Five Places That Look Even More Beautiful Covered in Snow

As a general rule, the further north you go in the UK, the higher your chance of encountering a snowy landscape. That makes the ruggedly handsome countryside of the Scottish Highlands a perfect place to start. In winter, particularly January and February, you can expect to see dense forests topped with a dusting of powder, craggy mountain peaks engulfed and fields of white defined only by the little streams flowing through them. On our weeklong Scottish Rail Trip, you can see these magical sights from the warming comfort of a cosy train carriage, although be sure to pack some good walking gear, because we’ll also be exploring on foot, most notably in Cairngorms National Park, officially the snowiest place in the UK.

Few countries in Europe or Asia can match Georgia when it comes to natural beauty. This relatively small but continent-crossing nation is home to verdant wine regions and a subtropical Black Sea resort town called Batumi, but if snow is what you’re after, look up. The whole country is towered over by the epic Caucasus Mountains, home to several of Europe’s tallest peaks. The most notable in Georgia is Mount Kazbegi, with a truly spectacular snowy peak guarding the high-altitude town of Stepantsminda. Our nine-day tour of the country includes a stay at a gorgeous hotel at the foot of Kazbegi, as well as a guided hike to the fairytale structure of Gergeti Trinity Church, which stands proudly in the mountain’s far-reaching shadow. Snowfall occurs in Georgia from January to March, but you can expect to see white peaks atop the Caucasus all year round.