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It's a very special occasion... and you want to mark it in a very special way. If you're looking for romantic winter getaways you can't go far wrong with the endless, sparkling, snow-covered landscapes of the far north, way above the Arctic Circle, where the air is incredibly crisp and the Aurora Borealis lights up the skies after dark. No wonder the magical landscapes beyond the Arctic Circle are one of the top 10 romantic destinations in Europe.

It might be your birthday, you may have just retired, you might be getting engaged or married. You may have passed your degree course, got a new job, got into the college you'd set your heart on. Whatever the occasion, someone you love dearly, and who loves you to the end of the earth and back, wants to whisk you away somewhere incredible. Here's what awaits you in Sweden and Finland, the ultimate in wintery, snowy holiday locations, both with romance set at their heart like a glowing jewel.

The Northern Lights are a magical sight, an experience you'll remember forever. Can you make it any better? Yes, you can. Staying in an ice hotel lets you soak up a whole lot more of the unique arctic atmosphere, feel closer to nature in all its wild, snowbound glory, and enjoy a truly intimate relationship with the endless, pristine snow and ice. When you're staying inside what's effectively a giant block of ice, it's almost as though you're part of nature rather than observing it from the outside.

If you'd like to get more out of the aurora's remarkable splendour, put an ice hotel at the top of your holiday wish list. The best ones are designed with the Northern Lights in mind, and some are even created specially for viewing the Lights from your bed. Imagine sleeping in an ice house surrounded by the snow and mountains, under a clear sky so dazzlingly starry it goes on forever.

The world's ice hotels are transient, and their temporary nature somehow makes them even more magical. The first hint of spring sees them melting, disappearing without a trace, to be rebuilt as soon as the cold weather returns. Plenty come with skiing nearby, plus a host more exciting snow-inspired activities to enjoy. Here's our special ice hotel feature, revealing some of the very finest ice hotel northern lights opportunities.

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.