Winter is the season of romance: candlelit dinners, fireside cuddles, evening strolls beneath street lamps as snow dusts your sleeves. How better to entice your loved one than with a magical getaway to a winter wonderland? Our favorites span the planet from the Rockies to the Arctic Circle , each home to its own frosty form of allure. So grab your partner for a trip to one (or more) of the following nine destinations—because the Most Wonderful Time of the Year is even better there.

Finland

One of the world’s most romantic winter destinations lies in the European arctic. Finnish Lapland is perfect if you and your special someone want to see the northern lights. Snuggle in a glass igloo at

(pictured above) as colors dance across the sky overhead, making what is unequivocally one of the planet’s most enchanting stays. A cooler alternative is to check into an ice hotel, such as

The Snow Hotel

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at Snow Castle of Kemi. This combined resort and art exhibit is sculpted anew each year (this year, in the spirit of the 2018 theme, Animal Wonderland) and entails a snow chapel in addition to the world’s largest restaurant made of snow. While exploring this glistening region, popular activities include skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, dogsledding, relaxing in saunas, hanging with reindeer, and visiting  Santa (you may have thought his home was in the North Pole, but it’s here.

Canada

One of the most romantic destinations on Earth is unquestionably Québec, Canada. Our vote for most charming place in this French-Canadian province goes to Québec City; its Historic District is so historic that it’s actually a UNESCO World Heritage site. Wander cobblestone streets past centuries-old buildings, boutiques, and bistros all covered in snow. For a splurge, check into

The Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac

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(or simply enjoy its views of the St. Lawrence River over wine and cheese at 1608).

A second Québecois city that’s made for winter romance is Montreal. Relax with a spa day at Bota Bota, which floats atop the river in a converted ferryboat. If your idea of a winter wonderland is more outdoors than urban, you’ll want to head west to Banff National Park. Explore frozen waterfalls on Johnston Canyon ice walk; speed along behind a dog sled; try a triple Salchow atop Lake Louise; or strap in for unbeatable aerial views with a heli-snowshoe tour. After adventuring, unwind with a couples’ massage or a soak in Banff Hot Springs —an experience that’s undeniably romantic no matter where you are in the world.

Switzerland

Badrutt’s Palace Luxury Hotel opened in 1896 and is one of St. Moritz’s swankiest stays.

Switzerland is full of elegance, all the more prevalent when it’s also draped in snow. Fall in love with the Alps in the resort town of  St. Moritz,  where soaring down world-renowned slopes comes with views of the Engadin lake district. Stroll the town for art galleries, fine dining, luxury boutiques, chocolate shops, and five-star hotels, then cuddle up for a horse-drawn carriage ride atop frozen Lake St. Moritz.

Where to stay in St. Moritz ?

Badrutt’s Palace Hotel

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Grand Hotel des Bains Kempinski

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However, this entire country was made for love—so if you’re having a difficult time choosing just one destination, a train ride is an ideal way to explore the best of everything. The Glacier Express winds over stone bridges and past waterfalls from St. Moritz to Zermatt; Jungraujoch climbs upward through mountain tunnels until it reaches the highest altitude railway station in Europe (read: views!); the Gotthard Panorama Express tours from Luzern to Locarno—German- and Italian-speaking, respectively—past castles galore; and the Bernina Express, which travels from Chur to Tirano, Italy ,  along the continent’s highest altitude train journey, is so marvelous it’s recognized by UNESCO. Whatever you do, don’t leave the country without indulging in cheese fondue ..! We highly recommend..!

Where to stay in Zermatt ?

Monte Rosa Boutique Hotel

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Colorado

While our 50 states include some seriously romantic winter contenders, our vote for the snow-sport variety goes to the Centennial State. Colorado’s Rocky Mountains are brimming with world-class skiing across the likes of Aspen, Vail, Telluride, and Breckenridge, to name a few places. Aspen is the go-to for winter glitz and glam; eco-friendly Vail touts European charm; modern luxury meets the Wild West in majestic Telluride; and Breckenridge is not only one of the best places to ski in the state, but also made our list of top six ski resorts in the country last year. Romantic activities abound in whichever wonderland you choose. Take your love to new heights with a gondola ride; cozy up by the fire for après-ski hot toddies; melt into a well-deserved couples massage; then settle in for the night at any number of five-star hotels.

London

 is great for: theater buffs, artisan admirers

December in London has a certain kind of magic—twinkle lights hang in the streets, a giant menorah and Christmas tree stand in Trafalgar Square, and carol singing wafts in the air. For music and theater lovers, a night out is a special way to spend a long winter evening. The West End is home to more than 40 theaters alone, and this season patrons can see the landmark A Christmas Carol, edgy comedy The Night Before Christmas, and Doctor Faustus onstage.

The English capital is a stellar place to finish holiday shopping, too. London has long been home to tailors, who began creating garments there in the 18th century, and a new class of artisans is bringing bespoke goods to the fore. For luxury, you can’t go wrong on posh Bond Street, renowned for exclusive brands and designer luxury labels, including the U.K.’s own Alexander McQueen. Meanwhile, Mayfair is chock-full of high-end shops: Vivienne Westwood’s Flagship Store is a top destination for her rebellious statement pieces.

For an extra wintery outing, head to some of the city’s Christmas markets or, better yet, go ice-skating at one of the many rinks throughout the city, in the shadow of places such as the Tower of London and the Museum of Natural History.

For night life there are plenty of fabulous places , but don’t skip to spend a night at Annabelle’s Mayfair.

Where to stay ?

Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park,

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Corinthia Hotel London 

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The Ritz London 

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Japan

Fall head over heels with winter activities in Japan—all served with a side of some of the world’s best food. Chill out by soaking in a traditional onsen, where natural outdoor hot springs will send you to a steamy sense of zen. The country is also ideal for snow sport fanatics: hit the slopes with your loved one all over the country, from Hokkaido to Nagano and beyond (we recommend trying out a local method called snowsurfing; lessons always make for a cool date!). For an even more adorable date idea, check out one of the country’s many winter and snow festivals, such as the Sapporo Snow Festivaland Asahikawa Winter Festival. Admire dramatic ice sculptures while embracing your inner child with snow slides, snowmobile rides, and stalls selling traditional treats. Most romantic of all is the Otaru Snow Light Path Festival, when the city and its river glimmer and glow for 10 days in February.

Where to stay ?

The Ritz Carlton Tokyo 

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New Mexico

Winter in New Mexico means snow and, in Santa Fe, lots of lights.

This state may not be the first place that comes to mind when you hear “winter wonderland,” but that’s about to change. Winter in Santa Fe is paradise: where frosted adobe walls house art galleries galore (the city is America’s third-largest art market), and world-class restaurants make the chill air smell like chilies and other savory southwestern flavors. After sharing your fill of fajitas, dive into history at the Georgia O’Keeffe Museumor Bandeleir National Monument , just outside the city. New Mexico is also ideal for athletic couples, thanks to its nine downhill ski areas (Taos and Angel Fire are two of the most popular) and some of America’s best cross-country skiing and snowshoeing—specifically Valles Caldera, a collapsed volcanic crater that’s teeming with wildlife, as well as the dog-friendly Enchanted Forest. Get toasty in another epic hot-spring destination at Ojo Caliente spa, which is the only one in the world with four different types of healing mineral waters.

Milan

Galleria Vittorio Emanuelle

Milan is a paradise for Christmas time ! Apart from being the fashion kingdom ,  the things to do, to see and to experience surely never disappoint. In December the city is particularly rich with recreational opportunities, with its usual offer, of course, but also with something more special, unique opportunities, that you can only come across this time of year.

Milan is fortunate to be a city in which the public decorations for Christmas are always grandiose and spectacular. Starting from the swarm of lights shining on the waters of the Naviglio Grande, walk towards the Duomo: this year’s tree, with its thirty meters, is the tallest ever in Milan. A green colossus covered with one hundred thousand lights that dominates the entire square. Moving to the Gallery, then, the lights and garlands multiply. There is still another tree, “only” twelve meters tall, but loaded with over ten thousand ornaments, including one thousand Swarovski stars. Finally, complete the walk in the Quadrilatero della Moda, but do not stop there: this year there are 180 streets decorated for a total of 35 kilometers.

Where to stay ?

Armani Hotel Milano,

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Bulgari Hotel Milano  , 

Four Seasons Hotel Milano ,

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Style will out and at the Four Season they know it very well. Their Christmas installation this year is called Urban Chalet and is curated by artistic director Vincenzo Dascanio, who for the occasion has transformed the Camino Room of the Four Seasons, a former 15th century church, in a magnificent, luxurious mountain chalet . A true triumph of warm colors, candles and cozy seats. Every day from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm, a “Christmas Afternoon Tea” will be held with a selection of tea blends from the Dammann house, hot chocolates, pastries and a selection of specially created winter cocktails. At the Urban Chalet the magic of Christmas has already begun. Book your visit in advance to get the most out of the experience.

In the Winter season, Milan becomes the stage to beautiful Christmas markets selling decorations, traditional food and hot drinks, as well as small hand-made objects.

Vienna

 is great for: art lovers, market mavens

Vienna is a city for time travelers—marvel at a palace from the Hapsburg Empire, explore Roman ruins, or walk out of a medieval church tucked in a back alley, and throughout December, Vienna’s famous Christmas markets populate the city’s streets.

Spittelberg has a Christmas market, but there are numerous other holiday markets in Vienna, including the Christmas Village on the grounds of the old hospital; Christkindlmarkt Rathausplatz, Vienna’s most popular holiday market; and the Christmas market at Schloss Schönbrunn, with the palace as its backdrop. All have decorations, caroling, roasted chestnuts, and stands selling warm mugs of mulled wine.

A fun shopping quest is to pick up a snow globe, which was invented in Austria. You can purchase one of more than 350 designs at the Snow Globe Museum (and learn about their history at the same time).

Where to stay in Vienna ?

The Ritz-Carlton, Vienna

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Hotel Imperial – A Luxury Collection Hotel

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We wish you to have fun,

&

Merry, merry Christmas…!

From Instagrammed flat whites to the wave of artisan coffee pop-ups , London has enjoyed something of a love affair with real, good coffee in the past few years. Discover the 10 Best Coffee places, where to get your caffeine fix in the capital, below.

Grind & Co.

The Grind is rapidly taking over London – having started with a sole site in Shoreditch Grind, it has since opened new cafes in Soho, Holborn, London Bridge, Clerkenwell and Royal exchange among others.

Hipster staff, great coffee and offbeat interiors make each cafe a destination in itself, plus evenings see them turn into bars – the espresso martinis (made with their own coffee blend of course) are some of the best we’ve tried. Grindandco.com

Ralph’s Coffee & Bar

Introducing Ralph’s Coffee & Bar, Ralph Lauren’s first dining destination in London and Mayfair’s new hotspot for coffee, cocktails, bar snacks, and shared plates.

 

The equestrian theme is exactly what you’d expect – think saddle leather banquettes, a brass-topped bar and dark wood panelling throughout.

 

The café décor pays homage to Ralph Lauren’s trademark equestrian sensibilities. The interior features a brass-topped bar, saddle-leather banquettes, and equestrian-themed art hung against dark wood paneling and green billiard cloth. An intimate oasis in the heart of Mayfair, the café seats 24, with 12 additional seats at the bar.

 

Kaffeine at 66 Great Titchfield Street, Fitzrovia opened in August 2009 with the idea to provide an Australian style café that focuses quite simply on excellent coffee, great food and hospitable service. The speciality coffee scene in London was just starting to kick off and since then, the Great Titchfield street store has been regarded by the media, public and industry as one of the leading cafes of its kind in the U.K..

Serving Square Mile coffee, alongside beans from a guest roaster from the UK every weekend, Kaffeine’s two W1 cafes offer excellent coffee, expert staff, delicious cakes and beautiful decor .

 

The chef prepares their menu freshly each day, while their produce comes from some of London’s best and most respected suppliers. They  use French trained bakers to supply the  breads and pastries,  their bottled juices are from Chegworth Valley organic farm in Sussex and soft drinks from San Pellegrino. All of this is available to be delivered . The  salad and sandwich menu changes weekly in order to keep everything as seasonal and as fresh as possible. The menu is available each Thursday on the web/blog site.

. Kaffeine.co.uk

Allpress Espresso

Workshop Coffee Co.

Workshop’s original Clerkenwell cafe is not only a favourite brunch spot (they also serve lunch, dinner and drinks), but also the site of the brand’s roastery and floor-to-ceiling windows looking out onto a rather beautiful living wall. The baristas are knowledgeable and skilled and coffee very good indeed – take away a bag of the Cult of Done Espresso beans to recreate the experience at home or try out Workshop’s Aeropress or French press coffees in the cafe itself. www.workshopcoffee.com

 

Fernandez & Wells

Great food, great wine and great coffee – Fernandez & Wells truly has it all. Vogue loves the Stumpy, F&W’s trademarked mini flat white, served in a small Duralex glass and just the right strength for a mid-afternoon coffee run. Owners Jorge and Rick met while working at Monmouth Coffee, and have transferred their expertise into choosing the best single-origin beans each season from Has Bean Coffee in Stafford for their in-demand espresso-based drinks. Fernandezandwells.com

 

The Monocle Café

Monocle’s chic Chiltern Street Cafe serves Allpress coffee rather than its own blend, but it’s so stylish that it deserves its own place on the list. Impeccable interiors and Scandi-chic ceramicware set the scene, whilst the food is a mix of Japanese and Scandinavian – the cardamom buns (supplied daily by Fabrique bakery in Hoxton) are the best we’ve tried. Cafe.monocle.com

Climpson & Sons

Broadway Market offers an overwhelming wealth of wonderful food and drink options, but Climpson & Sons has stood the test of time. Roasting its own coffee in London Fields, Climpson & Sons offers speedy service in its own cafe as well as supplying beans to venues around the city. Climpsonandsons.com

 

Saint Espresso, Angel

 

Angel’s Saint Espresso is the second location from the team behind the popular Leyas next to Mornington Crescent station. Taking inspiration from their location and its moniker, the owner Leon, has clearly enjoyed putting the cafe together. With an impressive attention to detail, he has created a distinctively austere, almost religious atmosphere, complete with stark, custom-made black shelving. The cafe is framed with piumbing pipes which create intricate wall displays. Communion is taken before a black, customised Strada. A black light fixture hangs dramatically from above, while candlesticks and an undercurrent of bronze reinforce the theme.

 

 

Of course this is just a backdrop, which alongside the simple food menu places the coffee centre stage. Saint roast their own coffee for espresso-based and filter options. The Lalani & Co tea menu looks equally impressive.

 

 

As Saint is owner Leon’s second café, and couldn’t be more different from his first, Leya’s in Camden. Saint is an almost religious homage to the coffee bean. It’s an instagrammer’s dream, with austere, graphic interiors bathed in light streaming through the floor-to-ceiling windows. The food is very nice, but it’s the coffee and teas that take centre stage.

 

 

 

 

 

This full moon was special because it was the moon’s closest approach to Earth since 1948, and it won’t get this close again until 2034. November’s full moon is also known as the “Beaver Moon,” when Native American tribes would set beaver traps before the swamps froze to ensure a supply of warm winter furs, according to the Washington Post.

Let’s see some of the most impressive pictures of the Supermoon worlwide.

San Franscisco, California

Bay Bridge, San Franscisco

The astronomers call this sort of close full moon a perigee full moon. The word perigee describes the moon’s closest point to Earth for any given month. Five years ago – when the closest and largest full moon fell on March 19, 2011 – many began using the term supermoon, which we’d never heard before. In the following years, we heard this term again to describe the year’s closest full moon on May 6, 2012, and again on June 23, 2013, and again on August 10, 2014, and yet again on September 28, 2015.

Athens, Greece

The so-called supermoon appears up to 14 percent bigger and 30 percent brighter as it comes about 22,000 miles closer to the Earth than average, though to the casual observer, the increase appears slight.

Above the Greek Parliament, Athens

Now the term supermoon is being used a lot, and, personally, we approve! It’s a good descriptive term for the closest full moons, much easier to remember than perigee full moon.

Castle of Almodovar, Cordoba- Spain

Last month’s full moon – on October 16, 2016 – was also a supermoon.

London, England

New England

But this November full moon was even more super! In other words, the time of full moon fell even closer to the time of the moon’s closest point to Earth.

Monte Carlo, Monaco

Looking further into the future, the perigee full moon will come closer than 356,500 kilometers for the first time in the 21st century (2001-2100) on November 25, 2034 (356,446 km). The closest full moon of the 21st century will fall on December 6, 2052 (356,425 km).

New York

Manhattan Bridge, NY

Manhattan, New York

Kathmandu, Nepal, on November 14, 2016

Chicago , Illinois

Madrid, Spain

A man stands on a balcony of a building  as the moon rises in background, on November 13, 2016

The moon rises behind the Opera House on November 14, 2016, in Sydney, Australia.

Grant Palace, Bankok

Victoria Harbour , Hong Kong

Philadelphia Skyline

The CN tower,  Toronto

Lincoln Memorial, Washington

Fremantle War Memorial at Monument Hill, Australia

PENA Palace, Lisbon

An American Airlines passenger plane passes in front of the moon, as seen from Whittier, California, on November 13, 2016

Amalfi Coast, Italy

Patras , Peloponnese Greece

Redondo Beach, California

For the moon to come closer than 356,400 kilometers (221,457 miles) is quite a feat. In fact, this won’t happen at all in the 21st century (2001-2100) or the 22nd century (2101-2200). The last time the full moon perigee swung this close to Earth was on January 14, 1930 (356,397 km), and the next time won’t be till January 1, 2257 (356,371 km).

Dubai, Burj Khalifa

I hope you enjoyed the great phenomenon…!

So, it was welcome news that we’d have the brightest moon in 69 years on display Sunday night and Monday morning.

If only.

Online Booking here

A weekend in London is an unforgettable experience. Filled with vibrancy, culture and history, the city is constantly evolving and changing. Create your own adventure when you stay at Corinthia Hotel London and start off with a delicious English breakfast in The Northall restaurant before exploring this great metropolis. Take in a show or even spend a night on the tiles – you can be assured of nothing but the highest standards of comfort and luxury on your return.

It’s quite a compact à la carte menu at Massimo restaurant & bar, but there is nevertheless plenty on there to tantalise the tastebuds, and specific dietary requirements are very well catered for. A Piña Colada and a ‘Cocktail of the Day’, which is a strong concoction of Vodka, lime, strawberry purée and champagne sitting on crushed ice – both are exquisite. This is accompanied by a very good selection of different breads (Pane carasau from Sardinia, focaccia, rye and caramelised garlic) and parmesan-based sesame, poppy seed and oregano grissini sticks.

Corinthia Hotel London is equally home to the flagship ‘ESPA Life at Corinthia’, spread across four floors. Facilities include a glass-clad amphitheatre sauna surrounded by a fire feature, steam room, silver steel pool, comforting sleep pods and a gym.

On entry, you immediately start to feel relaxed. The black and cream surrounds, and labyrinth-like hallways, make you forget the stress of daily life, and that you are in fact in the very heart of London. From the comprehensive ‘For Her’ treatment menu, I recommend the two-hour ‘Detoxifying Body Cleanse’ (priced at £230). This treatment began with a mustard foot soak and rub designed to release toxins. This was followed by a whole body scrub using various salts aimed at smoothing, softening and refreshing the skin. After washing this all off, you could already feel the change.

The next phase of the experience is a fully body algae wrap, and whilst,  working its magic, the therapist completes  a scalp massage. After another shower, the therapist continued the cleansing process with a colon massage using both her hands and the G5 mechanical system. This total detox is completed with a lymphatic massage with oils, resulting in soft and smooth skin. After returning to the changing room, where there is a choice of sleeping pods or heated loungers, she continued to relax, and proceeded to emerge completely revitalised.

When it comes to dining at the Corinthia Hotel London, there is plenty of choice. The Northall  is a 185-cover eatery focusing on British cuisine, and the Massimo Restaurant & Bar, where there is a menu dominated by Neapolitan and southern Italian flavours. This eatery is characterised by its green leather banquettes and high ceiling sporting big glass balls, whilst the large window bays house decorative retro lighting. Striking black and white-layered columns complete the architectural beauty of this room.

For those guests who crave something a little lighter or a sumptuous afternoon tea beneath a spectacular Baccarat chandelier, there is the Lobby Lounge, whilst the Bassoon Bar provides a wide range of classic and bespoke cocktails and some live musical entertainment.

Corinthia Hotel London Executive Room” Today” , the beautiful Victorian building overlooking The Thames boasts just shy of 300 rooms including 47 suites and seven penthouses. I definitely recommend the tranquil and luxurious surroundings of a 45 square-metre (484 foot) Executive King room (from £630 per night, and amongst the largest in London) on the fourth floor, which featured a very comfortable king-sized bed with a plethora of soft cushions, and mood controls on the side tables.

Online Booking in privileged prices here 

Corinthia Hotel London 

From London,

Georgia Papadon & team