Winter vacations are the new summer holidays, or at least, they’re getting that way, and now is the perfect time to book for next winter. Summer holidays have hit peak prices, and those prices just keep on rising, unlike winter breaks. Perhaps it also has something to do with sun-worshipping becoming less fashionable too. Winter vacations have a lot to offer, and plenty of activities which you just can’t do in the heat of the summer. Snuggling up in front of a log fire, in an idyllic log cabin in the wilderness just isn’t the same when it’s 80 degrees outside.
1. Bobsleighing
If you’re a bit of an adrenaline junkie, you’re going to want to give bobsleigh a try. You might have seen it on the Winter Olympics – it’s basically extreme sledding, as your sleigh follows a banked ice track, which controls the direction in which you travel. It’s not for the faint hearted, but you don’t have to be a pro to give it a go. In Norway, you can even travel on a former Olympic bobsleigh track, if you’re up for it.
2. Husky sledding
For animal lovers, husky sledding is up there as one of the perfect bucket list travel ideas. With instruction from a professional, you and your belongings are attached to a sled, and a team of super enthusiastic (and equally adorable) huskies pulls you through the snow at a fairly significant speed. Excursions can last only a day, but there are even week or fortnight-long trips which take you through the Arctic tundra into the wilderness.
3. Ice fishing
If you’re a keen angler, ice fishing is a novel experience. With the help of a professional, you will drill a hole into the surface of a frozen lake or river, and fish in the waters below, sometimes even using an underwater camera to aid your fishing. To top it all off, you can cook the fish fresh on the surface of the ice for supper – it’s any angler’s dream come true.
4. Hot spring relaxation
There’s nothing quite like a dip in hot, mineral-rich mud when you’re in a freezing cold climate. Iceland is a tremendously volcanic country, and so the hot springs are active and beautiful. Head to the Blue Lagoon for the ultimate experience in relaxation.
5. Cozy up by the fire
After a long day of being rather chilly, imagine climbing under a blanket in front of a roaring log fire in a stunning log cabin. In the middle of nowhere, with a mug of hot chocolate or a glass of mulled wine – the ultimate in cozy relaxation, and it’s like nothing you can experience on a summer vacation.
6. Catch the Northern Lights
The Aurora Borealis is the breathtaking light show that sometimes appears above the Arctic Circle, especially in winter. It requires a supremely cold climate, and no light pollution, so it can only be seen when you’re really far north. It’s one of those spectacles which is a true bucket-list activity, and completely mesmerizing.
While summer holidays are great, there are so many exciting, relaxing, and beautiful things to do on a cold, wintery vacation – make sure you get yours booked for next winter today.