Winter Wonderland
Carol Whitley looks at what’s available if you are planning on going away
this winter.
Holidays are summer thing, right? Sun, sand and sea? Perhaps, but the
traditional view of holiday as a time to lounge by the pool and work on your tan is
rapidly changing.
More and more of us are getting away from it all in the winter. And we’re not
just disappearing to find distant sun, although places like Australia are very popular
winter destinations.
Whether it’s action or relaxation you need, you are bound to find something
to suit you.
Traditionally, a winter holiday has meant skiing, and we still flock in our
thousands to the slopes.
One of the more popular places to find it is in Chamonix, in the French Alps,
at the foot of Mont Blanc. The 1924 Winter Olympics were held there, and each
70
year visitors from the world come to enjoy the spectacular scenery and
winter sports.
Chamonix caters the beginners, but the real appeal of this resort is the cross
country ski trails and ski mountaineering. One of the highest cable cars in Europe
will take you far above the town and you can spend a few hours getting back down
at breakneck speed!
If you prefer a quieter life, treat yourself to a bit of luxury at Jukkasjarvi, a
village in northern Swedish Lapland. Here, every November, 100 tons of ice and
300 tons of snow become the Ice Hotel. It is constructed in November and lasts
until the end of April, when the spring sun finally wins the battle and the hotel
melts. There are around 300rooms with beds of ice covered with reindeer skins and
thermal sleeping bags. They’ll keep you warm in temperatures between -4C and -
9C, although it has been known to drop to -25C. Just don’t ask the management to
turn up the heating or you might find yourself without a room!
The hotel includes an ice-art exhibition, an ice sauna and cinema with a huge
screen carved out of, you’ve guessed it, ice If that’s not enough for you, there’s lots
to do in the surrounding region, including skating at the local rink, and it’s a shirt
trip to the town of Kiruna for the Snow Festival. There, you can watch concerts,
reindeer races and even a winter fashion show; learn about the local Sami culture
and find out what it’s really like to spend your life in the snow.
When you’ve had enough relaxation, take the daredevil in you on a winter
wilderness adventure. Fly into Anchorage, Alaska, for the start to your dog
sledding tour. You’ll travel out of town by car and by snowmobile to where your
adventure begins. You’ll be shown how to handle your huskies by and experienced
guide and then you’ll set off together into the great unknown. There is nothing like
the feeling of freedom as you are pulled along the ground through spectacular
frozen scenery.
Spending the night in comfortable log cabins and the exploring the vast ice
glaciers with your team of dogs, you’ll vow never to waste a week lying on a beach
again!
Today winter wanderer has so many options that there’s no excuse for just
sitting at home staring at grey skies. More and more companies are realizing that
we don’t all want to spend Christmas eating turkey and sitting watching the TV.
Find out more from your travel agent and get packing!
Дарья
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