romantic fantasy of snow and old inn

Come to CANADA! With CAD matching and even surpassing the USD, our Tourism could use a boost!
One doesn't have to cross the pond to experience a magical winter wonderland!

Consider Salzburg Austria. Lots of rustic inns in the area. I'm sure there are sleds too. Also check out the Highlands of Scotland. Wonderful old hotels, B&Bs, etc. Norway would also be a good choice.

The Bavarian and Tyrolian Alps are full of such places, although I could not name one without doing some research.

Thanks, folks, but if anyone has a specific inn or specific town, I'd love to know that too.

Hi Carol,
Snow completely buried our car in the von Trapp's parking lot one Christmas. The von Trapp Family Lodge is located in Stowe, Vt. There are sleighs drawn by Clydesdales ... Just take a flight to Burlington, VT, rent a car and drive the short trip to Stowe. c h e c k t h i s o u t

.... http://www.trappfamily.com/

Wherever you go, have fun! ... P.

For Canada...
Seneca College in King City, Ontario, just 30 minutes north of Toronto host the Travel and Tourism/Aviation Program. There is a turn of the century flagstone Inn Mansion called "Eaton Hall". It was onced owned by the Eaton family of Department Store fame. It is an intimate setting and has less than ten suites.
It is a country Inn on the expansive grounds of the College. You would never guess that Toronto is so close. It is very rural. There are horses year round and sleigh rides at certain times during the winter season. Rooms overlook an ice-covered lake. Sometimes there is ice skating on the lake or rink depending on conditions. Very popular for weddings since it is so beautiful, especially in winter. They are booked solid for weddings through to 2009.
If you're interested, the College's main switchboard is 905-833-3333 and they will patch you through to Eaton Hall.
www.senecac.on.ca or just google Seneca College - King City, Ontario.

Carol, you're going to have to do your research if you're looking for a "sure thing" for snow in Europe. First, try going in the heart of winter, between Feb. 1 and March 15.

Winters have been noticeably warmer in Europe over the past 10-15 years. Last year my wife's cousins who live in Sweden were still mowing their lawns in December! Also, we were in southern Germany including the Black Forest in mid-December 2006 and only found a light dusting of snow at 4,000 feet. At 3,850 feet and below there was no snow.

Bottom line, pick a time in the dead of winter and pick a high elevation. Gimmelwald in Switzerland should give you at least most of what you're looking for.

If you don't NEED to go to Europe and don't want to go to Canada then I'd suggest central and northern Wisconsin. Just about everything you described is available there. www.travelwisconsin.com is the tourist info website.

The Eibsee Hotel in Garmisch, Germany would be my choice. They have a website, www.eibsee.de.

Hi Carol, Germany and Austria and Switzerland and Norway have the kind of place that you want. All of those countries are great. My personal favorite is Norway. I was not there in the winter, but I liked the Voss area (east of Bergen). (it is on a major railroad). It is a favorite place for Norwegian people to go to for winter sports. And, American visitors are welcome at some farms in Norway. The people in Norway are friendly, mellow, jovial. And they speak English fluently. They know how to enjoy life. After you go on that trip to a place that you like, tell us about it ! (Send a Private Message to me).

Try North Conway, NH.

Love Zermatt Switzerland. Beautiful views of Matterhorn. Lot's of walking trails, You can ride the various lifts up even if you don't ski and there are charming old farmhouse that have been turned into restaurants or ski slope side bars. You can go up to the Kline Matterhorn and walk on the glacier. My husband skiied down from there and I met him at one of the little restaunants for lunch lower lifts. We went the last week in March and in the lower level by the town the flowers were beginning to bloom. He skiied down the back side of the mountain and had lunch in Italy one day. The train ride in from Zurich was picture perfect as we got on the transfered onto the scenic train that takes you up into Zermat. www.Karenbrown.com has lists of either hotel or Bed and Breakfasts in many locations. It is fun to read her descriptions and click on the actual places web sites. We have bought and used her book in France, England, Italy, and Washington State. She has listing in Switzerland.

To continue.....Also, besides Zermatt, found Banff and Lake Louise area in Cananda very beautiful. Do not know if they have bed and breakfasts. Didn't see horse drawn sleighs. The area around Grimwald in Swiss is beautiful. Salzburg is romantic. Stayed in and area outside where the openning scenes of Sound of Music was filmed, but I was there a long time ago. Good luck in you search.