With Town & Country Travel’s headquarters in Pittsford, NY, it’s an area most familiar with heavy snowfalls and below-zero temperatures. Alas, we are firm believers that winter can be celebrated with hygge practices. “Hygge” (pronounced: hue-gah) is the feeling of being happily cozy. With its Nordic roots, it is practiced throughout those chilly countries like Denmark, Sweden and Norway, to beat the winter blues. Here are a few of our favorite North American destinations where you can celebrate the cold:


Seattle, Washington

What better way to embrace the cold weather than by visiting the birthplace of Starbucks? Known for its coffee, markets and artistic vibe, Seattle is a great place to kick off winter. Stroll through Pike Place Market, see a show in a nearby theatre, or take a coffee and chocolate tour. The daytime and nighttime activities are endless during the chilly days. Take a day trip to Leavenworth, a tourist holiday favorite, to browse the shops and see the neighborhoods light up at night.

Montréal, Canada

Canada is not short of wintertime activities for locals and tourists. Montréal has some amazing art and goods that are sold in markets and boutiques around the city; and Nordic-themed festivals that offer food and drink that warms the heart. After a day shopping and sightseeing by the St. Lawrence River, grab your significant other and skate through one of the many public indoor or outdoor ice rinks. When you need to escape the chilled air, you will easily find a close-by independent coffee shop that specializes in cozy lattes and other drinks that cater to the season.

Aspen, Colorado

Surrounded by the Rocky Mountains, this quaint city has some of the most luxurious ski resorts in the country. There is nothing like being surrounded by log cabin architecture with breathtaking snowcap views. After a day of winter sports, you have a plethora of casual or fine dining restaurants to choose from, filled with hygge-like dishes and decor. When nighttime comes around, bundle up and enjoy an intimate jazz or bluegrass performance and share Moscow Mules with friends.

Salt Lake City, Utah

Like Aspen, you can find plenty of daytime winter sports in the outskirts of Salt Lake City to participate in like skiing, snowmobiling and snowboarding. When it’s time to wind down, you’ll find comfort in the beautiful resorts and lodges surrounded by pine trees and decorated with warm lighting. Ensuring its visitors get the full hygge experience, some lower-key Salt Lake City tourist favorites include having a hearty meal by a fireside, soaking in a luxurious hot spring and bundling up for an evening walk on one of its many picturesque trails. 


Whoever said luxury travel can’t be in the dead of winter? We hope you take advantage of these types of destinations if you get a case of the winter blues. Town & Country Travel will be there to book your airline reservation, all-inclusive resort and/or any other travel needs you may have.