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Fall may have just begun, but it’s never too early to plan a winter getaway.
Despite the frigid weather in many places, that won’t stop travelers from traveling across Europe in search of postcard-like winter wonderlands and bustling Christmas markets.
Forbes has just revealed the best place to be this winter, based on a Google search trend analysis of the ferry company D.F.D.S – and the results may surprise you!
Typically, during the winter months, travelers stick to what they know, with countries like France and Spain calling our names with their cultural icons and beautiful coastlines.
But the trendiest European country has a few magical cities in its own right, both of which are worth being your main destination.
Austria is often overlooked, but when winter arrives it turns into a typical ‘white Christmas’.
Don’t miss Austria: easy to reach and stunningly beautiful
I have written more than 700 articles. There are few places that spark my wanderlust when researching destinations, but Austria is in an exclusive club.
By far one of my favorite winter favoritesI would go back year after year if I could, so believe the hype!
Austria is connected to some powerful neighbors, making it easy to get to depending on where you want to go.
One of the most underestimated aspects of Austria is the country phenomenal train journeysthat is almost never talked about.
Of course we all know that Europe likes to travel by rail, but if you get a window seat during an Austrian winter, your experience with railways like the Mariazell Railway and the Semmering Railwaythe latter being a historic route passing through UNESCO-protected sites.
All around, Austria is simply a beautiful winter getaway from start to finish.
While the top cities may be buzzing with intrigue, you shouldn’t miss the beautiful small towns like the Frozen-inspired town of Hallstatt or the hidden mountain gem Kaisertal, easily accessible by train from Munich.
Tip: If you visit Halstatt, you are not alone! There are rumors about implementation tourist boundaries for years the hordes of tourists have far exceeded the city’s population of just 800 inhabitants.
Vienna: an unforgettable Christmas market destination
Vienna is where I visited and never wanted to leave! Although the city can be a bit pricey, a visit to the many Christmas markets is an absolute must!
While it may be a daunting task to visit them all, if there’s one you’ve heard of before, it’s probably on Rathausplatz squarein the background some of Vienna’s most impressive Gothic architecture.
Vienna embraces all the festivities of the holidays, and you can’t ignore the bright lights, seasonal goodies, and ubiquitous Christmas spirit.
This particular market can be explored for hours as there are over 100 wooden stalls selling local goods and traditional food and drinks such as sausages and mulled wine.
The entire city is one of the most beautiful I have encountered in Europe, but only becomes more beautiful when winter approaches.
The markets will certainly be the highlight of your trip, just like mine, but don’t miss Vienna’s world-class museums and famous coffee houses.
Tip: For a cheaper alternative, base yourself in Bratislava, Slovakia, just an hour away by bus – home to an astonishing castle, quirky art and bustling on-site Christmas markets.
Salzburg: Europe’s trendiest winter destination
Vienna may be the urban Hallmark card during the Christmas season, but Salzburg is a real-life storybook, nestled in the snowy Alps.
Intrigue among travelers has increased by more than 130% for Salzburg, making it the trendiest winter holiday of 2024.
As the birthplace of Mozart, you would of course be doing yourself a disservice if you didn’t take part in the bountiful musical acts that take place throughout the year.
In other words, Salzburg is not just a ‘winter wonderland’ destination. But once winter arrives, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a tourist who hasn’t visited the vibrant Christmas markets and quaint, picturesque streets.
As hordes of tourists flock to Salzburg to soak up the holiday atmosphere, there is one unmissable attraction to escape the crowds.
The beautiful Hohensalzburg Fortress is located just outside the city center and features tranquil gardens and fountains for a blissful day out with better photos.
Not to mention, if Salzburg has one edge over Vienna, it’s this: Salzburg offers easy access to ample ski areas in the area to take your winter vacation to the next level.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author, and not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included in the post.
