Best Winter Activities in Europe for Student Travel
Europe offers wonderful travel experiences, not just in summer, but also in its magical winter season! Not only is it beautiful with snow-dusted cities, but it is also very accessible, considering smaller crowds. From lively Christmas markets to cozy cultural experiences, Europe in the wintertime has everything you could dream of, making it a perfect time for student travel.
Winter Sports and Alpine Adventures
For students who enjoy being active, you’re in luck! Wintertime is the perfect opportunity to hit the slopes and create unforgettable experiences. The Alps, Europe’s highest and most extensive mountain range spanning across 8 different countries, offer accessible winter sports in towns such as Interlaken in Switzerland, and many more in Austria and Germany.
Don’t know how to ski or snowboard? Don’t worry! Not only are there great beginner lessons to get you started, but there are also other fun winter activities, such as snowshoeing, sledding, and scenic gondola rides to show you the wonder of the Alps. These various activities are central to alpine culture and are great ways for students to explore alpine villages and gain insight into a unique cultural experience that travel in the summer simply can’t provide.
ACIS Itinerary Highlight: Paris, Switzerland and Munich
Welcome to the Alps! Through this ACIS trip you will start in Paris, France, and then journey to Switzerland to the Alpine town of Engelberg, where you can experience Alpine culture firsthand. Continue this adventure up north to Munich, Germany, and explore the mountains and their rich history.
Chasing the Northern Lights in Scandinavia
Seeing the Northern Lights in Scandinavia is a bucket-list item for many, and what better time to see them than Wintertime? Locations like Norway and Iceland are famous for being prime spots for aurora viewing, primarily due to long nights, minimal light pollution, and being near the Arctic Circle.
This wonderful experience blends the beauty of the aurora and learning, making it a great spot for students to visit! The science behind the Northern Lights, explained as solar particles interacting with the Earth’s magnetic field and atmosphere, makes the perfect excuse to tie directly into studies of physics, environmental sciences, and astronomy.
ACIS Itinerary Highlight: Discovering STEM in the Arctic Circle
Travel to the most scenic sights in the world in our STEM focused trip to Europe starting off in Iceland where you’ll scavenge the Hvolsvollur area and make your way to Reykjavik, taking in all the beautiful views. Come prepared to learn about the great Vikings in Norway and find out more of the country’s scientific and industrial history!
Warm, Cultural Experiences for Cold Winter Days
As beautiful as wintertime in Europe can get, I know sometimes you just want to stay indoors and enjoy the warmth. With really cold winter days, Europe offers countless indoor cultural experiences such as museum tours, historic landmark tours, and cultural connection activities. Cultural cooking classes, museums, and historical walking tours provide a hands-on way to learn about a destination, and they are especially valuable for students as they can connect the history and culture directly to their experiences.
ACIS Itinerary Highlight: Three Capitals
Journey your way through the three notable capitals of Europe: London, Paris, and Rome, and immerse yourself in cultural activities and the rich history shared through museums and iconic landmarks, along with a quick stop at the “Cradle of the Renaissance”, aka Florence!
Magical Christmas Markets and Holiday Villages
One of the most iconic wintertime experiences to have in Europe is visiting the various holiday-themed markets! Cities such as Vienna, Prague, Strasbourg, and Munich are especially known for their famous holiday-themed markets filled with hundreds of wooden stalls, authentic food, and festive music. These markets transform busy city centers into warm and welcoming spaces, even on the coldest evenings.
Christmas markets offer students the chance to immerse themselves in the local culture. Food stalls at the market offer a variety of different traditional foods for everyone to try, such as Maroni (Roasted Chestnuts), Klobása (Pork Sausage), or sweet pastries such as Beignets. And of course, you can’t forget warm drinks such as Hot Chocolate or Spiced Mulled Wine (also available in non-alcoholic versions) to add to the experience and help fight the cold!
Beyond food and drinks, wintertime markets also feature local handmade crafts and artworks created by local artisans. Walking through historic centers while browsing the many wooden stalls allows students to truly immerse themselves in the local culture, making the experiences both educational and memorable.
ACIS Itinerary Highlight: Holiday Bell’Italia
Experience the holiday spirit with this festive ACIS tour through Italy filled with fun activities, unique to wintertime holiday markets, great learning experiences visiting historic landmarks, and eating delicious food!
Winter is an underrated season for student travel, yet it offers many benefits such as fewer crowds, accessibility, and unique seasonal traditional activities in which students can experience destinations in a more authentic way. From the festive Christmas markets and breathtaking scenery in the Alps to cultural activities, winter offers the perfect balance of excitement and education!
Isha Borole
