Temperature in December: 8°C high; 3°C low
Season: winter
Flight time from London: 1 hour 20 minutes
Time difference: GMT+1
Paris is the perfect destination for a short and sweet December getaway, as the City of Light really brings out the heavy hitters during this time of year. If you thought the Eiffel Tower looked fabulous, just wait until you see it sparkle while sipping on vin chaud at the Christmas market beneath it (Eiffel-Branly Christmas Market runs from December 5 to January 3, 2027). Christmas markets are held all around the city, the grand department stores unveil their Christmas displays and towering Christmas trees and the streets are lit up and busy – making this already magical city even more special. As a long-time Paris resident, I love walking the streets of Montmartre during this time of year. In the crisp winter air, the view over the city from the Sacré-Cœur seems even more beautiful, while the boutiques are decorated and the cobbled streets of the neighbourhood buzz with tourists and locals. After a good walk, have lunch at one of the best restaurants in Paris. If you’re looking to splurge on an indulgent traditional meal nearby, Le Bon Georges is one of my favourite places.
Sustainable travel tip: Travelling by train from the UK to Paris is easy and it’s the best way to make your trip more sustainable. If you want to go the extra mile, you could help the local economy by swapping very popular markets like the ones on the Champs-Élysées and in Saint-Germain-des-Prés for less touristy options in the outer neighbourhoods. Paris’s RER network makes it easy to explore beyond the city centre. If you want to explore further out, Saint-Germain-en-Laye is a lovely small city to visit, boasting a stunning view of Paris from its Grande Terrasse.
Where to stay: Paris has no shortage of luxury hotels, romantic accommodations or unique Airbnbs. For the ultimate indulgent Parisian experience, The Peninsula Paris is an incredible home away from home right next to the Arc de Triomphe. The big plus offered by the hotel is their Peninsula Time: you can check-in as early as 6am and check-out as late as 10pm – the perfect perk if you are taking the first train in and the last train out of the city.
Vigo, Spain
Temperature in December: 14°C high; 8°C low
Season: winter
Flight time from UK: 2 hours
Time difference: GMT+1
About a decade ago, Vigo, an unassuming town in northwestern Spain, began to put on some of the most insane Christmas decorations the country has seen. Every corner of the town is decked with Santa statues, fluorescent lights, snow machines and a cone-shaped Christmas tree standing as tall as other buildings on the high street. The Christmas markets swap the usual mulled wines and hallmark confectionaries for a taste of the local, like pulpo a la gallega (Galician-style octopus, cooked in paprika and olive oil). Art lovers can head to MARCO, the place to see contemporary art in the city centre, where arches and columns indoors may make visitors feel they’ve walked into a temple, not an art museum.
Sustainable travel tip: Use the best of Vigo’s local produce to cook your meals, shopping at O Berbés or O Calvario for fresh seafood, fruit, vegetables and a local’s favourite bottle of white, Albariño.
Where to stay: This Large Penthouse Terrace on Airbnb is decked with orange, 70s style interiors indoors, and a seaview rooftop equipped with deckchairs and a dining space. Anoushka Dutta