Where to travel in December

Innsbruck | Austria

Our top pick for December is Innsbruck in Austria

A clear winner from our Good Trip Index, Austria is a great place to visit with clean records on human rights and sustainability, coming 6th on our index.

In winter, Innsbruck has one of Europe's best Christmas markets, and is also a great base for skiing in the Austrian mountains. So whatever you're getting away for in December – Christmas, skiing, a city break or just following the trend – Innsbruck has got you covered. The one thing you probably won't be doing in the mountains is sunbathing, so if that's your plan, we have more options for you below.

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Aruba | The Netherlands / Caribbean

Aruba is a happy anomaly – not unlike the Canaries, it's a little slice of Europe with European standards of living and values, but with generally much better weather. Part of the Netherlands, it's an island in the Caribbean and therefore the only Caribbean island scoring highly on our Good Trip Index.

The coldest it gets in Aruba is 25 degrees, so if your plan is to escape the British weather you can't go wrong. Beyond that, it's your run-of-the-mill Caribbean paradise with white sandy beaches, warm green waters and luxury resorts.

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Barbados

Barbados is a popular holiday destination thanks to its countless golden beaches (700 square kilometres' worth) and the welcoming resorts that frame the island.

It's one of the smallest islands in the Caribbean Sea. Its tropical climate means you're guaranteed some serious heat most of the year – even in the middle of winter. So you can soak up while relaxing on one of the many white sand beaches the island is famous for.

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Borovets | Bulgaria

It's not in the nature of skiing to be cheap, but some ski holidays can be cheaper than others. If you want to get on the slopes this winter without breaking the bank, we recommend Bulgaria's Borovets.

In Bulgaria's Rila Mountains, Borovets is the top place for experienced skiiers on a budget. Prices are generally lower than inside the eurozone and much lower than the traditional resorts in France, Italy or Switzerland. The resort sits above stunning forests, is replete with red runs and is famous for its lively apres-ski.

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York | England

You don't have to go far to enjoy one of Europe's great Christmas markets. Edinburgh, Bath, Winchester and London's South Bank all do Christmas in style – but for our money the best place for a Christmas market is York.

York was made for Christmas. The snickleways of the Roman and medieval city wind erratically behind the Bar Walls into Stonegate and the Shambles, uniquely beautiful streets of independent gift shops, mulled-wine dispensaries and fudge-makers. Decked with Christmas lights, York looks every bit as fairytale as Strasbourg under its pink cathedral or Bern's Waisenhausplatz market.

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Bruges | Belgium

A short hop across the Channel, you can get to Bruges and back in a day but we wouldn't blame you if you wanted to extend your visit. Especially once you've experienced medieval magic of the old town in winter.

Head to the main square for the Christmas market, making time to fill your boots with waffles and beer, before taking a stroll canal-side to the cosy old buildings jostling for space on the water's edge. And if that's a bit too twee for you then why not punctuate your trip with a fascinating visit to the Torture Museum?

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Lapland | Finland

Because where else are you gonna go for a festive snow-filled adventure complete with huskies, Northern Lights and actual Santa? Literally nowhere.

Rovaniemi is the capital of Finnish Lapland and it sits just a stone's throw from the Arctic Circle. Literally, you could probably throw a stone from Rovaniemi and it would land in the Arctic if your arm was strong enough.

The city is officially Santa's hometown and if you want to meet him then this is where you'll need to go. About 10 minutes outside the city is Santa Claus Village where you'll find the man himself busy in his office.

Really far up in the north of Lapland you'll find the little village of Ivalo which, like most other places in Lapland, is surrounded by dense forests and lakes. The only difference is that you can more reliably expect snow in the autumn and winter months. And when it does snow, you're treated to some of the most gorgeous and sometimes otherworldly landscapes as the snow and ice turn the trees into frosted monoliths.

Being so far north and out of the way also makes it one of the best areas for spotting the Northern Lights and stargazing