Home to the world’s most popular ski resort, the Matterhorn, Zermatt is the place for ski enthusiasts (and Christmas lovers) to spend the ski vacation of a lifetime.
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As the holiday season approaches, many people start thinking about making special travel plans for December. From quaint New England towns to European winter havens to tropical retreats, December offers some great destinations. Whether you’re drawn to festive markets, world-class skiing, or simply relaxing warm beaches, these seven locations promise unforgettable holiday memories.
Nantucket, Massachusetts
Spend December participating in Nantucket’s most popular festival, the annual Christmas Stroll. This year (the event’s 50th anniversary), the walk will take place from December 6th to 8th. You’ll be enchanted by Nantucket’s historic downtown as it transforms into an incredible winter wonderland. The event originally started as a way to encourage residents to buy local and enjoy their own downtown core instead of traveling to the mainland to buy gifts. The boutique is now open all month long and proudly displays its elaborately designed storefront. The cobblestone streets of downtown will be adorned with hundreds of illuminated 7-foot trees decorated by locals. Festive attire and tacky sweaters are encouraged. Don’t miss Santa’s mass arrival by Coast Guard ship. The White Elephant Hotel is a short walk from downtown and is the perfect accommodation for families.
Zurich is the ideal destination for winter lovers, with easy access to some of the world’s best ski areas, as well as a perfect mix of top-notch cuisine and cultural activities.
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zurich, switzerland
Zurich is the ideal destination for winter lovers, with easy access to some of the world’s best ski areas, as well as a perfect mix of top-notch cuisine and cultural activities. Visit Europe’s largest Christmas market, with trees over 30 feet tall wrapped in Swarovski crystals. Once you’ve finished your Christmas shopping, visit the Lindt Home of Chocolate and discover the art of Swiss chocolate making with a chocolate tour or workshop for a delicious treat. Stay at La Réserve Eden au Lac, a beautiful Belle Époque palace on the shores of Lake Zurich. It offers luxurious accommodation with panoramic lake views and a rooftop Peruvian restaurant with heated bubble dining.
vienna, austria
In December, Vienna transforms into a magical winter destination. There’s no better place to be in the middle of it than at the Almanac Palais Wien. With a prime location on the Ringstrasse, Vienna’s most famous thoroughfare, Vienna’s famous Christmas Market, filled with handmade crafts and local delicacies such as Lebkuchen gingerbread-like cookies, is within easy reach. You can take a walk. Fill your evening with song by enjoying classical music at the Advent Concert in St. Stephen’s Cathedral or attending a performance at the Vienna State Opera. When the temperature drops, head to the wellness sanctuary located on the hotel’s basement level. This marble-clad spa with heated indoor pool and sauna facilities pays homage to Vienna’s 2,000-year-old bathing culture.
Oh la la! Paris in December is a must-see!
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paris, france
Paris attracted a lot of attention this summer as the host city for the 2024 Olympics, but that moment of attention continues with the reopening of Notre-Dame Cathedral in December, five years after the devastating fire. Masu. The December 7th ceremony will be held prior to the public opening on December 16th. As for accommodation, La Réserve Paris is ideal for a romantic getaway near the Champs-Elysées, while La Réserve Paris Apartments, with views of the Eiffel Tower, is family-friendly. Or Hotel Hana, newly opened in Japantown in February 2024, features minimalist Japanese design fused with Parisian Belle Époque elements for a truly unique stay .
Zermatt, Switzerland
Home to the world’s most popular ski resort, the Matterhorn, Zermatt is where ski enthusiasts come for the ski vacation of a lifetime. But even if you don’t ski, there’s plenty to enjoy here, including picturesque villages, great food (including several Michelin-starred spots), and charming car-free villages. Try snowshoeing, ice skating, skiing (you can even ski across the Italian border), or curling. Mont Servain Palace is a 170-year-old hotel with postcard-perfect mountain views, three gourmet restaurants, and a stunning spa with indoor and outdoor pools. Or stay at the Schweizerhof, a cozy luxury ski lodge with a family-friendly kids’ club.
A hidden gem in the Bahamas, Eleuthera Island is home to an incredible 135 pristine beaches, perfect for a December getaway.
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Eleuthera, Bahamas
A hidden gem in the Bahamas, Eleuthera Island is home to 135 pristine beaches, perfect for a December getaway, especially for those looking to escape the bitter cold of winter. The island’s first luxury boutique hotel, the Potlatch Club, just opened in June 2024 after an extensive seven-year restoration. This secluded retreat offers a beautiful mix of historic and newly built whitewashed suites, garden cottages and seaside cottages.
cotswolds, england
Made famous by the hit film The Holiday, the area is just a two-hour drive from London and is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (an official designation of conservation land). During the holidays, villages in the region are decorated with beautiful twinkling lights. To immerse yourself in a destination, there’s no better place to stay than at Thyme, a family-run, restored country estate in Southrop. The property offers beautiful hikes and stunning gardens, as well as many engaging activities such as cooking and wreath-making workshops.
