best weekend getaways europe winter

It will enchant you with its little back roads, its traditional and modern chalets, its lack of traffic (its a car-free village), and the restaurants and shops that line the main street. Nightlife still spills out onto the streets in winter, except on rainy evenings, although there are plenty of warm, cozy drinking and eating spots if its too chilly for you. Snowfall will muffle your footsteps as you explore the Old Town and Castle Districts. All rights reserved. Even on grey days, Lisbon is far from gloomy. Its located in the cool and upcoming district of Lend and combines some good old Austrian and German music with the Christmas atmosphere. Dont forget an umbrella, it may be winter, but the temperature varies in Budapest. It brings a pleasant expatriate vibe to vibe to the town and adds to its character. Best Mid-Range Hotel: Holiday Inn Dubuque/Galena. Learn from a few of our tips and check out our Europe Packing list or ski trip packing list before your winter trip. Krakow, Poland. No, its how close you are to the poles and the long nights that provide the best conditions for making out this magical light display. Of course, visiting Barcelona in winter has its other perks too. Your email address will not be published. Alternatively, stay warm and cosy inside, munching on pepperkaker gingerbread with a nice mug of cocoa. They found iron deposits in the area, and they built a city next to it. Looking for somewhere special to bring in the new year? But France is a wildly diverse country and somewhere like Strasbourg, on the German border, works surprisingly well as a winter destination. The chance to go ice skating in a place like this is another reason to brave the temperatures outdoors. But visiting when the mountains are quieted by snow and the sky has a bleak, wintry haze to it? If youre looking for a textbook winter holiday with winter sports and an alpine backdrop, look no further than Innsbruck. As for what there is to see and do in the Canary Islands, take your pick between lounging on a beach, playing in the water with diving and surfing or hiking across the islands memorable landscapes. As youd expect from a capital city, Lisbon has many fabulous palaces and museums, including the Gulbenkian, the National Museum of Ancient Art, and the new Museum of Art, Architecture, and Technology, where you can take shelter on rainy days. Yes, the temperature isfrigid, but you wont be able to resist venturing out into idyllic winter beauty only found in Lapland. Historically speaking, Kiruna has mostly been a mining town. Celebrate spring at a spectacular destination in the Southeastern United States. If snowshoeing isnt for you, the area also has downhill and cross-country skiing. Winter Weekend Getaways in Canada. Tallinn is one of the best places to visit in Europe in the winter. We found a fantastic winter home in Narvik where we could spot the Northern Lights and go snowboard on powder all in one day. If you are more into adventurous activities than arts and culture, consider ice skating and skiing at Victory Park or the frozen pond at Yelagin Island. When a dusting of snow coats St. Charles Bridge and Old Towns church spires, the whole of Prague transforms. You could have snow one day and the next day rain. Everything in the village is modern and luxurious but understated so that you wont be completely gobsmacked here. As you can see winter comes in many guises in Europe and I am sure one of these winter destinations has your name written all over it. The city features an extraordinary amount of green space as its spread out across a series of islands in the Baltic Sea. Think snow-capped mountains, ski slopes, and thermal baths. Ad Choices. Regarded as one of the best medieval towns in Europe, countless Belgian chocolate shops, waffle makers, quirky beer houses, and tiny restaurants fill every corner. The city lies in Southern Poland and has an impressive medieval core and Jewish quarter. The New Years Eve celebrations with fireworks over the Tagus River are worth braving the cold for. There are lots to do in the area activity-wise in both the summer and the winter season. The relaxed atmosphere and friendly locals make it a great place . If youre looking to warm up however, head to one of Icelands geothermal pools, like the ever-popular Blue Lagoon Spa. You can also work up a sweat skiing in Pentland Hills Regional Park or walking among the winter-flowering plants at the Royal Botanic Garden. Although you dont need a good excuse to visit the city of Copenhagen, the festive season is probably as good as any. Whether Lake Bled is at its best during winter is debatable, but its hard to argue that its not magical when the lake is draped in the winter colours of blue and white. Our favorite street, Novy Svet, is a vintage wonderland of embellished doorways specifically crafted to distinguish its residences from one another. Overrun with tourists in warmer climates, Prague can feel downright deserted in winter. Drawing greater and greater numbers of visitors, the Christmas markets offer up stalls selling handcrafts and warm drinks around a massive glittering Christmas tree. The city has one of the best-preserved historical centers in Europe, with many of its medieval churches and merchant houses falling under UNESCO protection. Positioned among Austrias Alps in Tyrol, this city is made to be a winter destination. Not everyone is a fan of frolicking in the snow. You never seem too far from nature for such a modern city, even in the winter. The rest of your visit can focus on sightseeing, with typical Alsatian scenery found in the small quarter of Petit France, the citys most photogenic area. Articles you may like: Amalfi Coast Italy - Italy's most scenic & famous coastline! Its all distinctly Austrian, with restaurants, hotels, bars, chalets, and B&Bs run by local families. Bask in the sunshine in Andaluca, Spain. Aarhus is an incredibly charming city for a weekend trip from Copenhagen. Way more appropriate. Followed by some mulled wine odor and the views of perfectly lit Christmas trees. Other ways to keep warm include hiding out in a grand old cafe or snacking on toasty treats like chimney cakes and other festive foods at local Christmas markets. By that I dont mean the North Pole, but actually the small city of Rovaniemi in Finnish Lapland. The city and country embody many quintessential European cities and countries and there are many things to do in Luxembourg. The first-ever hotel from shoe designer Christian Louboutin is eclectic, extravagant, and curious. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Welcome to the world, as seen through the eyes of Cameron Seagle and Natasha Alden. 30 Cozy A-Frame Cabins for Cold-Weather Getaways, The Travel Basics Our Readers Keep Buying From Amazon, You Can Still Book Cheap Flights to These Popular Spring Break Destinations. After all, it seems fitting to visit somewhere nicknamed La Serenissima at its most serene. The best winter weekend getaways in Europe. Surely, they know the best way to survive through winter and come out on the other side. It's only over an hours drive and the ferry is 75 minutes. Great big capitals can be great to visit in winter, but their smaller, cuter siblings can be too. The town looks pretty in the . Where to stay: Greydon House, from $215 per night, expedia.com. With a walk or drive along the lakefront you can reach Bled Castle or Mala Osojnica for some spectacular views. Bansko is one of the cheapest places to ski in Europe, so this won't hurt your wallet and there are also many cheap flight airlines that come into Sofia and Bulgaria . Its also only a two-hour ferry ride away from Helsinki! Mystic, a small coastal Connecticut town once known for its shipyard and seaport is now a quaint New England getaway full of destination-worthy dining. Best Places to Visit in Europe in January- Bruges, Belgium. Learn more about Natasha Alden on The World Pursuit About Us Page. Take the Estonian capital of Tallinn, for example. It can also get very windy, especially at some of the many superb viewpoints around the city, so wrapping up warm is crucial when visiting to enjoy the city and stay comfortable. Now, not every winter destination necessarily has to be a cold one. A trip to Venice in winter means not having to struggle past wave after wave of cruise tour groups as you wander along the citys charming canals. Renowned for being one of the cheapest city breaks in Europe, winter is cold in Vilnius, but there are plenty of hip cafs, craft beer bars, cool art galleries and quirky concept stores . Plus, coming in winter means youll avoid the high tourist numbers that have led to Barcelonas overtourism problems. Besides skiing and mountains, the town of Chamonix is as charming as it gets, with plenty of restaurants and shops to wander around. Norway in the winter is what fairytale books are made out of. That said, given the spot's one-bedroom . If you fall into that camp, there's no shortage of places to seek out in December for a warm-weather getaway. This Swedish city north of the arctic circle doesnt hibernate in winter; it thrives. So braving the cold will give you a chance to boast about watching famous Russian ballet at Mariinsky Theatre. This historic city combines all that is endearing and lovable about the Belgian region of Flanders splendid architecture, scenic city canals and all the beer and chocolate you can handle. Few people know that my hometown Milan is a great winter destination. Of course, there is also beauty in the season itself: James Joyces short story The Dead even pays tribute to the citys snow-covered graveyards. Walking through town doesnt take all that long, but youre sure to find yourself stopping every few steps to admire the view in front of you. Sitting isolated by a lake, this small Austrian town is dwarfed by the nearby Alps that look like their truest self when gleaming with white snow. Up above the city, you can take advantage of the ample snowfall with both downhill and cross-country skiing. Walking along the canals, across the famous bridges and . The 11th edition of the festival will launch on December 1, with the theme Imagine Beyond promising more creative pieces of art than ever. This time of year is one of the busiest for the city, with celebrations and festivals left and right. Located close to Pinery Provincial Park, Grand Bend Beach is a very popular stop for weekend getaways in southwestern Ontario. Any of these 12 destinations from across Europe would make a brilliant weekend getaway or longer holiday. Visit during December to see the Baroque architecture surrounded by Christmas lights; or dodge the crowds and book a trip after the holidays, when youll have tons of room to stroll the pedestrian-only Old Town and sip coffee by the riverside cafs. That lovely feeling can be found throughout Copenhagen, from pastry shops to inviting hotels. Grand Bend Beach. Now theyve discovered more iron underneath the city. Witness parades of people dressed extravagantly pass by while wearing the ornate masks that are truly unique to the Carnival of Venice. Annecy is a cheese-lovers dream, and local cheese-based specialtiestartifletteandraclettewill feature on many menus. Its a beautiful city full of historic buildings and palaces. Here you can soak in the outdoors, letting the toasty mineral waters work their magic. The best place to stay in Lisbon is George Hotel, ideally located for shopping, sightseeing, nightlife, and views. My favorite place to stay in Reykjavik is theCenterHotel Midgardur. The Cologne Cathedral is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and one of Europe's grandest structures. Its why we keep coming back to the continent during December March. Some places in Europe look their most natural during winter, like the pretty little alpine town of Hallstatt. Known for its diverse beauty and breathtaking beaches, visiting here feels like living in paradise. And youre sure to find all of those grand cafs, museums, and thermal baths infinitely more welcoming after spending a few chilly hours exploring the city. Vienna is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe, and thats a fact no matter the season. Could it get any better? Just because its the coldest time of year doesnt mean its not a good time to travel Europe. In truth, Venice isnt quiet for all of winter. 7. Our first visit was just after Thanksgiving when the Christmas markets were set up throughout the city. This city of old world grandeur, architecture and culture may even look more atmospheric with a light dusting of snow than under blue skies. There are so many things to do in Venice youll have difficulty getting bored. Here you can sip glogg by the fire, eat cloudberry ice cream and smoked salmon, and take in views of the snow-blanketed forests from your warm bed. This lush volcanic archipelago, 900 miles west of Lisbon, is steadily cropping up on itineraries as people continue to seek out "the next . Besides Tivoli, other places in Copenhagen that will charm you with festive cheer include the ever-brilliant Nyhavn and the ice skating rink at Frederiksberg Runddel. Best Luxury Hotel: Hotel Julien Dubuque. All Rights Reserved. Milan also has some amazing restaurants from all over Italy and beyond. January is a warm and cozy month in Bruges, Belgium. Follow my blog at Facebook Twitter Instagram Pinterest. Most . PanEvo restaurant makes the best one in town! Spectacular architecture, award-winning dining and glorious beaches, all make Barcelona perfect for a weekend getaway. (For the best restaurants, hotels, and more in the city itself, check out our New York City travel . The Amsterdam Light Festival probably has a part in that, creating an even greater spectacle from this famous destination. Bruges is easily one of the best cities in Europe to visit in the winter. The Sagamore Resort is a National Historic Landmark that dates back nearly 150 years and overlooks Lake George. The inn offers basic rooms, each with a kitchenette and a private bathroom. So many amazing places. A trip up to the Klein Matterhorn or a journey on the train to the Gornergrat is a must for non-skiers. Ortakoy Mosque in Istanbul (Alamy) 1. And if you plan your trip for December, you're in for a magical treat. There's skiing, snowboarding and snowshoeing for the winter sports lovers, as well as a great family atmosphere. A tradition dating back centuries, the Nuremberg Christkindlesmarkt has become a monumental festival of good cheer. There are many great options for a weekend getaway in Europe during the winter. It is known as theVenice of the Northbecause of its hundreds of canals. Either way, theres something genuinely unforgettable about exploring the snowy wilderness on foot without a motor humming to disrupt the silence. Beautifully handcrafted decorations from the nearby Erzgebirge mountains can be taken home as souvenirs. Winter weekend getaways for couples & top romantic winter weekend holidays: Weekend getaways, East Coast winter style! Winter is, hands down, the best time to visit Budapest. Amsterdam is nothing short of impressive and a must-see in winter in Europe, when the crowds die down. This Canary Island enjoys permanent sunshine throughout the year. Slovenia is a small country in Eastern Europe and the perfect destination for couples who are looking for a romantic, relaxing, and active trip in the great outdoors. Check out the Anne Frank House, Rijksmuseum, and Van Gogh Museum if youre looking for traditional sights. That mountain is Eigers notorious North Face. Buildings here are old, and if you manage to get away from the crowds, it feels like youve stepped back five centuries. A textbook winter holiday with winter sports and an alpine backdrop, look no further than Innsbruck such modern. December, you & # x27 ; s skiing, snowboarding and snowshoeing for the city features an amount. 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