Ice caves or northern lights: the best options for a magical winter vacation
Travel expert Beth J. Harpas, former editor of the Associated Press, shared her options for vacationing in "winter" places. In her article, she described what to do in Iceland, and Finland, and whether it is worth going to Yellowstone.
How to plan a trip in winter to make it comfortable? This and many other things for those who do not ski in winter are reported in the Yahoo article.
The best vacations of your life can be spent in winter as well, the expert believes. During this period, holiday crowds leave popular tourist destinations, and prices drop significantly.
Choosing a city
If you are planning a winter vacation, don't forget to include cities in your list of potential destinations. And here's why.
New York City is not just a city; it's a whole world of opportunities, especially from January 16 to February 4, when Restaurant Week is held. Here you can enjoy fixed menus and unique 2-for-1 offers on Broadway. Why this time? It's not just a whim - it's a strategy to boost business during the slow season. Hotels and theater tickets become more affordable, and rare bookings become a reality. Not only will you be able to save money, but you'll also be able to avoid the crowds of tourists at popular attractions.
Mild weather and breathtaking winter scenery await you in Manhattan. Although severe cold and snow are not uncommon, the main entertainment still takes place indoors - museums, shows and, of course, gastronomic discoveries all over the city.
Other northern cities such as Boston, Chicago, and Montreal are also worth checking out. Cold and snow are common in these places, but you can save money on flights and accommodation. Check the forecasts, don't forget warm boots, and you can enjoy winter adventures while avoiding the crowds and saving a lot of money. Winter in cities is a new way of looking at traveling that is worth experiencing!
See the northern lights
Are you ready to witness the amazing phenomenon of the northern lights? 2024 promises to be the peak of the 11-year cycle of this magical phenomenon, making it the perfect time to embark on an incredible adventure.
Iceland, Alaska, as well as the northern parts of Scandinavia and Canada, offer unique opportunities to see the northern lights. Before embarking on this exciting journey, we recommend that you research the weather and cloud cover data in your chosen locations to increase your chances of witnessing this magnificent phenomenon.
Once, when our son was 9 years old, we decided to take an unforgettable trip to Fairbanks, Alaska. After attending an ice carving festival, we headed north to Chena Hot Springs, where a cozy resort away from the hustle and bustle of the city awaited us. With limited Wi-Fi and no city lights, we were able to enjoy the incredible spectacle of the aurora borealis.
During our trip to Reykjavik, Iceland, we also managed to spot this magical light. We simply rented a car and headed to the waterfront, where people gather every night to admire this natural wonder. And despite the city lights, our choice was justified: we witnessed the breathtaking beauty of the northern lights.
Hot springs and caves
For a true winter adventure, a trip to a park near Helsinki, where you can feed the reindeer, is perfect. You can also experience saunas in the old town, followed by a plunge into the icy water.
In Lapland, you can book a reindeer safari and explore the Finnish Oravi Canal. For a warmer vacation, head to Iceland, where you can visit hot springs.
Although the famous Blue Lagoon is temporarily closed due to the nearby volcano, authorities state that the impact of the eruption is localized, and tourism and air travel elsewhere are unaffected. Don't miss Iceland's famous Golden Ring, including Thingvellir National Park, Geysir (a field of geysers), and Gullfoss Waterfall.
If you're seeking more adventure, consider visiting the ice caves. Iceland's Ice Cave in Vatnajökull National Park will amaze you with its size. For this trip, you'll need to use shoe crampons to navigate the stairs made of pure ice. You can only explore with an authorized guide who will lead you underground through a charming but daunting, claustrophobic, frozen channel with walls of blue ice and ceilings of icicles.
Winter vacation in the USA
In the northern United States, we recommend visiting Yellowstone, where wolves and bison are easier to see than in summer. Travelers can stay at the Old Faithful Snow Lodge or the Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel and enjoy snowmobiling, snowshoeing, or cross-country skiing excursions.
An interesting activity for nature enthusiasts is observing otters and elk. Not far from Nebraska, the crane migration begins when approximately half a million migratory birds stop to feed in the fields around the Platte River near the town of Kearney. This period starts in mid-February but peaks in mid-March. You can hire a guide or make your way to public viewing areas in Gibbon, Aldie, and Fort Kearney State Park.
How to dress
Regarding dressing for winter weather in countries like Iceland, it varies. Your best bet is to wear fleece clothing, a ski suit, and boots suitable for sub-zero weather. Additionally, don't forget waterproof gloves, as railings and ropes on steep trails are often wet with ice condensation. Having a supply of masks left over from the pandemic is also useful for protecting your face from the wind.
Plan for the possibility of road closures due to winter storms, and be mindful that the length of the day can vary. Adjust your schedule according to sunrise and sunset times.
For instance, in Iceland, there may be periods of complete darkness even at 8 a.m., with the sun not rising until 10 a.m.
Lastly, consider packing your luggage efficiently. Wear your bulkier items, such as shoes, on the plane, and use vacuum-sealed packing bags for the rest of your clothes to save space. You'll be surprised at how much less space your clothes will occupy with this method.
