For many, wintertime isn’t quite complete until they’ve seen snow falling with their own eyes, built a snowman or jumped around and made a snow angel with their loved ones. I certainly love winter – the feeling of warming up with a hot chocolate after a long day exploring is like no other.
Travelling with my husband and our dog means that I prefer to drive when we travel around Europe, as it means that I can keep my eye on our furry baby during the entirety of the trip (and I have no limits on how much luggage I can take!). Check out my top snowy breaks in Europe for some inspiration on where to travel to this winter, or plan ahead for next year’s snowy escape.
Grandvalira
A tiny country between France and Spain, Andorra is a beautiful place to enjoy some snowy weather. Home to one of the country’s five ski resorts, Grandvalira is almost guaranteed snow, especially between December and March. There are plenty of other activities to enjoy besides skiing, with local tour operators offering up helicopter tours, paintballing, snow buggies, snow bikes and even igloo building (you can also stay in one if you’re brave enough!). For more information, check out Andorra’s tourism page.
Travel differently through the snowy mountains with sled dogs
Dolomites
With temperatures dropping to -5°C, the Italian Alps are the perfect place for a winter holiday in the snow. A UNESCO natural heritage site, you can spend your days traversing vast glaciers, riding horse-pulled sleighs and exploring the scenic villages, such as Chiusa/Klausen, which can be found throughout the mountains. Find brilliant shopping opportunities in the town of Ortisei, as well as beautiful local cuisine wherever you go. Hearty Italian foods such as pasta, pizza and cheese are a favourite in the Dolomites, perfect for filling you up after a day hiking through the snow.
Courchevel
Courchevel, in France, is known as one of the best places to ski in the world, but there’s a lot more on offer in this snowy haven. Part of France’s Les Trois Vallées region, Courchevel is ideal if you’re looking for a luxury break, with plenty of five-star restaurants to wine and dine in. For a restaurant with a view, venture to the restaurant at Hotel L’Allodis, in Meribel. Sweeping views of the alps compliment a stunning menu by chef Alain Piouzané, who serves up classics such as foie gras and tournedos Rossini.
Find your perfect winter escape in Courchevel