December. Where to go to rest
December is coming. The time of the first frosts, snowfalls. And, of course, Catholic Christmas and New Year. The last week of December, as a rule, is not easy for everyone. Employees of firms and employees of various industries prepare reports for the year, prepare for corporate holidays. Students spend the nights preparing for the session, and schoolchildren urgently pull up their grades and write final tests. And after putting everyone in for a long time, writing all the reports and holding New Year's Eve parties and matinees, you still have to buy gifts for all family members and friends. And everyone needs to do this at once. Although there are people who prepare in advance for the holiday, most of our compatriots put everything off until the last moment. Therefore, on the eve of the holidays, shops are usually packed with people in turmoil and crowds, trying to find a gift for loved ones.
And what to say about the New Year's table. It’s already 10 pm, the guests are about to arrive, but you don’t have anything ready, the table is not set, you are not dressed or made up, and the apartment is generally a mess. A familiar picture? Of course, as a result, everything goes as it should, it's fun and joyful and everyone is satisfied. But is these two weeks worth your nerves?
There is a way out. Buy yourself a New Year's tour and professionals will take care of your table and entertainment. If we talk about December as a whole, then the weather is usually not happy. In December, there may be a lack of snow, and snow with rain, quickly turning into cold wet porridge, and frosts to very low temperatures, and, conversely, too warm weather that does not correspond to winter ideas. If in three months you have already missed the sea and the sun, and you will gladly exchange tangerines and a Christmas tree for palm trees and exotic fruits, then a trip to the country of the eternal sun will noticeably brighten up your expectations of summer in your homeland.
In December, it is best to go to a country that is very different from Russia in terms of geographical location and weather. Meeting the New Year in Prague or Berlin is certainly a great option, but you can also get unlucky with the weather there. Therefore, the main problem to choose is that you will prefer a sunny country with a warm sea and a colder option for skiing and dog sledding. Consider where to go to the sea in December and where to go for an exotic vacation and skiing.
Where to go to relax at sea in December
If we talk about South America, then it is worth noting the wide variety of climatic zones within one country. Summer begins in December in the Southern Hemisphere, and if you want to combine a wonderful beach holiday, an excursion program and enjoy the exoticism of new countries, then the vast expanses of Latin America are your choice.
Ecuador provides excellent conditions for a beach holiday. Throughout the year, the temperature on the coast stays at around +30 degrees, and it is worth choosing December for a trip to Ecuador because this month falls on the dry season and you will not have to suffer from high humidity.
Uruguay is also great for a beach holiday on the sea in December, this month has the largest number of sunny days and hours, and the ocean water warms up enough at the surface.
Holidays in Chile in December will bring you a lot of positive emotions, the temperature on the coast is about 20 degrees, and the low rainfall ensures that you get maximum sunbathing. When you get tired of relaxing on the beach, grab warm clothes and go to the south of the country, it is always quite cold there, the sky is covered with clouds, and the mountains are dressed in snow caps.
If you dream of a varied holiday, and combining seaside holidays with extreme sports makes you happy, then it is best to go on vacation in December to Argentina. The country is popular with rock climbers, most of whom intend to conquer one of the highest peaks in the world, Aconcagua, west of Mendoza. The official season runs from November 15 to March 15. Rafting is another extreme sport that attracts people from all over the world. In December, you will not only be able to enjoy wonderful views and try your hand at overcoming the rapids, but also plunge into the clear warm waters of the river. In December, it is worth going to rest in the southern part of the country.
There is no bad weather in Brazil: the summer months (December, January, February) are warmer and wet, the winter months are cool, but at this time there is less influx of tourists and you can save on accommodation. Relaxing at sea in Brazil is best in December, the air temperature is kept at around + 24- + 26 degrees. Venezuela is another pearl of South America. At any time of the year, golden beaches and clear waters of the Caribbean are waiting for you, but it is better to go on vacation from November to April - this is the time of the dry season.
Exotic holidays in the Caribbean
What could be better than changing the gray sky and cool slushy weather to incendiary salsa rhythms, white sand and great mood. Cuba is beautiful all year round, but the best time to visit is in December, as the days are sunny, dry and warm. In December, Havana hosts a jazz festival every year, which has earned an excellent reputation for the quality of music and good organization.
During the summer months in the Bahamas it can get very hot and instead of relaxing on the beach, most of the time you will be looking for the cool air conditioner in your room. The Bahamas from December to March is the choice of an experienced traveler, the temperature is kept at around +25 - +27. If you go to the Bahamas during the Christmas holidays, you will end up on Junkanoo, a holiday that takes place at night on the morning of December 26th. Thousands of dancers streak through downtown Nassau like a wild ocean of flowers as the deep rhythms of drums echo off the surrounding walls and the chime of bells rises above the singing of brass pipes.
The Dominican Republic has thousands of miles of white sandy beaches with clear blue waters. In December, it is better to go to the south of the country, as at this time there is less rainfall. The Dominican Republic is a place where you don't have to bother with anything other than sunbathing. If you want to add some extreme sports to your vacation, then the best windsurfing and kitesurfing schools in the world are at your service. In December, the winds are somewhat weaker, but the waves are larger and steeper.
The best time to visit Jamaica is between December and April, making it the perfect winter sunbathing destination for northern hemisphere tourists. In true Jamaican style, every year the island hosts a reggae marathon. In December, the island is filled with the sounds of the music of Bob Marley, what could be better than riding the waves or drinking a coconut cocktail under the palm trees to pleasant music that seemed specially invented for this tropical paradise. If your choice for a December vacation fell on the Caribbean, you made the right choice. Exotic countries with interesting traditions and culture, clear sea, kilometers of white beaches, excellent hotels and no worries, all this will be given to you by Cuba, Dminican Republic or Haiti. But it is worth remembering that during the Christmas and New Year holidays, vacation prices are quite high and it is worth booking a hotel in advance.
Where to go on vacation in December in Asia
Holidays in Cambodia will bring you a lot of joy and pleasure. Of the pleasures, perhaps the most important are the chic beaches of the country and the warm waters of the Gulf of Thailand. Although they are not as developed as the beaches in Thailand, Cambodian beaches have a certain charm and fun to them. Sihanoukville is the city's main beach, with several more lying further east along the coast. This is a great place to spend a few days enjoying the sun and surfing.
The mysterious country of India has always attracted travelers and lovers of the unusual. Getting to know Indian customs and culture, participating in national festivities, communicating with open, friendly, seemingly naive locals will allow you to forget about your everyday worries and turn your gaze from the material world to the spiritual one. Given the length of India's water borders, a beach holiday is also available. It is best to go on vacation to India from December to March, at which time the monsoon season has already ended, and the intense summer heat has not yet come to replace it.
December is the best time to travel to Laos. Although the country has no access to the sea, this disadvantage is compensated by natural resources and fascinating history. Culture and customs will also not leave Europeans indifferent, bright outfits and stunning architectural structures will remain in your memory for a long time. And if the thought of a vacation without the sea makes you sad, then you can always get out for a couple of days to neighboring Vietnam, Cambodia or Thailand.
In Vietnam, December is not the peak season and it is worth deciding which part of the country you want to go to. At this time, most of the country receives a large amount of precipitation, but somewhat less in the north and in the central part. In addition, at this time in Hanoi, the temperature can stay around +23.
In December, Thailand is full of tourists, because in addition to being considered the peak month, tourists who come for the new year create a lot of excitement. But if your goal is to escape from the New Year's fuss and get a share of the sun and hospitality, then December is the best time for Thailand. At this time, it is no longer too hot, and the rainy season is still far away. The best conditions for diving in the Andaman Sea are from October to April.
The Maldives is heaven on earth at any time of the year, but December is especially attractive for tourists, as the rainy season ends at this time and nothing will overshadow your vacation. There are countless things to do in the Maldives. Instead of a New Year's Eve dinner, you can go fishing at night, and on the morning of January 1, go diving or windsurfing. This will diversify your life and bring a share of spontaneity and extreme into its monotonous rhythm. The Philippines is a combination of natural beauty and modern elegance.
Philippines attractions include beautiful islands, exotic beaches, amazing volcanoes, dive sites and unique wildlife. In December, the best month for a seaside holiday in the Philippines, the hottest month of May is still far away, and the monsoons remained in rainy November.
A trip to Sri Lanka depends on which part of the island you intend to visit. High season begins on the west coast on New Year's Eve. Even at this time, there can be strong waves on the ocean, so if you are not a fan of water sports, and even more so if you are traveling with children, it is better to choose the east coast.
The best countries for sightseeing tours in December
In December, the weather in Europe is not much different from Russia. But if you're lucky, you can celebrate the New Year in snow-covered Prague, go ice skating in the city gardens of Paris or drink mulled wine in Berlin.
Andorra is a tiny state, but the number of tourists is increasing every year. The reason for this is excellent conditions for skiing. The hotels in Andorra are of the highest class, and the slopes are monitored by professionals, besides, the weather creates the necessary conditions. In December, a large amount of snow falls in the country. And now you are racing on skis on fresh clean snow: delight is in the gases, and your heart is pounding furiously. A little later, you can relieve fatigue in the sauna or just sit by the fireplace with a glass of red wine.
Other ski resorts are Austria and Bulgaria. Countries have similar topography and weather conditions. But it is worth noting that a trip to Bulgaria in December will allow you to save money, as this country has stunning nature and low prices. In Italy, the ski season starts in December and lasts until April.
Germany is attractive in all seasons. December is the best time for shopping, both in Germany and in many other European countries. During the festive season, more than 40 Christmas markets around the city attract visitors with arts and crafts, Christmas lights and decorations, the smell of mulled wine, gingerbread and roasted nuts. Santa Claus, music and dancing, fairy tales and puppet shows will keep kids entertained while adults can browse antique toys and dolls, candles, wood crafts, and a range of traditional goods. The largest Christmas market in Europe takes place in the suburbs of Spandau, where stalls are scattered throughout the Old Town. So, if we talk about Europe in December, then for those who are not afraid of frost, this is the best direction to celebrate the New Year in a fun way.