Santorini, Greece is an island located in the southern Aegean Sea, about 120 miles southeast of the Greece mainland. It is about 28 square miles and packed with beautiful landscape, which includes lava-layered cliffs with towns built right in. The beautiful sunsets alone make the trip worth every penny! Santorini is essentially the result of a gigantic volcanic eruption, which caused a separation of modern day Santorini from mainland Greece and also leading to the creation of the current geological caldera. While there are countless things to do in Santorini, I am going to highlight a couple that should be considered “Must See’s” when planning your trip.

HOT SPRINGS: Located at Palia Kameni, is one of the two volcanic islands in the middle of Santorini Caldera. The water temperature is around 90 degrees Fahrenheit and contains sulfur (which is good for the skin). You will have to swim from your boat into the into what looks like a muddy bay.

AKROTIRI: This is a very important archaeological site with well preserved findings due to a volcanic eruption that covered the town and inadvertently protected the buildings and their contents. As such, it has been called the prehistoric Pompeii of the Aegean and considered one of the most prehistoric settlements found in the Eastern Mediterranean. There you will see the elaborate drainage system, multi-storied buildings with breath-taking wall-paintings, furniture and vessels. There are also imported objects from other locals like Syria, Egypt, Cyprus and mainland Greece.

COACH TOURS: These are one of the best ways to experience Santorini. There are several options including the full day bus tour where you will take a guided tour of the Museum of Prehistoric Thera in Fira then on to wine tasting in Profitis Ilias and then onto a swim and lunch in Perissa. A traditional bus tour includes a visit to Profitis Ilias, Pyrgos village, Panagia Episkopi, wine tasting, and an opportunity to enjoy the famous Oia sunset. One of the tours I want to highlight is the Caldera trip, which includes a stop at what is considered some of the most popular and important sites of Santorini. Your day starts at the Old Port of Fira where you will view the active crater of Nea Kameni. You then go for a swim at the hot waters of Palea Kameni. Next you will go to Thirassia where you can have lunch at one of the traditional fish taverns, swim and visit the picturesque village of Manolas. The final stop is in Oia where you can stay and take in the breathtaking sunset (and then take a bus back to your hotel) or travel by ship back to the port of Fira.

GIALOS: Port located in Fira and sits about 900 feet below the town and under the caldera. To get there, you will take a donkey or mule down the winding steps (around 600 total steps). The other option is by cable car which can transport up to 1,200 people per hour.

PROFITIS ILIAS: Located between Pyrgos and Kamari and is the highest point of the island. It is named after the monastery sitting atop its peak. There you will take in a 360 degree view of the entire island.

BEACHES: The beaches of Santorini are absolutely gorgeous and diverse. Depending on where you are, you can walk on black, white or red sand, check out amazing land formations and partake in some fantastic water sports. The beaches of Perissa and Perivolos form the longest black-sanded beach on the island. These locals also have a variety of taverns, restaurants and hotels. The beach of Vlychada is amazing and has a “moonscape” landscape, The Red beach has unique vertical cliffs and the White beach is quaint and can only be reached by boat.

NIGHTLIFE: Most nightlife is situated in the main tourist areas of Fira, Oia, Perisa and Kamari. Fira has a lot of cafe bars or clubs which are situated along the Caldera. Some of the cafes offer amazing views over the famous Oia sunset. Searching for a lively nightlife in Santorini, Oia must be the quieter place.

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Majestic Martha’s Vineyard

Martha’s Vineyard is an island off the south of Cape Cod in New England. It consists of the towns of Aquinnah, Chilmark and West Tisbury, Edgartown, Oak Bluffs and Vineyard Haven. The vineyard, as many call it, has a variety of activities that will enchant the young and the young at heart. It is also a fantastic place for the entire family, from taking a ride on a famous carousel to playing in the sand and water on one of the pristine beaches or taking a hike or bike ride down one of the many trails.

Some of the weekly events that you can take part in include street fairs, fireworks, farmers markets, the Agri-culture Fair, golf tournaments, art and music festivals. Check the local events calendars as you won’t want to miss out on any of these family friendly festivities. One highlight for the whole family is to go to the Farm Institute in Edgartown where the farm is actually ran by the kids! The farm offers programs that run from one day to summer long experiences where kids partake in activities like planting crops, feeding piglets, learning how to heave a hoe and then taking the fruits and veggies to the West Tisbury farmer’s market to sell.

There are over 40 miles of trails to explore on the island. Hiking and biking those trails are a favorite among the locals as well as the tourists. Bikes can be rented and you can even take a guided tour if you are a little timid about going off on your own.

Well you are on an island so it only seems fitting that you consider doing some fishing. Some of the fish you will find while reeling in your line include bluefish, striped bass, bonito, false albacore, and Spanish mackerel, white marlin, yellowfin tuna, football-sized bluefins, and shark are all within boat range. You can either stay on a pier or consider renting a boat or taking a fishing charter. The beaches on the island range from shallow and long calm stretches of water on the Northern and Easter sides of the Island to a rough surf on the South side of the Island. While enjoying the sand and surf, check out the myriad of water activities that include jet skiing, canoeing, kayaking, parasailing and diving. There are instructors available for most of these activities if you are a beginner.

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5 Places to Go if You Love Live Music

Remember those days when you would travel for hours or even days to go see your favorite band? Think those days are over? They don’t have to be, even if you are traveling with friends or family that have other interests. Here are a few locations you should consider if you want to experience live music.

Grand Ole Opry in Tennessee: This started as a live radio show and is the longest continuous radio show in the US (since 1925). It is located in the Grand Ole Opry House which seats 4,400 and features live country music from not only current country artists but also from country legends. Some of the stars that have played at the Grand Ole Opry include Waylon Jennings, Hank Williams, Patsy Cline, Johnny Cash, Keith Urban and Brad Paisley. Tickets range in price from $70 – $400. Go to www.opry.com for more information.

Carling Weekend in Reading, England: The Reading festival has been around since 1961 when it stated as a Jazz festival. Currently it is a 3 day event that showcases genre’s including alternative pop, rock, rap and hiphop. Most folks (typically 60,000 fans) camp out for the 3 days; There are 6 stages for you to choose from, depending on what type of music you like. Something interesting happens to those artists who are not well received by the fans – they are barraged with empty plastic bottles. One year, 50 Cent had a lawn chair thrown at him! One interesting part of the festival is that if you love an act, follow it to Leeds the next day where a sister festival is held concurrently. Some of the prior acts that played at this festival include The Who, Eric Clapton, Black Sabbath, Deep Purple, Nirvana and Metallica. Standard day passes cost about £70. Check out www.readingfestival.com and www.leedsmusicfestival.com for more information.

New Orleans Jazz Festival in New Orleans, LA: AKA, Jazz Fest. This is a 10-day event with acts performing on 12 different stages which attracts about 650,000 folks per year. Music genres include not only traditional jazz music but also gospel, funk, zydeco, rock and Caribbean styles. Prior acts have included Fats Domino, Aretha Franklin, Miles Davis, Bob Dylan, Ella Fitzgerald, Santana, Paul Simon, BB King, Joni Mitchell, James Brown, Van Morrison, LL Cool J and Gladys Knight. Standard one day tickets are about $50 but more expensive VIP options are available. Check out www.nojazzfest.com for more information.

Dakar in Senegal: Artists have created an amazing live music scene in Senegal by creating a new type of music called mbalax, which is a mixture of Latin and Caribbean musical infused with African drumming. It is a heart pumping experience to see a 10-piece band playing music that can put you in a funky trance. There is a 3 day festival called The Coca-Cola Ebony Festival, featuring music by famous mbalax musicians like Youssou N’Dour, Baaba Maal and Didier Awadi. Also, international legend Seck hosts live “mbalax nights” at the Kilimanjaro club.

Vienna, Austria: If you love classical music, including Strauss, Schubert, Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, Brahms, Schönberg and Mahler then check out live performances of these music greats in a festival that lasts from September to June (yes, that is correct). Additionally, there are nine other festivals each year. There are also events featuring the Vienna Philharmonic playing your favorite classical music in Wiener Kinzerthaus. Best part is you can be transported to this site for free by showing your concert ticket (only for the 2 hours prior to the performance).

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San Sebastian, Spain

San Sebastian is a vibrant and exciting city located on the Basque coast in north west Spain and only about 20km from the French border.

Beaches: The three major beaches in San Sebastian are Playa de la Concha, Playa de Ondarreta and Playa de la Zurriola. Playa de la Concha is the largest beach and the main location in which to partake in water sports like kayaking, canoeing, and sail boating. At night, the beach turns into a magical place where there are paths leading to the beach lighted by little fairy lights. Playa de Ondarreta is much smaller and a better place to watch sailboats versus actually swimming because the high tide often reaches the barrier wall very quickly. Playa de la Zurriola is a hot spot for surfers looking to ride the Atlantic waves.

Some great places to go see while in San Sebastian include Iglesia Parroquial San Salvador, which was a church that essentially established the territory on July 6th, 1397. The Palacio de Aiete is a palace built in 1878. It is surrounded by ponds and gardens and perfect for sightseeing due to its elevated location. The Funicular de Igeldo is a cable car that was built in 1912 that connects Ondarreta Beach to the Igeldo Amusement Park. Another couple places in which to view breathtaking sights of San Sebastian include Monte Urgull and Monte igueldo.

Food and Festivities are a primary activity in San Sebastian. The inhabitants of this area have their own version of tapas, called pintxo. Pintxos are typically bedded on small pieces of bread or on tiny half-baguettes. Topping the bread are mouthwatering mixtures of foods like seafood, marinated anchovies, squid, crab, pate or mushrooms. One of the best places to go if you are in the mood to party is Parte Vieja (Old Town). This area contains more bars per square metre than anywhere else on Earth. The folks of San Sebastian celebrate a custom called Poteo. This customer includes meeting up with friends after work for food, drinks and conversation.

Annual Events: Some of the favorite events that take place in San Sebastian include the San Sebastian International Film Festival in September, the International Jazz Festival in late July as well as the “Aste Nagusia in mid-August. This festival lasts an entire week and is filled with traditional Basque music, dancing, sporting events, fireworks and lots of traditional foods. It is a party you won’t want to miss!

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Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska

Glacier Bay National Park is located in Southeast Alaska. It is almost 70 miles long and surrounded by glaciated mountains, presenting the most spectacular imagery and breathtaking views. The 3.28 million acre park has an abundance of flora and fauna as well as an amazing assortment of marine life, including porpoise, seals, otters, sea lions and three species of whales. Glacier Bay is natural and undeveloped beyond Bartlett Cove, which will provide you with an adventure provided in a way that only nature can. There are 10 glaciers which flow down from the mountains and fill the sea with icebergs. It is a marvel that must be experienced personally to truly understand.

The best and seemingly only way into Glacier Bay National Park is through Gustavus, AK and is even called the “Gateway to Glacier Bay National Park.” It is a mere 8 miles from the Park and is a beautiful little town that is surrounded by mountains. There is a bed and breakfast where you can stay (there are accommodations at the park as well).

Once at Glacier Bay National Park, you have a lot of activities to consider. Probably one of the popular activities includes kayaking through the bay and passageways to explore the park on your own terms. There are kayaking expeditions that range from the beginner to experienced. Kayak solo or with guides, depending on your experience level and interest. While kayaking, you will meet a dizzying array of marine wildlife, including orcas, humpback whales, dall porpoises, Steller’s sea lions, seals, and sea otters. You will also see a lot of wildlife trotting along the shoreline, including bears! You can even go on a kayaking excursion where you can camp along the path, either on the shoreline or in a bit further, allowing you to get close to nature. If you are not a kayaking enthusiast, you can still have a wonderful experience by taking a cruise boat with a guide to point out various and interesting points along the tour.

Other activities include whale watching, the best of which is between June and September when many whale species come to the bay to feed. Alaska is also well known for having the best fishing on earth. If you are a fishing enthusiast, you should consider sport and charter fishing as part of your vacation. There are countless rivers, streams, lakes and ocean waters in which to fish. Halibut are in abundance and can be as large as 300 pounds! Other fish species include the Silver, Sockeye, Pink, Chum, and King. Crab and shrimp are also abundant, plus Dolly Vardin, Cutthroat trout and five species of Salmon! Hiking or mountain biking are great ways to explore the various flora and fauna but the park is natural, thus has few cut trails. Beachcombing is another fun way to explore the various tide pools where you may find shells, driftwood, mullusks, bones and pebbles. A great way to see the Park is through flight. What a great way to experience the 15,000 foot glaciated peaks? You can also experience the Tongass National Forest and Outer Cost of Alaska in one trip! For the more experienced, there are some climbing and mountaineering and should only be considered with a guide. There is even a 9 hole golf course! Whatever you choose to do, be sure to pack the camera as you will want to capture the amazing wildlife and picturesque views.

As for accommodations, there is the obvious way: camping. The only one designated camping site but you can also camp in “non-designated” areas in the park, especially if out on a kayaking excursion! Just be sure you are well equipped and remember to take care of the nature around you! However, if you are not a camping enthusiast, there is the Glacier Bay Lodge which is located inside the park.

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Top Locals to Watch Fireworks and Celebrate Independence Day

Independence day is upon us so I figured I would do a piece on some fantastic spots in the nation where you can view a spectacular fireworks show and have a fantastic time doing so.

Washington, DC: The festivities start about a week early and some of the attractions include the Smithsonian Folk life Festival along the National Mall, There, you will find food, crafts, concerts, and more. The festival is free and it showcases all the different customs and cultures found in America. Check out the National Independence Day Parade on Constitution Avenue. There you will enjoy bands, giant balloons, fantastic floats and military personnel marching past our national monuments. Take in a concert on the west lawn of the Capital Building where you will enjoy music by special guest performances accompanied by the National Symphony Orchestra. Following this is one of the largest and most spectacular fireworks shows in the nation, which uses the Washington Monument and the Capital Building as a backdrop.

New York City, NY: There is never a dull moment in NYC. Some of the fun festivities include the famous hot dog eating contest at Nathan’s on Coney Island. There is a free performance in Battery Park and a myriad of cruises to enjoy – most of which are family friendly. The Macy’s Fireworks Spectacular begins over the East River each year. In addition to the fireworks, fire boats in the river shoot patriotic streams of fire high into the air. Music is broadcast by local radio stations and the entire event is shown on national television by the local NBC station right there in the city. Grab a seat alongside the river and enjoy the show. As night falls, you will enjoy Macy’s fireworks show where fireworks are released from six barges on the Hudson River. Each year there is a theme (this year’s theme is American Harmony – a History of American Music) and the music is performed in sync with the fireworks. Always present are celebrities singing favorite tunes, military personnel and music groups. The NY Pops Orchestra will be performing this year along with Broadway Inspirational Voices, US Army Soldiers Chorus, etc.

Boston, MA: The Boston Harborfest is held for one week leading up to Independence day with over 200 events to fill your days. Most of the celebration focuses on Boston’s maritime and colonial past and held along the waterfront, Harbor Islands and downtown. Some highlights include the Boston Chowder fest, where Boston area restaurants compete for the title of the best chowder, the annual turnaround of the USS Constitution and the reading of the Declaration of Independence (read from the balcony of the Old State House). There are a myriad of concerts, cruises, tours and kid friendly activities as well. Once it gets dark, you will take in one of the most famous fireworks show in our nation’s history. The Boston Pops Orchestra plays a 4th of July Concert each year. People line the banks of the Charles river to watch the concert and the fireworks display where the Boston Pops plays a medley of new and old music but they always end with the 1812 Overture by Tchaikovsky. It is quite moving and one you won’t want to miss.

Philadelphia, PA: Another week long celebration is held in Philly. There are concerts, movies and activities for the whole family. There are hot dog festivals, all you can eat ice cream parties and more, During the day, check out the Party on the Parkway Festival for great food and fun activities for the whole family. It stretches along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. At night, check out the concert which hosts famous bands and performers as well as the amazing fireworks display with the Philadelphia Museum of Art in the background.

Lake Tahoe, Navada: Lake Tahoe is simply an amazing place to visit but not usually considered to be a place to go for Independence day. Well, I suggest you reconsider. While there are a slew of events and activities (which are irrelevant to the holiday and can be enjoyed year round), the fireworks display is pretty cool as well! Considered one of the largest shows in the west, this fireworks display is amazing! The fireworks are shot from a barge on the lake and you can enjoy them from most any vantage point on the lake. People gather on the shores, docks and lake to enjoy the show. There are no live concerts but you can listen to music being broadcasted for the event by the radio stations.

Chicago, IL: The cities festivities kick off a few days prior to Independence day with festivals, concerts, ballgames and tours. As for the fireworks, the city of Chicago and the Navy Pier cosponsor the event. Check out the display from the shores of the lake, around Buckingham Fountain, or in beautiful Grant Park. Or, take a dinner cruise before the show and enjoy the display from the water.

San Diego, CA: Head down to the shores of Mission and Pacific beaches for some BBQ, sunbathing, bonfires and outdoor activities. You can even camp out overnight and make it a weekend event! There are carnivals, the Freedom Day’s Parade and San Diego County Fair to enjoy leading up to the fireworks show. The fireworks are shot out from four barges along the bay off Shelter Island, Harbor Island, North Embarcadero, Seaport Village and the Coronado Ferry Landing. Fireworks also will be discharged at the Imperial Beach Pier.

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Incredible Istanbul

Istanbul is the largest city in Turkey and the second largest metropolitan area in Europe (by population). To the north of Istanbul is the Black Sea and the south is bordered by the Sea of Marmara. The western half of the city lies in Europe while the eastern half is situated in Asia. The Bosphorus Strait cuts the two in half. Istanbul was the capital city of the Roman Empire (330–395), the Eastern Roman (Byzantine) Empire (395–1204 and 1261–1453), the Latin Empire (1204–1261), and the Ottoman Empire (1453–1922). It was therefore rightfully chosen as joint European Capital of Culture for 2010.

Istanbul is considered the cultural, economic, and financial centre of Turkey. It is considered a cultural and ethnic melting pot as it has a multitude of historical mosques, churches, synagogues, palaces, castles and towers. Some of the historical “must see’s” include the famous Maiden’s (Leander’s) Tower, built in 408 BC to monitor the movements of the Persian ships in the Bosphorus strait. The column of Constantine was built in 330 by Constantine the Great to establish it as the new capital city of the Roman Empire. Other Roman structures include the Mazulkemer and Valens Aqueducts, the Column of the Goths at the Seraglio Point, the Milion which served for calculating the distances between Constantinople and the other cities of the Roman Empire. As for Byzantine era architecture, the Hagia Sophia was built by Justinian and is the most important surviving example of Byzantine architecture in the world. It was originally a church, turned mosque, turned present day museum. The Great Palace of Constantinople originally built by Constantine as the primary residence of the Roman emperors. However, it was continuously enlarged by the following Byzantine emperors, in particular by Justinian. There are numerous mosques in Istanbul, many built during the Ottoman Empire. Also, the Topkapi Palace was the home of the Ottoman emperors and a must see.

Istanbul Archaeology Museum, established in 1881, is one of the largest museums of its kind in the world. The museum contains more than 1,000,000 archaeological pieces from the Mediterranean basin, the Balkans, Middle East, North Africa and Central Asia contains the late Roman and early Byzantine floor mosaics and wall ornaments of the Great Palace of Constantinople. The nearby Turkish and Islamic Arts Museum displays a vast collection of items from various Islamic civilizations. Sadberk Hanim Museum contains a wide variety of artifacts, dating from the earliest Anatolian civilizations to the Ottomans.

Present day arts and culture are alive and well in Istanbul. The Istanbul International Film Festival is one of the most important film festivals in Europe. Furthermore, the Istanbul Biennial is another major event of fine arts.

Once you have soaked up enough culture, take some time to relax and soak up some sun! The most popular places for swimming in the city are in Bakrköy, Küçükçekmece, Saryer and the Bosphorus. If you are adventurous enough, take a ferry or catamaran to the Princes’ Islands on the Marmara Sea. These are a group of island (only 5 of the 9 are settled) where you will be enchanted by the neoclassical and art nouveau-style Ottoman era summer mansions from the 19th and early 20th centuries, horse-drawn carriages and seafood restaurant. Sile is a Turkish seaside resort on the Black Sea, where you will be greeted by white sand beaches. Kilyos is a small calm seaside resort which is well known for it’s excursions, great swim spots as well as their seafood restaurants and night clubs.

As for night life, there are a multitude of night clubs, pubs, restaurants and taverns with live music in the city. The areas around Istiklal Avenue, Nisantasi, Bebek and Kadiköy offer cafés, restaurants, pubs, clubs as well as art galleries, theaters and cinemas. If you want to take in some live music from famous singers and bands, check out the Istanbul Arena or the Kurucesme Arena. Parkormanis a popular venue for live concerts and rave parties in the summer.

Istanbul has fantastic shopping venues including the Grand Bazaar, Mahmutpa?a Bazaar and the Egyptian Bazaar; The Grand Bazaar, called Kapali Carsi (literally “covered market”), is the first shopping mall ever built. The Akmerkez mall won the “Europe’s Best” and “World’s Best” awards by the ICSC. Cevahir Mall is one of the largest malls in Europe. The Kanyon Mall won the 2006 Cityscape Architectural Review Award for its interesting design. Don’t forget to check out the street vendors hawking sesame bread, and an ancient bazaar crammed with golden baubles.

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Trinity, Newfoundland

Trinity is a small town located on Trinity Bay in Newfoundland and Labrador. It’s population is a mere 350, which makes it the perfect place to go if you really want to get away from crowds and take in some history and nature. The landscape is extremely beautiful and serene, with cliffs, rolling hills and the clearest of crystal clear blue water.

Trinity has over 50 architecturally significant buildings. The best way to learn all about the history of Trinity and it’s architecture is to take a tour lead by Kevin Toope. During the two hour tour, you will walk along the scenic paths and streets where Toope will relay stories from diaries, court records, and burial records, detailing past crimes and punishments, unusual deaths, tragic shipwrecks, and disasters. You will also see many historic photos which you can review and compare with the Trinity of today. He will also tell you tales about the people’s of Trinity’s past; the Beothuk Indians, the French, the Irish, and the English and the contributions they each made to it’s rich history.

If you are a naturalist or just want to take a trip where you can take in the outdoor splendor, Trinity offers a variety of activities such as whale watching and hiking. There are over 50 fantastic hiking trails on the Avalon and Bonavista Peninsula. There are trails for every experience level. There are also 5-day and 8-day camping excursions where you can enjoy hiking, sea kayaking, fishing and wildlife watching while you spend a week living amongst caribou, eagles, whales, icebergs, and orchids. Check out “Newfoundland Coastal Safari” for more information.

Trinity has a fantastic theatre group. “All summer long in Trinity Bight, Newfoundland, Rising Tide Theatre presents a festival of plays, dinner theatre, concerts and special events in outdoor venues all around the Bight. Beginning in the last week in June and running until the first week in September audiences can enjoy at least eight different productions of music, comedy and drama performed on a rotating basis, as well as several one-time only special shows.”

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5 Amazing Pools From Around The World

When traveling, most people want to know if the hotel has a pool or not. Well, we will take you to five hotels that have the most amazing and unique pools, each trying to outdo the other.

The San Alfonso del Mar located in Algarrobo, Chile: This saltwater “pool” holds the Guiness World Record for the largest pool in the world. It is 2/3 mile long, can hold small sailboats! You can also do some nighttime swimming inside the hotels “glass pyramid” beach, where the water AND sand are heated!

The Hotel Caruso Belvedere located in Ravello, Italy: The hotel is located at the highest point of the Amalfi Coast. The open air infinity pool allows you an unobstructed, panoramic view of the coastline on one side and the 11-century Roman ruins on the other. The pool heated and has a service of dedicated concierge along with the availability of Ipods, fresh fruit and Evian vaporizers.

The Golden Nugget Hotel located in Las Vegas, Navada: This $30 million pool allows you to “swim” with 5 species of sharks. There is a 200,000-gallon shark tank which holds sharks, stingrays, Queensland grouper and silvery jack crevalle. But don’t worry, the tank is separated from the swimming pool by a four-inch clear acrylic wall. There is a 3-story waterslide – where you will climb 30 feet in the air to then ride down through the shark tank. There are also waterfalls, thirteen private cabanas and a “hideout” area which is located on the third floor of the “tank” where you can take a dip in the two story infinity pool or relax in a covered lounging area or hang at the H2O bar.

The Anantara Koh Samui Resort & Spa in Samui, Thailand: The 98 foot infinity pool is right on the beach allows you to look straight out into the Gulf of Thailand. There is a swim-up bar as well as “spitting monkey” statues along the pool’s perimeter.

The Viceroy Hotel, Miami, Florida: This 300-foot infinity pool is surrounded by Japanese blueberry trees, chaise lounges and beds. There are three types of pools to enjoy. There is an 80-person hot tub, a wading pool, and a football-field-size swimming pool. All located 15 floors above the street which overlooks downtown Miami and with views of Biscayne Bay. There is a poolside bar and fireplace, and life-size chess set.

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Stay at the Ice Hotel in Sweden

IceHotel is located in the village of Jukkasjarvi in norther Sweden and just outside the Arctic Circle. Every month between December and April the hotel is open for visitors. The hotel and everything inside is made of ice, snow (and some steel framing). The ice and snow are harvested from the nearby Torne River.

How to choose when to visit the Icehotel will depend on what your interests are. During December, you can actually watch the Icehotel take shape. December is the darkest time of year as the sun never goes above the horizon. Also the chance of seeing the Northern Lights are quite optimal. Closer to Spring is when the snowmobiling and skiing enthusiasts come to take up their sport. During March, they start harvesting ice from the Torne River and transport it to a storage place which typically attracts a lot of tourists to the river. At the end of April (and nearing the closure of the hotel), the “Midnight Sun” starts to take place which will continue to shine for 100 days and a 100 nights. This is the best time to go fishing, hunting, hiking in the mountains or river rafting in the Torne River.

Staying at the Icehotel is quite a unique experience! It is recommended is to combine a night in the Icehotel with several “warm” nights in one of their regular hotel rooms or chalets. At the Icehotel you can choose between several different types of accommodation. The temperature in the Icehotel is never colder than -5 °C to -8 °C. There are a multitude of suites to stay in and each has its own theme with amazing sculptures and artwork. Of course, each year, the suites are different so check out the website to see the past and present suite themes. You sleep in thermal sleeping bags on a special bed built of snow and ice, on reindeer skins. *Be sure to dress in warm thermal underwear. In the morning you will wake up to a cup of hot lingonberry juice at your bedside. There are several different room accommodations at the “warm” hotels and chalets.

The Icehotel restaurant has a high-end a la carte menu. “The cuisine of ICEHOTEL Restaurant has been featured in gourmet magazines around the world and has been awarded the prestigious Werner Vögeli Statuette. In October 2007, the Nordic Council of Ministers awarded ICEHOTEL the honorary New Nordic Food diploma.” Also not to be missed is the Icebar where the ice sculptures mix with the magic blue light of the bar. The glasses are made of ice.

There is even an IceChurch where you can get married or baptize your child!

The art sculptures are marvelous! Artists from all over the world come to the village to create beautiful sculptures and artwork at the Icehotel.

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