Visiting Europe at any time of the year is an experience to remember, but visiting in the winter months can be magical, if you know where to go and what to do! From exploring romantic cities shrouded in snow, to partaking in exhilarating winter sports, Europe is the place to be as winter is slowly drawing to a close. To help you on your adventure, below are a few points to consider.
Weather
It’s worthwhile checking out the weather forecast for your chosen location before you start to pack – what you may need for Italy will not be the same for Sweden. Europe is a large continent, and as with any large continent, weather conditions vary from region to region. Southern Europe, including Italy, Spain and Greece, may be famed for hot temperatures and sunny climates, but in winter you can expect the temperature to inevitably drop. However, southern Europe is in no way as cold as northern Europe. If you’re after a winter wonderland blanketed with crisp white snow, this is where you need to head. Norway, Sweden and Finland all experience heavy snow throughout the winter months, and the further north you venture, the more likely you are to witness the stunning Aurora Borealis (the Northern Lights).
City Breaks
There are an abundance of beautiful cities to choose from in Europe. Cologne, Vienna and Munich are especially popular with tourists during the winter months, especially during December when the romantic and historic Christmas markets set up stalls. While the Christmas markets may have passed, head to Venice for what is one of the top European tourist attractions. The Carnival of Venice takes place between January 27th to February 13th, and you can expect to see incredible and beautiful costumes, as well as take part in gala dinners, dances and a water festival. Athens in Greece may not be your first choice for a winter city break, but visiting the Parthenon in winter means less stress from crowds, the heat, queues and lower tourist prices. To ensure you discover everything you could possibly want to see, mrhudsonexplores.com is the perfect place to find travel guides, especially when looking for information on accommodation and where to eat.
Skiing Breaks
If a spot of sport is what you’re after, Europe has plenty of exciting ski slopes to choose from. Chamonix valley in France has five stunning ski resorts: Grands Montets, Les Houches, Le Tour/Balme, La Flegere and Le Brevent, for all levels of skiers, whether you’re a seasoned professional or a complete beginner! It’s widely considered as one of the best resorts in the world. Not only can you fly down the slopes on your skies, but you can also try your hand at snowboarding with experienced instructors ready to show you the way. Also located in France, there is the beautiful resort of Morzine. Although it has become much larger in recent years, Morzine has still done everything in its power to retain the character of a traditional French ski resort. If you want to learn more then have a look at Foundered, a new up-and-coming blog with independent and truthful guides to a variety of ski resorts. The St Anton ski resort is located in the Alps in Austria, and is one of Europe’s snowiest areas. Not only can sports fans enjoy challenging pistes and off-piste, but you will also find a beautiful town, packed with boutique hotels, traditional chalets and bustling bars and restaurants. St Anton suits the more experienced and advanced snowboarder or skier, but there are nursery slopes to try your hand at, and the nearby beautiful town means there’s something for all the family.