By Jennifer Vishnevsky for Redbook©
Although the winter season gets a bad rap for correlating with flu season and dark, gray skies, there’s also something beautiful happening around the world, all the way from Wyoming to Switzerland. These photos may even inspire you to start planning a winter getaway when it’s safe to do so. If seeing the Northern Lights is on your bucket list, the bitter cold temperatures of winter might just be your best shot at catching a glimpse. So grab the hot chocolate, sit back and enjoy a virtual tour to these inspiring winter wonderlands.
(Here is just a tease for those still in their jammies):
© MistikaS – Getty Images
Slovenia
A church and castle on a rock above Lake Bled in Slovenia.
© Michael J. Cohen, Photographer – Getty Images
Alaska
A polar bear in Kaktovik, a part of northern Alaska
.
© Betty Wiley – Getty Images
Wyoming
A group of horses running in the snow-covered hills of Shell, Wyoming.
© Barcroft Media – Getty Images
Japan
A rare snowstorm covers Yoyogi Park in Tokyo.
© Elena Liseykina – Getty Images
Russia
An empty Red Square in Moscow, with St. Basil’s Cathedral in the background.
© _ultraforma_ – Getty Images
Hungary
St. Stephen’s Basilica and Zrinyi Street at dusk in Budapest.
© TONNAJA – Getty Images
Canada
Spirit Island, a landmark in Jasper National Park. With a view of the Canadian Rockies, this island is only accessible by boat.
© FEBRUARY – Getty Images
Iceland
The Northern Lights on display at Kirkjufell mountain
.
© Vicki Jauron, Babylon and Beyond Photography – Getty Images
New York
A snowy owl perched in the sand at Jones Beach in Long Island.
© Provided by jp2pix.com – Getty Images
California
A fresh coating of ice at Yosemite National Park.
© primeimages – Getty Images
New Zealand
Mount Cook and Mount Tasman reflected in Lake Matheson at sunset.
Source: Awe-Inspiring Winter Scenes From Around the World (msn.com)