Winter destinations in Europe are a dream come true for many. It is especially for those who haven’t gone for a holiday in a while but with things getting better and countries opening up, you’re mulling it over.
A vacation to Europe to explore beautiful and exotic Bijou winter destinations sounds enticing. Europe is the home to several wonderful and exciting winter destinations such as Crete, Slovenia, Bulgaria, and Croatia — every one of them is unique on its own!
Each day, a new activity will keep your European adventure going strong. You’ll make exciting discoveries and forever memories. To help you decide, we have listed four destinations, their top tourist spots, and the different things to do there.
1. CRETE
Close your eyes and imagine yourself in Crete. Feel the sand beneath your feet and hear the melodious sound of waves. See the picturesque mountains, and palm trees gently swaying in the wind as the warm sun shines on you, therefore making Crete the warmest place to visit in Europe when hunting for sunny winter destinations.
You are surrounded by beauty! The Greek island will enchant you, making you fall in love with it. For this reason, honeymooning couples are drawn to Crete.
Over the years, the island has become one of the top honeymoon winter destinations in Europe for couples and a great place for friends to come for a holiday.
If you’re coming to Crete, you will find plenty of activities in Chania and Rethymno.
Chania
City Chania has an antique allure about itself. With architecture dating back to the 14th century, it is one of Crete’s most beautiful towns. The cobbled streets, historical sites, and monuments constructed in the Ottoman, neoclassical, and Venetian eras enhance the town’s charm. Chania is a holiday favourite among both locals and tourists who travel to the town for sightseeing.
Things To Do
· Private Wine Tours
Private wine tours provide you with a one-on-one learning experience with the tour guide. Couples and friends who want to spend time together can book one of the many private tasting tours available. The three wine tours include:
Wine Adventure Tour is one of the most sought out private tours. With your partner, you will go for a vineyard walk and visit wineries, a cave, and an olive oil mill. You will also see the world’s oldest olive tree.
Wine Lovers Tour is a lover’s paradise, offering several things to do such as visiting wineries, strolling through scenic vineyards, seeing the wine-making process, and tasting more than 15 types of wines.
Grapes and Grains Tour is for couples and friends that are at odds with their drink of choice. If you love wine and your partner loves beer, this is the perfect activity for both of you. With your partner, you will taste more than five beers and 10 wines. Who knows? You and your partner may walk out of the tour being a fan of each other’s choice of drink.
· Semi-private Wine Tours
Semi-private wine tours take you on a journey to wineries, olive oil mills, and vineyards. You can choose a half-day or full-day tour. Each tour group will consist of a maximum of six people. The wine tours include:
Full-Day 8 h Semi-private Tours include the Wine and Olive Oil Tour, and Mountain Village Food Tour. The first tour introduces you to wine and olive oil. The second one takes you to different villages to sample different wines and food.
Half-Day 4 h Tours include the Olive You Berry Much Tour, Wine Discovery, and Wine Under the Stars. The first tour is all about wine and olive oil, the second includes wine tasting and vineyards, and the last tour includes an appetising meal with unlimited wine.
Rethymno – One of Crete’s Many Winter Destinations in Europe
Do you want to visit a medieval town? If you do, don’t look further than Rethymno. When you explore the different parts of the town, you’ll uncover Venetian and Ottoman-style buildings and domes.
Whether you’re on the adventure alone, with your partner, with your family, or with friends, you will come across exciting activities.
Activities
· Cooking Classes in Vatos Village
Cooking classes in Vatos Village is a fun way to prepare Cretan dishes. A local chef will guide you as you prepare a scrumptious meal. The cooking class starts with a tour of the village and ends with you making and tasting local cuisine.
· Olive Oil Tasting Tour
Olive oil tasting tour teaches you the art of tasting olive oil. The tour will take you to a winery and a vineyard.
· Cretan Cooking Experience
Cretan cooking experience includes cooking workshops and wine tastings. You will prepare a healthy, delicious, and authentic Cretan meal using high-quality local ingredients and paired with wine from Crete.
2. SLOVENIA
Although a small country, Slovenia has earned a place among the most popular winter destinations in Europe. The country’s charming landscape made up of old towns, hills, and snow-capped mountains will entice you to return for a second adventure.
Lake Bohinj
The stunning destination, covered in snow, will take your breath away. The largest lake in Slovenia offers outdoor enthusiasts a wide variety of things to do in the winter. Lake Bohinj is the best present winter can give you.
Things To Do While on Your Winter Holiday in Slovenia
· Snowshoe Hike
Snowshoe hike involves wearing snowshoes and walking on trails covered with snow. Can you imagine snowshoe hiking near Slovenia’s largest lake? It will be a challenging yet fulfilling adventure that you will always remember a year from now.
· Ice Rink
The ice rink, located in Bohinjska Bistrica, is one of the highlights of visiting Lake Bohinj. You don’t have to pay to ice skate. Some of the services they provide are disco skating, skating school for beginners, skates rental and sharpening, and more.
· Alpine Skiing
Alpine skiing takes you skiing in the mountains. You can ski on natural snow, on artificial snow, or visit the Vogel snow park. If you are a night owl who prefers skiing under the stars, sign up for night skiing. Additionally, you can enrol in a ski school to sharpen your skiing skills. Other things to do there include windsurfing, fishing, boat riding, and kayaking.
Lake Velenje
Lake Velenje, situated between Lake SoStanj and Lake Skale, is the deepest lake in the country with a remarkable depth of 54 m.
Some of the things to do in Lake Velenje are cycling, hiking, boat rides, paddleboarding, swimming, and scuba diving.
If you want to sit back and relax in nature, Lake Velenje is where you will get your much-needed rest.
Activities
· Scuba Diving
Scuba diving in Lake Velenje will be a memorable way to ring in the New Year. Besides scuba diving, you can partake in other recreational and watersport activities such as boating, tennis, golf, basketball, horse riding, hiking, and more. There’s also a free waterpark and playground for kids.
Piran
Piran is a resort city due to its ideal location. Located on the Adriatic coast, it has become one of the most frequented summer and winter destinations in Europe.
The harbour town attracts large crowds in the summer but for a quieter and intimate experience, visit the town in winter.
What to do in Piran? You can go on a journey to discover the coastline, national parks, trails, and more.
Activities
· Portoroz Beach
Portoroz Beach is not far from Piran. You can easily visit it on foot, starting from Tartini Square. As you walk towards the beach, you can make stops along the way.
· Wine Tasting Tour
The Wine tasting tour takes you through the historic city decorated with remnants of the past on foot. On the guided wine tasting tour, you will sip wine and eat food while learning about the specialities of each region. You’ll leave the tour with knowledge and acquire a fine taste for traditionally prepared food and wine.
· Private Winery Tour
The Private winery tour is a romantic way to see the town. Paired with a local guide, you and your partner will see the town from a different perspective. The beauty of the town will become apparent from the extraordinary stories you will hear from the local guide.
3. BULGARIA
Nestled in the Balkan Mountains, Bulgaria is a hidden gem ready to amaze people coming from all over the world. The breathtakingly beautiful Black Sea sets the scene for travellers, immediately putting them in a peaceful and relaxing mood.
In Bulgaria, the sightseeing opportunities are endless. You can go rock climbing or hiking, explore rock formations, journey into caves, or watch the clear skies and calm waters from the beach’s sandy surface.
Borovets
Borovets, situated on the slopes of the Rila Mountains in Bulgaria, is a vacation hot spot for enthusiastic snowboarders and skiers. Jump on a cycle to discover the vast alpine landscape or choose a trail to visit the Musala Lakes or the Ice Lake. You can also take a kayak or go on a boat ride on the tranquil waters of the Iskar Reservoir.
Choose Activities for Your Winter Adventure
· Thermal Pool Experience
The thermal pool experience will warm your insides, loosening your muscles and preparing your body for the next time you hit the slopes. Situated at the bottom of Rila Mountain, you can easily visit the thermal pool to relax and re-energise yourself.
· Skiing or Snowboarding Group Lesson for All Ages
Group skiing or snowboarding lessons are available for beginners and experts. You will have a two-hour lesson with an English-speaking skiing and snowboarding instructor. They will place you in a group according to your age and skill level.
· Snowmobile
Get on a Snowmobile to begin an adventure. Your snowmobile guide will take you on a one-hour journey through the snow-covered forest. If you have never ridden a snowmobile before, you can take a lesson.
Bansko – One of the Balkans’ Sought-After Winter Destinations in Europe
Bansko has gained a reputation among both locals and tourists as one of the key destinations for skiing. The ski resort offers fantastic views, trails, dining options, and hotels. It has one of the Balkans’ best lifts and slopes.
When you’re not skiing, you can stroll through the cobbled streets and explore the local cuisine. There is a limitless amount of things to do in Bansko for people of all ages. Additionally, if you are looking for March-April winter destinations in Europe, Bansko is your hotspot.
Things To Do
· Snowmobile Adventure
The snowmobile adventure will open your eyes to the beauty of the Pirin Mountains. On a snowmobile, your tour guide will take through the forest without crossing any slopes and without passing Pirin Mountains’ protected areas recognised as priceless by the UNESCO Man and the Biosphere Program.
· Thermal Pool
Bulgaria offers thermal pools filled with naturally producing mineral water. After Iceland, Bulgaria comes in second of having several hot springs. Around Bansko, you’ll find several thermal pools. The country is well-known, among the winter destinations in Europe, with its thermal pools and spa facilities.
The benefits of relaxing in a thermal pool include stress relief, disease prevention, and recovery from pains, aches, and injuries. Among skiers, thermal pools have gained notoriety due to the benefits it provides by alleviating muscle soreness and tension.
· Horse Riding
Do you want to go on a horse riding adventure in Bansko? If yes, saddle up! Travel to Dobrinishte, the horse riding base, which is 8km away from the city. Beginners will learn the basics of horse riding in a closed field while experienced riders can visit the countryside with the instructor.
· Sightseeing Tour of Rila Monastery
St Ivan Rilski Monastery is a UNESCO World Heritage site and you can book a sightseeing tour to visit it. Rila Monastery is an ode to the Bulgarian National Revival era with works of one of the most recognised Bulgarian painters on exhibit there — the marvellous frescoes. From the monastery, you will also get front row seats to the stunning mountainous views.
4. CROATIA
Croatia offers travellers a host of exciting activities, ranging from picturesque scenery, mesmerising nature, historic cities, and many islands. The country’s impressive coastline offers tourists numerous things to do such as diving, kite surfing, and swimming.
Split
Split, Croatia’s second-largest city, combines ancient and modern elements. If you are a history buff, the city will appeal to you due to the ruins left over from the Roman Empire. Close to the Adriatic city, you can easily travel to the Hvar and Brac islands. The waterfront view, delicious food, and historic buildings make Split a city worth visiting.
Things To Do
· Wine Tasting Tour
The wine tasting tour starts from Split and takes you to the oldest town in Croatia, the Krka National Park, Skradin, and ends with wine tasting.
· Cooking Class
The cooking class teaches you how to cook traditional Croatian dishes. The class starts with wine tasting followed by creating a menu consisting of local dishes. Although you can choose to take the class in the morning or afternoon, the morning class takes you to the local market to select the ingredients for the dish you would be cooking.
Top 5 Croatian National Parks
Here are the top five national parks to visit in Croatia:
Plitvice Lakes National Park
Plitvice Lakes National Park is not just the country’s largest park but is also its most popular tourist attraction. Recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage national park, the park has lakes, waterfalls, and caves. It also consists of seven routes, four hiking trails, and two entrances.
Krka National Park
Krka National Park’s “attention-stealing” waterfalls leave people in awe. The Skradinski Buk waterfalls cascading down into the lake are a sight you wouldn’t want to miss. To see the entire park, you can take a boat ride. The best part is that some areas of the park allow you to swim.
Mljet National Park
Mljet National Park lies next to two bodies of water, Malo Jezero and Veliko. Sitting in the centre of the large lake is Melita, a small island with a building dating back to the 12th century. Some of the activities you can do at the park include kayaking, swimming, hiking, strolling, and cycling.
Kornati National Park
Kornati National Park, nestled between Sibenik and Zadar, is divided into two halves — the upper and lower half. It also includes Kornat Island and Murter Island. You can explore the various caves, olive groves, and vineyards. You can take a boat, go on a snorkelling adventure, or swim in the clear waters.
Brijuni National Park
Brijuni National Park is made up of a large cluster of 14 islands. From the national park, you can view its impressive landscape, pastures, meadows, historical structures, and vegetation.
What to do in the park? You can visit the safari park, talk and shake hands with the Koki the cockatoo, be amazed by the dinosaur footprints, and take pictures with the oldest olive tree.
Dubrovnik
A fun fact about the city of Dubrovnik is that it was once the capital of the Republic of Ragusa. Now, it has earned a special place among tourists from across the world. Each year, people visit for the food, weather, culture, beaches, and watersport activities such as kayaking and scuba diving.
Activities
· Food and Wine Tour
The food and wine tour is a walking tour that takes you to popular dining and drinking places in Dubrovnik. On your stroll through the city, your local guide will tell you interesting stories about the city’s culture that will take you back to the past as you explore and discover it with your own eyes.
· Pelješac Peninsula and Wine Tour
The Peljesac Peninsula and wine tour takes you to the second-largest peninsula in the country. The peninsula is brimming with culture, history, and food and wine. Your day will include eating freshly caught oysters, walking along the sea, and visiting family-owned wineries. The tour guide can even personalise the tour according to your interests.
· Traditional Cooking Class
The traditional cooking class gives you the local food-eating experience. If you want to bring the taste of Croatia into your kitchen, this cooking class will broaden your knowledge of traditional ingredients and teach you recipes you can prepare back home.
While in Dubrovnik, something else you should do is visit Montenegro. Dubrovnik to Montenegro is less than two hours drive. You can go to Kotor Bay by bus, rent a car, taxi, or by booking a day trip from Dubrovnik. In Kotor, you can explore the surroundings by hiring a water taxi.
If you don’t fancy a Croatia Montenegro trip, perhaps you would then consider one from Dubrovnik to Mostar. There are lots of things you can do in Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina. You can go to the old town, visit Stari Most, eat traditional Bosnian food, or even see a jump from Mostar bridge.
Top 5 Croatian Waterfalls
Here are the top five waterfalls to visit in Croatia:
Skradinski Buk Waterfalls in Krka National Park
Skradinski Buk Waterfalls falls under the protection of UNESCO’s World Heritage and is the largest waterfall in Krka National Park. The waterfall boasts 17 steps, is around 400 m wide, stretches over a span of 800 m, and has an elevation of 30 m. You could swim there in winter but that changed when they prohibited it due to ecological reasons.
Roski Slap in Krka National Park
Roski Slap waterfall is surrounded by natural beauty with a cave nearby. The waterfall is known for several watermills. You can visit the waterfall via boat.
The Great Waterfall in Plitvice Lakes National Park
The Great Waterfall is a remarkable sight! Pay close attention to the water, as it changes, going from azure, green, blue, and green. The water gets its colour-changing ability from the minerals and sunlight.
Rastoke Waterfalls near Slunj
Rastoke Waterfalls form from the two rivers meeting each other, Korana and Slunjčica. This creates several waterfalls, rapids, and small lakes.
Zrmanja Waterfalls near Sibenik
Zrmanja Waterfalls is a river rafting destination for outdoor watersports enthusiasts. If you don’t want to hit the river, you can enjoy a relaxing day with your family and friends instead.
Let’s Go to the Hidden Jewels of your Winter Destinations in Europe
Europe has a lot to offer when it comes to making a list of your top winter destinations for your next winter break.
European countries are rich in culture, history, food and wine, and hospitality, and each day will be different and more exciting than the last. Pick a country to explore the various activities with your partner, family, or friends, and have an unforgettable holiday!
