Sweden's Icy Wonder

Just imagine a lavish hotel that sparkles like crystal, inside and out! Located in the Land of the Midnight Sun, Sweden’s famous Icehotel (all one word) is created entirely of ice and snow…even the beds. (Thick fur padding and covers keep guests warm and cozy as they sleep.) Elegant chandeliers, artistic statues and wall carvings take this place to levels comparable to any fine “regular” hotel. Even the glasses at the bar are made of ice! The hotel’s renowned restaurant offers unique cuisine that cultivates the many flavors of Swedish Lapland. Just outside, visitors will find the River Torne, and above (depending on the time of year), the amazing Northern Lights.

The hotel is located in Jukkasjärvi, Sweden and is open from December through April.

Check out my next posting for a little bit about Sweden’s food and a recipe as well.

Like to read? My friend Millie Samuelson is the author of Hungry River, which is partly set in Sweden and features main characters born in Sweden. Here’s a quick overview of the story:

In the midst of the deadly 1900 Boxer Rebellion riots, Nils and Lizzie attempt to flee to safety down the treacherous Great Long Yangtze River. When rebel troops capture them, a fierce-faced commander takes one look at them, then shouts to his men, "Where are the foreign devils? I see only white Chinese. Release them!"

Hungry River tells the story of this daring Swedish-American family struggling to survive in war-tormented China -- a story highlighted by their granddaughter Abbie's modern-day journal entries. A romance triangle, danger, tragedy and despair are all part of the plot. But so are faith, hope, love and triumph.

Learn more about Millie’s books on her website: http://www.milliesbooks.org/

Irish Castles

Who doesn’t love a good castle? (or even a bad one?) Irish castles are not the humongous structures you might expect, though there are some large ones (see photo). Most are rather dark due to their windows being narrow slits, designed primarily to see if an enemy is approaching. The rooms inside are small so they can be warmed by a fireplace, though some have a great hall and many have a chapel. Throughout the Emerald Isle you’ll find castles in a variety of conditions, from piles of rubble to beautifully restored.

Did you know you can stay in castles when you visit Ireland? Check out this link for an array of beautiful castle hotels: http://www.celticcastles.com/find_irish.asp

If you’re not interested in staying in a castle, maybe you’d like to get married in one. Would that be romantic, or what? There are many beautiful castles throughout Ireland where couples can take their vows amidst stone walls that have stood tall and proud for centuries. Just type “Irish Castle Weddings” into Google or Yahoo for a list of sites.

Hidden passageways, wails in the night and slamming doors might be just the ticket for those of you interested in paranormal activity. There are plenty of allegedly “haunted” castles available for exploration throughout Ireland. Now I myself am not a believer in ghosts, but apparently haunted castle tours are quite popular.

One more post coming up this week on Ireland -- stay tuned!