Quebec City, Canada

Yes, Quebec is cold in the winter, but it’s also gorgeous.  And the Old City is quaint and reminiscent of a fairy tale town. Bundle up and take a horse-drawn carriage ride and then warm up with an exquisite French pastry and a hot beverage.     Then head over to the toboggan slide at the Chateau Frontenac for a ride on the ice luge constructed in 1884.

Next stop, is a visit to the ice hotel. Sleeping over is optional.  The temporary hotel is open for tours and visits to the ice bar for drinks served in blocks of ice.  Kids love this place.  The entire hotel is covered with elaborate ice carvings, and everywhere you turn are long ice slides open for rides.

Drive a little farther north to sample one of the oldest forms of transportation, dog sledding. The animals are strong, beautiful, and instinctively know what to do.  You can ride with an experienced Musher, or give it a go on your own.   After the ride, you’ll meet the dogs, learn more about dog sledding (once critical to survival in arctic areas), and be happy to drink hot chocolate back at the lodge.

Big Sky, Montana

Most people visit Big Sky for skiing, but it’s a destination for everyone who loves skiing alternatives like dogsledding, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, and horseback riding. Book a ranch stay for an authentic taste of Montana and the chance to experience life on the ranch while still having all of the comforts of home.

Christmas Markets

Advent markets have filled the squares of European cathedrals for hundreds of years. Many are vast seas of stalls with thousands of Christmas lights glowing in the cold night air.  Created as a place for residents to stock up on winter supplies, Christmas markets have transformed into seasonal celebrations with artisans from around the world and vendors selling hot, hearty, holiday food, and drinks.

Brussels, Copenhagen, Nuremberg, Prague, Rome, Salzburg, Strasbourg, Paris, Vienna, (and more!) all host Christmas markets right out of a storybook. You’ll find a full selection of them HERE.

Visit one, and you’ll find handmade gifts, music, nativity plays, and perhaps even an ice rink, Ferris wheels, or a four-ton fruitcake (Dresden).

A fun way to experience several Christmas markets in your winter trip is with a river cruise.

Most major river cruise lines offer a Christmas market itinerary with trips like “Rhine Holiday Market” or “Christmas on the Danube.”  Many holiday cruises start sailing in November, but the best experience is during the four weeks of Advent (December) and the first week of January.  Christmas cruises are hugely popular, so it pays to plan early to get the desired destination.

Two for Families

Okemo Mountain Resort, Ludlow, VT

If the family gets tired of skiing/riding on the resort’s 121 trails, take a break and enjoy one of Okemo’s other fun attractions. Snow tubing, ice skating, a mountain coaster, and a GIANT mound of snow called the anthill will keep kids busy for hours.

Breckenridge, CO

Step back in time to the Old West with a visit to Breckenridge, CO. Families will love the mix of beginner and expert trails, plus ice skating, an Alpine slide, and a mountain-top children’s museum. Breckenridge is 9,600 feet above sea level, and some flat-landers may have trouble with the change in altitude. Throughout the season, you’ll find special events, including the International Snow Sculpture Championships in January.

While we can’t stop winter we can certainly find ways to enjoy it. Contact me here to plan your own winter escape, today! And join our exclusive newsletter email list, the VOYAGE for weekly insider travel tips!