Winning Tip: Trace to Northern Sweden
Waking up from my bunk on the night train from Stockholm to Abisko to a pink Arctic sunrise above countless fir trees was the perfect start to a winter adventure. THE STF Abisko tourist resort served as our base for every snow-related activity you can imagine: I tried snowshoeing, husky sled driving, and cross-country skiing. It was just as nice to warm up by one of the many fireplaces and look out over the beautiful frozen lake. And, because of where a climatic phenomenon results in some of the clearest skies in Europe, it was also a wonderful place to view the Northern Lights. Scandinavia is famously expensive, but staying in a clean, comfortable dorm and cooking in the well-equipped kitchen helped cover the costs.
Pippa
A cheap ski holiday in Andorra
Last year, due to rising costs and a reduced budget, we decided to forgo the Alps for our annual ski week and hit the slopes of the Pyrenees in Andorra. We stayed in Le Pas de la Casaa lively ski resort with access to the widest Grandvalira ski area. The town was more concrete than a chocolate box, but the mountains were just as pretty and we had over 130 miles of slopes to explore with modern lifts and minimal queues. The best part? Holidays cost almost half the price of the Alps.
Elliot Armstrong
Hot springs of Cerdanya Valley
To the northwest of Perpignan are the Cerdagne valley and Capcir, where you can find hot spring baths from €6 per person. These are just a 20-minute drive from the various ski slopes, so you can work on your quads in the morning and then relax in the very healing warm waters in the afternoon. Dorré Bathss is a fabulous place. Also Baths of Saint-ThomasAnd Llo Baths. There are also cheese farms for cow, goat and sheep cheeses, as well as a great gastronomic culture in local shops. For a place to stay, try Camping l’Enclavewhich has warm cabins in winter. You will need a good car with winter tires and whatever you put on the wheels in the snow/ice.
Magali
Snorkeling in an Icelandic wonder
Last winter I went to Iceland to snorkel in a deep fissure Silfrawhere the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates separated. With incredibly clear water, visibility is superb and it feels like you're floating in a narrow canyon. At around 2°C (35°F), it's certainly chilly, but dive companies provide all the equipment, including dry suits and safety gear. I didn't want to go out, but having a hot tub at the hostel was the perfect way to warm up afterwards.
Paula
The preserved landscapes of Slovenia
In winter, Slovenia is a wonderful country with unspoiled mountainous landscapes. A few years ago we took the train from Cornwall to Lake Bohinj and the small ski resort of Vogel. On one of the few days we didn't ski, we took a day trip to Lake Bled. The castle located on an island in the middle of the lake was adorned with picturesque snow and backed by local peaks. Bled looked like a mix of touristy hotels and cafes and a place where locals spend their weekends relaxing after a week's drive to Ljubljana. A walk around the lake is recommended, as is a visit to the local ice rink, where we were lucky enough to witness an impressive game of ice hockey played by local teenagers.
Laila
A magical valley from Isère Christmas
Val d'Isère has long been our favorite ski resort. The pretty village lights up like magic in the evening after a day on the slopes. In a sunny cafe bar, we rewarded ourselves with oysters and prosecco. We also sipped the local Genepi fire water while the kids snowboarded. An unforgettable light show was put on one evening as the instructors zigzagged their way to the village. The fireflies in the distance have become real people joining the party when Santa Claus arrives.
David
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Trekking in the land of Dracula
Hiking in Transylvania – with its Carpathian Mountains backdrop, Gothic castles, Saxon villages and horse-drawn carts – was a great activity for my family last December. This is the land of Dracula and the medieval town of SighiÈ™oara is a must-visit. It's perched atop a 200-foot-tall rock, with towering towers and fairytale turrets, enhancing the wintery vampire vibe. Try a night at Ice Hotel at Balea Lake, and keep some garlic on hand – just in case.
Yasmin
Stargazing in Hella
Last year, a winter trip to Iceland offered me isolated plains, frigid air, clear skies and a surreal celestial experience. A local warned me hella. It is, according to my companion, the best place to observe the northern lights and star formations. They were right. Hella's crystal clear skies were perfect for a week of stargazing. THE Rangá Observatory astronomers gave me a guided tour of the cosmos for £10 a night, as they traced the stars, planets and mystical ribbons of green light dancing across the dark, wintry sky. I ended my winter week there with a few sessions in the hot tub at the Hotel Ranga.
Nigel
A sub-zero Swedish wonderland
It's worth breaking the bank to spend the night in Sweden. Ice Hotel. We were transferred from Kiruna Airport to Jukkasjärvi, sitting astride a low sled pulled by 20 noisy racing huskies. The excellent dinner in the main hotel included char and ended with frozen desserts served on ice cream plates. Fortified by the Ice barwe crawled into thick sleeping bags and into a bed covered in reindeer skin. Each suite is uniquely carved and ours had an ice phone booth. Despite the temperature being -5°C (23°F), we slept well, until we were woken up with hot lingonberry juice. An unforgettable experience.
Helene Jackson
