Where to go in December

Gothic spires, red-tiled roofs and Charles Bridge — a storybook city that's a joy to explore on foot in 2–3 days.

Canals, swans and brick houses — Bruges seems frozen in the 15th century.

Mozart's city with its baroque squares, and just an hour or two away — Hallstatt: wooden houses above a mirror-like Alpine lake.

A royal capital with one of Europe's largest medieval squares, an atmospheric Jewish quarter and very pleasant prices.

Parliament on the Danube, hot thermal baths and evening river cruises.

One of the best-preserved medieval centres in Europe: towers, walls and red-tiled roofs.

Houses with “eyes” in their roofs, cobbled squares and the Carpathians on the horizon.