Amsterdam, Netherlands
Visit the striking city of Amsterdam and experience the annual winter festival which starts on 16th November 2024 and lasts until 2nd March 2025. Enjoy activities such as ice skating, the Light Festival, and the Christmas market, before grabbing a drink at the one-of-a-kind ice bar, giving you an insight into the arctic circle. Sing along to Christmas Carols at the spectacular Royal Concertgebouw to give your trip a truly quintessential winter feel.
Barcelona, Spain
The usually mild weather in Barcelona makes it a great place to visit! December especially holds many Christmas traditions that are not to be missed. Ice-skating, taking a tour of the gorgeous Christmas lights, and a stroll through the Christmas markets are all fabulous winter getaway activities with a plus side of warm temperatures! January and February are also great times to go and experience the vast culture outside of the peak season, giving you the chance to appreciate the spectacular architecture, cuisine, art, and sport.
Budapest, Hungary
Budapest is a must-see city this winter. St. Stephen’s Basilica is an exquisite place to visit ordinarily but, in the lead up to Christmas, it is transformed into a magical market with a magnificent light show every night. Ride the Christmas light tram before popping into the many exciting ruin bars for a drink. Explore the traditional Hungarian food such as goulash, chicken paprikash, rice pilaf and many traditional soups and stews to ensure your visit is worthwhile.
Dublin, Ireland
Another beautiful city to visit this winter is Dublin, the capital of Ireland. Take a tour around the Guinness Museum for a pint and visit one of the hundreds of Irish bars for a dance to some traditional Irish music. The Dublin Zoo is a brilliant place for a family day out to see the animals and the annual Wild Lights, with this year’s theme being A Journey Through Time. Don’t forget to take a trip to Dublin castle to explore all the history it has to offer.
Paris, France
Paris, during winter, can be a magical place, despite the lack of snow! It will be very chilly so wrap up warmly and visit one of the many of fabulous bakeries, before taking a boat trip along the River Seine at night to see the beautifully illuminated city. If the weather gets too cold or the rain begins to pour, as can often happen in Paris at this time of year, have a pop into one of the phenomenal museums of art, history, and culture, before visiting a traditional French restaurant for some exquisite cuisine.
