It was a beautiful winter morning. A foot of new, powdery snow, earlier in the week turned the snowshoe trail into a winter wonderland. Branches of evergreen trees had a generous layer of snow frosting. The solitude of the woods was as welcome as a warm blanket tucked around you on a cold night. The snowshoes strapped to our feet made it easy to shuffle across the top of the deep snow, no struggling, just a smooth, relaxing rhythm. Shuffle, shuffle, breathe the fresh air, shuffle, shuffle, see the birds flitting through the trees, shuffle, shuffle, see the snow sparkle like diamonds in the sunlight.

There are hundreds of winter destinations out there from which to choose. But if you want one that combines the gentler winter sports, such as snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, or a sleigh ride, with a wonderful Cape Cod like atmosphere, than you’ll want to make plans for a winter getaway to Door County Wisconsin.

There’s no doubt the 75-mile Door Peninsula, with the bay of Green Bay lapping against one shore, and Lake Michigan, lapping against the other, makes for an inviting four-season travel destination. Selected by Money Magazine as “One of the top 10 vacation destinations in North America,” Door County has a lot going for it, especially in the warmer months. But winter is a magical time there as well.

An easy forty-mile drive from Green Bay brings you to bustling Sturgeon Bay. Once you leave Sturgeon Bay and head out into the open countryside of the Door Peninsula, you escape all traces of cookie-cutter chain stores, fast food restaurants, and box stores behind. You’ll find only unique, independently owned, shops, cafes, art and craft galleries, restaurants and lodging that cater to their visitors no matter the season.

With the hustle and bustle of a busy tourist season behind them, the locals settle into a more relaxed winter pace. A quiet calmness settles over the quaint countryside. The acres and acres of cherry orchards and vineyards are at rest waiting for the warmth of Spring. The busy hiking and biking trails that wind through the many state and local parks, nature preserves, and sanctuaries, are transformed into miles and miles of cross-country ski and snowshoe trails. The quiet, snow-covered trails beckon you to explore their quiet solitude and experience one-on-one with nature, which leaves you serene and renewed.

You can also enjoy the scenery of this winter wonderland from a cozy horse-drawn sleigh or take a warm and toasty, trolley tour. In the quaint little town of Egg Harbor, you can find the Door County Trolley Inc. where you can jump on a heated trolley or enjoy the Winter Wine Tour and Sleigh Ride.

For a higher level of excitement, there are about 250 miles of maintained snowmobile trails to keep you busy. And for the die-hard fisherman or woman, you won’t want to miss a chance to wet your line with some ice fishing on the bay. There’s even a sledding hill or two if you want to get out there and rip it up with kids.

If your idea of a winter getaway is: savoring a hot cappuccino, eating Swedish pancakes with maple syrup for breakfast, shopping, gallery hopping, wine tasting, a spa day, experiencing a traditional Door County fish boil or just curling up next to the fire with a good book, then you’ll find Door County can accommodate all your wishes and then some.

You can find other articles about Door County’s unique attractions like the Hands-On-Art Studio, where you can give your creativity a mini-vacation, Rowleys Bay Resort, or Door County Coffee and Tea, below under Related Links. For more information on all that Door County has to offer visit: www.doorcounty.com.