Winter guide
You don't have to go far to find true winter wilderness, where reality matches the fantasy.
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.
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.
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 center 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.
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.
Northern Lights tour in Iceland
Springs, waterfalls, volcanoes and Europe’s biggest glacier
From
US $2546 to US $3825
6 days
ex flights
Winter wildlife photography tour in Japan
Photograph Japan’s spectacular winter wildlife
From
£6495 to £6995
14 days
ex flights
Greenland photography tour, Uummannaq & Ilulissat
Photograph epic and remote winter landscapes and the aurora
From
£6100
9 days
ex flights
Lofoten Islands winter photography vacation, Norway
Unique photography in Norway's beautiful Lofoten Islands
From
£3800 to £4300
7 days
ex flights
Nakasendo Trail winter tour, Japan
The tranquil magic of winter on the Nakasendo trail
From
US $3190
8 days
ex flights
Mongolia winter vacation
Authentic culture, warm hospitality & wild winter landscapes
From
US $2300 to US $2975
9 days
ex flights
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Winter tours travel advice
Natasha Black, from our small group vacation 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 vacation company Explore tells us about traveling 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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