In the spirit of the 12 Days of Christmas, we’ve counted down 12 ideal family destinations for travel in December and/or January. Warm weather, family-friendly and tons of fun for the whole clan! How many have you ticked off your list?⠀
12. TULUM, MEXICO
Weather: Dec/Jan daily averages around 24 degrees
Why you’ll love it: Sandy, pristine beaches, swimming in cenotes (natural underground wells), snorkeling, visiting the Mayan ruins (circa 1200), spotting iguanas, visiting the monkey sanctuary and enjoying tasty cuisine/tunes in uber stylish, boutique restaurants!
Read more: Mexico with Peta Stinson, Founder of Sapling Child Babywear
11. THE MALDIVES
Weather: Dec/Jan daily averages around 30 degrees
Why you’ll love it: The shallow turquoise waters (the country is 99% Indian Ocean after all!), water sports, fishing, diving, finding hermit crabs/geckos, spotting dolphins/whales in groups of up to 500 (yes you read that right!), day trips by catamaran to nearby atolls, exploring the markets and enjoying picnic lunch/dinners on what will feel like a deserted island!
Read more: The Maldives with Emma from Luxe Family Travel
10. DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
Weather: Dec/Jan daily averages around 24-26 degrees
Why you’ll love it: because there isn’t much you can’t do in Dubai ; enjoy endless water parks, theme parks, beach clubs, skiing and ice-skating (yes you heard that right!), go 4-wheel driving, swim with sharks, ride up the tallest tower in the world, watch the iconic fountain show next to the Dubai Mall, take a hot air balloon trip (the list is seriously endless) and most importantly – shop until you drop!
Read more: DUBAI, UAE: Top 10 Things to do with Children
9. NEW CALEDONIA
Weather: Dec/Jan daily averages around 31 degrees
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Why you’ll love it: Enjoy a daily dose of white-sand beaches lined with lush palm trees (Baie des Citrons recommended). Go swimming, sailing, windsurfing, water-skiing, kayaking, stand up paddle-boarding, jetskiing or snorkeling in beautiful turquoise water. Visit le-marche (markets), the aquarium, the zoo or take a ride on the Tehou Tehou yellow train around the city. Visit one of the remote islands such as the Island of Pines for a truly authentic New Cal experience! See why Nouméa is dubbed ‘Paris in the Pacific’ with its French language, food and of course wine!
8. NEW ZEALAND
Weather: Dec/Jan daily averages – North Island 21/23 degrees, South Island 21/22 degrees⠀ ⠀
Why you’ll love it: Visiting the Hobbiton movie set (for Lord of the Rings fans!), immersing yourself in nature; think hiking, bush, waterfalls, lakes, cliffs etc, seeing the natural hot pools at Rotorua, getting up close and personal with Kiwis at one of many zoos, wildlife parks and sanctuaries, visiting the iconic wine regions (hello Hawkes Bay!), day-tripping to beautiful Waiheke Island from Auckland, checking out the museums (especially the Transport and Toy Museum in Wanaka), shopping, seeing a traditional Maori performance and for thrill-seekers, jet boating, zip lining or even bungy jumping!
7. TASMANIA
Weather: Dec/Jan daily averages around 22/23 degrees
Why you’ll love it: oh where do we start! Tassie is a foodie and nature lovers dream. The whole family will love visiting Freycinet National Park and breathtaking Wine Glass Bay, climb Mount Wellington, take a chairlift (then a dip in the public pool) at Cataract Gorge, visit the Bay of Fires, the Port Arthur historic site, MONA for Museum goers, shopping and lunch at the Salamanca Market (visit Friday nights for music at the Salamanca Arts Centre), Bruny Island, Montezuma Falls, Beaconsfield Mine & Heritage centre, Hastings Caves, riding the Ida Bay Railway, visiting the Tasmazia hedged maze and model town… and if all that exhausts you – hit the beach on the east coast! P.S. Our children loved staying at Somerset on the Pier (pictured). Situated on Hobart Pier, you’ll feel like your staying on a boat, but without the sea-legs!
6. MAURITIUS
Weather: Dec/Jan daily averages around 30/31 degrees
Why you’ll love it: For its infinite spotless white-sand beaches (Ile Aux Cerfs is a must), colourful reefs and lagoons. Fill your days with every kind of watersport imaginable; diving and snorkeling are highly recommended. Visiting the Black River Gorges National Park, or the Botanical Gardens, boating out to incredible nearby Islands, seeing the natural wonders such as the amazing ‘7-coloured earth’ and spectacular waterfall in Chamarel or taking a helicopter ride over the ‘Underwater Waterfall’ (a must-see optical illusion best viewed from above). Exploring the capital Port Louis and Grand Baie, visiting the breathtaking world heritage Le Morne, taking your children to the Sugar Museum & Factory, the Casela Nature & Leisure Park, the sugarcane plantation and museum at Chateau de Labourdonnais, the Crocodile & Giant Tortoise Park – plus so much more! Paradise is waiting people!
5. JAMAICA
Weather: Dec/Jan daily averages around 31/32 degrees
Why you’ll love it: Base yourself at one of Negril or Montego Bay’s all-inclusive resorts and soak in that reggae music and Caribbean beauty! Enjoy snorkeling, diving, horseback riding, safaris, tubing, sailing, rafting, zip lining, explore the rainforests or spend your time visiting the Blue Mountains National Park, Green Grotto Caves, climb the Dunn’s River Falls or check out the Bob Marley museum!
4. MIAMI, FLORIDA
Weather: Dec/Jan daily averages around 24/25 degrees
Why you’ll love it: Oh this Art Deco beauty will have you oohing and ahhhing at every turn! The whole family will love the white sandy beaches (with ice cream on tap!), boating, sailing, diving, snorkeling, kayaking, diving, canoeing, fishing (take a breath!) or a trip to the zoo, the Seaquarium, the science museum, the botanical gardens, Jungle Island, a tour to the local movie/tv sets, a day trip to Florida Keys or Fort Lauderdale, the Orlando theme parks or even a 30 minute boat ride to Grand Bahama Island!
3. THAILAND
Weather: Dec/Jan daily averages around 31/32 degrees
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Why you’ll love it: Most of Thailand is ideal weather-wise to travel over the Christmas holidays; but if you want something away from the tourist crowds, try Krabi! Stay at a luxe, all-inclusive resort and enjoy breathtaking beaches with as much snorkeling, diving, kayaking, scuba diving and rock climbing as you can handle. Make sure you do some island hopping around Phi Phi, go elephant spotting and feeding, visit the Forest National Park, shop at the night markets, visit the temples or take a dip at the Klong Thom Hot Springs!
2. WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Weather: Dec/Jan daily averages around 33/30 degrees
Why you’ll love it: Because there are just so many options; from Broome including the iconic Cable Beach up north to its Capital City Perth to Margaret River down south, plus everything in between! Enjoy Mother Nature’s natural wonders dotted all across the state; including National Parks, stunning beaches, breathtaking Falls, the Ningaloo Reef, Shoalwater Islands Marine Park, Tree Top Walks, feeding dolphins at Monkey Mia, racing down the Lancelin sand dunes, seeing the pink lake at Cape Arid, the horizontal waterfalls (yes you read that right!), boating out to Rottnest Island and the list goes on and on and on! The hardest part will be deciding which area to visit – or better still you’ll just have to go back again and again. Trust us, it will be worth it!
1. HAWAII
Weather: Dec/Jan daily averages around 25/27 degrees
Why you’ll love it: Firstly because the Aloha vibe is utterly infectious! But other than that because it’s a family-friendly paradise – and you can travel here all year round! You can spend endless days at beautiful beaches, surf, go stand-up paddling, snorkel at Hanauma Bay, shop, go hiking, visit Pearl Harbour, take helicopter rides over Hawaii’s stunning landscape and volcanoes, experience traditional Luau’s, visit the zoo, marine parks, ocean centres, water parks and museums, enjoy Hawaiian cuisine and most of all… the incredible Hawaiian hospitality! Just be warned: one trip to Hawaii is never enough.
Read more: HAWAII & LA with CAROLYNE RANDOE | TV Presenter on Ch 10’s ‘A Taste of Travel’
Do you have a destination to add? What’s your favourite family Christmas holiday location?
