The village of Benasque, Huesca, Spain

© Miscellaneoustock/Alam

Peak cosiness in the Pyrenees

When snow blankets the slopes of the Pyrenees, the mountain range which forms a natural border between Spain and France, Benasque is a cosy place to take shelter. There's lots to enjoy in this charming Spanish village, which boasts beautifully preserved Romanesque and Renaissance manors and churches along its narrow cobblestone streets.

Historic buildings aside, most visitors come here for outdoor adventure. Surrounded by the highest peaks of the Pyrenees, the Benasque Valley also gets a hefty dollop of snow and, as a result, is a popular skiing destination. The valley is also home to several museums, including one dedicated to the Pyrenean chamois. This local goat-antelope was once hunted to near extinction, but its population is on the rise, thanks to conservation efforts.