Traveling during the last ten days of December means crowds and exorbitant prices throughout much of the world, but the first two-thirds of the month—before holiday airfares and hotel rates go into effect—can be a serene, value-laden, and just plain lovely time to vacation. Europe is all decked out for the holidays—with locals generally friendly and in high spirits; in the Southern Hemisphere, spring is in bloom; and in the Caribbean, Hawaii, and Mexico, hurricane season is over, the weather is gorgeous, and there are free upgrades galore.

(Don’t miss the rest of our “Where to Go When” series on the best destinations for every month of the year. If you’re wondering when’s the best time to book your destination to get the best value for your dollar, see our “Where to Book Now” series.)

Germany

A cookie from Dresden’s Striezelmarkt says “Merry Christmas.” Photo: Truffle Pig

Christmas markets sprout up all over the country this month, and from the smallest towns to the biggest cities they’re a great place to mingle with locals, learn about regional handicrafts, and sample seasonal delicacies. Depending on the venue, you can find anything from medieval reenactments to outdoor concerts. But they’re usually at their prime once darkness has set in and the fairy lights are out in full force (which means there’s also time in the day for museum visits and city touring before indulging in the market flurry). Some travelers skip dinner altogether for a smorgasbord of yuletide samplings at the wooden market huts!

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Mendoza, Argentina

Mendoza, Argentina, is famed for its vineyards. Photo: Cavas Wine Lodge

December is an ideal time to visit Mendoza in any year: The grapevines are alive, and the backdrop of the majestic Andes after the winter snows makes for dramatic scenery. Wine season is in full swing, and there’s a beer festival in Godoy Cruz during the first week in December—a four-day street party with live music and heavy partying. (Christmas and New Year’s, though, are high season for hotels, and the wineries close on December 24, 25, 31, and January 1.)

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Joshua Tree National Park, California

Joshua Tree National Park is ideal for hiking, and it’s convenient to Palm Springs. Photo: Visit California/Myles McGuinness

It can get cold at night in December, but the days in Joshua Tree are sunny with temperatures in the 60s (versus 110 or more in summer), making it ideal for hiking, with no crowds in sight. The park has two very distinct ecosystems: the low desert of the Colorado and the high desert of the Mojave, each with its own flora and fauna. The Mojave section also has some impressive granite monoliths and rock piles. Palm Springs is less than an hour away, so you won’t have to rough it while exploring the park—unless you want to.

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The Caribbean

The window between Thanksgiving and Christmas is a time for off-peak rates in the Caribbean islands, such as  Anguilla, pictured. Photo: Belmond Cap Juluca

Few people travel between Thanksgiving and Christmas—specifically, from the Tuesday after Thanksgiving to the Thursday or Friday before the peak Christmas rush—so you can enjoy substantial savings off-peak-season rates (four nights for the price of three, seven nights for the price of five) and your chances of an upgrade are good—if you book through a Caribbean specialist with clout.

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Caribbean Sailing off Belize

Belize is known for its ultra blue ocean waters. Photo: Absolute Belize

Many sailing spots in the Caribbean become so jam-packed with boats in high season that you have to anchor by midday to find a good spot. Not true in Belize—known for its world-class snorkeling and diving and crystal-clear Caribbean waters in 100 shades of blue—where our Trusted Travel Experts can put you in your own private yacht at all-inclusive rates that come to less than $400 per person per night. Your first-rate Belizean captain will take you to toes-in-the-sand beach bars, jaw-dropping snorkeling spots, and fishing spots where you can catch your own dinner. Read reviews from other travelers who have done it.

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Thailand

Bangkok has some of its best weather in December: lower temperatures and less humidity. Photo: Shutterstock

Late October (when the rains end) through February is an exceptional time to visit the northern part of the country, from Sukhothai through Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai. The King’s Birthday, on December 5, ushers in the festive season (Christmas and New Year’s certainly aren’t traditional holidays here, but many Thais celebrate them anyway) and cooler, less humid weather. In general, the beaches are blissful from the end of December through March. Mid-November through January see the lowest temperatures and least humidity in Bangkok.

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New Zealand

Stingray Cove, Bay of Islands, New Zealand—just one place where you might find flowers blooming in December. Photo: Stephen Western.

In the first two weeks of December (before the madness of the holiday season begins and rates go up), you can see newborn lambs dotting the hillsides all over the country. New Zealanders love their gardens, so flowers are blooming everywhere too. The peace and beauty of the landscape and the people can be so restorative to the soul.

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Costa Rica

The crowds disappear from Costa Rica during the first two weeks of December. Photo: Shutterstock

If you can get away during the first two weeks of December, you’ll avoid the holiday crowds, enjoy the transition from rainy to dry season when everything is still lush and green, and pay low-season rates.

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The Amazon and Bahia, Brazil

Trancoso and the state of Bahia, Brazil. Photo: Shutterstock

December is the best month of the year to combine Brazil’s coastline and rainforest, as the weather is ideal in the states of Bahia—home to the Afro-Brazilian capital of Salvador and Trancoso, a gorgeous beach town—and Amazonas. Bahia is sunny and pleasant, and the Amazon is at the end of its dry season, so there are beautiful beaches along some rivers.

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Paris

Christmas in Paris. Photo: David C. Phillips

Christmas/New Year’s is one of the prettiest times in the city, which is already beautifully lit even before the seasonal lights go up. Just be aware of Christmas/New Year’s closing times, expensive set menus in restaurants on Dec 31, and the sheer difficulty of getting around the city that evening.

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Moscow

Red Square at night, Moscow. Photo: Dan Weisberg Photography

People don’t think of Moscow for winter, but it’s such a wonderful time to be there. The weather is no worse than what you’d find in New York City, and the huge advantage is the people—or, really, the lack of people! No masses of tourist buses descending on the Kremlin, no huge lines for museums (of course, our Trusted Travel Expert will help you skip all museum lines anyway), and no crazy crowds in Red Square. Something magical happens in Moscow in the off-season: It actually becomes more approachable and less intimidating. (Plus, December falls in the heart of the theater season, so for culture vultures this is the best time to visit.)

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Mexico

Mexico City is full of cool architecture and museums (like the Museo Soumaya, pictured), delicious food, and historical sights. Photo: Billie Cohen

Much of Mexico is ideal in December, after the rainy season has ended; if you go early in the month, you’ll avoid the peak holiday-season rates that kick in around December 18. On the Pacific coast, the landscapes are still ultra-tropical green, and the ocean is bathtub-warm (80s), with exceptional clarity for scuba diving and snorkeling. Mexico City is a smart place to spend the holidays, when the locals have headed to the beach and you’ll find much less traffic in this famously congested city. (Do keep in mind, though, that some of the more sought-after restaurants and galleries will be closed.)

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Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

This luxe,10-bedroom, staffed villa in Cabo is safe and private, with sweeping ocean views from almost every room.

The party never stops in Cabo–but it certainly reaches its peak in late December, when holiday revelers fill the streets in Cabo San Lucas and artsy types head to San Jose del Cabo. (Of course, if you prefer a more serene getaway, our Trusted Travel Expert can book you into a private villa, and even stock the fridge so you never have to leave the property.) With the large selection of hotels and villa rentals in Los Cabos, you can often find reasonably priced options for the holidays as late as November, or even into December.

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Rajasthan, India

The market in Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India. Photo: Billie Cohen

December is a fun time to be in Rajasthan (though a busy one—this is peak season). The weather is cooler—something to relish, as it means long explorations into the bazaars, wonderful walks around the forts, and a chance to explore the villages on foot without overheating. Evenings are spent wrapped in beautifully decorated Rajasthani shawls and blankets as you dine outside by firelight. The winter light is beautiful, particularly in the villages, making this an ideal time for any travelers with a passion for photography.

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Siem Reap, Cambodia

West gate of Angkor Thom, Siem Reap, Cambodia. Photo: Ethan Crowley, ABOUTAsia Travel

If you must travel with the busloads of Chinese and Korean tourists in the cooler dry season (which runs from November to March), try to do so during the first two weeks of December for far fewer crowds and great hotel deals.

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Thessaloniki, Greece

Thessaloniki, Greece. Photo: Pixabay/EmiliaMaghiar

Thessaloniki is Greece’s second-largest city, and a fascinating palimpsest of Greek, Roman, Byzantine, Ottoman, and Jewish heritage. In December, Thessaloniki’s streets come to life with festive decorations and colorful lights. Divide your time between historical sightseeing, holiday shopping, and sipping a hot beverage in a cozy café.

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Nicaragua

Nicaragua. Photo: TPS Dave/Pixabay

From December until mid-February, the country is lush and green, there is no rain, and the breezes keep the temperatures in the high 80s during the day.

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Other Good Options This Month

Click on any of the destinations below to find out why December is a good time to go.

North America

Cuba’s tobacco-growing region

Disney World, Orlando

Hawaii: Oahu whale watching

Central and South America

Brazil: New Year’s in Trancoso

Chile

Ecuador: Galapagos

Panama

Europe

Austria: Christmas Markets

England: London apartment rentals

France: Paris apartment rentals

Italy: Sicily feast days and food festivals

Norway: winter activities

Portugal: Lisbon

Russia: St. Petersburg

Turkey: Cappadocia and Istanbul

Asia

India: south and central regions

Indonesia: Bali’s rainy season deals

Maldives

Myanmar’s tropical areas

Nepal’s lower elevations

Vietnam: Ho Chi Minh City and the south

Africa and Middle East

Morocco: Marrakech and the Atlas Mountains

United Arab Emirates: Abu Dhabi

Australia and Pacific

Fiji: Deals

Sydney

Cruises

Africa Cruises

Antarctica Cruises

Be a smarter traveler: Read real travelers’s reviews of Wendy’s WOW List and use it to plan your next trip. You can also follow her on Facebook, Twitter @wendyperrin, and Instagram @wendyperrin, and sign up for her weekly newsletter to stay in the know.