[Wanderlust Tips December 2019] Spring is beautiful with hundreds of blooming flowers, summer is dazzling with brilliant sunshine and autumn has people falling in love with charming roads full of yellow and red leaves. How about cold winter? Although the weather is extremely cold and conditions can be harsh, the winter still bears its own distinctive beauty. Many people still love this season despite trembling in the icy temperatures. Discover wintry destinations to better understand the exquisite beauty of a cold winter.
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ENJOY THE ICY FEELING IN OYMYAKON VILLAGE, RUSSIA
When thinking about travelling to Russia, the first thing that springs to mind is the freezing cold weather typical of this vast land. In winter, temperatures plummet to a bone-chilling level as thick layers of snow cover the ground and the icy temperatures penetrate every cell in the body. However, the winter in Russia still captivates visitors with its beauty and charm. This vast country is home to Oymyakon, the coldest village in the world.
The temperature here can drop to -71oC, but the surrounding scenery and environment still possess an unrivalled beauty. Blankets of snow and ice lay on the road, envelope the statues, the roofs and even land on the humans’ eyelashes. In the bleak depths of winter, meat and fish are considered the main foods that tourists can enjoy during their visit because no plants can survive at this temperature. With so many exhilaratingly unique features and in such seemingly inhuman temperatures, the Oymyakon village has become a favourite destination for adventure enthusiasts.
Average Temperature: -50oC
Weather: cold and dry
Winter Duration: 4-5 months
GERMANY – ENJOY A WARM FESTIVE WINTER
Germany boasts a distinctive beauty in every season, but you should definitely visit this beautiful country during winter to really feel its unique European charm. The festive atmosphere spreading through the streets in Germany at the end of the year makes for an unforgettable trip. In winter, Germany is blanketed in snow.
Visitors here are very impressed when they have the opportunity to admire the magical Schloss Neuschwanstein Castle, which inspired the romantic scenes in the famous movie “Beauty and the Beast”. During winter, nothing is better than embarking on a famous German culinary journey with a diversity of delectable delicacies. Stroll around the bustling streets, sample tasty street food and appreciate the joyful and festive atmosphere with the crowds buzzing with laughter, have fun on the thick ice and embrace the cold weather in Germany.
Average Temperature: -10oC
Weather: cold and dry
Winter Duration: 3 months
VISIT THE ICY COUNTRY OF GREENLAND
The Greenland ice sheet is a vast body of ice covering 80% of land and thanks to the Arctic climate, Greenland is cold all year round. Rumour has it that Greenland is always stunningly beautiful, but nothing is better than seeing the giant glaciers and the colourful houses from under the white snow. The local residents are well acquainted with the freezing weather in Greenland.
Travelling around Greenland on a boat in the middle of the ocean, you will have the opportunity to see the large icebergs and catch cold-water fish. Greenland is not only home to magnificent landscapes but is also an ideal destination for you to have fun in the thick layers of white snow. Ice skating, sleigh riding or just having real fun building a giant snowman on the icy island will surely make the winter in the world’s coldest place warmer with merriment and laughter.
Average Temperature: -10oC
Weather: cold and dry
Winter Duration: ~7 months
WINTER IN A HAPPY COUNTRY
Finland, a Northern European country, enveloped in fluffy white snow, reminds people of famous tales from the past. The country bears its own unique beauty that is especially worthy of its reputation as a happy country because it is home to the world’s leading education system, a safe environment and stunningly unparalleled landscapes. More interestingly, Finland becomes truly magical when winter comes with delicate white snowflakes covering every inch of space.
The beautiful wintry beauty sweeps across the whole country from Helsinki – the vast capital of Finland to the ancient capital of Turku with countless architectural masterpieces and even the peaceful old city of Porvoo. Lapland, the home of Santa Claus, is a must-visit destination during your itinerary in Finland. The beautiful city is a magical wonderland that is home to shimmering lights, glistening snow and ice covering the streets. You can even take the opportunity to meet Santa Claus, visit giant toy factories and travel everywhere by sleigh.
Average Temperature: -35oC
Weather: Cold and wet
Winter Duration: 3-6 months
ESTONIA – A FAIRYTALE BROUGHT TO LIFE
Estonia, a small European country, is not as famous as France, Italy or Germany but it beholds a fantastic beauty that is hard to capture in words. Christmas is the best time for visitors to travel to Estonia, as during this time the snow and ice envelope the country bringing with it a bustling holiday atmosphere filling people’s hearts with love and joy.
Strolling along the winding cobbled streets in Tallinn and appreciating the peaceful beauty of the ancient towers covered with a thick layer of white snow really warms the heart. The buzzing festival atmosphere fills the streets. Take a visit to the Christmas market at Town Hall Square to witness how bustling Estonia is. Finally, stop at the Raekoja Plats, where you can admire a breathtaking panoramic view of the ancient city of Estonia whilst appreciating its tranquillity and serenity. Estonia is extraordinarily beautiful and has visitors’ falling head over heels.
Average Temperature: -5.2oC
Weather: Cold and wet
Winter Duration: 4-5 months
CHICAGO – A VIBRANT WINTER IN AMERICA
Chicago – the third most populous city in the United States is considered an iconic destination for winter. On cold snowy days, Chicago is not a peaceful city. Instead, it is vibrant and modern, making people forget the bone-chilling wind. Additionally, the winter in Chicago attracts visitors due to the bustling pace of daily life. The snowy city impresses with its breathtaking landscapes in winter.
In January and February, as the temperature drops to the lowest point, Lake Michigan partly freezes, forming quite the picture that visitors flock to see. A number of dazzling lights from high-rise buildings light up the city, illuminating many infamous tourist attractions in Chicago, for instance, the renowned Willis Tower, the snow-covered Millennium Park, the distinctive Cloud Gate and many others. Another fantastic thing about Chicago is the optimism of the local people, even though the temperature is lower than the Arctic, they are still happy to enjoy the harsh weather in the wintry destination.
Average Temperature: -15oC
Weather: Cold and wet
Winter Duration: 4 months
A PICTURE-PERFECT WINTERY MASTERPIECE IN HALLSTATT
The ancient city of Hallstatt, Austria is blessed with a picturesque beauty during the long cold winters. Located on prime terrain leaning on the Dachstein Mountain on one side and overlooking the alluring Hallstättersee Lake on the other side, Hallstatt overwhelms visitors and leaves them mesmerised by the majestic scenery of the town dating back 7,000 years.
Hallstatt, dubbed the pearl of Austria, is famous for an amazing variety of structures including magnificent castles, ancient churches with unique medieval architecture and the oldest salt mine in the world. When winter comes, the yellow lights from every corner of the town are lit up, basking the streets in a gentle light that warms their soul. In Hallstatt, winter is a joyous season of festivities. Restaurants revel in the opportunity to promote their attractive winter menu. Festive melodies are played across the town and the ski run is always busy. In Hallstatt, the winter is extremely cold, but it is truly a great option for travel lovers.
Average Temperature: <0oC
Weather: Cold and wet
Winter Duration: 3 months
MONGOLIA – THE PRAIRIES ARE FILLED WITH WHITE SNOW
The intense summer heat in Mongolia makes people feel dizzy and the winters are incredibly cold. Mongolia – the land of endless blue sky is affected by the cold breeze from Siberia, so if travelling here in winter, you can feel the icy coldness of up to -40oC. Ulaanbaatar is a super-cold city and also the huge capital of Mongolia where you can visit Sukhbaatar Square, admire Blue Sky Tower and enjoy the wintry atmosphere.
If you desire to have once-in-a-lifetime travel experience in wintry destinations, you could get involved in the daily life of Mongolian nomads in the freezing cold weather. Waking up in a yurt – a traditional Mongolian hut, you will hear every crack of snow and ice melting after a night of low temperatures and a bone-chilling breeze. The icy temperatures in Mongolia are not the only unforgettable aspect, visitors here also love to see horses walking leisurely on the white snow, the sky illuminated with the glowing embers of the dazzling campfires to warm the souls of nomads and the dynamic Khövsgöl ice festival every year.
Average Temperature: -7oC
Weather: Cold and dry
Winter Duration: 4 months
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