Go now! Top 4 trips to take this month

Head off on a whim with our four easy, end-of-year escapes...

1. Kiruna, Sweden

Bed down in the newly carved IceHotel

Why go? Every winter, art and accommodation combine afresh in the Swedish Arctic. Kiruna’s IceHotel opens for its 2012-2013 season on 7 December, with a whole new array of fairytale ice and snow rooms – they are different each year. Visit to sleep on reindeer skins, take sleigh rides, snowshoe and look out for the northern lights.

Where to stay: The IceHotel has ice rooms and suites, plus ‘warm’ rooms; prices start from 1,150SEK (£108) pppn.

Getting there: Discover The World offers a three-night IceHotel break, including direct flights to Kiruna (3.5hrs), from £870 pp.

2. Lublin, Poland

Find historic gems and moving memorials

Why go? Few travellers find this lively hub in eastern Poland. But maybe they will now, with Ryanair launching flights in December. Go for the 14th century castle, the winding, café-filled Old Town and a chilling historical monument: Majdanek concentration camp, 4km from the centre, is now a museum. Another worthy trip is the two-hour bus ride to Zamosc – a UNESCO-listed town,dubbed ‘Pearl of the Renaissance’.

Where to stay: Hotel Waksman has characterful rooms in a great location; doubles from £41.

Getting there: Ryanair will fly Stansted-Lublin three times weekly from 17 December; from £16 one way.

3. Marseille, France

Catch on quick to a year of culture

Why go? In January, this Med-side Provençal city becomes European Capital of Culture 2013; over 400 events will be held during the year (see www.mp2013.fr). The city has plenty going for it anyway, though: an impressive Basilica; the high-tech MUCEM museum; a souk market; and Le Corbusier’s Cité Radieuse. For orientation, enlist a local greeter: marseilleprovencegreeters.com.

Where to stay: Maison Petit Canard oozes charm; studios from €60 for two.

Getting there: Eurostar to Paris, then catch a high-speed train for Marseille (3hrs). Various airlines fly from UK airports to Marseille.

4. Falkland Islands

Whizz to the South Atlantic’s animal Eden

Why go? OK, it’s not really a weekend break destination. But, if you can, it’s worth making a last-minute dash to the Falklands in December, when wildlife activity peaks: watch black-browed albatross and Magellanic penguins hatch, and sail out to see the orca off Sea Lion Island – the killer whales will be waiting hungrily for the new elephant and sea lion pups to take their first plunge...

Where to stay: The Waterfront Hotel, Stanley, offers B&B with harbour views; doubles from £150.

Getting there: LAN flies from London to Stanley, via Madrid, Santiago and Punta Arenas; from around £1,110 rtn.