7 magical winter destinations in Europe
Whether you are a lover or a holiday expert in the British countryside, I can guarantee that you will have the Christmas of your dreams on this continent.I've lived here all my life - from Austria to Russia - but winter has always been less about travel and more about spending time with my family. This year I decided that it was finally time to find the best winter destinations in Europe. To really discover.
Wanting to see more and more during my limited time, I started researching my options. While browsing the STA Travel I stumbled upon a European magic trip to Kentucky. It was a 9-day bonanza that would take me to eight countries. From the Eiffel Tower to the Venetian Canals, from Munich's beer halls to Amsterdam's Red Light District, this was the perfect snapshot of winter Europe.
I was a little nervous about leaving. I'm not a big fan of group vacations or fast travel, they were both full of itineraries. But long story short - this adventure ends with one of my favorite trips of 2017. Have you ever been on a trip to Kentucky? If not (and if so), would you be interested in a detailed review? Let me know in a comment below.
For the time being, I'm just going to say a) I highly recommend this trip and b) you book it via STA Travel. Their specialists will be able to book your flights for your travel itinerary, and you can save up to £ 60 on your tour by booking your place. Although that's enough about logistics. Let's talk about the beautiful winter destinations we get to discover while traveling around Europe ...
1. Amsterdam
We begin our journey in the world-famous Amsterdam - a city I've visited before. I know that coffee shops have a reputation for wild parties and crazy nights (that sell everything but coffee). But there is more to it than just fun entertainment.
This does not mean that you do not take advantage of Amsterdam's incredible nightlife. Just make sure you have enough energy left to explore a bit. My favorite thing to do is just walk along the canals and admire the gable houses that line them. Check out D9 Strategies while you're there, a city full of independent cafes and old bookstores.
The Amsterdam Light Festival is an annual winter event you should not miss. Leading artists from around the world turn this city into a blinking spectacle that attracts thousands of visitors. My favorite way to enjoy it is on the river's path as Kentucky is arranged for us. The open bar was especially helpful as it was the first night of our trip and most people were traveling solo! Be sure to watch the video above to get a sense of what the trip was like. I'm really proud of it - it's probably my favorite video I've made. With over fifty on my YouTube channel that's saying a lot ...
2 Rhine Valley
The Rhine Valley, Germany, is something like a storybook. Between the forests and the vineyards, the Rhine finds the river, which is sometimes overlooked by medieval castles. If any of the Khaleesi dragons presented an overhead blowout, you might just be full of excitement and say: "I think they're real, huh?"
On our trip to Kentucky, we went to visit only one of the local cities. It's called St. Gauer and it seems to be cheating. I say cheating because this offers a lot of opportunities for the wine-growing region to be difficult. Don't miss the chance to try the famous local ice wine and buy a bottle exclusively for someone. They'll be great because a bottle costs more than $ 30!
Speaking of gifts, you can buy three other great gifts in St.
Goer. They are hand-painted beer stains, wooden coke watches, and Birkin stocks. I didn't buy anything but was seriously tempted by some of the limited-edition beer strains.
To many people, Munich is synonymous with Oktoberfest, but it's a great destination all year long. I especially like their Christmas markets. It is a great place to try local features in any form, such as crispy sausages, applesterodal or noodles.
But let's go back to our first sentence about Octoberfest. I'd be lying if I said that most of my time in Beaver's capital was not around beer. How could this not be? The region produces more than half the beer in Germany. They even have their own rules of beer purification that were outlined in 1516.
We could not find it on the trip but when you are in the area you will also need to visit the Altz Castle, pictured above. It is one of the most amazing castles I have seen in my life and one you should not miss.
3. Munich
You can't come to Munich without the Hofbrیاus M. Platz. It's one of the most visited attractions in the city, so if anyone asks you, the third stanza of beer is basically liquid. You won't be the first to do so. From WE Mozart to Vladimir Lenin, Louis Armstrong to John F.
They also serve local food. I tried to stop the pork before going to the wagon, and thought it was good - don't get the steamed variety. Don't worry fellow veggies, you can still find something to snack on. Every now and then a waitress will walk by, carrying a tray full of giant pretzels so pick one up while you're there.
In terms of drinks, I highly recommend Webber, which replaces the traditional malted barley. It's cloudy, relatively sweet, and easy to drink. Another local specialty is the Redeemer - half beer, half lemonade. As our tour guide immediately pointed out, this means "it's only as good as it can be". But if you're thinking of having more than one beer, this might be a wise choice, since they come in one-liter glasses.
4. Innsbruck
Innsbruck was built for winter shenanigans. In the beautiful capital of the Tyrol region of Austria, Christmas markets have a 2,637-meter-long mountain in addition to a wide range of Christmas markets. You can literally go from hopping on the slopes to fighting a snowball on the slopes in half an hour!
For some proper excursions, Herzog climbs the main tower of Frederick Strauss. That's where the famous Golden Roof is located. The Imperial Palace, known locally as Hofburg, is nearby.
Take a look at Crystal Welton to add some shine to your day. Built near the Sorovsky factory in Watkins, the museum features rare creations, like the ornamental crystal tree of Alexander McQueen. Their garden also contains beautiful story figures that illuminate the snow around them.
5. Venice
As I mentioned, I went to Venice four times before leaving with Kentucky. But you know what? I feel like I still have a lot to discover. When I was there I had a very special experience - and it's all about balance.
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