Best place in Winter

Malta, south of France, Portugal (Algarve), Morocco

Southern destinations, but not beach ones - beaches are pretty dead in winter. Greece, southern Spain, Sicily, Malta

OR
Big cities where a lot of your sightseeing is inside anyway. London, Paris, Rome. Rome would be especially good because it is a bit warmer than the other two.

OR
I've never done this, but the festive Christmas markets in Germany are obviously December destinations.

Thanks Norma and Mira.

The options which I have in mind are below:

1. Greece (santorini & Athens)
2. canary islands
3. Prague and Budapest.

Can u suggest which could be better for 5 days in mid December(12 to 16)

OK then, Santorini. Why weren't you so specific in your original post?

Thanks norma,

I was exploring more options as well.

I would go back to Santorini between April and September when it's at its best. I would do Central and Eastern Europe in the winter when the arts are at their height.

I LOVE Austria and the UK in December (and no, I don't ski). The crowds are smaller, for one thing. The Austrian Christmas Markets are great and London theatre is always awesome. Salzburg was lovely in Dec. on our last trip. Just a dusting of snow- enough the make photos beautiful. We've only had snow in the UK (including Inverness and Aviemore Scotland) twice. Both times jut a small amount (and that's in more than 20 years of trips). just dress in layers, have good gloves and a decent hat or hooded scarf.

1. Prague and Budapest if you want culture
2. Canary Islands if you want some sun
3. Santorini. A long way down in 3rd. Not the place to go in December.

I am currently in Berlin. Interesting modern history, Christmas markets, museums and galleries and a good selection of accommodation and restaurants. I would recommend Berlin.

Best place in Winter ? I'd have to say, "In front of the fire".

Prague and Budapest, by a mile.

I don't see how Budapest and Prague come into it at all. The OP's dates are December 12 to 16. He says 5 days, I say 4 and a bit, , but whichever, not enough for 2 cities.

2 days Prague, 3 days Budapest. Yup, too much, too fast. If you are under 35 and like progressive clubs then Prague. If you are over 35 and the arts, theater, etc and low key clubs then Budapest.

Austrian, Swiss or French or Italian Alps or cheaper High Tatras in Slovakia and hope that weather will cooperate. If you are into concerts, arts, Christmas markets, then Prague or Vienna or Budapest.

Hopefully 11+14+17 Dec are travel days ...
12,13 Dec in Prague / 15,16 Dec in Budapest

"Best place in winter" (with mid-Dec "winter" being the tail end of fall) will be highly dependent on what you want to do. If snow sports are on your list, winter conditions have arrived in Austria:
http://www.snow-forecast.com/countries/Austria/resorts/A-D

INTRODUCTION Winter seems to have finally arrived in Europe, with
fantastic conditions being reported under sunny skies in many resorts
on Monday 23rd November.

AUSTRIA Good skiing was on offer across many of our featured resorts
on Monday 23rd November.The sun was shining and pistes were in
fantastic condition thanks to the fresh snow that fell over the
weekend. Base depths saw and increase as a result, with Kaunertal
(97/118cm) adding another 30cm to an already impressive snow base.
There were gains elsewhere also with Pitztal (67/121cm) able to able
to get another 2 lifts running to further increase the terrain that is
on offer to riders. Kirchberg (0/45cm) saw its first fresh snow of the
season, with the only skiing available previously being on artificial
snow.As a result of the good snow fall over the weekend, expect to see
a flurry of openings in the near future, with the likes of Ischgl,
Kuhtai, Zell am See and large chunks of the Ski Amade looking to get
lifts turning this weekend. The good weather will last until the
middle of the week when a period of unsettled weather should see snow
flurries across many resorts. Temperatures will remain low throughout
the week which should allow for some decent snow making conditions
ahead of a number of resort opening dates.

2 days is marginal for Prague and a day short for Budapest and you waste a day on a train in between. How about Vienna? Vienna for 2 and nearly 3 in Budapest. Or you could make either Prague or Budapest work for all 5 days including some great day trips or overnight trips.