Expérience ultime

Unforgettable Frozen Escapes: Your Gateway to Arctic Wonderland Accommodations

Sweden's Pioneering ICEHOTEL: A Legacy Forged in Ice and Art

For over three decades, Sweden's ICEHOTEL in Jukkasjärvi has stood as the original and most celebrated ice establishment. Annually, this temporary marvel undergoes a complete transformation, with international ice sculptors meticulously crafting new suites and public spaces that exist from December through April. Guests can slumber on beds entirely carved from ice, reassured by plush thermal sleeping bags and reindeer hides that guarantee warmth amidst the chilly artistry. Beyond the unique sleeping arrangements, visitors can partake in various outdoor pursuits, enjoy a drink at the famed Ice Bar, and admire exquisite ice art exhibitions. Its proximity to Abisko also makes it an ideal base for experiencing the mesmerizing Northern Lights.

Romania's Secluded Ice Haven: An Alpine Retreat Crafted from Glacial Waters

Journey deep into the Fagaras Mountains to discover Romania's Hotel of Ice, accessible by a scenic cable car ride. Here, guests can choose between double rooms or igloos, all meticulously constructed from the ice of the region's largest glacial lake. Each dwelling is adorned with intricately sculpted ice furniture and furnished with animal furs, blankets, and pillows for comfort. The hotel extends its icy theme to its dining experience, where even the plates are fashioned from ice, and features a consecrated ice church for special ceremonies. The nearby medieval towns of Brasov and Sibiu, with their charming cobblestone streets and magnificent architecture, offer cultural excursions.

Japan's Intimate Ice Dome: A Winter Village Experience in Hokkaido

From mid-December to mid-March, Hokkaido's Hoshino Resorts Tomamu offers the chance to stay in its exclusive Ice Hotel. This compact, sub-zero dome houses a single room, providing a uniquely intimate experience. Guests are provided with specialized sleeping bags and a warm breakfast of soup to counteract the cold. However, this is far from an isolated stay; the hotel is part of a vibrant ice village where visitors can witness ice weddings, dine on cheese fondue in a frozen cafe, enjoy ice-carved slides and skating rinks, and relax by a cozy library fire.

Switzerland's Iglu-Dorf: Panoramic Alpine Vistas from Icy Dwellings

Originating from an extreme snowboarder's desire for early morning powder runs, Iglu-Dorf now boasts several igloo villages, primarily across Switzerland. The Zermatt location provides guests with the luxury of a whirlpool and breathtaking views of the Matterhorn, while Zugspitze offers a unique vantage point overlooking Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. Its newest addition in Innsbruck, Austria, is accessible by skis or snowboards and features a "thrill walk" to its igloo restaurant at over 2,600 meters above sea level. Each year, these igloo villages are reconstructed and adorned by international artists, transforming snow and ice into new, enchanting worlds. Notably, Iglu-Dorf holds a world record for the largest igloo ever built, a testament to its innovative spirit.

Norway's Northernmost Igloo Sanctuary: Art, Nature, and Arctic Wonders

The Sorrisniva Igloo Hotel, the world's most northerly igloo accommodation, has expanded significantly since its modest beginnings over two decades ago. Nestled amidst the mountainous, pine-covered landscapes of Sorrisniva, this frozen marvel now features more than 20 uniquely designed bedrooms and suites, an ice chapel, and an ice bar, all sumptuously decorated with hand-sculpted art. A new theme inspires the hotel's design each year, with past carvings depicting Vikings, mythical creatures, Nordic legends, and arctic wildlife. Its prime location also makes it an exceptional spot for observing the captivating Northern Lights.

Finland's Arctic SnowVillage: Game of Thrones-Inspired Icy Grandeur

Annually, approximately 20 million kilograms of snow and 300,000 kilograms of ice are artfully reshaped to create Finland's constantly evolving SnowVillage. In previous seasons, the snow suites, chapel, ice restaurant, and bar have been decorated with characters and sculptures inspired by "Game of Thrones." The majestic snow suites maintain a consistent temperature of minus five degrees Celsius to preserve the colossal ice sculptures. For those seeking warmth, cozy cabins are available. The village also offers a plethora of outdoor activities, including dog-sledding, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, Northern Lights excursions, and ice-sculpting workshops.

Snowhotel Kirkenes, Norway: A Year-Round Arctic Wonderland

Snowhotel Kirkenes offers a unique year-round escape into a real-life winter wonderland. Its 14 spectacular rooms consistently maintain a temperature of minus four degrees Celsius, each intricately carved by master ice sculptors from across the globe, infused with Nordic fairy tales and folklore. Despite the sub-freezing temperatures, guests can enjoy a comfortable night's sleep in thermal sleeping bags. The hotel's renowned Icebar, a annually redesigned spectacle, serves special Arctic beverages, while the restaurant provides a warm setting for dinner. The hotel ensures a magical experience, regardless of the season.

Arctic SnowHotel, Finland: Rovaniemi's Enchanting Frozen Palace

Beyond being Santa's home, Rovaniemi hosts the Arctic SnowHotel, a seasonal attraction that enhances winter's magic. A cave-like entrance leads into snow-lined tunnels adorned with intricate ice carvings. The bedrooms feature solid, transparent ice beds draped with reindeer furs, creating a unique sleeping environment. The candle-lit restaurant serves traditional Finnish cuisine, such as roasted elk, while an outdoor Jacuzzi provides a natural setting for relaxation. For an ultimate indulgence, guests can unwind on a warm wooden bench in an ice sauna before retreating to their suites, designed to evoke the feeling of a personal frozen palace. The surrounding area offers numerous activities, including snowshoe hikes, snowmobile safaris, snow sculpting, ice fishing, and cultural visits to local Finnish Lapland homes. Guests can also opt for an "aurora alarm" to ensure they don't miss any Northern Lights displays.

Victoria, nestled in Australia's southeastern corner, transcends its reputation for bustling city life and sports by offering an extraordinary array of native animals. From nocturnal ring-tailed possums and swift flying foxes gracing Melbourne's urban gardens to kangaroos peacefully grazing on golf courses, the state is a haven for biodiversity. Coastal waters teem with playful seals, while the iconic little penguins draw spectators to St Kilda Pier at dusk. Beyond the metropolitan sprawl, Victoria's diverse landscapes—highlands, dense rainforests, expansive grasslands, and fertile estuaries—reveal even more captivating wildlife encounters, particularly accessible through scenic road trips.

A journey along the famed Great Ocean Road unveils breathtaking scenery and opportunities to spot koalas, wallabies, and vibrant cockatoos and lorikeets amidst the native vegetation. Stops like Wildlife Wonders near Apollo Bay offer dedicated protection efforts for local species, while the ancient volcanic landscape of Tower Hill provides a unique setting for observing free-roaming kangaroos and engaging with Aboriginal cultural heritage. The coastline transforms into a 'humpback highway' from April to November, as numerous whale species migrate from Antarctic waters to breed. Logan's Beach, near Warrnambool, is a prime viewing spot for these magnificent marine mammals. Phillip Island, renowned for its massive colony of little penguins, showcases their daily 'penguin parade' as they return from the sea. Further east, Wilsons Promontory National Park invites exploration of its trails, beaches, and campsites, where emus, echidnas, potoroos, and gliders can be observed.

The Otway Ranges, a prehistoric expanse of rainforest stretching from Lorne to the Twelve Apostles, provide a perpetually moist and misty environment, perfect for diverse fauna. Nocturnal visits reveal glow worms beneath ledges and boardwalks in places like Melba Gully. Staying at the historic Cape Otway Lightstation offers insight into the region's maritime past and proximity to these natural wonders. The tannin-rich rivers and lakes here are ideal for spotting elusive platypuses, with specialized tours available for early morning or late evening canoe excursions.

Victoria's High Country, located in the northeast bordering New South Wales, is characterized by cascading waterfalls, alpine forests, and mist-shrouded mountains. This region is a prime habitat for kangaroos year-round, alongside echidnas, wombats, and eagles. Fortunate visitors might even catch a glimpse of the rare mountain pygmy-possums, the world's only marsupial exclusively found in alpine environments.

Phillip Island is not just about its famous penguins; it's also home to dozing koalas in eucalyptus trees, best observed from elevated boardwalks at the Koala Conservation Reserve. Seal Rocks, a rugged offshore outcrop, hosts one of Australia's largest fur seal colonies, numbering around 16,000. The island also celebrates the successful reintroduction of the nocturnal eastern barred bandicoot. Boat tours provide opportunities to witness these marine spectacles, often accompanied by dolphins, terns, and oystercatchers.

Beyond these highlights, the Mornington Peninsula, a popular summer retreat, offers chances to snorkel with weedy seadragons or embark on boat trips to see dolphins and seals. Raymond Island, within the Gippsland Lakes, is an excellent place for koala spotting, accessible via a short ferry ride and a dedicated Koala Trail. Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park, a dramatic presence in Victoria's western grasslands, resounds with the calls of kookaburras at dawn and dusk, and is inhabited by emus and wallabies. The expansive Murray River, one of the world's longest navigable waterways, guarantees wildlife encounters, with houseboats offering a serene way to observe kangaroos and platypuses.

Observing Australian wildlife is a year-round activity, though spring (September-November) offers the best chance to see young animals like koalas with joeys and kangaroos with pouch-dwelling offspring. Summer's high temperatures mean animals are less active, seeking shade, while shorter winter daylight hours limit viewing opportunities. Dawn and dusk are generally the most active times for many species. Whales undertake their annual migration between April and November. Australians prioritize biodiversity conservation, emphasizing respectful wildlife observation: maintaining a safe distance, avoiding night driving in rural areas, and crucially, refraining from petting wild animals.