Increased sightings of the Northern Lights in Swedish Lapland this year come at an excellent time for those still looking to travel this season. With March 2014 set to offer optimal aurora viewing, longer daylight hours and milder temperatures, it's an all round great time to travel.  What's more Brits can still take advantage of Discover the World's last two direct flights from Heathrow to Kiruna on the 8th and 15th March, making travel around this Spring Equinox period even more accessible.

 

There is a selection of travel options to choose from including a stay at the famous ICEHOTEL, a stay at Abisko National Park itself (the world-renowned spot to see the Northern Lights) or, for something different a stay at the Kangos Guesthouse -perfect for those looking for an authentic Lapland wilderness break. Prices start at £1,164 for a 3-night stay at the ICEHOTEL.

 

Why is March a good time to travel?

 

This season has, so far, lived up to expectations - NASA predicted that the 11 year 'Solar Max' of the Sunspot cycle seen in 2013 would continue into 2014 (thanks to the current double peak in late 2013 and a predicted solar flip in early 2014*), enhancing visitor's chances of seeing the lights - and viewing figures at the Aurora Sky Station at Abisko confirm these predictions - January 2014 saw a huge 80.5% chance of witnessing the breath-taking light display for visitors. This can be compared really favourably to past seasons - 57% in 2009/10, 63% in 2010/11, 70% in 2011/12 and 69% in 2012/13.

 

The upcoming Spring Equinox is always welcomed by locals and visitors alike. The weeks surrounding this time traditionally herald a peak in solar activity, making March a really good time to travel because it offers the longest hours of polar light of the season and milder temperatures.  Discover the World still has availability on their last two exclusive and direct flights to Kiruna on the 8th and 15th March, departing from Heathrow. With a flight which is as long as the drive from London - Plymouth (3.5 hours) - Swedish Lapland is more accessible than ever for guests.

 

*The sun's magnetic field changes polarity approximately every 11 years.  It happens at the peak of each solar cycle as the sun's inner magnetic dynamo re-organises itself.  The coming reversal will mark the midpoint of Solar Cycle 24.  Half of "solar max" will be behind us, with half yet to come.  Dr. Tony Phillips, Science@NASA

 

Options include:

 

3 night break at ICEHOTEL

 

In the heart of the village of Jukkasjärvi, Swedish Lapland, the team at ICEHOTEL use frozen water from the Torne River to create a unique and magnificent 'pop up' hotel which is built in November and opens in December each year, before it melts away in the following Spring - no ICEHOTEL is ever the same. A selection of artists are chosen each year to work with the ICEHOTEL's art and design team to create this exclusive hotel and art exhibition carved from snow, ice and 'snice'. Designs this year include a London Underground ice-carriage, pole dancing Polar Bears, a Frankenstein-esque science lab and a Montmartre-inspired roof top setting - all made of ice and snow - which guests can sleep in.

 

Stay at the ICEHOTEL and choose from a host of Northern-light orientated excursions such as a Northern Lights Husky Safari and aurora tours by snowmobile or on horseback. - if the elusive lights make a show, guests will be in the right place(s) to spot them!

Prices for a 3 night stay (1 night in a cold room and 2 in a warm room) at the ICEHOTEL start from £1,164pp including exclusive direct flights*.

 

3 night break at ICEHOTEL with Abisko National Park

 

When travelling to Swedish Lapland, visitors can combine a stay at the ICEHOTEL with one night at Abisko Mountain Station in the Abisko National Park (a world-renowned spot to view the Northern Lights) where guests can take a chairlift up to the Aurora Sky Station, the most thrilling spot to watch the Aurora displays.

Prices for a 3-night break including return direct flights between London Heathrow and Kiruna, 2 nights at the ICEHOTEL (1 in a cold room and 1 in a warm room) and 1 night at Abisko Mountain Station, breakfast, all transfers and chairlift excursion to the Sky Station start at £1,278pp.

 

3 night wilderness break at Kangos Guesthouse, Kiruna

 

For those looking for a true wilderness break, the Kangos Guesthouse is a traditional Swedish homestead offering the advantage of travelling on Discover the World's direct flight to Kiruna.  From here, a short 90-minute transfer takes you to a remote and beautiful part of Swedish Lapland surrounded by rivers, lakes and forests.   The tastefully refurbished log houses combined with the tranquil surrounds create the perfect atmosphere to (hopefully) watch the night sky light up. Guests enjoy delicious meals together in the dining room, share stories around the fire and of course, it wouldn't be a true Swedish experience without a sauna afterward!  Prices for a fully inclusive 3 night break start at £1,358pp including an aurora search by sled.

 

- ENDS-

 

For further information please contact

Fiona Reece or Sadie Lee at Fiona Reece PR,

01242 211192 / 07702 684 682

fiona@fionareece.com / sadie@fionareece.com

 

 

*Discover the World offers ICEHOTEL breaks from £1,164 per person for three nights accommodation based on two sharing (one night in a Snow Room and two nights in a Kaamos Room - warm accommodation). This includes daily breakfast and morning sauna, exclusive direct flights between London Heathrow and Kiruna, airport transfers and taxes.  A three night stay with one night in an Art Suite is available from £1,246pp.

 

About ICEHOTEL

 

ICEHOTEL is the world's first hotel built entirely of ice and snow. It is also the world's largest: 5,500 square meters large and built of 21,500 tons of snice (a mixture of snow and Torne River ice) and 900 tons of ice. ICEHOTEL is designed by artists, which means that the creations are unique and this differentiates ICEHOTEL in Jukkasjärvi from others that have appeared in various places around the world.

 

To be able to create ICEHOTEL, the construction is done in several phases. As one section is completed, it opens to visitors and overnight guests, while the other sections are still under construction.  The first part of the hotel opens in the beginning of December, and from then, new rooms opens each week for ICEHOTEL to be fully completed by the beginning of January.

 

Adjacent to ICEHOTEL are the warm buildings where there are dressing rooms, saunas, luggage storage, relaxing areas, restaurants, warm accommodation and much more. This part of the hotel is open year around and trips are available for guests to watch the construction of ICEHOTEL rooms.