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Picture this. As far as you can see, there's snow. Pristine, crisp perfect snow, only broken by the marks made by husky sleds and reindeer sleds. The light is incredible, fresh and crystal clear, and you can see...

You've heard of ice hotels, and they sound absolutely magical. You might have seen photos of the interior of an ice hotel, made from gleaming, glittering, glassy ice and sometimes full of fantastical carved ice...

They're magical, awe-inspiring, breathtaking and very, very weird. But what, exactly, are the Northern Lights, how do they happen, what are they made of, when are they at their best, and why would you want to see them in the first place? Here's what you need to know, including the very latest science revealing why the aurora makes such an eerie, spooky sound.

The Northern Lights are absolutely spectacular. The snow-covered landscapes are awe-inspiringly lovely. The setting is magical. The reindeer are remarkable. But for some travelers the huskies themselves are the icing on the cake, the best thing about a holiday to the beautiful, glittering, ice-covered far north.

Here's everything you need to know about husky dogs and husky rides, about the most extraordinary dog breed you'll meet in Lapland, the living powerhouses behind the famously-popular husky dog sledding experiences our customers enjoy so much.

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.