Austria is famed for its beautiful mountains and amazing snow sports. Every year, visitors from across the world travel here to enjoy the country's incredible slopes and mountain lifestyle. With pristine slopes, off-piste powder and the snowiest ski area in Austria, Obertauern is set to become your new favourite winter destination.
Thinking of going skiing this year, but not sure where your budget can take you? Let us help you with a few options. You have to be quick though before these well-kept skiing and snowboarding secrets are discovered by the masses. Destination ranges from Europe, North America to the Far East. Some of these were once used as Winter Olympic destinations.
In chilly February, when everyone else is waiting out winter and longing for some sun, Madeira is dancing in the streets. This Portuguese island, just off the coast of Africa, is one of the best places in the world to celebrate Carnival. At the end of February each year, Madeira hosts one of Europe’s biggest street parties, with warm sunny days and whirl of live music and parades, sparkle and colour.
The beauty of vibrant Carnival is that it is celebrated across the archipelago, and almost every village you visit will have its own parades and party spirit.
Daylight hours might be scarce and temperatures below freezing, but when Stockholm puts on her white winter coat, the whole city glitters more than Tinseltown itself, transforming into a magical winter wonderland. The capital of Sweden spans 14 islands, and although you may not have time to visit them all, you can easily do a bit of island hopping on foot or via public transport while soaking up the spectacular views of bridges, waterways, and the medieval Old Town. Besides marvelling at its snow-covered beauty, here are the top five reasons to visit Stockholm in winter.
The ski area of Arosa Lenzerheide comprises two resorts linked by the Urdenbahn – a cable car that was installed in 2014, creating a whole new world of winter opportunities. Skiers can now get from the Hörnli in Arosa to the Urdenfüggli in Lenzerheide via a five-minute ride over the Urdental valley.
At this time of year many skiers and snowboarders start booking and planning their ski break, with most of us heading to Europe in search of winter adrenaline thrills. This year we need not waste the airfare, as Scotland can offer good to excellent skiing experiences, which comes wrapped in some of the finest mountain scenery anywhere in the world.
I'm sitting outside a restaurant in France, 700ft up a mountainside and the winter sun is out. Not so strange really, considering that this particular region of the Catalan Pyrenees receives over 300 days of sunshine every year. It is, however, a region that has remained under wraps for years, enjoyed in the most part only by French and Spanish locals.
Font-Romeu and its sister resort, Les Angles, provide some spectacular winter sports activities at prices well below those of their more illustrious neighbours.
Surrounded by snow-covered mountains are the market towns of Mittenwald, Krün and Wallgau in the Bavarian region of Alpenwelt Karvendel. These historic villages come alive during the Christmas season, inviting visitors to their Christmas markets from early to mid-December. As one of Germany’s best winter regions, the Alpenwelt Karvendel is an ideal destination for a relaxing pre-Christmas break. The Bavarian charm, hospitality and ‘joie de vivre’ are combined with often centuries old traditions and customs, like the Lüftlmalerei, the local style of fresco paintings.
Christmas markets are big business in Switzerland. Almost all major and smaller cities start setting up festive stalls towards mid-November to bring locals and tourists alike into the much-needed Christmas spirit. Whether you opt for a smaller or longer Christmas market, they are held mainly between mid-November and 24 December. Some are open for weeks, some just for a couple of days.
Set between the bustling city of Frankfurt on the Main river and the peaceful hilltops of the Taunus, is the charming spa town of Bad Hamburg. The area has a lot to offer in addition to its ideal location, is the perfect balance between tradition and modern. Exhibitions and live concerts lure the culture enthusiasts while the town’s famous casino Bad Hamburg - since 1841, turns night into day for many. You can enjoy its beautiful parks, visit Bad Hamburg’s historical Royal Day Spa, or you can go shopping in its many independent shops.
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