Holiday snaps of sunsets disappearing behind blue seas and sandy beaches are stunning, but let’s be honest – sometimes, even the typical beach holidays can start to feel a bit predictable.
Instead, imagine gazing up at the mesmerising Northern Lights, or even cosying up with your sweetheart inside an “ice hotel” or glass igloo… or what about mountaineering on a glacier?
Our point here is that winter holidays can be easily as stimulating and rewarding as summer holidays, if you have a good sense of where to go, and what to see and do there.
The world is a huge place with many hidden gems to discover. So, let’s take a closer look at ideas for winter escapes that you could start planning right now, and that will almost make you forget about traditional seaside breaks.
Norway
Northern Lights
If you are hunting for the Northern Lights, Tromsø in Norway is one of the best places to experience this natural phenomenon due to its perfect location in the centre of the northern lights oval. The best time of year to catch the dancing lights is from November until January, as this is when they are most visible.
Norwegian cuisine
Staying in Tromsø, Restaurant Smak offers delicious food produced using local, seasonal ingredients. Or why not head to the highly rated Art Café Bistro if you are looking for another cosy place to try the local cuisine?
Accommodation and activities
In Norway, you have many choices of accommodation, including staying the night in an ice dome or an Auora tent with windows to the sky. Activities on offer include dog sledding and snowshoeing, or you might like the idea of embarking on a wildlife fjord safari.
Sweden
Ice Hotel
Have you ever thought of catching some winks in an ice hotel? The term “ice hotel” refers to the phenomenon of temporary hotels made from snow and sculpted blocks of ice; they are typically rebuilt each year, and they have popped up in various parts of the world, including Canada, Finland, and Japan.
Sweden, meanwhile, is home to a particularly famous ice hotel, named – appropriately enough – “Icehotel”, in the village of Jukkasjärvi about 17 kilometres (11 miles) from Kiruna.
This was apparently the first ice hotel in the world, and the rooms themselves really are entirely made from sculpted ice. The individually themed cold rooms here even feature hand-carved ice furnishings by international artists.
North Pole
For the adventurous at heart
The North Pole offers a once-in-a-lifetime experience for the particularly bold traveller. Take a helicopter or ski to the “top of the world” where the stars never rise or set, and once you’re there, celebrate with a glass of Champagne and lots of photos, and even phone call home!
Why not board an icebreaker and see if you can spot any polar bears? And if you’re feeling especially daring, you might even be tempted to take a plunge into the Arctic Ocean – it’s certainly one for the ‘bucket list’ if you’re up for the challenge.
Finland
A paradise for nature lovers
One of the best reasons to head to Finland is the opportunity it presents for a spot of bear watching. Yes, that really is a thing! Indeed, Finland is a fine place to immerse yourself in nature in general, thanks to such aspects as long days with almost 24 hours’ light, and the pure, clear water that is ideal for canoeing and swimming.
Another activity you won’t want to miss is winding down in a sauna. Whether you would like to experience solitude or fancy socialising with friends and relatives, this is certainly a great type of facility in which to close your eyes and savour the moment.
Finnish Christmas markets
Christmas in Finland is pretty magical. Feel that ‘gingerbread’ feeling at Helsinki Christmas Market, where you will find beautifully crafted gifts and locally grown produce, fresh fish, meat and prepared foods.
While Finland has a lot to offer over the coldest months, you should be sure to pack weather appropriate clothing and accessories, as temperatures can drop to minus 20-30 degrees in the winter.
Iceland
Activities
Experiences in Iceland can include around-Iceland tours, Northern Lights tours, horse riding and trips to the Blue Lagoon, Skógafoss waterfall, and Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon. Travel packages in Iceland are a great way to see the country.
Local restaurants
According to Lonely Planet, Dill, Slippurinn, and Café Flóra are among the top choices of restaurant to dine at while staying in Iceland.
So, whether it’s a couple’s getaway or a family excursion that you like the idea of, why not start taking the steps now to organise your own dream winter break? There are companies out there like Arctic Direct that can take the stress out of organising your trip. Their experts can put together a complete holiday package with flights, transfers and a list of activities tailored to your every wish.
Be unpredictable. Do something you’ve never done before, and you will be hiking up that glacier in no time!
