Winter is the perfect time of year for snow skiing, and the Swiss Alps are an once-in-a-lifetime experience to be had. Blessed with white, snow-capped mountain tops and ideal slopes for skiers of all skill levels, the Swiss Alps extend across Switzerland, France, Italy and Austria. If you're not much of a skier, you should definitely take a scenic trip aboard the Glacier Express. At a slow rate of 22 miles per hour, the Glacier Express travels through 91 tunnels, giving you a panoramic view of the Alps in Switzerland.
Center for Switzerland Tourism (U.S. Office)
608 Fifth Ave
New York, NY 10020
212-757-5944
myswitzerland.com
Or perhaps you and that special someone would desire to capture romance in the beautiful city of Paris. Visiting during this time of year is actually perfect, because air and hotel prices are much lower compared to the summer. See the iconic Eiffel Tower, explore the Latin Quarter or encounter local artists and writers at famous cafes like the Café de Flore. Behold Paris' art history at the Louvre Museum or City Museum of Modern Art, or attend the annual La Grande Parade de Paris on January 1.
Paris Convention and Visitors Bureau
25, Rue des Pyramides
75001 Paris FR
33-0-8-92-68-3000
en.parisinfo.com
Madrid and the northern region of the country are typically cold and wet during January. However, you can head south to the ancient Moorish cities of Seville, Cordoba and Granada, where you'll find warmer temperatures, gothic cathedrals and palaces, secret gardens, Flamenco dancing, tapas bars and more. Next, journey to Barcelona, an active city with Moroccan architecture, Spain's top vineyards, Renaissance history and other cultural attractions. Barcelona's Gothic Quarter is the best place to get a glimpse into the city's grand heritage. Be sure to visit the Boquería Market, where the city's six main marketplaces merge, and see the extraordinary Spanish coastline at Costa del Garraf.
Tourist Office of Spain (U.S. Office)
666 Fifth Ave, 35th floor
New York, NY 10103
212-265-8822
spain.info
Italy's southern cities are the perfect place to warm up during the cold month of January. While it may be chilly back in the U.S. or in other parts of Europe, you can expect to find bright blue skies, a green countryside, mild temperatures and outdoor activities here. For a slice of religious history, check out the Vatican City. Italy celebrates in a number of ways throughout the winter holidays, beginning from early December to January, including the Carnevale and Feast Day of the Immaculate Conception. Rome is also one of the country's top destinations in January, where you can trace the stories of the Ancient Roman Empire, from the Colosseum to the Temple of Saturn. There are a number of wine and culinary treasures in southern Italy, where you can visit the country's most celebrated wines and cuisine. Be sure to visit Catania and Sicily at the southernmost tip of Italy, where you'll discover rustic villages, World Heritage sites and remarkable works of art.
Italian Government Tourism Board (U.S. Office)
630 Fifth Ave, Ste 1565
New York, NY 10111
212-245-5618
italiantourism.com
