Heading to Europe’s big cities after the Christmas markets have died down and before the flowers bloom is like wearing a suit on an overnight flight: People mostly tend to do it when they’re on business. From January to March, leisure travel to the continent shifts from urban hubs such as Amsterdam and Berlin to Alpine hangouts like St. Moritz, Lech, or Megève.
But European cities can be magical in winter, so why not do both? Pairing the delights of experiencing a culture capital or historical site with the adrenaline of a few glorious days on the slopes is a total travel twofer. Here are five such combos you might never have considered.
Go to Tbilisi … and ski in Gudauri
Is there currently a buzzier capital in Europe than Georgia’s Tbilisi? Travelers from around the globe have recently been captivated by its head-turning mix of old-world sights (like the fourth century fortress that lords over the city), unique culinary traditions, and Soviet-era architecture. While you’re there, check out Fabrika, an old sewing factory that now houses bars and artists’ studios—it’s a great example of Tbilisi’s booming art scene. Or find out why this is Eastern Europe’s hottest party city with late-night jaunts to Bassiani (abandoned pool turned techno hub) and Didi Gallery, a smallish club that attracts global house DJs.
Despite all its draws, Tbilisi is a compact city you can explore in just a couple of days, which means it’s easy to fit in the two-hour drive north to Gudauri, one of Europe’s most exciting new ski areas. With only 30 miles of skiable terrain and seven lifts, it’s not the sprawling winter wonderland of your dreams, but it is Georgia’s highest and largest resort, with excellent cat skiing, heli-skiing, and night skiing options. And it’s still growing. This year an almost 5-mile-long cable car route will connect Gudauri to neighboring Kobi, creating a unified ski area.
Where to stay: Rooms Hotels is a Georgian hospitality company that specializes in cool, hipster-approved accommodations with mix-and-match design, up-and-coming art, and internationally inspired, sustainable dining (the one in the capital is new American and serves a fabulous Georgian steak fillet). Conveniently, it has great hotels in both Tbilisi and the mountain town of Kazbegi. But if all you want is one great powder day, spring for a helicopter transfer from the capital to the slopes. It’s only a 30-minute ride, so you can hit first chair and get back to town in time for a pre-dinner massage.
Go to Cappadocia … and ski on Mount Erciyes
The otherworldly rock formations called “fairy chimneys” in Turkey’s Central Anatolia region have seduced many travelers away from Istanbul and Bodrum. But they’re just one feather in Cappadocia’s hat. There’s also Karanlik Kilise, an 11th century church decorated with stunning Biblical frescoes; the fascinating Goreme Open Air Museum, a Unesco World Heritage Site featuring several examples of rock-cut architecture that eventually became Byzantine monasteries; and the city’s famous cave dwellings, some of which have been converted into hotels.
Luxury operator Travel Atelier can organize everything from hot air balloon rides above the snow-blanketed chimneys to a day of skiing on a dormant volcano: Mount Erciyes is one of the Turkey’s largest and oldest resorts, with 34 runs that peak at 12,000 feet and spread across 70 miles.
Where to stay: Argos in Cappadocia is centrally located in the village of Uçhisar, making it convenient to both the city’s sights and Mount Erciyes, which is an 80-minute drive away. The property perfectly sums up all the region’s highlights. It’s surrounded by old-world vineyards (the hotel stocks an impressive cellar of Anatolian wines from 37 acclaimed producers); it has a cave suite with its own private pool; and its six mansions are linked by ancient tunnels and caves.