India, Nov. 30 -- As the days grow shorter and wanderlust grows stronger, the December holiday season draws everyone into the chase for the perfect escape. You picture yourself wrapped in woollen scarves with the Himalayas glistening behind, feeling the ocean breeze on a Goan beach or gliding into the snowy magic of St. Moritz. Everywhere you look, social media drips with influencer trips and friends' flawless memories, making the urge to book and go almost irresistible.

This is peak vacation planning time: everyone is hunting for one last adventure before the year wraps up. The internet is flooded with exclusive deals and tempting New Year offers that always seem to vanish if you don't act right now. But in that headlong rush, excitemen...