If you’re planning a December getaway, check out these four destinations for some holiday inspiration

December is the perfect time to escape for a pre-Christmas break. Whether you’re planning a family vacation, searching for a beach to escape a colder climate, or looking to cross a few adventures off of your list before the New Year, we have the best places to visit this December.

Best for city slickers: Dresden, Germany

For centuries, families and visitors alike have been visiting the Striezelmarkt in Dresden during Christmas time to purchase an artisan gift or two and enjoy the twinkling festive magic together. Today, the legendary Striezelmarkt still attracts thousands of locals and tourists every December. Other Christmas markets in Dresden include the Augustusmarkt, Weihnachtsmarkt at the famous Frauenkirche church, Weihnachtsmarkt on Newmarkt, and Dresden Winter Lights Market.

Travelling to Dresden, Germany

Search for your flights on Skyscanner where you can look through multiple flight options at the same time and are guaranteed to find the best and cheapest.

Assuming you are departing on December 9 and returning on 16, a check on October 14 reveals the cheapest flights from London to Dresden is with Lufthansa from £173.

Dresden Christmas market

Best for families: Toronto, Canada

Toronto transforms into a magical winter wonderland and makes for a perfect place to holiday with your family. Visit Toronto’s Christmas Market for locally-made gifts, sample maple leaf fudge and enjoy delicious eggnog. Skate at Nathan Philips Square, check out 5,000 animals at the Toronto Zoo, catch a hockey game, visit a quirky shoe museum or go shopping at the PATH (the world’s largest underground shopping complex). The list of things to see and do in Toronto is almost endless.

Travelling to Toronto, Canada

Search for your flights on Skyscanner where you can look through multiple flight options at the same time and are guaranteed to find the best and cheapest.

Assuming you’re departing on December 9 and returning on 16, a check on October 14 reveals the cheapest flights are:

• London to Toronto from £407 with WestJet. This direct flight takes 7 hours 45 minutes.
• New York to Toronto from US$219 with WestJet. This direct flight takes 1 hour 40 minutes.
• Singapore to Toronto from S$1,710 with Cathay Pacific. This flight has one stopover and takes 20 hours 15 minutes.

Before you go, see:

• Toronto Travel Guide
• Canada Travel Guide

Ice skating at Nathan Philips Square, Toronto

Best for beach bums: Goa, India

For those of you experiencing colder temperatures and longing for a fun in the sun break, Goa’s balmy weather and stunning beaches should be high on your radar.

Goa is generally divided into north and south – the seaside villages in north Goa tend to be more laidback and favoured by backpackers, while beaches around Penaji (the capital of Goa) and further south are home to a string of upmarket resorts.

Beyond the beach, Dudhsagar Falls is well worth a trip. You can also combine Dudhsagar Falls with the nearby Mollem National Park for a relaxing day trip.

Travelling to Goa, India

Search for your flights on Skyscanner where you can look through multiple flight options at the same time and are guaranteed to find the best and cheapest.

Assuming you’re departing on December 9 and returning on 16, a check on October 14 reveals the cheapest flights are:

• London to Goa from £564 with Air India. This flight has one stopover and takes 23 hours.
• New York to Goa from US$1,403 with Air India. This flight has one stopover and takes 19 hours 40 minutes.
• Singapore to Goa from S$528 with IndiGo. This flight has one stopover and takes 11 hours 10 minutes.

Before you go, see:

• Goa Beaches
• India Travel Guide

Tropical beach in Goa

Best for adventurers: Lapland, Finland

Lapland offers much more than a family trip to see Santa. From skiing, sledding and tobogganing, to reindeer safaris and ice swimming, you can indulge your adventurous streak this winter in the perfect winter wonderland.

Located 150km (93 miles) north of the Arctic Circle in Finnish Lapland, Ylläs has two ski resorts – Sport Resort Ylläs on the Ylläsjärvi village side and Ylläs Ski Resort on the Äkäslompolo village side – both are accessible with one single pass. With a combination of 63 slopes, whether you are a beginner or seasoned pro on the slopes, Ylläs provides everything a winter adventurer could ever want. After hitting the slope, you can also join a husky safari tour or even a winter-biking tour where you pedal through snow-covered forests.

Dog sledding in Lapland, Finland

Travelling to Lapland, Finland

Kittilä Airport is the nearest airport to Ylläs and Finnair, Norwegian and Lufthansa fly there. You can search for your flights on Skyscanner. Assuming you are departing on December 9 and returning on 16, a check on October 14 reveals the cheapest flights to Kittilä (KTT) are:

• London to Kittilä from £358 with Finnair. This flight has a stopover and takes 5 hours 30 minutes.
• New York to Kittilä from US$692 with Finnair. This flight has one stopover and takes 11 hours.
• Singapore to Kittilä from S$1,663 with Finnair. This flight has two stopovers and takes 19 hours 15 minutes.

Before you go, see:

• Finland Travel Guide

Ylläs ski resort, Finland