1) Thailand
Thailand is located in Southeast Asia (formerly known as Siam) and is renowned for its beautiful tropical beaches, amazing hospitality, opulent Royal Palaces and ornate Temples with displays of Buddha. Thailand’s becoming more and more popular for honeymooners! We have first hand experience and all the necessary right contacts with many Thailand hotels as our Managing Director Nashir has only just got back from an educational trip 2 weeks ago!
Weather
The average temperature is 27 degrees C with highs of 31 degrees C and lows of about 23 degrees C. Great time of the year to go in December as monsoon season is over.
Places to visit
Bangkok
Visiting Wat Traimit is a must – which houses the world’s largest solid gold statue of the Golden Buddha. Next, marvel at the Reclining Buddha statue – as well as over a thousand other Buddha images – at Wat Pho temple, one of the largest and oldest temples in Bangkok, also considered the first public library of Thailand.
Another must to do whilst in Bangkok is a tour of Bangkok’s magnificent Royal Grand Palace, the city’s most famous landmark and one of the most beautiful examples of an ancient Thai court. Check out the beautiful palace grounds, home to Thai kings until the turn of the 20th century, and explore the impressive buildings that make up the palace including Wat Phra Kaew, a temple home to the revered Emerald Buddha.
Elephant Hills Jungle Camp
Thailand’s first Luxury Tented Jungle Camps – a combination of the the camp idea of African National Parks with the Thai forest tropical environment. Recommend either 2 or 4 nights package! Elephant Experience: Feeding, washing and interacting with Asia’s largest land animal. A really touching experience in an almost untouched environment. Canoe Safari down the Sok River. Sit back and enjoy the breath taking beauty of Khao Sok. Finally finish your trip by Jungle trekking by foot through Southern Thailand’s unique rainforest environment.
Most popular Thai islands to visit in December
The classic Thai islands such as Phuket, Ko Lanta and Ko Phi on the West coast, Ko Samui, Ko Pha Ngan and Ko Tao in the southern Gulf and Ko Samet, Ko Chang and Ko Kut in the East will be very busy!
2) Mexico
This beautiful country with great sandy beaches, diverse landscape of mountains, deserts and jungles has the most amazing weather in December – full of sun in the coastal areas with cooler weather inland!
Weather
The average temperature in December is around 24 degrees C – highs up to 28 degrees C and lows around
21 degrees C.
Places to visit
Cancun and surrounding areas are where the beautiful beaches are located. Cancun is often referred to as Paradise on Earth!
Mexico City the capital of Mexico is full of tourists and the destination is a must to visit! Plenty to sightsee in Mexico City!
Other places to visit include Riviera Maya, Cozumel and Isla Mujeres for the beautiful beaches, Puerto Vallarta, Riviera Nayarit, Baja California Sur: Los Cabos and La Paz, Guadalajara and Tequila in Jalisco, Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo, Central Mexico: Querétaro, San Miguel de Allende and Guanajuato City, Yucatan: Mérida, Uxmal and Chichen Itza, Copper Canyon and finally Chiapas: San Cristobal de las Casas.
3) Spain
A destination where there’s lots of Christmas festivities and to stroll and enjoy the colourful lights in the lovely decorated streets. Markets are very popular particularly at this time of the year.
Weather
The average temperature in Spain – the warmest country in Europe in December is around 14 degrees C. Minimum
temperature can drop down to 6 degrees C.
Places to visit in December
i) Marbella – a place on the Southern coast of Spain known as Costa del Sol. Its about 45 minutes away from Malaga airport. It attracts loads of glamorous celebrities and has well known areas like Puerto Banus. This is where you can spot the super yachts and sports cars by day and go to the famous lovely bars and clubs by night.
ii) Tenerife – this is the largest of Spain’s Canary Islands and situated to the West of North Africa. Tenerife offers a great all year round climate. There’s lots of things to see and do!
iii) Fuerteventura – this is one of the lesser known Canary Islands but it has some of the most gorgeous beaches with crystal clear turquoise water. Really picturesque! There are more than 150 beaches on the island and is and is popular for surfing, windsurfing and kite surfing!
iv) Seville is the capital of the Andalucia area of Spain. It’s a city crammed full of history with its churches, monuments and Moorish buildings. It’s also known for a buzzing nightlife of flamenco and tapas bars. You will find one of Europe’s biggest Cathedrals here, which has great views over the city when you climb the tower. Other famous sights are the wonderful Alazar Palace and Plaza de España.
4) Dominican Republic
This is the “Caribbean Happy Country” renowned for its amazing and known for its very beautiful beaches, resorts and golfing. It’s capital city Santo Domingo has Spanish landmarks like the Gothic Catedral Primada de America dating back 5 centuries in its Zona Colonial district.
Weather
The average sea temperature for Punta Cana in December is 27°C. Perfect temperature for all sorts of water activities! Both the locals and tourists absolutely love this beautiful weather!
Places to Visit
i) The Zona Colonial is the historic heart of Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic. There’s plenty of ancient colonial buildings including the cathedral. It’s dotted with shops, restaurants and cafes – many housed in colonial-era buildings.
ii) The Coconut Coast – with its reef protected white beaches and placid waters is the country’s undisputed tourist mecca. Approximately 40 miles of uninterrupted beach sweeps up the southeastern tip of the country.
Other places worthwhile visiting include Santo Domingo, Constanza & The Dominican Alps, Santiago, Puerto Plata, La Isabela Bay, Las Terranas and La Romana
5) Goa, India
Lots of fun in Goa and plenty of beautiful beaches – tourists absolutely love this place! Christmas and New Year celebrations festivities are amongst the best in the World!
Weather
At this time of year, the average temperature are around 27.5°C, with highs of 33°C during the daytime and lows of 22°C in the evening.
Places to visit
Amongst all the places to visit in Goa during December include Baga Beach, Calangute Beach – the largest and most beautiful beach, which is called the Queen of Beaches and stretches up to 15 km in Panaji.
Other places certainly worth visiting include Palolem Beach, Anjuna Beach, Basilica of Bom Jesus, Colva beach, Dudhsagar Waterfalls, Arambol Beach, Fort Aguada and Vagator Beach.
6) Philippines
Asia’s famous country has over 7100 beautiful islands! Beautiful sandy beaches and lots to explore! Its capital, Manila, is famous for its waterfront promenade and centuries-old Chinatown, Binondo.
Weather
The weather is generally dry in Philippines in December. The average temperature is about 27 degrees C with highs of 32 degrees C to lows of 22 degrees C depending upon the location.
Places to visit
i) Baguio – a big favourite, dubbed the Philippines’ winter wonderland, the city sees temperatures drop to as low as 8 degrees Celsius in December. Baguio really knows how to truly capture the Christmas spirit – from Christmas lanterns, giant Christmas tree to a Christmas Village featuring with artificial snow and a life-sized nativity scene. So you really get the Christmassy feeling!
ii) Pampanga – The city has been hosting the Giant Lantern Festival for more than 80 years. Held on Saturday before Christmas & Assembled by local artisans, the lanterns are displayed in different venues across Pampanga until January.
You can also catch lanterns of different biblical figures in a religious procession called lubenas.
Other places worthwhile visiting are Cavite (big on Christmas decorations, festivities & presentations), Boracay (great for Christmas festivities). Dumaguete (has a lot in store for those looking for a fascinating getaway, it’s a great site for watching all kinds of dolphins and whales) and last but not the least Cebu – the Queen City of the South!
7) Mauritius
Mauritius is described like the “Heaven on Earth”.
The views and beaches are breath taking, most lovely greenery with blossoming forests and has the most beautiful mountains. Certainly one of the most attractive and awesome tourist destinations in the World and very popular for honeymooners!
Weather
Great time of the year to visit in December with average temperature of around 27-28°C.
Places to visit
Best way to plan where you’d like to go in Mauritius is to divide the island into four and match your expectations accordingly.
For more touristy attractions – then head for the north and western beaches. Whereas the south and eastern beaches are much quieter and more appropriate for putting your feet up and chilling!
For shopping and good choice of restaurants, then head to Grand Baie, North Coast
This is a thriving tourist destination with a great collection of shops, bars, restaurants and hotels. It retains its friendly small town atmosphere!
For great diving and unforgettable sunsets – Flic en Flac, West Coast
West is the best – this area has the best beaches ranging from the fine white sands of Trou aux Biches in the far north to the isolated Le Morne Peninsula on the south-west tip of the island. And it’s Le Morne that has the most dramatic setting on the entire island – the long stretch of sand, reef protected lagoon and superb golf courses are all laid out at the foot of an imposing mountain.
To stay at luxurious hotels with beautiful beaches – Belle Mare, East Coast
Certainly less built up but highly exclusive is on the Eastern coastline Mauritius! Here you will find the most luxurious hotels and is home to the extremely beautiful Belle Mare region. Belle Mare ranks amongst the prettiest beaches in Mauritius!
If hiking trails is your interest with forests & waterfalls – then head to Chamarel!
And lastly if you’d like High cliffs & dramatic scenery – then head to the South Coast. This area is more rugged and the scenery is absolutely breathtaking!
Suggest you rent a car and explore Mauritius as the island is not too big! This way you’ll be able to get a flavour of what beautiful Mauritius is all about!
8) Costa Rica
Central America’s most beautiful country is rugged, rainforested with coastlines on the Caribbean and Pacific. Though its capital, San Jose, is home to cultural institutions like the Pre-Columbian Gold Museum, Costa Rica is known for its beaches, volcanoes, and biodiversity. Roughly a quarter of its area is made up of protected jungle, teaming with wildlife including spider monkeys and quetzal birds.
Weather
December is the best recommended month to visit this hot tourist place. temperatures average up to 27 degrees C.
Places to visit
i) San José City & Surroundings
San José is the capital and the largest city in Costa Rica. Located in the Central Valley, it is both a historical and modern city filled with Costa Rican traditions.
ii) Arenal Volcano
Is the perfect spot for nature and adrenaline lovers. As one of the most active volcanoes in the world, Arenal Volcano is a fascinating natural wonder and a must-see destination for many travelers to Costa Rica.
iii) Monteverde
Monteverde is a small misty town in Puntarenas and is considered a major tourist destination due to its numerous reserves with naturally impressive rain and cloud forests. It was voted as one of Costa Rica’s Seven Wonders, along with Isla del Coco.Other places to visit include Manuel Antonio Beach, Tamarindo Beach, Jaco Beach, Puerto Viejo & Cahuita, Drake Bay (Corcovado National Park), Tortuguero – known as Costa Rica’s Amazon and lastly Montezuma!
9) South Africa
An awesome place to visit and certainly can easily fall in love with the place! It’s a place you’d want to visit over and over again.
Beach holidays are excellent at most Indian Ocean destinations but whether you’re planning a safari or a beach vacation – keep in mind that Africa in December is busy. Game viewing is at its peak, beaches at the sunniest, and the traditional Christmas and New Year summer holiday season is in full swing…. altogether making December busy but worth it.
Weather
The weather in December is around 30 degrees C in December but can also sometimes get a lot of rains. In the evening temperatures can drop to about 20 degrees C.
Places to visit
i) Kruger National Park
This is a must if you want to see animals like elephants, lions, rhinos, etc.
ii) Cape Town
Was named World’s Best City in The Telegraph Travel Awards for 2014. With mountains, vineyards and beaches all within easy reach, the ‘Mother City’ is one of South Africa’s best loved travel destinations and at her prettiest in December. The weather is hot and Martini-dry, the beaches buzzing and the mood infectiously cheerful.
iii) The Kalahari – Botswana
Travel to the Kalahari Desert in December and sometimes you can get the thunderstorms! You’ll see loads and loads of zebras, wildebeests, buffalos, etc. The Kalahari in December is a predator’s paradise for lions, leopards, cheetahs, wild dogs and hyenas.
Other places to visit include Drakensberg, The Garden Route, Durban and Johannesburg.
10) Maldives
A set of islands in Asia right in the middle of the Indian Ocean. Most popular with honeymooners! Beautiful blue waters and with great beaches! Certainly a top notch destination!
Weather
December daytime average temperature is around 27 degrees C and in the evening drops to 25 degrees C.
Places to visit
Male
This is the capital of Maldives and is a big skyscraper light blue city and is surrounded by coral.
Vilamendhoo
This is where you are going to find whale sharks, scuba diving and reefs after reefs.
Other places especially for holidayers who love Beaches include Maamingili, Hithadhoo, Gan, Guraidhoo and Huraa. These are sheer paradise destinations to say the least!
11) Singapore
Singapore has been described as a playground for the rich. A most amazing place in the World in terms of richness with luxurious shopping centres, posh and costly hotels, so much variety of different cuisines with loads of choice of restaurants and with having a vibrant history!
Weather
Temperatures daytime around 29 degrees C to lows in the evening of about 23 degrees C. Can have a lot of rain in December!
Places to visit
Marina Bay
This place is one of the most visited places of the country. The rejuvenating glance, the sands complex and the spectacular light show has a lot to speak.
Universal Studios of Singapore
This is an amusement park that has thrilling roller coasters and many more tourist attractions and is one of a kind of amusement park.
Other places worthwhile visiting include Gardens by the Bay, Botanic Gardens, Singapore Zoo, Orchard Road famous for the designer chic shopping, Chinatown, Sentosa Island and Clarke Quay!