Don’t miss…December travel experiences
Harbour Island is one of the most laid back spots in the Caribbean
For (LAID BACK) long haul sun...HARBOUR ISLAND, BAHAMAS
There’s an island in the Bahamas that was once a hiding place for pirate treasure and liquor in prohibition times. It’s this colourful history that sets the tone on Harbour Island, or ‘Briland’ as the locals call it, where every day and night the people lucky enough to call it home openly celebrate their life on this beautiful island. Their enthusiasm and sense of humour is so truly infectious that you can’t help but be swept up in it.
But back to what makes this a great getaway for winter sun; with pink sand and turquoise water, the setting is just about as perfect as it gets. You can snorkel among green sea turtles and orange starfish, you can watch horses frollicking about in the surf on Pink Sands beach, or you can take a wander around Dunmore Town, two streets of kooky shops, restaurants and cafés. What you can’t do is stay in a big international chain hotel here - Harbour Island is fiercely proud of its boutique, independent properties and getting out of your hotel and mixing with the local community is what a stay here is all about.
Harbour Island days are long and they’re lazy. So if you’re looking for a December break that transports you away from the freneticism of the festive season, this might well do the trick.
Head for Harbour Island if you want to enjoy:
Barefoot luxury
Laid back beach time
Relaxed time with your family
A romantic escape
Boutique hotels
The South African Winelands are a true showstopper
for FOOD AND WINE LOVERS...South africa
In this part of South Africa, December is a verb, not a noun. To ‘December’ in Cape Town and the Winelands is to get properly stuck into the hedonistic celebrations of the festive season that last well into the new year, or as the locals call it ‘42 of December.’
This is party season done properly. It helps that December is the peak of summer in South Africa, so you’ll enjoy warm temperatures and glorious sunshine day in, day out as you explore this stunning part of the world and celebrate the end of what’s been a difficult year for all of us.
Definitely spend a few days in Cape Town to soak up the party atmosphere, enjoy the city’s brilliant cultural vibe and enjoy world-class dining for ridiculously reasonable prices at restaurants like La Colombe and Kloof Street House.
But then head inland to the Winelands and the picturesque town of Franschhoek for a complete change of pace. South Africa is considered as one, if not the best value wine region in the world right now and there’s no better place to drink in the sunny ripeness that comes through in its crisp, golden whites and ripe, quaffable reds than the vineyards themselves. But it's the setting that is the real showstopper. Lying in the shadow of the Cape fold mountains, you’ll find historic towns, little hamlets and Cape Dutch farmsteads whose owners will welcome you with open arms to enjoy some of the best wines you’ve ever tasted. Cheers!
Perfect for:
Food and wine lovers
Groups
Outdoor adventure
Celebratory travel.
Get your kids excited for Christmas in Finnish Lapland
for FAMILIES...Finnish lapland
If the mere thought of Father Christmas sends your kids into a frenzy of excitement, what I’m about to suggest will take that to a whole new level.
Christmas 2020 was a bit of a damp squib. So make up for it and then some by taking your kids to see Santa Claus in Finnish Lapland this year. The fabled land of Lapland lies in the very north of Finland and is the winter wonderland you think of when you imagine the big man in red with his reindeers in the snow. As you’d expect, it will be freezing cold, but this does mean you’re guaranteed piles of snow, which everyone knows is essential for Santa Claus to run his sleigh.
Head for Rovaniemi, the capital of Finnish Lapland to get into the festive spirit. Take your kids to meet old St Nick in his cosy, snow covered home, then take them outside to experience the full majesty of the Northern Lights, deep in the forest. You’ll eat well too - as Rovaniemi is making quite the name for itself as a gastronomic hotspot, serving up rustic feasts of (ahem) reindeer, lingonberries and leipäjuusto (a delightfully gooey 'bread cheese' dessert).
Warning...you won’t be very popular with other parents at the school gates when your kids get home and tell all their friends about their trip. But it will be truly worth it. I’ll take that risk...I’m planning our trip right now!
Perfect for:
Young children, tweens, teenagers and anyone who believes in the magic of Christmas
A pre-Christmas trip
Foodies
TAKE A CITY BREAK IN MILAN, ITALY
You’d be justified in assuming that Milan is a bit too cool for Christmas. But Milan throws itself into the festive spirit almost as much as fashion and is one of the most Christmassy cities in Europe.
I’d recommend a trip to Milan in early December to take in a unique Milanese tradition, the feast of its patron saint, Sant’Ambrogio. To mark the occasion, an irresistibly twinkly market pops up in the grounds of the Castello Sforzesco, an imposing fortress built in the Middle Ages and one of Milan’s most famous landmarks. You’ll find the usual mix of artisan-made gifts and foodie treats at this Christmas market, but the Italian twist somehow makes it richer and more unique than you’ve probably experienced at the more familiar German-style markets.
While you’re at the market, enjoy an Italian take on mulled wine (no Christmas market would be complete without that) and castagnaccio (chestnut and pine-kernel cake) as you wander around. Then when the festivities become too much, remind yourself that you’re in Milan and that there is so much more to experience here. Pop over to the famous fashion quarter to treat yourself or head to the Zona Tortona; the city’s newest hotspot where you can lose hours in contemporary galleries and design studios.
The wonderful thing about Milan is that it’s doable from both the UK and the US with regular flights from both every week. Just remember to take an empty suitcase.
Perfect for:
A city break
Romantic escapes
A weekend with friends
Getting into the festive spirit
Move over Rwanda…head to Uganda to see Gorillas up close
for an animal adventure...uganda
Compared to its neighbouring countries, Uganda is pocket sized. But what it lacks in size, the so-called Pearl of Africa more than packs a punch for people looking for a one-in-a-lifetime opportunity to get close to some of the world’s most incredible creatures.
Rwanda has made quite a name for itself in gorilla tracking over recent years with tourists flocking to its Virunga Mountains to catch a glimpse of the highly endangered mountain gorilla in the wild. But the thing is, the Virunga mountains extend into Uganda, and as gorillas don’t care much for political borders you’re just as likely, if not more, to get close to these majestic giants in Uganda. What’s more, unlike Rwanda, Uganda hasn’t increased the price of its Gorilla permits, so you can trek twice in Uganda for the price of just one trek in Rwanda! Just don’t tell too many people...
Since nobody wants to get caught up a mountain in a rainshower, December is a brilliant time to head for Uganda as it's one of the driest months of the year.
Top tip? Pair your rainforest adventure with a foray into the urban jungle of Kampala’s capital, which is surprisingly charming and offers the chance to eat two-hour-roasted crocodile tail at barbecue restaurant The Lawns, and enjoy contemporary shows at Afriart Gallery.
Perfect for:
Adventure-seekers
Long-haul adventure
Game-viewing
Getting away from the crowds
