The idea of a cold winter in Europe sounds lovely. After months of gloomy clouds, biting winds and grey sludge with a side of hail, we can't blame you for wanting to go somewhere warmer.
Europe's southern reaches can provide plenty of blue skies, sunshine and mild temperatures throughout the year. In the low season, accommodations and car rental can be cheap, while beaches and local attractions are not crowded.
The best places to go for a winter vacation in Europe. Do you feel your toes are getting better?
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Green countryside, culture and history can be discovered.
If you want to explore the great outdoors, the cooler days of winter are a good place to start. The rural landscape is at its greenest in the off season. The sun illuminates the edges of a megalith during a winter-solstice sunrise on December 21. The Maltese Carnival is in February.
It's a good idea to choose a space that shimmers if you need shelter. It is possible to ride out a rain shower in the baroque interior of St John's Co-Cathedral.
The winter in the Mediterranean is warm.
If you want a warm winter in the Mediterranean, Cyprus is the place to go. While snow glitters on the peaks of the Trodos mountains, coastal areas remain warm and dry. If you want to see flamingos dancing around their winter home on the nearby salt lake, you should stay in Larnaka.
It's a good idea toSpend a wet afternoon among the ancient artifacts of the Cyprus Museum in Nicosia or a cozy taverna for a long Cypriot feast.
Take advantage of more than 300 days of sunshine a year.
There are more than 300 days of sunshine a year in the Algarve, and 87 blue-flag beaches. The Monchique Mountains have waterfalls in the winter. Birds migrate to the park. The Quinta do Lago Beach is a popular beach. It's time to surf if you can handle sea temperatures of 57F (14C). If you want to eat dinner in the whitewashed towns of Lagos or Tavira you need to work up an appetite.
So Loureno church is a dream for azulejo lovers. The blue tiles cover the entire floor to the ceiling.
You should have deserted resort towns of your own.
You have to fly to Crete in the winter. If you want a sense of low-season life and the chance to find open restaurants, you can base yourself in either Heraklion or Haania. You can find the pink sands of the Palace of Knossos on sunny days. The nights are cold in January, so pack layers. Is it still cold? A bottle of raki should warm you up.
One of the top museums in Greece is the Heraklion Archaeological Museum.
The second season of The White Lotus can be traced.
The cast of the second season of The White Lotus went to Sicily in the off-season. The San Domenico Palace hotel in Taormina was taken over by the cast and crew in the winter and spring of 2022. While the weather can change at the drop of a blood orange, eight hours of sunshine a day and average highs reaching double those in London make it worthwhile.
The most significant collection of Roman floor mosaics in the world is located at Villa Romana del Casale, and the wooden roof protects them from the elements.
You can immerse yourself in Mudéjar style.
If you're looking for a winter city break, look no further than Sevilla. With at least six hours of sunshine a day, it's a good idea to pack an umbrella. The Plaza de Espana and the Real Alczar are two of the top sights in Spain. You can enjoy a sunset stroll along the Metropol Parasol.
You can either take a tour of the Cathedral or the Flamenco Dance Museum, where you can see the pros perform.
It is always theeternal spring here.
Madeira is known for its "eternal spring." Mild winters rarely drop below 57F (14C). Pack your swimsuit and join a dolphin- and whale-spotting tour if you like rocky beaches. Madeira's rugged interior is great for hiking. The levada is an ancient network of channels that used to distribute water around the island for over a century.
Take afternoon tea and watch the rain fall.
The waters are crystal clear.
Turkey's Turquoise Coast is a popular tourist destination in the summer because of the shade of the water, but when the crowds have left, there's nothing but the views and an average of 10 hours of sunshine per day. Moderate temperatures mean hiking is not as sweaty as it would be in the summer. There are many ancient ruins and clifftop wonders along the route, including the Levissi ruins and Patara.
Warm up, give your legs a rest and enjoy a treatment at a hammam.
Enjoy the beaches and sunsets.
Spain's islands are just as lovable in the winter as they are in the summer. Ibiza's pumping beats and party crowds have left, but the sunsets and beaches are still there. Mallorca is cheap and quiet. Menorca is a lesser-visited place where nature fans can find pleasant weather and a coastal path.
If you are going to get wet, you need to dive. It is possible to dive around the Balearics' caverns and wrecks during the year.
You can take to the waves, dunes and coves.
Do you want hidden coves, volcanic national parks, and forested mountains? Do you mean colorful villages, tempting restaurants and watersports? All year it is here. Canary Islands are usually the warmest in winter with highs around 71F (22C). The lesser-known La Gomera, La Palma and El Hierro will feel more off the radar.
Book an appointment at one of the islands' many spas for a massage, then head to a local vineyard or bar to sample local wines.
The article was last updated two days ago.
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