Munich’s Marienplatz

December Destinations For Last-Minute Decision Makers

Let me guess — you’ve known for a while that schools will be closed for at least two weeks this month and would love to go on a family vacation, but haven’t had time to make plans. Well, join the crowd — and take heart. Options abound.

Whether you’re traveling with your kids or your grandkids, you can knock their holiday socks off by showing them nature’s northern lights display near Fairbanks, Alaska. Okay, it’ll be cold, but the sight of the magnificent aurora borealis will give them a new (and accurate) use for the word "awesome." On a good night, wavy bands of vivid colors float across the dark sky, curtains of red and green pass overhead, and points of light swirl like painted pinwheels.

Prime viewing is at 64 degrees north — right below the auroral oval — just outside of Fairbanks. The perfectly positioned Aurora Borealis Lodge offers a package that includes hot beverages in a cozy log chalet as you gawk at the lightshow. (www.mosquitonet.com/~deepalaska) The Fairbanks Princess Riverside Lodge is the city’s best hotel (www.princesslodges.com); Lavelle’s Bistro and Café Alex Wine Bar are good places to eat. (www.lavellesbistro.com, www.cafealexwinebar.com) While you’re in town, check out the Museum of the North at the University of Alaska. (www.uaf.edu/museum)

If you like the idea of an offbeat destination but must have warmth, consider a stay at Tongabezi Lodge in Zambia. From December 23-26 and from December 30 through January 1, guests will have a chance to sample Zambian holiday customs including special drumming nights, cultural dancers, and spit roast dinners. Located near Victoria Falls on the banks of the Zambezi River, Tongabezi’s accommodations come with open-air bathtubs, down pillows and duvets, oversized windows for enjoying the untamed beauty of the area, and — the best part — a personal valet.

Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve start with a performance by the Traditional Maramba National Dance Group, established by the government to preserve Zambian culture, and are followed by an elaborate five-course candlelit dinner served under the stars — possibly accompanied by the sounds of hippos sloshing in the river. (www.tongabezi.com)

Just can’t imagine getting through the month without Kriss Kringle? For a major dose of European cheer and more bric-a-brac than you can shake a stick at, head to Germany — specifically to Munich, the capital of Bavaria. This city is home to one of the world’s best Christmas markets, which takes place in the square in front of the town hall — the Marienplatz — from December 1-23.

This is the "platz" to be if your notions of December holidays include roasted chestnuts, mulled wine, snow, and old-world surroundings. Soft lights create a warm glow over more than 140 stalls at the Christkindlmarket, where shoppers look for local specialties such as baked apples, sausages, potato pancakes, and, of course, their favorite lebkuchen (gingerbread-like cookies). Gift items for sale include candles, toys made of tin or wood, and a wide range of tree decorations and nativity scenes handcrafted in Bavarian workshops. (www.discover-munich.info)

The Kempinski Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten is Munich’s most elegant place to stay, and it’s within walking distance of the Marienplatz. (www.kempinski-vierjahreszeiten.de) The jolliest place to dine is the Ratskeller, a typical Bavarian restaurant in the basement of the Town Hall. (www.ratskeller.com)

When the city shuts down on December 24, you can choose between heading to the Alps for great skiing or traveling to Berlin to see the Weihnukka Market — the only Christian-Jewish Christmas market in the area. Held in the garden of the Jewish Museum from December 3-31, it offers decorations, toys, and delicacies associated with both Christmas and Hanukkah. (www.juedisches-museum-berlin.de)

If Fairbanks, Zambia, and Germany sound interesting, but you don’t want to go anywhere near an airport between Hanukkah (December 16) and New Year’s Day — then how about a cruise? Crystal Symphony stops in San Diego to pick up passengers on December 22 — then heads off for 12 days of cruising in the Mexican Riviera. Ports include Cabo San Lucas, Acapulco, Zihuatanejo, Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlán, and La Paz. This ultra-luxurious 940-passenger ship offers all the comforts of home and will be festively decked out for the holidays. Lest you fear a cruise is too staid, consider that shore excursions in La Paz include kayaking, scuba diving, and snorkeling with sea lions. (www.crystalcruises.com)

Holland America offers two other cruise options: The Oosterdam departs from San Diego for the Mexican Riviera on December 16, 23, and 30, as well as January 5. The Zaandam sails for Hawaii on December 21. This 15-day itinerary includes stops on the Big Island (Hilo and Kona), Kauai, Maui, and Oahu, as well as Ensenada, Mexico. The ship accommodates 1,440 guests, is well known for its gorgeous displays of fresh flowers, and has been known to fly Santa in via parasail. (www.hollandamerica.com)

Another very useful Web site, RanchWeb.com, is designed to help you find the guest ranch of your dreams. Options range from The Alisal Guest Ranch and Resort in Solvang to Estancia La Bamba in Buenos Aires — one of more than two dozen international ranches profiled on the site. Most in the luxury category are in Colorado, Montana, and Wyoming, and many of these offer winter snow activities including cross-country skiing, downhill skiing, sleigh rides, and snow shoeing.

Santa Fe, New Mexico, is easily the best nearby destination at this time of the year. The city is much less crowded than in the popular summer months, the slopes at Ski Santa Fe are only 16 miles from town, and the city’s historic charm seems enhanced by winter weather. (www.skisantafe.com) Celebrations here are a combination of Western, Hispanic, and Native American traditions. On the Indian pueblos, Native Americans perform animal dances. Pueblo of Jemez has buffalo, eagle, or game dances on December 25, 26, and 27. Traditional Matachine (religious) dances take place on New Year’s Day. (www.jemezpueblo.org)

Nestled between the historic plaza and the art galleries of Canyon Road, the Inn on the Alameda offers kiva fireplaces, classic Pueblo-style architecture, an extensive breakfast buffet, and afternoon wine receptions. The hotel’s cozy atmosphere embodies the essence of Santa Fe and the spirit of the holiday season. (www.innonthealameda.com)

If a full-blown vacation isn’t in the cards this month, you can at least take advantage of the fact that December 25 and January 1 are both Mondays — providing a pair of three-day weekends on which to play.
— Elizabeth Hansen, photography by Adams/Hansen Photography