London in December is pure theatre, with its glittering streets, galleries and West End nights. the British capital is known for its world-famous Theatreland, vibrant shopping on Oxford/Regent Streets, diverse restaurants and key landmarks like Piccadilly Circus and Covent Garden. Two winter rituals to book: a lap around Hyde Park Winter Wonderland’s open-air rink and Skate at Somerset House for that iconic courtyard-at-night atmosphere. Make it a proper stay at Claridge’s, The Connaught or Corinthia. For the food itinerary, Rules is worth a try. Established in 1798, it's London's oldest restaurant, serving traditional British food. Or book your table at The Maine Mayfair the New England extravagance spot. For a tastye of home, add T by Tamara in Marylebone to the list, a Middle Eastern café-restaurant where the signature is a build-your-own fatteh moment. For À La Libanaise dining experience, book a table at Aline Lebanese Kitchen serving traditional and colourful dishes typical of Lebanese mezzes, grills and flatbreads.
Vienna in December is the definition of festive. Start with the Vienna Christmas Market at Rathausplatz, then switch into culture mode with a museum or a concert night. The Austrian capital is a world-renowned destination for opera, featuring performances at several major opera houses, primarily the Vienna State Opera, the Volksoper Wien, and the Theater an der Wien. For stays, go classic at Hotel Sacher Wien for that imperial, old-world mood or book the city’s newest high-luxury address, Mandarin Oriental. Dinner, the Steirereck im Stadtpark, Vienna’s Michelin three-star icon, is a must. Don't miss the best Figlmüller Home of the Original Wiener Schnitzel, and the traditional Italian gelato in Vienna at Zanoni & Zanoni
When in Prague start with the Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square Christmas markets for the tree, the lights and a mug of something warm, then head to galleries and a stroll through the historic centre. Check in riverside at Four Seasons Hotel Prague, steps from Charles Bridge and right on the Vltava or go for Augustine, a Luxury Collection hotel nestled inside a former monastery. Dress up for Michelin-starred La Degustation Bohême Bourgeoise known for its tasting menu rooted in Czech ingredients. Another dining spot is CottoCrudo at the Four Seasons, a chic Italian with a terrace overlooking the river. And why not Arab flavours in the middle of all that winter romance at Jaffa Restaurant, offering oriental classics right in central Prague.
Paris during the festive season is all winter-light glamour: do a classic Paris day of museums, then walk down the Champs-Élysées while the city is lit up, finishing with hot chocolate. An Opera night is also . For stays, choose your mood: Ritz Paris for Place Vendôme fairytale tradition, Cheval Blanc Paris for ultra-chic, fashion-facing luxury inside La Samaritaine or Four Seasons Hotel George V, an Art Deco landmark in the Golden Triangle, just off the Champs. Dinner time, Le Jules Verne is a to do Paris moment on the Eiffel Tower. And for Arab cuisine book at Michelin-listed Le Liza for a stylish, shareable Lebanese table in the 2nd arrondissement or at Em Sherif Café Paris on Boulevard Haussmann for refined Lebanese mezze.
In Rome, start with the classics from Trevi, the Pantheon to Piazza Navona, then let the city slow down into golden-hour aperitivo and candlelit dinners once the streets are quiet. For a stay, book at Hotel de Russie, known for its legendary garden oasis or choose Bvlgari Hotel Roma for jewellery-box luxury with a rooftop terrace made for sunset aperitivi. Indulge at Osteria Quarantaquattro for a blend of traditional cuisine and modern touches. And for a chic Levantine reset between pasta nights, Mandaloun at Via di Porta Pinciana is a classic.
New York is a holiday theatre at full volume. From Fifth Avenue sparkle, iconic lobbies, shows and late cocktails, it has it all. Make the classic move and choose to skate at The Rink at Rockefeller Centre and do the Christmas-tree moment. Stay at Peninsula New York for the Midtown “urban sanctuary” version of the trip, or go to the newly renovated icon Waldorf Astoria New York. For dinner, book Three-Michelin star Le Bernardin when you want a power-night that’s still pure elegance and for Arab cuisine with a glamorous mood, ilili NoMad is the modern Mediterranean cuisine spot to go.
For a ski holiday, Courchevel is the glossy spot: ski the Three Valleys, do palace-spa recovery, then go full spectacle at La Folie Douce before dressing up for dinner. Stay at Cheval Blanc Courchevel for full LVMH polish, Les Airelles for old-world palace fantasy or Annapurna owned by Pinturault family, and if you're lucky you can meet French World Cup alpine ski racer and Olympic medalist Alexis Pinturault. For dining, Le 1947 à Cheval Blanc is the resort’s three-Michelin-starred restaurant or enjoy a fondue at Restaurant Le Petit Savoyard a top choice for authentic Savoyard specialties.
For this season, make it a complete fantasy and head to Lapland. Powder-soft forests, husky rides, reindeer farms, sauna-to-snow rituals, and if you’re lucky an aurora overhead while the world goes silent. A surreal stay is definitely at the classic glass igloo at Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort, or go design-forward at Arctic TreeHouse Hotel outside Rovaniemi. For dining, go for an expedition dinner at Aurora Restaurant at Kakslauttanen and finish with a cocktail at the Igloo Bar. If you’re staying around Rovaniemi, do Rakas Restaurant & Bar at Arctic TreeHouse for modern Arctic cooking and Restaurant Nili for a more rustic, Lappish-ingredient hit.
For the holidays, Iceland is always a mind-blowing escape with its icy air, and volcanic landscapes. Book at The Retreat at Blue Lagoon Iceland then do a Reykjavík night at The Reykjavik Edition for city energy. For dining, book Moss at the Retreat for a proper destination meal, then go big in Reykjavík with Dill or ÓX. Keep one slot for an Arab-table moment at Sümac, where Icelandic ingredients and Middle Eastern flavours are served.
The Maldives is at its best during the festive season. Clear-water mornings, slow snorkels, a spa appointment that turns into a whole afternoon and sunset aperitivo every night like it’s a ritual. For the stay, Four Seasons Resort at Kuda Huraa invites guests to celebrate the magic of togetherness in a setting where space, serenity and barefoot elegance come beautifully together. Another spot located within the pristine Baa Atoll, a Unesco Biosphere Reserve, Milaidhoo is a soulful retreat rooted in authenticity and connection to the natural world. Or choose One&Only Reethi Rah for big-island glamour and strong dining. For dining: go Arab-table and firelight at Fanditha at One&Only Reethi Rah. Do barefoot, toes-in-the-sand seafood at The Crab Shack at Soneva Jani or go Chinese at Li Long at Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi. If you want pure French fine dining in the Maldives, book at Le 1947 Cheval Blanc Randheli.
Seychelles is always the perfect December escape with its turquoise water and castaway beauty. Check in Waldorf Astoria Seychelles Platte Island where a list of programs under the theme Ocean Opulence awaits. Or go wild at Hilton Seychelles Labriz Resort & Spa where the festive spirit meets the untamed beauty of Silhouette Island. Surrounded by rainforest peaks and turquoise waters, the resort embraces the charm of a Classic Christmas, filled with music, light, and tropical cheer. For a polished on-property table, Four Seasons Resort Seychelles offers Kannel Restaurant, featuring seafood and island flavours in an elegant setting. For an ultra-luxe dining experience, book at Six Senses Zil Pasyon.
