And suddenly it is December, with all its festivities, holiday periods and need for relaxation. You may not have managed to organise and book a trip to the other side of the world to lie on a tropical beach, but why not take advantage of this period to discover Europe and its surroundings? Here are 7 easily accessible destinations for your Christmas holidays.
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Fog rises around Mount Teide in Tenerife, Spain. ©Stian Klo/Lonely Planet
1. Tenerife, Spain
Why now? To reach the summit of a volcano in the winter sun.
Tenerife has always welcomed sun worshippers, who come to it in every month: even in December, temperatures are in the 20s. But it is not only sunbathing that tourists live on, and a visit in December is perfect for those who love walking (the November rains are over and the busy January is still far away).
At 3718 metres, Teide is the highest peak in Spain and the third highest volcano in the world, and offers beautiful five-hour treks (or pleasant eight-minute cable car rides) to the snow-capped summit. The many trails pass through different landscapes: the pine forests of the northwest, the rugged peaks of the Anaga Mountains, the spectacular Masca, perched on the side of a deep gorge overlooking the sea.
The island is well equipped to accommodate hikers, with excellent facilities and an efficient bus system. The microclimate of geographically adjacent valleys changes in surprising ways, so if you find yourself in fog, move a few kilometres and you will find the sun again.
Things to know
Try the papas arrugadas (local potatoes cooked in their skins) topped with two typical sauces: you'll need carbohydrates to tackle the climbs.
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Glacier Express, Switzerland ©Alessandro Colle/Shutterstock
2. Glacier Express, Switzerland
Why now? To travel the most spectacular railway route in the world.
In a country renowned for efficiency, the idea of boarding a train that takes seven hours to travel 290 kilometres seems like madness. Yet the scenic railway line from Zermatt to St Moritz is home to a train - 'the slowest express train in Europe' - that does just that, and which passengers love.
The scenery is sensational: you start at the soaring 4478 metres of the Matterhorn, pass the delightful fir-clad valleys of the Rhine and Rhone and pretty mountain villages, spot castles such as the Reichenau and pass the spectacular Landwasser Viaduct before arriving in St Moritz. The views of the Alps are magnificent in winter, and those who want to ski in December can count on snow.
Worth knowing
Want to enjoy more Swiss railways? Climb aboard the Bernina Express in St Moritz: a 145-kilometre, four-hour journey over 196 bridges and through 55 tunnels to Tirano.
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A starry night in the Sahara Desert, Morocco ©Jianwei Zhu/Shutterstock
3. Sahara Desert, Morocco
Why now? For the beautiful views and the sparse tourist crowds.
Look up to the sky on a December night and you can admire dozens of shooting stars. These are the Geminids swarm, and few places in the world allow you to admire them better than the Sahara desert, where pollution is non-existent and Berber encampments add charm to the experience. Morocco is pleasant in December: sure, it's cool, but there are few people, prices are low and the souks of medieval Fez and Marrakech are as incredible as ever.
Fly to Marrakech and head east across the Atlas Mountains to the kasbah of Aït Benhaddou, then into the desert from Zagora or Merzouga. Look at the stars, head for the Todra Gorge and Chefchaouen, lose yourself in the labyrinthine medina of Fès and return to Marrakech and the fun of Djemaa el-Fna.
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The view from Mount Igueldo over San Sebastian, Spain ©saiko3p/Shutterstock
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4. San Sebastian, Spain
Why now? To enjoy excellent Basque cuisine in a beautiful coastal city.
Spain has many regional gastronomic traditions: Valencia has paella, Andalusia has excellent hams, Galicia has octopus, Tenerife has potatoes...However, there are many gourmets who claim that the best dishes are to be found in the Basque Country, where pintxos (tapas), fish and spicy sauces rule.
San Sebastián is the culinary epicentre of northern Spain and boasts a disproportionate number of starred restaurants, thanks to chefs such as Andoni Luis Aduriz, Pedro Subijana, Martín Berasategui and the Arzak family. Whether you are looking for luxury or simplicity, you can still satisfy your taste buds in December: tourists are long gone, prices drop everywhere, and the most exclusive establishments do not have waiting lists of months (although some are closed in winter). Whet your appetite with an energetic walk along Playa de la Concha or up Monte Igueldo, from where you can enjoy wonderful views of the bay.
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Sledding through the forests of Jukkasjarvi, Sweden ©foto-select/Shutterstock
5. Arctic Sweden
Why now? To sleep in an ice hotel while waiting for the northern lights.
In the Swedish village of Jukkasjärvi, one degree north latitude from the Arctic Circle, the sun never rises during the last three weeks of the year. In December, darkness is a permanent condition and ideal for admiring the spectacular Northern Lights. Jukkasjärvi is home to the first, original ice hotel, an ice hotel rebuilt each year from blocks taken from the crystal-clear waters of the Torne River, and is an excellent base for activities such as cross-country skiing, husky sleigh rides or snowmobile rides, encounters with reindeer or with the Sami people, whose culture exerts an irresistible charm for children and adults alike.
Ninety-seven kilometres north-east of the small town is Abisko National Park, an almost otherworldly landscape that offers the best possible conditions for admiring the northern lights: climb to the top of Mount Nuolja (900 metres) for spectacular views.
The journey
Kiruna, 16 kilometres (20 minutes by car) west of Jukkasjärvi, is connected to Stockholm by internal flights and to Abisko by several trains.
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Tallinn's central square under snow ©Matt Munro/Lonely Planet
6. Tallin, Estonia
Why now? To treat yourself to a postcard Christmas.
Towards the end of the year, many northern European cities play the Christmas card to make themselves more attractive. Some, however, like Tallinn, one of the best-preserved medieval cities on the Continent, have an advantage.
Tallinn's fortified Old Town and Tompea Castle and its neighbourhood are enchanting in any month, but in December, cloaked in snow and adorned with candles whose flames flicker by the side of the road, they are unreachable; admire the Town Hall Square and watch the traditional markets all light up at the traditional tree lights.
Estonian days in December are short and the nights long and cold, but the atmosphere is picturesque and the food hearty (try the black pudding sausages and ginger biscuits, they will warm you up). Tallinn is shedding its reputation as a weekend destination and filling up with good restaurants and nice boutique hotels, and it is very affordable.
The journey
Spend a few hours exploring the Gothic gems of the centre, such as the Town Hall, Tompea Castle and the majestic ruins of the Dominican monastery with its soaring spires.
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Hogmanay celebrations in Edinburgh, Scotland ©Andrea Obzerova/Shutterstock
7. Scotland
Why now? To celebrate the end of the year in the home of Hogmanay.
Forget glasses of prosecco or lentils: the most exclusive New Year's Eve celebrations involve barrels rolling around Edinburgh and flaming torches. The insane displays of joy of ScottishHogmanay seem to descend from ancient Viking traditions related to the winter solstice, although according to some they are rather meant to ward off evil spirits. In any case, these are wild celebrations, which take on a slightly different colour depending on the area.
In Inverness, everyone takes to the streets for the fireworks; in Comrie, Perthshire, thousands of torches are lit and in Biggar, a giant bonfire is prepared; in Stonehaven, a piper leads a procession, while in Dufftown, the 'Malt Whisky Capital of the World', the celebrations end with a collective toast in the town square.
But the wildest party is in Edinburgh, with a concert on Princess St and fireworks displays, while a bagpipe player greets the New Year from the castle ramparts.
Worth knowing
Burghead ignores the Gregorian calendar and celebratesHogmanay on 11 January with a ceremony called 'the burning of the clavie', during which a barrel full of pitch is set on fire.