From Snowboarding in Austria by leslie_maliepaard

Have you been meaning to travel to Europe? Winter can be the perfect time to visit, with the many festivals that happen in this season and the ethereal charm of the landscape. There are many practical reasons to visit Europe on the off-season, as well: many hotels offer bargain rates, the airfare is significantly lower, and, best of all, you’ll find sparse crowds at all the best attractions!

Winter Wonderland

Winter weather in northern Europe can be brisk, with the likelihood for rain or snow depending on the country. Be sure to bundle up, bring (or buy) umbrellas and gloves, and enjoy the enchanting atmosphere that precipitation can bring when you experience a country as the locals do; this isn’t the Disney version of Europe, it’s the real thing!

Realtravelers Amy and Chris traveled to Norway, Sweden, Russia, Romania, Hungary, Switzerland, Germany and Poland and during the snowy season and had a blast doing it. They took a winter cruise, went dog sledding, and even stayed in the famous Ice Hotel with its exquisite walls made of ice! Here is an excerpt from their blog:

“After getting off the boat (finally) we made our way into the town and then went dog sledding! Although it was about -5 outside and 7:30 at night.. the dogs (Alaskan huskies) were super friendly…our ride was about 40 minutes and so amazing! The northern lights were just starting to come out and it was very beautiful! We HIGHLY recommend it to anyone if you are in Lapland, or anywhere in the world, and you get the chance! We finished off the night with some chocolate cake and reindeer stew.” (more…)

In Search of Warmth

Can’t tolerate the cold? Choose your European destinations wisely. Even by the Mediterranean Sea, Europe experiences all four seasons, but pleasant temperatures can be still be found! Spain, Greece, and Italy are your best bets for sun. Here’s two ideas for mild weather vacation spots to get you started:

–Visit the island of Sicily, the romantic Mediterranean island where you can walk on the lovely beaches while gazing at the scenic backdrop of mountains. Citrus and olive groves dot the landscape, and archeological sites are as plentiful as the relaxing spas. Popular outdoor activities here are cycling, hiking, and bird watching.

–Book a trip to Amalfi, where with the exception of Christmas week the low season brings great travel deals on hotels and attractions. Take a day-trip to Pompeii or Capri, or explore the villas in the charming Italian landscape. The shopping is spectacular in the Amalfi Coast region, especially for ceramics and unique souvenirs, and the post-holiday sale prices will have you stocking up on presents for next year’s holiday season.

Winter Festivals

Do you like seasonal celebrations and immersing in local culture? Europe offers winter festivals galore. New Year’s Eve is the La Festa di San Silvestro festival in Italy, celebrated throughout the country with fireworks, music, dancing, and delicious traditional foods; Hogmanay takes place in Scotland, with its torchlight processions, music, parties, and fireball swingers; the Venice Carnival can be found in February; Mardi Gras (around that time as well) in France and Belgium; and the Whittlesea Straw Bear Festival happens in England in January. Plan your trip around some of the many festivals in Europe and you’re sure to have an experience to remember!

Realtraveler Shatrick skated the ice at the lovely Kew Gardens in London, and then attended the historical Frost Fair:

“Saturday was Frost Fair - a fair that celebrates when the Thames used to freeze over and people could walk across, or go skating. The fair took place along the Thames between the Shakespeare Globe and the Tate Modern. Saturday morning I woke up early and headed down to Frost Fair via Borough Market…possibly the most fragrant place I have ever been…it is just stall after stall of food vendors set up under the train tracks. There were vendors with everything from cheese to wine to fruits and vegetables, meat and even all natural beauty products.” (more…)

Resources:

Winter Carnivals in Europe
Hogmanay 2007-2008
Sarajevo Winter Festival
Rick Steves’ Europe Festivals Guide

Other great blogs about Winter trips to Europe:

—Liz Hamilton in Lucerne
—Ralph and Pat in Florence
—cessna152 in Dusseldorf and Budapest
—Kerry Taylor in the Netherlands

More Useful Links:

Ski and Snowboarding in Europe
Europe Editor Picks
Top Spots in Europe
Europe Hotel Reviews
Europe Travel Deals