Sweden

The two major ice hotels in Jukkasjärvi Sweden and Quebec Canada attract a large number of visitors looking for a truly unique experience. But what exactly is there to do in a room where everything—even the bed and the drinking glasses are made entirely out of SNICE? (SNICE, a mixture of snow and ice is a common term in areas where temperatures routinely plummet below freezing)

(Welcome to the most beautiful and uncomfortable night you may ever experience)

(Even the chandelier is made completely out of ice)

Forget about plugging in your laptop; there aren’t any electrical outlets in these ice rooms. Light inside the rooms is generated by fiber optic cables that run through the ceiling or by candlelight generated by candles encased in an ice candleholder.

(Don’t forget to turn out the light before you go to bed)

With enough creativity and money you could finagle a way to run electricity in the ice cubicles, as EA Sports did in February when they held the launch of SXX Blur (Brrr) at the ice hotel in Quebec.

(The EA Games PR staff manages to rig up some good old fashioned electricity inside the Quebec ice hotel for the launch of SSX Blur in February)

But what is there to do on a “regular” day at the ice hotel? A “regular” day meaning any day between December and April, after which the ice hotel melts and is closed for the season until the following winter.

(What is there to do without electricity?)

Surprisingly, there is quite a bit to do in the u ... Read More

Prepare to be enchanted at Sweden's oldest and largest international folklore festival in the heart of the country, Rattvik.With its huge tradition of folk music and gorgeous surroundings close to picturesque Lake Siljan, this really is one of the best ways to enjoy a traditional Scandinavian way of life on a summer break in Europe.The festival itself offers approximately 50 programmes ranging from shows and theatre performances to competitions and games for all the family.Perhaps one of the most popular features of the festival is the opportunity to try traditional activities from past times at first hand with seminars and workshops in dance, folk music and Swedish singing.The festival was set up in 1974 and this year takes places between July 21st and 25th.Other tourist treats in the Rattvik area include winter skiing down the fabulous slalom slopes, hiking or biking around the lake, or even living like a Viking for a day.

Travel News brought to you by Eurobookings, the experts in cheap hotel bookings for all major European cities including Stockholm.For fine dining coupled with spectacular city views, head to the Veranda in one of the city's most venerable hotels.The Grand Hotel eatery combines opulence, romance and Swedish cuisine at its mouthwatering best with a smorgasbord to die for.The multi-course buffet-style meal usually starts with herring dishes, before moving onto local speciality gravid lax, served with a mustard and dill sauce.Next comes a helping of salad and cold meat cuts before tucking into the hot dishes, of which meatballs with lingonberries is a must.Pudding rounds off the meal, before kicking back to enjoy the stunning window views of the harbour, Old Town and Royal Palace.An a la carte menu is also available, with delicacies including filet of reindeer marinated in red wine and braised wild duck with an apple-cider sauce.The Grand Hotel itself is an excellent accommodation choice for those too full to stagger any further. It opened in 1874 and offers 374 rooms, of which 42 are luxury suites.©CopyrightTreat yourself to one of the best hotels in Stockholm. Because you deserve a break.

Located in the heart of the city, in the best place for those who love to shop, the Nordic Light and Nordic Sea are a pair of sister hotels in the Swedish capital.Living up to their name, the Light's rooms all have white walls to cater for the dramatic lights which are projected onto them in a variety of ways, depending on which room guests are staying in.Whereas white is the dominating colour at the Light, by contrast rooms at the Sea follow a maritime theme, with relaxing blue colours and hints at a ship's interior, complete with built-in aquariums.The Nordic Sea is home to a permanent Ice Bar, where guests can delight in the surroundings and glasses that are all made of frozen water. The bar at the Light is fresh and modern.Guests at the Light can indulge in a unique experience from the comfort of their own room - light therapy, with the use of different kinds of light to detox the body. This can also be accompanied by a massage.Sights to visit in the Swedish capital include the Stockholm City Museum, the Bonde Palace and Stockholm Palace.

A tribute to the children's books about the world of Pippi Longstockin, Junibacken is a great place to take the kids all year round.Situated in the heart of Stockholm, the museum celebrates the work of much-loved Swedish author, Astrid Lindgren.Visitors can watch the stories come alive as they play in Pippi's house, as well as meet a host of characters from the tales, including Alfie Atkins, Old Man Festus and Mercury the Cat.There is also the chance to board the Story Train, which takes travelers on a journey through Lindgren's tales, in an experience created by the author herself, along with the books' illustrator Marit Tornqvist.There are also a host of activities on offer every day, including face painting, theatrical performances and handicrafts.Visitors can also enjoy the on-site museum, which is home to temporary exhibitions that change regularly.There are 11 Pippi Longstocking books in total. The first was published in 1945, while the final story was published in 2000.