The warm Mediterranean coast and the sparkling blue waters have their time. Winter in Europe is when the most authentic magic takes over the continent especially as Christmas approaches and the snow starts to fall. If you want to escape the crowds the heat and the tourist trap madness then the time has come to dust off your winter gear and let the snowflakes take you to the seven most picturesque winter places in Europe. Magical places where the falling snow gives the air that crispy clean feeling making you feel like you are in the middle of an original fairy tale. 1. Hallstatt Austria – Lakeside Beauty Situated right in the middle of a lake and a mountain Hallstatt is already one of the most picturesque villages in the world but when snow starts to fall it becomes one of the most Instagrammed places in Europe. Hallstatt is a UNESCO World Heritage site with beautiful lake views. The waters are black reflecting the impossibly white snow on the rooftops of the traditional “salt mine” cottages and the snow-capped mountains surrounding the village. The Fairy Tale Factor: The narrow little streets the snow gently falling on the wooden balconies and decking and the quietness that only the crunching of the snow beneath your feet can break is simply captivating. 2. Rovaniemi Finnish Lapland – A true Winter Wonderland If Hallstatt is stunning then let’s just say that the Kingdom of Lapland in Rovaniemi takes winter fairy tales to a whole new level. Finnish Lapland and particularly Rovaniemi situated on the Arctic Circle is considered by many to be the “capital” of the winter wonderland. You have the official residence of Santa Claus and his elves and the snow is guaranteed to be at your feet as early as the end of November. The Fairy Tale Factor: Well it’s the real thing. Santa Claus Village is a perfect once in a lifetime experience. Imagine riding on a sleigh pulled by reindeer staying in a glass-roofed igloo and seeing the famous Northern Lights for real. 3. Colmar France – A Wonderland by the River Colmar is a picturesque Alsatian town on the River Lauch near the German border. This region is world-famous for its well-preserved half-timbered medieval and early Renaissance houses. One of Colmar’s most famous landmarks is its own “Little Venice” a network of canals and gabled houses with colorful frescoes. The Fairy Tale Factor: Colmar has that truly fairy-tale quality of a real medieval town that is somehow never boring but always changing colors and offering new discoveries. Colmar’s gingerbread-house architecture is said to be the most “picturesque” and looks absolutely magical when coated in fresh snow. Colmar has multiple Christmas markets several small and more intimate which offer an almost nostalgic atmosphere especially in December. 4. Cesky Krumlov Czech Republic – A Step Back in Medieval Time Cesky Krumlov is not as well-known as Prague (which is not difficult) and is much less busy. This smaller town also known as Krumau is in Southern Bohemia and is an old market town dominated by its 13th-century castle complex on the opposite bank of the river Vltava which twists along the town center. The town’s historical center is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The Fairy Tale Factor: Snow covers everything and the massive Krumlov Castle towering over the ice it looks more like the Middle Ages than the 21st century. Throw in a few spirals of smoke drifting from medieval chimneys and that’s a step right back in time. 5. Zermatt Switzerland – Matterhorn Magic Home of the famous pyramid-shaped Matterhorn mountain Zermatt is considered to be the Swiss alpine dream and it is hard to disagree with that statement. Zermatt is a car-free village so the streets are deserted and the air clean. In the winter it looks idyllic with the traditional wooden chalets covered in fluffy snow. The Fairy Tale Factor: The Alps in the winter. The big Matterhorn-shaped centerpiece towering above it all is what made people talk of “winter wonderlands.” And Zermatt is also a paradise for serious skiers and hikers. 6. Tallinn Estonia – Enchanting Estonia Estonia’s capital city Tallinn is famous for one of the most complete and well-preserved medieval city centers in Europe. It is also home to ancient city walls turreted towers and narrow cobbled streets. All of which is made even more picturesque when covered with snow. The Fairy Tale Factor: Raekoja Plats (Town Hall Square) is the epicenter of the old town and Tallinn’s Christmas Market which is annual and is considered to be one of the most beautiful in Europe. A snow-covered Christmas tree which is also one of the largest in Europe becomes the town’s main focal point every year. 7. Plitvice Lakes National Park Croatia – Frozen Waterfalls Plitvice Lakes National Park is one of Croatia’s most famous natural attractions. A UNESCO world heritage site it is mainly visited during the summer and yet it is arguably more incredible in the winter when everything is under a fresh layer of snow. It consists of 16 tiered lakes linked by numerous waterfalls that go down the mountainside in a tiered formation. The Fairy Tale Factor: The thousands of frozen waterfalls going in circles in an eternal cycle the boardwalks covered with snow and the brilliant blue lakes reflect the perfect winter contrast of the snow covered in the tall forest. It’s a perfect fairy tale in silence.