Switzerland Joins Sweden,Poland, Austria, France, Italy and More Among Best Winter Destinations in Europe, Here Is Why You Must Visit These Iconic Snow Destinations

As the winter season approaches, travelers across Europe are looking for unique and unforgettable destinations to spend their holidays. From snowshoeing in the Lechtal Alps of Austria to sleigh rides in the picturesque Sälen mountains of Sweden, Europe offers a wealth of winter activities that don’t necessarily involve the slopes. Whether you’re seeking relaxation in a luxurious spa, embarking on thrilling snowmobiling adventures, or exploring stunning landscapes, these 10 destinations are perfect for those looking to embrace winter’s magic beyond the typical ski resorts.

As many travelers begin to plan their winter getaways for 2025, these destinations offer a combination of charming accommodations, local traditions, and exciting activities that will make your winter break special, all while avoiding the crowds and high costs of ski resorts. Here are 10 of the best winter holiday destinations in Europe, each offering its own blend of scenic beauty, cultural heritage, and winter fun.

1. Sleigh Rides in Zakopane, Poland: A Snowy Winter Wonderland

Nestled in the Tatra Mountains, Zakopane is known as Poland’s winter capital, offering a magical blend of traditional Alpine charm and thrilling winter activities. Sleigh rides through snow-covered landscapes are a highlight, along with the exhilarating illuminated toboggan run at the Snowland theme park. For a more relaxing experience, visitors can soak in the Chochołowskie thermal baths, which offer outdoor pools and spa treatments amid snowy surroundings.

Quick Tip: Enjoy the Halka restaurant at Hotel Aries, where you can savor traditional Polish dishes alongside a glass of local wine, making it the perfect way to unwind after a day of activities.

2. Snowmobiling in Montenegro: An Adventurer’s Paradise

For those looking for adventure in Montenegro, the Durmitor National Park offers snowmobiling through the Sinjajevina and Bjelasica mountains. Visitors can also try snowshoeing or white-water rafting, making this a perfect destination for thrill-seekers. The nearby town of Žabljak, located at the highest altitude in the Balkans, provides an ideal base for exploring this winter wonderland, with dramatic views of glacial lakes and night skies.

Quick Tip: After a day of adventure, relax at the Hotel Soa, which features a wellness center with a hammam and Finnish sauna, perfect for recharging before another day of exploration.

3. Lakes and Valleys in Slovenia: A Scenic Winter Escape

Slovenia offers a perfect winter retreat with its combination of natural beauty and charming villages. Lake Bled and the Triglav National Park are breathtaking in the winter, with snowy peaks and serene forests. The Logar Valley, known for its thermal spas and hiking trails, offers a peaceful retreat for those seeking tranquility. For a unique experience, take a scenic train ride through the Julian Alps from Bohinj to Most na Soči.

Quick Tip: Don’t miss the fairy-lit chalets in Kranjska Gora, which create a truly magical atmosphere perfect for a romantic getaway.

4. Trains and Trekking in St. Moritz, Switzerland: Classic Alpine Charm

St. Moritz may be known for luxury, but it also offers affordable winter adventures for all travelers. Visitors can enjoy cross-country skiing, horse-drawn carriage rides, and snowy hikes from the Randolins hotel located in the Suvretta hillside. The hotel’s expansive wellness center and mountain views make it the ideal base for exploring St. Moritz’s famous Glacier Express and Bernina Express, which are perfect for sightseeing and experiencing Switzerland’s stunning landscapes.

Quick Tip: Book tickets for the Bernina Express in advance, as it is a popular route that offers some of the most scenic views in the Alps.

5. Snowshoeing in the Lechtal, Austria: Tirolean Winter Adventure

Austria is synonymous with winter beauty, and Lechtal in Tyrol is no exception. A week of guided snowshoeing through pristine landscapes offers a chance to explore the Tirolean countryside away from the crowds. The torchlit evening walk is a highlight, where travelers can enjoy a warming Glühwein after a day of exploring snowy peaks and charming mountain Hütten.

Quick Tip: The Hotel Grüner Baum in Bach im Lechtal is the perfect base, offering cozy accommodations and access to some of the region’s best hiking trails.

6. Cheese Caves and Châteaux in Annecy, France: A Lakeside Winter Wonderland

Annecy, a stunning lakeside town in the French Alps, is as magical in winter as it is in summer. Visitors can enjoy boat trips on Lake Annecy or hike along the voie verte greenway. For a unique experience, travel to the Aravis mountains to visit Manigod, a village known for its reblochon cheese caves. The Château de Menthon-Saint-Bernard, with its 1,000-year-old turrets, offers a glimpse into the area’s rich history.

Quick Tip: Annecy is a food lover’s paradise, so be sure to try local specialties like reblochon cheese and the famous fondue.

7. A Farmstay in the Trentino, Italy: A Peaceful Alpine Retreat

For those looking for a peaceful winter escape, a farmstay in Trentino offers an authentic experience surrounded by nature. The Pimont Alpine Chalet, a traditional farmstead, provides a tranquil environment where guests can enjoy organic breakfasts and mountain hikes with expert guides. Madonna di Campiglio, a nearby ski resort, offers dog-sledding and ice-skating, perfect for families looking for a quieter, more intimate winter holiday.

Quick Tip: Don’t miss the local homemade bread, cakes, and jam during breakfast at Pimont Alpine Chalet.

8. Sleigh Rides in Sweden: A Winter Wonderland in Sälen

In Sweden’s Sälen mountains, Gammelgården offers an idyllic winter escape with sleigh rides, reindeer walks, and dog-sledding. The restored log buildings create a charming and rustic atmosphere, while the 400-year-old waffle cabin offers a cozy spot for travelers to relax and enjoy local dishes.

Quick Tip: Visit during the winter months for the snow-covered landscapes and cozy indoor experiences by the fire.

9. Hiking and Hearty Mountain Food in Germany: Elbe Sandstone Mountains

Germany’s Elbe Sandstone Mountains are a hidden gem for those seeking dramatic landscapes and peaceful hikes. Known for its timber-framed cottages and dense pine forests, this area offers self-guided walking tours through “Saxon Switzerland,” a park that’s perfect for nature lovers and those seeking a quiet, scenic winter holiday.

Quick Tip: Explore Lichtenhain waterfall and enjoy traditional meals at Berggasthofs (mountain inns) during your hike.

10. Culinary Vercors in France: A Winter Foodie Retreat

For food lovers, Vercors, located in the Vercors National Park, offers a combination of gourmet dining and scenic views. The Hotel du Golf features a Michelin-starred restaurant and is the perfect base for exploring the area’s stunning landscapes and indulging in local delicacies like grilled meats and open-fire cooked meals.

Quick Tip: Vercors is ideal for foodies and those looking for a cozy, indulgent winter retreat with spa treatments to unwind after exploring the area.

Conclusion: Embrace the Winter Magic Across Europe

Europe is full of incredible destinations for winter holidays in 2025, offering a range of activities beyond traditional skiing. Whether you’re snowshoeing in Austria, enjoying a sleigh ride in Sweden, or savoring local delicacies in France, there’s something magical about experiencing winter in Europe. These destinations not only provide breathtaking landscapes but also offer a variety of winter activities that make for unforgettable holidays, all while being affordable and unique compared to more crowded ski resorts.

Key Points for Travelers:

• Unique Winter Activities: From sleigh rides in Zakopane to snowmobiling in Montenegro.
• Affordable Winter Holidays: Budget-friendly destinations like Hoi An in Vietnam and Annecy in France.
• Gourmet Winter Dining: Vercors offers Michelin-starred dining, while Gammelgården in Sweden serves traditional game meat dishes.
• Natural Beauty: Stunning landscapes in Slovenia, Austria, and Germany await adventure seekers.
• Family-Friendly: Explore dog-sledding, snowshoeing, and skiing in Sälen, Montenegro, and Trentino.

Source: theguardian.com

Image: The Attached Image in This Article is AI Generated

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Intrepid Travel Launches New Trips in 2026 Including Greece, Slovenia, Romania and More Destinations With Active Adventure Itineraries

Intrepid Travel, a B Corp certified adventure travel specialist, is launching thirty-eight new trips in 2026, comprising ten new family itineraries and twenty-eight new active adventures in response to surging demand for family-focused and health-conscious travel experiences. The expansion brings Intrepid’s family trip offerings to fifty itineraries across four continents, positioning the company among the industry’s most extensive providers of small-group family travel, while adding twenty-eight active trips to its one hundred forty eight-strong active adventure portfolio.

Family bookings have increased fifteen percent year-on-year in 2025, highlighting family travel as one of the fastest-growing tourism sectors, while active trip bookings have risen nine percent annually, with multi-active experiences growing twenty three percent, reflecting fundamental shifts in traveler preferences toward experiential, health-focused, and culturally immersive adventures.

Expanded Family Travel Offerings Across Four Continents

Intrepid’s 2026 family expansion introduces ten new itineraries across Greece, Slovenia, Turkey, India, Botswana, Kenya, Tanzania, and Ecuador, departing from March 29, 2026. Each family trip accommodates three-to-five like-minded families traveling with experienced local leaders, featuring shorter travel times, kid-focused activities, and purpose-led cultural experiences designed for meaningful, hassle-free family adventures.

Geographic Expansion:

Mediterranean and European Destinations:

• Greece: Combining historic sites, island exploration, and Mediterranean beach culture
• Slovenia: Alpine landscapes, cultural heritage, and outdoor recreation
• Turkey: Bridging European and Asian cultures with historical and natural attractions

African Safari and Wildlife:

• Botswana: Wildlife viewing in pristine safari environments with specialized family safari programming
• Kenya and Tanzania: East Africa family safaris combining wildlife observation with cultural immersion

Exotic Long-Haul Adventures:

• India: Golden Triangle family itineraries offering cultural depth and heritage exploration
• Ecuador: Amazon and Galápagos family holidays combining rainforest and island biodiversity

Pricing Innovation and Family Accessibility

Intrepid has introduced twenty percent reduced children pricing for participants aged five-eighteen years, calculated off the full price of standard family trips. This pricing strategy significantly improves family affordability while maintaining quality, personalized experiences, positioning Intrepid competitively within the family adventure travel market.

The reduced youth pricing encourages multi-generational travel bookings while supporting family participation across diverse income demographics, addressing a primary barrier to international family travel for many Australian households.

Teenage-Specific Active Adventures

Intrepid operates dedicated teenage trips with active itineraries specifically designed for older children aged ten-seventeen years, featuring age-appropriate challenges, peer group dynamics, and developmentally suitable adventure activities. This segmentation recognizes distinct travel preferences between younger children and teenagers, enabling optimized itinerary design and group composition.

Comprehensive Active Adventure Expansion

Intrepid’s twenty eight new active trips launching in 2026 expand across six continents, bringing the company’s total active offerings to one hundred forty eight itineraries. The expansion reflects growing demand for nature-based, health-focused travel with departures commencing April 2026.

Activity-Focused Programming:

• five new multi-active trips: Combining diverse outdoor pursuits within single itineraries
• twenty one walking and trekking trips: From day hikes to extended mountain traverses
• two cycling trips: Ranging from beginner-friendly to advanced-level cycling adventures

Signature Active Adventure Highlights

Cycle the Munda Biddi Trail (Western Australia):

A six-day cycling expedition on the world’s longest off-road cycling trail, featuring sustained pedaling through Western Australian forests and coastal landscapes. This uniquely Australian offering leverages the trail’s international recognition and challenging terrain to attract global adventure cyclists.

Central America: Hike, Bike & Kayak:

A nine-day multi-active itinerary combining hiking, cycling, and kayaking across Central American geography, integrating outdoor recreation with cultural immersion in Guatemala and neighboring countries. The trip structure accommodates participants with diverse activity preferences within coordinated group dynamics.

Hiking in Romania: Via Transilvanica Trail:

A ten-day hiking expedition traversing the Via Transilvanica Trail through Romanian Carpathian mountains and rural communities, combining mountain trekking with cultural encounters in Transylvania’s historic villages.

These signature itineraries demonstrate Intrepid’s commitment to authentic, destination-focused adventures balancing outdoor recreation intensity with cultural engagement and local community connection.

Short Breaks Initiative for Australian Holiday Maximization

Intrepid recently introduced Short Breaks programming, specifically designed to help Australians maximize public holidays and annual leave in 2026. This offering addresses traveler constraints around holiday scheduling and work commitments, enabling participation in shorter-duration adventures that align with Australian public holiday clusters and school vacation periods.

Tourism Impact and Sustainable Travel Focus

Intrepid’s expansion significantly impacts global destination tourism, particularly in emerging and secondary destinations such as Slovenia, Botswana, Ecuador, and Romania, which receive enhanced international visitor exposure through small-group, local-led travel models. The company’s B Corp certification and thirty five-years of commitment to sustainable tourism ensure that expansion prioritizes community benefit, environmental stewardship, and authentic cultural exchange.

The Intrepid Foundation, the company’s not-for-profit partner, channels traveler contributions into community development projects across destination regions, ensuring that tourism spending generates positive local impact beyond direct economic spending.

Industry Trend Recognition

The simultaneous expansion across family and active travel segments reflects Intrepid’s responsive positioning to identified market trends. Family travel growth increasingly represents multigenerational adventure participation, while active travel demand reflects health consciousness, sustainability awareness, and experiential tourism prioritization among affluent, educated travelers.

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Gran Canaria Joins Billund, Ljubljana, Molde, Oslo Torp, Riga, Tallinn, and Vilnius in airBaltic’s Winter Tourism Connectivity Boom Across Europe In 2026: Everything You Need to Know

The route forms part of airBaltic’s growing winter operations from its seasonal base in Gran Canaria. The airline will serve seven destinations from the island this winter, including Billund, Ljubljana, Molde, Oslo Torp, Riga, Tallinn, and Vilnius. This expansion showcases the increasing importance of the Canary Islands as a hub for northern and southern European travellers.

Each new connection adds convenience for tourists seeking variety within short distances. By operating direct flights to multiple European cities, the airline is giving travellers from Gran Canaria more choices to explore northern destinations while also making it easier for visitors to reach Spain’s Atlantic paradise.

Travellers Find New Winter Escape Options

Winter travel is taking a refreshing turn as more Europeans seek sun-drenched destinations during colder months. With airBaltic introducing a new weekly route between Spain’s Gran Canaria and Slovenia’s Ljubljana, winter tourism is getting an extra push. The connection opens the door for travellers who prefer blending warmth with cultural exploration.

The new service offers a chance for Slovenian travellers to escape to the Canary Islands’ mild climate. For many, it’s the perfect retreat from winter frost. Likewise, residents from Gran Canaria gain a direct path to Slovenia’s capital, known for its picturesque old town and vibrant energy. The link strengthens leisure travel choices across the continent and creates fresh opportunities for tourism recovery during off-peak months.

Tourism Strengthened Through Seamless Air Connectivity

Every new route adds momentum to the European tourism network. The direct airBaltic connection between Gran Canaria and Ljubljana is designed to make cross-border travel easier and faster. With a flight time of around five hours, it fits comfortably into travellers’ winter itineraries.

These seasonal flights are expected to encourage two-way tourism. On one side, visitors from Slovenia can reach sunny beaches, volcanic landscapes, and island resorts without stopovers. On the other, Spanish residents can now enjoy central Europe’s festive spirit and architectural charm. Such links support the wider goal of sustaining travel flow through Europe’s colder seasons.

Enhanced Passenger Experience with the Airbus A220-300

Flights on this new route are operated using the Airbus A220-300 aircraft. The modern jet is recognised for its passenger comfort, with wider seats, large windows, and improved cabin space. These features help make long journeys across Europe more enjoyable and convenient.

The airline is also enhancing onboard connectivity through the gradual rollout of free high-speed internet powered by SpaceX Starlink. As one of the first European carriers to introduce this service, the airline aims to create a smoother experience for passengers during flight. This update allows travellers to stay connected, plan their itineraries, or simply enjoy streaming entertainment during their journey.

Strengthening Presence in Spain’s Travel Market

The addition of the Gran Canaria–Ljubljana route reflects a stronger commitment to the Spanish market. The airline currently operates flights from eight airports across Spain: Alicante, Barcelona, Gran Canaria, Madrid, Málaga, Palma de Mallorca, Tenerife, and Valencia. This steady expansion positions the carrier as a key player linking Spain with northern and eastern Europe.

Spain’s tourism hubs have long been popular among travellers from colder regions, and new routes such as this make those destinations even more accessible. Increased connectivity also benefits local hospitality sectors, from hotels to restaurants, by attracting visitors throughout the year.

A Broader European Network

airBaltic continues to expand its footprint across Europe, connecting the Baltic States with around eighty destinations across the continent, the Middle East, North Africa, and the Caucasus. Its growing network not only strengthens tourism between major cities but also improves mobility for business and leisure travellers alike.

For tourists, such broad coverage means more options for flexible travel planning. Whether heading south for a beach holiday or north for cultural experiences, passengers gain from smoother connections. This route’s launch symbolises the growing integration between southern and northern Europe’s tourism landscapes.

Looking Ahead to a Stronger Travel Season

With this new winter service, travel between Spain’s Canary Islands and Slovenia is set to become more convenient and enjoyable. As the tourism sector adapts to changing travel patterns, the expansion of routes like this supports steady year-round demand.

Travellers will find it easier to explore diverse destinations, from sunny islands to historic European capitals, without multiple connections. The route’s introduction highlights the ongoing effort to strengthen European tourism and provide travellers with accessible, comfortable, and efficient air travel options through the winter season and beyond.

Image Source: AI

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