Can't let it go... Europe's best winter destination

A beautiful village said to have inspired Disney's Frozen with its breathtaking landscapes has just been named Europe’s best winter destination.

- JULIE DELAHAYE

Hallstatt in Austria has become one of those destinations all over social media feeds thanks to its location right on the edge of crystal clear Lake Hallstatt, not to mention its snowy mountain backdrop.Add in the 16th century architecture, cosy lodges and charming cafes and shops, and it's not difficult to see why it's regularly compared to the stuff of fairy tales by visitors. It’s so pretty the entire village has been named a Unesco World Heritage Site - and it’s reported Disney production teams used it as the main inspiration for the kingdom of Arendelle in Frozen, (although you can soon check out a real version of the film, which had millions of kids singing Let It Go. Disneyland Paris is about to open a brand new Frozen land in 2026).