Seasoned travelers, let’s give Richard a hand. What should he see and do in Europe this winter? For some ideas, check out all of the fantastic events happening around Europe this season.

Munich is conveniently located on the edge of the Austrian border, close to dozens of ski and snow resorts. It’s often difficult to sift through the many options to chose a resort that is best for you. We’re doing the work for you. Here are three of the best ski resorts near Munich.

Best Overall: Kitzbühel, Tyrol, Austria

This all-encompassing resort is set in an idyllic Bavarian village. Set in the midst of a small, medieval town,  Kitzbühel is the perfect winter vacation destination. The town, complete with shopping, night life, dining and wellness services provides the perfect backdrop for a vacation for two or a family outing.

Skiing, snowboarding, snow mountaineering, or snow hiking, this resort has got it all. A wide array of indoor and night activities range from ice skating, curling, climbing, swimming, ice hockey and tobogganing.

Best for Families: Ellmau, Austria

This resort has a longstanding reputation for being family-friendly. All around the resort, guests enjoy looming views of the beautiful Wilder Kaiser mountains. Staff at the Ellmau don’t leave the weather up to chance, and have more than 1,000 snow machines ready to intervene to make the slopes powder perfect all year round. Ellmau also offers an extensive family slope area that is perfect for all ages. Snow huts, sun terraces and ski bars pepper the slopes to offer refreshments around every corner.

Best Value: Söll, Austria

Located in the wide valley of the SkiWelt region, this resort offers the best bang for your buck. Transfers and shuttles make this resort one of easiest to get to from the Munich Airport. A quaint central village street runs through the center of the resort. Visitors can enjoy hot mulled wine called glühwein and warm up from the day on the slopes at the Christmas markets in the village.

Speaking of skiing, this week, I Fly Nonstop is giving away a special cross-country ski package in our EuropeanWinterness contest! Enter daily to win Rossignol Evo Glade cross-country skis, OneWay Telescopic cross-country ski poles, and Rossignol X1 Ultra cross-country ski boots. Now that’s worth celebrating! Head to http://www.europeanwinterness.com to enter daily.

Photo credit: Cross country skiing, Szymon Nitka; skiing…., nonanet; toboganning, Alex Barth.

Venice is not called the “Queen of the Adriatic” for nothing. This floating island has been a European favorite destination for centuries. Venice is small, serene and quiet (unless it’s Carnival season!) and offers some of the greatest photo opportunities a traveler can ask for. Tiny winding alleyways, draping clothing on drying lines and gondolas aplenty create an atmosphere that is unlike any other European city. Venice is worthy of a visit regardless of the season. If you’re heading to Venice this winter, here are three of Venice’s best that you should be sure not to miss.

Enter our EuropeanWinterness contest this week to be entered to win a Conquest Dyad Tandem inflatable kayak, inspired by Venice. You’ll also be entered to win the grand prize of a trip to Europe for two on a nonstop Delta flight to Amsterdam! Head to http://europeanwinterness.com and enter daily.

Where to Eat: Da Fiori

Try the tuna carpaccio and the oysters and you’ll see why this restaurant is one of the most revered among travelers enjoying a vacation in Venice. Treat yourself to a night of fine dining, a wonderful ambiance and fantastic canal views. Da Fiori is often noted as the best restaurant in Venice, so it’s not a bad idea to make reservations before you indulge in the canal city’s best.

Be Entertained: Attend an opera at the Teatro La Fenice, built in 1836.

Catch the masterpieces of Vendi or Puccini on their home turf. Attending an opera in Venice only adds to the romance of it all. The theater also offers tours in the day-time to get a behind-the-scenes peek into the production of operas.

 Photo Opportunity: Bovolo Staircase

This beautiful outdoor spiral staircase is part of the Palazzo Contarini del Bovolo. The staircase is difficult to find, tucked away down a small side street between the Rialto Bridge and Piazza San Marco. The Palazzo was originally built for the Contarini family and has some of the most unique architecture in all of Venice. The staircase is the centerpiece of the building, and it is definitely worth locating to snap a photo of this marvel.

Photo credits: Venice and the leaning tower, Tambako the Jaguar; ahi carpaccio, “highlimitzz”; Scala Contarini del Bovolo, HarshLight; Venice, Dr. Savage.

One of the greatest benefits of traveling to Europe during the winter months is avoiding crowds of fellow tourists. If you can spare just a few degrees off the thermometer from the summer months, traveling in the winter is ideal for many. If you are going to visit Europe during the winter, it only makes sense to travel like the locals do.

One city to hit on your wintertime tour is London. This city is heavy with tourists during the summer, so enjoy the shopping, beautiful sites and night life with a little less bustle.  Here is your quick guide to London through the eyes of a local.

Single Best Attraction: The Botanical Gardens in Kew. You can take the Xstrata Treetop Walkway and walk among the tallest tree canopies, literally! This tranquil place will refresh your senses and leave you ready to explore the busier parts of London Town.

Best Museum: Victoria & Albert: This museum highlights art and design from years past all the way to the present. You can find everything from architecture to fashion to furniture art in this unique museum.

Best Local Events Website: Time Out London. This is the best source to find out what’s happening in London on the web.

Best Dance Club: Fabric. If you’re looking for a night on the town, Fabric will not disappoint. This club is one of the biggest, best dance clubs in the city.

Best Hidden Market: Sunday UpMarket is one of the most imaginative markets in London. Get away from the typical tourist markets and head for something more authentic.

Best Kid-Friendly Attraction: The Science Museum. This museum will provide hours of entertainment for kids and parents. Give your kids a chance to get their hands dirty. Explore something tangible.

EuropeanWinterness Contest: Enter daily to win a weekly prize inspired by a great European city. This week we’re highlighting London! Win a 3-hour double-decker bus rental for your and your friends in Portland by entering this week. You will also be entered to win the grand prize of a trip to Europe for two!  Go to http://europeanwinterness.com to enter.

Photo credits: Orchid festival, Princess of Wales Conservatory, Kew Gardens, heatheronhertravels; London snow, Mike_fleming; Two double-decker Routemaster buses, London, Samil Virji.

Where can you find thousands of bicycles, delicious waffles and tulips as far as the eye can see? That’s right, Amsterdam. The city and its surrounding areas come alive during the wintertime and into the spring with some of Holland’s most famous attractions.

When in Amsterdam, do as the Dutch do. There are countless bike rental opportunities in the city. This is the most scenic (and most fun) way to explore the city and its surrounding areas. Have fun in the city, but don’t forget to explore towns nearby where you can find beautiful bike roads that take you through small, quaint towns equipped with plenty of windmills and photo opportunities.

One of the most iconic aspects of Dutch culture is flowers. Starting in March, visit THE place to see spring blooms: the famous Keukenhof. If you’re visiting Holland in April, don’t miss the Floriade 2012 World Horticultural Expo. This event only comes around once every 10 years, so it’s definitely worth the trip.

Embrace your EuropeanWinterness this week! Enter daily to win an Electra Townie Euro bike, inspired by this glorious city. You will also be entered to win the grand prize: a trip to Europe for two on a nonstop Delta flight to Amsterdam! A new weekly prize inspired by a wonderful wintery European city will be featured each week. Visit Europeanwinterness.com to see what other events are well worth the trip to Europe this winter.

Photo credits: Canal, oarranzli; amsterdam bikes #365 pic of the day, Les Haines; Keukenhof 01, quantz

For the first week, we’re celebrating one fabulous winter destination, Amsterdam! Enter daily from October 14-20 to win a brand new Electra Townie Euro bike.

]]> http://iflynonstop.com/promotions/embrace-your-europeanwinterness/feed/ 13 http://iflynonstop.com/promotions/ready-get-set-discover-your-europeanwinterness/ http://iflynonstop.com/promotions/ready-get-set-discover-your-europeanwinterness/#comments Wed, 12 Oct 2011 17:09:45 +0000 Jamie Kerr http://iflynonstop.com/?p=3673 There is something magical about traveling to Europe during the off-season. There are fewer lines, crowds, and the beauty of brisk, frosty winter mornings sipping hot chocolate in cafés makes up for the drop in temperature from the summertime. You can explore Europe like the locals do, without the gaggle of fellow tourists. Also, traveling in the off-season is usually cheaper. It’s a win-win. 

Starting this Friday, we’re celebrating EuropeanWinterness! Get ready, because each week from this Friday until mid-November, we’re giving out one spectacular prize each week to celebrate one of four European cities that offers a winter like no other. Enter daily to win.

Drum roll please…….At the end of these four weeks, one lucky entrant will win a EuropeanWinterness vacation for two!

Check back on Friday for your first chance to enter the contest. Good luck!

Photo credits: Snowy Street, The World According to Marty.

Note: Additional taxes/fees/restrictions/baggage charges may apply. Fares shown are each-way, based on a round-trip purchase.

Explore Amsterdam’s fascinating neighborhoods, or Tokyo’s peaceful parks and beautiful scenery. Delta takes you to the most destinations worldwide, including nonstop service to Amsterdam and Tokyo from Portland. Purchase on or before April 13, 2010 and save. To book your flight, click here.