Where to go to Europe in winter to relax?

Winter is a great time to travel. When frost bites on her cheeks, a blizzard howls dumbly and the sun hardly shows, it is especially important to recharge with positive emotions and new impressions. Someone chooses tours to hot countries or tropical islands. Another part of tourists wonders where to go in winter to Europe. Christmas markets with New Year's illumination, mountain trails, northern lights or the ruins of Ancient Greece in the warm rays of the January sun can give unforgettable emotions.

5 reasons to go to Europe in winter

The cold season should not scare you away. Winter Europe will pleasantly please tourists:

1. Christmas mood and sales. Where else can you plunge into the atmosphere of a fairy tale, take a picture with a real Santa, try gingerbread cookies, washed down with mulled wine, and also buy inexpensive gifts for loved ones?
2. Price reduction. In January, a lull traditionally sets in. You can buy tickets or book a hotel room much cheaper than usual.
3. Mild climate. Thanks to the warm Gulf Stream, in most European countries it is much warmer in winter than in Moscow. And in the south it’s completely sunny. The swimming season, of course, is officially closed, but this does not stop the seasoned Siberians.
4. The lack of an influx of tourists. Fans of attractions will be able to calmly visit historical places, imbued with their spirit, not pushing through the crowd.
5. A special winter atmosphere. Europe leads a measured, unhurried life in winter, which is interesting to watch from the side. Sit in a cozy Parisian bar, stroll through the snowy streets of Budapest, admire the icy castles of Romania, sip hot chocolate in Stockholm, watching passers-by.

Take a ride with the breeze

Lovers of skiing and snowboarding traditionally choose winter holidays in Europe. Where to go to enjoy the speed, the beauty of snow-capped peaks and the clear frosty air? You will be happy to receive:

• French Alps with picturesque landscapes and tracks of varying complexity, the total number of which exceeded 4 thousand.
• Switzerland, where the resort of St. Moritz is especially famous. Here, the Winter Olympic Games and World Championships were held several times.
• Bavaria, where in addition to pistes for real extreme sports there are many gentle slopes suitable for beginner skiers and children.
• Slovenia, the Czech Republic, Slovakia or Poland, where prices are lower, the infrastructure is not so rich, but the scenery is amazing, and the air is healing.

Together with a child

At the end of December, New Year holidays begin in schools and kindergartens. Many parents wonder where to go to Europe in winter with a child. A storm of emotions in kids will cause a trip to Finland to real Santa Claus. Its residence is located 7 km from Rovaniemi, the capital of Lapland. The child will surely want to sit on the lap of his good grandfather, ride live reindeer, visit an ice hotel and see the underground park where elves live.

Fairs that open at the end of December in Germany, Vienna, London, Strasbourg, Prague and Brussels can also create a bright Christmas mood. With the whole family, you will immerse yourself in the atmosphere of celebration and fun, become spectators of theater and music shows, stock up on souvenirs, overeat gingerbread cookies and traditional dishes. And after January 1, when the Christmas celebration is left behind, you can visit local museums and attractions.

Towards the summer

Many people dream of running away from frost and snowdrifts to where it is warm. Where to go to Europe in winter to enjoy the sun and sunbathe? Quite a comfortable temperature you will enjoy:

• Canary and Balearic Islands in Spain. The air here warms up to +23 degrees. This is enough to get a beautiful tan on the beach. You can swim in the heated pool. True, Russian heroes boldly dive into the ocean, surprising local residents.
• Greece. The heat decreases in winter, but the temperature fluctuates between +15 and + 23 degrees. The number of tourists is decreasing, which means that you can safely visit the Dikteyska cave in Crete, where Zeus the Thunderer was once born. Or the Acropolis of Athens and the Parthenon.
• Mader island in Portugal. Here the air warms up above +18 degrees. You can swim in the warm pools formed from volcanic lava.
• South of Italy. It is especially warm in Sicily, where at +20 degrees you can sunbathe on the beach.

In pursuit of sales

If you coincide with a trip to the season of discounts, you can save up to 70-90% of the amount when buying stylish designer clothes. Where can I go to Europe in winter to do my favorite shopping? Reviews of tourists indicate that discounts are the norm for all countries. They begin in the last week of December, and reach their maximum in February. The most profitable areas are:

• Berlin. Here you can buy shoes and clothes from famous fashion designers. It’s worth a ride after December 25th. There are tremendous discounts for two weeks, people take a turn to the stores before they open.
• Madrid. People come here for leather bags, shoes, belts. Sales last from January 1 to the end of March, but all the best is understood at the very beginning.
• Milan. From here they bring clothes, shoes, bedding, dishes, jewelry. Discount announcements are posted on January 4 and removed exactly after 60 days.

Hooray, carnival!

Lovers of fun, dance and costume performances can safely go to Europe in the winter. Where is it better to go to plunge into the atmosphere of the holiday, bright colors, balls and fireworks? In February, they will meet you with beautiful carnivals:

• Venice. During the holiday, the city turns into a theatrical stage. Every year, the carnival is dedicated to a certain topic. You can admire luxurious costumes and masks made in a special Venetian style for a long time .
• Barcelona During the week, the city is filled with animators, jugglers, circus performers. Since the national product is orange, orange balls and confetti fly everywhere.
• Nice. Tourists will certainly remember the giant papier-mâché dolls, as well as a parade of flowers and lights.
• Germany. Holidays here take place in several cities at once. It all starts with the “woman’s assault” of the city hall. Then the costume procession starts, during which sweets fly into the audience.

Looking for romance

Where to go in winter to Europe for a couple in love? Of course, to Paris. Kisses at the Eiffel Tower. Magical night lights. Wall with declarations of love in Montmartre. Archeveche Bridge, on which you can hang a castle as a sign of strong feelings. A cafe where you will be given mulled wine and a warm blanket. Even slush on the roads will not be able to spoil your romantic mood.

On the eve of February 14, you can visit the Italian Verona, where the legendary Romeo and Juliet fell in love . The city is beautifully decorated with red lanterns in the shape of hearts, performances are played on the streets, music sounds, fairs work. On the day of the holiday, interesting events are held on Piazza dei Signori, including a kiss of couples for a minute, after which confetti - "Sighs of Love" fly up into the sky.

Mystery lovers

Many tourists are attracted by everything mysterious and unknown. Where to go to Europe in winter to tickle your nerves? Of course, in the Old World there are many places where ghosts live and chilling legends come to life. You can visit:

• Dracula's castle. It is located in Romania, in the city of Brasov. The snow covered ancient walls look impressive. Tourists will be introduced to the terrible secrets of Vlad Tepes, who was immortalized in the famous novel under the name Dracula. There are several old fortresses in the district, a visit to which will allow you to mentally travel to the Middle Ages.

• Prague is unusually beautiful in winter and, as always, is full of secrets. It is here that you can find the House of Faust, meet the spirits of Jan Hus and Jáchim Berha, see at night the clay Golem, revived by Kabbalists.
• The city of Edinburgh (Scotland) has beautiful Princess Street gardens, magnificent castles and the throne of King Arthur, as well as the dead end of Mary King. Once, people who were infected with the plague were brought here to die. The spirit of one of the deceased girls, Annie, still scares passersby with her touches and Scottish songs.

Travel Tips

When choosing where to go to Europe in winter, specify:

1. Have some ferry, bus and train routes been canceled?
2. Does your hotel have renovations?
3. Are museums, galleries, attractions that you want to visit open at this time.

Having foreseen everything in advance, you can fully enjoy the trip.

Where to go to Europe in winter is up to you. There is entertainment for every taste. The main thing is to take with you a good mood, warm clothes and a desire to explore this wonderful world. Then the sea of ​​positive impressions and bright emotions is provided to you.