10 places that are even better in the snow
Getty ImagesYosemite National Park, California, USA
Extremely popular with climbers and hikers during spring, California's Yosemite is most peaceful in winter when the crowds have disappeared. For the ultimate wilderness experience, try snowshoeing around the giant sequoia groves, thrilling downhill snowboarding, family-fun sledging or cross-country skiing.
Getty ImagesJigokudani Monkey Park, Nagano, Japan
The park is open all year round, but it’s the prettiest – and most photogenic for aspiring wildlife photographers – during winter months. Japanese macaques, also known as snow monkeys, play about in the white landscape before relaxing in the steaming outdoor baths. As tempting as it might be to join in, head to nearby hot-spring towns Shibu and Yudanaka instead to splash about in your own onsen.
Getty ImagesSchloss Neuschwanstein, Bavaria, Germany
Few places look like they’ve been plucked straight out of a fairy tale. It’s said that Neuschwanstein, with its inky-blue turrets, frescoes and throne hall, was the inspiration behind Walt Disney’s Sleeping Beauty castle (with fewer beasts lurking around the grounds, we’re sure).
Getty ImagesRichmond Park, London
At almost 2,500 acres, Richmond Park is nearly three times the size of New York’s Central Park, making it London’s best playground for families on snow days – and for the 630 red and fallow deer who gallop around it.
Jenny ZarinsKlosters, Switzerland
The renowned mountain resort is where the stars descend (Julia Roberts, Renée Zellweger, Prince Charles, the king of Sweden). The atmosphere is all about skiing hard and unpretentious good times – possibly because there aren’t any five-star hotels here.
Getty ImagesCentral Park, New York
New York City is anything but dull during winter; and the city that never sleeps doesn’t hibernate either. There’s Bloomingdales and The Met to seek shelter in when the temperature drops, but for the most fun wrap up and get your skates on at the Wollman Ice Rink – one of the best in the world.
Alistair Taylor-YoungSt Petersburg, Russia
Visiting the country’s imperial capital in winter is a bit like stepping into a snow globe. Sights such as Catherine Palace, Church of Saviour on the Spilled Blood and the icy Neva River look ethereal with a dusting of white.
Getty ImagesShirakawa-Go, Gifu, Japan
This scene isn't particularly evocative of Japan, but it's certainly twinkly and magical. Each year the village organises special illumination events to light up the unusual farmhouses and steep roofs – built so because of the huge amount of snow. It’s possible to stay in one overnight, but best to book far in advance.
Getty ImagesScottish Highlands
There’s nothing more bracing than frosty walks through an atmospheric landscape of winding glens and craggy summits, followed by holing up in a cosy inn with a log fire for a romantic weekend break in the UK. British weather is infamously unpredictable, so stock up on supplies.
Getty ImagesCappadocia, Turkey
Set in the heart of Turkey's Anatolian plains, these honeycombed hills and cone-like boulders look even more fantastical in the snow. The best way to see the moonscape sweeps are, without a doubt, from up high: take to the skies in a hot-air balloon.