Europe truly has something for everyone, and winter time is no exception. I have broken down our top European winter destinations into four categories: Best Winter Nature Escapes, Best Winter City Breaks, Best Christmas Vibes, and Best Skiing Destinations. Whatever you fancy for a trip this holiday season, we hope you can find some inspiration here.  Without further ado, our 11 Top Winter Destinations in Europe! 

Best Winter Nature Escapes in Europe

1. Slovenia 

Slovenia, by far one of our favorite winter destinations in Europe. We were positively blown away by our visit to Slovenia. From the unforgettable scenery of Lake Bled and Lake Bohinj, to the funky and colorful streets of Ljubljana, Slovenia is a one stop shop. The best part? The country still feels somewhat undiscovered by tourists, especially during the winter months. Hurry in booking your trip. We have to imagine word will spread sooner rather than later. We’ve put together a complete guide to Lake Bled, Slovenia that’s definitely worth a read before you visit. 

2. Finland

Famously home to Santa Claus himself, you’ll be hard pressed to find a winter destinations list not suggesting a visit to Finland for the holidays. While we’re dying to experience the winter scenery and a reindeer ride through the forrest, at the top of our bucket list is catching a glimpse of the Northern Lights. Combine this with overnight stays in your own personal igloo? K, enough said.

Best Winter City Breaks in Europe

3. Copenhagen, Denmark

Maybe not the first destination that comes to mind, but 100% worth noting in best winter destinations in Europe. There is a Danish concept of ‘hygge‘, which represents a mood of coziness and comfortable conviviality with feelings of wellness and contentment. One, the fact that the Danes have a specific word for this explains how important it is. Two, arguably no city does hygge better than Copenhagen. It’s the perfect place for a weekend winter getaway. Read our post on Things to See & Do in Copenhagen when you go, as well as Where to Eat & Drink. 

4. Italy

Perhaps another curve ball! Stay with me though. We visited Northern Italy during January last year, and it was a dream. Is Venice on your bucket list? We highly suggest going during the colder months. This time of year is off-peak, meaning less crowds and more picturesque canal views to yourself. Check out my post on 20 Photos to Inspire You to Visit Venice in Winter. I have a feeling you’ll be easily convinced. After Venice, carry on to Verona where hill-top views, castles, and unbelievable food will all blow your mind. I’ve put together a post on What to See & Do in Verona when you go. Have time to spare? Nearby Lago di Garda is a famous Italian summer destination, but the winter months also offer plenty of opportunities for hiking, eating, or just relaxing by the lake.

5. Belgium

The whimsical architecture featured across the cities of Belgium has me convinced they were designed for winter strolls. Add in warm Belgian chocolate, fluffy waffles, and a few creamy Belgian ales? We’re sold. Brussels is incredibly easy to reach via train from cities such as London and Amsterdam. Perfect for a weekend getaway. Ever seen the movie ‘In Bruges’? Not only is it a phenomenal film, but it showcases the charm and beauty of Bruges. A bit harder to reach, but for sure worth the effort!

Best Christmas Markets in Europe

6. Germany

Germany arguably does Christmas markets better than any country in the world. In our opinion, the top destination include Nuremberg and Rothenburg ob der Tauber, both equally famous for their Christmas markets. Check out our post detailing a full guide to 24 Hours in Nuremberg and Discovering Rothenburg ob der Tauber. The great news? Both are fairly easy to see in the same trip. If you have three or more days to dedicate to your holiday, we highly suggest a road trip through southern Germany, taking a route called the Romantic Road. It’s easy to navigate with pit stops to wander in medieval towns, explore ancient castles, enjoy alpine scenery, and of course, get lost in the Christmas markets. Be sure to read our post on the Romantic Road in Germany for the ultimate guide and itinerary.

7. Austria

Austria is one of the most beautiful countries in Europe. Vienna boasts an incredible Christmas market, full of charm and holiday cheer with the backdrop of the ornate city center. Vienna is also very accessible, so reasonably-priced flights and trains should be easy to find. Hallstatt, while not as easy to get to, is straight out of a postcard. Imagine a serene lake, reflecting colorful cottages and towering snow capped mountains. Yeah, we can’t wait to visit either.

8. England

As self-proclaimed Londoners, we would be remissed to not include the country we call home on this list. Yes, we may be a bit biased, but the English bloody love the holidays and show it in many ways. London is the most obvious of destinations. Head to Oxford Street to marvel at the lights and shop the high street, then tuck into the Hyde Park Winter Wonderland for a tipple and some nibbles. Looking for a classic English cottage to hide away for the weekend? We’re dying to escape to the Cotswolds to do just that.

Best Skiing Destinations in Europe

9. Slovakia

Perhaps not top of your list or even on your list at all, but we would argue it should be! Home to the Tatra Mountains, Slovakia is the place to visit for great skiing without the hefty price tag. Fun fact, Dave’s dad is from Slovakia and his family still lives there. This always gives us an excuse to visit, and we wish we did more often. Jasna is the main skiing region. Before planning a trip, check out a great post here by the Guardian.

10. France

Next to Austria and Switzerland, France offers some of the best skiing in Europe. We’re hoping to visit Chamonix this season, home to one of the oldest resorts in the region. Read Culture Trip’s guide for inspiration on other regions and destinations that are worth a visit.

11. Switzerland

Notoriously expensive, but worth every penny. Skiing on the Swiss Alps? That’s a bucket list item to cross off. Read this guide by the Telegraph for insight into the best ski regions in Switzerland, depending on what you’re looking for out of the trip.

Conclusion

One of my favorite parts about Europe is how vastly different each country is, yet how easy it is to move between them. I hope you get an opportunity to make it to one of our top winter destinations in Europe, or maybe even a couple. Be sure to let me know when you do!

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Before visiting the French Riviera (or Côte d’Azur), it’s easy to fill your plans with the glitz and glamour associated with places like St. Tropez, Monte Carlo, and Cannes. Many wouldn’t have even heard of Èze, nevertheless decide that it deserves a spot on their itinerary.

Trust me. This charming little coastal village, perched on a rugged mountaintop with stunning views over the Mediterranean, was one of the absolute highlights of a trip to Southern France. Èze is conveniently tucked between Nice and Monaco (~10km from each), which makes it an easy day trip from either city. Read on for how to get there, things to do, and why Èze is a must see while visiting the French Riviera.

Where to go in Èze?

Before heading to Èze, it’s important to understand how the town is situated. We skipped Èze Bord-de-Mer and went straight to Èze Village, and then hiked up to Col d’Èze. We recommend this if you’re just doing a day trip.

1. If we start at sea-level, we have Èze Bord-de-Mer. Here you’ll find a rocky beach, as well as hikers getting ready to embark for Èze village.
2. Then we have Èze Village, which is ~400 meters above sea-level. Here you’ll find stunning medieval architecture, narrow pedestrian alleyways, and boutique shops basically carved into the stone walls.
3. Finally, at ~650 meters altitude you have Col d’Èze, a mountain pass that’s famous for cyclists

How to get from Nice to Èze?

The night before, in a pub in Nice, we met a friendly Irish girl named Katie. Katie urged us that if there’s one thing we do while we’re in Nice, it should be a visit to Èze. We are so glad she convinced us, and thankfully she was even kind enough to tell us how to get there!

From Nice, you need to take the bus #82 from Gare Routière Nice Côte d’Azur directly to Èze Village.

Things to See and Do?

1. Admire the medieval architecture. Randomly, it is said that Walt Disney spent a lot of time in Èze. He also fueled the idea of repurposing a restaurant into the 5-star boutique hotel, La Chèvre d’Or.

2. Jardin Exotique d’Èze (Exotic Garden) – a garden of cacti and succulents on a cliff 400 meters above the Mediterranean sea. With panoramic views extending all the way to St. Tropez, your Instagram will thank you later

3. Hike to Col d’Èze. If you make it to Èze Village, do yourself a favor and follow the signs up a bit further (~30min climb), towards Col d’Èze. If you have any trouble finding the route, just ask the tourist center or a local shopkeeper. At the top, you will find the Fort de la Revère with incredible vantage points. The best part? The view from here will still include the sea and the mountains, but also Èze Village!

Bottomline, Èze is a must see while visiting the French Riviera. While you’re in the region, check out our tips for a Sneaky Day Trip: Marseille to Calanque de Sugiton

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Marseille is a bustling city, and it’s the second-largest in all of France. But what if we told you that just 10 miles outside of Marseille’s Vieux Port lies one of the most impressive natural wonders in all of Europe? 

Think turquoise blue inlets tucked between dramatic cliffs of white limestone… These are Les Calanques, and below is our guide on how to get there, things to do, and why they might be the best kept secret in the south of France.

Which of The Calanques To Go To?

There are multiple calanques, but trust us and go to Calanque de Sugiton. The views are truly breathtaking, and it’s accessible from Marseille even without a car. It is a fan favorite for tourists and locals alike.

If you are hard pressed for time, this article has great info on other options that are closer and more accessible to the city. 

How to Get to Calanque de Sugiton From Marseille?

We struggled to find the best route, and it got to the point where we ended up sharing a taxi/Uber. The drive should have taken ~1 hour, but our driver didn’t speak much English and we ended up on a major detour. I hope the below can help you avoid the same mistakes…

From central Marseille, the best way is to take the M2 metro towards Sainte Marguerite Dromel. The stop is Rond-Pont du Prado. Then, you take 21 bus to Luminy. 

From there, it’s ~1 hour hike down to the sea, where you should allow plenty of time (trust me, you won’t want to leave). 

Things to Do in Calanque de Sugiton?

The hike is extremely easy, and there are sign posts in English to help direct you. You’ll follow a steep and curvy footpath downhill, towards the sea. Midway, you’ll see some spectacular views of other nearby calanques. And at the bottom, you’ll be rewarded with an oasis of crystal clear water, miniature beaches, catamarans, and cliffs just begging to be jumped off of.

1. Go for a swim. Make sure you rock a bathing suit. After the hike, you will want to cool off with a swim. You’ll also see plenty of locals nestled into cliffside coves to enjoy a snack or a picnic. 
2. Cliff Jump. At the end of the hike is an inlet where you can really get your adrenaline fix. There is a large rock formation in the center of the inlet, which is probably the most popular launch point. With the help of some locals, we eventually graduated to an even higher jump off point along the border of the inlet.
3. Have a picnic. You’ll see plenty of locals nestled into cliffside coves to enjoy a snack. If you’re feeling French, pack some meat, cheese, and a baguette (bonus points for bringing wine).

When to Go to Calanque de Sugiton?

Late Spring and early Summer are the best time to experience Les Calanques. We went in June, and the weather was phenomenal. It was certainly warm, but we beat the scorching heat of late Summer, as well as the wetter months in Autumn.

Hopefully this has convinced you and equipped you to check out Les Calanques. While you’re in Southern France, check out our post on a Sneaky Day Trip: Nice to Èze

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