It’s impossible to be a traveler and not have Europe in your bucket-list places. It is certainly a destination that has a seemingly endless pool of Places To Visit and explore. Therefore, from a wide variety of winter destinations in Europe, here are the more unique and trending places worth experiencing.

Every year, millions of travelers look towards Europe to provide a new and dynamic destination for everyone to visit, admire, and explore. It is commendable that Europe has not only lived up but exceeded the expectations of travelers that look for a new vacation every time.

Rovaniemi, Finland

Rovaniemi, an arctic town of culture, offers high quality services for meetings and conferences: venues such as Arktikum, Korundi, the Town Hall and Lappia Hall designed by Alvar Aalto accommodate even larger events.

The most sizeable capacity is hosted by Lappi Areena, a sports arena that can be transformed for conference, event and exhibitions use.

For events above the ordinary Rovaniemi offers amazing venues where fantasy and reality merge, such as Santa Park and Joulukka. One of the largest igloos in Finland is built in Rovaniemi each winter and works excellently for those “cool” events.

There are eight different seasons this far north, each with its own type of daylight, temperature and natural phenomena. Each season offers an opportunity to experience the town from a totally different angle.

During the frosty twilight, you can ride a snowmobile through snowy forests or over the frozen Ounasjoki river, and during the Midnight Sun, go on a boat cruise on the very same body of water.

Hiking, mountain biking, summer sledging, skiing, snowshoeing and snowmobiling are also popular pastimes.

Tourist Attraction

• Arktikum
• SantaPark – the Home Cavern of Santa Claus
• Ranua Zoo
• Ounasvaara
• Santa Claus Village
• Santa Claus Office

Norway

Norway is located in Northern Europe and shares a long land border with Sweden in the East and with Finland and Russia in the Northeast. Covering an area of 385, 178 sq kms, this mesmerizing land is home to majestic glaciers, stunning fjords, heart warming landscapes and beauty in all its bounty. This Scandinavian beauty has Oslo as its capital. Extremely cosmopolitan in its essence, it is an upcoming trade capital and boasts of an active and truly enjoyable nightlife.

  Norway is also frequented by those who wish to indulge their senses in the wonder of the Northern lights. Often called the Land of the Midnight Sun, Norway provides you with ample opportunities for recreation. Go on a hiking trail or just soak in the beauty of nature on a fishing trip. The country is divided into multiple small regions each offering a distinct flavour of its own. Rainbows are a common sight and you will find ample of places to sit back and enjoy them.

  Norwegian architecture offers a soothing blend of old world charm with modern technology. From 12th century architecture to hi –tech structures, Norway has it all. The country witnesses several climate zones.

. Known for deep and wide tunnels. Norway is also famed for having the world’s longest road tunnel with a total length of 24.5 kms, which has become a major tourist attraction. The best way to travel around Norway from one city to another is by train. Within the cities however, a rented car or bike works the best. The country also offers wide variety of accommodation from hostels to luxury hotels.

Tourist Attraction

• Geirangerfjord
• Pulpit Rock
• Lofoten
• The Vigeland Park
• Flåmsbana
• Viking Ship Museum
• Bryggen
• Lysefjord

The estimated population of Norway is 5.084 million. Ethnically, the people residing in Norway are primarily ethnic Norwegians of German descent. However, the last few decades have seen a rise in the number of immigrants and foreign workers, mainly from South East Asia.

The Canary Island

Marvel at the pine-forested peaks of Gran Canaria’s mountainous interior, the tumbling waterfalls of La Palma or the subtropical greenery of La Gomera’s Parque Nacional de Garajonay. Then contrast all this lushness with the extraordinary bare flatlands flanking Tenerife’s El Teide, the surreal party of colours glittering across Lanzarote’s lava fields, the gentle flower-filled hillsides of El Hierro, and Fuerteventura’s endless cacti-sprinkled plains. The Canary Islands’ near-perfect temperatures mean that, year-round, you can soak up fantastical, varied landscapes otherwise only found by crossing continents.

The Great Outdoors

It’s this very diversity that makes outdoor pursuits such an easily accessible and key pleasure of the Canaries. Hike the many footpaths criss-crossing the islands, from meandering coastal trails to challenging mountain treks to tranquil forest walks; go diving or snorkelling in blissfully warm waters inhabited by more than 350 species of fish (and the odd shipwreck); or pump up the adrenaline by riding the wind and the waves – kitesurfing, windsurfing, surfing and paragliding are all big here. Then slow things down with horse rides, boat trips, kayaking and paddle-boarding jaunts or beachfront yoga.

Art & Architecture

Contrary to many expectations, the Canary Islands are immensely rich in both original art and architecture – sometimes you just need to know where to look. The spectacular surrealist canvases of world-acclaimed painter Óscar Domínguez grace his Tenerife homeland; the enormous abstract sculptures of Martín Chirino are impossible to miss on Gran Canaria; and César Manrique’s inspired ‘interventions’ pop up all over Lanzarote (and beyond). Everywhere, seek out the emblematic wooden balconies, leafy internal patios and cheerily painted facades that typify vernacular Canarian architecture, and pop into charming palm-shaded churches, many of which date back several centuries.

Or Just Relax…

If your perfect trip is all about that enticing combo of R&R, the Canaries are the ultimate destination. The most obvious spot to kick back on is the beach, and you’ll be spoilt for choice – from Fuerteventura’s soft rolling dunes to Tenerife’s sandy golden arcs to Isla Graciosa’s wild blonde strands. Yoga, meditation, massages and a world of other self-care therapies abound across the archipelago, and thalassotherapy is something of a local speciality. Alternatively, nothing soothes the soul like relaxing over a tropical cocktail or a glass of local wine as the sun sinks into the Atlantic.

Why I Love the Canary Islands

By Isabella Noble, Writer

Those who love Las Canarias are in on a sunny secret: there’s a whole lot more to these sparkling, far-flung islands than their much-maligned reputation. Having grown up in Andalucía, I’ve always been fascinated by the Canaries, with their Latin American–influenced accents, cultural riches and glorious volcanoscapes. This is an entrancing, wonderfully varied pocket of Spain – intimately interwoven with the mainland, yet also worlds apart. I can’t help but smile when landing on Lanzarote’s volcanic shores; hiking through La Gomera’s magical laurel forests; glimpsing Tenerife’s snow-dusted El Teide; or escaping into natural pools on distant El Hierro.

Tourist Attraction

• Gran Canaria
• Mount Teide
• Timanfaya National Park
• Siam Park
• Teide National Park
• Loro Park
• Playa Blanca

Gstaad, Switzerland

In terms of size, Gstaad is just your average Swiss village, but its reputation as a fashionable mecca for the jet-set is global. Surrounded by some of Switzerland’s finest alpine scenery, Gstaad lies in the south west of the country, about two hours’ drive from Geneva or Zurich on the boundary between the Bernese Oberland and the Vaud Alpes.

Gstaad is a friendly car-free village. A rather charming, attractively located place full of restored weathered-wood chalets between four gently sloping valleys. It is pleasing with a variety of sporting activities and social events during most of the year.

Most summertime tourists visit Gstaad for the endless walking path. In winter; a magnificent ski area is served including about 60 ski lifts, which enable runs to be varied in accordance with individual tastes. Cable cars ferry you into the mountains – and the local tourist travel pass, the Gstaad Easyaccess Card will save you money on these as well as giving you a range of other benefits. In summer, Gstaad plays host to several world-class festivals and tournaments including the Menuhin Classic Music Festival, the ATP Tennis Championships and the Polo Silver Cup. In January, don’t miss the hot-air balloon festival in Chateau-d’Oex.

Tourist Attraction

• Wispile
• Gruyères Castle
• Glacier 3000
• Col du Pillon
• Simmental
• Plaine Morte

Amsterdam, The Netherlands

The capital city of Netherlands probably has one of the most chilled out vibes across all cities of Europe. If you’re travelling to Amsterdam, rest assured, it’s going to be one of your most wonderful experiences. The city has everything, from a bustling night life, to picnic parks, to some spectacular museums. You’re going to find yourself spoilt for choice!

Amsterdam took it’s time to come into the European tourism scene, always living under the shadow of other major cities such as Milan, Paris and London. However, once the true potential of the city was unlocked, it became one of the most popular holiday destinations for tourists coming into the continent and European citizens as a whole. The city had mostly gained popularity in the early years for its red light district, for its nightlife and a relaxed attitude towards soft drugs. Now, after the renovations of the famous Museumplein, which houses the Rijksmuseum, the Van Gogh museum and the Stedelijk Museum of Modern Art, the city has regained its enchanting artistic heritage, and has truly become a world-class destination for museums.

Ditch everything and rent a bike, have a picnic in the Vondelpark, go shopping in the streets of Jordaan, cruise in Amsterdam’s picturesque canals, eat popular street foods such as the herring at the herring carts, visit the historical house of Anne Frank, or go beer tasting at de Gooyer’s Brouwerij ‘Tij (and the tons of microbreweries on offer throughout the city). The list of things you can do in this city is truly endless. Amsterdam is an absolute must visit on your European itinerary!

Tourist Attraction

• Van Gogh Museum
• Anne Frank House
• Rijksmuseum
• Vondelpark
• Dam Square