While the arrival of winter and therefore cold weather means long, dark and inaccessible days for some, it means enjoying nature covered with a white sheet to the fullest, playing snowballs, skiing, making sausage and bread in the snow, and even watching the northern lights for some. If you are in the second group; in the northern hemisphere 9 places to enjoy your winter vacation to the fullest list is for you. Pack your bags, we're on our way! Many options await you on our list, from skiing to trekking, from watching the northern lights to ice skating in the city.
Bulgaria – Bansko
Our list starts with our closest neighbor, Bulgaria. Bulgaria is one of the rare countries where you can have a snow holiday in the most economical way. Located at the foot of Pirin Mountain, Bansko is a place that received the Best Ski Resort Award at the World Ski Awards in 2016. The total length of many tracks of different difficulty levels reaches 75 kilometers. While many hotels offer accommodation in Bansko, one of the most popular ski resorts in Eastern Europe, you can take Europe's most affordable ski and snowboard lessons here. You can also enjoy the colorful nightlife during the day and the fun in the evenings.
Italy – Dolomites
It is not difficult to guess that the first place that comes to your mind when you think of Italy is the Dolomites, and the first thing is not a snow holiday. Although it is overshadowed by Rome, Florence and Venice, the Dolomites, which have magnificent beauties for nature lovers, are located in the northwest of Italy. The magnificent mountains in the region form the southern extensions of the Alps and the border between Austria and Italy. The region, which hosts nature lovers in summer and winter, is undoubtedly much more attractive when it is under snow in winter. The region, which offers magnificent views with its 3000-meter-high peaks and glacial lakes, was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2009. The slopes of different difficulty levels satisfy the ski lovers, and the spas satisfy the leisure lovers.
Austria – Hallstatt
How would you like to take a break from your ski holiday and take a winter holiday that offers fairy-tale views? Austria's Hallstatt is a holiday destination where you can find what you are looking for. Hallstatt Village is on the UNESCO World Heritage List. It is like a photo studio with the lake and historical houses on its shore. I don't think I need to tell you that the scenery under the snow is beautiful during the winter months. Since Hallstat is a small village, you will have to visit and photograph it in a short time, so you can add the salt mines to your tour and go to the observation point called Sky Walk, where you can see the lake from the top. By adding Salzburg to your Hallstatt tour, you can extend your travel time and enjoy the beautiful landscapes for a little longer.
Austria – Vienna
Don't be surprised that there are two different places from Austria on this list. Moreover, both are city suggestions, not skiing. capital of austria ViennaIt is famous for its history, culture, cafes as well as ice rinks. When winter comes and the weather gets cold, huge ice rinks are set up in many of Vienna's squares, a winter tradition in Vienna. The rinks usually open on Christmas Day, December 24, and stay open for two months. Young and old, men and women skate on these rinks. Although watching is just as enjoyable as skiing, you can also rent equipment and join the fun.
Switzerland – Zermatt
We continue our list with another destination for winter sports lovers. Zermat is a mountain village on the Swiss-Italian border. Surrounded by high mountains, the region is one of the most popular ski resorts in Switzerland. The total length of several tracks with varying degrees of difficulty exceeds 200 kilometers. It offers access to many winter hiking routes and viewing points for non-skid skiers, who turn heads with many different tracks, magnificent Alpine views, and ski lovers.
France – Val Thorens
Another perfect destination for ski lovers is Val Thorens, located in the French Alps. The winter pleasure continues for a long time when the snow continues to fall until May in the region, which is known as the highest skiing point in Europe. Another advantage of Val Thorens, which promises a long season for ski lovers, is that it offers the opportunity to take a winter holiday at an affordable price when you go in the low season. For those who say they will not ski, there are many winter hiking routes, viewing points and ziplines.
Finland – Rovaniemi
We are rapidly heading north from the south of Europe, now let's stop skiing and chase after fairy tales. When you say Rovaniemi, this name may not sound familiar to you, but if we say Santa's house, does it remind you of anything? This small village within the Arctic Circle is considered the official hometown of Santa Claus. Although the village is open to visitors all year, it is most popular during the winter months. Rovaniemi is a great place to catch the northern lights, have lunch at an ice restaurant, or spend the night in an old ice hotel. The opportunity to see wild arctic animals in their natural environment, snowmobile and sled rides are other activities you can do.
Finland – Lapland
If you were to ask what is the most impressive natural phenomenon in the world, I would definitely say Aurora, known as the northern lights. Although there are different places to watch the northern lights, Finland's Lapland is one of the places where this business is most institutionalized. The accommodation experience from ice hotels has now been replaced by glass-domed hotels that allow you to watch the northern lights from where you sleep. It is possible to enjoy the famous Finnish Baths in the region where all kinds of winter activities such as snow sledding and walking in the wilderness are available.
Iceland – Vatnajökull Glacier
When you start going north, you can't help yourself. İzlanda It is a wonderful winter destination especially for those who want to watch the northern lights during the winter months. A walk on or even inside the Vatnajökull Glacier, Europe's largest glacier, will be one of the most memorable experiences of your life. The glacier walk, which lasts five to six hours, can be done with a guide who knows the region, and the equipment you need is provided by the tour companies. In Iceland, the land of fire and ice, I can't think of any other option other than glacier hiking for a true winter experience.
Even after seeing these beautiful and attractive destinations, if you still say you don't like winter holidays, we can teleport you to the endless beaches of the southern hemisphere. Many places such as Mauritius, Zanzibar, South Africa, Maldives are enjoying the sea and sand while we are living the winter.
An edited version of this article was published in the February 2022 issue of Skyroad Magazine.