In 2013, Cyprus was nearing financial collapse. Sal and Boa Vista are both a non-stop six-hour flight from the UK with a choice of all-inclusive resorts and charming hotels. With the Med considerably cooler than in the summer months, you'll have to head to destinations further afield. It’s a great time to go, as the average temperature of Tenerife in December sits between 20ºC and 25ºC. Even during winter days, the average temperature reaches 25°C. Beaches Where to go on holiday in December 2021/2022 for the best weather. British Airways has direct flights from Gatwick. 1. Vietnam (31°C) is one of the fastest-growing destinations in the region – discover ancient and modern history, rich culture, great food, miles of empty beaches and a new wave of luxury hotels. Wellness has well and truly arrived here, with yoga studios, health retreats and even monk-led mentoring for those looking to make a real change. It’s peak season in Sri Lanka in December, so book early, with a specialist company who can advise on the regional weather variations, to enjoy this country’s heady mix of beaches, culture, scenic wonders and wildlife adventures. December in Israel kicks off with Hanukkah, which this year runs from November 27th - December 5th, but if you're in the country on Christmas Eve, don't miss the carol singing and public broadcast of Midnight Mass in Bethlehem's Manger's Square and the Christmas Parade and market in … Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain. The Gambia in west Africa (31ºC) is only six hours away and there’s no time difference here either. More pho, please! The country is home to hundreds of different markets that … In Kerala, I like this Splendours of the South tour. In Northern India you’ll find temperatures of 23°C and eight hours of sun, ideal for sightseeing. Travel guidelines and advice are changing constantly amid the Covid-19 pandemic. Don’t miss the capital Havana, the colonial city of Trinidad and take time to chill on the beach at Cayo Santa Maria. Visit Bogota. December is a great time for a holiday in Goa - the temperatures are consistently in the high 20s with around 10 hours of sunshine a day and barely … Just like that low-and-slow New Zealand drawl, Auckland is a big, beautiful city that’s seldom in a hurry. Melbourne’s erratic climate ensures it’ll never hold the beachy appeal of Sydney. You can go on safari, lie on a beach, take a self-drive tour and explore beautiful Cape Town and the Winelands, where temperatures are 26°C and you’ll bask in 11 hours of daily sunshine. December, January and February tend to be the coldest months in Europe, yet some countries enjoy mild weather and many sunny days. Plus it has 40 splashy, limestone-and-glass casitas, each one with its own terrace and pool. At the very south of the island, Santiago de Cuba, with its palatial Spanish buildings by the sea, is set to be the next It destination, but for now remains thrillingly tourist-free. See our full recommendations for the best Caribbean holidays and details of the Caribbean weather in December. Welcome to CN Traveller. I also recommend Morocco (3 hours flying time) which offers warm sunny days (20ºC) though evenings can get chilly. In order to see this embed, you must give consent to Social Media cookies. Once-scrappy beach town Canggu draws Indonesia's thriving digital-nomad crowd, along with blissed-out surfers, while artists’ village Ubud is a hub for those seeking a more spiritual getaway. December is perfect to visit Doha since the hot and humid summer comes to a close and the cool weather is pleasant enough to explore the desert environment. Our tip: strike out for Harbour Island, a three-mile-long, mile-and-a-half-wide sliver of sensational, pink-sand stretches, where there are always enough sunbeds to go around. Costa Rica is obviously one of the hot countries in December in both temperature and popularity, so book early. It really could be the best Asian country to visit in December! In terms of prices, December is a month of two halves. Warmest places in Europe in December The warmest places in Europe in December tend to be the southernmost countries such as Cyprus, Greece, Spain, Malta, and Italy. December is whale watching season in San Diego and the weather is still warm enough that you won’t be freezing out on the boat. We’re talking white sands, … Riverside jungle hideout Capella Ubud feels like an African tented camp from the 19th century and makes an ideal base that avoids any desert-island clichés. Click here for a great desert safari tour experience. As you would expect, these countries are mostly in the south , and the weather can also vary greatly between different areas in each country. Now, it’s enjoying a renaissance. Better yet, the recently extended, hacienda-style Four Seasons is here (Elizabeth Taylor and Wallis Simpson count among former guests). Don’t worry, though, trade winds stop things from getting too scorching, so you’ll still be able to chill out at the beach without feeling uncomfortable. December is Colombia’s high season days and most of the travellers visit in this season only. Free travel guide to Melbourne, Australia. This site uses cookies to improve your experience and deliver personalised advertising. Partly because it's not really a great beach season, hotels in Tenerife are still quite cheap during the Christmas holiday period. With the rainy season over, it’s the best time to visit the rainforest, as the trees will be lush and green. Coronavirus is very much still part of our lives at the moment, so remember to check local government guidelines before you book. There’s the Jardín de Cactus in Guatiza, a surreal succulent amphitheatre; or starkly alluring Timanfaya National Park, a volcanic wilderness that starred in 1966 film One Million Years BC. * Did you know you can save up to 40% on holiday prices? Bogota, being the capital city of the country, is one of the most explored tourist destinations because of its vibrant culture and amazing nightlife. For winter sun, I recommend Cape Verde Islands, a diverse archipelago off the west coast of Africa where you’ll find tropical beaches, lush mountains and temperatures of 27°C. Further north it’s also peak season in Costa Rica. It’s the beginning of the rainy season in the Seychelles – it will still be warm, though. If you’re looking for culture and adventure in Thailand beyond the beach, I recommend Experience Travel Group which has some great ideas including these bespoke tours for foodies. As one of the bigger Caribbean islands, it has quite a few choices to fuel your wanderlust. Goa and Kerala are both ideal choices for beach holidays, with temperatures hovering around 31°C and nine hours of sun. It’s the wet season in Kenya but that also means you can enjoy lush vegetation and a wealth of wildlife, not least the new-borns. Some of the best countries to visit during this festive month of December are the USA (especially New York and Vegas for New Year’s Eve), Czech Republic (for its fairy tale Christmas in Prague ), Maldives, Sri Lanka, Thailand; as well as Dubai, Hong Kong and Malaysia for amazing shopping! Avoid the package hordes and head to fine, white-sand Papagayo Beach on the southern tip of the island, or try world-class surfing in north-west Famara. Also see the hottest Canary Islands, the hottest Greek islands and the hottest, sunniest places in Europe. December is a great time to visit the Caribbean. Although December is the wettest month for the Algarve with 12 days of rain on average, it’s still a lot hotter than the UK and you’re also sure to get plenty of sunshine. December is the start of Costa Rica ’s dry season, and temperatures reach highs of 31C. There may be a few afternoon or overnight showers but the 31°C highs and six hours of sunshine make it worth the journey. Average temperature in Barbados in December: 25° High temperature in Barbados in December: 30° Thanks to its position in the Caribbean, Barbadosstays toasty warm all year round. Head to Mauritius (29°C and eight hours of sun) for luxury beachfront resorts and plenty to explore around the island or discover your inner Robinson Crusoe at one of the island hotels in the Maldives. As you can see above, it's not nearly as hot as most others on this list during December, but it's still damn nice so it's very popular among Europeans looking for something warmer. It’s here that trends are set rather than followed; where a cup of coffee has both a caffeine kick and global acclaim. But there’s no need to let the build up to Christmas stress you out too much. Make camp at its smartest hotel, Bahama House, a chic cottage with retro Palm Beach vibes, a sunken tiki bar and just 11 rooms. Looking for a hot beach holiday in December? Costa Rica. If, however, you just want a proper, idyllic tropical break, Panacea takes the cake. Add in a ferry trip to nearby Waiheke Island’s sandy beaches and vineyard wine tastings and be totally converted to the Kiwi lifestyle. Some of the most popular destinations in the Bahamas are Nassau Island, Eleuthera, and Grand Bahama. These are my own personal recommendations with links to companies tested and approved by our team of editors. What countries are hot in December? The city’s year-round warm weather comes into its own in December, when the beach parties continue while other sun spots – we’re looking at you, California – pull on a sweater. For our money, you can’t beat the capital and largest city (though the allure of Cidra isn't lost on us). If you’re on your own, see our guide to the best solo holidays in December, and over Christmas. Finish up with a stint at spa Revivo Wellness Resort Nusa Dua to turbo-boost your health ahead of the new year. Our sister site, 101 Honeymoons, has recommendations on the best December honeymoons. Throughout December you can expect excellent weather conditions throughout the country, with blue skies, little or no rain and relatively cool temperatures (avg temp: 26 °C). But December’s summer temperatures are ideal for exploring the city’s beloved laneways: narrow passages packed with street art, galleries, restaurants and bars. This Middle Eastern country is one of the very hot countries that experiences a high of 54°C in summer days. India is a great place to visit in December – most visitors will be doing some touring so warm temperatures are preferable to hot. January – February – March – April – May – June – July – August – September – October – November – December. Average Hours of Sunshine: 9:54. Thailand is a great destination in winter but pick your spot carefully. Average December highs: 62 to 64 degrees F Average December lows: 48 to 51 degrees F Average Hours of sunshine: 9:43 Portugal’s southernmost region … Held in Hamrun, this event features the best edible works of chocolatiers. For those with an adventurous side there are plenty of trekking options in the … If you fancy a cruise but not the thought of being on a huge liner, try a tall ship cruise of the Caribbean with Star Clippers. Due to the consistent hot temperature, low rain and mild winters, the temperature in Oman is always hot and humid. TRIAL OFFER: 3 Issues for £1. The city, surrounded by the Cuchillas del Toa mountain range, is a world unto itself: streets infused with music, sleepy beaches and rivers and canyons where – yes, even here – you’ll stumble upon the odd thatched bar. Visiting Morocco in December is not really about the beaches and coast, Morocco in December is about seeing the sights and exploring a bit of nature. Here's a guide as to which country in Europe in December may be best for you. Most of the direct flights take seven to eight hours with plenty of onward connections to the smaller islands. Check out the latest deals. Country/Region Lowest temperature Town/Location Date Highest temperature Town/Location Date Range Algeria −13.8 °C (7.2 °F) Mécheria: 28 January 2005: 51.3 °C (124.3 °F) As the cold takes firm hold of Europe, sun seeking generally requires a longer flight. San Juan is the rise, with Kayak reporting a 47 percent increase in interest compared to last year. You can combine beach and culture in Cuba which offers great value. Average daily temperature in December: 80°F Best of all, there’s Chablé just outside the city, an astonishingly lush estate with a spa and private cenote, a restaurant led by renowned chef Jorge Vallejo, a tequila ‘library’, a sweat lodge and a local shaman. You can taste test and buy some of the creations which are placed on tables that are lined up and down the local streets. True, there are spots closer to home with the good grace to linger around 20°C, but winter provides an excellent excuse for a far-flung getaway, when a powerful and prolonged dose of vitamin D is practically prescribed. Weather in December is not too hot, not too cold—with temperatures in the mid-60’s and cooler evenings. Average December Highs: 63°F – 68°F. For dreamy tropical beaches it’s hard to beat the Indian Ocean. Check the latest travel restrictions for UK residents. Currently it’s Di Stasio Città, Spring Street’s Brutalist Italian restaurant, where guests eat fabulous crab capellini in a concrete-bunker-like setting as video installations play across the walls. The south of Spain enjoys sunny and beautiful weather all year round, with temperatures still reaching 18°C to 20°C in December in Malaga. It’s the rainy season along the east coast (including Ko Samui and Hua Hin) in December but you can expect eight hours of sunshine and 31°C in Phuket and Ko Phi Phi. It’s run by expat Brits, who have discovered some amazing things to do across South America. You can surely enjoy various activities at these places like snorkeling, scuba diving, and swimming. The mere sight of beautiful crowds bronzing against its theatrical, cragged mountain backdrop will banish the winter blues in one blow. Find detailed weather info here. It’s a similar picture in Madeira though this island is less about fly-and-flop package holidays and more about lovely hotels and traditional quintas, along with rolling hills, dramatic cliffs and hiking trails. Tulum, Cancún and Playa del Carmen are the seaside giants of the Yucatán in south-east Mexico, but head instead for the state capital of Mérida for the best of everything: Mayan ruins, a charming colonial town, dense jungle and – if you don’t mind a short drive – beaches, too. Banff and Canmore, Alberta Canada Banff National Par k is one of the most beautiful places to visit in the world. We've picked some sizzling holiday locations that might tempt you if you're keen to escape. The Canary Islands enjoy a wonderful climate in winter. Another country with perfect summer weather in December is South Africa. For North Americans, the Caribbean is one of the most sought after places to holiday in December. Here are 10 amazing things to do in Dubai. For more travel inspiration, see our guide to the best winter sun destinations. Just look to the Mediterranean. California’s southern coast is paradise during December. This is a particularly satisfying time to explore Marrakech, not least for some cheap Christmas shopping and exotic spices to bring back home. Breezy temperatures, sunshine, and beautiful water make it an ideal destination for those looking for a suntan rather than frostbite. You can go on safari, lie on a beach, take a self-drive tour and explore beautiful Cape Town and the Winelands, where temperatures are 26°C and you’ll bask in 11 hours of daily sunshine. Two halves seeking generally requires a longer flight the group of 99 islands that has breathtakingly beautiful,... Re on your own, see our tips for the best December Honeymoons and., Panacea takes the cake Asia – Indian Ocean – more long haul it an destination... 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