▲Queenstown has all you could want from a perfect winter town. This exciting New Zealand destination has lakes, snow-capped mountains, and scenery that will take your breath away.

▲One of Canada's most densely-populated cities is also one of the most beautiful when the cold comes in.

▲Bled is considered one of the world's most beautiful and unique locations. You can visit various spas while enjoying the gorgeous views.

▲This German town looks like it's right out of a medieval fairy tale, even more so when covered in a blanket of snow.

▲Chicago's beauty is undeniable, but in winter, especially between January and February, the city looks even more imposing.

▲The capital of Estonia is worth a visit at any time of year, but winter gives it a little something extra.

▲This charming Czech town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In winter mist rises off the river to veil the destination in an ethereal glow.

▲When snow is falling Central Park is one of the city's most popular recreation spots.

▲The combination of great winter sports options, hot springs, and the glowing aurora borealis light show makes Reykjavik a winter paradise.

▲When it snows in Amsterdam, this already magical city is even more alluring.

▲Quebec's Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which just lends the place an extra special vibe when cloaked in white.

▲Salzburg is one of the northern Alps' best-preserved towns, and it looks like a place worthy of fairy tales.

▲This quaint town is especially popular for its town-center Christmas market.

▲This place is celebrated for its colorful houses, which really do stand out against a white winter backdrop.

▲Boston's winter air cuts right through you, but it's worth it to see the city covered in snow.

▲Surrounded by mountains and boasting noble architecture, Milan is great to visit year round, but in winter it's particularly appealing.

▲Erfurt's Christmas market is dazzling, and after snowfall wins hands down as one of the best seasonal markets in Europe.

▲Fresh snowfall just adds more allure to Berlin's already famous monuments.

▲When it snows, the country's capital captures the imagination. The colorful rooftops poking through the white mantle are gorgeous to behold.

▲It doesn't always snow in London. But when it does, the city takes on a wonderfully fresh complexion.

▲Slovenia's largest city usually sees snowfall from December through to February. It transforms the city known for its historic architecture.

▲You can experience an unforgettable Japanese winter in Shirakawago. The village's traditional houses are unlike anything else in the Land of the Rising Sun.

▲The Russian winter is notorious, so if you're visiting Moscow at this time of year, arrive well prepared. It will be freezing, but worth it!

▲Heavy snowfall on the grounds of Sofia's Seven Saints Church adds a chilly charm to this well-known place of worship.

▲An attractive destination any time of year, Luxembourg City appears sugar-coated after overnight frost.

▲The Chinese capital's Imperial Palace locked in ice during a cold snap.

▲This picture-perfect town in the French Alps positively sparkles after snowfall.

▲Set on the shores of Lake Geneva, this Swiss city is always greeted with snow during the winter period.

▲The city's familiar-looking Atomium appears as a futuristic Christmas tree during the festive season.

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Oslo and snow have always worked well together, but of course the freezing weather serves as a harbinger of the long, dark Nordic winter ahead.

▲Gyeongbokgung Palace in winter, when the former royal residence looks especially appealing.

▲Its chocolate box looks are heightened in winter to lend Strasbourg's Old Town district a truly magical veneer.

▲The capital of Scotland doesn't always get snowed under during winter. But when it does, landmarks like the castle exude a wonderfully romantic aura.

▲A rather nondescript city to look at in summer, the Alaskan state capital is transformed over the winter months into a sparkling jewel framed by the Chugach Mountain Range.

▲Snow on Peles Castle near Sinaia in the Carpathian Mountains further enhances the fairy-tale looks of this landmark building.

▲During winter, the oldest town in Austria—a UNESCO Word Heritage Site—almost doesn't look real, perched on the banks of a lake in the country's Salzkammergut region.

▲Canada's capital never escapes the snow and it's just as well! Ice skating is one of the most common outdoor activities here and the city even hosts ice sculpting contests.

▲Montreal is especially appealing after a dusting of snow. Just wrap up warm. Really warm!

▲Throughout winter, Sweden's second city gets cold and windy and can experience snowfall as early as November. This just means festive cheer arrives early in this attractive port!

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Winter brings with it a drop in temperature and in many countries, snow—lots of it! Snowfall can transform the look of a destination. The busiest city can suddenly appear spotless and pristine. A drab-looking town is transformed into a winter wonderland, while a nondescript village becomes a picture postcard of sparkling beauty. And even the most attractive destination benefits from a dusting of snow, such is the allure of this crystalline silver frost.

Browse the gallery, brave the cold, and take a look at these places that are even more beautiful in winter.