite-sized Scotch Oatmeal or Key Lime Coolers. “No trip to Savannah is complete without indulging in a praline,” she adds; try Savannah Candy Kitchen and River Street Sweets.
Escape the cold in Aruba’s Palm Beach.
Photo by veritographer/Shutterstock
6. Noord, Aruba
December is great for: an only-in-Aruba tradition.
After the Christmas festivities conclude, Aruba’s attentions turn to Dande, a tradition whose name derives from the word for to wander in Papiamento, the Creole language that spans the ABC islands of the southern Caribbean. Dande, however, is unique to Aruba; it dates to the 1880s and was first celebrated by manumitted enslaved peoples chanting to celebrate their freedom.
Dande groups travel from house to house, their songs accompanied by traditional instruments like the tambu (a barrel-shaped drum) and the percussive metal wiri, as the lead singer repeats hypnotic melodies that always include the phrase Ay Nobe (New Year). The celebration unspools from December 27 to 29, and the three-day event in the capital of Oranjestad will feature children’s and adult-aimed programming.
Where to stay: St. Regis Aruba
The brand-new 252-room resort opened earlier this year with five outdoor pools and six restaurants, including one under the auspices of Michelin-endorsed chef Akira Back on the rooftop. It’s located right on Palm Beach in the northwest corner of the island and a short drive from Eagle Beach, with its powdery white sand and sparkling turquoise waters.
Insider tip
Korynne Commons, guest relations manager at St. Regis, has a few key restaurants she always recommends. Go to the rooftop Terazza Italiana for “bruschetta, burrata, and great views of sunset,” or have a romantic supper at the family-run Papiamento in a cunucu house, or farmer’s cottage. For Caribbean food, head to O’Niel Caribbean Kitchen, where treats like saltfish fritters or balchi fish balls are worth the inevitably long waits for a table.
Onsens are scattered across the Kii Peninsula, including one at the end of the Kumano Kodo hiking trail.
Photo by bmszealand/Shutterstock
7. Kii Peninsula, Japan
December is great for: taking a time-limited dip.
Immersing yourself in a Japanese onsen is an extraordinary experience, equal parts spiritual and physical; the ritual of bathing is contemplative rather than merely functional. If you’re exploring the Kii Peninsula, in the southern reaches of Honshu, there are ample natural hot springs that feed such onsen. This month, plan a trip to Kawayu Onsen if you want to experience the fleeting marvel of the Sennin-buro, an open-air bath in the Ohtou River, created by a temporary dam.
It’s only open from December 1 through February. The free-to-enter spot is huge enough to have room for a thousand people (sennin means “one thousand”), but remember to bring a bathing suit, as it’s a mixed-gender experience. Warm spring water mingles with cooler river water to create a bath-like temperature, which you can linger in as the steam rises in spirals against a backdrop of lush forests.
Where to stay: Fujiya Ryokan
The 31-key property, overlooking the Ohtou River, has its own extensive bathing facilities on-site, including a reservable rotenburo, or open-air bath. There are both traditional Japanese-style rooms with tatami mats, as well as options with Westernized beds.
Insider tip
Yoshiko Kobuchi, the Okami or manager of Fujiya, recommends trying Kissa Kobuchi tearoom, saying, “It serves meharizushi (rice balls wrapped in pickled mustard leaves) and unique onsen coffee brewed with natural hot spring water.”
The grapes may be done for the season, but the wine is still flowing in Healdsburg.
Photo by Michael Salser/Shutterstock
8. Healdsburg, California
December is great for: squeezing the last drops out of the winemaking season.
Healdsburg’s festive celebrations, dubbed A Season to Sparkle, return for the second year, running through December 31, luring travelers to the wine country offseason. Come for the Merry Healdsburg Tree Lighting on the plaza on December 5, with a holiday night market and crafting for kids, or join the Harvest Wine Trail two days later, when more than 30 local wineries open for festive tastings (pick up an all-access pass). There are Christmas stalls at the beloved farmers’ market each Saturday this month, as well as bashes like the New Year’s Eve party called Glitter & Grooves at Coyote Sonoma.
Where to stay: 27 North
The 16-room boutique hotel is a rebooted version of the much-loved Les Mars, which debuted this summer with a refreshed, younger vibe, including DJ sets and a new Mexican restaurant, Arandas. Montage Healdsburg and Harmon House are also excellent places to stay.
Insider tip
Take a cycling trip along Dry Creek Road, says Matthew De Quillien, general manager at 27 North. “It’s a scenic ride through wine country culminating in breathtaking views at the Lake Sonoma lookout,” he says. Or opt for a slightly easier ride with Party Bike Tours, a pedal-powered adventure around town, which he calls “a lively way to combine a bar crawl, wine tasting, and nibbles.”
A type of Christmas lantern, parols line the streets of the Philippines all month long.
Photo by Cherish Gonzales/Shutterstock
9. Philippines
December is great for: a Christmas countdown like no other.
If any country could claim to be Christmas-obsessed, it’s the Philippines, where the holiday season will often span what’s colloquially known as the ’ber months: September through December. It’s arguably the longest such celebration anywhere in the world. Expect to see the streets decorated with star-shaped lanterns known as parols, made from paper and bamboo and nodding to the Star of Bethlehem.
Nowhere will you see more than in San Fernando, Pampanga, a city that out-Christmases the rest of the country: During the Giant Lantern festival, different neighborhoods vie for supremacy in a contest to create the most elaborate, jaw-dropping parol. This year, it takes place on December 13, but the lanterns will be on view through New Year’s Day.
Where to stay: Peninsula Manila
The 400 or so rooms and suites here are suitably luxe, given that it’s a longtime outpost of the Hong Kong–based chain. But the real appeal here is the soaring lobby, with its mascot-like ceiling installation (Napoleon Abueva’s Sunburst) and a buzzy nighttime scene most nights of the week.
Insider tip
“Food is the love language of Filipinos, and it’s very common to send food to each other over the holidays,” says travel advisor Tinky Gonzalez de Castilla Locsin of Cantik Travel, who lives and works in the Philippines. She recommends sampling Christmas day treats such as bibingka, made with rice flour and coconut milk, or the brioche-like ensaimadas pastries.
Kennebunkport is a darling town with a 10-day Christmas festival in December.
Photo by Capt’ Tom/Shutterstock
10. Kennebunkport, Maine
December is great for: stepping into an IRL Hallmark movie.
Coastal Maine may be a summertime hot spot, but don’t dismiss the idea of a trip during the festive season to one of the region’s charming little towns—especially Kennebunkport, whose decor-trimmed makeover each winter has earned it multiple plaudits. The Christmas Prelude, an annual 10-day festival, runs from December 4 to 14 this year, and you can expect a picture-perfect backdrop, with garland-trimmed stores, the sound of carolers wafting over the crisp night air, and the smell of cinnamon and firewood everywhere. Bring a costume for your dog during the Pooch Parade on the last day, and be dazzled by the witty subversiveness of the Hat Parade on Saturday, December 6.
Where to stay: Kennebunkport Inn
Situated downtown in an erstwhile tea merchant’s mansion dating to the Gilded Age, this 35-room hotel was gut-renovated three years ago to give it a more contemporary edge, such as sleeker rooms and a glass-enclosed solarium. Stop in this month for the Tinsel Bar, a festive makeover of its signature restaurant, The Burleigh.
Insider tip
Emily Nelson from the Kennebunkport Resort Collection suggests a trip to the Seashore Trolley Museum. “It was founded in 1939 as the world’s first and largest electric railway museum and feels especially festive in December,” Nelson says, since the trolleys are strung with twinkly lights as they trundle through the snowy woodlands. “It’s nostalgic and family-friendly.”
This article was originally published in 2019; it was most recently updated in October 2025.