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The Louvre, France - The Louvre is the largest art museum in the world, and one of the most popular tourist attractions in Paris.

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The Louvre, France - Winter sometimes sees the French capital under snow. When this happens, the museum's iconic pyramid takes on a totally different appearance.

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Roman Forum, Italy - Very near the Colosseum stands another relic from ancient Rome, the Roman Forum.

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Roman Forum, Italy - For centuries it was the center of Roman public life, as well as a place for ceremonies and elections. The landscape takes on a frosty air during winter!

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Eiffel Tower, France - Another famous Paris landmark, the Eiffel Tower makes for a great backdrop for romantic moments.

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Eiffel Tower, France - But the scenery is equally stunning when the tower and its surrounding gardens are covered in snow.

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Neuschwanstein Castle, Germany - Looking to live out a fairy tale? Then head south to Bavaria and this enchanting palace.

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Neuschwanstein Castle, Germany -

If you think Neuschwanstein looks magical in summer, gaze upon it in winter! How absolutely bewitching is this?

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Stonehenge, England - This prehistoric monument in the southwest of the country has been baffling archaeologists for centuries.

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Stonehenge, England - Compelling at any time of year, the weathered stones, erected in the late Neolithic period about 2500 BCE, are at their most beguiling in a silent, mid-winter landscape shrouded in snow.

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Hagia Sophia, Turkey - Of immense architectural beauty, this is one of Istanbul's standout landmarks.

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Hagia Sophia, Turkey - Once a church, then a mosque, and now a museum, Hagia Sophia is a year-round "must-see," even in winter when the building is often shrouded in snow.

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The Colosseum, Italy - This majestic Roman-era amphitheater was the stage for many gladiator battles and public spectacles.

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The Colosseum, Italy - Even in the winter, the Colosseum attracts thousands of tourists often braving snowfall to catch a glimpse of the mighty monument.

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Times Square, USA - Located at the junction of Broadway and Seventh Avenue, Times Square is a popular gathering spot for tourists visiting New York.

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Times Square, USA - The Big Apple is often under snow in winter, providing stark contrast between the gray-black skyscrapers and the snowy white sidewalks. Times Square just always seems to get the brunt of it.

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Saint Basil's Cathedral, Russia - With its colorful facades and onion domes, picturesque Saint Basil's Cathedral breaks with convention when it comes to religious architecture.

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Saint Basil's Cathedral, Russia - Temperatures in Russia plummet in winter, and Moscow is no exception. Red Square is nearly always hidden under a blanket of snow, which serves as a striking contrast against the multicolored cathedral.

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Statue of Liberty, USA - The imposing Statue of Liberty is the most popular symbol of the Big Apple.

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Statue of Liberty, USA -

And she's just as attractive in winter when tourists take the ferry out to Liberty Island to greet one of the most powerful symbols of the free world. 

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Dome of the Rock, Israel - The gold-plated Dome of the Rock sits on Temple Mount/Al Haram Ash Sharif and is one of Jerusalem's most-enduring symbols.

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Dome of the Rock, Israel - Even in winter and brushed with snow, the shrine's landmark dome appears to glow like a beacon.

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Charles Bridge, Czech Republic - Prague's historic Charles Bridge dates back to 1402. It spans the Vltava river.

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Charles Bridge, Czech Republic - Known for the baroque statues that line the parapets, the bridge is always fun to cross after fresh snowfall: get up at dawn and be the first one to embed their footprints over the white mantle!

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Brandenburg Gate, Germany - Berlin's Brandenburg Gate is one of Germany's most-recognized landmarks.

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Brandenburg Gate, Germany - The 18th-century neoclassical monument is hugely symbolic both in terms of conflict and of peace. In winter, the structure takes on a particularly appealing luminosity.

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Florence Cathedral, Italy - Florence cathedral and its magnificent Renaissance dome is the most important landmark in the city.

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Florence Cathedral, Italy - During the winter months and snowfall, the cathedral resembles an impressive cake decoration, lightly dusted with icing sugar.

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Acropolis, Greece - One of the great standout sites of the ancient world, the Acropolis of Athens is crowned by the Parthenon.

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Acropolis, Greece - It doesn't always snow in Athens, but when the gods decree, the odd flurry transforms the veneer of this venerated destination. 

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Great Wall, China - This awe-inspiring feat of 2000-year-old civil engineering remains one of the grandest monuments on Earth.

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Great Wall, China - Follow these ancient series of walls and fortifications in winter and you get a tangible sense of isolation and of history frozen in time.

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Arlington National Cemetery, USA - The final resting place of John F. Kennedy, astronaut John Glenn, and actor Lee Marvin (among many other illustrious individuals), Arlington in summer is painted with flowers and cherry blossoms.

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Arlington National Cemetery, USA - In winter however, while no less hallowed, the cemetery in Virginia looks bleak and solemn.

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Temple of Bacchus, Lebanon - One of the best-preserved and grandest Roman temple ruins is found in Baalbek, in the center of the country.

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Temple of Bacchus, Lebanon - The Baalbek temple complex dates back to around the second century CE. Open to visitors all year, the ruins sparkle in winter under snowfall. 

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Machu Picchu, Peru - Also known as the Lost City of Incas, Machu Picchu is the biggest tourist attraction in Peru, and one of the New7Wonders of the World.

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Machu Picchu, Peru - At 2,400 m (7,874 ft) above the sea level, the ancient citadel tends to be enveloped in cloud during the winter months, and it's often cold and wet. Snow is rare, but frost is frequent at night.

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Edinburgh Castle, Scotland - Crowning the Scottish capital is this historic fortress, the foundations of which date back to the 12th century.

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Edinburgh Castle, Scotland -

In winter, the stronghold takes on an imposing appearance, its seemingly impregnable walls inviting anyone foolish enough to try and breach its garrison.

See also: Destinations that are even more beautiful in winter

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