The Best Places To Travel In December 2024

When December comes around are you always itching for some winter sun? Perhaps you just want to get away from the chaos of Christmas? Either way, you can always join us next winter on one of these small-group Culture Trips.

Aerial shot of Puerto Angelito in Puerto Escondido, Mexico

The Complete Mexico Experience

Dry and sunny, Mexico makes for a dreamy winter sun destination in December. This eight-day itinerary aims to offer a little taste of every aspect of Mexican culture we love. That starts in the capital city, where you’ll visit the old home of Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera, boat down the Aztec canals of Xochimilco and visit a selection of foodie institutions. We’ll embrace ancient history with a visit to Teotihuacan, a Mesoamerican city that homed around 250,000 people, 2,000 years ago. You’ll marvel at the colonial architecture and trademark ceramics of Puebla, escape to cacti country in Zapotitlan Salinas and take a culinary masterclass in Oaxaca, washed down with a mezcal tasting session, of course. We’ll round off the trip with some coastal fun in balmy Puerto Escondido, where a luxurious beach resort awaits.

From US$2399

Next available from 24th Feb 2024

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Trip highlights and details

STARTS AT

Mexico City, Mexico

ENDS AT

Puerto Escondido, Mexico

DURATION

8

GROUP SIZE

14

PHYSICAL RATING

Moderate

STYLE

Discovery

View Trip

Icons of China by Train

You won’t be joining our China trip in December for the weather, but what you do get at this time of year is a fraction of the tourists, so you can enjoy some of the country’s most famous sights without needing to sharpen your elbows. This 10-day itinerary is like a walk through the Chinese travel hall of fame, starting with an in-depth tour of Beijing, including Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City and Temple of Heaven Park. We’ll hop on a train to nearby Badaling, our base to explore the Great Wall of China at sunset and at sunrise. Our rail adventure continues with stops in the ancient city of Pingyao, as well as Xi’an, where you’ll get face-to-face with the iconic Army of Terracotta Warriors. The tour ends in the bustling metropolis of Shanghai, where you’ll get a host of unique experiences, including a gorgeous sunset cruise that’ll take you floating right past the city’s unmistakable skyline.

From US$2849

Next available from 24th Feb 2024

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Trip highlights and details

STARTS AT

Beijing, China

ENDS AT

Shanghai, China

DURATION

10

GROUP SIZE

16

PHYSICAL RATING

Moderate

STYLE

Discovery

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Winter Sale

Beautiful sunrise over famous Balinese landmark Tegalalang rice terraces. Magic sun rays, amazing light.

Blissful Bali

If you’re looking for a tropical escape this December, how about a trip to Bali? This Indonesian island paradise is a year-round destination and, while you will need to prepare for occasional downpours, you can also expect long stints of marvellous sunshine. Our 12-day itinerary blends three key aspects of any Bali getaway. The first is unique cultural experiences, such as placing your own handmade offering in a sacred temple, taking a traditional cooking class and experiencing a Balinese blessing ceremony. The second is outdoor adventure, which will be taken care of as we trek through rice paddies, snorkel with sea turtles and summit Mount Batur at sunrise. The last, of course, is relaxation, which comes in the form of our little jaunt to the tiny island of Gili Trawangan, where a luxurious beach resort awaits. Book a massage, hit the beach or just chill at the infinity pool – the choice is yours.

From US$1929

Next available from 16th Mar 2024

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Trip highlights and details

STARTS AT

Bali, Indonesia

ENDS AT

Bali, Indonesia

DURATION

12

GROUP SIZE

18

PHYSICAL RATING

Moderate

STYLE

Discovery

View Trip

Looking at water in a forest from behind a woman sitting with outstretched arms

Tropical Northern Thailand

Sunny, dry and hot without being too hot – December in the northern jungles of Thailand is paradise personified. Our 10-day tour starts with a bit of street art and street food in Chiang Mai, but from there on in it’s all about the great outdoors. You’ll discover countless stunning waterfalls, ancient caves and spellbinding sunsets in Pai, before trekking through the jungles of Mae Hong Son. On this trip we really save the best until last, with an early morning start on our final full day, which sees us summit the tallest peak in Thailand at sunrise. Still in awe of the majestic views from Doi Inthanon, we’ll spend an afternoon walking, bathing and feeding elephants at an ethical local sanctuary – not a bad way to cap off a truly once-in-a-lifetime adventure.

From US$1339

Next available from 20th Jan 2024

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Trip highlights and details

STARTS AT

Chiang Mai, Thailand

ENDS AT

Chiang Mai, Thailand

DURATION

10

GROUP SIZE

16

PHYSICAL RATING

Moderate

STYLE

Discovery

View Trip

Train from Nuwara Eliya to Kandy among tea plantations in the highlands of Sri Lanka

Secrets of Sri Lanka by Train

If you’re a fan of scenic train journeys then Sri Lanka should sit right at the top of your bucket list. This 10-day Rail Trip is centred around three incredible train rides. The first connects us from Colombo to the surreal Sigiriya rock fortress, the ancient ruins of Polonnaruwa and the sacred Dambulla cave temple. Our second is the route from Kandy to Ella, widely regarded as the world’s most scenic train route, which winds through luscious forests and rolling tea plantations in the heart of central Sri Lanka. We’ll continue the journey south to spot wild elephants in Udawalawe National Park and explore the beautiful fort city of Galle, from where we’ll catch the last train of this trip, a spectacular coastal route tracing the shoreline all the way back to Colombo.

From US$1679

Next available from 9th Mar 2024

Secure your spot with a low deposit

Trip highlights and details

STARTS AT

Colombo, Sri Lanka

ENDS AT

Colombo, Sri Lanka

DURATION

10

GROUP SIZE

12

PHYSICAL RATING

Moderate

STYLE

Discovery

View Trip

landscape with balloons floating in the air

KEEN TO EXPLORE THE WORLD?

Connect with like-minded people on our premium trips curated by local insiders and with care for the world

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.