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Best European Vacations In December

Best Winter Sun Destinations In Europe For 2022

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Want to escape the winter blues? From city breaks to beach escapes, there are plenty of short haul options that will help you to escape the winter chill. So grab a cup of tea and discover the warmest winter sun destinations in Europe, chosen by my fellow travel bloggers.

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Best European Destinations To Visit In December

For many Europeans, winter is the time for rest and relaxation. Its the perfect time to visit some of Europes most beautiful European destinations.

Best European destination to visit in December: Paris

The capital of France is an all-time favorite choice for most Europeans. With its iconic landmarks, world-class museums, and charming cafes, its no wonder why most people visit Paris during winter. Besides the numerous cultural attractions, there are plenty of things for visitors to do in Paris during winter season.

Paris has an array of seasonal events that are sure to keep you entertained all throughout the year from Christmas markets to ice skating rinks.

The city also offers plenty of winter activities for kids too from museums with indoor snowfall in January to giant snow

Christmas Trips In Europe: Book Flights As Early As Possible

It makes sense that flights to the Caribbean or Hawaii are very expensive during the Christmas holidays, but some people are surprised when their flight to a freezing city in Europe also seems unusually expensive. The thing is, people from all over are flying back home to every one of those freezing cities for the Christmas break, so airfares are going to be high and last-minute deals are nonexistent.

The best advice is to book your Christmas holiday flights as early as possible. Airlines typically start selling tickets 8 to 11 months out, and youll usually get your lowest prices if you book as early as you can.

If this is your first trip to Europe you may also be interested in our recommendations for best first-time Europe itineraries of your own.

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Reasons To Europe In December

During a visit to Europe, you can experience a surprising variety of cultures and cities, if you plan right. In this article, we will provide you with all the knowledge you need to plan your trip to Europe in December.

Read on to know why December is a delightful time to visit Europe:

Where To Stay In Munich

15 Best Winter Sun Destinations in Europe

Stay central. Everything around Marienplatz and Stachus is perfect. My favorite one is the BEYOND by Geisel Hotel.

Why? Some of their have stunning views to Marienplatz directly.

Well, you cannot beat that!

Traveling more on a budget? Find a detailed guide with the 3 best hostels in Munich here.

The budget accommodations are:

  • admire Schloss Schönbrunn
  • Visit Naschmarkt & Brunnenmarkt

As for your accommodation, I also created a map with all neighborhoods of the Austrian Capital. Check out my guide for best places to stay in Vienna.

How to get to Vienna?

Train and flights are again the best options. The trains are heated and you can enjoy a beautiful winter landscape when opting in for the train ride.

You can find all train schedules in Austria here.

Where to stay in Vienna?

I wrote a big and detailed guide to where to stay in Vienna for first-time visitors.

I recommend book-marking it. It is the absolute best guide youll find as it written by a local guide!

Vienna has quite amazing hotels and fun hostels.

As for a hotel, I love the Hotel Rathaus Wein and Design.

The concept is pretty obvious, I suppose. But its not just that. I also enjoyed the atmosphere, it is casual, warm, friendly. Last but not least, their terraces plus the enormous rooms.

Traveling on a smaller budget? Check the top hostels in Vienna here.

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Europe Weather In December

While some people instantly assume that the temperatures are the same across Europe in December, this is definitely not true.

The weather of Europe in December is very much varied with countries in Scandinavia experiencing brutal snowy winters with temperatures dropping to below zero sometimes while some countries especially those on the Mediterranean experience some sun and temperatures can go as high as 18°C .

So it really depends on the country itself. There are some countries in Europe you can visit to experience a snowy winter but there are some you can visit and enjoy some sun.

So in this article, I will be focusing on some of the warmest places in Europe in December. Read on and you might just find your perfect winter sun destination.

What Are The Top Attractions Of Europe During Wintertime

This is a difficult question to answer, considering that people from different countries have different preferences. In Europe, the most popular attractions during wintertime are the snow-covered mountains and snowy landscapes.

The Top Attractions of Europe during Wintertime:

1. Snow-Covered Mountains and Snowy Landscapes

2. The Nightlife in major cities

3. The European Christmas Market

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Singapore The Melting Pot Of Asia

Image Source If ever someone had to summarize Asia in one city, it had to be Singapore. The roots of the city originate from an amalgamation of cultures from all over Asia to morph into a modern society. It is one of the best places to visit in December in Asia.

Travelers can enjoy a host of entertainment parks, theme parks, sounds and lights, shopping areas, and delicious cuisines from all around the world.

Places to visit in Singapore:Sentosa Island, Gardens by the Bay, Merlins fountain, and Little India.

Things to shop: orchid perfumes, minitaure Merlions, coconut jam, laksa paste

Weather in December: The weather is pleasant with temperatures lying between 25 to 31 degrees Celsius

How to reach: You will find multiple airline flying on the route to Singapore and India.

Tips For Travelling To Europe Indecember

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Theres no doubt about it, the weather in Europe in December is going to be cold and possibly snow-sprinkled across the best places to visit. However, thats the beauty of it, because you cant have a white Christmas without the snow! With a few simple tips, youll reap all the rewards without a hitch.

1. Limit your luggage

Its really tempting to over-pack for a winter holiday, however, youll probably regret it when youre wheeling a gigantic suitcase over a slippery, snowy pathway while struggling to hold an umbrella. Do yourself a favour, and pack lightly.

2. Wear layers

Wonderingwhat to wear in Europe in December? No matterwhere you go for the day, chances are itll be really cold outside and verywarm inside. Pack just one really warm coat to save space in your suitcase andlight layers to add or discard as needed.

3. Take practical accessories

Hats, gloves and scarves are all handy items to have for travel in Europe in December. Best of all, they make it easy to stay warm outside and reduce layers inside. Simply tuck them into your travel purse when entering a cosy store. As for shoes, its practicality all the way for snow, ice and slippery surfaces.

4. Thermal underwear is your friend

It might not be the most attractive look, but thermal underwear really does come into its own while travelling in Europe in December. Its great for layering, as all you usually need is thermal underwear, another light layer of a jumper and pants, and your warm coat.

5. Catch the train

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Experience Spanish Holiday Traditions In Seville

The period between Christmas and New Years Day is a special time to be in Seville, Spain.

Before Christmas, youll see the Bélen or Bethlehem in shop windows and cathedrals throughout the city.

Unlike in other countries, the nativity scene in Spain typically includes all of Bethlehem, rather than the manger scene.

In fact, the feria del Bélen where nativity figurines are sold is one of the largest in Spain!

Connect with a local family to experience New Years Eve the local way. Youll feast on fish and then gobble 12 grapes at midnight.

Restaurants offer special menus at this time of year. And finally, take part in the huge parade on January 6th, marking the end of the holidays.

Seville is a must-visit on a visit to Spain any time of year, but its also one of the best winter vacations in Europe.

If youre also headed to Barcelona, be sure to check out the food tours there!

Chris | Explore Now or Never

Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort Finland

Have you ever dreamed of sleeping under a blanket of stars or maybe green dancing lights as well? I know as a kid I wondered what an igloo would look like.

Enter Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort Igloos and Chalets. Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort is located in the Saarisclka Fell Region of Finnish Lapland.

The stunning 4-star hotel is actually a glass igloo located in the wilderness. You get to sleep under a million stars and watch the northern lights every day.

The resort is located in Lapland. You can drive from Helsinki and parking is available at the resort. You can also fly from Helsinki to Ivalo, which is the closest airport to Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort.

Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort is a great way to experience nature in its wildest and pure form. The resort has glass igloos and chalets to host guests. It can accommodate couples and families for a scintillating vacation under the stars.

The glass igloos contain all modern amenities to keep you warm and toasty on a white snowing wintery night. Each glass igloo has a bedroom with a sauna or shared bathrooms. It is recommended that you wear thermals when you are in an igloo, and the resort provides you will warm socks.

Parking and WiFi is free. Breakfast and other meals are provided on-site. You can also rent skis and other equipment to enjoy winter outdoor activities. Husky and reindeer rides can also be arranged.

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Visit The Christmas Market In Cologne

The Cologne Cathedral visible as far away as neighboring Bonnis a must-visit on any Cologne or even European itinerary.

And its also the center of one of the largest Christmas markets in all of Germany.

An impressive gothic structure, the cathedral rivals many of its European counterparts and is actually the most visited tourist attraction in all of Germany.

It also has a more dubious claim to fame: it was one of the only large structures left standing in Cologne after the World War II bombing, as its said that Allied pilots used it as a landmark, rather than a target.

The Cologne Christmas market attracts visitors from nearby cities as well as international visitors, making it one of the best European winter holiday destinations.

Youll taste fragrant mulled wine, lebekuchen and find gorgeous handicrafts.

But the Cologne Christmas market also specializes in delicious local beer and more unique foodie fare.

Try the zimtbrezeln, a fusion between a cinnamon roll and a salty pretzel that will have your taste buds singing.

Spend a few hours walking around this market before you head into Cologne proper.

More lovely shops await you in the main streets of Hohe and Breite Strasse there.

Consider a river cruise in Cologne or a pub crawl, too. You can check prices and availability on all Cologne tours here.

And if youre headed towards Munich or Nuremberg next, be sure to visit the beautiful medieval town of Regensburg.

Lee | The Travel Scribes

Update For Winter : Identifying Cheap Flights And Bus Connections

Which awesome destination in Europe are you going to visit this winter ...

Please check travel restrictions for each country due to the Coiv-19 situation. We try to keep this article up to date, but things change to rapidly, it is almost impossible to do so. Please check with your embassy as well before booking any trip.

There is 4 websites you should keep an eye on:

One of the best ways to find public transport in Europe is Omio.com. It shows all buses, trains and such to get around. Heres a full review of Omio.

Looking for cheap flights to, well, anywhere in the world? Have a close look at Skyscanner.com and Kiwi.com.

We just discovered this incredibly awesome search engine for flights.

You can search with a date range and even with a radius search. This makes it incredible easy now to get an idea of cheap destinations to fly to.

And not just that. You can even insert a radius for departing cities. I just love this new toy!

Have a look yourself: Here is our full review of Kiwi as a flight booking engine.

About taking a bus in Europe, we recommend Flixbus. Flixbus connects almost any destination in Europe. We wrote a full flixbus review on how to use the page here.

Update 2022: In the meantime, I discovered more epic places for your winter stay in Europe. Therefore, I added a few more incredibly destinations to this article as well as a map.

Let us talk about the destinations we recommend

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How To Rent A Car In Europe

Renting a car in Europe ca be tricky. My favorite website is Discover Car Hire.

There is a few things you have to take into account and a few questions you have to ask yourself before renting.

  • Will you be crossing borders?
  • Do you have the correct license to drive a vehicle in Europe?
  • Do you have insurance cover?
  • There is many many different types of comparison websites for renting a car.

    We used a few of them over the time. The truth is, those websites come and go faster than roadrunner escaping Coyote if you know what I mean.

    We have used several and there was always an issue. There was always an extra to pay, the price doubled easily, the car was not in good condition etc. Renting a car for us is still always a pain.

    So, what can we recommend?

    We want to be really upfront: Unfortunately, we are not an expert here. We have used many different sites and always we disliked something. The most reliable car rental for us is Discover Car Hire.

    They are super easy to use and it is easy to compare different companies. They also offer full insurance when booking with them.

    My best tip ever for renting a car: ALWAYS get full insurance!

    Why?

    If there is just the tiniest issue and someone hit your door for instance, you avoid big extra costs, known as penalties. If you get full insurance, you dont have to care a thing about any scratch by third parties.

    Personally, I think it is worth it the extra euros when renting.

    Italy A Slice Of Medieval Life

    During this time, you will be thrilled to find near-empty beaches. The Alba White Truffle Festival and the popular EuroChocolate from Perugia attract a large majority of foodies from all over the world. Make sure to pack a lot of woolens and bring your near and dear ones to this beautiful destination.

    Places to visit in Italy: Rome, Venice, Milan, Florence, Naples, Siena, Amalfi

    Things to shop: Handmade sandalsThings to do: Eat deep dish pizza and pour yourself a glass of wine.Weather in December: It is likely to be raining where it is not snowing. Make sure you carry woolens.

    How to reach: Take a direct flight from New Delhi to Leonardo da VinciFiumicino Airport in Rome, Italy that takes about 8 hours in the air.

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    Best European Places To Visit In December

    The holiday season is upon us and a lot of people are looking to spend quality time with their friends and loved ones.

    Europe has a lot of great places to visit, especially during the winter period and we will try to give you the best choices out there. So here are the 15 best European places to visit in December.

    Christmas Markets In Germany & Austria

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    December sees these romantic historic markets pop up all over Germany, Austria and other Central European nations. Expect cute stalls selling everything from gingerbread to sleigh bells and plenty of good cheer, toasted with a glass of warming glühwein.

    Tip: Famous markets in Cologne, Vienna and Munich draw the tourist crowds, but seeking out ones in smaller towns is rewarding.

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    The Worlds Largest Travel Site Know Better Book Better Go Better

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    Cheapest Places To Travel In Europe In Winter Let Magic Happen

    Are you a budget traveler who is looking for the cheapest places to travel in Europe? For some reason, many people associate Europe with high costs and the word expensive. When in reality, this continent has plenty of affordable destinations.

    Winter in Europe is actually one of the best seasons to travel! Well, yes, for many reasons. There are fewer people, lower prices, and it is easier to make bookings. Over and above that, big cities and small villages look more like decorations from a movie. They are incredibly beautiful and the reason for that is not just Christmas lights.

    Winter Europe is endlessly attractive to all types of travelers. On the one hand, it has a huge number of cultural monuments, history, and picturesque landscapes. On the other hand, traveling in Europe can get quite expensive.

    Of course, even in expensive countries, you can travel on a tight budget. But if you want not only a cheap but comfortable vacation, then this list is for you!

    Psst: Looking for a cheap country to live in Europe? See my other post!

    Please note: This post contains affiliate links. I may earn a commission if you make a purchase by clicking a link .

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