It's impossible to visit Finland in December without mentioning Santa Claus. It is here that children's favourite bearded old man is said to have taken up residence, in Finnish Lapland, amid snowy forests. Of course, at the end of the year, temperatures generally hover around zero, or even lower. But once you are prepared, you are drawn into the spirit of this little-known country, attuned to its generous natural surroundings. The change of scenery is complete, from snowy landscapes inhabited by reindeer to the short days of sunlight following the northern lights. This connection with nature can be experienced on a snowmobile safari, while ice fishing, driving a dog sled, or spending a night in an igloo. Truly another world.
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This small corner of the Indian subcontinent conjures up vast tea plantations and musky scents in the traveller's imagination. This image reflects a reality that is even more enchanting. December is the Maha season, with a monsoon that heavily drenches the north and east of Sri Lanka. It is therefore better to head south-west, around Colombo to discover this island, where both the air and water temperatures rarely stray from 27°C.
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December is widely regarded as the best time to discover Australia, and no wonder, it’s summer! In the southern hemisphere, as the end-of-year celebrations approach, the sun is at its zenith. It's the perfect time to visit the south, with its major cities, rugged coastline and idyllic bays. On the other hand, the north is best avoided due to the risk of cyclones, as is the desert, scorched by extreme temperatures. From Melbourne to the Gold Coast, passing through Sydney and the Blue Mountains, Australia shows its very best at this time of year, offering a rejuvenating escape in the middle of winter.
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Beautiful Mauritius, bathed by the ever-welcoming waters of the Indian Ocean, is a small tropical gem, the perfect getaway when temperatures at home drop dangerously low. In December, just before the cyclone season begins, die-hard diving enthusiasts make the most of the lagoons to observe the millions of colourful fish that thrive in the coral gardens. Spending Christmas under the coconut trees: that’s truly worth experiencing at least once.
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From one hemisphere to another, summer chases away winter, and the sun dispels the December gloom. But soon, Christmas will be here, and the chance to celebrate it under bright sunshine, among the wildlife of a natural park in northern South Africa, offers a most delightful prospect. The great rainbow nation then becomes an open-air playground, from Cape Town to the savannah, taking in the oceans and the Wine Route along the way. It's an adventure that blends ancestral cultures with the thrill of a new world.
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