Winter calls for cosy days under the blanket with warm cups of coffee. But winter also offers a chance to enjoy the full blown, white winter snows. If you're in the mood for treating yourself to the best of winter and accepting the chilly embrace of the season, there are quite a few options for you to explore. In this blog, we explore the most captivating spots for winter vacations all over the world.
Things to Consider while Travelling in Winter
Before we dive into where you can spend your winter break this year, let’s take a moment to consider what you should keep in mind before you start planning. While winter can be magical in various aspects, it comes with a fair amount of challenges that are manageable if you prepare in advance.
- Weather Conditions: Keep an eye on the weather conditions of the destination that you’re planning to go to. Keeping the weather in consideration is especially important when you’re planning a trip to a chilly destination that is likely to have snow or very low temperatures. So, it’s better not to be blindsided by the weather that will welcome you once you make your arrival.
- Clothing and Attire: Every trip calls for packing the essential clothing to make it a successful one. The outfits for a trip can be styled around the weather as well as the environment of the country. It’s imperative that you pack warm layers along with boots and gloves if you’re going to a colder country. The tropics call for beachwear and other such attire. It’s best to only pack the outfits that you plan to wear instead of packing too much so that you don’t have to carry around any extra weight with you.
- Flight Delays: Winter storms can lead to flight delays and cancellations. It’s good to stay updated with your airline's notifications and be prepared for any potential changes to your travel itinerary.
- Seasonal Closures: Some tourist attractions, national parks, and accommodations might be closed or have limited hours during winter. Make sure that you check ahead to avoid any issues during your travel.
- Health Precautions: Be mindful of your health so that any unforeseen illnesses don’t end up spoiling your trip. If you’re going to a colder region and plan to engage in some ice-skating, be careful about slipping to avoid injuries.
Where To Go?
Now that we know everything we need to about setting ourselves up for a great time this winter, let’s find the best places to visit in winter in the world. Moreover, take a glimpse at the activities, food and other things that these places have to offer.
North America:
Aspen, Colorado - USA
Aspen is a winter wonderland and well-known for its world-class skiing. It attracts travellers from across the globe with its snowy slopes, picturesque landscapes, and vibrant atmosphere. After a day on the slopes, visitors can unwind in cosy lodges. The town comes alive with bustling bars, live music, and a vibrant nightlife, creating a lively atmosphere for socialising and relaxation. Beyond skiing, Aspen offers a range of winter activities, including snowshoeing, ice skating, snowmobiling, and cross-country skiing. Whether you're a skiing enthusiast, an art lover, or someone seeking a cosy winter retreat, Aspen provides an unforgettable winter vacation amid the splendour of the Rocky Mountains.
Quebec City - Canada
Quebec City, a charming Canadian destination, attracts visitors with its magical ambience during winter. Quebec City's Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is like a storybook come to life - especially during the winter months. The narrow cobblestone streets, historic buildings, and 17th-century architecture create a fairy-tale atmosphere, perfect for winter strolls and photography. Quebec City hosts the world-famous Quebec Winter Carnival, one of the largest and most celebrated winter festivals in the world. Quebec City is home to the iconic Hôtel de Glace, North America's only ice hotel. Each winter, this architectural marvel is crafted entirely from ice and snow, offering guests a unique and unforgettable experience. Quebec City offers several Nordic spas where visitors can unwind in outdoor hot tubs and saunas, surrounded by snowy landscapes.
Europe:
Reykjavik - Iceland
Reykjavik, the capital of Iceland - one of the most popular winter tourism places in the world - is a captivating destination that offers a unique and enchanting experience for travellers, especially during the winter months. Reykjavik serves as an excellent base for witnessing the mesmerising Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis). During the winter, the city's proximity to the Arctic Circle provides excellent opportunities to witness this natural spectacle. Iceland is known for its geothermal wonders, and Reykjavik is no exception. The city boasts numerous hot springs and geothermal pools, such as the Blue Lagoon and Laugardalslaug. Reykjavik hosts various winter festivals, including the Winter Lights Festival and the Reykjavik International Film Festival. Nearby mountains provide excellent terrain for skiing and snowboarding. The city's streets are adorned with twinkling lights, and Christmas markets offer festive delights, including traditional Icelandic treats, handcrafted gifts, and seasonal decorations.
Stockholm - Sweden
Stockholm, the capital of Sweden, offers a blend of festive charm, cultural experiences, and outdoor activities. Stockholm's squares and streets come alive with winter markets and holiday festivities. Traditional Christmas markets, such as the Old Town Christmas Market (Gamla Stan) and the Skansen Christmas Market, offer handmade crafts, local delicacies, and festive decorations. During winter, Stockholm's waterways freeze, creating natural ice skating rinks. Locals and tourists alike enjoy gliding on the frozen lakes and canals. Stockholm's archipelago, consisting of thousands of islands, is a sight to behold in winter. Several operators offer winter cruises, allowing visitors to enjoy the beauty of frozen waterways, snow-covered islands, and coastal villages.
Zermatt - Switzerland
Zermatt, nestled in the Swiss Alps, is a winter paradise that captures the hearts of travellers with its majestic mountains, world-class skiing, and charming alpine atmosphere. Zermatt is renowned for its breathtaking views of the Matterhorn, one of the most iconic and majestic mountains in the world. Zermatt is home to the highest cable car station in Europe, the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise. Visitors can take a cable car to this glacier paradise, where they can enjoy stunning views, visit the ice palace, and even have a meal at one of the highest restaurants in the world. Zermatt offers exhilarating toboggan runs, where visitors can enjoy the thrill of sliding down the snow-covered slopes. Additionally, the resort has ice skating rinks, providing a fun and family-friendly activity for both beginners and experienced skaters.
Vienna - Austria
Vienna, the elegant capital of Austria, transforms into a winter wonderland during the colder months, offering visitors a magical experience steeped in history, culture, and festive charm. Vienna is renowned for its enchanting Christmas markets. Visitors can soak in the festive spirit while browsing stalls adorned with twinkling lights. Vienna is a city of music, and winter visitors can enjoy world-class classical concerts, operas, and ballet performances. Vienna's traditional coffeehouses, like Café Central and Café Sacher, offer a cosy refuge from the winter chill. Prater Park, home to the iconic Giant Ferris Wheel, transforms into a winter wonderland. Vienna hosts spectacular New Year's Eve celebrations, including the famous New Year's Eve Ball at the Hofburg Imperial Palace. The city's streets come alive with fireworks, concerts, and festivities, creating a lively and festive atmosphere to welcome the new year.
Asia:
Hokkaido - Japan
Hokkaido, Japan’s northernmost island is a great place to vacation in winter if you’re looking for a skiing and snowboarding paradise. It is abundant with high quality powder snow which is perfect for those activities. Hokkaido is dotted with natural hot springs, or onsens, providing a relaxing way to warm up in winter. The place is also known for its delicious and hearty cuisine, including fresh seafood, Hokkaido wagyu beef, dairy products, and ramen. Hokkaido's landscapes, including frozen lakes, snow-covered mountains, and charming rural villages, create picturesque scenes during winter.
Kashmir and Ladakh - India
Kashmir and Ladakh in India are regions that are very close to each other. Kashmir is abundant with picturesque landscapes that are perfect for winter treks. The Gulmarg Gondola, one of the highest cable cars in the world, takes visitors to Mount Apharwat, providing breathtaking views and access to powdery slopes for skiing enthusiasts. Dal Lake, the iconic attraction of Srinagar, freezes partially during winter, creating a unique experience for visitors. Winter is the time for saffron harvest in Kashmir. Visitors can witness the saffron fields in Pampore, near Srinagar, where the delicate purple flowers are harvested. The contrast of the snow against the vibrant colours of India is a sight to behold.
While you’re still exploring the chilly landscapes of India, you may want to slip away to Ladakh. The snow-capped mountains, frozen rivers, and serene monasteries create surreal winter visuals that are a treat for the eyes and the camera. The Chadar Trek on the frozen Zanskar River is a legendary winter trekking experience. Ladakh's monasteries host vibrant winter festivals, such as the Gustor Festival in Spituk and the Dosmoche Festival in Leh. These festivals involve colourful masked dances, cultural performances, and religious rituals, offering visitors a chance to witness Ladakh's rich Buddhist heritage. Winter is a favourable time to spot elusive creatures such as the snow leopard, making it a dream come true for wildlife enthusiasts. To get assistance with your India visa application, contact ShareTrip’s expert visa team.
South America:
Bariloche - Argentina
San Carlos de Bariloche, commonly known as Bariloche, is a picturesque city nestled in the Argentine Patagonia, renowned for its stunning natural beauty and charming alpine architecture. Bariloche is surrounded by the snow-capped peaks of the Andes, creating a breathtaking backdrop for winter visitors. The city is famous for its delicious chocolate, and winter is the perfect time to indulge in this sweet treat. The Circuito Chico, a scenic route around the Nahuel Huapi Lake, is a must-visit in winter. The route offers panoramic views of the lake, snow-covered forests, and the Andes, making it a picturesque drive or bike ride. Visitors can try snowshoeing, snowmobiling, ice skating, and even dog sledding, providing diverse options for outdoor enthusiasts.
Hidden Gems
Tallinn, Estonia (Europe)
Tallinn, the charming capital of Estonia, is a captivating winter destination that combines historic charm with a festive atmosphere. The city becomes even more enchanting when covered in a blanket of snow. Tallinn is known for its enchanting Christmas markets. The Tallinn Christmas Market, set in the heart of the Old Town, offers a magical experience with festive lights, handicraft stalls, seasonal treats, and a Christmas tree that is often considered one of the most beautiful in Europe. Skating in the Old Town's Harju Street Ice Rink or the charming Freedom Square Ice Rink provides a fun and festive way to enjoy the crisp winter air. In winter, the view from Toompea Hill is particularly magical. Estonians have a strong sauna culture, and Tallinn offers several saunas where visitors can unwind and warm up during the winter months.
Rovaniemi, Finland (Europe)
Rovaniemi is known worldwide as the residence of Santa Claus. It is one of the best places on Earth to witness the mesmerising Northern Lights, also known as the Aurora Borealis. Visitors can take guided tours to hunt for the Northern Lights, providing an opportunity to witness the dancing colours of the night sky. Rovaniemi offers a range of thrilling winter safaris and activities, including husky sledding, reindeer sleigh rides and ice fishing. During winter, visitors can take icebreaker cruises on the frozen sea, providing an unforgettable experience of breaking through the Arctic ice. Many accommodations offer private saunas, allowing visitors to unwind and warm up after a day of winter activities.
Kullu, Manali and Shimla, India (Asia)
Kullu, Manali, and Shimla are nestled in the picturesque state of Himachal Pradesh in India. Each of these places offers unique experiences, making the region a sought-after destination during the winter months. Manali offers snow-capped mountains, hot springs and various winter festivals where travellers can witness local traditions, folk dances, and music performances, providing insights into Himachali culture. Kullu is a serene destination offering a blend of natural beauty and adventure activities such as apple orchards and river rafting. Shimla - the capital city of Himachal Pradesh - is a hill station known for its architectural heritage and winter charm. The iconic Mall Road in Shimla is a bustling hub, especially during winter. Tourists can enjoy shopping, dine in cosy restaurants, and soak in the colonial-era ambiance. Shimla is connected to Kalka via a historic toy train route. The winter journey on this narrow-gauge railway, passing through snow-covered landscapes, is a delightful experience.
Plan your Winter Trip with ShareTrip!
ShareTrip has the total travel solution for you. Just choose your destination and let them handle the rest for you. Get full assistance from our visa expert starting from your application to getting your passport back. To save more on every trip, book your flights and hotels on ShareTrip. To enjoy the best holiday packages and more, visit www.sharetrip.net and download the ShareTrip App. To know more call us at +8809617617617.
