December: Sun or Snow? Canaries vs Lapland, Cyprus vs Alps (The Dilemma)
Sept 25: Editorial choice — December sun (Canaries ~24°C seas, Cyprus, Malta) vs snow (Lapland aurora, Alps) vs city lights (Vienna, Strasbourg).
Key takeaways
- Sun: Canaries/Cyprus/Malta (swimmable ~23-24°C seas, -30% hotels) — light packing, long days, beach Christmas.
- Snow: Lapland (aurora + Santa, Dec -20-10, tours €105-299) — expedition packing, polar nights, once-a-year magic.
- Third way: city lights (Vienna/Strasbourg November-cheap, markets, concerts) — no swim, no ski, all atmosphere.
Every December asks one question: sun or snow? The honest answer is a third option. City lights — but the dilemma is real. And both sides have their season at peak. This editorial lays out the three Decembers from our verified guides: what each costs, who each suits. And how to choose. No new facts invented; every number below is sourced from our reporting this month.
From the field — Elena Marsh: Sun data via our October sun guide (Expedia prices). Snow via our Rovaniemi guide (Visit Rovaniemi temps/tours). Cities via our Vienna + France Christmas + barometer.
Sun: the warm December
Canaries (mid-20s air, ~24°C seas), Cyprus, Malta (~23-24°C seas): swimming at Christmas, light bags, long days, beach walks in shirtsleeves. Hotels to -30% off summer (Algarve/Greek pattern; Canaries packages discounted to fill planes). Crowds: thin except Christmas week itself. Packing: swimwear + one layer, sunscreen that still burns, no boots. Best for: rest-seekers, families escaping dark commutes, anyone whose year needs recharging, not impressing. December sun is the anti-performance trip — no sights to tick, just light to absorb.
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Snow: the white December
Lapland (aurora late Sept-April, Santa year-round, Dec -20-10, tours €105-299, glass igloos): polar nights, husky teams, reindeer, Santa’s office queue, aurora hunts at 22:00. Peak magic = peak prices = peak crowds — book everything now. Packing: expedition grade, thermals, operator suits on top. Best for: wonder-seekers, families with believers (Santa age is finite. Go while it lasts), photographers, anyone who wants Christmas to feel like Christmas. The snow December is the performance trip. Every hour staged, every memory manufactured, every penny worth it.
City lights: the third way
Vienna (markets from Nov 6, concerts, skating), Strasbourg (~Nov 27, 300+ chalets), barometer-cheap east (Sarajevo £248 weekends): no swim, no ski, all atmosphere. November openings cheapest; midweek cheapest; culture densest. Packing: winter city kit (coat, boots, layers — see our packing list). Best for: culture-seekers, couples, budget travellers, anyone who wants Christmas feeling without committing to elements. The city December is the compromise that isn’t: lights, music, markets, food. Everything except weather risk.
The comparison (one table)
| Sun | Snow | City lights | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weather | 20-25°C, swim | -20-10°C, snow | 0-8°C, lights |
| Price | Low (-30%) | High (peak) | Mid (Nov low) |
| Crowds | Thin | Peak | Mid |
| Packing | Light | Expedition | City winter |
| Magic | Rest | Wonder | Atmosphere |
| Risk | None | Cold/cost | Rain |
How to choose (by energy)
Exhausted? Sun. The year took enough; December gives back light and warmth. Book the Canaries package, pack swimwear, delete the itinerary.
Believers (kids or inner)? Snow. Santa age is finite; aurora seasons pass; polar nights wait for no one. Pay peak prices once — the memory compounds.
Curious? City lights. Markets, concerts, skating, food — maximum Christmas per euro in November, maximum atmosphere per hour. The connoisseur’s December.
Can’t decide? Split it. November city (cheap, calm) + December sun-or-snow week (peak, chosen). Two trips beat one dilemma — and November’s trough funds December’s peak.
Sun, snow or lights: December offers all three, Europe holds all three. And the only wrong choice is staying home scrolling others’ photos. Pick by energy. Go.
The verdict (our take)
If we had to book one December tomorrow: November city lights first (Vienna/Strasbourg openings. Cheapest, calmest, most atmospheric per euro), sun second (Canaries package when the dark gets personal), snow third (Lapland once. Santa age is finite, peak prices are not). But the honest editorial line is simpler: the best December is the one you actually take. Sun people who force snow come home cold and resentful. Snow people who force sun come home pale and restless. Know your energy, book its climate, and let December meet you there.
The split December (have both)
Can’t choose? Split the month: November city weekend (cheap, calm, markets opening) + December sun-or-snow week (peak, chosen). The trough funds the peak. Barometer cities in November cost less than one peak December dinner in Oslo. Two trips beat one dilemma: lights first for culture, sun-or-snow second for commitment. December rewards the decisive twice: once in November’s calm, once in December’s chosen element. And January thanks you: memories banked, no debt, the year’s best month actually used.
The verdict (our take)
If we had to book one December tomorrow: November city lights first (Vienna/Strasbourg openings. Cheapest, calmest, most atmospheric per euro), sun second (Canaries package when the dark gets personal), snow third (Lapland once. Santa age is finite, peak prices are not). But the honest editorial line is simpler: the best December is the one you actually take. Sun people who force snow come home cold and resentful. Snow people who force sun come home pale and restless. Know your energy, book its climate, and let December meet you there.
The split December (have both)
Can’t choose? Split the month: November city weekend (cheap, calm, markets opening) + December sun-or-snow week (peak, chosen). The trough funds the peak. Barometer cities in November cost less than one peak December dinner in Oslo. Two trips beat one dilemma: lights first for culture, sun-or-snow second for commitment. December rewards the decisive twice: once in November’s calm, once in December’s chosen element.
The verdict (our take)
If we had to book one December tomorrow: November city lights first (Vienna/Strasbourg openings. Cheapest, calmest, most atmospheric per euro), sun second (Canaries package when the dark gets personal), snow third (Lapland once. Santa age is finite, peak prices are not). But the honest editorial line is simpler: the best December is the one you actually take. Sun people who force snow come home cold and resentful. Snow people who force sun come home pale and restless. Know your energy, book its climate, and let December meet you there.
