The demand for a stay in an ice hotel has never been greater. The first hotel made of ice opened in Jukkasjarvi, a Lapland town in the north of Sweden, in1990. The Ice Hotel concept has gripped the world's imagination since then.
Sweden remains the world's main venue for buildings made of ice. By exploring Sweden you might expect to find ice galleries, ice restaurants and ice bars as well as the ice hotels. But Sweden is not alone - the other Scandinavian countries have launched their own versions of the Ice Hotel concept. Even Alaska and upstate Quebec in Canada have built an ice hotel in the last few years.
The real adventure of an ice hotel is in staying overnight but many visitors simply arrive for the day to dine in the restaurant or to drink in an Ice Bar. There is nothing quite so warming as a shot of pure vodka served from a glass made entirely of ice.
If your hands are not too numb at the time then you can "tie the knot" in the coolest manner imaginable. Ice hotel weddings have become so popular that the Scandinavian ice hotels can't keep up with the demand. The original ice hotel in Sweden is only in existence for around four months each year before it (quite literally) melts away to nothing but it's remarkably busy during its short season. Fifteen thousand guests stayed last year and this year's Ice Hotel has eighty-eight bedrooms - thirty of them specially decorated suites created by local ice artists.
All of the ice hotels offer daytime activities and excursions such as ice-carving classes, snowmobile excursions, reindeer rides and dog sledging. The original Ice Hotel in Sweden also has a four hundred-seat theatre where guests can enjoy rock music, opera and other theatrical performances in the evenings. You can purchase Ice Hotel souvenirs and merchandise in the Ice Hotel shop and the concept has spread beyond Sweden. The original Ice Hotel company now run two permanent Ice Bars where the cool citizens of Milan and Stockholm can gather for an evening of "chilling."
If you're planning a visit to an Ice Hotel then follow these top tips on how to sleep well when the temperature in your bedroom never rises above minus five degrees.
Try to take part in an evening activity so that you're already tired when you go to bed.
Avoid the obvious temptation and don't drink too much - getting up to the toilet in the middle of the night is not much fun when it's minus five degrees in your bedroom!
Do make sure that your sleeping bag fits you snugly and wear socks, thermal underwear and a woolly hat in bed. Sexy it ain't! But definitely essential to a comfortable night.
Whatever happens you're sure to have a unique experience and are not likely to quickly forget the night you spent in an Ice Hotel.
Gary Hill is a travel writer based near Edinburgh in Scotland. He thinks his own bedroom is more than cold enough at times but the Ice Hotel concept seems to attract many thousands each year!
You can read more about the ice hotel and how to book a stay on Gary's website. The website also contains great tips and ideas for planning all manner of ice hotel breaks. Let Europe fuel your vacation dreams - check it out today.
A companion website also focusses on ice hotel
Aledo rental limo .. Lockport Chicago limo O’HareThree major cascades at Havasu Creek create a landscape that... Read More
Did you know there are no Smokey Mountain cabins for... Read More
Fancy holidaying somewhere unusual? How about a 7 day tornado... Read More
How to find a Town Houses that will make your... Read More
If you're dreaming of a unique vacation experience, but don't... Read More
Italy is a popular vacation destination for families because it... Read More
Turning your dream to Reality?Buying in the CaribbeanBuying a home... Read More
RV rental vacations aren't cheap, but they do contain loads... Read More
As our wedding anniversary looms near... and this one will... Read More
Traveling for business or vacationing always has one thing in... Read More
Cairns Rainforest Retreat is ideally located for your unique rainforest... Read More
Vacation packages are a great way for travelers to book... Read More
Each year, over two million people find their way to... Read More
In November, 2004, my wife Terry and I visited Paris... Read More
Made famous by Revolutionary events, infamous by cold winters, and... Read More
Many times, when we plan a vacation, we know where... Read More
Shropshire is England's forgotten county, but it is well worth... Read More
You've thought and dreamed about it for months, planning each... Read More
I had always been told that if you wanted to... Read More
Wiltshire is a large English county situated in central southern... Read More
Two visits to Budapest. Two apartments, walking distance from downtown.... Read More
Bahamas vacation villas are the way to go if you... Read More
You have your tickets, your hotel or vacation rental reservations,... Read More
When it comes to shopping for something on-line, we tend... Read More
A beautiful and inexpensive place without a tourist in sight.... Read More
Granger Lincoln Stretch limo rentals ..That time of the year is finally here. You know... Read More
Five Affordable World Travel Destinations Locations That Offer... Read More
What is the meaning of a "dream vacation"? What is... Read More
Three major cascades at Havasu Creek create a landscape that... Read More
You are the owner of a timeshare and have decided... Read More
Hilton Head Island is a vacation destination for over two... Read More
Just drive out to one of these delightful wine estates... Read More
The largest barrier island on the Atlantic coast between New... Read More
Miraflores is the turistic district of Lima. The main hotels... Read More
People often ask me why we keep returning year after... Read More
The Algarve, and particularly the areas around Carvoeiro, Albufeira, Praia... Read More
I love Sussex County Delaware. I am native born, multigenerational... Read More
Originally founded in the early 1800s as White Oaks, Gatlinburg... Read More
Bahamas house rental or a hotel? Vacation rentals are becoming... Read More
Vancouver will receive a lot of attention as the 2010... Read More
When you travel abroad, especially far away from home you... Read More
Did you know there are no Smokey Mountain cabins for... Read More
An Award Winning Vacation, Golf, Tennis and Beach ResortIf you... Read More
Summer vacations - what better topic could there be for... Read More
Family Vacation in Costa RicaYou will not have any problem... Read More
Lake Havasu, Arizona has become a treasured destination for tourists,... Read More
Enjoy your own luxurious lifestyle in our beautifully furnished, air... Read More
You have your tickets, your hotel or vacation rental reservations,... Read More
Have you ever done something spontaneous? Are you in love... Read More
What makes certain styles of pants so popular? One reason... Read More
Vacation Rental |