The best motorhome destinations in Europe in December!

The hustle and bustle of December is of course very cosy, but it can also be overwhelming at times. There is nothing better than getting out and about in the midst of it all! Whether you like to soak up the sun, put on your hiking boots for a lovely winter walk or visit a cultural city, there is plenty to do in Europe in December too. Read on to find out where your next motorhome trip in December will take you!

Charles Dickens is known as the most influential English writer of the 19^th century, who also left his mark on (childhood) stories in The Netherlands. In his stories, he mainly wrote about a fairy-tale world based on moments from his early childhood. Since 1991, the historic Bergkwartier district in Deventer has been transformed into the world of Charles Dickens during the December month, reliving the 19^th century English town as Dickens saw it in full. Meet over 950 characters from the famous Dickens books, who will come to life and wander around the city during the Festival. In a setting of thousands of lights, life-size Christmas trees and historic buildings, enjoy the 19^th century (Christmas) stories as Charles Dickens wrote them over a hundred and fifty years ago. Whether you have a keen interest in literature (history) or just want to wander through Deventer for the magical fun of it; with 125,000 visitors a year, the Dickens Festival in Deventer is the perfect opportunity to immerse yourself in the cosy December atmosphere! 

The Dickens Festijn Deventer takes place on Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 December. Entrance is free, but only possible via Keizerstraat, off the Schouwburg. Spend the night near Deventer at Camping De Stuurmanskolk in Welsum, at Camperplaats de Brandkoele in Lettele or in Bathmen at Camperplaats Sporthal de Uutvlog or De Pothaar.

- During the Dickens Festival, the streets of Deventer fill with hundreds of characters from Dickens' books and lots of people!

Not a fan of the grey and dreary winters of northern Europe? Then a motorhome trip to southern Europe in December is the perfect solution for you! In the Portuguese Algarve, the sun shines (almost) all year round and you'll still enjoy a pleasant 18°C as an average temperature in December. Party town Albufeira is Portugal's nightlife hotspot in summer, but away from the high season you'll find peace and quiet here. Without the crowds of tourists, you can stroll through the historic city centre, which has always remained authentic despite the summer tourism. Take a look at the Igreja Matriz de Albufeira church, visit the Museu Municipal de Arqueologi and settle down on one of the cosy terraces to enjoy the fine December sun. In addition, nearby Guia hosts the annual December festival Guia Natal, which brings alive and celebrates the region's Christmas spirit. December in the sun is a pleasant experience, that's for sure! 

In and around Albufeira, spend the night at motorhome stopovers Parque da Palmeira, Motorhome Park Falésia or Mikki Place to Stay.

- In the Algarve, the sun shines (almost) all year round and you can still enjoy a nice walk on the beach in December!

December as December should be; that's what you experience in the mountains! The beginning of December marks the opening of many winter sports resorts, but even if you prefer to put on hiking boots instead of ski boots, the Austrian mountains will do just fine. As the capital of Tyrol, Innsbruck is the perfect base for a winter hiking holiday, with a wide range of hikes of various distances, altitudes and levels. From nearby Mutters, for instance, the Panoramaweg Mutters takes you to spectacular viewpoints on the snow-capped peaks of Nordkette and the Inntal. With medium difficulty and few altitude metres, this hike is suitable for all levels. For sunny winter hikes, the Mieminger Plateau is the place to be, as this is where the sun is most likely to shine. Along the way, you can enjoy not only the views and the snow, but also the gastronomy in one of the many cosy Tiroler Stube. In addition, do not forget to visit Innsbruck itself, because in this city you can taste the atmosphere of December in the mountains at its best! 

Spend the night in Innsbruck at Camping Kranebitterhof, or nearby in Trins, at Hotel Plankenhof in Pill or in Biberwier at Wohnmobilhafen Arienberg.

- The Mieminger Plateau lends itself perfectly to a sunny winter hike in the snow!

Plenty of things to do in the final month of the year! Are you curious for more inspiration to celebrate December? More tips for wintering in the sun are shared here, and in this blog you can read where in Europe you can find the cutest Christmas markets!