Hotels Plan A Cold Reception For Winter

Now the winter months are upon us, thoughts for many are turning to a ski holiday - and hotel accommodation with a difference at specially made ice hotels in Europe and North America.







And the European ski country of Andorra is hoping to attract tourists with a music festival and discounted offers for skiers - planning for example to offer free ski passes for children under 14 when a ski holiday package is booked through an English or Irish tour operator.

Andorra's resorts are also looking to broaden their market beyond skiing, snowboarding and other popular winter sports, with details available at the tourist office in the capital Andorra la Vella - in fact they are planning to build the Pyrenees' first every ice hotel. The Andorran ice hotel will be the most southerly seated ice hotel in the world.

Ice hotels are quite simply what their name implies - hotels carved out of ice. All ice hotels are rebuilt every year. The construction and operation are dependent on sub-zero temperatures. All walls, carvings, sculptures and furniture are made entirely out of ice. Furniture that requires assembly is held together using snice, a substance that takes the place of mortar in 'brick and mortar' buildings.

Ice Hotels in Norway

The Kirkenes Snow Hotel hosted its first full season three years ago during the 2006-2007 winter season. For the 2008-2009 winter season, the hotel had 21 rooms and is considered the largest snow dome in Norway. The latest facilty for the the Kirkenes Snow Hotel is the Scandinavian Sauna by the lake.

The Ice Lodge is part of the Bjorligard Hotel in Norway. Due to its altitude of 1,250 meters above sea level, the Ice Lodge is enjoyed much longer into the winter season than other ice hotels. The lodge includes carved, spacious rooms with glistening ice surfaces and a bar. The Ice Bar is a great place to mingle with other Ice Lodge guests to enjoy a warming drink or two.

The Alta Igloo Hotel first came into existence in 2000. Located in the Finnmark region of Europe, it is the northernmost of all currently existing ice hotels. With 28 regular rooms and two suites, it is decorated with ice sculptures and furnishings. The hotel also has an ice chapel, gallery and bar where the drinks are served in ice glasses.

Ice Hotel in Sweden

The world's first ice hotel was created near Jukkasjarvi, Kiruna, Sweden. The idea to create ice hotels was actually almost accidental. One night, in 1990, French artist Jannot Derid held an art exhibition inside an igloo in Sweden. There were no hotel rooms available in the nearby town so some guests requested permission to sleep in the exhibition hall. The very first guests of the future Ice Hotel slept in sleeping bags on reindeer skin. The first major media attention may have been drawn to the hotel in the late 1990's when the rock group Van Halen recorded their video to the song 'Without You' in the newly built Ice Hotel.

Ice Hotel In Canada

The first Ice Hotel in North America was built in January 2000. The original was built in the Duchesnay resort area and had only 22 bedrooms. The latest versions have had more than 80 rooms. One thing that sets the Duchesnay Ice Hotel apart from others is its chapel where several weddings are celebrated each season.

Ice Hotels In Finland And Romania

Finland's Mammut Snow Hotel is not a true ice hotel - it's created entirely of snow. Most of Mammut Snow Hotel's furnishings, decorations and sculptures are created with ice. Similar ice decorations and sculptures are also on display in the Lainio Snow Hotel in Finland. The Mammut Snow Hotel is within the walls of the SnowCastle of Kemi, the biggest snow castle in the world. Also encased in the SnowCastle are The Castle Courtyard, The Snow Restaurant and a chapel for weddings.

Near Saariselka is the Hotel and Igloo Village Kakslauttanen. It is a small village of sorts created with snow igloos, glass igloos, an ice chapel, ice gallery and a restaurant made of snow. The impressive snow restaurant has seating to accommodate 150 people.

Balea Lake in the Fagaras Mountains of Romania is home to Eastern Europe's first ice hotel. The hotel was first created in 2006 and is at an altitude of 2034 metres above sea level. This ice hotel has accommodation for more than 150 guests and features attractions such as bobsledding and ice fishing.

Andorra to Offer More than Winter Sports

In addition to the inclusion of an ice hotel, Andorra's resorts have made more than 20 million euros worth of upgrades to existing ski holiday areas.

Improvements and additions include low cost helicopter sight seeing flights, tubing slopes, new ice rinks and a snowmobile circuit. For 2010 ski holidays, Andorra hopes to delight skiers looking for fun and excitement.

Turkey Hotels: Things To Do On Your Turkish Holiday

Turkey holds huge appeal as a holiday destination for a multitude of reasons. As a gateway between the East and West, its cultural assets are rich and varied. Exotic cuisine,






lively entertainment and breathtaking scenery combine to create a feast for the senses, while the country's colourful history adds an extra layer of intrigue to the mix. There are plenty of Turkey hotels offering comfort and convenience as well as a flavour of Turkey's unique culture. With numerous attractions and activities available, guests will certainly not be short on things to do when they choose to stay in this beautiful country:

Sightseeing

Turkey boasts plenty of ancient sites worthy of exploration. The Acropolis and Asclepion of Pergamum, the site of the legendary city of Troy, and the city of Ephesus are just a few examples to whet the appetite. Or, for some more modern history, the battleground at Gallipoli offers a sobering reminder of the tradgey of the first World War. With many sites spread out across the country it is unlikely that all will be visited in one holiday, but many of the hotels in Turkey can advise about day trips and tours that cover a selection of sites in one go.

Activities

Thrill seekers need not be idle in Turkey with plenty of sports and adventure activities on offer in both the sea and the sky. Exploring the ocean treasures while cave diving or rafting along the Koprucay River through the country's stunning National Park are a couple of water based options. Or for an alternative take on Turkey's landscape that is beyond compare, visitors can try their hand at paragliding or perhaps a hot air balloon trip. The stunning Cappadocia Valley is a recommended site for airbourne adventure with incredible views. The valley is made up of intriguing chimney rock formations, underneath which lie a network of prehistoric underground cities.

Relaxation

The Ottoman Sultans were well known for their extravagant lifestyles and their belief that taking baths was a key part of good health. Today, holidaymakers can follow in their footsteps by indulging in a traditional Turkish bath at one of Turkey's many luxurious spas. A number of the hotels in Turkey double as spa resorts, allowing guests to enjoy Turkish hospitality and relaxation at its best all in one place.

Shopping

Turkey's Grand Bazaar and Spice Bazaar in Istanbul are recommended for those wanted to bag themselves a selection of authentic Turkish delicacies. Meanwhile, a more modern shopping experience be found at the city's Cevahir Mall. This huge shopping centre is recognised as one of the largest in the world alongside the likes of those found in China and the Philipines.

Food and Drink

After a long day of sightseeing or retail therapy, it is always worth stopping off at one of Turkey's tea houses to sample some of the local treats on offer. Follow this up with a night of Turkish food and entertainment at a lively local restaurant, complete with folk dances and belly dancers. Or have a night in at the hotel and enjoy a range of local and international cuisine.

Plenty of Turkey hotels are offering great deals on full board and all inclusive packages at the moment, while additional reductions can be found by checking out deals on late rooms online.