October is drawing to a close and it is time to plan a “getaway” for the last month of the year; between the Immaculate Conception long weekend, Christmas and New Year there is no shortage of holidays for taking a break.

It is the perfect moment to set off on a journey, switch off and recharge before tackling the commitments and goals set for the new year.

In December some people love to visit a European capital, enjoying the lights and Christmas atmosphere of the cities, while others prefer to “escape” to the sun for a break from winter.

In this blog post we want to offer a few travel suggestions to both kinds of traveller.

Nature and history: discovering Jordan

Jordan is a country that stays in the hearts of those who visit it, because it offers so many opportunities from both a natural and a historical-cultural point of view.

In December the temperatures are ideal for visiting the cities and archaeological sites without “dying of heat”; and those travelling from Italy will certainly appreciate the milder winter.

Amman and Petra are rich in palaces and monuments to visit to relive the splendours of old, and offer a glimpse of the country’s cultural wealth.

But a journey to Jordan is not only about history; it is also about nature and adventure: the jeep ride in Wadi Rum, a desert unique in the world for its predominantly rocky make-up, is an unforgettable experience.

The discovery of a landscape so far removed from those we are used to remains etched in the memory of travellers who, if they wish, can also dine in the middle of the desert and spend a night in the tented camp, admiring the spectacle of the starry sky.

The Christmas atmosphere of magical Vienna

Vienna is a much-loved destination at this time of year, and there is a reason: the lights, the markets, the decorations and the lively atmosphere make it truly magical in December. The luckiest visitors also get to enjoy a few snowflakes, which often fall on the city at this time of year.

The Christmas markets outside Schönbrunn Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage site, the light displays in Stephansplatz, a toast with Glühwein in one of the many little huts that bring the centre to life, a stop in one of the famous Viennese coffee houses… the list could go on and on.

Vienna is easy to reach and has a great deal to offer lovers of art and architecture too: just think of the Art Nouveau buildings and the architecture of Otto Wagner and Adolf Loos. And between one visit and the next, why not take advantage of the typical Viennese Gasthof for a culinary break?

Mexico and clouds

Mexico is a country that boasts a millennia-old history and a culture of great fascination: traditions, religion and myths have merged to give rise to a series of highly distinctive customs and rituals.

In December the climate is ideal: the rainy season is over, there is less humidity and beach lovers can enjoy the sea and the sunshine.

The country is very large and there are countless itineraries to choose from: there are more than 150 Maya and Aztec archaeological sites, which attract visitors every year for their grandeur and excellent state of preservation.

Mexico City, enormous, chaotic and fascinating, is certainly worth a visit… if only to see the great Mexican murals or Frida Kahlo’s house up close. Other cities are worthy of interest too: San Cristóbal, Oaxaca and Mérida differ from one another and enchant visitors with their colonial architecture, their colourful, fragrant local markets and their own store of traditions.

The Yucatán peninsula is very popular because it offers everything: fun, beautiful beaches, excursions into the forest and above all the great UNESCO-listed Maya site of Chichén Itzá, the best known in the world and considered one of the seven wonders of the world.

The charm of the Mediterranean in winter

Some destinations are very busy in summer and end up being overlooked in winter, but that does not mean they have little to offer during the winter season. One of these is certainly Sicily, which in winter offers a milder climate than the rest of the peninsula and a warm, golden light that at sunset illuminates temples and monuments, making the surfaces of the buildings vibrant, almost in motion.

This is the season for visiting sites and monuments without suffering from the heat: the theatre of Syracuse, the centre of Taormina or the mosaics of Piazza Armerina.

A stop in the cities of Sicilian Baroque is a must: Noto, Modica and Ragusa leave visitors speechless with their spectacular, very well preserved seventeenth-century palaces. In the same south-eastern area you can also explore the haunts of Inspector Montalbano, whose books capture the essence of these parts so well: the pane cunzatu of Porto Empedocle, the alleys of upper Ragusa and the beaches of Punta Secca.

When it comes to food and wine, you are spoilt for choice, from the typical sweets of the Christmas period to the famous Sicilian oranges, not to mention all the dishes of the island’s tradition that tempt visitors’ palates in every season.

New York, New York

They say autumn and December are the best times to visit, and indeed American cinema confirms the idea. New York, with its illuminated monuments, its ice rink and a snow-covered Central Park, has been the set for countless American films that tell of the magic of Christmas.

Visitors may find a harsh climate and heavy snowfalls, but in return they will feel as though they are spending a few days on a film set.

The first stop is the Rockefeller Center, to admire the enormous Christmas tree put up and lavishly decorated every year; just as unmissable are a walk in Central Park and a visit to Grand Central Station. Art lovers can immerse themselves in the great masterpieces that have made history at the Guggenheim Museum, MoMA and the Metropolitan Museum (to name only the most famous).

Once the Christmas shopping on Fifth Avenue is done, why not move on to other neighbourhoods such as Brooklyn or Harlem, or take a boat trip in the bay to enjoy the famous skyline?

For the month of December Guiness Travel has designed countless proposals to make your holiday one worth remembering.

Choose the Guiness Travel Tours

For Guiness Travel, travelling is an enriching experience to be savoured; indeed, in all our itineraries every last detail is taken care of.

Every itinerary in the catalogue is 100% independently planned and carefully designed and tested, allowing the product to evolve constantly and reach a high, wide-ranging cultural level.

This is why we created the Guiness Exclusive Tour, a unique travel experience, mindful of sustainability, which offers you considerable advantages:

  • organisation;
  • attention to detail;
  • a search for excellent services on the ground (designed to give you maximum comfort, leaving you free to think of nothing but enjoying the moment).

DISCOVER ALL THE GUINESS TRAVEL PROPOSALS FOR THE MONTH OF DECEMBER

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