The end of the year is extremely busy with gift shopping, holiday decorations, and family gatherings. So take the time to book your winter vacation, even if it’s just a weekend getaway, before the business days run out. Whether you’re looking for a warm-weather getaway to end the year or a festive destination filled with holiday cheer, we’ve got you covered. From ski slopes to beach resorts, here are 11 of the best places to travel in December.
Lake Tahoe, California
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Lake Tahoe typically starts snowing in late November, so if you visit in December, you’ll be able to hit the slopes before anyone else. At this time of year, the destination’s sapphire-blue lakes, pine forests, and snow-capped mountains are stunning. Stay at Edgewood Lake Tahoe on the south shore. Holiday festivals are held throughout the month. The resort’s new multi-bedroom villa suites are perfect for families and groups. Located on the north coast, the Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe features ski-in/ski-out access and a mountainside concierge. Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe and Edgewood Lake Tahoe were both named Best Resorts in the Western United States by Travel + Leisure in 2022. Nearby Reno-Tahoe offers a wide range of winter activities and has a convenient airport with flights from many major cities.
palm springs california
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If you’re looking for a mild climate, great restaurants, golf, luxury hotels, spas, and great shopping, put Palm Springs on your December must-see list. Just two hours from Los Angeles and San Diego, you have easy access to the Greater Palm Springs area. Check out the schedule for concerts and sporting events at the new Acrisure Arena. This summer, Cirque du Soleil’s new Corteo opened for the first time as a desert venue. Accommodations range from expansive resorts like the JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort to boutique hotels and adults-only properties. Stay at Auric House in a quiet, historic neighborhood just steps from downtown Palm Springs. Feel like a local as you wander through the restaurants, shops and have breakfast at the nearby Corakia Pensione.
Charleston, South Carolina
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Charleston topped this year’s T+L World’s Best Awards’ list of America’s favorite cities, with its historic buildings, streets and neighborhoods adorned with lavish décor, making it the perfect vacation destination. Christmas markets, tree lightings, parades, and seasonal events add to the holiday spirit in December. Charleston Place is decorated for the season, and other popular hotels in Charleston include Emmeline, Planters Inn (a Relais & Châteaux property), and Charleston’s Art Hotel The Vendue.
Newport Beach, California
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With its 1960s climate and plenty of Southern California sun, Newport Beach is the perfect December destination for hiking, cruising the harbor on a Duffy boat, whale watching, visiting Balboa Island, and strolling along the beach. The city will celebrate the holiday season with the annual Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade from December 13th to 17th. The parade features more than 100 decorated yachts, boats, kayaks, and canoes cruising the waterfront with music, fireworks, and glittering lights. Stay close to the action at Lido House, an Autograph Collection hotel, or be one of the first to stay at the new Pendry Newport Beach. For five-star luxury, two golf courses facing the ocean, and stunning views, choose The Resort at Pelican Hill. Accommodations here include bungalow rooms and suites with fireplaces and private terraces, as well as two-, three- and four-bedroom Mediterranean-style villas.
Branson, Missouri
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In Branson, the two-month Ozark Mountain Christmas Celebration begins in early November and is a great way to get into the holiday spirit. Known as “America’s Christmas Tree City,” Branson features more than 1,500 decorated trees, shows, parades, 6.5 million lights, drive-through displays, photo opportunities with Santa Claus, and more! there is. Throughout December, in the lobby of the Chateau on the Lake, carols are held by the bonfire, stories are told, and Candy His Village is displayed. At Big Cedar Lodge, guests can sip hot cocoa, watch twinkling holiday lights, skate on the Winter Wonderland ice rink, make wreaths, and bake gingerbread. These are just a few of the Home for the Holidays activities this property hosts each year.
dubai, united arab emirates
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December is considered one of the best months to visit Dubai, thanks to the mild climate that is perfect for exploring the city outdoors. Visitors will find a festive atmosphere and countless seasonal events, from elaborately decorated Christmas trees and holiday markets to seasonally decorated shopping malls. Admire public art in Dubai Design District, relax on the beachfront in La Mer, or visit the historic Fahidi district. Stay at the elegant Habtoor Palace, LXR Hotels & Resorts, or the luxurious Burj Al Arab Jumeirah. One&Only One Za’abeel is located in the city center near Dubai World Trade Center and will welcome guests from December 1st. In December, “Rana Dorchester Collection Dubai” will open along the Dubai Canal.
riviera maya, mexico
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Located on the Yucatan Peninsula on the Caribbean coast, 30 minutes south of Cancun, Riviera Maya offers calm waters, sandy beaches, sunny skies and accommodations to suit every taste, from boutique hotels to luxury resorts. I am. Mayan ruins are interesting to explore, and cenotes (caves or underground pits filled with cold water) are also an interesting feature of Yucatan. Mayakoba, a private community with approximately 600 acres of lagoon, jungle, and beach, includes El Camaleon Golf Club, luxury homes, and his four estates: Fairmont Mayakoba, Andaz Mayakoba, Banyan Tree Mayakoba, and Rosewood Mayakoba. There is a resort. Celebrate the New Year with a concert by legendary Mexican musician Luis Miguel on December 31st at a nearby golf course. Also on the Riviera Maya, Maroma’s Belmond Hotel opened after an extensive renovation and redesign led by Tara Bernard & Partners.
vienna, austria
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Vienna is beautiful all year round, but December is dazzling with holiday decorations, lights, markets, and Christmas trees galore. Delicious Austrian food is also part of the celebrations, with shoppers eating and sampling dishes such as Wiener schnitzel, sausages, apple strudel and traditional roasted chestnuts, as well as Christmas punch (made with rum and brandy). You can warm your body with a mug. Or stop by the cafe and enjoy a cup of coffee and a Sachertorte, the famous Austrian chocolate he cake. T+L readers recently voted for their favorite hotel in Vienna, and The Ritz-Carlton, Vienna took the top spot. Other good options include The Rosewood Vienna, which just opened last year, and The Amauris Vienna, a Relais & Châteaux property. River cruises are a great way to visit Europe’s many Christmas markets, and itineraries are offered through several companies, including AmaWaterways, Viking River Cruises, and Uniworld Boutique River Cruises.
Fort Worth, Texas
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Think of this vibrant Texas city for your year-end vacation or weekend getaway. The weather is in the comfortable low 50s and there is plenty to do. The Fort Worth Zoo features holiday decorations, lights, snow, and a visit from Santa in December. The Fort Worth Stockyards National Historic District is where ranchers once traded their cattle and cowboys drove their animals to market, and today it still features daily longhorn cattle drives, restaurants, rodeo shows, bars, and original wooden structures. There are tours of the enclosure. Stay at Hotel Drover in the heart of the district. Make your holiday decorations and activities even more fun! Located near downtown’s Sundance Square entertainment area, the Kimpton Harper Hotel is housed in a historic building that was once Fort Worth’s tallest building. The Crescent Hotel Fort Worth opens this fall and features a Canyon Ranch Wellness Club with a full menu of fitness classes and spa treatments.
american virgin islands
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Located in the northeastern Caribbean Sea, the islands of St. Croix, St. John, and St. Thomas make up the U.S. Virgin Islands. Whether you’re traveling to the Caribbean for beaches, water sports, outdoor adventure, shopping, or nightlife, these islands offer countless options. Join St. Croix’s Crucian Christmas Festival, which begins on December 10 and combines traditional Carnival events with Caribbean, African, Spanish, and Dutch influences. The closing parade takes place on his January 6th, when thousands of masquerades fill the streets. Lodging options include the waterfront King’s Christian Hotel in downtown Christiansted, St. Croix, and The Ritz-Carlton, St. Thomas, which hosts holiday activities throughout December. A passport is not required for travel to this U.S. territory.
anguilla
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This sunny island in the eastern Caribbean is perfect for a December getaway, whether you’re traveling with friends and family or looking for a romantic getaway. From relaxing on the beach or by the pool to active adventures like kitesurfing, diving, and golf, there’s plenty to do in Anguilla. Accommodations include boutique hotels, resorts, villas, and apartments at a variety of price points. Consider the family-friendly Four Seasons Resort & Residences Anguilla, Maliouhana Resort, and Frangipani Beach Resort. Everyone can enjoy here. Private villas are available at Cap Juluca, Belmond Hotel and Altamar. Located on Shoal Bay Beach, Zemi Beach House features a spa housed in a 306-year-old Thai house.
