Winter, for most of us, is just another season marking the end of autumn, spanning the calendar from December to March. But to travelers and globe trotters, winter is a lot more than that – especially, in Europe. Bracketed by Christmas on one side and Valentine’s Day on the other, the season carries a unique joyous spirit that becomes more celebratory with family and friends. So, why not become a part of Europe’s magical winter, and pull off a vacation in the least populated season of the year? The Schengen region offers plentiful idyllic places to stay, guaranteed to dazzle your travel experience.
Venice, Italy
Venice, the city of canals, transforms into a magical fairyland under the halo of bright Christmas lights and winter’s dulling sun. This carnival atmosphere exists everywhere – in homes, public places, and restaurants – adding to the beauty of the city. Venice’s San Marco district is highly recommended for accommodation, owing to its affordability and accessibility to the city’s highlights, namely the iconic St. Mark’s Basilica, Doge’s Palace, and the Riva degli Schiavoni.
Several events also take place in Venice on specific winter days. So plan your trip accordingly, and you could take the Cold Plunge on New Year’s Day, watch the Regatta delle Befane on January 6th, or get entranced in the 10-day long carnival during Ash Wednesday.
Other places in Italy that you can include in your flight itinerary are St. Peter’s Square, the Alpine city of Turin,
and Cortina d’Ampezzo for skiing and winter sports.
Prague, Czech Republic
Prague, the city of a hundred spires, is a picturesque town that dons a festive look right from the first snowfall. A toast to the medieval spirit, Prague hosts centuries’ old structures that stand testimony to architectural finesse of the bygone era. Bathed in pristine, white snow, these ancient treasures take on a life of their own, which can be experienced only in person. While in Prague, visit the Kafka Museum, the Castle of Vysehrad, and the Prague Castle, which houses the St. Vitus Cathedral, St. George’s Basilica, Powder Tower, and soldiers’ cottages.
Besides sight-seeing, there are several winter activities you can indulge in. Go ice-skating on the city’s various public rinks or head off to an opera show at any of Prague’s three opera houses. Witness the Mikulas Celebration on December 5th or visit the Old Town Square to appreciate the engineering masterpiece of the city’s Astronomical Clock.
Other places in Czech Republic that you can include in your flight itinerary are the relaxing Brno and Roznov, and the mountain station Pustevny.
Vienna, Austria
Vienna’s historical impressions set against new-age infrastructure create a mystical atmosphere any time of the year. But during winter, with diminished sunshine and the white glow of snow, this aura multiplies several times over. The city abounds in palaces, museums, and churches boasting decorative exteriors and interiors. Locals claim that Vienna’s city center can be covered in 90 minutes flat if you are not side-tracked by roadside distractions. Places you must see while in Vienna are St. Stephen’s Cathedral, St. Peter’s Church, the art collections at Albertina, and the Imperial Treasury at Hofburg Palace.
Other places in Austria that you can include in your flight itinerary are Fortress Hohensalzburg, Salzburg Cathedral, the snowy mountains of Untersberg, and the picturesque alpine town Kaprun.
Bergen, Norway
Bergen, the city of fjords, is reminiscent of Norway’s ancient trading history. Visiting Bergen during winter, is the perfect time to soak in the local culture, before springtime travelers arrive and shy away the townsfolk. Stop by the 13th century fish market, relish classical music performances on the open streets, and attend the special concert at Edvard Grieg’s house. Meet artists who will gladly paint you a souvenir and explore intricate ice sculptures at the Magic Ice Bar. For a small town like Bergen, winter certainly offers much more local enthusiasm than larger Norwegian cities.
Other places in Norway that you can include in your flight itinerary are Svalbard for its fascinating cosmic Northern Lights, Senja Island, Lofoten Archipelago, and Geirangerfjord.
Rovaniemi, Finland
Rovaniemi, Santa Claus’ hometown, borders the Arctic and lies drenched in snow and ice all winter long. So if it is Santa’s magic that is driving you to the other side of Earth, then magic is what you’ll get! The first spot you will be automatically drawn to is of course Santa Claus Village and Post Office. Once you have soaked in this initial awesomeness, divert to other places of interest such as Ounasvaara Ski Resort, Arctic Snow Hotel, Arctic Garden, and Auttikongas.
Other places in Finland that you can include in your flight itinerary are the Helsinki Cathedral located in the capital, fortress of Suomenlinna, Turku along the River Aura, and Aland archipelago.
Budapest, Hungary
Budapest, the capital of Hungary, is a quiet town filled with stunning historical architecture and several vantage points from where to get a peek into its opulent Roman past. Budapest is best covered by walking, and a good place to start is St. Stephen’s Basilica followed by Fisherman’s Bastion and Buda Castle. Other places of interest are the Szechenyi Chain Bridge, Danube River Promenade, the Great Market Hall, Matthias Church, and Schenzyi Thermal Bath.
Other places in Hungary that you can include in your flight itinerary are Normafa for skiing and sledging, Esztergom Basilica, cave formations of Aggtelek, and the plainlands of Hortobagy.
Certainly, winter in Europe’s Schengen region is a phenomenon that must be experienced by being present in the moment. It needs to be lived – not read about or imagined. So, create an all-inclusive flight itinerary, book a visa appointment, ace your visa interview, and pack your bags for a fairytale adventure before spring arrives!