Stay in an Igloo Under the Aurora Borealis

Have you ever dreamt of living life eskimo-style? Wonder what it’d be like to spend the night in an igloo, watching the northern lights work their magic in the sky above? This fantasy can become reality thanks to Hotel Kakslauttanen, home of The Igloo Village. The Igloo Village is located in Lapland, Finland, near Urho Kekkonen National Park.

In addition maintaining 40 beautiful log cabins, during the winter the hotel offers visitors the option of sleeping traditional igloos made of snow, or a more modern (and comfortable) version made of ‘glass’, where they can drift off to sleep watching the spectacular aurora borealis dance overhead. The glass igloos are constructed of a special transparent thermal material that maintains normal indoor temperatures and does not frost or fog up.

The hotel also offers a ‘snow’ chapel for weddings, four different themed restaurants (including a ‘snow’ restaurant housed inside a giant igloo) and a variety of on-site activities for winter sports enthusiasts

Visitors can entertain themselves ice swimming, ice and snow carving, ice karting, skiing, snowboarding, and snowshoeing along forested trails. The hotel also organizes winter safaris for activities such as snowmobiling, ice fishing, day tours aboard icebreaker ships, and excursions into Norway and Russia.

What Causes the Aurora Borealis?

The otherworldy colors of the aurora borealis are caused when solar wind emits energetic particles that become trapped inside the Earth’s magnetic field. When these sun ions enter the upper atmosphere they collide with atmospheric molecules to create a beautiful portrait of energy emissions and light.

Different reactions occur and different colors are produced depending on the combination of ions and atmospheric molecules. Some particles will create pink and blue displays. Collisions in lower altitudes commonly appear as yellowish-green lights. The rarest aurora color is deep red, which is formed when ions from the sun collide with oxygen at a high altitude. Throughout history, the lights have had many names including “Dance of the Spirits,” as the Cree called it.

Where do the Aurora Borealis Occur?

The aurora borealis occurs in the northern hemisphere and is most frequently seen in northern Scandinavia, the southern tips of Greenland and Iceland, northwestern Canada, Alaska, and northern Siberia, so the igloo village in Finnish Lapland (the northern part of Finland) is a prime viewing area.

When is the Aurora Borealis Visible?

The northern lights are present year round, but the sky has to be fairly dark for people to witness the action. So, it’s best to avoid cities and areas with a lot of lighting to get the full effect. Since the igloo village is far from any major source of light pollution, the viewing conditions are ideal. The best time of year to see the aurora borealis is between September and mid-April, so this is the best time to go on northern lights holidays.

Aurora Borealis Photos and Igloo Village Photos

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Images provided courtesy of (in order) Trodel, bjaglin, savillent, Visit Finland, Visit Finland, Visit Finland, Visit Finland, and Visit Finland on Flickr.

Aurora Borealis Video Clips

Trip Planning Tips

If you would like to stay in an igloo beneath the aurora borealis, you should know the following things:

Name: Hotel Kakslauttanen

Price: Igloos run about $500 USD per night for two people (single occupancy is only slightly cheaper).

Phone: +358 (16) 667-100

Fax: +358 (16) 667-168

Email: hotel@kakslauttanen.fl

Tips: Book well in advance. The Igloo Village is very popular and many dates are sold out early in (or even before) the season.

Don’ forget to book your trip when the aurora borealis is most visible (see above).

Lapland Vacations

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La Tomatina in Bunol, Spain is basically the world’s biggest and messiest tomato fight festival. This orgy of tomato throwing in Spain occurs each year on the last Wednesday in August. Keep reading to find out about the history of this bizarre festival, how it goes down, and how you can plan a trip to do some tomato throwing in Spain this year.

Check out the top three videos of La Tomatina.

Tomato Throwing in Spain

La Tomatina in Bunol is an annual festival in Spain.  Attracting visitors from around the world, the event has been declared a Fiesta of International Tourist Interest. Participants have one hour to unleash their inner child and engage in one of the most epic food fights ever. The city council dumps truckloads of tomatoes in the streets (In 2007 there were 115 tons!) and, once the festival begins, no one is safe.

The main event leading up to the food fight is known as the palo jabón. A greased pole is erected and a ham is placed on top of it. Then participants attempt to climb to the pole to reach the ham. Spectators sing, dance, and shower themselves with water waiting for a victor to toss the ham off the top of the pole. Once the ham falls, the horn sounds and the hour-long tomato fight begins. The fight usually starts around 11 am.

After the fight, firemen hose down the town while locals generously offer participants the use of their hoses to clean up. Some people also wash off in the pool of  los peñones.

Want to Do Some Tomato Throwing in Spain?

La Tomatina takes place in the Valencian town of Bunol the last Wednesday of August around 11 am. It lasts for one hour.  Particpants should arrive at the festival around 8 am to ensure a good spot for taking in all the action. To get to the event, travelers can fly into Valencia and take a train or bus to the center of the city. Please note tickets into and out of the city should be booked well in advance due to the popularity of the tomato fight festival. A one-way ticket from Valencia to Bunol costs around $6.75 (€4.70) and takes about 45 minutes. Visitors should arrive at the Valencia San Isidre station around 6:30 am to catch the 7am train.

Due to the lack of accommodation in Bunol, it’s much easier to find a place to stay in Valencia. Hotel rooms should also be booked well in advance, as hotels tend to hike up their prices around this time. Hostel reservations can be easily made online you can check out these villas in Spain.

Other Tips: Make sure to bring goggles, wear clothes you don’t mind getting ripped or stained, and water-proof your camera!

La Tomatina History

The origins of tomato throwing in Spain are a bit sketchy, but the original festival is said to have been started by some angry youths who began throwing tomatoes at their enemies one Wednesday afternoon in August, 1945. Though lawmakers arrived on the scene and put the kibosh on that fight, every year around the same time more and more people gathered to repeat the tomato war. The fight grew in popularity but was outlawed in the 1950’s. Due to pressure from the locals, the town council approved the fight again in 1959 with stipulation that tomato throwing could only begin with the sound of a horn and would cease when the horn sounded again. Since that time the fight risen in fame over the years. Copycat fights have also sprouted up in Columbia, Costa Rica, China, Chile, and Reno, Nevada.

Check out the top three videos of La Tomatina.

All photos courtesy of flydime on Flickr

Valencia Vacations

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Learn more about La Tomatina.

La Tomatina Video 1

La Tomatina Video 2

La Tomatina Video 3

Learn more about La Tomatina.

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Place

Italy

Location

Southern Europe

Major Cities in Italy

Major cities in Italy include Florence, Milan, Naples, Rome, and Venice.

Geography of Italy

Italy is located in the south of Europe on the Mediterranean sea. Italy is bordered by Austria, France, Switzerland, and Slovenia and surrounded by six different seas and includes several islands. Two important islands include Sardinia—off the west coast, and Sicily, at the southernmost point of the peninsula.

Italy is 301,338 square kilometers (116,347 square miles) and has a population of about 60 million people. Its coastline is enormous at 7,600 km.

The country has a diverse landscape. Though home to plains and coastal lowlands, Italy is mostly mountainous, with the Alps and the Apennines running the length of the country. The highest point in Italy is Mont Blanc in the Alps at 4,807m (15,770 ft). There are numerous volcanoes in Italy due to the meeting of the Eurasian and African plates. Three of Italy’s volcanoes are active while the rest remain dormant. The country is home to Mount Etna, the tallest active volcano in Europe and one of the most active in the world.

National parks can be found throughout the country. Though home to many beaches and beautiful coastline, Italy has had problems with air and water pollution. Over the last decade the country has strived to improve the environment and now ranks as one of the world’s largest producers of renewable energy.

Climate of Italy

Though many would assume the country has a Mediterranean climate, the weather varies dramatically throughout the country, especially during winter. Summers in the north tend to be humid with frequent thunderstorms, while in the south the weather is dry and sunny.

Summer temperatures are very similar throughout the country, ranging from 22-27°C. Winters in Italy vary; in the north temperatures are cold and the weather is rainy and snowy, while in the south temperatures are mild. Winter temps in Italy range from −2 °C -8 °C.

Italy Description

Italy is sometimes known as the “birthplace of western culture,” and is famous for its history, art, delicious food, fashion, and luxury vehicles. It is home to number of UNESCO world heritage sites, the most famous including the Almafi Coast, the Church and Dominican Convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie with “The Last Supper” by Leonardo da Vinci in Milan, the Piazza del Duomo (where the leaning tower can be found), the Colosseum, and the public buildings of papal Rome (The Holy See) in the Vatican City.

Seeking Italy Adventures? Each unqiue region of Italy offers something different for adventure enthusiasts. Northwest Italy, home to the port of Genoa, is home to the famous Lake Como. Sailing, windsurfing, kiteboarding, kayaking, wakeboarding, waterskiing, and canyoning are all easily accessible here.

In Northeast Italy visitors will find the famous waterways of Venice and world-reknowned ski-resorts in the Italian Alps. In central Italy, those searching for Italian adventures can take up white-water rafting at Marmore Falls or sail in hot air balloon over the beautiful Tuscan landscape. Southern Italy, home to the romantic Amalfi Coast, offers tourists a laid back lifestyle with outdoor activities such as golf, horseback riding, and sailing.

Let’s not forget Italy’s two most famous islands– Sardinia and Sicily. In addition to dining at first class seafood restaurants the islands have amazing diving and windsurfing. One of the best places for windsurfing is Porto Pollo, the windiest part of Sardinia. Fantastic diving spots are prevalent in this area, especially in the nearby volcanic islands of Ustica and Linosa.

Italy Adventure Highlights

• If you’d like to try something a bit more than the average hike, the rugged Dolomites are an exceptional backdrop for via ferrata in Italy.
• If you want to get away from the beach crowds, why not kayak Italy’s scenic coastline in a sea kayak?
• If the kayak is too slow for you, Italy has many kitesurfing shops ready to bring you up to speed.

Outdoors Adventures in Italy

• Surfing
• Stand-up paddle boarding
• Scuba diving (wreck)
• Snorkeling
• Surfing (all levels)
• Sailing
• Kitesurfing
• Windsurfing
• Parasailing
• Paragliding
• Canyoning
• Horseback riding
• Hot air ballooning
• Whitewater rafting
• Kayaking (river and lake)
• Hydrospeed/riverboarding
• Canoeing
• Caving and spelunking
• Hiking/trekking (all levels)
• Via Ferrata
• Rock climbing (all levels)
• Ice climbing
• Abseiling/rappelling
• Mountain Biking (novice to expert)
• Skiing and snowboarding
• Cross-country skiing
• Snowshoeing
• Volcano trekking

Budget Travel in Italy

Italy is rife with hostels. Check out Country Club Castelfusano in Rome, starting at $19 USD per night. In Venice try the Venice Villa Dori at $26 USD. Ostello del Chianti in Florence is also reasonable with prices starting at $21 USD per night.
You can try this site for more information on  Italy hostels.
Those looking for something more luxury will find luxury villas in Italy to be in ample supply.

On the lower end, meals in Italy can be found for reasonable prices in many local bars and cafes. Expect to pay between $3 – $9 USD.

Italy Photos

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Images (in order) courtesy of MorBCN, NomadicEntrepreneur, féileacán, Aquarius.1973, Swiv, will_cyclist, Alaskan Dude, BlueSunFlower, Stuck in Customs, asibiri, and ShutterRunner on Flickr.

Suggested Reading

Click on the images for more information

Italy Map

View Larger Map

Disclosure: If you purchase insurance, book a hostel, or purchase one of the recommended books on this page using the links provided, I will receive a small commission. I do not, however, recommend these products simply to make money. I recommend World Nomads travel insurance because I use it myself and feel that they offer a good product that suits my needs at a fair price. I recommend Hostelbookers.com because they have the cheapest booking prices that I have seen online and a large selection, and I recommend the selected books from Amazon.com because they have reputations for quality information and were up to date at the time of writing. If you have found my blog useful I hope that you will consider purchasing some of these products using the links on this page to help me to continue providing free information about adventure travel around the world.

Rome Vacations

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Florida

Location

Southeastern United States

Major Cities in Florida

Major cities in Florida include Jacksonville, Miami, Orlando, Tampa, Fort Lauderdale and St. Petersburg. The Capital is Tallahassee.

Florida Climate and Geography

Florida is situated in the southeastern United States, bordering on Georgia to the north, and Alabama to the northeast, and with a coast on the Atlantic Ocean in the east, the Florida Straits in the southeast and south, and the Gulf of Mexico in the west. The state also includes an archipelago of 1700 islands in the Florida Strait called the Florida Keys.

The state is 170,305 sq km (65,755 square miles) and has a coastline 1,350 miles long. It is the longest coastline in the contiguous United States.

A good portion of Florida is a peninsula surrounded by the Gulf of Mexico, the Atlantic Ocean, and the Straights of Florida. Most of the state is at or near sea level. The peninsula is made of limestone and bedrock and has many underwater caves and sinkholes.

Florida’s landscape is mostly flat and is strewn with lakes and wetlands. The southern tip of the peninsula is home to Everglades National Park, a massive array of government-protected wetlands created by a slow-moving river. Florida is renowned for its beautiful bays, beaches, and estuaries along the coast. The state also has a set of tropical islands—the Florida Keys—that are surrounded by the warm waters of the Caribbean.

The warmest state in the United States, Florida has mild, pleasant winters with average daily temperatures of 21.5 °C. North and central Florida are classified as having a humid subtropical climate, while the southern part of the state, and the Florida Keys, have a tropical climate. Accordingly, during the winter months visitors can expect cooler weather in central and northern Florida and warmer weather down south. Snowfall is not common anywhere in the state. Summer months are hot and humid with average temperatures of around 33 °C. In the winter lows dip down to around 4 – 7°C. The rainy season lasts from mid June to September. During this time short thunderstorms occur on nearly a daily basis. Hurricanes are also common at this time of year.

Florida is home to a variety of plant and animal species, many of which are threatened. Dolphins, whales, panthers, otters, manatees, crocodiles, alligators, sea turtles, eagles, deer, pelicans, and armadillos are among some of the exotic species that inhabit the area. Marshlands, Mangrove forests, and Cypress trees are native flora.

Florida Description

Florida is known as “The Sunshine State” in the U.S and is a popular destination, especially during winter months, for Americans fleeing the cold Midwest. It is also a multi-cultural state. In the northern part of the state visitors can experience the charms of traditional southern living. The southern part of the state is more diverse with Latin American, Seminole Indian, and beach-bum vibes. Though the cities are large and sprawling, Florida is an excellent location for those seeking outdoor adventure. Popular tourist destinations include Miami, Orlando (home to Disney World), Daytona Beach (known for its pristine beach and motor-sports facilities), Everglades National Park, and the Florida Keys.

Surrounded by ocean, snorkeling, diving, whale/dolphin watching, surfing, and kiteboarding are all convenient and accessible adventures in Florida. Although tennis is popular, and many people go for lessons at a tennis academy, Florida is better known for it’s spectacular beaches, such as Panama City Beach, Miami Beach, and Daytona Beach—with many more options around the state. The Florida Keys are known around the world for their scenery with crystal clear water, and offer amazing diving and snorkeling opportunities.

The Florida Everglades is a UNESCO World Heritage site and is also the largest sub-tropical wilderness reserve on the North American continent. Interested in hiking in Florida? Tourists may hike through the reserve on marked trails where they can watch birds and, if lucky, witness an alligator slinking through the brackish waters.
Canoeing in alligator-infested waters is also a popular activity, but most sites require participants to sign a waiver.

To get the most out of your Florida adventure it recommended that you do some research ahead of time, as there are seemingly endless activities available to tourists.

Florida Outdoor Adventure Activities and Extreme Sports

• Surfing
• Stand-up paddle boarding
• Scuba diving (wreck, reef, cave)
• Snorkeling
• Surfing (all levels)
• Sailing
• Kitesurfing
• Windsurfing
• Parasailing
• Paragliding
• Hang gliding
• Sky diving
• Bungee jumping
• Hot air ballooning
• Whitewater rafting
• Kayaking (river, lake, sea)
• Canoeing
• Caving and spelunking
• Hiking/trekking (all levels)
• Ziplining
• Rock climbing (indoor, bouldering)
• Abseiling/rappelling (indoors)
• Mountain biking
• Horseback Riding

Budget Travel in Florida

• A popular destination for students on vacation, Florida has some very reasonable hostels. The cheapest tend to start around $12-15 USD per night for a dorm bed. In Miami, the Santa Barbara is a good deal. For the best value, though you should definitely check out the slightly more expensive ($16 USD per bed per night) Jazz on South Beach.
  More information about hostels in Florida can be found here.
• On the lower end, meals can be found for under $10. One of the more interesting ways to try Floridian cuisine is to sign up for an Everglades package tour, where tourists are offered offered fresh seafood and delicacies such as alligator nuggets.

Have Insurance?

I like to use World Nomads. It’s not too expensive and signing up is fast and straightforward. They also have pretty good coverage for sports equipment like surf and snowboards, but it varies depending on your country of origin, so be sure double check. You can get a free quote on their website.

Florida Photos

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Images (in order) courtesy of emilio labrador, eschipul, gregor_y, kayaklng labrat, chaunceydavis818, Kevin N. Murphy, ah zut, horizontal.integration, Air & Space Magazine, Kissimmee – The Heart of Florida, Wildlands CPR, and Kay Gaensler on Flickr.

Suggested Reading

Click on the images for more information

Florida Map

View Larger Map

Florida City Vacations

The post Florida Adventure Travel Guide appeared first on XpatMatt.

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Place

Melbourne, Australia

Location

Melbourne is the capital of the state of Victoria, situated on the southeast coast of Australia.

Nearby Towns/Cities/Villages

There are several well-known towns and cities near Melbourne, two of the more notable are St. Kilda and Portsea, a popular holiday destination that is home to some of the most affluent families in Australia.

Climate and Geography

Located on the bay of Port Philip, Melbourne’s city center sits on the estuary of the Yarra River. The topography of the 8806 km² city varies, ranging from valleys (Yarra and Dandenong Creek) to lowland mountain ranges (Dandenong, Macedon), to bustling metropolitan sprawls, to flat volcanic plains, to beautiful beaches along Port Philip Bay (there are more than 36 for sun-worshippers to enjoy!).

The climate varies as wildly as the landscape. The city is said to experience “four seasons in one day.” Temperamental weather changes occur due to a clash between the warm inland climate and the cool southern ocean. Hail and heavy rain may occur suddenly in one area, while another area nearby remains dry. After storms rain-drenched areas will clear up and become sunny and calm, as if nothing had transpired. Melbourne’s oceanic climate produces warm winters and cool summers.  The average daily temperatures range from 26°C in January to 15°C in August.

Description

An international city that was voted the second-best place to live on the planet, Melbourne has a population of 4 million people. It attracts visitors from around the globe with its renowned festivals, fantastic shopping, alluring landscapes, colorful arts and culture scene, and major sporting events such as The Melbourne Cup, Formula One Grand Prix, and Australian Rules Football. Known as the sporting capital of Australia and the “Ultimate Sports City” of the world, adventure enthusiasts will be in their glory with an array of adrenaline-spiking activities to choose from.

One activity growing in popularity in the area is known as “adventure racing”. In this sport teams of 2 – 4 people test their endurance levels with intense bouts of kayaking, cycling, swimming, mountain climbing, hiking, and running. These competitions can last anywhere from a few hours to a few weeks. Other popular activities center on the plentiful beaches, where visitors can go kiteboarding, scuba diving, snorkeling, and boating.

Activities in the Melbourne Area

• Adventure racing
• Scuba diving
• Snorkeling
• Rock climbing
• Hot air ballooning (wildly popular)
• Skydiving
• Horseback riding
• Kayaking
• Kiteboarding
• Surfing
• Hiking and trekking
• Camping
• Whitewater rafting
• Aerobatic flying
• V8 Racecar driving
• Paragliding
• Skydiving
• Boating

On a Budget?

• Melbourne hotels and hostels are designed to fit every traveler’s budget. Hostels range from $18-50 USD per person per night, and one can find many budget hostels and hotels near the State Library of Victoria and Melbourne Central. Campsites on the beach with a stunning view of Port Philip Bay are available near the city. There are also numerous sites tucked away in the wilds of Victoria, for travelers looking to get up close and personal with nature.
• Melbourne offers the daring diner many enticing options. It is known as the “foodie capital” of Australia (seems that Melbourne is #1 for many things in Australia). Due to the international flavor of the city, visitors will find restaurants with fare from all corners of the globe. On the cheap end, one can expect to pay around $8-13 USD per meal.

Photos

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Images (in order) courtesy of, colros, chrisleishman, Looking Glass, eguidetravel, Lucid-Dreams, Looking Glass, macinate, Paleontour, Looking Glass, and thomasrdotorg on Flickr.

Map

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Melbourne Vacations

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