Top Destinations for December

A fairy-tale Central European capital with Gothic spires, a sprawling castle complex, and a beer culture that puts most countries to shame. Prague is stunningly preserved, surprisingly affordable, and best explored on foot across its cobblestone bridges and winding lanes.

Two cities in one, split by the Danube and connected by a half-dozen stunning bridges. Budapest marries grand Habsburg architecture with a thriving ruin-bar scene, thermal bath culture, and some of the best pastries in Central Europe.

Turquoise Caribbean waters, powdery white sand, and a legendary nightlife strip. Cancún delivers the quintessential beach vacation with world-class resorts, ancient Mayan ruins nearby, and some of the clearest water in the Western Hemisphere.

A tiny, chic French Caribbean island where designer boutiques line a harbor full of megayachts. St. Barts pairs pristine shell beaches with outstanding French-Creole dining and a glamorous energy that feels exclusive without being exclusionary.

A teardrop-shaped island with the diversity of a continent. Sri Lanka delivers ancient Buddhist temples, misty tea plantations, leopard-filled national parks, and surf beaches — all connected by one of the world's most scenic train rides.

Table Mountain towering over a city where two oceans meet. Cape Town delivers world-class wine regions, dramatic coastal drives, penguin colonies, and a food scene that fuses African, Dutch, and Malay traditions.

A harbor city where the Opera House, Bondi Beach, and a thriving food scene coexist under near-perpetual sunshine. Sydney is outdoorsy, multicultural, and effortlessly cool — with coastal walks, hidden beaches, and excellent coffee around every corner.

A tiny island nation that operates like a precision-engineered garden city. Singapore packs hawker centers with Michelin-starred stalls, futuristic gardens, and a melting pot of Malay, Chinese, Indian, and Peranakan cultures into an immaculately clean package.