Turning forty is like achieving a huge cornerstone in life.
Often considered as the year of wisdom, it is the phase of life when the majority of the population is nearing a midlife crisis.
Many people tend to celebrate the 40th birthday as an ode to maturity attained through experience and endurance throughout the years of youth.
One of the most significant achievements for an individual under the age of forty is to travel. There is absolutely nothing that can beat the joy and sense of achievement one attains from solo traveling before their forties. After all, traveling is the route to self-discovery and learning from experience.
That said, it is pretty evident that traveling is no longer the same as it used to be. Over the years of getting the passport stamped red and blue while spamming the Gram with one’s itinerary, the entire process of getting a visa and preparing to go has also gained speed. But there is one thing that always remains the same: trying to decide the location for your next adventure.
Forty may seem a decade away but trust us, once you hit the late twenties, every year passes by as quick as a wink. So before you hit the year of the wisdom of the Fear of Missing Out hits you, here is a list of winter wonderlands that you must visit.
While the pandemic still hangs above our necks like an aimless sword, there is no harm in planning and pining for a winter getaway! Perhaps the power of manifestation might help us appease Hermes, the deity of travel, trade, wealth, and luck.
Without much ado, let’s jump right into the winter wonderlands!
Amsterdam, the Netherlands
Amsterdam is a city of wonders wanderers. It is lined with beautiful drapes of snow that embrace the city’s thoroughfares and canals.
The city’s beauty is brought to life by the chilling winds and frolic surrounding ice-rinks and seasonal festivities. The Dutch capital is known for celebrating its culture and arts in the winter with spectacular theatre showings and musicals that make your heart thrum to a new rhythm.
Just imaging a walk in this city with a plus size leather jacket and while cuddling close to your companion makes us want to rush to this beautiful city.
Aachen, Germany
Aachen has a long history of celebrating its thermal springs and Christmas markets. It is the spot where the city tourists gather by the ton to enjoy the snow laced streets and antique-looking houses that easily date back to the medieval era. This city from the west side of Germany is found in high, festive spirits throughout the winter season to celebrate Christmas with lebkuchen piling on dining tables and street-side cafes. The townsfolk are rather proud of their beloved winter treat.
Salzburg, Austria
One of Austria’s oldest cities, Salisbury, is the perfect location for winter travels. It is dusted with snow from the magnificent Alpine mountains and is adorned with baroque architecture that is hard to find today. The city holds the honor of being the birthplace of the music maestro Mozart.
There is a wide variety of winter sports available to delight the audiences. If you are not that enthusiastic about sports, you can always indulge in the Austrian delicacies that melt in the mouth and strike a chord in the heart. Whether it is hot chocolate from Vienna or the famous Kaiserschmarrn, you will surely lose your heart to the decadent cuisine!
Paris, France
The city of Paris is always considered the city of dreams. It becomes bedazzled and beguiling in the winter months with the snow drapes across the cityscape and the romantic winds playing with your hair. When the Parisian sun kisses your cheeks on a winter morning, the feeling of joy and gratitude is beyond compare. We’d be proud to say that visiting Paris in winter is like a dream come true! From the Eiffel Tower to the Louvre, every monument welcomes you with open arms and invites you to witness the city’s charm.
Prague, Czech Republic
Prague in winter is like watching an art film in live-action. From the city’s grand architecture embedded in the baroque style to its glitzy pubs in historical locations, each element makes Prague the ultimate destination for a trip of soul-searching that one must take before hitting the year of maturity and wisdom. The mulled wine and warm Christmas markets are a wonder to behold in the months of long winters and snowy wonders.
Lapland, Finland
What is the one thing about winters that makes it a season of grand celebrations in the west? Christmas indeed! And what makes it even more fantastic is the concept of Santa Claus and his reindeer running around the North Pole to celebrate the joy of positivity. But what if we told you that you can visit Santa’s den in real life and enjoy a ride on his bubble sled?
Yes, Lapland is Finland’s northernmost region that allows you to have an idyllic Santa Claus experience in the bristling cold winds under the Northern Lights. It is an experience of a lifetime! One you should not miss out on.
Quebec City, Canada
Canada is a country of inclusiveness and culture, heritage, and travel. While there are many Canadian globetrotters documenting their international travel experiences, the Canadian gem of a city called Quebec does not receive the attention it deserves.
It is among the oldest cities established in North America and has a rich history of French influence. The colonial French architecture and cobbled streets exude an energy of fantasy and European charm that is not found in any other place! Be it the Château Frontenac or Old Town, each monument adds more memories to your experience in this city of joy.
Final thoughts
Traveling winter is a joy regardless of your age. Whether you decide to chase the sunset or wish to witness dawn on snowy peaks, each moment has its own worth that is indefinable in a few words. Whatever you choose to do, remember a winter trip before your forties is worth every penny you spend on it!
