Any recommendations for an international trip in mid December?
Posted by biscuitsorbullets@reddit | Shoestring | View on Reddit | 30 comments
I'd be leaving from DC or nearby. I don't mind connecting flights if that makes it cheaper, like flying to a major hub in Europe and then going from there. I'd like to go somewhere international and not spend more than $1,500-$2,000 on flights and accomodations combined. I'd prefer somewhere warm, but I'm open to other places if they are cool. I'm outdoorsy and love hiking, running to explore the location, and immersing myself in the local culture and cuisine. I could go anywhere up to a week or two weeks.
Morgan4644@reddit
Go to Berlin Lots of history, museums to see and do and it’s beautiful in December with Christmas markets and great food.
Excellent-Pitch-7579@reddit
Berlin is a great place to visit but not in December - too cold
Morgan4644@reddit
Just bundle up. It’s so beautiful there.
AltruisticWishes@reddit
Wet, cold, overcast and very short days, so no thanks
AskGaryAnything@reddit
Consider Panama. Warm in December. Good people. Reasonable accommodations. Great food. The locks at the Canal appeal to geeks. Rain forest for the outdoorsy. Beaches. History. $600-ish round-trip on Delta.
Excellent-Pitch-7579@reddit
I’d do Costa Rica
beaveristired@reddit
Italy. Less crowded and hot than the summer.
Agile-Highway-9883@reddit
Round trip Iceland Air Dec 11 -18 Rome FCO $464, includes a carry-on, stay in the Piazza Navona area, everything is walkable from there.
Agile-Highway-9883@reddit
Oh, from BWI
Interesting-Draw-119@reddit
based on your budget and description, I'd highly suggest looking into somewhere in South America
Ok-Alternative-5175@reddit
I just did parts of Germany, Austria, Spain, and the UK. All were great! If it's in December, you could do mountain snow activities (like if you like skiing). Otherwise, if you're looking for somewhere warmer, north Europe is probably not the place to go
Traditional_puck1984@reddit
Buenos Aires. It will be Summer in Argentina and 2k is doable for a 2 week trip. Flight tickets on Skyscanner shows 1k round trip. Hotels are 40-50 per night.
forester2020@reddit
Hostel dorm beds in Buenos Aires are 12- 20$ a night, save on the accommodation. Take a cheap flight to Puerto Iguazú and visit Iguazú falls if you go this route. It's entirely worth it.
Also look at taking the ferry to Colonia, Uruguay from BA for the day. Very worth it.
HHtown8094@reddit
Isla mujeres mexico
Xxmeow123@reddit
Yes round trip to Cancun but go to Isla mujeres and then head over to Valladolid to visit Chitzen itzen the down to Tulum and back to Cancun. Buses get you around very cheap. Beautiful and catch a cenote to swim as well as beaches.
forester2020@reddit
A very good recommendation. Maybe skip Tulum and do playa del Carmen instead if more beach is needed after isla mujeres.
Alternatively, you can get to Merida a really nice city from Cancun on the Maya train from the airport, then bus to Valladolid, and finish vacation off in isla mujeres.
You can rent a bike or scooter (recommend bike) in Valladolid and bike to 5+ very reasonably priced cenotes South and southwest of the city. Don't do a tour of chichen Itza from Valladolid, take the collective from Valladolid for cheap and hire a guide / buy audio tour of chichen Itza. Get there early at gate open.
Equivalent_Subject66@reddit
Madeira. Great hiking, beautiful scenery, excellent food., inexpensive. Argentina and Uruguay if you want summer weather.
number7child@reddit
Iceland is an affordable flight, so much to do and you might see the northern lights
babyshaker_on_board@reddit
I would not recommend. Well I'm tainted because we were snowed in a few days- shovelling- damaged rental car due to snow and gawd just expensive as hell. Saw better northern light at home in sherwood park this year. Ygh.
According-Bet-6992@reddit
Yeah but affordable accommodation?
MayaPapayaLA@reddit
Hostels could probably make OPs budget work, only because they mentioned accoms and flight but didn't include food in that (which WILL be expensive).
According-Bet-6992@reddit
You're right; I should've thought of that. When I went, there were no bookable hostels, so I booked a spare room on airbnb in kopavogur, but now that I think about it, it was August, so it was probably busier in Iceland at the time.
According-Bet-6992@reddit
Also, unless OP is looking to stay just in Reykjavik, I found travel between places in Iceland to be super confusing. I ended up taking a taxi to the Blue Lagoon and the airport, which adds up fast. Car rentals are probably a much cheaper option.
SafetyNoodle@reddit
Also there is very little daylight in December. The northern lights are cool but you don't have that much time to explore all the other natural wonders each day.
Maj_BeauKhaki@reddit
Reykjavík, Iceland
AskWeird5018@reddit
Portugal! Its not too cold in December and the prices of accommodation, uber, food etc is pretty cheap.
_Mule@reddit
Saigon
MetikMas@reddit
Dulles has direct flights to Senegal, Togo, Ghana, Nigeria, Morocco, and Ethiopia if you want to do Africa. Not sure on prices though.
_DrGirlfriend@reddit
I would expect tickets to be very expensive because those living abroad usually head back during the holidays.
heyheni@reddit
Here are some Budget Transatlantic Carriers
https://flynorse.com/
Norse Atlantic Airways
https://www.frenchbee.com/
A New Way of Flying | French bee
It's nowhere really warm in Europe in December.
But December is the best month for visiting India with pleasant temperatures. India is a very affordable county. You could fly to London and then onward to Kochi in the State of Kerala. Visit Munar Hill Station and Tea fields, Party at Varkala Beach and explore the magical Back Waters at Munroe Island. What do you think?