Are you wondering where to visit in December? With winter markets in full swing and Christmas spirits running high, a December getaway is a perfect way to finish the year. I spoke to some fellow travel bloggers from the north of England to share their favourite December destinations with you.

New York

Katie from Real World Runaway

Skating in Central Park to gazing at the Rockefeller Tree, nothing says ‘Christmas’ quite like December in New York. The city masters extravagance with dramatic window displays lining 5th Avenue and fairy lights as far as the eye can see. All of this on top of the usual NYC sights and countless other reasons why it deserves the title of the best city in the world.

Find Katie over on Instagram and twitter.

Iceland

Kate from This Could Lead to Anywhere

One of my ultimate cold winter destinations, Iceland is a beautiful, elemental place to explore the magic of a winter wonderland and the elusive Aurora Borealis. Plan carefully if you’re on a budget because it is more expensive as a destination. Sights such as Gulfoss, geysers and the Northern Lights are more than worth every penny.

Cape Town

Gabriella from Gabriella Manchester

Head to Cape Town in December for their peak summer. Between Table Mountain, the wine region, stunning beaches, parks and incredible food markets, there’s plenty to keep you busy! The flights aren’t cheap, but thanks to the exchange rate, everything is once you’re there. Cape Town really is a beautiful place, if it’s not already on your radar, make sure it is now. You’ll fall in love with this part of the world, just as I have.

Oslo

Tom from Travelling Tom

While its other European counterparts host their Christmas markets, Oslo sells only its winter beauty in the colder months. December is the perfect time to visit, with the ice rinks at Spikersuppa and Frogner Stadion open to the public.

Oslo’s museum scene is second to none, and you can see Edvard Munch’s The Scream on display at the National Gallery, while the Fram Museum is home to the ship which carried Roald Amundsen to the North Pole. Oh, and don’t forget to take your camera so you can snap the glory of Oslo under a blanket of snow.

For inspiration, visit Travelling Tom on Instagram.

Cinque Terre

Kieren from Got My Backpack – That’s me!

The Cinque Terre is the name given to a string of five fishing villages along the Italian Riviera coastline; Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore.

The villages are renowned for the colourful houses sprawled across the cliffs and the beautiful hiking trails that will ensure a trip to remember.

The Cinque Terre is generally considered a summer destination so is popular with tourists during the sunny summer months but visit in December to January to witness the worlds biggest Pesepe (Christmas nativity scene) in Manarola as Italians flock to celebrate the holidays.

See the rest of the series:

Places to visit in July   |   Places to visit in August    |    Places to visit in September   |    Places to visit in October   |    Places to visit in November