This Is A Guest Post By Rebecca Brown
With the winter months fast approaching, we can’t help but start dreaming about all the beautiful snow-filled places out there. We are talking lots of snow, fairytale-like cities where you can sip on your mulled wine with a satisfied smile. If you can’t imagine a winter without snow-covered rooftops, cute Christmas markets or a pair of ski boots - read on. We have some destinations that you need to add to your bucket list.
1. Transylvania, Romania
The number one entry on the list may come as a surprise, but do not worry, its position is very well earned. If you are lucky enough to travel to Transylvania in Romania, you will discover there countless views that will simply take your breath away. The country has a culturally diverse history and it is in Transylvania that Romania’s German or Saxon heritage becomes very apparent. A winter’s day exploring the cobbled streets and magical Christmas markets of Sibiu or Brasov will be an incredible treat. Hiking is also very popular in the region, but take a guide with you during winter.
Transylvania is home to Bran Castle or Dracula’s castle, as many refer to it (the real guy is a little different to Count Dracula by the way). In the wintertime, the sight of Bran Castle in the distance is a must see. Peles Castle is the former home of the Romanian royal family and one of Romania’s most iconic castles. You will find it tucked away in the Carpathian Mountains near the city of Sinaia. It is a view that certainly will not disappoint.
There is nothing more important on a winter holiday than winter food and Transylvania is one of the best places to fill your grumbling stomach. And it doesn’t hurt that the meals cost only a fraction of what they do back home. You will be eating out every single day, completely guilt free! Well almost, because you are going to eat a lot. Romanian cuisine is very diverse and they are extremely good at cooking meat. Come to think of it, they do a pretty damn good job in the dessert department, too.
2. Lapland, Finland
There is no better time (or a more relevant time) to visit the home of Santa Claus than in winter.
In Lapland, you will find a snow-covered winter wonderland and a Christmas enthusiast’s dream come true. First things first, Lapland is the home of Father Christmas and a trip here would not be complete unless you pay a visit to the jolly old man and his reindeer. The capital of Lapland, Rovaniemi, is where you will find Santa Claus Village. You can even treat the kids to a reindeer sleigh ride here.
A winter trip to Finland is also all about witnessing the spectacular Northern Lights- or at least trying to. And Lapland is the best spot for doing just this. The lights are said to be visible around 150 nights per year, between mid-August and early April. Though you will need to be patient to catch them! It is hard to pinpoint the perfect spot at any one time, as it also depends on the weather and cloud cover. To save you from having to wait all night in the cold, the Rovaniemi area offers a notification servicethat lets you know when lights are most likely to be visible.
When you’re done with Santa and chasing lights, there are plenty of activities to enjoy in Lapland. You can finally go dog sledding or even snowmobiling if motorized sports are more your thing. Gliding through the snow in Lapland is a magical experience, only surpassed by a glimpse of the Northern Lights. If time permits, try your hand at ice fishing, go for a winter dip and afterwards you are welcome to join the Finnish for their habitual sauna session.
3. Montréal, Canada
As one of the coldest cities in North America, the average winter temperatures are consistently in the negatives here. Winter-lovers rejoice, this fabulous city has adapted well to its climate and is the perfect place for you to visit in the colder months.
If you love a good festival you need to spend winter in Montréal. The city hosts a music festival, called Igloofest, which is all about dancing the night away in your ski jacket. It normally runs from mid-January to early February and always includes the most popular artists in the lineup. If you are not into dancing, head over to the Montréal en Lumiere festival instead. There you will find, music, art, food and also ‘nuit blanche’, a night where the city does not sleep!
Ice skating is a fun activity for the whole family and in Montréal you are in an ice skater’s paradise. Just don’t let the Montréalers make you feel inadequate, the little kids might be much faster than you. There are plenty of spots to skate, both outdoors and indoors - at Parc Jean Drapeau you can skate in style along a tree-lined path with music playing in the background.
One of the best things about winter in Montreal is that you can easily escape the chill when you want to. The city boasts 20 miles of ‘underground city’ tunnels, and while some portion of that is not actually underground, but there is plenty of heating on offer to keep you feeling toasty.
4. Colorado, USA
Winter in Colorado is your skiing dream come true. There are more ski resorts in this region than you can count on both hands or even four hands for that matter. And when you venture into the capital, Denver, the distant views of the snowcapped mountain ranges are just as spectacular.
If you are planning on heading to the slopes, make sure you check out the Torchlight Parades. These events are run by many of the ski villages and can be likened to a fireworks show but with lights, people and snow. Keen skiers and people on snowmobiles will slide around in a creative formation, wearing an assortment of flashing lights! If you like a good show, or you have kids, you can also make the trip to Colorado’s North Pole to meet Santa.
For those who are not really into skiing, Colorado has a huge range of snow sports on offer.
Winter thrill seekers can glide through the snow on sleds, tubes or even snow kayaks! You can rent a kayak and literally paddle your way through the snow. Colorado is also the ice climbing capital of the world. Yes, you read it correctly, in Colorado you can actually climb ice. If you’re afraid to give this one a shot, it is still a lot of fun as a spectator.
5. Atlas Mountains, Morocco
A winter trip to the Atlas Mountain region in Morocco is a hiker’s dream come true.With so few people on the trails and some incredible routes on offer, it can provide visitors with some of the best trekking in the world. If you are brave enough (and have a guide with you) why not try to tackle Jbel Toubkal, the highest peak of the Atlas Mountain range.
And while you’re in the mountains, you should visit the coldest city in the whole of Africa. It is a little place called Ifrane and the lowest recorded temperature is a chilly minus 24 degrees. When in Ifrane, it is easy to forget that you are in Morocco and not in a skiing village in Switzerland. It was built in the 1930s by the French and these days it is a base for affluent Moroccans looking to experience a European winter and do a bit of skiing.
The Berber people are what make a trip to the Atlas Mountains even more special. Traditionally, the Berbers are nomads and they have a very ancient and fascinating culture. Many have tried to colonize the Berbers, but their culture and language lives on within the communities that call the Atlas Mountains home.
