The Best Places To Visit In December

Fancy a festive city break? Check out our guide to the the Best European Cities to Visit in December.

Let’s start off with one that we’ve all been thinking about. Iceland is an incredible country full of beautiful wilderness, stunning scenery and an otherworldly aura. I travelled on Culture Trip’s first trip of the year to the country with a small group and our incredible Local Insider and want to go back again before the year is out. From speeding on glaciers driving snowmobiles to sitting in a naturally heated rock pool gazing up at the Northern Lights, this Icelandic trip packs a lot in over a short time period. This is the one to go for if you only have a few days leave left to take before the end of the year, or if you just want to feel a little festive cheer before Santa comes to town.

Immerse yourself in authentic Sri Lanka on this 12-day adventure trip. You’ll avoid the usual tourist traps and get a glimpse of real Sri Lankan culture – from a local’s tour of Colombo to cycling around 1,000-year-old ruins. Foodies will love the hands-on cooking lesson, combined with a trip to the village market, while thrillseekers will get their fix white-water rafting and abseiling at Kitulgala. Explore a quieter, lesser-known side of Yala National Park, where you might spot wild elephants and leopards, before finishing on a tropical beach in Kosgoda.

Set off from Colombo on an epic 12-day tour to experience the many sides of this tropical island

Egypt is another one of those destinations you’ll feel compelled to visit more than once. Our comprehensive trip lets you see all the major attractions you’ve read about in books, and rest assured seeing them in person is a breathtaking experience.

Step back in time on this epic 10-day voyage of discovery through Egypt. After the unforgettable experience of exploring the Sphinx and Great Pyramid of Giza and browsing the stalls of the Khan Al-Khalili bazaar in the historic centre of Cairo, continue your journey south, first by sleeper train and then by luxury cruise ship on the Nile. Marvel at ancient temples, kayak on the river and sip cocktails on a felucca – a traditional Egyptian sailboat. Wrap up your trip in Aswan, where you’ll enjoy an authentic Nubian dinner on your final evening.

From Cairo to Aswan, follow in the footsteps of the ancient Egyptian pharaohs.

Savour traditional street food, immerse yourself in rural village life and marvel at diverse tropical scenery on this action-packed journey through Vietnam. Starting in the capital, Hanoi, you’ll make the unforgettable trip to Mai Chau – a rural valley lined with paddies between forested mountains. After cruising through the dreamlike seascapes of Halong Bay on a luxury cruise ship, continue south by overnight train to Hue, where the Imperial City offers a fascinating window into the country’s past. Wrap up your trip in Hoi An, soaking up the atmosphere of its lantern-lit streets and charming canals.
See the best of Vietnam and take an unforgettable 12-day trip to Vietnam with Culture Trip.

Want to really get away from all the stresses of Christmas at home? Celebrating the festive period in Bali seems like a pretty good alternative to us, and the parties to welcome in every new year are legendary.
From snorkelling with turtles to swimming in tropical waterfalls, experience the vast array of natural wonders Bali and the Gili Islands have to offer. Starting in the lively beach resort of Legian, your journey continues north into the jungle-covered mountains. Climb Mount Batur for spectacular sunrise views and attend a cooking masterclass in Ubud before taking a speed boat to Gili Trawangan – a tiny island off the coast of Lombok. Return to Bali and cap off your trip with an optional surf lesson, traditional beachfront blessing ceremony and an unforgettable farewell dinner in Canggu.
Book yourself an early present and head to Bali on a 12-day escape with Culture Trip.

We have many more Mini Trips and Epic Trips to pick from if you’re still looking for inspiration, so take a look around and make sure you book the perfect end to the year with Culture Trip.