These Cities Become a Winter Wonderland
When a chill fills the air, the tree branches sparkle with frost and the pale winter sunlight glints off the snowdrifts, some cities take on a truly enchanting atmosphere. Pubs and restaurants feel warmer and more welcoming.
The snow muffles footsteps and makes the city feel more subdued and the entire scene feels like you are walking into a postcard of a winter wonderland. These five cities become incredibly enchanting under blankets of snow, making them some of the best winter vacations.
Tallinn, Estonia
This fairy tale-esque medieval city is charming at any time of year, but it is especially beautiful in winter. You will feel like you have stepped back in time to the ages of chivalry and elegance, when knights rode in shining armor.
Bundle up tight and go for a walk along the old city walls, bringing your camera to capture the views.
During your winter explorations you can warm yourself up with visits to the local sauna, hot roasted chestnuts and plenty of local wine. The people are friendly and welcoming and you will likely find yourself invited to a winter feast or on a dog sledding trip.
Banff, Alberta, Canada
Tucked into a valley and surrounded on all sides by towering craggy mountain peaks, this scenic Canadian town is a superb destination for a winter vacation. You can stroll through the perfectly peaceful dense pine forests on snowshoes, the only sound the crunching of the snow and the whistling of the wind in the trees.
There are also several world class skiing and snowboarding resorts in the area, as well as opportunities for dog sledding, ice climbing, skating and much more. After a day of exploring you can cozy up with a glass of wine and a venison steak at one of the warm and welcoming restaurants.
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Tokyo, Japan
Tokyo is a fascinating destination and it becomes even more enchanting during the winter. The Japanese mega-metropolis is lit up with Christmas lights and comes to life with many winter festivals. Plus, when you visit in the winter you can enjoy fewer crowds and better deals on hotels.
Also, Japan has over 500 ski resorts and they receive fantastic snowfall during the winter months, due to the icy winds blowing in from Siberia. After a long chilly winter day of exploring, there is nothing better than soaking in the warm waters of a traditional Japanese onsen.
Vienna, Austria
A dusting of snow makes the elegant historic architecture of Vienna look even more beautiful. The air is fresh and clean and the streets are filled with life even on the coldest days, with plenty of glittering lights and decorations of all shapes and sizes.
There are plenty of cafes and bars in which to warm up with a hot chocolate or a mulled wine and the winter street markets offer a welcoming glow on the cold nights. Winter is also a great time to enjoy the superb selection of performing arts in Vienna, such as choirs, trumpet recitals, operas, classical music concerts and much more.
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Queenstown, New Zealand
This ridiculously pretty town on the south island of New Zealand is a fantastic winter travel idea (although winter there happens during summer in the northern hemisphere). Surrounded by the mountain range known as The Remarkables, it’s an adventure lover’s retreat where you can ski, snowboard, walk on a glacier or simply relax in a geothermal pool.
If you are in Queenstown for the last week of June you can take part in the Winter Festival, which includes an outdoor ice skating rink, ice hockey games, live music, street parades and a fireworks display over Lake Wakatipu.
These are just few of the lovely cities and towns around the world that are magical to visit during the wintertime. Why not start planning your winter vacation today? Make sure to pack plenty of warm clothes!