Winter Wonderland

By Hend Seif El Din

Prague, Czech Republic

The beautiful architecture of this fairytale city looks beautiful under a white sheet of snow.  Romantic in nature, cozy up in one of the many warm cafés across the city.  Consider staying at The Alchymist Grand Hotel & Spa; truly, the perfect fairytale hotel, which will definitely ensure a memorable stay.

Nagano, Japan

The former Olympics host city, Nagano is a great base for exploring ski resorts that are close by.  Undeniably, it’s freezing, and yet the natural hot springs on the outskirts of the city are perfect after a long day on the slopes. Stay at the Hotel JAL City, which is close to one of the country’s largest wooden temples.

Trombo, Norway

Also referred to as “the capital of the Arctic,” Trombo is one of–if not the– most beautiful city in Oslo.  Better yet, it’s the perfect base for spotting the northern lights. Stop by the Polar Museum and the Tromso Museum, and stay at the Clarion Post Bryggen, which has floor-to-ceiling windows, offering perfect views.

Edinburgh, Scotland

Simply breathtaking during the winter months, its Prince Street Gardens are transformed into the perfect winter wonderland, with a huge Christmas tree, a Ferris wheel, and an ice skating rink.  For the ideal warm Scottish welcome, stay at the cozy Jurys Inn.

Ottowa, Canada 

Home to the Winterlude festival, one of the world’s largest winter festivals, which is famous for its outdoor concerts and fantastic ice sculptures, Ottowa is definitely a place you want to visit when it snows, or–more specifically–from January 31^st to the 17^th of February.  If you want to catch the Christmas Lights Across Cana Scheme, which sees some of Ottowa’s largest buildings and monuments covered in Christmas lights, you need to travel between the 5^th of December through January, 7.  Need a place to stay?  Consider the warm and cozy The Arc Hotel.

Reykjavik, Iceland

The capital of Iceland and definitely one of the European continent’s coldest spots, the city boasts numerous natural hot springs, which you can warm up in.  The annual Winter Lights Festival takes place in February; a truly spectacular celebration of the cold season.  While in Reykjavik, enjoy a plethora of winter sports or skate on the Tjörnin pond, followed by a warm cup of hot chocolate at one of the numerous cozy coffee shops.  For a unique experience, stay at the colorful–and quirky–Hotel Marina.