Qaanaaq is tiny, but as one of the most northerly towns in the
world is well worth a visit if you’re looking for something a bit
different. Colourful houses are set against the white snow and
glassy waters, while this is also home to some of the last Arctic
hunters in the world.

A fairy-tale town dwarfed by the forested slopes of the Julian
Alps,
Bled becomes refreshingly empty in winter. But the iconic
castle is in its element, and the only place to be is admiring it
lakeside over some mulled wine.

Hallstatt
is an ethereal dream when temperatures drop and the snow starts to
fall. Car-free and full of footpaths, exploring will bring back
childhood memories of playing in the streets when school was closed
for snow days.

Winter in Bergen
is exactly how Christmas is depicted in story books. Surrounded
by nature, it feels more like a national park than a city. In a
nearby town called Os, roads aren’t cleared and locals can be seen
skiing to the shops.

The UN’s happiest place on earth and the hub of hygge, Copenhagen
is renowned for its white winters. Bitter temperatures may deter
you from throwing snowballs from dawn until dusk but numerous bars
will ensure you don’t lose fingers to frostbite.

This small port town on the west coast of Norway was almost entirely rebuilt after a fire
in 1904, and has since become renowned for its art-nouveau
architecture. Climb your way to the Mount Aksla lookout for
panoramic views of Ålesund and the surrounding fjords.

Architecture from Zaha
Hadid, food markets and riverside cafés make Innsbruck picturesque year round, so it is no
wonder than when covered in fresh snow fall locals and visitors
alike delight.

Estonia’s capital is fast gaining popularity as a Euro
weekend escape. Despite its green credentials, it’s when the
snow falls and the city turns white that its really in its
element.

Saint Petersburg may be Russia‘s second-largest city, but it’s second to
none when it comes to architecture – only improved by an
icing-sugar dusting of snow.

You may have visited Warsaw
and Krakow, but this lesser-known city is just as beautiful.
Situated on the Baltic Sea, its sandy beaches may draw crowds in
the summer but winters are hauntingly majestic.