The Eleven Best Holiday Destinations

Whether you're looking for a snowy ski resort or a sunny beach, December is a great time to visit a wide variety of amazing locations. To have a deep and abiding affection for the winter season, snow, and cold temperatures Resorts in the mountains, such as Vail, are filling up fast for the holiday season in December.  

Would you like to avoid getting cold while lounging on the beach or by the pool? Places like Cancn and Anguilla offer warm weather. Warm weather and annual art festivals characterize December in Miami. Cape Town and northern Chile are just starting to experience summer, so if you're a fan of the season, you might want to head south. If you still want to visit Europe, you could always visit the island of Madeira off the coast of Portugal.

Others may seek out holiday cheer in the form of dazzling lights, beautifully adorned trees, and jovial performances. Ocala, Branson, Alexandria, and Solvang are some of the places we recommend visiting during the holidays because of how alive they are with cheer. During the month of December, these destinations are ideal.

Ocala, located in north central Florida around 80 miles from Orlando, is a great place to visit because of the abundance of parks, rivers, lakes, golf, fishing, and water sports available there, as well as the pleasant weather (low 70s F) in the month of December. Due to its abundance of horse farms, stables, shows, and tours, Ocala has earned the moniker "Horse Capital of the World." This is where you'll find the largest equestrian complex in the United States, the World Equestrian Center, home to many different types of equestrian competitions. In addition to its unique shops selling toys, jewelry, clothing, leather goods, and more, the area is also home to the five-star Equestrian Hotel, known for its exquisite cuisine, relaxing Calluna Spa, and luxurious interior design. From Nov 25-Dec The 24th annual Winter Wonderland features a skating rink, a 60-foot Christmas tree, carolers, entertainment, and breakfast with Santa at Stirrups.  

From amusement parks to live shows to outdoor recreation, golf, and water sports, Branson never runs out of things to do. The museums, stores, and mountain air are all wonderful in the winter. Extravagant decorations and activities for the whole family, such as The Polar Express, parades, shows, snow tubing, reindeer, and shopping, are hallmarks of the holiday season. More than 6 million visitors are expected to come to Silver Over 5 million bulbs were turned on in November. 5-Dec 30 and seasonal fare and entertainment Cottages, log cabins, and guest rooms are all part of Big Cedar Lodge's holiday offerings. So are visits from Santa and his elves, gingerbread displays, campfires, arts and crafts, and an ice skating rink.

Located directly across the Potomac River from the nation's capital C The downtown area, history, and architecture of Alexandria make it a popular vacation spot. On November 24th, a tree will be lit, marking the beginning of the holiday season. 19 There will be a parade in Alexandria, Virginia, on December 1st, as part of the annual Scottish Christmas Walk The "Biggest Holiday Weekend" begins on December 3 and features events like the Alexandria Holiday Boat Parade of Lights. Christmas Illuminations, held annually at George Washington's Mount Vernon estate, will return on Dec. 16-17, with fireworks and a light show over the Potomac River Weekends in November and December will feature candlelight tours. Traveling to the nation's capital in December is the best time to experience the city's festive displays, tours, and markets.

Cape Town's summer officially begins in December, when average highs reach the comfortable 70s. The "Mother City" has a wide range of dining options, from five-star restaurants to hawker stalls, and is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts who enjoy hiking, biking, and touring the city's gardens. Take the cable car to the top of Table Mountain for breathtaking views. Mount Nelson is a Belmond hotel where guests can go on ocean expeditions to places like kelp forests, which were featured in the Oscar-winning documentary "My Octopus Teacher." Delta offers nonstop service from Atlanta to Cape Town, and United offers nonstop service from Washington Dulles Airport to Cape Town.

Danish settlers established Solvang in Santa Barbara County on the Central Coast in 1911. Restaurants, shops, and bakeries, not to mention the overall European feel, make it a popular tourist spot. Danish-style Christmas festivities in Solvang include a Julefest parade, holiday markets, food tours, and tours of Santa's Village in the park. Both the Winston and the Vinland Hotel Lounge are great places to stay in town, and they welcome pets. The new boutique Hotel Ynez can be found nearby, nestled on two acres of land amidst redwood, oak, and madrone trees. Only a short drive from Solvang, the Santa Ynez Inn is home to a brand-new Solvang institution: The Victor.  

Weather in Cancun, Mexico, in December averages in the low 80s, making it perfect for the beach, sightseeing at nearby Mayan ruins, and window shopping in the city center. Resorts and all-inclusive hotels provide a variety of lodging options for vacationers. There are a number of high-end hotels in Cancun, including the brand-new Waldorf Astoria Cancun and the NIZUC Resort & Spa. The Canopy by Hilton Cancun La Isla is ideally located near a wide variety of restaurants, stores, and attractions. Mayakoba, a resort community located less than an hour from Cancun's airport, is home to four hotels (Andaz, Banyan Tree, Fairmont, and Rosewood) in addition to beaches, lagoons, golf courses, and restaurants.

Situated in the northern Eastern Caribbean, about 12 miles from St. Martin, Anguilla, has pleasant December weather, with low 80s temperatures and minimal precipitation. As is typical for warm-weather resort areas, December is slow to start but picks up around the middle of the month and continues all the way through New Year's week. Vacationers to Anguilla can soak up the sun or keep busy with snorkeling, fishing, or exploring the island, thanks to the island's abundance of water sports and the enthusiasm of its locals. Visit the northwest coast of the island and stay at the Zemi Beach House or the Four Seasons Anguilla Resort. Charter flights from New York and Washington, D.C., land at Aurora Anguilla Resort & Golf Club, home to the island's lone golf course. C the city of Fort Lauderdale  

Beginning in early December, Art Basel Miami Beach puts the city's focus on the visual arts. November 1-3, Art Basel Miami Beach 29-Dec 4 and the citywide participation of Miami's art institutions in the annual Miami Art Week Crowds of artists, collectors, and fans will converge on events, exhibitions, galleries, and locations like the Miami Beach Convention Center. As the year-end travel season approaches, the spotlight will shift to the beaches, pools, restaurants, and clubs later in the month. Relax in style at one of Miami's many world-class hotels like The Setai, the landmark Four Seasons Hotel at The Surf Club, or any of the other fantastic options in the city. Stay at the lovely Esmé Hotel and discover Espaola Way, one of Miami's first South Beach neighborhoods.  

Madeira, a Portuguese island in the Atlantic Ocean, is the largest of a group of islands bearing the same name. The weather in December is mild, and the landscape is stunning, with mountains, valleys, beaches, and rugged terrain. Though the water is too cold for swimming, this is a wonderful time to enjoy the outdoors by going on hikes, visiting new places, and drinking some of the excellent wines produced in the area. The entire month of December is dedicated to Christmas celebrations, including tree lightings, holiday markets, and parties. SATA Azores Airlines will begin year-round, nonstop service from New York to Funchal, the capital, in November. The flight time is approximately seven hours.  

The southern hemisphere summer has just begun, and the nearly 2,700-mile distance from the north to the south of Chile results in a wide range of temperatures and precipitation. Deserts, lakes, volcanoes, and in the southern regions of Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego, glaciers and fjords can be found in this country that is nestled between the Pacific Ocean and the Andes Mountains. Town of Navidad is great for December vacations due to its beaches and water sports. Santiago, the capital, has many cultural attractions, including historic sites as well as museums, restaurants, and nightlife. Patagonia, in the south, is the place to go if you want to see amazing wildlife and landscapes and have exciting outdoor experiences.

Vail is about 100 miles west of Denver and 30 miles east of Eagle County Regional Airport, in the central Rocky Mountains. From Dec From January 1–4, the Vail Film Festival will bring in visitors, and the rest of the month will be packed with skiers, snowboarders, and other winter sports fans. The Hythe is a Luxury Collection Resort that features a spa, four restaurants, and a selection of carefully planned activities. The Grand Hyatt Vail, a ski-in/ski-out hotel, is situated close to Vail Village. Onefinestay is a great resource for finding a home away from home, and Antlers Vail has great options for accommodating larger groups.