Prince's Palace of Monaco

The Best Places in Europe to Soak Up the Winter Sun

"Best for: Low-season glitzDecember temperature range: 43-61°F Granted, you won’t be donning swimwear on Plage des Ponchettes or spotting A-listers in Nice's beach clubs come December. However, with up to nine hours of sunshine a day, the winter months are ideal for exploring Nice and the surrounding French Riviera towns—without the crowds that flock here each summer. Check out the Christmas village at Place Massena in Nice, spot the pop-up nativity scenes around the city, or pop to glitzy Monaco for a lavish lunch and glide around the ice rink. Where to stay: Anantara Plaza Nice is a luxe urban oasis centrally located for sightseeing and sunny lunches along the promenade. There’s a glamorous rooftop terrace for sea views and destination restaurants ideal for those occasional rainy nights. A version of this article originally appeared on Condé Nast Traveller." - David Annand, Connor Sturges