Zermatt is a small ski village and region on the southern border of Switzerland neighboring Italy and is the very essence of the term "winter wonderland". It’s so perfect and pristine that it resembles a film set rather than real life.

Zermatt is a quiet village for most of the year. But when winter comes, skiers of all levels flock there to use the 200+ kilometers of pistes. With off-piste opportunities and top stations at approximately 4,000 meters, Zermatt is a haven for expert skiers. Zermatt offers a wide variety of activities for people who don't ski. Zermatt offers lots of sunshine during the cooler months, ideal for a trip in the wilderness for those who want to try snowshoeing and winter hiking. Sledding, tobogganing, and guided hikes are also available for those who prefer to explore off-the-beaten-path areas. The 2.2-kilometer hike from Blauherd to Fluhalp is a great, easy trail to try out where you can see chamois grazing on the slopes and the Matterhorn in the distance.

The Zermatt of snowshoeing and cross-country skiing is the Bregenz Forest. You have a good chance of spending a lot of time alone enjoying this winter beauty because there are several kilometers of paths available. This is the ideal location for stargazing and night walks because of the clean air and clear skies.

In fact, the region is well-known for its full-moon snowshoeing excursions into the forest and its Damüls "cuddle path". A romantic five-kilometer journey is more enjoyable at night. Start at the public house Zum Glöckle and continue past colorful wooden huts to the Alpe Unterdamüls hut. Although the hut isn't open during the winter, the nearby country inn and restaurant are a great place to stop for a cup of hot chocolate on the way. A simple stroll across the powdery snow is made possible by the endless starry sky. The Bregenz Forest's Au and Bezau towns provide quick access to ski trails, sledding, sleigh rides, and winter hiking. When you need to escape the chilly weather, there are also lots of indoor activities available, such as visiting art galleries, museums, and shops featuring local handicrafts.

Val Thorens is located in the 3 Valleys, which is the largest ski area in the world. Many people are attracted to this fabulous French ski resort due to its reliable snow conditions, lively atmosphere, and slopes for all abilities.

The tallest and most well-known ski resort in Europe, Val Thorens is located at an elevation of nearly 2,000 meters and has 140 kilometers of slopes. The resort is surrounded by high peaks and a sea of snow as far as the eye can view, making it a fantastic destination for outdoor enthusiasts. Val Thorens has a lot to offer off the slopes for those who want beauty without the hustle. From winter sports like snowshoeing and trekking to more odd ones like snow biking and riding down a mountain on France's biggest toboggan course. The highest zipline in Europe can take you down the mountain at speeds of over 100 kph, or you may try an ice driving course. Or put your courage to the test by trying ice diving.

Iceland is at its best during the winter when the beautiful landscape is completely covered in blue ice. Iceland, the country of the never-ending glaciers, offers unique adventures unparalleled elsewhere in Europe.

Reykjavik holds the Winter Lights Festival every February to celebrate the last month of winter and the coming longer days. This festival features light displays and lots of outdoor activities. Iceland is also renowned for its many geothermal pools, where you may soak in steaming hot water under the chilly midnight sky if you're trying to warm up. Reykjavik is also the ideal place to begin exploring other parts of the nation. From here, you may take a train or a short flight to other parts of Iceland, where you can engage in activities like trekking on glaciers in Vatnajökull National Park or seeing the 10,000-year-old Great Geyser erupt.

The best site to observe the northern lights on a budget is frequently regarded as Abisko. This is due to the village's unique microclimate, which increases the likelihood of seeing the dancing lights in the sky significantly compared to other Scandinavian locations.

The northern end of the 450-kilometer Kungsleden (the King's Trail), an epic trekking route over harsh terrain to the small Swedish settlement of Hemavan, is Abisko. You can travel the route (or just a portion of it, if you want) in relative comfort thanks to the basic mountain huts that dot the path every 10–20 km. You'll get a bed and a stove, but there is no electricity or running water. Even though this area has excellent hiking opportunities, Abisko is the best location in Sweden for viewing the northern lights. The region's mountains appear to push clouds away at night, aiding to increase the likelihood of seeing the aurora. Shorter stays are therefore required, which is more cost-effective. For winter enthusiasts who wish to go cross-country skiing, sledding, snowmobiling, and winter trekking under the never-ending polar night, Abisko is the ideal place. Also close is the first ice hotel in the world, where you may spend a night in "cozy" -5 degrees Celsius temperatures or simply take a tour to learn more about its history and construction.

Hallstätt, which is bordered by the snow-capped Dachstein Mountains and situated on the banks of Hallstätter See, is a picturesque Alpine village full of fairy-tale churches from the 12th century. Hallstätt is a small town with less than 1,000 permanent residents who lives there in Alpine timber homes that have been stacked up on the steep hill slopes.

Today, Hallstatt's old-world appeal comes from its remote Alpine location and its 500–600-year-old terraced houses and more from the relaxed, easygoing atmosphere and hospitable residents. The favorite things to do in Hallstatt, besides meandering the charming streets, are excursions to the nearby salt mine, the Bone Chapel, massive Ice Caves, and boat rides on the imposing lake. Hallstätt is equally beautiful all year round, but it truly shines when it is coated in snow and ice. The Hallstatt Skywalk, located high above the town, offers the best view of winter Hallstätt if you're feeling up to the challenge, but getting there takes a hike that isn't always feasible in the dead of winter.

No other location makes more sense for December visitors than Rovaniemi, which is known as Santa Claus' official residence. The Santa Claus Village is a magical location four kilometers south of the Arctic Circle that feels like a mix of an amusement park and an arctic wonderland.

The area of Rovaniemi is a popular destination for northern lights tours. Here, you can view about 200 aurora borealis displays annually, which is among the highest numbers in Scandinavia. Even if you miss the northern lights, Rovaniemi experiences a magnificent period of Polar Twilight (rather than Polar Night), during which the sun will still rise for a few hours each day. These months are covered in bluish, dazzling snowdrifts, giving both the natural world and man-made buildings a wonderful look. Snowshoeing through snow-covered woodlands is ideal in the Ounasvaara recreational region near the town while swimming in the wintertime beneath the midnight sun is popular at Ounaskoski Beach. When you need to spend time indoors, Rovaniemi has a ton of icy distractions to choose from, including a snow restaurant, an ice hotel, ice slides, and castles. There's also the Arktikum Science Museum for a more comfortable break.

The historic medieval city of Nuremberg (Nürnberg) is one of Germany's most important centers for arts and culture, and one of the country's most popular tourist destinations. The city has also long been associated with advances in science and technology, particularly in printing.

Europeans love their Christmas markets, and few countries do them better than Germany. You can't really top the sound of holiday lights in a medieval town, especially when there is light December snow. One of the top Christmas markets in Germany is the Nuremberg Christkindlesmarkt, which dates back to the early 1500s. In this market, amid historic structures, more than a hundred vendors offer a variety of goods, including the well-known regional "Rauschgoldengel" (gold-foil angel decorations) and the traditional lebkuchen gingerbread. After finishing their holiday shopping, guests can attend a concert at the Lorenzkirche church. If at all possible, try to time your trip to one of Nuremberg's many festivals.

Prague experiences winter from early December through well into February, with the red rooftops and church spires of the Old Town, sometimes covered in a light dusting of snow. The city is bustling and crowded in the second part of December as visitors from all over Europe arrive for some holiday fun, with Germany being the city with the best Christmas markets.

Prague's Masopust, or carnival season, takes place in February and is a wonderful time to visit during the cold months to view a whimsical parade with giant puppets and fanciful costumes. As ice skating rinks pop up all over the city and historic churches host classical music performances for the delight of visitors, the city that Franz Kafka adored just feels more enchanting in the winter. Prague is home to many more attractions, including more than 100 museums and galleries, an indoor water park, one of the world's oldest libraries (the Strahov Library from the 12th century), fantastic shopping, and much more, if you need break from the chilly Prague evenings.

When you arrive in Bergen in January, you are treated to a number of spectacular experiences. A chance to see the northern lights dancing over the city, spectacular views of the fjords covered in freezing mist, and colorful wooden houses blanketed in snow.

The off-season is a great time to visit Bergen's picturesque waterfront because the surrounding countryside looks like something out of a fairy tale. Sit down at a coffee shop close to the sea to enjoy some hot chocolate and kanelboller, which is Norway's take on a warm cinnamon roll. Then, ride the funicular up Mount Fløyen for a breathtaking view of the entire city. There is absolutely no better way to appreciate the fjords' quiet magic than from the sea, and fjord excursions are offered throughout the whole winter. Additionally, there are numerous options to enjoy cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, or sledding in the nearby Bergen mountains. Just outside of town, the five-hour hike from Mount Ulriken to Mount Fløyen is a well-liked winter activity.