Where to go in December

1. 

   United Arab Emirates

   26C and one rainy day a month: the safest weather for a New Year itinerary.

   What to expect: Hotel and restaurant tables for the New Year fireworks sell months ahead. Late-December prices can run at twice the early-month level.

   1 tour · 63 activities

   Open the United Arab Emirates page
2. 

   Egypt

   22C, three rainy days and the most common December destination in the catalogue.

   What to expect: Temple days are cool and easy. The Red Sea starts to cool, so diving needs a thicker wetsuit.

   3 tours

   Open the Egypt page
3. 

   Germany

   The main month for the Christmas markets: Nuremberg, Dresden and Cologne run until the 23rd.

   What to expect: 6C and thirteen rainy days. The markets close after Christmas, so anyone travelling for New Year finds an empty square.

   11 tours

   Open the Germany page
4. 

   Austria

   The Vienna and Salzburg markets and the opening of the Alpine ski season fall in the same month.

   What to expect: 5C and ten rainy days: rain in the city, snow in the mountains. Christmas week is the most expensive period of the year in the ski regions.

   1 tour

   Open the Austria page
5. 

   Vietnam

   The southern dry season starts again: 25C and six rainy days.

   What to expect: Ho Chi Minh and the Mekong are at their best while Sapa in the north is cold and foggy. Coastal hotels fill over the New Year period.

   8 tours

   Open the Vietnam page
6. 

   Seychelles

   The last warm window before the northwest monsoon, and the ocean alternative for New Year.

   What to expect: The sea is warm and the island walking trails are open. New Year week is the most expensive period for island stays, so booking early is essential.

   1 tour

   Open the Seychelles page

Temperature and rainfall figures are multi-year averages for the cities in our catalogue. This is an editorial suggestion, not a weather or availability guarantee.