Although the weather is cold, winter has its own unique charm, with romantic and poignant or majestic snow scenes, exciting and interesting snow sports, and relaxing and comfortable hot spring baths. If you want to take some beautiful photos in winter, the following places should not be missed.

Estonia, the Baltic capital of Tallinn, has striking medieval architecture and quaint little restaurants. In winter, the old town is even more charming, with a street of cafés and shops, and a stunning historic 15th-century tower.

With 16 turquoise lakes, waterfalls and a dazzling array of flora and fauna, Plitvice National Park is a 295-square-kilometer forest reserve in central Croatia. During the winter, the lake freezes, presenting stunning photo opportunities to capture the freezing freeze of this sprawling water feature.

With the peaks of the Rocky Mountains, pristine glacial lakes, and a picturesque mountain village, there really is no better place than Banff. Canadians love it so much with so many mountain views, as well as an abundance of wildlife and adventure activities for skiers, hikers and campers to choose from.

Lake Brace is located in the Prags Valley near the northern Dolomites. In winter, this stunning turquoise blue lake transforms into a breathtaking snow-covered wonderland.

Greenland is the largest island in the world, nestled between the Arctic Ocean and the Atlantic Ocean. With much of the area covered by a permanent ice cap, every place you see is a magnificent winter landscape. It's also very densely populated, making it ideal for surreal wide-angle and panoramic shots.

Neuschwanstein Castle is a late 19th-century building located in southwestern Bavaria, Germany, not far from the German-Austrian border. The castle is the prototype for a Disney movie (it's no exaggeration to say that it was the inspiration for Disney's Sleeping Beauty Castle). In winter, the spire of the castle is covered in mist and snow, providing photographers with a fairytale sketch.

This charming town in San Bernardino, known as the "Alps of Southern California," offers picturesque views of the Alps and pine-lined landscape. Plus, it's home to an arctic-themed park.

Every February, Sapporo hosts a week-long Snow Festival that turns the city into a fantastic winter wonderland. Dazzling light displays, ice sculptures, live music, food markets and family events all take place against the gorgeous white backdrop of Hokkaido.

With its steely skyscrapers and vibrant food and arts scene, Chicago is a popular destination for food lovers and culture lovers alike. During the winter, temperatures drop so low that parts of the shores of Lake Michigan freeze over. Be sure to stop by the 25-acre Millennium Park for stunning winter photos of the famous Jay Pritzker Pavilion and Cloud Gate sculpture.

Revel in the unspoiled beauty of Gullfoss Falls in Anathira, Iceland. The waterfall is 32 meters high, injected by the Langjokull Glacier, Iceland's second largest glacier, and plunges majestically into a magnificent canyon. In winter, the sea turns into shades of blue and turquoise, while the surrounding rocks gather snow and ice.

Located in northwestern Slovenia, Lake Bled is a picturesque expanse of water surrounded by the Julian Alps and home to many waterfalls, natural pools and caves. In winter, the lake turns icy blue and reflects the surrounding snow-capped mountains on the lake.

Take a boat trip and you'll be amazed by the azure expanse surrounding the Moreno Glacier. Located in Glacier National Park in Los Angeles, this glacier is one of three currently growing in Patagonia, and it's a real sight for photographers and nature lovers alike.