Winter in Europe: The Top 10 Destinations

Winter in Europe has many facets: near the North Pole, Homestay in Mussoorie a thick white coat covers the landscapes and weeks without sun follow one another throughout the season; on the other hand, the sun and the mildness linger in the Mediterranean; and in the center of the continent, we warm up in cafés and enjoy the Christmas atmosphere.

• Winter is an excellent season to visit large metropolises such as charming little villages:
• The queues being shorter, we can expand the journey with more sites.
• In addition, we benefit from low season rates.
• Thanks to the European rail network, countries are visited at a leisurely pace.
• It also allows you to meet the inhabitants going about their daily business far from the tourist frenzy of summer.

1. Rovaniemi, the Christmas city par excellence

Rovaniemi, in Finland, seems to concentrate all the clichés associated with Christmas celebrations, and for good reason: it is the “official” terrestrial residence of Santa Claus. We find the latter adorned with his red coat and his famous white beard in a picturesque cave in the Arctic Circle. Visiting him costs nothing (having your picture taken with him, on the other hand…). Snow and reindeer add to the festive atmosphere.  As for the Arktikum museum, it offers an insight into life at these latitudes.

2. The most beautiful Christmas Markets in Europe

In December, these charming Christmas markets, with an ancient tradition, bloom all over Germany and other central European countries. Their lovely stalls sell everything from gingerbread to sleigh bells. Homestay in Mussoorie the atmosphere is festive and cheerful , and we warm up with a glass of glühwein (mulled wine).

3. Abisko, in the heart of Lapland in Sweden

It is practically the northernmost place in Europe accessible by train. Abisko, Lapland, Sweden, will appeal to those who enjoy harsh winters. The sun remains hidden for several weeks in December and January, a penumbra which makes it the perfect place to admire the majestic aurora borealis. Homestay in Mussoorie you can also go cross-country skiing on the tracks of the national parks and ride in a sleigh pulled by huskys .

4. A calm winter in Athens

Nothing is more depressing than Photoshopping out the 500 people that clutter the view in your stunning photo of the Parthenon in Athens. A problem that does not arise in winter. All the stressful inconveniences of summer in Greece – the crowds, the prohibitive prices, the scorching heat, the queues, the polluted air – more or less disappear in this season. This is the best time to discover the ancient heritage of the country, as well as its culture.

5. A cozy winter vacation in Copenhagen

For a fairy tale European winter, it is difficult to do better than the city of Hans Christian Andersen in Denmark. However, forget the Little Mermaid, far too hackneyed these days, and prefer the cozy bars and cafes from where you can watch the snow fall on the Danish capital. In the heart of Copenhagen, Homestay in Mussoorie the 19th- century Tivoli amusement park is delightfully romantic and  kitsch around Christmas time. On the program: beautiful illuminations and cups of  glögg (mulled wine).

6. A typical winter in Budapest

Couples skating hand in hand, their breath forming small clouds of mist in the icy air… For such a spectacle, Homestay in Mussoorie no better place than Városligeti Műjégpálya, a park in the center of the Hungarian capital with a huge ice rink. Afterwards, go warm up in the superb thermal baths for which Budapest is famous.

7. Winter vacation in Jasná, Slovakia

Slovakia offers great skiing opportunities at affordable prices. Accommodation and food are also reasonably priced, and Slovakian ski resorts have a warm, welcoming atmosphere that some other more posh European resorts lack. Jasná, the best resort in the country, has long slopes flanked by spruce trees with snow-covered branches. It nestles in the beautiful mountain landscapes of the Tatra Mountains.

8. A mild winter in Andalusia

With some regions of Andalusia being further south than the African coast, one can expect very mild temperatures in winter. Accommodation is cheap and crowds are less dense in tourist hotspots like the Alhambra in Granada, or the cathedral in Seville. But above all, Homestay in Mussoorie the tapas and the nightlife are there as in summer, and are almost all the more alluring.

9. Atypical trip to Transylvania

It’s hard to imagine visiting Dracula’s lair on a beautiful sunny day, while the lambs are bleating in the fields, right? That’s why the low, leaden skies of winter, bare-branched trees and a few flakes of snow make up an ideal setting. The lovely medieval towns of Braşov and Sighişoara, 2 hours away by train from each other, each have several connections to Vlad Ţepeş Castle. It is unlikely that this historical figure, who inspired that of Dracula, has ever set foot there, but who cares…

10. A romantic winter in Venice

Marrying the beautiful and the strange, the Venice carnival in February is the highlight par excellence of the European calendar. Elaborate costumes and scary masks take the colorful streets of La Serenissima back in time. Costume balls are very expensive, but you can just as well enjoy dancing in the street by hiding your face behind a simple mask. In this case, agoraphobes, abstain!