Where To Go In December
Who doesn’t love a December holiday? Not only do school holidays fall in this month, but it’s also the only time of year that workplaces thin out, as everyone’s attention turns elsewhere. What would be your excuse for a December jaunt: helping Santa prepare for Christmas? Catching the midnight sun? Jumping into the start of ski season in Europe? Or would you just fancy an escape to warmer climes?
Whichever appeals the most, there’s a strong set of offerings to tempt you. Here’s our pick of the bunch.
Rovaniemi, Finland
December is the ideal time to pay Santa a visit. Even though he’s busy readying everything for Christmas Day, he and his elves still welcome visitors to his home in Rovaniemi in Finnish Lapland. That’s where you’ll find SantaPark, a magical underground Christmas theme park.
Kids can ride a magic train, spend time craft-making or helping Mrs Gingerbread decorate gingerbread. Enrol in Elf school for a 30-minute class on important elf skills like the art of peeking through windows and the true meaning of kindness – there’s a graduation hat and diploma for every student. Of course, no visit is complete without a visit to Santa in his office. Getting to Rovaniemi is easier than you think: both EasyJet and Ryanair offer direct flights from London airports.
Newgrange, Ireland
The winter solstice on December 21st is an exciting time across the world, whether it piques your interest for midnight sun or cultural practices. One destination that’s rising in popularity is Newgrange in Ireland, an hour’s drive from Dublin. Thought to have been built around 3200BC – making it older than the Pyramids or Stonehenge – it’s a covered, circular tomb structure that bulges from the earth. During sunrise at Winter Solstice, its long, narrow passageway and inner chamber fills with sunlight, and marks the return of lighter days.
This curious site has become so popular that entry from December 18th to 23rd is controlled by lottery – only 60 winners and their guests are allowed to enter to witness this phenomenon. If you’re not lucky enough to nab a lottery ticket, you can still visit it at other times – the site is open from November through to February, and it’s €10 entry.
Dolomites, Italy
December marks the return of ski season in Europe, and we’re spoiled for choice for resorts. For an option that balances top-class conditions and facilities with value, try Alta Badia in the Dolomites, which was awarded Best Ski Resort this year at the Snomad Awards. Italian ski resorts don’t usually carry the extra price tag that you’ll often find in Switzerland or Austria, and the surrounding area, a Unesco World Heritage Site, is a bonus. This year, Alta Badia opens on 4 December, with 130km of slopes available for skiing and snowboarding, which are well-serviced with 53 lifts to transport guests. Its range of slopes means it’s a great choice for both families and advanced skiers. After hours, indulge in its many restaurants – choices range from huts and taverns to Michelin-starred restaurants.
Santiago, Chile
December needn’t be spent in the cold and dark – the southern hemisphere is coming into its summer, so places like Chile in South America are ready and waiting to be explored. With balmy temperatures of 28C (remember that?), Santiago, its capital, is a tempting place to start your Chilean adventure. Make the most of its clear skies by taking the cable car up to Cerro San Cristóba for majestic views of the city metropolis and the Andes beyond.
To explore further, many vineyards offer tours and tastings – it’s only right to sample a glass of Carménère, a bold, punch red, in its spiritual home. The Maipo Valley is just an hour’s drive from the city yet feels like another world entirely: rows upon rows of vines cover the flats providing a verdant serenity – yet the Andes continues into the background: a trademark look for Chile, as the rugged mountain range runs the length of the country’s strip.
Antarctica
For a cruise you won’t forget in a hurry, Antarctica offers a once-in-a-lifetime experience, especially if you travel in December. It’s a time of renewal as the white continent comes out of its dark, harsh winter and gently warms up – though temperatures remain only just above freezing! Admire scenes of ice floes, glaciers and bergs from the cruise ship, or if you prefer, activities like kayaking, camping and diving are possible too.
The most alluring aspect is the flurry of wildlife activity in December: that’s when penguin chicks and seal pups steal the hearts of onlookers with their cuteness. Whales are a common sight too: December is when they return to their Antarctic feeding grounds, adding yet another point of interest. Antarctic cruises aren’t cheap, ranging from around £7,000 to £20,000, but travelling to the tip of Earth is arguably the most revered holiday of all.
Wherever you’re heading to this festive season make sure to have peace of mind by protecting your trip with a Switched On Travel Insurance policy. There’s a 24/7 emergency helpline so we’re always only a phone call away when you need us. Plus, gadget insurance is included automatically. Find out more by visiting the travel section of the Switched On website.