4 Action-Packed Winter Vacations In Europe That Don’t Involve Skiing

As the grape growing season winds to an end, vineyards and wineries across Europe are moving into their busiest time of the year, the annual harvest. Visitors can get stuck in with traditional grape picking, wine trails, open cellars and harvest festivals during this period. Here are the best places to stay for a vacation tailor-made to the oenophile.

It’s almost fondue season, and if you want a truly unique experience with the most scenic alpine backdrop, head to the Carlton Hotel St. Moritzto book lunch or dinner in one of their fondue gondolas. Starting this December 8, 2023 until the winter season ends, you can enjoy an intimate feast starring cheese plus a few other Swiss delicacies. Last year the gondolas were such a hit that the St Moritz hotel is bringing them back by popular demand. “Serving cheese fondue and other special menu items offers guests an experiential dining opportunity,” says Constanze Grossman, director of public relations at the Tschuggen Collection.

The capital’s biggest annual music event, the EFG London Jazz Festival, hits town next month, running from 10-19 November and tickets are already selling out. Big name international musicians like Charles Lloyd, Cécile McLorin Salvant and Joshua Redman join excellent local acts including pianist Joe Webb and saxophonist Alex Hitchcock. Look out for interesting collaborations too.

The rules for most people entering Europe who don't have an EU passport are changing and after several delays, the EU has confirmed when and how they will roll out the two new border controls that will impact travelers arriving into the Schengen area from 2024 onwards.

Spanish airport operator Aena said on Monday that airlines have increased seat supply by 15% for flights to and from Spain this coming winter compared with last year.

Three small European cities you may never have heard of will soon come under the cultural spotlight as Europe’s latest Capitals of Culture.

Five destinations in Europe are among the top ten sustainable places to travel to in 2024, according to Lonely Planet.

Have you ever dreamed of dropping everything and moving to a sunny seaside town in Italy or a picturesque mountain village in Switzerland?

Europe has delayed yet again its new visa waiver system, which by May 2025 will require travelers from the United States and dozens more countries to get pre-approval to enter most European nations.

Train journeys are one of the most nostalgic ways to travel, and they become even more romantic in the winter months. Scenic routes become even more majestic when it’s cold outside, transforming into winter wonderlands decked out in white. There’s nothing as comforting as watching flakes of snow fall while cuddled up inside your own luxe sleeper cabin as the train sweeps past frozen rivers, frosty mountains, and picturesque villages.

Pristine white peaks all around, and skis crunching over crisp snow. If any holiday feels like escapism, it’s a ski holiday. But climate breakdown is increasingly threatening to poop the party.

Fondly referred to as 'The Rock', the limestone monolith that dominates Gibraltar is a fascinating geological feature marking the entrance to the Mediterranean, but its cultural significance is just as intriguing. A British Overseas Territory, Gibraltar is a slice of Britain bathed in the warmth of Southern Europe.