Alain Brady
Dreaming of a white Christmas or a sunny escape from the winter blues? Skyscanner's travel blog has plenty of suggestions for where to go on holiday in December, from Christmas markets in Europe to beaches in the Southern Hemisphere.
If you're looking for a city break, Budapest is a great option, with one of the best Christmas markets in Europe. For something more exotic, Bali is dry in December, and you might be able to snap up a hotel deal if you go early in the month. Beach lovers will enjoy the Caribbean at this time of year, with options including the Canary Islands, Thailand, and Goa. Or, if you're looking for a winter wonderland, how about Lapland for a reindeer sleigh ride or New York for ice skating and Christmas shopping?
What You'll Learn
Budapest's Christmas markets
Another must-visit market is the Advent Feast at St Stephen's Basilica. Voted the best Christmas Market in Europe in 2019, this market features a delightful array of food and gift stalls, along with a central skating rink under a canopy of glittering lights. Each night, there are light projections set to music on the church facade.
For a less touristy experience, head to Fő Square on the weekend for the Óbuda Christmas Fair. This market is widely known as the preferred Christmas market for locals, who enjoy its cosy and intimate atmosphere. Here, you'll find a skating rink, live performances, and a craft market.
When it comes to food, Budapest's Christmas Markets offer a plethora of delectable options. Indulge in traditional treats such as Kürtőskalács (chimney cake), Forralt Bor (mulled wine), Almás Rétes (apple strudel), Tócsi (potato pancakes), Töltött Káposzta (stuffed cabbage rolls), and goose with red cabbage.
In addition to the food and gifts, Budapest's Christmas Markets also offer a range of festive activities. You can go ice skating, enjoy live music and performances, and admire the beautiful nativity scenes and handicrafts. The markets usually open in mid-November and close at the end of December, with some remaining open until January 1st.
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Rio de Janeiro's beaches
The most famous beaches are undoubtedly Copacabana and Ipanema, which you can't miss during your Rio trip. Copacabana Beach is a prominent chill-out spot, with a 2.5-mile line of clean sands located on Rio's southern coast, with the great Sugar Loaf Mountain in the background. It's always crowded and, when darkness falls, it turns into a party arena.
Leme Beach is an extension of Copacabana Beach, from where you can view the majestic Sugar Loaf Mountain and soak in the beautiful sunset. It's ideal for small children and elderly couples, but you'll also find many skateboarders and roller blade fans.
Ipanema Beach is famous for its 'Girl from Ipanema' song and attracts fashionably tanned women in tiny bikinis. It's also a great spot for beach sports.
Barra Beach is one of the longest beaches in Rio, attracting passionate surfers and swimmers. It's marked by surfing championships that are especially reserved for Barra.
Leblon Beach is one of the most gorgeous beaches in Rio, with a specific area for toddlers and a calm environment for family activities.
Recreio Beach is located in Barra da Tijuca's neighborhood and is a haven for surfers. 'Canto de Recreio' and 'Posto 10' are places you'll want to visit if you're a surfer.
Prainha Beach offers an exotic and serene environment, with stunning white sands, lush greenery, and tropical forests. The ocean waves reach a 3-metre height, making it ideal for surfers.
Arpoador Beach is made of sand and rock, with rock formations glowing at night, leaving tourists and locals fascinated with the beautiful view. From these rocks, you get a panoramic view of Rio and its residential zones.
Urca Beach is situated at the base of the Sugar Loaf Mountain and is one of the smallest beaches in Rio. It is known for its fine sand and sports activities, attracting locals who come here on weekends and holidays.
Other notable beaches in Rio include Praia do Flamengo, Barra de Guaratiba Beach, Praia do Secreto, Pedra de Guaratiba Beach, Praia Vermelha, Praia do Leme, Pepe Beach, and Praia da Joatinga.
If you're looking for a more secluded beach experience, head to Mangaratiba Beach, which is one of the calmest and most private beaches in Rio. It is also a small port located in the rainforests, offering entertainment spots and opportunities for deep-blue sailing adventures.
For a unique beach experience, consider visiting Angra dos Reis, which comprises 365 islands and over 2,000 beaches. The largest island, Ilha Grande, attracts tourists with its crystal-clear waters, fishing, and diving spots.
Rio's beaches provide a blend of relaxation, local cuisine, stunning views, and exciting activities, making them an essential part of any trip to the city.
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St Petersburg's Winter Palace
The palace is situated on the south embankment of the Neva River, dominating Palace Square. It was designed to reflect the might and power of Imperial Russia, and the tsars ruled over 22,800,000 square kilometres and 125 million subjects by the end of the 19th century.
The Winter Palace was constructed in the Elizabethan Baroque style, with the overall shape of an elongated rectangle. Its principal façade is 215 metres long and 30 metres high. The palace has 1,886 doors, 1,945 windows, 1,500 rooms and 117 staircases.
The interior of the palace is a combination of Baroque and Neoclassical styles. The first room upon entering is the Jordan Gallery, located on the ground floor and constructed by Rastrelli. This was the ambassadors' entrance, where guests would arrive during the times of the tsars. The staircase is beautifully decorated with gleaming gold and mirrors, creating an effect of depth.
The palace possesses two different throne rooms. The first is the Peter the Great Small Throne Room, dedicated to the memory of the tsar Peter the Great. The second throne room is located at St. George's Hall. This impressive columned hall, constructed using Carrara marble and ormolu, contains the principal throne of the tsars of Russia.
One of the largest rooms in the Winter Palace is the Armorial Hall, intended for grand receptions for the ambassadors and guests of the tsars. The entrances are flanked by sculptures representing Russian warriors, followed by impressive columns decorated with white and gold ornaments.
The palace's art collection is impressive, with one of the best Italian collections outside of Italy, including works by Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, and Michelangelo. The Hermitage also has a wonderful Dutch and Flemish collection, with works from van Dyck, Rubens, and Rembrandt.
The Winter Palace is now a redundant and damaged building symbolic of a despised regime, facing an uncertain future. However, it remains one of the world's best-known museums, attracting an annual 3.5 million visitors.
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New York's festive cheer
New York City is a no-brainer when it comes to festive cheer in December. The city is a cinematic wonderland, with ice-skating under the Rockefeller Centre tree, theatrical window displays in Fifth Avenue department stores, and horse-drawn carriages in Central Park. It's no surprise that so many holiday movies are set in New York.
The Christmas tree and ice rink at Rockefeller Centre are iconic, and the extravagant window displays at Macy's will delight. If you thought your neighbours tried to outdo each other with Christmas lights, wait until you see Brooklyn's Dyker Heights. The houses are so lavishly decorated that there is an official bus tour of the most outrageous blocks.
New York's best hotels serve warming drinks by crackling lobby fires. Try The Ludlow's Pigalle cocktail, with bourbon and ancho chile. Or, for a classic Christmas stay, book a room at the Plaza, which enjoys beautiful views over Central Park.
New York traffic is notoriously busy, but thanks to the Manhattan Waterfront Greenway, a 31-mile bicycle route around Manhattan, you can navigate the city by bike-share scheme.
New York in December is a magical, festive experience, and the perfect place to get into the holiday spirit.
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Tenerife's black-sand beaches
Tenerife is the largest of the Canary Islands, and its black sand beaches are the result of its volcanic history. The sand is formed from molten lava fragments that cooled and solidified when they came into contact with seawater, creating a unique mineral composition. The island's origin can be traced back to millions of years ago when a series of volcanic eruptions shaped it into the island we know today.
Playa Jardin
Playa Jardin, located in Puerto de la Cruz, is one of the most famous black sand beaches in Tenerife. It boasts an impressive botanical garden, black volcanic sand, and crystal-clear turquoise waters. The beach is sheltered and great for kids, offering lots of facilities and a mix of locals and tourists.
El Socorro
El Socorro, located in Los Realejos, is another popular black sand beach. It is a favourite among surfers due to its powerful waves and is also an excellent spot to catch a magnificent sunset. El Socorro has attained Blue Flag status, recognised for its cleanliness, convenience, amenities, and ease of access.
Playa de Troja
For those seeking a more secluded experience away from the large crowds, Playa de Troja in the north of the island is the perfect spot.
Playa de la Arena
Playa de la Arena, located in the west of Tenerife, showcases the island's natural beauty, with stunning views and calm waters. It is a small but popular destination, offering sunbed rentals, showers, toilets, and a variety of restaurants nearby.
Playa San Juan
Playa San Juan, located in the south of Tenerife, is a favourite among locals and visitors alike. It offers stunning views of La Gomera in the distance and is known for its calm waters and sun lounger rentals. This Blue Flag beach is less touristy than others due to the presence of more apartments than hotels in the area.
In addition to these popular black sand beaches, Tenerife also has several hidden gems, such as Playa de Almáciga and Playa El Bollullo, which offer wild and natural beauty.
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Frequently asked questions
Head to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, for guaranteed sun in December. The average temperature is 28°C, making it the perfect place to hit the beach.
Berlin in December is a great option if you're on a budget. The German capital has a magical Christmas market and is known for its affordable hotels.
Phuket, Thailand, is a great option if you're looking for a beach holiday in December. The weather is dry and calm, making it perfect for sunbathing and swimming.
