Hire a Private Jet to Europe’s Winter Holiday Hotspots

Innari-Saariselkä, Finland

Courtesy of Becki Enright at Borders of Adventure

If stunning landscapes and swaths of untouched nature are your idea of luxury, Finland may be the answer.

“With an archipelago encompassing thousands of islands, over 180,000 lakes and 35 national parks, Finland is a year-round outdoors retreat, where having a close relationship with nature is at the very heart of its culture. This still holds true in winter, where waterways turn into frozen playgrounds for sledging and snowmobiles and locals cross-country ski to work.

“Many choose to head to Finnish Lapland’s most established hub – the capital, Rovaniemi – yet an extra flight will get you into the thick of the wilderness in the northern-most region of Innari-Saariselkä. This is where you will see Finland at its most pristine – a land of spectacular blue skies, crisp temperatures, piercing white snow and the infamous, lingering midnight sun.

“In this remote area – where Santa resides, for those who still believe in the fairy tale – you can feel the exhilarating rush of husky dog sledding, visit reindeer farms and ride a snowmobile through dense forests to excitedly catch a sighting of the northern lights, which can also be viewed from within a warm and cosy glass igloo.”

Barcelona, Spain

Courtesy of travel writer Allison DiLiegro

“Winters in Catalan’s cultural capital come with sunny skies and comfortable daytime temperatures that hover around 14 degrees. Despite the friendly weather, the city sees far fewer tourists in the winter, increasing your odds of getting into the world-class restaurants Barcelona is so famous for. From Michelin-starred extravaganzas to neighborhood tapas bars, food is the key to the soul of the city, and winter gives you free reign.

“During the day, you’ll spend less time waiting in line at the city’s most famous attractions, including the Antoni Gaudí pilgrimage sites of Casa Milà, Casa Batlló and Sagrada Família, and the excellent Picasso Museum. Another site worth the trip is the Fundació Joan Miró, accessed by a funicular ride up a mountainside that offers a stunning viewpoint.

“For those who can’t resist a little holiday cheer, the Santa Llúcia Christmas Fair outside the Santa Llúcia cathedral is the perfect place to shop for Christmas decorations and gifts for friends back home.”

Megève, France

Courtesy of Chrystal Webster at The Luxury Editor

For travellers in search of a winter wonderland, it doesn’t get much more charming than Megève.

“Located in the Alps of southeast France and nestled amongst the Mont Blanc massif, Megève is chocolate-box quaint. The majority of the village is pedestrianised, allowing for horse-drawn carriages to be the mode of transportation of choice. The iconic Christmas tree stands approximately 11 meters tall in the village square and is adorned with sparkling Swarovski crystals.

“The ski runs are superbly scenic, extensive (spanning across the Mont d´Arbois, Rochebrune, Cote 2000 Mont Joly and Le Jaillet mountain ranges) and cater to all ski and boarder abilities. Even if you are not blessed with white powder on your visit, there is an abundance of activities to keep you entertained, including an outdoor Olympic swimming pool, golf course, Olympic ice rink, curling, casinos and cinemas.

“Despite a great number of restaurants and bars, the après-ski is relatively quiet but classy. The infamous Jazz Bar is always a good place to finish the night. If you’re lucky enough to be allowed in – a French accent is definitely favoured here!”

Canary Islands, Spain

Courtesy of travel writer Allison DiLiegro

If winter break signals the time to escape the cold in search of some sun, there’s no better European destination than the Canary Islands.

“Temperatures are the warmest to be found, with averages in the mid-twenties. The seven-island Spanish archipelago lies off the coast of Morocco, and is a popular destination for British holidaymakers. The most visited islands – including Gran Canaria, Tenerife and Fuerteventura – offer luxury hotels, fine dining and lively nightlife, but can feel rather built up.

“For a more remote escape, the lesser-visited islands of La Palma, El Hierro and La Gomera are abound with untouched landscapes and natural beauty. The entire island of La Palma is a UNESCO biosphere reserve, with scenery that includes volcanoes and lush rainforests. For active types, La Gomera offers hiking trails that run through nearly untouched mountains, and a good local wine as a reward. El Hierro, the archipelago’s smallest and most remote island, is a UNESCO global geopark with a craggy coast that looks to be impenetrable. But once on land, El Hierro is home to stunning landscapes that feel a world away.”

Mayrhofen, Austria

Courtesy of Frankie at As the Bird Flies

Austria is home to an abundance of charming mountain villages that take on a particularly welcoming feel in the winter.

“If you're looking for a winter sports resort in Austria, Mayrhofen in the Zillertal region of the country is one of the best. Fly into Innsbruck, if you can, as this airport surrounded by the mountains gives you one of the most dramatic descents you can imagine.

“The ski area has slopes for all skiing levels, including the steepest black slope in the country and a network of cross-country ski routes down in the valley. Families will appreciate the large and separate ski area for their children’s ski school lessons, while apres-ski lovers will have a wide variety of bars and restaurants to work their way around, both on and off the slopes. Simply put, Mayrhofen represents everything that Austria does well: fast and efficiently run ski-lifts, pretty chalet buildings, beautiful Alpine views both in the village and at the top of the mountain, and plenty of Wiener schnitzel!”