From tinsel-free towns to white Christmas: Top places to go in December

Although the experience of a northern winter and light-twinkled Christmas season entices many of us overseas at this time of year, you’ll find alternative seasons and plenty of other reasons to travel in December.

Countries

Slovenia

Lake Bled is ridiculously beautiful.Credit: iStock

Why you should go: Think beyond the obvious European destinations associated with snow-scapes and Christmas markets and hit small but sumptuously lovely Slovenia, whose old towns are glittering with lights and whose mountains are encrusted with ice. Lake Bled, surrounded by alpine peaks and graced with a crag-perched castle and island chapel, is ridiculously beautiful.

Don’t miss: The Julian Alps, whose alpine panoramas are stunning and whose Soca River is surely one of Europe’s prettiest waterways. Kranjska Gora has a charming old core and pleasant outer layer of ski-resort facilities, and is cupped in a gorgeous valley. It’s a great place for family skiing, tobogganing and sleigh rides. See slovenia.info

Uganda

Gorilla tracking here is one of the world’s great wildlife adventures.Credit: iStock

Why you should go: Although it’s high season in this East African nation, you don’t have to worry about tourist hordes, but you do get to see landscapes at their lushest and yet during dry weather. It’s a great time of year to see varied wildlife on river safaris, and equally good for tracking gorillas in the rainforest.

Don’t miss: Mgahinga National Park in the verdant Virunga Mountains, home to half the world’s highly endangered mountain gorillas. Gorilla tracking here, accompanied by a guide, is one of the world’s great wildlife adventures. The national park flaunts scenic volcanic cones, bamboo forest and jungle-dense hillsides. See exploreuganda.com

Finland

As close as you’ll get to Santa without being at the North Pole.Credit: iStock

Why you should go: You’ll hardly find a colder place than Finland, but this is as close as you’ll get to Santa without being at the North Pole. There’s nowhere better for that sleigh ride in the snow, whether pulled by reindeer, huskies or more modern snowmobiles. You can see the Northern Lights, enjoy the sauna culture, and experience the cosy seasonal ambience.

Don’t miss: You’ll encounter the jolly old fellow at Rovaniemi, where he appears at Santa Park to greet visitors in an impressive range of languages. You can study at Elf School, decorate gingerbread men alongside Ms Claus, shop for Christmas decorations, and visit Santa’s post office. Christmas House is an exhibition space that highlights Christmas history and traditions from around the world. See visitfinland.com

Cambodia

It’s the best time of year to be in Cambodia.Credit: iStock

Why you should go: If you’re one of those people who’d rather escape the Christmas cheer and decorative kitsch entirely, then you won’t see much tinsel in Cambodia, and it’s the best time of year for lower temperatures, humidity and rainfall. See a country in the throes of change, visit capital Phnom Penh, and explore one of the world’s great archaeological sites at Angkor Wat.

Don’t miss: A Mekong River cruise if you have the time, which takes you into Vietnam as well. You’ll see Cambodia’s highlights in style and ease and also have the chance to soak up the great river’s spectacle of passing scenery, villages, boat traffic and floating markets. Tonle Sap Lake is full of bird life. See tourismcambodia.com

Costa Rica

A top destination for anyone who loves beautiful landscapes and beaches.Credit: iStock

Why you should go: Costa Rica has long had impeccable eco-credentials, and is at the forefront of environmentally-friendly tourism. With easily accessible wildlife, fine resorts and few security issues, this is Central America’s top destination for anyone who loves beautiful landscapes and beaches, rainforests, volcanoes and unusual creatures. Humpback whales migrate past in December as a bonus.

Don’t miss: Hike up smoking Arenal Volcano, go white-water rafting at Turrialba, and surf the waves of both the Pacific and Caribbean coasts. Costa Rica has plenty more for active travellers, such as zip-lining through rainforest, scuba diving – Isla la Coco is among the world’s top dive sites – and big-game fishing. Visit Corcovado National Park for its jaguars, monkeys and macaws. See visitcostarica.com

Cities

Stockholm, Sweden

The Swedish capital comes alive at Christmas.Credit: iStock

Why you should go: Stockholm rolls out the Christmas experience from mid-December’s Santa Lucia Day, when young girls dressed in white carry candles through the streets. The Swedish capital is alive with Christmas markets, street buskers, and shops decked in festive finery. When the chill sets in, enjoy glogg (mulled wine) and a julbord, the sumptuous winter version of the famous smorgasbord banquet.

Don’t miss: The city’s best Christmas markets in Kungstradgarden and along Stortorget in the old town, where you can try local delicacies such as smoked sausages, dried reindeer and elk meat. Go ice-skating in Kungstradgarden. In Skansen open-air museum, traditional houses are decorated the old-fashioned way, and kids can make decorations. See visitstockholm.com

New York, USA

Don’t miss the Rockefeller Centre if you’re in New York over Christmas.Credit: iStock

Why you should go: This is possibly the world’s best city for Christmas flair, and sometimes seems like stepping into a Hollywood movie. Streets and tourist attractions are strung with lights, Christmas trees are everywhere, department stores have wonderful seasonal window displays, and plenty of Christmas-related concerts add to a memorable Christmas holiday. You can finish with the Times Square countdown to New Year.

Don’t miss: A spin on the Rockefeller Centre’s famous sunken ice rink overlooked by the gold-coloured statue of Prometheus, ranks of Christmas trees, and angels blowing trumpets. Alternatively, take to Wollman Rink in Central Park, which frequently appears as a movie and television backdrop. See nyctourism.com

Salzburg, Austria

Winter views over Salzburg from the castle are marvellous.Credit: iStock

Why you should go: The Christmas season in Salzburg will delight music lovers. The hottest ticket in town is for Salzburger Adventsingen, a program of seasonal songs at the Festspielhaus, but recitals are held in churches too, where you can also admire impressive Krippen (nativity scenes) made from carved wooden figures.

Don’t miss: Hohensalzburg Castle, which dominates the old town from its rocky outcrop. Winter views over the snow-capped roofs of the old town and river towards the Alps from the castle’s ramparts are marvellous. Head to nearby village Obersdorf for the Christmas Eve procession to the chapel where “Silent Night” was composed by the village organist in 1818. See salzburg.info

Havana, Cuba

There’s plenty of reasons to visit Havana in December.Credit: iStock

Why you should go: The dry season has just begun, the skies are blue, the temperatures are warm but the humidity low. And with sea temperatures at 27 degrees, swimming is as pleasant as walking. Christmas isn’t as glitzy or commercial as elsewhere, but there are plenty of religious celebrations, fireworks, lights and street parties.

Don’t miss: Famous ocean-side promenade Malecon is lined by pastel buildings that turn golden in the late afternoon night, and the cobblestone streets of La Habana Vieja are a mix of crumbling green, orange and yellow buildings from Spanish colonial days. In clashing contrast, Callejon de Hammel district is coloured with a multi-hued riot of murals and street art. See cubatravel.cu

Nuremberg, Germany

One of Germany’s most famous, atmospheric and oldest Christmas markets is held in Nuremburg.

Why you should go: Dozens of German towns could be top destinations in December thanks to their Christmas markets, but Nuremberg in Bavaria hosts one of the country’s most famous, atmospheric and oldest. It’s held in the old town’s main square beneath the walls of the medieval castle and features some 180 stalls selling traditional products and food. Live bands and carol singers entertain the crowds.

Don’t miss: Christmas market apart, Nuremberg’s long history makes it a worthy destination. The old town is crammed with half-timber buildings, Gothic chapels and fountains, all surrounded by fortified walls. The Germanic National Museum is excellent. Several more sinister sites are associated with Nazi history. See tourismus.nuernberg.de