Today: Top 10 most beautiful national parks in Europe

Travelers to Europe love to visit the Old Continent’s world-famous cities and cultural sites. But as magnificent and surreal as Europe’s historic cities are, Europe’s lesser known National Parks – more than 350 of them – are also worth a visit. Many travelers associate National Parks with the USA , but Europe also has an abundance of spectacular wilderness areas and equally impressive hikes on offer. To help you plan your next getaway in the great outdoors, here’s my selection of Europe’s 10 most beautiful and breathtaking National Parks.

What is your favorite National Park in Europe? Leave a comment.

There is more information (with YouTube clips & reviews) below the slideshow.

*** Follow me on Instagram, YouTube, X (Twitter) or Facebook for a daily moment of travel inspiration ***

10. SAXON SWITZERLAND NATIONAL PARK, GERMANY

The National Park of Saxon Switzerland in eastern Germany, south-east of Dresden, offers endless ways to spend an outdoor holiday. This region between Pirna and the Czech border is one of the most beautiful landscapes in Europe, embracing a unique and evocative landscape. The mighty Elbe river wanders through the national park’s thick forest, past villages and mighty hilltop castles. More than 700 summits are available to rock climbers, while for those who prefer to keep their feet on the ground, there are 400 km (250 mi) of marked hiking-trails, steep treks, paths and some cycle routes through the National Park.

• Official website: Saxon Switzerland

9. PLITVICE LAKES, CROATIA

Plitvice Lakes is the oldest and largest National Park in the Republic of Croatia. The process of tufa formation, which results in the building of the tufa, or travertine, barriers and resulted in the creation of the lakes, is the outstanding universal value for which the Plitvice Lakes were internationally recognized in 1979 with their inscription onto the UNESCO World Heritage List. The most attractive part of the park – the lakes – cover just under 1% of the total park area. The lake system is comprised of 16 named and several smaller unnamed lakes, cascading one into the next. The lakes end in the impressive waterfalls Sastavci, with the Korana River springing under the base of the falls.

• Official website: Plitvice Lakes

The post Top 10 most beautiful national parks in Europe appeared first on the Luxury Travel Expert.

Today: Top 10 best hotels to see the Northern Lights

Also called the Aurora Borealis, the Northern Lights are a spectacular, magical display in the night sky. They are caused by solar storms and giant flares from the sun, which send blasts of charged particles towards our planet. When these particles enter earth’s atmosphere, the glowing colors we know as the Northern Lights are the result. Witnessing the Aurora Borealis is a bucket-list experience that many travelers wait years to see, since the conditions – which depend on solar activity and clear skies – need to be perfect for this spectacular display to take place. It requires some luck to glimpse the Northern Lights in the night sky, but December through March is usually the best time to observe this elusive natural phenomenon. Here are the 10 best hotels in the world from where to watch the Northern Lights.

There is more information below the slideshow. Think I missed a hotel? Leave a comment!

** Follow me on Instagram, YouTube, Twitter or Facebook for a daily moment of travel inspiration ***

10. ELIASSEN RORBUER, NORWAY

Eliassen Rorbuer is the oldest fisherman’s cottage resort in the Lofoten Islands, a stunning place with a story and a heart. Accommodations consist of traditional and modern fisherman’s cottages and sea house apartments. Experience spectacular nature, silence, midnight sun, Northern Lights, storm, breathtaking sea, fjord and mountain view of the famous Reinefjord, fishing boats and red fishermen’s cottages – the genuine Lofoten atmosphere. Some of our fishermen’s cottages were once used by fishermen from all over Norway as accommodation during the world’s biggest annual cod fishing event in Lofoten, which takes place from January to April. Most of the cottages have been renovated and the genuine character and décor of the cabins reminds guests of their original use. Guests can also sample high quality local food with Italian twist in our newly renovated restaurant Gadus. 

• Hotel website: Eliassen Rorbuer

9. TREEHOTEL, SWEDEN

Why not create a hotel that gives people a chance to experience nature amongst the tree-tops, while also providing a uniquely designed housing experience? These questions led Scandinavia’s leading architects to create Treehotel in Harads, where rooms are suspended 4-6 meters (13-20 ft) above ground with spectacular views of the  Lule River valley, miles of forest and a powerful river. The Mirrorcube is the hotel’s most exciting accommodation, camouflaged by mirrored walls that reflect their surroundings. Treehotel was inspired by the film ”The Tree Lover” by Jonas Selberg Augustsen. From September to March hotel guests have the chance to watch the Northern Lights illuminate the sky above them. Summertime, the lodge enjoys daylight all night long. One thing’s for sure at the Treehotel, you’ll be inspired by your surroundings and experiences.

• Hotel website: Treehotel
• Other accolades: Treehotel features in my top 10 list of the most unusual & unique hotels in the world.

8. KAKSLAUTTANEN ARCTIC RESORT, FINLAND

Kakslauttanen is a 4-star resort in North Lapland which has quite rightly earned the nickname ‘Igloo Village‘ since it’s famous around the world for its snow igloos and glass igloos accommodations. The glass igloos are built from a special thermal glass so the temperature inside the igloo is plenty toasty. Surrounded by Lapland’s exotic and stunning scenery, not only can guests sample the peace of sleeping in snow (the snow muffles sound, and provides a great night’s sleep), the glass igloos are fantastic for lying on your bed at night, watching the Northern Lights in the warm. There’s also a restaurant one site and a chapel provides the perfect setting for fairytale winter wonderland weddings.

• Hotel website: Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort
• Other accolades: Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort features in my top 10 list of the world’s coolest ice & snow hotels.

7. ICEHOTEL, SWEDEN

Icehotel is a world-famous hotel and an art exhibition made of ice and snow from the Torne Rover, the largest of Sweden’s four national rivers. Founded in 1989, it is reborn in a new guise every winter, in the Swedish village of Jukkasjärvi – 200 km (125 mi) north of the Arctic Circle. When the first snow has sprinkled the whole of Jukkasjärvi with white, artists from all over the world come together in the village to take part in creating the art exhibition of snow, ice and light that makes up Icehotel. Creating a setting for life-enriching moments, the hotel is a place to discover silence, northern lights, glistening snow-clad forests, reindeer, cloudberries, kettle coffee and much more.

• Hotel website: Icehotel
• Other accolades: Icehotel features in my top 10 list of the world’s coolest ice & snow hotels.

6. ION ADVENTURE HOTEL, ICELAND

An abandoned inn turned boutique hotel in Iceland, Ion Adventure Hotel is where modern design meets Iceland’s incomparable natural landscape. Situated in the south-western town of Selfoss, near a national crossroad making the hotel accessible to various parts of the country, Ion is conveniently located to offer guests the best of Iceland. From the volcanic marvels of Mount Hengill to the urban sophistication of Reykjavik nearby, the unique landscape plays a pivotal role in the rich design of the hotel, which leans heavily on sustainable practices and the natural features of the island. Throughout 45 rooms, guests can expect a mellow mix of concrete chic and earthy ambiance, combined with the warm accents of locally salvaged driftwood and lava; all deftly handled by design studio Minarc.

• Hotel website: Ion Adventure Hotel

5. THE RETREAT HOTEL AT BLUE LAGOON, ICELAND

In 2018, Iceland’s famous Blue Lagoon completed a significant expansion, opening the Retreat at Blue Lagoon Iceland. Encompassing a subterranean spa, a geothermal lagoon, a restaurant that reimagines Iceland’s culinary traditions, and a 62-suite hotel encircled by the Blue Lagoon’s mineral-rich waters, the Retreat is a place where guests can leave the world behind. Modern matte black pendant chandeliers and sleek concrete walls are juxtaposed against warm wood paneling and leather seating in the public areas. This same aesthetic carries over to the rooms, where those on the ground level with a direct view of the lagoon are decorated with blue accents while those on the 2nd floor that showcase the olive-hued moss are adorned with bits of green.

• Hotel website: The Retreat at Blue Lagoon

4. ARCTIC BATH, LAPLAND, SWEDEN

From the spa with its open-air bath, to the restaurant showcasing local ingredients, Arctic Bath taps into its wonderland setting. Striking cabins are modern architectural marvels that seem to hover above the ground – or water. Glass walls, floating walkways and sky-gazing decks connect the inside with the great outdoors – and take loft living to a whole new level. This is Scandinavian design at its most chic, where the elements intertwine with interiors crafted from wood, stone and ‘touch me’ textiles.  Stepping out from your fire-warmed lodge could see you forest bathing, kayaking along Luleå River or exploring the wilder Storforsen Nature Reserve. And, of course, this hotel is set in Northern Lights territory. Winter brings plenty of opportunities to sled or snowmobile your way across the frozen landscape, while spring sees the midnight sun rise – along with local bears, which you can watch out for on an overnight adventure. 

• Hotel website: Arctic Bath

3. HOTEL RANGA, ICELAND

• Hotel website: Hotel Ranga

2. ARCTIC TREEHOUSE HOTEL, FINLAND

Located in Rovaniemi, in Finnish Lapland, the Arctic TreeHouse Hotel is one of the planet’s most luxurious spots from where to observe the northern lights. The property provides a unique blend of luxury comfort in the heart of Arctic nature, local Lappish traditions and modern Scandinavian design. Accommodations range from the cosy, nest-like Arctic TreeHouse Suites and the Arctic GlassHouses with their own private sauna to the luxurious ArcticScene Executive Suites sit in their own tranquil location on a steep wooded hill slope. In contrast to the meticulously designed accommodation and nest-like cosiness, the panoramic views from the windows provide impressive spectacles of the forest and Arctic skies: the Northern Lights (winter) and Midnight Sun (summer) can be admired from the comfort of your bed. The lodg’s excellent restaurant serves culinary delights prepared in stylish surroundings using Arctic ingredients.

• Hotel website: Arctic Treehouse Hotel Finland

1. SHELDON CHALET, ALASKA, USA

Sheldon Chalet is an all-inclusive experience like nothing else in Alaska or the world. Prior to Sheldon Chalet the only way to experience an overnight in the wilderness of Denali National Park was to be a climber, sleeping in a tent, eating freeze dried food and battling the elements. The 5 bedroom chalet offers a majestic setting, pure luxury sleeping on plush bedding, gourmet dining, and relaxing saunas with some of the most dramatic vistas in the Alaska Range. A stay at Sheldon Chalet does not come cheap – rates start around $75,000 USD per four guests for three nights – but the upscale experience includes an inbound and outbound helicopter flightseeing tour from Talkeetna or Anchorage, all food prepared by a world-class chef, use of adventure apparel & gear, guided exploration and adventure in the mile Don Sheldon Amphitheater.

• Hotel website: Sheldon Chalet

*** Follow me on Instagram, YouTube, Twitter or Facebook for a daily moment of travel inspiration ***

The post Top 10 best hotels to see the Northern Lights appeared first on the Luxury Travel Expert.

Today (February 4, 2019): Top 10 best things to do and see in the Arctic Circle.

The Arctic Circle is the most northerly of the earth’s five major circles of latitude, comprising parts of eights countries: Norway, Sweden, Finland, Russia, the United States (Alaska), Canada (Yukon, Northwest  Territories and Nunavut), Denmark (Greenland) and Iceland. It is a wonderfully diverse region, which includes much more than initially meets the eye. From the stunning and captivating natural environment, to the vast array of wonderful wildlife and tales of history that have gone before, there’s plenty to see. In this article, I’ll tell you the top 10 things to do and see in the Arctic Circle. Whether it’s taking in the natural scenery, or discovering modern and impressive conveniences that sit juxtaposed against the sheer white land, there’s enough here for the keen luxury traveler. I’ve combined a mixture of unconventional luxury, unique experiences and simple, fun discoveries.

There is more information below the slide show. Think I missed one? Share your favorite attraction in the Arctic Circle in the comments.

*** Follow me on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook for a daily moment of travel inspiration ***

10. LEARN ABOUT THE VIKINGS’ RICH HISTORY

History buffs beware, you’re about to enter into the heart of the Viking land. The Arctic Circle surrounds much of the Viking’s historical home, and if longboats, beards and helmets are your kind of history, you’ll find yourself in the reach of plenty of Viking museums and guided tours, such as the famous Lofotr Vikingmuseum in Vestvågöy Norway. The museum features the largest Viking-era house ever found. The impressive 83-meter (272-ft) structure is reconstructed in full size, just off the original house site. Every year in August, Vestvågöy hosts a five-day Viking festival featuring more than 100 Vikings from near and far, a market, game shows, games, competitions, lectures, theater, concerts and more. The festival is very family-friendly and popular among visitors and locals alike.

9. EXPLORE THE RUGGED TERRAIN OF THE SVALBARD ARCHIPELAGO

The magnificent Svalbard archipelago, located between Norway and the North Pole, are a collection of islands on the edge of Earth. With a relatively (for its location) mild climate, Svalbard makes a great choice for Arctic explorers looking to dip their toes into something cooler after having possibly already had a taste of mainland Scandinavia. Today, a modern community built on a truly impressive natural landscape, Svalbard has plenty to experience in the way of concerts, festivals and culture. In addition to a few thousand polar bears, the islands are home to almost 3,000 human inhabitants, over 2,000 of which live in Longyearbyen, the administrative centre and largest settlement of the islands. Rich wildlife, arctic nature, and old mining towns are all found on the islands, which have a stark and eerie beauty that’s all their own.

8. STAY IN THE WORLD’S MOST NORTHERLY BOUTIQUE HOTEL

Word has it that if you venture out far enough across the Svalbard Islands, you’ll find a Boutique hotel at the end of the world. Originally an outpost and base for radio operators in the 1930’s, the world’s most northerly boutique hotel, lets guests enjoy the unconventional combination of icy, rugged terrain and first-class luxury suites. The best bit? The radio transmitter and satellite dishes are still intact outside the building for an authentic experience, reminding guests of the hotel’s past as an important link for telecommunications between the Norwegian mainland and Svalbard. After a day of exploring, you can relax and wrap up in a cashmere throw in one of the beautifully styled guest rooms, or take a seat in the cosy sitting room. The connection to your surroundings extends to dinner, with an Arctic feast of smoked seal, whale, halibut and reindeer.

7. OBSERVE ARCTIC WILDLIFE

Despite its unforgiving climate, the Arctic is home to a broad range of beautiful and varied inhabitants. The many species that roam the icy region include the distinctive Arctic reindeer (or caribou is it is also known), which is rare today, mainly because of its elusive nature, but also because it is edging towards extinction due to climate change. Joining the Arctic reindeer is the Arctic fox, which is native to Iceland, and the musk ox, which lives in the frozen Arctic and roams the tundra in search of the roots, mosses, and lichens. Another iconic Arctic animal is the massive tusked walrus, most often found near the Arctic Circle, lying on the ice with hundreds of companions. Perhaps the main attraction in the Arctic Circle is the polar bear (but more on that later).

6. VISIT THE GLOBAL SEED VAULT

If you do find yourself in Svalbard, I urge you to visit the Global Seed Vault. What is that? You ask. Well what sounds like a futuristic monolith pulled from the depths of a 1970’s sci-fi, does actually look like one too. The Global Seed Vault is a storage facility, located deep inside a mountain and designed with military precision to stand up to the harsh elements of the region. Its purpose? To safely store and protect valued crops from the dangers of ruin. A natural disaster, war or farming error could wipe out an entire genome of crop, so here they are kept safe as the ultimate insurance policy for the world’s food supply, offering options for future generations to overcome the challenges of climate change and population growth. Permafrost and thick rock ensure that the seed samples will remain frozen even without power. Sound impressive? Wait until you see the incredible building up close.

5. GET UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL WITH WOLVES IN A LUXURY HOTEL

Now I know what you’re thinking: why would anyone want to get up close and personal with wolves. Terrifying, fierce and wild, those are just some of the words that spring to mind when thinking of the Arctic wolf, but there is a demand to encounter them out in the wild. In Bardu, Norway you can stay in the aptly named Wolf Lodge, where you’ll be treated to an oversized luxury suite, a private chef and plenty of encircling wolves. But fear not, you’ll be separated from the cunning canines by floor-to-ceiling windows. In addition, the wolves at Polar Park are accustomed to human contact, and enjoy our company as part of their natural environment. Still, it’s not an experience for the faint hearted. An all-inclusive stay at Wolf Lodge is one of the most exclusive, highly coveted experiences in the whole Nordic region, and is priced accordingly. There is only availability for around 15 stays each year.

4. LEARN ABOUT THE INDIGENOUS PEOPLE AND THEIR CULTURE

One of the Arctic’s best kept secrets is its indigenous people, who count for around 10% of an estimated 4 million people that call the Arctic their home. They used to be called Eskimos, which came from a Native American word for ‘eater of raw meat’. Now the Arctic people are officially known as the Inuit, which means ‘the people’, or singularly, Inuk, which means ‘the person’. Still surviving today, the admirable Inuit culture has continued its trait of adaptation to their surroundings whilst fully integrating with the local European population. Today, both live in harmony and learn from each other. To be able to experience this is a must-see that you can’t put into words. Indigenous peoples of the Arctic have adapted over centuries to a life on ice. Their lifestyle, traditions, economy, and history are tightly linked to one of the harshest environments in the world.

3. WATCH THE NORTHERN LIGHTS FROM THE COMFORT OF YOUR ROOM

As a discerning traveler, you’ve probably already chosen your accommodation, and who can blame you? One of the best moments of your holiday will be arriving at your hotel, chalet or apartment and lying back on the bed, excited for the trip ahead: you’ve arrived. Next, your thoughts turn to the sights. In the Arctic Circle, the Northern lights are top of the list. But what if I told you that you didn’t have to leave your hotel to see the beautiful Aurora Borealis? Well in Hotel Husafell, Iceland, which sits at the heart of the country’s aurora zone, you don’t. Amid the dramatic landscapes of West Iceland’s Highlands, Hotel Husafell is within easy reach of glaciers, lava caves and Snæfellsnes National Park. Built conscientiously from sustainable design, Hotel Husafell celebrates the wild and creative essence of Iceland.

2. TAKE A 6-STAR CRUISE THROUGH THE NORTHWEST PASSAGE

By now, most experienced travelers are familiar with the concept of a luxury cruise: premium suites, all-inclusive dining options and spacious relaxation areas. Most are also up-to-speed with what an Arctic adventure is: experiencing new and interesting landscapes, discovering extreme terrains and venturing through remote environments you never thought you’d travel to. But have you heard about Scenic Eclipse? The World’s First Discovery Yacht, which from 4th June will embark on the first of twelve Arctic cruise itineraries scheduled for 2019. Scenic Eclipse will marry Arctic expedition cruises with 6-star luxury, as she will offer helicopter and submarine excursions as well as a personal butler service and in-built spa suites. There’s nothing on Earth like this top-tier premium experience.

1. CATCH A GLIMPSE OF THE ELUSIVE POLAR BEAR

A list of the best things to see in the Arctic wouldn’t be complete with an ode to the magnificent polar bear. Scarce by nature and decreasing in numbers, it can be difficult to spot one. Thrust into the spotlight as the symbol of the devastating effects of climate change, polar bears have become the world’s best known endangered animals and more and more travelers are now lining up to see them – while they still can. Nicknamed the “Polar Bear Capital of the World”, Canada’s small community of Churchill is the best place in the world to spot these elusive creature, but you can also witness polar bears in their native habitat in Svalbard (Norway), Kaktovik (Alaska), Wrangel Island (Russia), and Greenland. If you do manage to catch a glimpse of the incredible creature as it makes its way across its natural home in the Arctic terrain, you’re sure to never forget it. 

*** Follow me on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook for a daily moment of travel inspiration ***

The post Top 10 best things to do and see in the Arctic Circle appeared first on the Luxury Travel Expert.

Today (December 18, 2017): Top 10 coolest ice & snow hotels in the world.

If you are looking for an awesome adventure this winter to embrace the cold instead of escaping it, why not book a stay in an igloo for a night in one of the coldest climes on earth? Since the first ice hotel popped up in northern Sweden 27 years ago, its concept has been copied in several other winter destinations. The idea is always the same: structures ranging from intimate hotels to huge villages and even castles are rebuilt (and redesigned) each winter, mixing tons of snow and ice blocks with delightful amenities and unique designs. I hereby share with you the 10 coolest ice and snow hotels around the globe that will provide a memory for a lifetime.

There is more information below the slideshow. Think I missed one? Leave a comment or take my poll below!

*** Follow me on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook for a daily moment of travel inspiration ***

10. SORRISNIVA IGLOO HOTEL, ALTA, NORWAY

Since 1999, a new ice hotel is yearly built in Norway’s Sorrisniva, a settlement located on the banks of the Alta River. The Sorrisniva Igloo Hotel was the first one of its kind in Norway and the second in the world to make a hotel entirely of snow and ice, and to day remains Europe’s largest and the world’s northernmost ice hote! The property started with six bedrooms but has grown since then to be a hotel with 26 bedrooms, 4 decorated suites, an ice chapel, ice bar and a lot of art work. The shapes of the hotel are made step by step, and all together it takes about five weeks of hard work to get it all ready. Guests stay in one of the igloo’s decorated ice rooms or sleep under the stars in a ‘lavvo’ (a teepee-like tent of the Sapmi people of Norway).

• Hotel website: Sorrisniva Igloo Hotel

9. SNOWCASTLE, KEMI, FINLAND

Pure white snow walls surround the gigantic SnowCastle, which is built entirely out of snow and ice, both made of sea water. Located right by the frozen sea near Kemi city centre, the castle offers a true Arctic adventure from the end of January until mid-April. The world’s largest snow restaurant seats around 200 guests around its glistening ice tables. The hotel’s snow chapel with its mystical atmosphere is a memorable venue for wedding ceremonies. The hotel itself offers 21 unique, beautifully decorated snow rooms. The temperature inside the rooms is always around -5 degrees Celsius (23°F) but the comfortable bed with a white sheet and lambskin cover, a pillow, a fleece sheet and a sleeping bag designed for Arctic conditions ensures a good night sleep.

• Hotel website: SnowCastle

8. KIRKENES SNOWHOTEL, NORWAY

Kirkenes Snowhotel opened for the first time in 2006, offering its guests a wonderful experience in one of Norway’s most beautiful surroundings. Every room in Kirkenes Snowhotel is like a small treasure, uniquely decorated by artists from around the world, and featuring a different theme from the Arctic culture or nature. The lighted ice sculptures give the Snowhotel a very cosy and special atmosphere. The hotel also offer warm cabins, inspired by the traditional hunting and fishing hut – the so-called ‘gamme’ – that you find in the wilderness in the Sami areas of the Arctic. The huts are developed along with architects from Switzerland and are equipped with air conditioning, underfloor heating, natural tiles, an exclusive bathroom with a separate aurora wall.

• ​Hotel website: Kirkenes Snowhotel

7. VILLAGE IGLOO BLACKSHEEP, LA PLAGNA, FRANCE

Village Igloo Blacksheep is a unique accommodation located at 2118 m (6500 ft) altitude on the ski slopes in La Plagne Paradiski resort. Off the beaten track and nestled into a sheltered spot with views of Mont Blanc, the Igloo village (run by a French company called Blacksheep) is a really special place to spend an evening. Here you can experience life in an igloo, on the slopes. Igloos are equipped with beds or camp beds with specialized duvets and individual sheets provided. There is a separate igloo with shared dry toilets. In the evening, you can enjoy an aperitif around the campfire, while traditional Savoyard fondue and wine are served in the restaurant igloo. There is also a guide on site serving a continental breakfast in the morning.

• Hotel website: Village Igloo Blacksheep

6. KAKSLAUTTANEN ARCTIC RESORT, FINLAND

Kakslauttanen is a 4-star resort in North Lapland which has quite rightly earned the nickname ‘Igloo Village‘ since it’s famous around the world for its snow igloos and glass igloos accommodations. The glass igloos are built from a special thermal glass so the temperature inside the igloo is plenty toasty. Surrounded by Lapland’s exotic and stunning scenery, not only can guests sample the peace of sleeping in snow (the snow muffles sound, and provides a great night’s sleep), the glass igloos are fantastic for lying on your bed at night, watching the Northern Lights (Aurora borealis) in the warm. There’s also a restaurant one site and a chapel provides the perfect setting for fairytale winter wonderland weddings.

• Hotel website: Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort

5. ESKIMSKA VAS, SLOVENIA

The Igloo hotel is part of the Igloo Village, which can be reached by a cable car ride up the mountain followed by a snowshoe hike. The hotels includes two igloos for 8 persons to sleep in each and also two special romantic igloos for couples. The beds are made ​of blocks of snow and are covered with an insulating material. The second cover are sheeps skin which is known to be very warm material. On top of all you will find a special expeditionary sleeping bag, which will for sure keep you warm all night long. In the Igloo restaurant, guests have a chance to experience a traditional Slovenian sausage (Carniolian Sausage) with horseradish on the side and fresh bread, a typical Slovenian dish that will not disappoint your taste buds.

• Hotel website: Eskimska Vas

4. SNOWVILLAGE, KITTILA, FINLAND

Each year, around 20 million kilos of snow and 350 000 kilos of crystal clear natural ice are used to build the spectacular SnowVillage which changes in shape, size and design to amaze visitors year after year. Located in the Western part of Finnish Lapland, the SnowVillage’s hotel offers 30 snow rooms and suites amid a vast network of striking corridors full of spectacular snow and ice art to explore. Here, you can spend a cosy night, a delicious dinner in the spectacular ice restaurant and the coolest drinks served “on the rocks” from the ice bar. Or, simply visit to marvel the vast corridors packed with snow rooms and snow and ice sculptures that are just waiting to be explored. 

• Hotel website: SnowVillage

3. HOTEL OF ICE BALEA LAKE, ROMANIA

Since 2005, in the heart of the Făgăraş Mountains, the most distinguished hotel of Romania – the Hotel of Ice Balea Lake – is built every winter. The hotel is fully snow-covered and constructed with ice blocks extracted from the largest glacier lake of the Fagaras Mountains, Bâlea Lake. In less than a month, ice artists and craftsmen manage to raise a home for winter lovers, and their work is rewarded by visiting tourists, with over 8,000 guests annually. The hotel has 14 double rooms with king size bed. Next to the hotel, for those who want more privacy, there are 6 igloos, each with double bed. The beds are constructed of large blocks of ice. The decor is entirely of ice and it is different in each room, from year to year, depending on the season theme.

• Hotel website: Hotel of Ice Balea Lake

2. HÔTEL DE GLACE, QUEBEC CITY, CANADA

Located only 4 km (2,5 mi) from the north end of Québec City, the Hôtel de Glace is a must-see attraction that has seduced over a million people around the world with its unique style and spellbinding deco since its opening in 2001. It’s a stunning yet ephemeral work of art and architecture entirely built of snow and ice and modeled after Sweden’s original icehotel (cf below). Every winter, this unique hotel is completely redesigned and rebuilt, offering an unforgettable experience in the only hotel of its kind in North America. Guests can choose to enjoy a cocktail served in a glass made of ice or spend the night in one of the 44 theme rooms and suites and relax in the outdoor hot tubs and sauna.

• Hotel website: Hôtel de Glace

1. ICEHOTEL, JUKKASJÄRVI, SWEDEN

Icehotel is a world-famous hotel and an art exhibition made of ice and snow from the Torne Rover, the largest of Sweden’s four national rivers. Founded in 1989, it is reborn in a new guise every winter, in the Swedish village of Jukkasjärvi – 200 km (125 mi) north of the Arctic Circle. When the first snow has sprinkled the whole of Jukkasjärvi with white, artists from all over the world come together in the village to take part in creating the art exhibition of snow, ice and light that makes up Icehotel. Creating a setting for life-enriching moments, it is a place to discover silence, northern lights, glistening snow-clad forests, reindeer, cloudberries, kettle coffee and much more.

• Hotel website: Icehotel

*** Follow me on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook for a daily moment of travel inspiration ***

The post Top 10: coolest ice & snow hotels in the world appeared first on the Luxury Travel Expert.