Six Places to book now for this December

With places filling up fast, you need to book well in advance if you want some options for this festive season. We all need a bit of sunshine in our lives, especially in winter, so we’re showcasing some of our top places to spend December this year.

The ultimate destination for an island escape, the tropical verdure and pristine sandy beaches of the sun-soaked Caribbean islands live up to every wonderful cliché bestowed upon them. Boasting the same benefits as a Maldivian winter, the Caribbean winter is the dry season with low chances of rain and temperatures in the high twenties on some of the islands. One of our favourite Caribbean islands for winter sun is St Lucia, home to idyllic beaches, cerulean waters, swaying palms and cheery Caribbean hospitality. Embrace laidback island luxury with days of exhilarating activities or simple relaxation in picture-perfect paradise. St Lucia’s Sugar Beach Resort boasts one of the most breathtaking locations in the Caribbean. Set above a beautiful bay between the spectacular Piton mountains, guests are spoilt for choice with a range of complimentary activities including sailing, windsurfing, hiking and snorkelling. Days of endless sunshine with the warm sands beneath your feet in this tropical oasis await.

For some world-famous Bajan hospitality, travel southeast to Barbados’ endless stretches of ethereal white sands and crystal-clear waters and enjoy a warm welcome at The Sandpiper Hotel. Located on a beautiful sandy beach on the West Coast, gently lapped by turquoise waters and surrounded by lush tropical flora, the family-owned property enjoys a fabulous location. With boundless activities on offer, and just a short walk from restaurants, bars and shops, Sandpiper Hotel is perfect for those searching for pure paradisal tranquillity, with a touch of the fabulous Caribbean culture.

From magnificent vibrant cities and ancient temples to paradisal beaches and wonderful island retreats, Thailand makes for a perfect holiday under the welcome heat of the winter sun. This is pure relaxation, a place where your days fill with boat trips, snorkelling and simply just admiring paradise. For the more adventurous, days of water sports and explorations of mountains, evergreen rainforests and the gorgeous Andaman Sea await. Thailand’s marvellous diversity makes for difficult choosing when booking an escape to the sun, so we’ve compiled some of our favourite accommodations in some of our most beloved destinations.

For a truly unforgettable holiday, spend a couple of nights in the ethically run Elephant Hills and get up close to some of the world’s most beautiful gentle giants. Bringing the safari camp concept to the lush tropical verdure of Khao Sok National Park, settle into the rainforest for your once-in-a-lifetime elephant encounters. For that quintessential beach retreat, Rayavadee is a stunning resort with core values of responsibility, sustainability and community, located at the heart of the beautiful Phranang Peninsular in Krabi and surrounded by striking limestone cliffs, turquoise waters and white sand beaches fringed by towering palms.

Spain’s Canary Islands have long been a firm favourite with families and couples looking for year-round sunshine. Just a short flight away from Ireland, the Canary Islands offer a fool-proof luxury beach holidays closer to home. Taking up prime position near the African coast, the Canary Islands enjoy a warm climate all year round – perfect for a taste of winter sun.

The island of Tenerife is a firm favourite for a sun-soaked December in the Canary Islands, vowing year-round sunshine. Gran Hotel Bahía del Duque Resort is a luxurious, chic property situated in Costa Adeje, one of the most sought-after areas of Tenerife and an oasis of calm along the bustling southwestern coast. With direct access to the Playa del Duque beach promenade, guests can enjoy the many restaurants, cafes and seaside shops nearby. For families, The Ritz-Carlton, Abama is a beautiful 5* resort boasting a superb golf course, renowned kids’ club and two Michelin-starred restaurants. Their kids’ programme makes it perfect for a fun-filled family holiday and with eleven restaurants, there is sure to be something for every occasion and to everybody’s taste.

Luckily for us, December is one of the best times to visit the blissful Maldives. Right in the middle of the dry season, December in the Maldives promises glorious weather, excellent snorkelling visibility and pleasant temperatures. A nation of islands in the Indian Ocean, step into a land of spectacular lagoons, reefs that offer bands of colour, tiny jewel-like islands rimmed with the whitest of soft sand surrounded by the clearest shallow waters that one can imagine. We plan many family holidays to the Maldives and have partnerships with some of the best properties for winter sun. With many islands to choose from, we will advise on the best options for families, groups or couples as well as providing better value then you could find online yourself.

For supreme luxury and exclusivity in the winter sun, one of our favourite over-water resorts is Niyama Private Islands, where every villa has a personal butler who can arrange boat trips and water sports. Spread over two islands – ‘Play’ and ‘Chill’ – enjoy long private stretches of sandy beaches, coconut palms and turquoise lagoons. Perfect for little ones, Anantara Dhigu is an island ideal for families looking for a relaxing Maldivian escape with a kids’ club and a range of water sports, including jet skiing, kayaking, sailing, windsurfing and parasailing. If a romantic hideaway is what you’re searching for, Anatara Dhigu’s sister property, Anantara Veli, is for you. One of the Maldives’ few adults-only resorts, Anantara Veli offers a romantic escape in the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean. With a collection of luxury overwater bungalows, it exudes island luxury and exclusivity, the perfect setting for a couples’ getaway. Open air cinema evenings, luxury sunset cruises and destination dining are only some of the tailored activities on offer. You are also welcome to use the facilities at Anantara Dhigu, just a short speedboat ride away.

A luxury holiday to Dubai during wintertime is considered a wise decision for those who wish to see the incredible city at its finest. In the summer, highs of 50 degrees can make stepping outdoors an impossible task, while in December, highs of 26 degrees give way to Dubai at its best. During the winter, entertainment is at an all-time high with exciting events scheduled all season long, beach season resumes as the weather makes for a perfect day beside the turquoise gulf and the winter sunset is the most breath-taking you can see. Home to towering skyscrapers, sprawling desert and some of the world’s most luxurious hotels, Dubai is forever a popular holiday destination for families and couples alike.  Made up of seven emirates, the UAE is all about extravagance and opulence. From the world’s tallest building to the biggest shopping mall in the world, Dubai is the proud holder of many world records. Adventure and culture are found in abundance here and experiences include dune buggying, world-class sports events and desert safaris.

You could be fooled into thinking you’re on a private island at One and Only The Palm; with stunning views of the Dubai skyline, the resort’s private beach and lush gardens make for a secluded escape. Step into palatial luxury at The Westin Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina. Perfect for families, it sits on one of the longest stretches of private beach in Dubai.

Morocco is extraordinary all year round but fewer crowds, lovely weather and the chance to see the Atlas Mountains at their most picturesque, make for an ideal December holiday. The Kingdom of Morocco, bordered by the Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea, is loved for its wonderful amalgamation of cultures. From the traditional Arabian customs to the noticeable European nuances, cities like Marrakech, Fez and Tangier are alive with cosmopolitan character.

Some of our favourite properties for a winter escape are the Fairmont Royal Palm Marrakech, for days of scenic golf in the sun, sandwiched between the quintessential Moroccan landscape and the snow-capped Atlas Mountains, and the Four Seasons Marrakech, an oasis in the heart of the desert city. For a real adventure, venture outside the cities, visiting remote Berber villages in the Atlas Mountains and journeying by camel through the sands of the Sahara Desert.

It’s no secret that spending December in a sun-soaked destination is the perfect way to escape the harsh Irish winter, which is why spaces are filling up so fast. Alongside what feels like the tail end of a difficult number of months, couped up at home, it’s important to get your booking in quickly to ensure that you get your choice of accommodations and flights. At OROKO, our expert knowledge, long-standing partnerships and endless experience allow us to create your very own bespoke luxury holiday. We can’t wait to make your dreams of a sun-kissed winter a reality.