Tell me about your amazing cold place holidays

[ItMustBeTuesday]

I'd really like to plan a holiday that doesn't involve us all being too hot and grumpy!
Please tell me about the amazing holidays you've had in cold places!

So far I'm thinking of Iceland or New York in the winter.

Please inspire me!

Iceland!!

Tromso and a short trip on the Hurtigruten (mailboat/cruise ships that go from Bergen right up the coast of Norway, past Tromso, to near the Russian border).

Tromso is great. You can go walking in the snow, cross country skiing and dog sledding.

I agree with Iceland. We went in Dec, pre-covid for only 5 days, but thoroughly enjoyed it. Went on a booked 'Golden Circle' tour, a 'Northern lights tour', 'Blue Lagoon' trip and also walking within Reykjavik to their National Museum and other sites in the 'city'.

I second Tromso.
Norway is magnificent. Bergen great too.
Iceland is stunning.
How about the Baltic states? Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania...or Finland.

We do Copenhagen every year, love the magic of Tivoli Gardens, ice skating, gluwein and excellent restaurants.

Aurora chasing in the northernmost part of Finland. It was -35° but it will always be the best thing I've ever done.

I would definitely support Iceland, though you wouldn't be hot in the summer so you don't have to go in the winter. (Though the temperatures are not very low, there was a biting wind from what I remember). If you go in spring or summer you could go further into the north.

Stockholm in the summer. Lots to see and do. Empties like Paris. Always need a jumper because sea breezes.

Did Iceland last month which was beautiful. Temp hit 17 and it was apparently the hottest day of the year!

The ice hotel in Sweden - one night sleeping in a beautifully carved ice bed (with a warm sleeping bag) in the ice hotel itself, and a few nights in a warm room to allow time to go snowmobiling and dog-sledding. We didn't see the northern lights when we went but it was still magical. Would really like to see the lights though!

Iceland in February was amazing. We had the best time. Stayed in the bubble hotel and then had a couple of nights in a cabin. Such a great holiday.

We self drove which was fine but I would recommend getting a decent (not the smallest) 4x4 with high ground clearance as we did get stick in the snow a couple of times.

wildernesshotels.fi/

This place was amazing. We did a winter family adventure week. Expensive but outstanding.

Patagonia.

Definitely pick Iceland over New York, I went Banff in Canada years ago and that was amazing in the snow.

Lapland was one the best holidays ever…I’d go back in a heartbeat and just not do the Santa bit again. But the sledding/huskies/general playing in the snow was amazing. So so cold though!!!

New York near Xmas is fab too. We were lucky and got snow there too.

I also think Amsterdam would be nice in winter although I’ve only ever been in summer. Or maybe Bruges or Vienna?

Omg that looks amazing!!!

Another vote for Norway. We went to Geilo, did some ski ing, went on a dog sleigh, lovely walks, got train to Oslo. It was expensive there though!

Prague at Christmas, just gorgeous. But anytime really, fabulous!

Won't break the bank either.

Alaska. Definitely not hot even in July and august. Jaw droppingly beautiful.

Ruka, Finland. Fantastic holiday

Iceland to me is better in the summer… that’s fairly cool still mind

Sweden, wild camping is my next aim.

Prague is lovely if you avoid the tourist/stag do areas. The old town is divine and full of lovely little coffee shops. We went for DD's 21st birthday.

New York was gorgeous in late November during the day, but jesus wept, the wind at night was literally enough to take your breath away. We tried going for a walk after dinner one evening and ran back to the hotel about 2 minutes later..... the doorman opened the doors and said "hmm didn't think you'd be long". I can honestly say that I've never felt anything like it.

DD went to Iceland last year and absolutely loved it. They hired a car and went off the beaten track, but it isn't cheap in terms of food/drink.

Lakes Bled & Bohinj, Slovenia

Iceland in August was a lovely 16 degrees, weather changed every five minutes and I loved it! Its a big ticket holiday though but the only trip I would say was actually a holiday of a lifetime - we hiked the volcanic eruption site, snowmobiled, kayaked a glacial lake, ziplined, drove the ring road through genuinely awe inspiring scenery, saw whales from a speed boat, saw the northern lights by accident, lazed in a spa, partied in Reykjavik, ate at wonderful restaurants.

New York is freezing in the winter much colder than I expected. Iceland was nice weird being dark until lunchtime though Krakow was really cool in the winter loved it

Agree with the suggestion of Iceland - go in the winter and you can do all the fun winter activities. Go North to Akureyri, Husavik etc - have a look at Geosea! Amazing when it’s snowing outside.

Tromso also great and easy to get to if you live near Gatwick as you can get a direct flight. Otherwise you might have to change.

Banff/Lake Louise if you want to go further than Europe. If you can, stay at the Fairmont Banff and the Chateau Lake Louise - you can ice skate on the lake.

And as nobody else ha suggested it yet - Tallinn for a few days (gorgeous city) and hop on the ferry to Helsinki. In the winter you go through sea ice so it’s a really interesting and short ferry hop.