If you’ve been wanting to visit Europe and can’t get time off this summer, you can still have the vacation of your dreams. Winter in Europe can be one of the best times to visit since you’ll see fewer tourists, so cheaper prices, incredible Christmas markets and festivals, an atmosphere that many people miss out on, winter sports like skiing and snowboarding, and plenty of indoor attractions.

Now is the perfect time to book, especially if you’re hoping to get a great deal on flights.

Instead of sweltering in the heat, you’ll enjoy buildings decorated with white fairy lights, and public ice skating rinks. Gingerbread and mulled wine are popular, and if you visit before Christmas you’ll be able to enjoy the beautiful lights.

Here are some tips for visiting Europe in Winter:

Choose your destination wisely

While some smaller towns will be the best place to get an incredible deal if they rely on tourism, others will simply shut down for the weather.

Many people love to visit Rovaniemi in Finland, which is the “official” residence of Santa Clause and a great place to bring the kids, while Germany and Austria have the most incredible Christmas markets.

Athens can be a great place to visit since you won’t need to be constantly dodging tourists to take a photo of the Parthenon, and Copenhagen in Denmark is one of the best places for a cosy, fairytale winter feel.

Travel Carefully

If you’re planning a road trip in Europe, you’ll find that many countries have laws that make it compulsory for all vehicles to have winter tyres from early December to late March. Be sure to check if these are included in your hire price before you book. While major roads and city streets are regularly ploughed, smaller streets may be ignored and you should always be careful and drive to the conditions. If you’re not a pro at driving a stick, book an automatic car ahead of time for one less thing to think about.

While Europe has an incredible rail network, services may still be disrupted in really bad weather conditions so have some flexibility in your itinerary. It’s also a good idea to leave enough time for transfers if you’re changing trains as platforms can be slippery.

Pack well

Europe is all about layering, since it may be freezing outside but museums, shops and restaurants are heated well so you’ll be stripping off your clothes as soon as you walk in. Consider bringing some thermals to wear under jeans if it will be particularly cold and you’re planning on being outside. You’ll need waterproof boots or shoes, so even though they may take up some space, snow boots may be appropriate.

Plan Ahead

While most of the major tourist attractions will be open in winter, they may have shortened hours, so it’s a good idea to plan accordingly. Winter is a great time to visit though since you’ll spend less time in line for major attractions.

Winter is a great time to visit Europe, especially if you want to avoid crowds and get winter pictures that many people miss out on. It’s not too late to book, so begin planning your winter travels today!