2 min summary Map & highlights Stockholm & the Baltics

Best places to go on a winter tour

Find out where you can go on a winter tour to make the most of traditional festive markets and surrounding snow covered scenery. From Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania to the Nakasendo Trail in Japan and Canada’s Rocky Mountains, our recommendations and expert advice are all you need to get into the winter spirit.

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Best places to go on a winter tour

Our winter tours take you away from overcrowded ski resorts in favour of locations a little more off piste. The Pieniny Mountains in southern Poland, for instance, or Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, which can all be visited after an overnight ferry across the Baltic Sea from Stockholm. Cross an even larger ‘pond’ and Canada's Rockies are right up there for Northern Lights watching whilst, in the other direction, Mongolia’s snowy steppes and star-filled nights never fail to impress. From festive fairs in Russia to hot baths and miso soup in Japan, right here's where you pull on your thermals and reach for the hip flask.

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1. Baltic States
2. Canada
3. Japan
4. Mongolia
5. Poland

Baltic States

1. Baltic States

Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania are at the peak of their festive powers during November and December which is when winter tours head here. Castles, cathedrals and Christmas markets bedecked in snow and lights make Tallinn, Riga and Vilnius extremely atmospheric, and starting a tour of the Baltic States after an overnight ferry ride from Stockholm is a magical must for fans of Scandi dramas and chunky jumpers.

Baltic States

Canada

2. Canada

Revel in the Rockies and delight in the Aurora in Alberta as you take a winter tour of Canada all the way from Edmonton to Calgary via Jasper and beautiful Banff National Park. Snowshoeing, ice fishing and watching out for wildlife, such as moose, elk and bears, provide plenty of alternatives to expensive ski resorts. Enjoy back country hikes, dog sledding and ice skating on Lake Louise, too.

Japan

3. Japan

Imagine arriving at a traditional ryokan inn after snowshoeing through a cedar forest in the depths of a Japanese winter. Steaming bowls of miso soup and hot thermal baths await as well as a fire pit burning away at the centre of a cobbled courtyard. Winter tours of Japan unveil the villages and towns on the Nakasendo Trail at their most peaceful, revealing rural rituals and winter welcomes.

Japan

Mongolia

4. Mongolia

There can be few more wild and wonderful experiences than getting cosy in a nomadic ger camp in the middle of a Mongolian winter. Pull up your goat skin blanket and snuggle up next to the fire as tales from the Gobi Desert accompany star-filled nights and warming winter hotpots. Riding by horse and camel across frozen steppe and volcanic landscapes will heat you up quicker than a war cry from Genghis Khan.

Poland

5. Poland

Snowshoeing and sleigh rides in the valleys surrounding the spa town of Szczawnica, close to Slovakia, are what winter tours in Poland are all about. This is one of Europe's most spectacular natural areas with the limestone cliffs along Dunajec River Gorge and the alpine slopes of Pieniny National Park perfect for winter walks through snowy spruce forests – keep an eye out for woodpeckers, eagles and rare black storks.

Poland

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Winter tours travel advice

Natasha Black, from our small group holiday experts Exodus Travels, offers advice on how to stay warm on a winter tour of the Baltics:

Be prepared

“The Baltics, and Sweden, in the winter, are going to be cold; however, conditions are generally clear and dry, with blue skies taking the edge off the winter bite. Prepare for snow and sub-zero temperatures by packing hat, scarf, thick socks and thermal underwear. Lots of layers and solid footwear, with good grips, are definitely recommended although save a bit of space in your suitcase for chunky jumpers, hand knitted mittens and hats, that you can purchase at the start of a tour in Stockholm's Christmas markets.”

Curl up with Tolstoy

“Recommended reading for a trip to the Baltics in winter has to be War and Peace although the TV box set might be easier to digest if you're pushed for time. The Lithuanian capital, Vilnius, and Rundale Palace in Latvia were both used extensively throughout filming and a guided tour unveils not only the locations that were used as backdrops but also the history and cultural heritage behind the creation of Tolstoy’s epic tale.”

Clare Stockman, from expert holiday company Explore tells us about travelling in Poland and Russia during the depths of winter:

Christmas in Krakow

"Krakow's Christmas market has some lovely, locally-made souvenirs. Things like: wooden Christmas tree decorations and hand painted glass baubles, hand carved spoons and spatulas, wooden kids' toys and Russian dolls, as well as paintings, wool and cotton scarves. There is also lots of mulled wine, hot chocolate, mountain cheese, sausages, bread and Christmas cookies."

Russian winters

"Winter weather conditions can change rapidly – sunshine, drizzle, rain and snow may all occur in the same day and temperatures can drop to -20°C. A good quality heavy duty wind and waterproof jacket and trousers are essential as are thermal underwear, fleece under trousers, a fleece jumper, woolly hat, thick socks, scarf or snood and gloves (and glove liners for when you're taking photos). Also, bring warm waterproof walking boots that have sufficient grip and ankle support for icy conditions. You may wish to bring a spare pair in case your feet get wet and your boots don't dry out overnight. And trainers for using indoors at your accommodation."

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Written by Chris Owen

Best places to go on a winter tour