Having the soul of a traveller means that you want to travel wherever, whenever. You probably appreciate the fact that travelling in the off-peak winter season is much cheaper and gives you the chance to avoid the crowds.

Luckily, there are still plenty of tours and activities to choose from in winter. Despite the weather, the guides are prepared to greet their guests and show off the best bits of their countries.

I’ve put together a blog post about unique tours available in the colder months to inspire you and prove that wintertime is hugely underestimated.

1. Zakopane & Tatra Mountains Day Trip from Krakow

Located in southern Poland, Zakopane is a winter paradise and popular skiing destination. Skiing isn’t the only thing to do there, though – the town itself has lots of culture to explore, plus the spectacular Tatra Mountains offer breathtaking views.

The Zakopane & Tatra Mountains Day Trip is the perfect tour to add to your list if you plan on visiting Krakow in winter. Zakopane will impress you even more when the rooftops are covered with snow and the air is at its freshest. This tour includes sightseeing and visits to a local artist’s workshop, the Tatra Museum, the Museum of Zakopane Style and more.

There are other beautiful day trips available from Tallinn and Munich.

Photo credit: Laila Gebhard

2. Munich Winter Bike/Walking Tour

This bike tour runs all year round, but in winter the guides may switch it a to walking tour if the weather makes it difficult to cycle. The tour begins in a toy museum, which means you won’t have to wait outside in the cold, and continues on to Munich’s top sights.

You’ll see the beautiful Gothic-style New City Hall at Marienplatz, take a break in the huge English Gardens and see the local “surfing resort” – the Isar River. There are plenty of things to see in Munich, even in winter.

Photo credit: Jason Mrachina

3. Ice Road Tour – the Real Nordic Experience from Tallinn

Estonians are more adjusted to cold winters than you might think. When we see news broadcasts from other parts of the world about everything shutting down because of a few inches of snow, we laugh.

Here, when the sea freezes up and ferries can’t travel between the western islands and the mainland, an official ice road is opened. It’s very convenient for people who usually have to wait hours to get the ferry.

This tour allows you to experience ice road travel for yourself. There are some official rules when driving on the ice road: 1) you mustn’t fasten your seat belt; 2) you can’t go slower than 40 km/h. This is so extraordinary that they once even mentioned it in Top Gear.

Photo credit: ESTONIANISLANDS.COM

4. Dinner in an Artist’s Home Studio in Amsterdam

You’ve been sightseeing the whole day, trying to check off your list of must-sees and must-dos. You’ve gotten lost, walked much more than you actually planned to and are cold. Well, what could be better than dropping by Petra’s home studio to enjoy a delicious dinner that she has prepared especially for you?

Petra has several different menus to choose from. Feel free to let her know if you have an dietary requirements – she’s a natural chef and will come up with some other gastronomical delight.

In case you’re not planning a trip to Amsterdam, there’s also the possibility to to dine with locals in Chicago and Rome.

Photo credit: Petra Hart

5. Zagreb Ghosts and Dragons Tour

Ghost tours are best enjoyed in winter as it gets dark much earlier, which means that the ghost stories get even spookier.

Zagreb Ghosts and Dragons Tour takes you through the dark streets of the city to an old graveyard and haunted houses, introducing you to a totally new side of the city that you won’t see in the daylight. It’s entertaining, fun and allows you to explore Zagreb in a different way, but sweet dreams later in the night aren’t guaranteed.

Find other haunted ghost tours in Vilnius and Tallinn.

Photo credit: Bozidar Raos

6. Visit to a Husky Farm & Dog-Sled Ride from Tallinn

Picture yourself in the middle of a thick Estonian forest that’s covered with a soft blanket of snow. On this tour you’ll experience the silence and stillness of nature, at least until you’re interrupted by the sounds of Siberian huskies.

See the excitement of the dogs before they go for a run and be surprised by their immense strength when they pull your sled on a true winter adventure.

This tour includes a ride through breathtaking landscapes, plus you’ll have plenty of time to cuddle the dogs and learn more about their lives. It will be a day you’ll always remember.

Photo credit: Ralf

7. Stockholm Christmas Tour

At Christmastime, Stockholm is decorated with lights and other festive decorations. Join the Stockholm Christmas Tour to learn about Swedish Christmas traditions, taste the local mulled wine and try some traditional Swedish food.

You’ll be especially lucky if you’re in the city on December 13th when the Swedes celebrate Saint Lucia’s day. Stockholm is quite far north so there’s a good chance you’ll experience a white Christmas – just make sure you have some warm clothes with you so you won’t freeze.

Check out other Christmas tours in Vilnius, Prague and Krakow.

Photo credit: dtsomp

I don’t know if I’ve managed to convince you about travelling in winter. There are many other tours to join and places to discover – just keep exploring. And if you’re still put off by the cold, just choose another destination like Rio de Janeiro or Melbourne, or just wait another six months until the summer starts again.

Opening photo credit: Lucas Marcomini