WHERE TO TRAVEL IN…DECEMBER. If you’re looking to get away for some winter warmth, but don’t want to travel too far – the Canary Islands are a good bet – although it won’t be very hot, it will definitely be milder than at home and you should be getting up each morning to blue skies. For hotter climes, and slightly longer flight times, head to the Middle East – Dubai and Abu Dhabi would be a good choice or Oman, for a true taste of authentic Arabia. Further afield, December’s an ideal time for a beach break in the Maldives, the Caribbean and Thailand – although the closer you travel to Christmas, the more expensive your holiday will be.

If you want something more active than a beach holiday, this month is the ideal time to visit India, Sri Lanka, Cambodia and Vietnam with their wealth of cultural sites and varied scenery. And you can always end a touring itinerary with time on a beautiful beach.
If your ideal holiday is to immerse yourself in nature, then December’s a great time to visit Costa Rica as it comes out of rainy season. Or head to Uganda or Rwanda for gorilla-trekking in the jungle. If you’ve always dreamed of a trip to Antarctica, December is the start of the best period (December to March) to visit this magical place. I went in January, and it really doesn't disappoint. You'll see penguins, whales, seals and sea lions a-plenty in this amazing pristine wilderness. And, of course, it’s the beginning of the peak season in Australia and New Zealand.

If you’re thinking of a short city break, consider the Christmas markets in Prague, Budapest, Vienna or Salzburg – where you can combine a bit of pre-Christmas shopping with sightseeing in these historic cities. And if you like a good light show, head to Lyon and its Fête des Lumières – for 4 days in December the city’s a riot of huge light displays, with millions swarming the traffic-free streets for music, mulled wine and merrymaking. This year it's running from 5th to 8th December. Further afield, you could spend a few days in Las Vegas, where you’ll find Candelight concerts, ice skating, festive shows and The Strip decked out in Christmas lights. In my opinion, there's no better time to visit Sin City.

Maldives Photo by Photo by Shai Pal on Unsplash