Last Minute International Travel Destinations for a Magical Winter Holiday

Austria is often overlooked by neighboring Switzerland and Germany, but it’s a magical country with much to offer – especially around the holidays.

Head to Imperial Vienna in the heart of their romantic Ball Season*. Live out your Bridgerton dreams while dancing the night away or, if dancing isn’t quite your thing, cosy up with a mug of Hot Chocolate or Glühwein at the city’s annual Vienna Magic of Advent Christmas Market.

After Vienna, make your way to an alpine lake town like fairytale Hallstatt or gorgeous Gmunden. The beautifully-decorated heritage homes and shops in these charming villages feel like the closest thing to a real-life gingerbread town.

And if skiing is more your thing, Austria has plenty of mountain towns too! Take a day trip to Alpbach, Zell am See or Innsbruck for world-class runs without the same level of tourists that you might find in Zermatt or St. Moritz in Switzerland.

**Some balls are postponed until early 2023 due to COVID-19.

For a last minute and wallet-friendly international holiday trip, fly to Mexico. Get into the holiday spirit with Las Posadas, Piñatas and Ponche Navideño galore either near the beach, in the mountains or on a city break.

December and January are right in the middle of dry season, meaning Thailand is much more comfortable for exploring. However, this is also peak tourist season. Instead of visiting Thailand’s many islands, where there are fewer hotels that are likely to be sold out for last minute bookings, opt for a main land trek.

Spend a day caring for elephants at Chiang Mai’s Elephant Jungle Sanctuary. Visit Wat Rong Khun in Chiang Rai. And take Bangkok by storm with the Grand Palace by day and a rooftop drink by night.

December is right in the middle of Peru’s “wet season”, meaning there are fewer tourists and more lush green landscapes. I visited Peru for one month in December and experienced mostly sunny days and empty sights.

In fact, the beginning-to-middle of December or the beginning of January can be the best time to visit Machu Picchu! I spent two days exploring this world-renown treasure, and while there was some light rain overnight, I explored one afternoon under a bright and warm sun and one morning through dreamy and otherworldly clouds. And there truly is nothing like getting off the first bus at Machu Picchu during the off-season! Talk about a magical travel moment!

Beyond Machu Picchu, Cusco hosts an amazing Christmas Eve Market in their Plaza De Armas every year on December 24th. Sample Panetón (traditional Christmas fruit cake) and chocolatadas (hot chocolates) while enjoying your holiday in the Andes Mountains.

If you’re looking for a more traditional winter holiday, put Canada at the top of your list. With short flights available out of many major U.S. airports, Canada is great for last-minute bookings and for shorter getaways, if you only have a limited vacation schedule.

Take a trip to Vancouver to enjoy the great outdoors and nearby skiing and snowboarding. Or try Montreal for a more European-style foodie escape.

While not exactly “under-rated”, December is one of the best times of the year to visit Italy. Since most people flock here in the summer, a winter trip can save you from bumping into those larger tourist crowds. Visit cities likes Venice, Verona, Milan, Florence and Rome, which all offer multiple festive celebrations to enjoy in-between all the sightseeing. Snowy Florence, in particular, hosts an annual Noel Festival in addition to Christmas Markets throughout the city.

Just be cautious if you’re hoping to ski or snowboard. December and January are prime months to visit the Italian Alps and Dolomites, so you’re less likely to find reasonable prices or available accommodations.

And if you still want a more classic winter-landscape, you might even be able snag a hiking spot with either Fox Glacier Guides or Franz Josef Glacier Guides. Glacier hiking was one of my favorite New Zealand activities, something I’d be thrilled to do again in the future!

December evenings in Jordan can be chilly, but they’re what makes this country a perfect last-minute winter holiday travel destination. Coupled with the fact that less tourists travel to Jordan at this time of year and that most tour operators offer full vacation packages throughout the country, Jordan provides an easy and magical holiday season escape against an otherworldly, fantasy-like landscape.

You soon won’t forget spending your winter holiday here!