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December sees Germany in full festive mode as Christkindlmarkts (Christmas markets) set up shop in even the smallest town squares, and snow often falls. It’s cold, yes, but manageably so, and as long as you plan your visit well in advance, you’ll likely still have your first choice of places to stay and visit during this busy period. The Christkindlmarkts in Germany are some of the finest in Europe, with seasonal food and drink for sale, along with many handmade gifts and handicrafts. The German countryside is also often a spectacle in December: you might be treated to the sight of Bavarian castles and valleys draped in snow.

Dubai offers a chance to escape the harsh temperatures of a Northern Hemisphere winter. Sunlight and warm weather make it an ideal time to lounge around hotel pools or sunbathe, although the seawater can sometimes still be a little too cold for swimming. It’s also a time when the emirate erupts with a host of festivals catering to many different interests, including the World Rugby Sevens Series and the Dubai International Film Festival. On and around the annual anniversary of the UAE’s independence, known as National Day, there are fireworks and often visual art shows.

Though there’s still the chance of rain in central Vietnam, the rest of the country is dry in December. This does mean there are more visitors at this time, especially in the south. In the northern areas, temperatures can get cool in the evenings, but the southern coastal areas are balmy and bright — ideal weather for beach relaxation. Plan to book early, especially if you’re visiting popular destinations like Phu Quoc, Mui Ne and Phan Thiet or want to travel near the end of the month — Christmas and New Year are busy times in Vietnam.

Italy enjoys a mild Mediterranean climate, which means winters here are cool rather than cold, though sometimes wet. This means December is a good time to explore the cities, where you’ll be able to visit popular sights and explore museums with few other visitors. Areas like the Amalfi Coast and Tuscany will be very quiet, and you may find that some attractions have limited opening hours. The lead up to Christmas in Italy is celebrated with nativities, special markets and squares decked out in lights, while churches fill with worshipers, especially in Rome, where the Christmas Eve Mass is particularly popular.

Though the northern reaches of Spain can get chilly and wet in December, Andalusia usually boasts mild temperatures and sunny skies, as well as the fragrant scent of orange trees blooming. Regardless of where you go, you’re likely to be one of just a handful of visitors, making this an excellent time to see otherwise crowded sights like the Alhambra in Granada or the Mezquita in Córdoba. The cities are decked out for Christmas and you’ll find elaborate nativities as well as special foods for the season such as pestiños, little golden balls of fried dough rolled in aniseed or sesame seeds.

December is a wet, warm month in Peru, and you’ll encounter few other visitors. The rains create verdant scenery, and birds and orchids flourish in the cloudforests. If you’re visiting the Amazon, the waters will be higher than during the dry season, which means you’ll be able to explore the smaller tributaries that are too low in other months. If you’re in Cuzco for Christmas Eve, the Santurantikuy Market bustles with people drinking hot chocolate and vendors from the high Andes selling grasses and plants for the nativity manger.