Where to go in winter? One Hundred Ideas

Is it possible to just stay home in winter, wrap yourself in a blanket and wait for the weather to warm up? Of course not. Millions of people from all over the world love winter tourism. There is no shortage of attractions, and there is no shortage of people interested. Where to go in winter, what to do and what to see? We present a package of ideas and ensure there is something for everyone.  

Snow castles and labyrinths 

The ice and snow architecture is seasonal, beautiful and attracts tourists like a magnet. Interesting: the world's largest ice and snow labyrinth is located in Poland, in the Snowlandia winter amusement park in Zakopane, near Wielki Krokiew. Its construction takes about a month. The walls are two meters high, and the area of ​​the entire facility is 3000 m². When darkness falls, the labyrinth is illuminated with colorful lights, and walkers can feel like they are in a winter fairy tale. In Snowland you can also see the 14-metre high snow castle, explore its secret passages and admire the surrounding scenery from the observation deck. 

The most famous snow castle in Europe is located in Kemi, Finland. Like Zakopane Castle, it melts and is rebuilt every year. The Swedes loved winter architecture so much that they went even further and built the world's first ice hotel in the village of Jukkasjärvi. Spending the night in this place is a unique experience. Thermometers in the rooms show -5 degrees Celsius. Of course, the hotel cannot be heated, as this would mean shortening the life of this extraordinary building. The Ice Hotel boasts a restaurant serving traditional Sami cuisine, an art gallery with an exhibition of ice sculptures, and a snow theater where Shakespeare's plays are performed. 

Christmas atmosphere 

Many European cities are famous for their unique Christmas markets, for example: Barcelona, ​​Dresden, Berlin, Tallinn, Paris, Hamburg, Vienna and Prague. You can also admire them in Poland, for example in Krakow, Gdansk, Katowice, Wroclaw, Lodz, Poznan and Warsaw. At the fairs you can buy themed products, Christmas tree decorations, various delicacies, Christmas decorations, regional products and gifts, and in the Old Town of Warsaw you will also find an ice skating rink. 

A visit to Santa Claus Village is sure to get you in the Christmas spirit. In theory, it should only attract kids, but let's face it... Adults flock here with the same enthusiasm. The most famous village of St. Nicholas in Poland is located in Baltow. Here you will find everything: lanterns, ice sculptures, magic shows and, of course, Santa Claus himself. The Santa Claus Land amusement park in Kolacinek offers similar attractions in a Christmas atmosphere. In turn, in Kętrzyn there is a consulate of Father Frost, where you can make your own trinket. 

Officially, Saint Nicholas lives in Lapland and is the absolute record holder for the number of letters received. In Rovaniemi, near the Arctic Circle, there is the largest Santa Claus Village open all year round, an amusement park visited by many tourists. You'll find Santa's office, reindeer, sleigh, gift center and the world's busiest post office. 

By the way, we would like to remind you of the address to which letters should be sent to Santa Claus:

Thermae 

This is an ideal place for lovers of warmth and regeneration. The pools are fed by thermal water, rich in minerals and known for its healing properties. It's best to reserve a full day for the thermal baths and sauna. In most establishments, part of the hot pools is located in the open air, so during breaks from swimming you can have fun in the snow, and you will also find attractions known from water parks: Jacuzzis, geysers, artificial rivers and waves or water cannons. 

In winter, the most popular thermal baths are located at the foot of the mountains, offering unforgettable views. Worth visiting: Thermal Baths in Bialka Tatrzanska, Thermal Baths of Bukowina in Bukovina Tatrzanska, the swimming pool in Polyana Szymoszkowa (near the ski station Szymoszkowa), Thermal Baths of Horace Potok in Szaflary. Tourists also praise the Zakopane Aquapark, and Terme Cieplice, in addition to a beautiful view of the Giant Mountains, boasts the hottest pools in Poland. The Mszczonów Thermal Baths are located near Warsaw, and the Malta Thermal Baths, the largest thermal pool complex in our country, can be found in Poznań. The Uniejów Baths are located between Lodz and Konin. 

You can also find thermal pools outside the country. The largest complex in the Alps is the Swiss thermal baths of Leukerbad. The German baths of Caracalla and the Icelandic Blue Lagoon are also highly rated in world rankings. Both places are famous for their waterfalls, and the Blue Lagoon also has a cave. 

Where to ski? 

Do you love white madness and winter sports? In our country you will find many modern resorts where you can have fun on the slopes. The most popular of them include: 

• Bialka Tatrzanska (three complexes to choose from: Kotelnica, Banya and Kaniuvka),
• Charna Gura on the Snezhsky massif,
• Yavozhina Krynytsk in the Sondeck Beskydy,
• Ski arena Karpacz in the Krkonose Mountains, 
• Krynica-Zdroj (recommended for experienced users), 
• Rusiń Ski in Bukovina Tatrzanska,
• Skis and sun in Swieradow-Zdroj
• Slotwiny Arena in Krynica-Zdroj
• Szczyrk in the Silesian Beskids (ideal for beginners and family trips with children),
• Ski arena Szrenica in Szklarska Poreba,
• Verhomlya in Sondecky Beskydy,
• Vistula (centers: Soszow, Skolnity, Stozek and Nowa Osada)
• Zakopane-Kasprowy Wierch (by the way, you can have lunch in the highest restaurant in Poland),
• Zieleniec SKI Arena on the border of the Orlicke and Bystrzyckie mountains (a place known for its alpine microclimate).

Planning a ski trip abroad? For many years, the Alps have been the most popular, followed by Italy, France, Austria and Switzerland. It's also worth considering a slightly lesser-known destination: Andorra in the Pyrenees. In Andorra you will find very modern resorts and breathtaking views.

Advances in technology mean that no one will have to ski blind and just check the conditions on site. Thanks to online cameras, you can take a closer look at the slopes. You can use apps designed for skiers and snowboarders (for example: Skiresort.info collects weather data from 6000 resorts). 

Cross-country skiing 

Cross-country skiing, commonly known as cross-country skiing, is a fun alternative to the slopes. This sport can be practiced in many places, and with snowfall new trails appear. Cross-country skiing enthusiasts enjoy visiting the Szklarska Poreba forest area in the Jizera Mountains, where the Jakuszyce cross-country ski center and ski trails over 100 km long are located. The Jizerska 50 center is located on the Czech side. You can also go cross-country skiing in Jamrozowa Polana, in Duszniki-Zdrój, in the Podlaskie Voivodeship, near the Vistula and in the Tatras to the Chochołowska Valley. 

Events and festivals 

From December 1 to January 22, 2023, it is worth visiting Amsterdam. There are many beautiful monuments in the city, and the Dutch have planned a festival of lights for the specified date. From December 17 to March 15, the IJsselhallen Zwolle in the Netherlands, 130 km from Amsterdam, will host an ice sculpture festival using more than 500 kilograms of ice and snow. 

Ice works of art can also be admired in Poland. From December 9 to 12, it is worth visiting Poznan, where the next Ice Festival will take place.

Winter is the perfect time for fun lovers. The reason is obvious: the carnival lasts from January 6 to February 21. The most famous of them takes place in Nice; detailed information can be found in our article. 

Where can you dance and have fun at the concerts before the official start of the carnival? For example, at the Tollwood winter festival in Munich, which invites all music and dance lovers from November 24 until the New Year. 

Where else can you go in winter?

An interesting trip option is visiting Polish national parks. The beautiful nature in winter landscapes looks magical, and an additional attraction is the opportunity to track the paw prints of forest inhabitants in the snow. A winter meeting with bison will be provided by the Bialowieza National Park and the Bison Demonstration Farm in Pszczynski Park. Those who want peace and quiet will certainly satisfy their need in Wolinski National Park, which is often visited by photographers in winter, especially around the cliffs in Miedzyzdroje. Magura National Park offers enchanting winter walks and the chance to see the frozen Magura Falls.

If you have never seen Księż Castle, be sure to visit it. This is an extraordinary place with a very interesting history. In winter, the area around the castle is illuminated by the Gardens of Light.

If you really dislike snow and the very thought of winter sports makes you shudder, you may want to choose a completely different destination for your trip. Sun and warmth await tourists in Spain, Portugal, southern Greece and Italy.

Exotic Europe can be found in the Tropical Islands park near Berlin. This is a water park with a tropical village, where in addition to the standard attractions you can also enjoy the flamingos and turtles that live there, as well as rafting on a wild river and rainforest. Palm trees from Florida and Malaysia can also be found in Poland, in the Suntago Wodny Świat water park, near Mszczonów.

Remember that winter travel can be combined with New Year's, and if you're looking for unusual ideas for New Year's fun, keep a close eye on what tourist attractions have to offer. For example: New Year can be spent underground, in the mines of Wieliczka and Bochnia.

A few words for those who save 

• In winter, with your ASCI card you can count on discounts of up to 50% at more than 3000 campsites in Europe. You can order a map and catalog from us. 
• You should purchase ski passes online before the start of the season or in advance (they are called ski passes). They will be up to 30% cheaper than those purchased at the checkout. 
• If you can afford a flexible departure date, avoid the winter holidays when prices rise. 

Graphs used in this article (above): 1. Pixabay (Pixabay license). 2. Ice castle in Kemi, Finland. GNU Free Documentation License. 3. Photo by Petr Kratochvil “Christmas Market in Prague.” CC0 Public Domain. 4. Photo by Tony Hisgett, “Blue Lagoon Baths,” Wiki Commons. 5. Public Domain CC0, pxhere.com.