Best Winter Holiday Destinations In Europe: Experience The Enchanting Beauty Of Snow-Covered Europe
There are many people who do not enjoy the cold and would love to visit a warmer place during the cold winter months. These people prefer the sunkissed summer beaches. However, there is another set of people who love the snowy weather and feel it to be downright blissful.
With this, we come to the topic of spending a winter vacation in Europe. So, what is your opinion about spending a winter vacation in Europe? Well, of course, it is going to be chilly, but for people who love the ice-cold weather, it is certainly beautiful and blissful.
Apart from the Christmas market, Europe is not overly crowded during the winter, and the best part is that it is inexpensive during this time of the year. The outdoor activities, the adventure sports, and the cozy experience will make your trip worth it during the winter.
There are certain places that serve as winter wonderlands during the winters in Europe.
Best Winter Holiday Destinations In Europe
Whether you are planning a trip by the end of this year or planning for next year, these Europe destinations are going to help you decide where you want to go. Just imagine enjoying the chilly weather with a steaming cup of hot chocolate and with the best company you can ever imagine.
I know you are already getting excited, and here are some of the best winter holiday destinations in Europe.
Rovaniemi, Finland
Finnish Lapland turns out to be a magical land during the wintertime. Rovaniemi is the best example of that magical land, and it is also the capital of the region. Apart from being the best place to spend Christmas, the palace is also packed with an ice skating rink, husky sledding, Northern Light Safaris, and reindeer farms.
If you are an adventure enthusiast, this is a must-visit place for you. There are various hotels that provide a cozy atmosphere and make a bonfire to sip some hot chocolate and enjoy the view of the snow-covered forests from the bed.
Prague, Czech Republic
Well, it looks like a whole different world when the snow covers Old Town’s Church and St. Charles Bridge. Prague turns into a whole different world. However, there are some of the best Christmas markets in Prague, in the entire of Europe, where you will find the jaded travelers looking all over for trdelnik and mulled wine that is sold in the stalls.
Vienna, Austria
If you make a list of the most beautiful cities in Europe, Vienna definitely makes the list. And this is irrespective of any season. But during winter, the capital of Austria looks mesmerizing. You can enjoy the view with some hot chocolate along with sachertorte.
You can also catch free outdoor simulcasts and find a huge audience even when it is freezing outside. Also You can listen to the classic holiday concerts and take photos at St. Charles Church and Schonbrunn Palace when it is covered with snow.
Zermatt, Switzerland
Visiting Switzerland during the winter, meaning during the ski season, is like making the most easy choice ever. And if you place yourself in Zermatt, then there is nothing like it. This picturesque town, situated at the foot of the Matterhorn mountain, has a lot of seriously talented skiers, epic views of the lifts, and fresh powder.
Tallinn, Estonia
Tallinn is filled with charm, especially because of the turreted castles and its location in the Baltic Sea. This is one of the best-preserved historical centres the city has. There are many merchant houses and medieval churches that now fall under UNESCO protection.
Toompea Castle is the center of the city, and the view from there is mesmerizing no matter which season you visit. But they look beautiful even when the entire city is covered with a layer of snow. Moreover, they make the cold more bearable.
However, Europe is one of the best places if you have a heart for winter sports. So here is a list of places where you can visit if your sole purpose is enjoying the winter activities in Europe.
Zagreb, Croatia
Zagreb offers you with everything you expect from a European capital. The old city quarter, the cobbled streets, and the baroque architecture, along with some extra-special perks during wintertime, make it a perfect winter destination.
Christmas is the most celebrated time of the year here. Zagreb echoes with the yuletide during the annual festival, Advent in Zagreb. The city has 25 Christmas markets, glittering lights, and ice skating rinks.
The city looks filled with brandy and homemade sausages, which you can munch on, and take a day trip to the Plitvice Lakes National Park and check out the 16 terraced lakes and the completely frozen waterfalls. It would feel like something drawn right out of your imagination.
Bergen, Norway
Bergen is like the ideal Nordic village. The picturesque buildings and sweeping views of fjords along the scenic harbor add to the beauty of the village. There is no doubt that the town looks beautiful during the summer season, but there is something mesmerizing about the place during the winter.
You get an amazing view of the northern lights, which is a major reason behind the crowd during the peak season. If you have plans to experience the freezing cold in Scandinavia, you should definitely tick this astronomical wonder off the list.
Best Destinations In Europe For Winter Sports
Regardless of the European winter destination you pick, if the destination does not involve winter sports, then you can look forward to lower prices, shorter queues, and a generally more relaxed atmosphere than you would be sure to experience in the same destinations during the frenetic summer months. If winter sports are on the agenda, consider a winter sports travel insurance policy to protect yourself and your trip.
Here are the top five destinations for winter sports and then the top five destinations offering a milder climate for those who wish to escape the cold.
Val D’Isere France With its 300 KM of trails, stunning alpine views, and easy access, Val D’Isere offers world-class skiing while allowing holidaygoers to benefit from the French
Sant Moritz, Switzerland
Originally founded as a health spa for tuberculosis patients, Sant Moritz is one of the most expensive winter destinations in Europe. True five star accommodations, high-end shopping and celebrity watching are some of the activities to be enjoyed in addition to some of the best Glacier Skiing in Europe. Sant Moritz is known as a resort for the rich and famous or for those who just wish to go on a holiday. Due to the exceptional costs and challenging conditions, winter sports travel insurance there may be a better decision than at less challenging resorts.
St Anton, Austria
While this resort offers world-class skiing in its own right, it is actually better known as a party destination. With world-class skiing, celebrity watching and the legendary nightlife St Anton provides the right recipe for a legendary winter holiday.
Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy
If a variety of ski trails of all different skill levels are what you seek, check out Cortina. Located in Italy’s Dolomite Mountains you can purchase the Dolomiti Super Ski pass and gain access to over 1225 kilometers of trails. When you tire of challenging your abilities on the slopes, try just sitting with a cappuccino and take in the scenery while you enjoy the warmth of the Italian people.
Levi, Finland
Levi does not offer the gastronomic delights of France nor does it provide the heart-pounding exhilaration of world-class Alpine resorts. The nightlife is not legendary and you probably won’t party with Lady Gaga until the wee hours. What Levi does offer is the more priceless family-friendly winter holiday vacation. Less challenging slopes are augmented by miles of snowmobiling trails, arctic horse racing, and even reindeer. If winter memories with the children are what you seek than Levi might be one of your better choices. Due to the less challenging conditions, winter sports travel insurance may not be as important here as in the aforementioned winter resorts but still recommended, nonetheless.
For Those Wishing to Escape the Cold:
The Canaries
With some of the warmest winter temperatures in Europe, the Canaries may be just what the doctor prescribed in order to beat the winter blues. Empty beaches for trekking, local museums for culture and unique shops for charm add to this destinations winter charm. Wonderful off-season rates at all-inclusive resorts may just make this the perfect winter holiday.
Amalfi Coast, Italy
With winter temperatures ranging from 5 to 15 degree Celsius, frolicking in the surf may not be on the agenda. Easy day trips to Mount Vesuvius and Pompeii, numerous architectural and historic sites to broaden your horizons and deepen your appreciation for Italian culture at prices that make the Amalfi coast the best winter holiday bargain in Europe. You can also try kayaking if you are planning for an adventurous trip.
Athens, Greece
Winter weather in Athens can be unpredictable. If you’re lucky your winter trip here should include temperatures between 11 and 15 degree Celsius. No long queues for the Parthenon or the Acropolis. Uncrowded museums shops and bars. A Sunday flea market that is more reminiscent of an ancient bazaar. These are some of the delights that await those who choose a winter holiday in Athens. Offseason Athens allows the traveler a greater opportunity to know the Athenians, not to mention the wonderful off-season prices.
Cypress
The largest island in the Mediterranean offers the winter traveller daytime temperatures in the 15 to 20 degree Celsius range. Mountains and beaches for trekking will help you build an appetite to experience the joy of a Cypriot seafood feast to the fullest.
Monaco
Indulge your James Bond fantasies at the famous Monte Carlo casino. Be careful though, the casino represents this fairytale kingdom’s biggest single source of revenue. Not interested in gambling? Monaco offers wonderful museums, shops, and architecture to entertain the winter traveller. Daytime temperatures should range between 10 and 20 degree Celsius in the winter.
Wrapping up!
There are numerous other places that you can visit in Europe during the winter, but here are the best ones so, if you are planning your trip to Europe for this winter, you know which are the places you cannot miss. The astronomical events in different parts of Europe during the winter are also a major reason behind visiting the place in that season. Bon Voyage!
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