Winter holidays in Europe

Winter holidays in Europe
Winter holidays in Europe

Winter walking & rail holidays


• Self-guided winter sun and snow holidays • Walking, rail journeys & experiences • Award-winning travel experts

As the air grows crisp in Europe's north and balmy days linger over the Mediterranean, winter presents remarkable opportunities for winter sun or snow holidays, on foot or by rail, at your own pace.

Inntravel holidays offer a winter experience unlike any other, taking you away from the beaten path to explore the spectacular beauty of the quiet side of the mountain. There are no groups to hurry you along or hold you back on our self-guided trips, leaving you free to see more, feel more, and experience more.

Whether soaking in the views on a scenic hike, immersing yourself in the exhilaration of husky-sledding, or relaxing amid the cosy comfort of your characterful hotel, you’ll be enjoying a holiday hand-crafted by Inntravel experts – who know your destination inside out and have selected only the very best bits for you to enjoy.
  • Handpicked hotels
  • Detailed route notes
  • 24/7 support
  • Tried & tasted restaurants
  • Perfectly planned
 


What to expect from an Inntravel winter holiday

The quiet side of the mountain

Winter has a wonderful way of slowing everything down. Snow-dusted landscapes, peaceful trails and crisp mountain air create the perfect setting to explore at your own pace. With the summer crowds long gone, you'll discover a quieter side of Europe, where every walk, scenic train journey and cosy mountain village feels all the more special.

Our winter holidays are designed to let you experience these moments without the hassle of planning. We take care of the hotels, transfers and practical arrangements, while providing detailed walking notes and GPX routes, so you have the freedom to spend each day exactly as you choose. Whether that means stretching your legs on a panoramic winter walk, trying snowshoeing or simply unwinding with a good book beside an open fire, the choice is always yours.
 
Settle in to a self-guided experience

Many of our winter holidays are based in a single, carefully chosen hotel, giving you time to truly settle in. Often family-run, these welcoming hotels combine warm hospitality with spectacular surroundings, making them as much a part of the experience as the destination itself. After a day outdoors, return to comfortable lounges, hearty local cuisine and perhaps a spa or sauna, ready to relax before tomorrow's adventure.

Above all, an Inntravel winter holiday is about embracing the season at your own rhythm. From peaceful forests and frozen lakes to iconic rail journeys and charming Alpine villages, you'll discover Europe's winter landscapes in a way that's authentic, unhurried and wonderfully rewarding.

Holidays in winter

Looking for warmer way to travel this winter?

While northern Europe embraces snow and frost, there’s another side to winter; one of sunshine, colour and gentle warmth. Inntravel’s winter walking and rail holidays in southern Europe offer an alternative to alpine  trails and wintry cities. Whether you’re exploring flower-filled valleys on foot in Madeira or gliding by train through the sunlit landscapes of Spain and Portugal, you’ll enjoy milder climates, fewer crowds, and the slower, richer pleasures of travel in the off season.

An Inntraveller's view

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Inntravel offer exceptional service, nothing was too much trouble, very organised and our holiday went like clockwork. From the initial enquiry to us returning a week later. The information booklet sent several weeks prior to departure was brilliant and very informative. One of the best I have ever received pre holiday. Hotel Wiesenhof was wonderful and the cuisine a real highlight.Incredible meals and consistently of a high standard. Beautiful spa and swimming pool, perfect addition to our winter snow walking week. I highly recommend this hotel and will definitely be returning.right-quote.png

 
- Inntraveller, Fay, February 2024 

Our winter holiday destinations

Travel expert, Craig, talks us through what Inntravel winter holidays are all about

Book with confidence

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Expertly crafted slow holidays for over 40 years, trusted local partners, and full financial protection when you book your flights or rail from the UK — plus friendly support every step of the way.

Find out more 
  • Hand-picked hotels
  • Detailed route notes
  • 24/7 support
  • Tried & tasted restaurants
  • Perfectly planned

Winter holiday FAQs

  • From week-long snow holidays in December to packed long weekends and slower, more indulgent journeys over 10 nights or more, we offer a range of options to suit your schedule, budget or preferences. You can use our online winter holiday search to filter options by duration.
  • Our winter walks in warm and cooler climes are self-guided, giving you the freedom to set out at your own pace with no groups to adjust to. You'll be steered by our expert, carefully compiled route notes, often providing multiple paths from A to B along with exceptional detail about places of interest and local culture along the way.

    When choosing a winter walking trip, you have the option of single-centre stays and hotel-to-hotel journeys. The former offers multiple trails from a single comfortable base, while the latter involves stopping at multiple rest points as you continue onward (with us taking care of your luggage transfers).

    Find out more about our walking holidays.
  • These winter holidays typically involve going from one city or area to the next by train, be it in Switzerland, Spain or Slovenia, with multiple days in between to explore.

    The best part is you just turn up with your bags, sit back and relax ‒ our rail specialists handle all the logistics for you. We know the best routes and operators to book and make sense of unfamiliar timetables and ticket types. Once you arrive, you'll then have our expert trip notes on the best places to visit, walk, eat and enjoy.

    Some connecting journeys are highlights in their own right, like the dramatic Glacier Express across Switzerland. Others simply allow an opportunity to put your feet up before the next adventure.
  • As well as walks, several of our winter holidays offer experiences of a lifetime, like dog sledding and reindeer safaris in the day and hunting the mystical Northern Lights at night. There's also cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and ice canyoning in Norway, or snowmobiling and fatbiking in Finland.

    Our winter experiences aren't strictly for adventure seekers, though. You'll have plenty of time to relax in spas, saunas and cosy hotels, with expert support on hand when you're ready to head out.
  • Of course. While we design itineraries based on our knowledge of how best to get around, your holiday is your own ‒ and we leave plenty of room for flexibility.

    You can start most of our trips on any day of the week and choose how to reach them, whether by train, plane or even ferry, if it's convenient for you. Once you're there, lots of our trips include optional room and hotel upgrades if you'd prefer a little extra comfort.

    You're also welcome to extend your winter holiday by adding extra nights in our hotels, choosing nearby add-ons or even combining multiple trips. For example, you could add two nights in vibrant Málaga to our Andalucía by rail trip or round off a week in the snowy Bavarian Alps with a stay in the regional capital of Munichwww.inntravel.co.uk/city-add-ons/munich.
  • Every hotel we feature is hand-picked and visited by our experts, with the majority independent, locally owned and remarkably characterful. Travelling in self-guided small groups makes it easier for us to find these smaller or more hidden gems for you, rather than sticking to large chains that feel like they could be anywhere.

    Whether you're resting in a log cabin with an Arctic spa in Lapland or a family-run former village house in the mountains of Alicante, your stay is sure to be part of what makes your trip.
  • We recommend starting by thinking about the kind of climate you're looking for, be it some winter sun or a cooler, potentially snowy holiday. Next, pick how you'll get around, whether that's on foot from a single base or multiple hotels, or by train. If you want to walk, consider your fitness and ideal difficulty level, from gentle strolls to challenging mountain hikes.

    It's then time to pick your country or region and what you hope to get out of it, such as coastal scenery or city-based culture in standard or higher-quality accommodation. Finally, add your ideal dates.

    You can do all of this via our online winter holiday search. You can also contact our travel experts, let them know what you're looking for, and they'll happily give you ideas and help you plan.

What to expect on an Inntravel winter holiday

Expect a winter experience unlike any other, taking you away from the beaten track to explore the spectacular beauty of the quiet side of the mountain. Enjoy uncrowded destinations, picture-perfect scenery including silent forests and serene villages, and awe-inspiring peaks that climb high into the winter sky.

From our high-quality hotel collection, you have a wide choice of ways to explore on foot or by snowshoes for breathtaking views whilst savouring delicious, authentic flavours. Culture is often close at hand, too, whether that’s a trip to a castle, a local artisan or a beautiful city.

Preparing for your winter walking holiday

Download or request our winter brochure!


Holidays in winter 

To inspire your next adventure, download or request a FREE brochure to see our range of winter walking and rail holidays.

Inside you'll find pages of inspiration from all our destinations in winter, including our bestsellers and some Inntravel classics.
 

 

Our winter holiday collection

Our diverse winter selection includes high-quality hotels and incredible walking destinations such as the Dolomites and Pertisau, each crafted to provide breathtaking scenery and delicious cuisines, catering to varying fitness levels and experience.

Plus, our snowy holidays feature unique opportunities that encompass activities such as spectacular rail journeys, dog sledding and the captivating Northern Lights. Regardless of your preference for crisp or warmer temperatures, we assure you that we have a holiday to suit you.
 
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Winter walking holidays

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Winter sun holidays

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Winter rail holidays

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Warmer winter rail holidays

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Winter experience holidays

Find the right holiday for you

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