Winter Activities Worldwide: The 4 Best Days Out

1.Winter Gruyères, chocolate & cheese tour from Lausanne

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 10 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $202Our pick

Travel from Lausanne to Broc and Gruyères for Cailler chocolate tastings, a cheese-making visit, Alpine views, and free time in the medieval town. The English-language outing lasts about five hours, includes bus transport and a driver-guide, and leaves time for the castle or Alien Museum at your own cost.

“We had a great time. The tour was prompt starting and the driver was great. We went to the chocolate factory first and found out about the history of Cailler chocolate - it was a great interactive museum experience, but the best bit was tasting the chocolates at the end! Then we went on to the town of Gruyeres which we loved. We had a tour of the cheese making and saw how the cheese is made and had a tasting of three types of gruyeres cheese - all yummy. Then our driver took us to the town which was very picturesque, and we had fondue of course in one…”

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2.Private Serra da Estrela Gastronomy & Snow Tour from Porto

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 9 reviews · 8 to 10 hours (approx.) · from $314Top rated

Travel by comfortable private vehicle from Porto with a guide such as Carlos, visiting Sabugueiro, Lagoa Comprida, Torre, and the source of the Mondego. Seasonal snow activities, a handmade cheese visit, the Bread Museum, and a Covão dos Conchos hike are possible, though several cost extra or depend on time and weather.

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3.No Diet Club – Winter Unlimited Cheese Tour !

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 5 reviews · 3 hours · from $71Best value

Meet at Les Marmottes for a three-hour, English or French guided food tour focused on winter comfort dishes. You will scrape mountain cheese onto potatoes, charcuterie, truffle ham, salad, and pickles, then share Alsatian flamekueche before tasting cannelés Bordelais and homemade waffles. Groups are limited to two participants.

“Tour au top! On a mangé une raclette excellente, l’endroit était convivial et réconfortant surtout en cette période de froid hivernal. Ilana, notre guide a su ensoleillé cette journée pluvieuse. Je recommande à 100%!!!”

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4.Montreux: Snowshoe Trek with Fondue and Wine

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3 reviews · 3.5 hours · from $213

Join guide Raoul for a 3 to 4 hour snowshoe outing above Montreux and Lake Geneva. You will walk through snowy woodland and across bright ridges, with the choice of midday, sunset, or moonlit conditions. Snowshoes, poles, fondue, local wine, and hot tea are included.

“Vu que la météo n’était pas parfaite, Raoul nous a donné l’option d’un tour plutôt „sauvage“ dans la forêt. C’était comme dans un compte de fée 🌲✨🧙‍♀️ et il nous a fait la fondue dans une toute petite cabane enneigée au milieu de la forêt. Il était un tour guide génial et extrêmement gentil et on le recommande à toute le monde.”

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