Ice hotel by bjaglin

What Is an Ice Hotel?

What started as a seasonal display of man’s artistic and creative power over ice has turned into a booming resort business. Constructions methods vary, but typical construction includes stacking and forming sculpted blocks of ice and snow. Some hotels start by sculpting around metal frames and remove them as the ice hardens. Walls can be up to 4-ft thick in some places, to help support the weight of all that ice.

Isn’t it Freezing?

The walls, beds, furniture, and bars are 100% ice in a typical ice hotel. Some may even have restaurants and other amenities. One need not worry about freezing one’s you-know-what off, as the bathrooms are located off-site in a much warmer location. Inside, one can find temperatures ranging from 17 to 23 degrees Fahrenheit, so layering warms blankets and fur lined clothing is a must if one wants to make it through a night.

Where Are Ice Hotels Located?

Ice hotels are now located in a number of traditional cold weather climate locations. The Scandinavian countries, Canada, Russia, Romania and a few other places are where a traveller can typically find these icy fortresses.

The first, and arguably most popular, would be in the village of Jukkasjarvi, Sweden and was built in 1989. This one is open from December through April and prices start at $185 per night. The only ice hotel in the Americas would be in Quebec, Canada, and is open from January thru March. The Quebec ice hotel, like a few other locations, even has a ice chapel for wedding ceremonies.

Norway has the Kirkenes Snow Hotel, the Ice Lodge, and the Sorrisniva Igloo Hotel in Alta. Romania is also relatively new to the ice hotel scene, opening up a hotel in 2006 next to Balea Lake. This one is open from December thru late April / Early May. In Finland, they have constructed an entire snow village near the Levi ski resort. There is also once in Kemi and Sinetta.

Ice hotel church, Ice Hotel Church, Jukkasjärvi, Sweden by bjaglin

So Which Hotel Is the Best?

Each Ice Hotel has different features and amenities making it truly a unique experience. The Swedish location, being the oldest, has the most activities. Whether it’s snowmobiling, skiing, or a winter forest adventure, Sweden has everything one would expect.

For those looking to save a few dollars, Finland’s is the least expensive, coming in under $100 per night. In Norway, the ice hotels win for remoteness and having the best locations. The hotel in Alta is right on the Arctic Ocean, so one could actually request an Ocean View room.

Some people like to go off the beaten path, and one could do that at the Lapland ice hotel. Near the Russian Border – it a several hundred mile drive, and really gives one the feeling of “being one with nature”.

What Should One Expect Before and During a Stay?

This ice hotel review suggests that first and foremost one needs to read up on what the hotel does and does not provide. For example many hotels will provide blankets, sleeping bags, and other cold weather dress. Some might be (BYOWS – Bring Your Own Warm Stuff). Listen to the hotel’s advice!

Be sure to only commit to one night at a time, especially if this is one’s first time. If the cold temperature turns out to be too much to get a good night’s sleep, one would welcome the option to check into a warmer hotel. Make sure all party members know what the stay entails. The experience shouldn’t be diminished by lesser committed individuals who don’t have ice water in their veins.

Ice hotel, Sweden by Rubén Laguna

Conclusion

Assuming global warming doesn’t doom this business within the next few decades, ice hotels are a unique way to stay overnight in a cold location, making it seem even more exotic and adventuresome than it already is.

People are always looking to be a part of the next big thing in travel, and ice hotels sure are a way to pad one’s travel resume. The bragging rights alone are reason enough to experience an ice hotel. For those looking for a complete winter experience, immersing oneself into the season – morning, noon, and night – an ice hotel is the way to go. From the adventure seeker to the individual looking to chill in luxury accommodations, ice hotels have it all!

Guest Post by Baltic Travel Company – Baltic tours, Holidays, Cruises and Travel in Scandinavia and Eastern Europe.

The post Why Stay in an Ice Hotel? appeared first on Best of European Union.

You will save money, be able to cook your own meals if you want and your kids will have a blast. Many caravan holiday parks have activities, kids clubs and entertainment so that your little ones will never be bored. You will also have the choice of many great holiday parks throughout the UK in beautiful locations.

Caravans and Camping, UK by Elias Gayles

If you are planning a caravan park holiday with your family this year, here are some tips that will help you make the most of your trip and have the best family getaway possible!

• Make sure to do some research before you go about the type of caravan that will work best for your family’s needs. Consider how much room your children will require and whether or not they will share a sleeping area or have their own separate spaces.

• If you have babies or young toddlers who sleep in a cot, call ahead and ask if the caravan park offers cots as part of their holiday package. It is good to know in advance, in case you need to pack your own.

• Take with you the essentials for breakfast such as bread, eggs, cereal milk and fruit, so that you can have your breakfast first thing in the morning without having to go anywhere first. You can also take with you some food to cook in the caravan to cut down the cost of eating out at restaurants for every meal.

• To make cooking in your caravan even easier, you can prepare several meals in advance, such as curry, chili or spaghetti Bolognese, so that you can simply keep them frozen and heat them up when needed. This saves you from having to take all of your ingredients with you.

• Make sure you bring along extras of everything, including your cutlery, cups, blankets etc. Even if you have enough for yourself, there might be someone else in the next caravan who has forgotten something and lending it to them is part of the friendly holiday experience of caravanning.

• Most caravan parks will allow you to take your dog along with you on your holiday, but it is always a good idea to check this before you make your booking to make sure everything is fine when you get there.

• Make sure that you bring along plenty of books, magazines, games and toys to entertain your kids on the long drive. Once you are there at the caravan park, there will be plenty of things to do to keep them busy!

• Taking a slow cooker with you can be a brilliant way to cook foods in your caravan. All you need to do is to add the ingredients in the morning and let it cook while you spend the day sightseeing or relaxing on the beach. When you return in the evening, your dinner will be ready for you.

• Give yourself some time to relax. Trying to pack too much into a holiday can leave you feeling stressed and exhausted and not like you have really had a break at all. Make sure that you plan for extra time in your holiday when the kids can make sandcastles on the beach or play on the playground and you can simply relax with a good book and sit in the sunshine for a while.

These are just a few tips to keep in mind to make the most of your trip. Have a great time on your family caravan holiday!

Here are some tips that will enhance your experience on your family caravan holidays in the UK this summer.

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