Video photo essay: Europe in winter

I love Europe in winter and I’m thinking about it a lot as I spend my first hot Christmas (in Australia) for a long time).

There are the delights of Christmas of course, pottering through Christmas markets clutching a mug of gluhwein and adding to my ever growing collection of Christmas ornaments.

The many pleasures of skiing and hiking through snowy woods in the mountains are always a highlight. In the Netherlands when the waterways freeze over people rush to put on their skates. Watching the skaters on romantic icerinks such as Somerset House in London where the Tiffany Christmas tree sparkles overhead.

For a snap happy photographer winter is the time when you get the most beautiful, crisp light. Without getting up at the crack of dawn to catch it. Plus in winter the fairytale European architecture takes on a whole new life with a dusting of snow. Not to mention the low tourist numbers in winter – I love having Europe’s most famous tourist attractions virtually to myself.

And finally, there’s nothing so wonderful as watching children enjoy playing in the snow, making snowmen and sleighing.

Here’s a video collection of my favourite photos from eight years of Europe in winter. Enjoy!

Europe in Winter

By Natasha von Geldern

This is my contribution to Week 4 of the BootsnAll Indie Travel Challenge on travel in winter.

Music is by Wieniawski, Violin Concerto No. 2 in D Minor, Op 22.Performed by Gil Shaham, Lawrence Foster and the London Symphony Orchestra.

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Stockholm in winter: A photo essayTravel connections: Przewalski’s HorseDestination Poland: Laid back LlublinDestination South Africa: Tour Stellenbosch

About Natasha von Geldern

Natasha von Geldern is the World Wandering Kiwi, a freelance travel writer, editor and inveterate traveller who is passionate about making the pages of the atlas real one trip at a time.