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Igloos keep you toasty and warm even in the worst winter conditions. But how do they do that when snow itself is naturally really cold? How does it work when, in places like Lapland, temperatures can easily drop many tens of degrees below freezing with a wind chill factor to match?

Intuition suggests an igloo shouldn't work. Why don't they melt as you sit inside, freezing you like a human icicle? Why doesn't the snow itself cool down the air inside the igloo so much that it just gets colder and colder? What about the wind? And how do you sleep on a bed of actual ice? It's fascinating.

If you're considering igloo holidays and have ever wondered how does an igloo keep you warm, here's the science bit.

It's a sight you'll never forget, something totally magical, eerie, spectacular... there are so many ways to describe the phenomenon of the Northern Lights. But once your holiday's over and you've travelled home, will you actually be able to remember the spectacle, the glow, the colour, or will the memories fade away? The best way to bring back the magic is to take plenty of photos, and make the images good enough so they're worth having.

Every camera will give you different results. Every aurora is different, as is every night sky. You'll probably find yourself experimenting with different settings to get the images you want. Here's how to take the best photos of the northern lights.

For many years, people have been travelling far and wide in the hopes of catching a glimpse of the mysterious Northern Lights. They are found in the northern hemisphere and can be spotted in several countries, generally all of cold climate. So, if you want to see them with your own eyes, you’ll need to wrap up warm! Want to know where to see the Northern Lights in all their glory? Here’s everything you need to know.

You're planning a visit to see the Northern Lights. It's a fantastic, magical experience you'll remember for life. But there's more to Lapland than snow and the aurora. You'll see reindeer too, remarkable creatures that have adapted perfectly to the unique conditions they live in. They're beautiful animals, loved by the local Sami people and adored by visitors. Here's what you need to know about a creature whose middle name might as well be 'Christmas'!

Do you know anyone who has enjoyed holidays to see the Northern Lights? If so you'll have heard all about the aurora's absolute magnificence, the extraordinary sight it makes, glowing in the night sky and sending down curtains of gently-falling light, mysterious and ancient. But you might not have heard about the many different stories and legends that have sprung up across the world, dreamed up by ancient peoples who had no idea about the science behind the aurora but felt a strong need to explain the phenomenon for themselves.

Here are some of the most unusual and creative aurora legends to inspire you to book yourself on a dazzling Northern Lights tour.

You've always wanted to see the magical Northern Lights for yourself. And you're sure your kids will love the experience just as much as you. But the Arctic Circle is a cold and dangerous place, there might be quite a lot of waiting around to endure, and you need to be aware of how to keep your children stay safe, warm and entertained on free child place holidays far north. Here's our family guide to the ultimate Northern Lights trip.

“There is no such things as the wrong weather, just the wrong clothes.”

There's a lot of truth to the old saying above, widely used by lovers of the great outdoors. The right clothing makes all the difference between comfort and discomfort, a great time and a less-than-perfect experience.

Most of the time seeing the Northern Lights means heading a good, long way north. The most reliable place to experience them is above the Arctic Circle, and that means it's never very warm. But you're not there for the sunshine, you're there to see one of the most remarkable natural phenomena known to the human race, one of the most fabulous sights on earth. And because the lights usually only appear in winter, the chill is an integral part of the package, part of the fun.

If you're travelling north to see the aurora, what's the most suitable Arctic Circle clothing? Here's what you need to know about the weather and temperature way up there, the clothing itself, and some handy tips to keep extra-warm.

Are you planning to experience the magic of the Northern Lights for yourself? If so are you going to make it the experience of a lifetime and actually stay in an igloo, the real thing made from compacted show? Read on to find out more about the Northern Lights igloo experience, an awe-inspiringly unusual treat that you'll treasure for the rest of your life.

To celebrate the launch of our Santa’s Lapland short breaks in Kilpisjarvi, Tracey Greenway investigates the myths and magic from which this curious little village originates. Here, she sheds light on the early years of a place where the sun does not rise during the winter months.

Snowmobiling's Early Days: The Harley Davidson Story

Since the original invention of the snowmobile in the 1930’s by French-Canadian inventor Joseph-Armand Bombardier, the machine best suited for both work and play on the Arctic tundra has seen many iterations. Here we learn a little more about the short-lived yet notorious arrival of the infamous Harley Davidson to the snowmobile marketplace.