There's something particularly magical about these European towns and villages in the wintertime...
Hallstatt, Austria
Picturesquely sandwiched between the Dachstein massif and the lake, Hallstatt is one of the most scenic places in Austria.
Annecy, France
With pastel-coloured buildings leaning over narrow streets and winding canals, Annecy is an enchanting alpine town in southeastern France.
Broadway, England
Broadway’s sandstone cottages, characteristic of the Cotswolds area, are particularly arresting in winter.
Gruyères, Switzerland
Beautifully backed by alpine scenery, the medieval village of Gruyères has a certain magic at winter time.
Zermatt, Switzerland
Nestled at the foot of the Matterhorn, the charming village of Zermatt is Switzerland’s best known resort.
Freudenberg, Germany
Freudenberg’s Alter Flecken settlement consists of identical half-timbered houses which look like something from a painting, especially covered in snow.
Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Germany
Beautiful any time of year, this perfectly preserved medieval town on the banks of the Tauber river is a popular tourist destination in Germany.
Reine, Norway
With its scarlet houses contrasting with the surrounding snow-capped mountains, Reine is a breathtaking sight. The fishing village is a great place to catch the Northern Lights in winter.
Jokkmokk, Sweden
The Swedish town of Jokkmokk is known for its chaotic annual reindeer races that take place through the town and on the frozen Lake Talvatissjön.
Ortisei, Italy
Located in Dolomites Val Gardena and famous for woodcarving, Ortisei is home to traditional hotels and an onion-domed bell tower. From here you can reach the largest high-alpine meadow in Europe.
Delnice, Croatia
Spectacularly located amidst miles of unspoilt forest and tumbling streams, the quiet mountain town of Delnice is the largest settlement in the mountain massif known as Gorski kotar in Croatia.
Bled, Slovenia
The jewel in Slovenia’s crown, Bled is a spectacular sight whatever the time of year. In winter, buses connect Bled with the skiing and snowboarding centre at Mount Vogel.
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