Where to go in December

Goa

Beaches, old Portuguese churches and long lazy lunches.

4–5 days · best November to February

Kerala

Tea hills, spice forests and a night on the backwaters.

5–7 days · best October to March

Kashmir

Houseboats on Dal Lake and meadows under snow peaks.

5–6 days · best March to October

Rajasthan

Forts, palaces, lakes and desert nights.

6–8 days · best October to March

Andaman

Clear water, coral reefs and white-sand islands.

5–6 days · best October to May

Himachal

Hill towns, pine forests and snow in the high valleys.

5–7 days · best March to June

Varanasi

Ghats, evening aarti and the oldest lanes in India.

2–3 days · best October to March

Sikkim

Monasteries, high lakes and views of Kanchenjunga.

5–7 days · best March to May and October to December

Meghalaya

Living root bridges, waterfalls and clear rivers.

4–6 days · best October to April

Coorg

Coffee estates, misty hills and slow mornings.

3–4 days · best October to March

Ooty

Tea gardens and the Nilgiri toy train.

3–4 days · best October to June

Agra

The Taj Mahal, and Mughal forts around it.

1–2 days · best October to March

Dubai

Skyline views, desert safaris and a day in Abu Dhabi.

4–5 days · best November to March

Thailand

Bangkok's energy and the islands of the Andaman Sea.

5–7 days · best November to April

Maldives

Overwater villas, reefs and nothing on the schedule.

4–5 days · best November to April

Singapore

Gardens, theme parks and food, all in one compact city.

4–5 days · best All year

Mauritius

Lagoons, waterfalls and volcanic hills.

5–6 days · best May to December

Vietnam

Limestone bays, lantern towns and street food.

6–8 days · best October to April

Sri Lanka

Rock fortresses, tea trains and southern beaches.

6–8 days · best December to April