Where is the coolest place to stay and see the Northern Lights? Our vote goes to Hotel Igloo Village Kakslauttanen in Finland. The Northern Lights can be seen anywhere above 60 degrees north latitude but this place is special and these pictures show...
Hotel Igloo Village Kakslauttanen, Finland
Surrounded by Lapland's exotic and stunning scenery, Hotel Igloo Village Kakslauttanen offers 31 first-class log cabins in Lapland. Hotel Igloo Village Kakslauttanen is located in the Saariselka fell area amidst beautiful Finnish Lapland scenery in the vicinity of Urho Kekkonen National Park along the road leading to Nordkap and the Arctic Ocean. Just look at these pictures to see how stunning this place is...
Imagine yourself sleeping in an Igloo made of Snow. It is totally quiet. Lights inside ice illuminate the Igloo. These make the atmosphere so exciting that never get bored of marvelling it, until you fall to deep, comfortable sleep in your warm down sleeping bag.
When sleeping in the Glass Igloos the customer is able to marvel the amazing northern lights and the millions of stars in the sky. The experience is also unforgettable when there is a snowstorm.
Kakslauttanen is a cool place for seeing the Northern Lights, Aurora Borealis, as in the area there are not so many electric lights outside and it is north enough so that the probability of them is very high from late August to late April.
Here are pictures and videos of the 7 star Burj Dubai, the tallest skyscraper in the world surpassing the KNLY-TV mast and costing an estimated $1billion to build.
Towering high above the Dubai skyline, Burj Dubai, the world's tallest man-made construction, edges closer to completion.
These stunning aerial and exclusive interior images provide a glimpse into the lavish creation which has cost an estimated UD$1 billion to build, with a further three billion budgeted for the entire complex.
Standing at a reported 818 m (the official height will not be revealed until next year) and consisting of 162 floors above ground, the giant tower - described as the 'jewel of the Gulf regions' - is an awesome sight to behold.
But while the exterior of the building has taken shape, interior shots suggest there is still some way to go before the official unveiling in January 2010.
Taken in November 2009, interior images display giant office spaces from the lofty 125th floor with vertigo-inducing views.
On floor 39, a luxury bathroom and entertainment area from the Armani Hotel provide an insight into what the rich and famous can expect upon their lavish stay.
Made up of 175 rooms, the 40,000 sq. m Armani Hotel, will be the first of its kind to open in the world.
Reports have suggested that Giorgio Armani himself will oversee all aspects of content, design and style, including interiors and amenities. And the fashion guru will be incorporating the his exclusive label's designs into the furnishings.
The statistics behind the mega structure are as impressive as the building itself. The rods that reinforce the structure weigh a total 31,400 tonnes alone. Laid end to end they would stretch more than a quarter of the way around the world.
The water system will supply 250,000 gallons each day and the tower's external surface is the size of 17 football fields. The building will have the worlds fastest elevators at speeds of 64 km/h (40 mph) or 18 m/s (59 ft/s).
The tower will include 800 private apartments and an observatory 442 metres above the ground on the 124th floor - the highest public observation desk in the world. There will be a club on floors 144 to 146.
Sitting at the foot of the tower is the 500 acre Downtown Burj Dubai development, which when completed is expected to cost around US$20 billion, offering 30,000 homes and the world's largest shopping mall - the Dubai Mall - covering 836,000 square metres. The Burj Dubai Mall will have areas for leisure, including a world-class aquarium, fashion show arena, a souk and an ice rink.
The Burj Dubai has been designed to be the centre of a large-scale, mixed-use development that will include 30,000 homes, 9 hotels, 6 acres of parkland, 19 residential towers, and the 12 hectare Burj Dubai Lake.
The mega structure has already achieved the distinction of being the world's tallest, surpassing the KNLY-TV mast (628.8m, 2,063ft) in North Dakota, USA
However, Dubai has been hit hard by the global downturn. This week, Dubai World, one of the emirate's main state holding companies, said it was asking for a delay on major parts of its debt repayments until at least May 30
Dubai was among the most dramatic victims of the credit crunch, with property prices halving from their highs in September 2008, leaving a huge overhang of debt
Dubai borrowed $80bn in a four-year construction spree designed to turn its economy into a Middle Eastern powerhouse of finance and tourism
Burj Dubai has also been hit by press reports of the poor conditions faced by its labourers, mostly immigrants from South Asia
Videos of Burj Dubai
On the top of Burj Dubai's spire....
Burj Dubai Promotial Video....
Space travel is almost upon us as Virgin Galactic unveil pictures and video of the SpaceShipTwo planes. The $200,000 price tag buys you a once in a lifetime experience as well as all the training required to survive the flight. Imagine soaring 65 miles above the earth and seeing the blue of Earth's atmosphere transform before your very eyes into the black of space...and then you see Earth. For those rich enough to afford this very short holiday, we envy you very much!
Virgin Glactic claim that 300 people have already paid in full for the trip, and thousands more have got in queue to be the next space tourists. Virgin Galactic hopes that after the first few maiden flights even more space tourists will come forth, eventually driving the costs down for these flights to more modest figures.
Check out more information on Virgin Galactic at...
Here are our top 10 choices for most romantic and luxurious ski hotels from around the world.
Post Hotel, Lake Louise, Canada Perched at 1,500 meters amidst the natural wonders of Banff National Park you will find this cherished Alpine chalet. Canada’s largest ski area is just minutes away and the abundance of snow is just one reason a growing number of European skiers visit the area each winter.
Pan Pacific, Whistler, Canada The Pan Pacific Whistler Mountainside Hotel is Whistler’s best address, ideally located in the heart of the pedestrian-only Whistler Village and the closest you can get to both the Whistler and Blackcomb gondolas. This award winning, full-service, boutique whistler hotel offers an intimate ambience while featuring 121 well-appointed luxurious hotel suites all complete with full kitchen, fireplace, balcony, floor-to-ceiling windows, deluxe Aveda salon amenities and spectacular valley or mountain views.
Four Seasons, Jackson Hole, USA This hotel has the Four Seasons luxury with ski-in/ski-out access in Wyoming’s spectacular Teton Mountains. During warmer months you can play golf, fish or hike in unspoiled natural wilderness. Breathe in the fresh alpine air. Marvel at a sky full of stars. And savour exquisite dining wrapped in panoramic mountain views.
Stein Eriksen Lodge, Park City, USA
For over 27 years, the Five-Star, Five Diamond Stein Eriksen Lodge has been the premier resort destination for both leisure and business travelers alike. Located mid-mountain at Deer Valley, USA. The hotel is a sanctuary for those seeking the ultimate in hospitality, accommodations, fine dining, spa services and year-round recreation.
Ritz Carlton Bachelor Gulch, Beaver Creek Colorado, USA Experience an exceptional Beaver Creek resort at The Ritz-Carlton, Bachelor Gulch. This hotel is located in a year-round destination and this luxury hotel offers guests an unforgettable escape in the heart of the majestic Rocky Mountains. With ski-in-ski-out access, Colorado’s highest-rated golf course, a world-class spa and fine dining at Wolfgang Puck’s renowned Spa.
Four Seasons, Whistler, Canada Experience one of North America’s top year-round mountain resorts, wrapped in the famous Four Seasons comfort and intuitive care you can enjoy a superb spa and mountainside dining experience, plus easy access to the awe-inspiring ski slopes of Whistler Blackcomb, site of the 2010 Olympic Winter Games.
Little Nell, Aspen, USA Nestled at the base of Aspen Mountain with ski in/ski out privileges, The Little Nell also sits next to the dynamic center of Aspen itself. Minutes away from the luxurious lobby, you’ll find the Rocky Mountains’ finest year-round recreational opportunities await you. Guests have immediate access to a wealth of Colorado’s premier ski areas - “The Power of Four,” Aspen’s four incredible ski areas - Aspen Mountain, Aspen Highlands, Snowmass, and Buttermilk as well as a full range of luxury hotel services and facilities.
Lodge and Spa At Cordillera, Vail, USA From its lofty position atop a privately owned mountain the lodge rises in magnificent splendor to look out over the verdant Vail Valley. Its been consistently honored with a AAA Four-Diamond award for 16 consecutive years and this exceptional chateau-style Vail luxury hotel is an intimate mountain hideaway, offering exemplary personal service with a warm Western touch. Embrace the casual elegance of this intimate Vail Colorado luxury hotel, honored as one of the top 25 ski resort accommodations in North America by Conde Nast Traveler
Sundance Resort, Utah, USA At this hotel you can watch the moon climb over Utah's Mt. Timpanogos from your cottage patio, or enjoy a fireside dinner with new-found friends in a mountain home, and you'll begin to appreciate what Sundance is all about. Each of the lodging units is uniquely appointed in a style that integrates with our mountain environment, including rough hewn wood warm tones.
St Regis Resort, Aspen, USA The St. Regis Aspen Resort, in the majestic and historic town of Aspen, is a perfect environment for superb winter skiing, summer sports and the arts. The hotel delivers a benchmark of personalized service and unending attention to detail amidst the relaxed spirit of the Rocky Mountains. The 179 guestrooms and suites, heated outdoor pool, Rem de Spa and 20,000 square feet of function space ensure that our guests can expect nothing less than a remarkable experience.
As we gradually move into spring and the Christmas holidays become distant frost-tinged memories, more and more of us are starting to discuss where we’d like to spend our holidays this year. The current economic climate has certainly had an effect on where and when we are likely to travel in 2009, with a weak pound and an extremely competitive travel insurance market to consider, is the rest of the world really a cheaper destination than the Euro zone?
In a recent report by Mintel, the consumer and market research company found that although the recession has affected many, for much of the country the effects have been significantly less ‘severe than perceived or expected.’ They also found that despite the exaggerated affect of the economy on the travel industry, many of us are still considering overseas travel, and being more inclined to travel outside of the Euro zone.
Since we moved into 2009, many articles have been written of the benefits of travelling to destinations that lie just outside the Euro zone, such as Turkey and Croatia respectively. The pound still retains some strength against the lira and the kuna, and in terms of tourism pros – both of these are destinations experiencing an increase in popularity due to investments in accommodation and self-promotion over the past few years.
Turkey is all its glory
Similarly, these destinations prove well financially due to their relative proximity to the UK in comparison to the rest of the world. However, in terms of travel insurance, destinations outside of the Euro zone typically call for higher premiums and so travellers should take this into account. In a recent press release form a top insurance provider, discussing the Mintel findings, it seemed obvious that one of the factors that is keeping the travel industry certain that 2009 won’t be such a bad year is the fact that the more people who travel further, the more insurance they are going to pay.
Many insurance companies like the Post Office are pointing out the benefits of annual travel insurance, particularly for those who are considering going abroad more than once. Yet, in order for those planning one trip to save money on your holidays this year, it will take the weighing up of three primary factors, including: distance, the exchange rate, and whether you are inside or outside of Europe. Once these have been considered, I expect that Europe may well look, at least, almost as enticing as it always has done for us.
The current financial climate and “credit crunch” is causing prospective holidaymakers to consider traveling outside of the Euro Zone to make the most of their travel money. To many, Australia seems a safe bet in terms of value for money (after the initial flight costs, at least) due to the pound’s relative strength against the Aussie dollar over the past year – especially in comparison to its performance against the euro and the US dollar. Interestingly, some speculators are anticipating that Melbourne is the destination of choice for 2009.
Melbourne may not have been famed for its tourism credentials in the past, but recent developments are showing that it is becoming as popular with visitors as its contemporaries such as Sydney and Brisbane. The Opodo Travel News reports that, ‘according to Tourism Victoria, travellers are attracted to the city's “world-renowned, cosmopolitan lifestyle”,' causing bookings to increase by 400 percent!
Situated on the Southern Australian coast, Melbourne is a city that is celebrated for its multicultural heritage. Nearly a quarter of the city’s 3 million+ inhabitants were born in other countries, including: United Kingdom, Italy, and China – and as a consequence there is a rich variety of places to visit, cuisine to try, and culture to sample. There is an established commercial arts scene of pop music, theatre, and film, as well as many institutions that are considered alternative, such as: street art and indie music.
Melbourne International Comedy Festival
Subsequently, there are many festivals and events that take place in the city over the course of the year. Perhaps most notable is The Melbourne International Comedy Festival which takes place over three weeks around April Fools Day every year. Running since 1987, the festival showcases local and international comedians and comediennes specializing in stand-up and cabaret.
Melbourne’s permanent sights range from the architectural to the natural. The former is exemplified by such delights as the Royal Exhibition Building, a World Heritage Site and host to many exhibitions.
Melbourne Royal Botanical Gardens
For flora lovers, Melbourne is also considered Australia’s Garden City and includes many parks and gardens. The Royal Botanic Gardens is renowned for its size at 354,000 metres square and for containing over 10,000 species of plant. In recent years the area has been subjected to severe water conservation in order to deal with continual dry conditions. The organisers, therefore, have to take great care of the environmental implications of the gardens, whilst the diversity of plant life is a draw for a vast range of unique and interesting fauna.
How many of you like bathing in hot spring? How many of you have been to the place listed below. Don’t miss them if you have a chance to see those amazing places.
1. My favorite - Grand Prismatic Spring The Grand Prismatic Spring in Yellowstone National Park is the largest hot spring in the United States, and the third largest in the world, next to those in New Zealand. It is located in the Midway Geyser Basin.
The vivid colors in the spring are the result of pigmented bacteria in the microbial mats that grow around the edges of the mineral-rich water. The bacteria produce colors ranging from green to red; the amount of color in the microbial mats depends on the ratio of chlorophyll to carotenoids. In the summer, the mats tend to be orange and red, whereas in the winter the mats are usually dark green. The center of the pool is sterile due to extreme heat.
2. Mammoth Hot Springs Mammoth is a large hill of travertine that has been created over thousands of years as hot water from the spring cooled and deposited calcium carbonate.
Terrace Mountain at Mammoth Hot Springs is the largest known carbonate-depositing spring in the world. The most famous feature at the springs is the Minerva Terrace, a series of travertine terraces.
The terraces have been deposited by the spring over many years, but due to recent minor earthquake activity, the spring vent has shifted, rendering the terraces dry.
3. Blood Pond Hot Spring Blood Pond Hot Spring is one of the “hells” (jigoku) of Beppu, Japan — nine spectacular natural hot springs that are more for viewing rather than bathing.
The “blood pond hell” features a pond of hot, red water, colored as such by iron in the waters. It’s allegedly the most photogenic of the nine hells.
4. Blue Lagoon The Blue Lagoon geothermal spa is one of the most visited attractions in Iceland. The warm waters are rich in minerals like silica and sulfur and bathing in the Blue Lagoon is reputed to help some people suffering from skin diseases such as psoriasis.
5. Glenwood Springs Glenwood Springs, Colorado is home to the world’s largest Hot Springs Swimming Pool. The largest natural hot springs pool in the world exists beside the highway.
Visitors can soak in the therapy pool (104 degrees) or swim in the huge 98-degree swimming pool or play in the small children's pool. The water is full of salty minerals. The Hot Springs Pool is the marque attraction in Glenwood Springs.
6. Jigokudani Monkey Park Japan’s Jigokudani Monkey Park is in Yamanouchi, Shimotakai District, Nagano Prefecture. It is part of the Joshinetsu Kogen National Park. The name Jigokudani, meaning “Hell’s Valley”, is due to the steam and boiling water that bubbles out of small crevices in the frozen ground, surrounded by steep cliffs and formidably cold and hostile forests.
It is famous for its large population of wild Japanese Macaques (Macaca fuscata), more commonly referred to as Snow Monkeys, that go to the valley during the winter, foraging elsewhere in the national park during the warmer months. Starting in 1963, the monkeys descend from the steep cliffs and forest to sit in the warm waters of the onsen (hotsprings), and return to the security of the forests in the evenings.
7. Deildartunguhver Deildartunguhver is a hotspring in Reykholtsdalur, Iceland. It is characterized by a very high flow rate for a hot spring (180 liters/second) and water emerges at 97 °C.
The warm waters are rich in minerals like silica and sulfur and bathing in the Blue Lagoon is reputed to help some people suffering from skin diseases such as psoriasis.
It is the highest-flow hot spring in Europe.