DESTINATIONS — EUROPE
160 and every weekend hosts performances by an ICEorchestra where all the instruments, from the double-bass to the flute, are hand-crafted from ice. Sunvil Discovery has a three-
night Ice Experiences break, which includes a concert ticket plus two other excursions – a snowmobile tour on the pack-ice in the Bay of Bothnia and a ride through the frozen ice fields on an ice breaker. On the latter, brave clients can
take the option to have a dip in the freezing waters in a survival suit. Accommodation is at Hotel Elite Stadshotellet, and the three- night break on a B&B basis starts from £1,052 including flights from Heathrow, transfers and excursions. Simply Sweden has a twin-centre break that will give clients the chance to see the northern lights with the extra bragging rights of stays in two unique hotels in Swedish Lapland. Start with two nights at
the Treehotel, where rooms are set up in the branches of a forest, and where northern lights-focused experiences include photography workshops, snowshoeing and even Ice Dining, a torchlit evening on a frozen lake with a three-course dinner served in a heated tipi. Next, stay at the Icehotel, where
everything, including the beds, is sculpted from ice – the latter with warm reindeer skins on top. Guests can have a go themselves, with ice-sculpting on offer alongside the chance to horseride or take a Mini for a test drive on an ice track. Simply Sweden’s four-night
Dog days:
drive huskies in Lapland
Ice, ice baby: the Icehotel and a cello from the ICEorchestra
Looking glass: Hotel
Kakslauttanen allows guests to view the
aurora from their beds
break starts from £1,645, including flights
from Gatwick, Heathrow or Manchester, transfers, two nights’ half-board at the Treehotel, and two nights’ B&B at the Icehotel, one in a snow room with warm clothing and one in a warm room. Those looking for something
more traditional will love the log cabins that Inghams offers in Yllas in Finnish Lapland. With fully equipped kitchens and
even their own saunas, families in particular can make the most of these cabins, while adding on excursions including husky, reindeer and snowmobile safaris, or even a ski taster package. Seven nights’ self-catering starts from £529
per person based on four sharing, including flights and transfers. Clients don’t have to see the northern lights from land. A cruise along the Norwegian coast could be sold to cruise clients or first-timers. Hurtigruten’s classic itineraries
go from Bergen to the Russian border at Kirkenes and back, with lots of activities including husky sledding and visits to a Snow Hotel, plus the chance to see the northern lights from the water, miles from the light pollution of towns. The line is offering two for one on selected voyages in January, February and March, with the discount available on the six-day Classic Voyage South, the seven- day Classic Voyage North and
the 12-day Classic Round Voyage. With this discount, the Classic Voyage North starts from £472 on a full-board basis, with flights and transfers starting from £390. Clients needn’t take a whole cruise holiday to see the northern lights from the water. Regent Holidays offers an evening cruise from Reykjavik’s historic harbour, heading out into the North Atlantic to look for the aurora. Passengers can hop from the
heated lounge to the viewing platform, where they can stay warm with blankets and hot chocolate. Regent offers a four- day city break to Reykjavik from £515 including three nights’ B&B accommodation and flights.
Summer in the city: Stockholm is great for a city break
16 January 2014 —
travelweekly.co.uk • 79
TOP TIP
Visit Iceland in June for the
Hafnarfjordur Viking Festival – events include dancing,
feasts and sword- fighting
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PICTURES: VISIT FINLAND; JEPPE WIKSTROM; FREDRIK BROMS/NORTHERN LIGHTS PHOTOGRAPHY; DOMINIC BARRINGTON
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