The colder weather calls for cozy getaways, and this small town just an hour and a half outside of Calgary is one of the best in the world to do just that.
The little mountain town in Alberta has all the makings of a romantic winter trip with toasty hot springs, snowy peaks, luxurious resorts, and picturesque scenery.
Travel and Leisure crafted a list of the best destinations in the world for a romantic winter getaway, and Banff was the only Canadian spot to make the ranking of 20 places.
The tourist hot spot is popular for a reason and comes alive in the colder months when you can take full advantage of the winter adventures.
Spend a day wandering around town popping in and out of the local boutiques with a hot chocolate in hand and you’ll feel like you’ve stepped onto the set of a Hallmark movie.
From January 17 to February 2 you can also check out the snow sculptures scattered around downtown Banff. You can watch massive blocks of snow get chiselled and transformed into beautiful sculptures.
The winter wonderland that is Banff begs to be explored though. To really take the romance up a notch you can take a horse-drawn sleigh ride through the snow with a view of the towering mountains. There are sleigh rides — both public and private tours — in Banff and the nearby Lake Louise, and they make for a fairytale-like afternoon.
There’s lots else to do outdoors like skiing, dog sledding, and hiking — but you might want to stay toasty. Banff Upper Hot Springs is the perfect place to go for a dip, with its mineral-rich waters. You can wind down after a day of adventure here and take in the views.
The Fairmont Banff Springs is an iconic hotel here if you want a luxury stay that will make you feel extra pampered. It’s set within Banff National Park, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and looks like a place for royalty.
Actually, the hotel is nicknamed « Canada’s Castle in the Rockies, » and it’s clear how it earned that reputation. With a fresh blanket of snow in the winter months it looks extra magical.
If you want a getaway full of romance, adventure, and views, Banff is the spot to go.
Source: Narcity – Read More
