Vienna, Austria
Bruges, Belgium
Europe’s best-preserved medieval city is also one of its most charming, especially during the holiday season. Split your time wandering the cobblestone streets, ice skating at the Christmas market, and warming up with mugs of Belgian hot chocolate in cafes.
Edinburgh, Scotland
Edinburgh’s Hogmanay Festival—a three-day bacchanal celebrating the New Year, with outdoor concerts, fireworks, and dancing Scots—is reason enough to book a trip.
Budapest, Hungary
Winter is, hands down, the best time to visit Budapest. Seeing the Hungarian Parliament surrounded by ice drifts on the Danube could make even the strictest of beach bums embrace the cold.
Prague, Czech Republic
No city transforms into a winter wonderland quite like Prague, when a dusting of snow coats St. Charles Bridge and Old Town’s church spires.
Bergen, Norway
Bergen has all the makings of an idyllic Nordic village: colorful wooden buildings, scenic harbor, and sweeping views of the surrounding fjords.
Paris, France
Paris is always a good idea. During the winter, it’s a great idea. The City of Light becomes even more dazzling with seasonal additions.
Ljubljana, Slovenia
Slovenia’s capital city is a real-life fairytale setting, come sunshine or snow flurries. Visit during December to see the Baroque architecture…
Venice, Italy
Venice has become notoriously overrun during peak season—just see the its recent attempts to limit tourist numbers for proof.
Berlin, Germany
Germany is known around the world for its Christmas markets—its capital city alone has more than 60 of them, including the incredibly WeihnachtsZauber.
