Done with your summer holidays? Perhaps you spent the summer in the French Alps partaking in the Tour Du Mont Blanc enjoying the mountain vistas in the beautiful summer weather. Well summer is done and winter has come!
The cold snow, the warm fireplaces, and the Christmas bells. Are you looking for inspiration for your next winter holiday? Looking for a place featuring all the traditional trappings of winter or looking to escape it all and enjoy the sun during winter? These top 5 winter escapes have the perfect ideas for you to make your choice.
Bakewell, Derbyshire
This beautiful town comes first because it is close to home. You might not escape the winter entirely, but this little town has all you need to make you and your family have the time of your life. Take a Christmas trip to Bakewell to enjoy a taste of the famous Bakewell Pudding. Explore the town and enjoy tradition with several local tea houses and pubs along the street. Take your pick of several Christmas events hosted by the town and avail yourself of spectacular entertainment. An Annual Christmas tree festival which is sure to wake up your Christmas spirits. The popular Bakewell Winter Wonderland Christmas market which usually holds from 9th to 11th December will definitely have you occupied. Enjoy more of the town’s traditional Christmas with a Christmas candlelight tour of Haddon Hall. Don’t forget to book your chosen activities ahead of your visit for a smooth experience.
Whistler, Canada
There’s a good reason Whistler co-hosted the winter Olympics in 2010. The spectacular sights and guaranteed snow throughout the season. Whistler is the perfect snow covered village to enjoy a Canadian white Christmas with events that will entertain you and your family. Rent a ski chalet and enjoy skiing and snowboarding to your heart’s content over Christmas and the New Year. With the extended hours in the village, you certainly won’t have to cut your enjoyment short. Whistler publishes a list of annual holiday events with quite a number of them free and open to the public. Get the best of a white and colourful Christmas in this beautiful Canadian town.
Cape Town, South Africa
Conde Nast Traveller listed this beautiful city as one of their favourite winter holiday destinations for 2016. There are a lot of reasons to vacation at this breath-taking African town for the winter in 2017 as well. Prime weather conditions offer the perfect clime if your goal is to escape the winter. Enjoy Cape Town’s amazing restaurants, hotels and nightlife scene that are guaranteed to satisfy your party needs. You’ll find the sun, ice cold beers and beaches to ensure you enjoy a summer getaway in the middle of winter. There are also wildlife offerings that South Africa is known for; a marine safari to see the great white sharks or blue sharks off the coast; a chance to see beach-bumming penguins; or explore the lush green environs of the Cape Peninsula in the perfect getaway.
Åre, Sweden
Looking for snow-covered peaks to ski on in the winter? Then this beautiful Scandinavian ski resort is right for you. Find over a hundred ski runs and enjoy the powdery slopes with snow mobiles and dogsled. Enjoy several pints of Swedish Brekeriet beer, or if you prefer quiet evenings, then curl up with the cosiness of a fireplace with a mug of traditional Swedish glogg, which you can find at several bars in the region. Explore the Åre Ski Area, which has more than 30 modern ski-lifts and the world famous “Design Hotel”, Copperhill Mountain Lodge- the only design lodge in Sweden, designed by American architect Peter Bohlin. A picturesque winter Christmas holiday filled with Swedish cuisine and the opportunity to ski-in, ski out of your chalet are all on offer at Åre, Sweden.
Lofoten, Norway
Spend your winter exploring Lofoten Islands and tiny fishing settlements in Norway. The winter period is a great time of the year if you’re looking to experience the authentic fishing villages in action. The stunning backdrop of the Norwegian landscape that has inspired artists the world over for centuries will certainly excite you. Experience the thrill of wildlife and birdlife in several locations; Whale watching along beautiful sandy beaches and bird spotting in Moskenes, or admiring the outdoor sculptures are activities that are bound to make your holiday. Walk along beaches that will make you feel like you’re in the Caribbean or join in the Northern Lights hunt after the sun sets. You will find that Lofoten makes for the perfect winter holiday getaway.
There are so many great winter getaways that it can be hard to choose. These are some of our favourites. If you want cheap sun then the Canary Islands may be the way forward. If you want something a bit different then why not pick from the ideas above.
