A small resort town 19 miles (30km) south of Aachen near the Belgian border, Monschau's beauty is undeniable. The rural town has a charming medieval centre with half-timbered houses and narrow cobblestone streets that have remained largely unchanged for over 300 years. Many snow-dusted trails traverse the surrounding area and the nearby Eifel National Park, as well as lead to the turreted Monschau Castle looming over the town.
Much better value for money and less busy than its counterparts Vail and Aspen, Breckenridge offers everything you'd want from a winter holiday and more. There's beautiful scenery, incredible slopes, a wonderful ski town atmosphere and its downtown is the largest historic district in Colorado. Winter in Breckenridge is also filled with fun events like the Race of the Santas and the unmissable International Snow Sculpture Championships.
Winding streets, narrow canals and quaint, pastel-coloured houses – Colmar has it all. Located in the Grand Est region in northeastern France, the town is a unique collection of medieval and early renaissance buildings, including a beautiful 13th-century church. Located on the Alsace Wine Route, there's obviously excellent wining and dining, however, its main draw is its looks, especially during winter. The town takes decorating very seriously – you'll see wreaths, ornaments and decorated Christmas trees absolutely everywhere, turning the already-charming town into a winter wonderland.
Known for its dramatic scenery, the Lofoten Archipelago in Norway is perfect for a wilder winter adventure. The short Arctic winter days make for a moody setting while at night the sky is illuminated by the Northern Lights dancing above. Lofoten also has a strong connection to the Viking Age and for those who'd like to learn more, the Lofotr Viking Museum is absolutely unmissable.
Skip the crowded French ski destinations of Val Thorens, Chamonix and Courchevel, and head straight for Megève, a medieval village nestled among three of the country's finest ski resorts. Not keen on the slopes? No problem, because Megève has plenty of attractions and things to do to keep the non-skiers busy. The cobbled historic centre is perfect for a stroll, complete with an open-air ice skating rink and horse-drawn sleighs. The town is also notable for its food, with three Michelin-starred restaurants.
Despite being located right in the centre of the Pacific Northwest, the town of Leavenworth will make you feel like you're in Germany. The Bavarian-themed architecture usually draws in visitors from Seattle and the surrounding areas but we think it deserves much more attention. The town's Christmas Lighting Festival, set to the backdrop of the snow-clad mountains, is an undeniably magical experience and there are plenty of places to sample local beer and bratwurst. It's also a great base for active outdoor breaks.
While it is true that this Midwestern city gets absolutely freezing cold in winter, the Minnesotans have embraced it, and you should too. The city's cold-weather outdoor events form a 10-day festival called the Great Northern – a tradition the locals are extremely proud of. Expect outdoor barbecues (yes, in the freezing cold), ice carvings, ski races and art installations. Sports fans shouldn't miss the US Pond Hockey Championships while the Saint Paul Winter Carnival host an annual Beer Dabbler, featuring more than 150 breweries.
Niagara Falls – the world-famous cascade of tumultuous water – doesn’t need any introduction. That said, the falls and the surrounding area take on a real air of magic when Jack Frost descends. The cascade often freezes mid-rush if the temperature is cold enough, turning the waterfall into an icy spectacle shrouded in great plumes of frosted mist. The surrounding city gets swept up in the atmosphere too as it is transformed by the Winter Festival of Light.
Drawing in visitors thanks to the Roman baths and historic architecture, Bath is an excellent weekend break destination. Especially fantastic in winter when you can enjoy a soak in the steamy thermal waters while surrounded by frosty air, it's an ideal destination for those looking to wind down and relax. In addition to many excellent restaurants and pubs in the city, there's a top Christmas market, and the Royal Victoria Park plays host to a festive ice rink every year.
Often cited as the first city to have a decorated Christmas tree, the Latvian capital is a charmer in winter. The city's historic centre is home to a sprawling German-style Christmas market, many excellent restaurants serve hearty winter dishes and the Old Town's medieval houses with their terracotta roof tiles look especially pretty when covered in snow. Embrace Riga's freezing cold temperatures and don't miss an opportunity to cross the river on foot when it freezes over.
Only 10% of Yosemite National Park's 3.7 million visitors come here during the winter months, so you're pretty much guaranteed unobstructed views of its most famous attractions as well as a chance to properly take in the park's unspoiled serenity. The park remains open throughout the year (although some roads are closed during the winter season) and the best way of visiting during the snowy months is by joining a guided tour as the roads can get very dangerous due to ice, rain and snow.
A brilliant destination in summer, we'd argue that Bryce Canyon is even better in winter. The striking contrast of white snow, red rock and (hopefully) a blue sky is a sight to behold and the park offers plenty of activities to make the most of a snowy day. One of the most unusual experiences is a guided full moon snowshoe hike led by a professional park ranger. Running between November and March, it's an opportunity to experience the park at its most quiet and deserted.
Looking to escape a traditional Christmas? Japan's most important holiday is oshogatsu (New Year) and the month leading up to it is packed with fun festivals, markets and events – and nowhere does it better than Kyoto. Throughout December, lanterns are placed around Arashiyama (the famous bamboo forest) and the brightly coloured temples pop even more when surrounded by a thick layer of snow. If you happen to stay for the actual New Year, don't miss the bell-ringing ceremonies – a Buddhist tradition going back centuries.
Beautiful Budapest is spectacular any time of the year but winter brings extra magic to the city, with the added bonus of less crowds. Beat the chill and soak up the romantic atmosphere at the ornate thermal Széchenyi Baths and when it gets too cold for that, you've got more than 200 museums to discover. Stop to marvel at the ice drifts on the Danube passing by the spectacular Hungarian Parliament Building and enjoy a stroll under the twinkling Christmas lights.
Toronto is a clean-cut giant of gleaming skyscrapers, sleek shopping centres, impressive museums and some of the finest restaurants in the world. And when winter hits and the mercury dips, Toronto keeps going with an exciting array of winter events and festivals. A highlight is the Christmas Market in the historic Distillery District, with beer gardens, European-style stalls and a life-sized gingerbread street.
This picture-perfect city is not only visually stunning but it has a fascinating history too. Most know it as the filming location for The Sound of Music and while it's enticing in summer, a blanket of snow gives Salzburg a completely different face. The city where Mozart was born resembles a fairy-tale village with a castle looming on a hill. There are cosy cafés aplenty and Salzburg's Christmas market is a treat.
Iceland's rugged terrain, stunning scenery and quaint cities are a big draw in both summer and winter but the country's capital Reykjavík can get very busy during both seasons. Luckily the northern coast is hiding an underrated destination – Iceland's second city Akureyri. Set against a moody mountain backdrop, the city is the perfect gateway for discovering Iceland's mythical landscapes, visiting the turf houses in Laufás and going for a date with humpback whales in the Eyjafjörður fjord.
Braving the wilderness in winter might seem like a lot but hear us out. The year's coldest months turn Jasper National Park in the Canadian Rockies into an absolutely magical destination with sparkling white snow covering the ground, the mountains and sometimes even the treetops. During the day enjoy your surroundings by hitting the trails with snowshoes or skis, and come evening, curl up with a mug of hot chocolate and admire the second-biggest dark sky preserve on Earth.
With its winding cobbled streets, enchanting spires and ice cream-coloured buildings, Tallinn’s medieval Old Town is magical. Add a sprinkling of snow and you’ll feel like you’ve wandered into a fairy tale. From mid-November until early January, explore the Christmas market set around the vast sparkling Christmas tree in the Town Hall Square. Warm up with a gingerbread biscuit and mulled wine or get stuck into a hot chocolate at the charming Kehrwieder Chocolaterie café.
Contrary to popular belief, spring isn't the only time to visit Paris. Winter is actually one of the most magical times of the year for a holiday in the City of Light as street life is as buzzing as ever. Outdoor terraces remain open, warming diners with blankets and mulled wine, and there are wintry walks aplenty, plus museums and galleries are a lot less crowded.
With light shows projected onto Parliament and firework displays galore, summer is a fine time to visit Ottawa. But in winter the Canadian capital puts on even more of a show. The best time to go? During the Winterlude festival, taking place during the first three weekends of February with ice carving contests, a giant winter playground in Jacques-Cartier Park and even a triathlon. Pull on your skates and you can even whizz along the frozen Rideau Canal – its 4.8 miles make it the largest outdoor rink on the planet.
Lake Bled in winter is great for both relaxing hotel stays where you can curl up by the fire and active breaks, exploring the surrounding forests. Commanding wondrous views over the water, the town of Bled is totally charming. Once the lake freezes over, you can skate on it or hike up the hill to the Bled Castle – the best spot for taking in the snowy scenery.
Now check out 13 winter sun destinations you'll want to book now