December splits into two kinds of trips: chasing snow and string lights, or chasing sun and quiet beaches. Either way, the destination (and the seat you fly there in) is the difference between a holiday that feels like a scramble and one that feels like a reward.
Below are eight of the best places to visit in December 2026, from festive European cities to a couple of Southern Hemisphere picks for anyone chasing summer instead of snow, including the world’s biggest New Year’s Eve party. We’ll cover what each destination is actually good for, and how to fly there in business class without paying full fare. Skylux Travel works with major airlines and consolidators to unlock private, unpublished fares, so it’s worth asking your agent to compare a few of these before you book.
Quick picks at a glance:
| Destination | Best for | Flight time from the U.S. | Fly with |
|---|---|---|---|
| London | Christmas markets & holiday lights | 6.5–8 hrs nonstop | British Airways, Virgin Atlantic |
| Bangkok | Warm weather & temple-hopping | 17–21 hrs, one-stop | Qatar, Emirates, Singapore, Turkish |
| Salzburg | A storybook European Christmas | 9–11 hrs, one-stop | Lufthansa, SWISS, Austrian |
| Dubai | Sun, shopping & NYE spectacle | 12–16 hrs | Emirates, Etihad, Qatar |
| The Maldives | Private-island escape | 18–22 hrs, one-stop | Qatar, Emirates, Singapore Airlines |
| Singapore | Sleek stopover city, holiday lights | ~18.5–19 hrs nonstop | Singapore Airlines |
| Buenos Aires | Southern-hemisphere summer | ~9 hrs nonstop from Miami | American, Aerolíneas Argentinas |
| Rio de Janeiro | The world’s biggest NYE | ~8.5–9 hrs nonstop from Miami | American, LATAM, Avianca |
Flight times are approximate and vary by departure city and routing.
London, United Kingdom
One of the best places to visit in December for holiday magic
Few cities do December like London. Oxford Street strings up its lights, Hyde Park and Southbank fill with Christmas markets, and carols echo through St. Paul’s Cathedral and the Royal Albert Hall. Skate near the Tower of London, sip mulled wine at Winter Wonderland, or shop for gifts in Covent Garden.
It’s also one of the easiest long-haul business-class trips from the U.S., so it’s an excellent pick if you’re short on time but still want the full festive experience.
Quick facts
- Flight time from the U.S.: 6.5–8 hrs nonstop from New York, Boston, or Chicago
- Fly in comfort with: British Airways or Virgin Atlantic — lie-flat seats, premium dining, and fast-track service through Heathrow
- Skylux tip: Fares to London spike around the holidays. Book early with Skylux Travel for better rates and more flexible options. Call 888-999-5524.
Bangkok, Thailand
One of the best places to visit in December for warm weather and adventure
If you want sunshine and street food instead of snow, Bangkok delivers: December brings cooler, drier weather that makes exploring easy. Start at the Grand Palace or Wat Arun at sunset, wander the night markets, then catch the skyline from a rooftop bar. It’s also a natural jumping-off point for a weekend on Thailand’s southern islands.
Quick facts
- Flight time from the U.S.: 17–21 hrs, one-stop via Asia or the Middle East
- Fly in comfort with: Qatar Airways, Emirates, Singapore Airlines, or Turkish Airlines — all known for lie-flat cabins and top-rated service
- Skylux tip: Bangkok is in high demand all winter. Booking through Skylux gets you access to deeper discounts and lets you customize your route with premium carriers. Call one of our travel agents at 888-999-5524.
Salzburg, Austria
One of the Best Places to Visit in December for a Classic European Christmas
If you’re dreaming of a storybook December, Salzburg is one of the best places to visit this winter. The entire city transforms into a snow-covered postcard, filled with charm, music, and tradition.
You’ll find festive lights glowing across historic streets and snow-dusted rooftops that look straight out of a fairytale. The air smells of roasted chestnuts and spiced wine, especially around the famous Christkindlmarkt in Cathedral Square.
This is one of Europe’s oldest and most magical Christmas markets, dating back to the 15th century. You can shop for handmade gifts, enjoy live choir performances, or simply warm up with mulled wine.
Of course, Salzburg is also the birthplace of Mozart. During December, you’ll hear classical music in churches and concert halls across the city. For a unique experience, take a sleigh ride in the nearby Austrian Alps or visit the Silent Night Chapel in Oberndorf.
For festive charm, culture, and Alpine scenery, Salzburg is truly a December destination worth adding to your list.
Flight time from the U.S.
9 to 11 hours with one-stop connections via Frankfurt, Vienna, or Zurich
Fly in comfort with
Lufthansa, SWISS, or Austrian Airlines, offering lie-flat business class seating, attentive European service, and smooth transfers to Salzburg
Skylux Travel Tip
Holiday flights to Salzburg often sell out early. Let SkyLux Travel help you find premium routes at reduced fares, and even combine your trip with nearby destinations like Vienna or Munich. Reach a travel agent at 888-999-5524 and ask about all your options.
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
One of the best places to visit in December for a classic European Christmas
Salzburg turns into a snow-covered postcard this time of year with festive lights, roasted chestnuts, and the Christkindlmarkt in Cathedral Square, one of Europe’s oldest Christmas markets. It’s also Mozart’s birthplace, so expect classical music in churches and concert halls throughout the month. For cooler-still scenery, a sleigh ride in the nearby Alps or a stop at the Silent Night Chapel in Oberndorf rounds out the trip.
Quick facts
- Flight time from the U.S.: 9–11 hrs, one-stop via Frankfurt, Vienna, or Zurich
- Fly in comfort with: Lufthansa, SWISS, or Austrian Airlines — lie-flat seating and smooth transfers into Salzburg
- Skylux tip: Holiday flights here sell out early. Skylux can help you find premium routes at reduced fares and combine the trip with Vienna or Munich. Call 888-999-5524 to book today.
The Maldives
One of the best places to visit in December for a private-island escape
December marks the start of the Maldives’ dry season: blue skies, calm seas, and warm water. Snorkel over coral reefs, dive with manta rays, or spend the day on a private-island deck. Most resorts sit on their own island, so the sense of privacy is real, and many properties add spa treatments and sunset cruises for the holidays.
Quick facts
- Flight time from the U.S.: 18–22 hrs, one-stop via the Middle East or Asia
- Fly in comfort with: Qatar Airways, Emirates, or Singapore Airlines — some of the world’s best business class cabins, with privacy suites and curated dining
- Skylux tip: The Maldives is in high demand all winter. Skylux can unlock savings on the flight and build island transfers and resort preferences into one itinerary. Contact Skylux Travel at 888-999-5524.
Singapore
One of the best places to visit in December for a sleek city escape with a festive side
Singapore is warm and humid year-round, but December brings its brightest calendar: the Orchard Road light-up typically runs from mid-November into early January, turning the main boulevard into a canopy of lights against the city’s malls and hawker centers.
It’s also one of the easiest, cleanest cities in the world to spend a few days in: Gardens by the Bay lit up after dark, chili crab at a hawker stall, a Singapore Sling at Raffles, a quiet afternoon on Sentosa. Many travelers use it as a stopover on the way to Bali, Bangkok, or Australia, since Changi is one of Asia’s best-connected hubs.
Quick facts
- Flight time from the U.S.: about 18.5–19 hrs nonstop from New York — currently the world’s longest scheduled flight — or 20+ hrs with one stop from most other U.S. cities
- Fly in comfort with: Singapore Airlines, whose Suites and business class are consistently ranked among the world’s best
- Skylux tip: The nonstop route sells out early, especially around the holidays. Skylux can also help build a stopover into your itinerary at no extra flying. Get in touch by calling 888-999-5524.
Buenos Aires, Argentina
One of the best places to visit in December for Southern Hemisphere summer
While the Northern Hemisphere bundles up, Buenos Aires is heading into summer. December days typically run in the upper 70s to mid-80s°F, dry enough for long afternoons at outdoor cafés in Palermo or Recoleta. It’s a city built for slow travel: steakhouses that don’t start dinner until 9pm, tango in San Telmo, the pastel houses of Caminito in La Boca.
December falls just before the city’s own summer exodus: many locals head to the coast in January, so it’s lively without peak-summer crowds.
Quick facts
- Flight time from the U.S.: about 9 hrs nonstop from Miami; one-stop options run longer from other U.S. cities
- Fly in comfort with: American Airlines or Aerolíneas Argentinas, both offering lie-flat business class on the nonstop Miami route
- Skylux tip: Fares often dip in December, just before South America’s local summer season fully kicks in. Worth asking your Skylux agent to compare early- versus late-December departures. Book your flights at 888-999-5524.
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
One of the best places to visit in December for the world’s biggest New Year’s Eve
If a countdown is the whole point of your December trip, Rio is hard to beat. Copacabana Beach hosts Réveillon, one of the world’s largest New Year’s Eve celebrations. Millions gather in white along the sand for a fireworks show launched from barges offshore. Earlier in the month, the city strings up a giant floating Christmas tree on the Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas.
Outside the holiday, December is peak beach season — Ipanema and Copacabana run hot and sunny, and Sugarloaf Mountain and Christ the Redeemer are best done early, before the heat sets in.
Quick facts
- Flight time from the U.S.: about 8.5–9 hrs nonstop from Miami
- Fly in comfort with: American Airlines’ lie-flat business class on the nonstop Miami route, or LATAM and Avianca with a connection from other U.S. cities
- Skylux tip: Réveillon week is the busiest (and priciest) stretch of the Brazilian calendar. Skylux can help you lock in business class and beachfront timing well ahead of the holiday rush. Call 888-999-5524.
Fly to the Best Places to Visit in December In Comfort and Style
From Salzburg’s Christmas markets to Rio’s Réveillon at midnight, December has a trip for every kind of traveler. Flying in business class means the journey starts the moment you board, not when you land.
At Skylux Travel, we specialize in finding the best deals on premium travel. Our agents work with top airlines to help you save on business class fares to the destinations on this list and beyond.
Don’t wait, because affordable seats fill fast during the holidays. Call 888-999-5524 today for a free quote, and let us help you plan your perfect December getaway.
