Best Deals, No Crowds: Where to Go in December
By Brook Wilkinson
While the last 10 days of December spell crowds and exorbitant prices throughout much of the world, the first two-thirds of the month—before holiday airfares and hotel rates go into effect—can be a serene, value-laden, and just plain lovely time to travel. Europe is all decked out for the holidays—with locals generally friendly and in high spirits; in the Southern Hemisphere, spring is in bloom; and in the Caribbean, Hawaii, and Mexico, hurricane season is over, the weather is gorgeous, and there are free upgrades galore.
Mexico City
Locals head to the beach during the Christmas /New Year’s period, which means you’ll encounter fewer crowds at Mexico City’s cultural sites and much less traffic in this famously congested city. It behooves leisure travelers to visit over a weekend: Most hotels are full of business travelers during the week and typically offer lower rates from Thursday through Sunday. —Zachary Rabinor, Trusted Travel Expert for Mexico
Read Zachary’s Insider’s Guide to Mexico City.
St. Barts
Though villas triple in price over Christmas and New Year’s, the first two-thirds of the month are still considered “value season”: Prices are far lower, the weather is much the same, and the island is quieter and less crowded. —Peg Walsh, Trusted Travel Expert for St. Barts Villas
St. Martin/Sint Maarten
Sky Blue Villa, Sint Maarten. (Courtesy: Island Properties)
The temperature on St. Martin fluctuates only a few degrees throughout the year, but the first two weeks of December are considered low season, so villas are as much as a third less expensive. —Marilyn Pulito, Trusted Travel Expert for St. Martin/Sint Maarten Villas
Read Marilyn’s Insider’s Guide to St. Martin/Sint Maarten Villa Vacations
Athens, Greece
Athens is an ideal spot for a short break in December. Winters in Greece are mild, with only a few rainy days. Even if you’re not brave enough for a swim in the brisk sea, places like Glyfada and Voyliagmeni, on the Athenian Riviera, stay lively year round and offer a wide choice of café and dining options. Only a short taxi ride from the city center, the Badminton Theater (originally built for the 2004 Olympic Games) always hosts interesting shows; this December, the Bolshoi Ballet is putting on the Nutcracker. —Christos Stergiou, Trusted Travel Expert for Greece
Mendoza, Argentina
Horseback riding in Mendoza, Argentina. (Photo: C. de Uco)
The grapevines are alive, and the backdrop of the majestic Andes after the winter snows makes for dramatic scenery. Wine season is in full swing, and there’s a beer festival in Godoy Cruz during the first week in December—a four-day street party with live music and heavy partying. (Christmas and New Year’s, though, are high season for hotels, and the wineries close for the holidays.) —Maita Barrenechea, Trusted Travel Expert for Argentina, Chile, and Uruguay
Read Maita’s Insider’s Guide to Mendoza
Rajasthan, India
Rambagh Palace, Rajasthan. (Courtesy: Rambagh Palace)
December is a fun time to be in Rajasthan (though a busy one—this is our peak season). The weather is cooler—something we relish, as it means long explorations into the bazaars, wonderful walks ’round the forts, and a chance to explore the villages on foot without overheating! Evenings are spent wrapped in beautifully decorated Rajasthani shawls and blankets as you dine outside by firelight. The winter light is beautiful, particularly in the villages, making this an ideal time for any travelers with a passion for photography. —Bertie & Victoria Dyer, Trusted Travel Experts for Rajasthan, India
Thailand
The Golden Triangle in Chiang Rai, Thailand. (Photo: C. Kennerly)
Late October (when the rains end) through February is an exceptional time to visit the northern part of the country, from Sukhothai through Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai. The King’s Birthday, on Dec. 5, ushers in the festive season—Christmas and New Year’s certainly aren’t traditional holidays here, but many Thais celebrate them anyway—and cooler, less humid weather. In general, the beaches are blissful from the end of December through March. —Sandy Ferguson, Trusted Travel Expert for Southeast Asia
Read Sandy’s Insider’s Guide to Thailand
New Zealand
In the first two weeks of December (before the madness of the holiday season begins and rates go up), you can see newborn lambs dotting the hillsides all over the country. New Zealanders love their gardens, so flowers are blooming everywhere too. The peace and beauty of the landscape and the people can be so restorative to the soul. —Donna Thomas, Trusted Travel Expert for New Zealand
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