THE ICE HOTEL EXPERIENCE
ICE HOTEL + Transylvania
Something DIFFERENT. Somewhere DIFFERENT.
1 2 3
****************************************************************************
THE ICE HOTEL EXPERIENCE > WHAT
✷ WHAT – Experience / 03-‐04 ✷ WHY – Highlights / 09-‐10 ✷ WHERE – Location / 05-‐06 ✷ WHO – Type / 11-‐12 ✷ WHEN – Season / 07-‐08 ✷ HOW – Process / 13-‐14
SOMETHING DIFFERENT
****************************************************************************
Somewhere Different What’s different about this experience?
THE ICE HOTEL EXPERIENCE At A Glance COUNTRY: Romania DURATION: 4 Nights
MONTHS: Dec – Mar PRICE: £299
ASSISTANCE: Hands-‐On
Somewhere Different
Something Different ICE HOTEL
TRANSYLVANIA
+
Sleeping and dining in a hotel made of ice
Up at 2,000 meters in the remote Transylvanian Alps
01
www.untravelledpaths.com
www.untravelledpaths.com
02
THE ICE HOTEL EXPERIENCE > WHAT
3
THE EXPERIENCE
Morning visit to Bran (Dracula’s) Castle. Travel to Fagaras Mountains for cable car up to Balea Lake Ice Hotel. Afternoon to enjoy snow-‐based activities. Evening drinks at the Sub Zero Ice Bar and the Ice Hotel Dining Experience (not included).
What happens on the experience? Read on to find out more about the itinerary.
1
4
HOME > BUCHAREST
Arrive in Bucharest. Transfer to boutique accommodation in old town. Evening to explore.
ICE HOTEL > BUCHAREST
Travel to Sibiu for brunch and a wander around the medieval Saxon town. Transfer back to Bucharest.
2
5
BUCHAREST > BRASOV
Morning transfer into Transylvania to Sinaia. Tour of Peles Castle. Visit to Rasnov Fortress. Travel to Brasov for late lunch. Afternoon and evening to explore.
03
BRASOV > ICE HOTEL
www.untravelledpaths.com
BUCHAREST > HOME
Time in Bucharest before private transfer to the airport for return flight.
www.untravelledpaths.com
04
1 2
THE ICE HOTEL EXPERIENCE > WHERE
THE LOCATION Where does the experience take place? Read on to find out more about the locations you’ll be visiting.
Rom ania Ask most people what comes to mind when they think of Romania and you’re likely to hear something along the lines of Dracula, vampires and gypsies. Yes, the spooky castles pitched on rocky hilltops are certainly vampire-‐worthy but the only real fangs you’re likely to be exposed to here are those belonging to the wild bears, wolves and lynx that roam the Carpathian Mountains. Once you place the stereotypes aside for a moment, you’ll soon understand how misunderstood, overlooked and vastly underestimated this country is.
Sighisoara, to the Danube Delta’s abundance of birds and wildlife, and the magnetic buzz of the fast-‐paced capital of Bucharest, the variation and contrast across Romania is staggering.
From the untouched Transylvanian countryside and the beautiful mountain scenery in the Carpathian Mountains, the wooden churches and painted monasteries of Maramures and the medieval towns of Brasov, Sibiu and
05
Of course, there’s far too much to see in just one visit...
www.untravelledpaths.com
The Ice H otel
Aside from a range of snow-‐based activities to get involved with, the main highlight of your stay is sure to be The Ice Hotel Dining Experience at the world’s first and only Ice Restaurant. The fairytale evening meal is set within the Ice Hotel itself with two of four courses served on plates of ice at your very own frozen table and fur-‐lined thrones of ice.
Nestled between the icy peaks of the Fagaras Mountains and veiled by clouds, the remote Ice Hotel stands 2000m above sea level and can only be accessed via cable car. Each winter, once the Balea Lake freezes over, the locals cut and drag blocks of the icy lake to the location of the hotel, which is set against a magnificent backdrop. Hand carved by local craftsmen using traditional techniques, the frozen Balea Lake is transformed into the beautifully intricate structures of the Ice Hotel and its magical Ice Church. With individually sculptured rooms of ice, each and every corner of the Ice Hotel is stunningly unique and is re-‐designed every winter.
Although temperatures in the Ice Hotel typically waiver between -‐2 and +2 degrees, guests find themselves enjoying a surprisingly cosy night’s sleep, particularly those who have indulged in a nightcap before bedtime. Ice beds are covered with insulating reindeer fur then topped with mattresses for extra comfort. Bedding, further furs, and specialist sleeping bags are all provided and bathroom facilities are located nearby.
A stay at the Ice Hotel is truly a unique, once in a lifetime opportunity. The experience begins in style as you are transported up through the misty, snow covered mountain peaks by cable car; a trip that affords incredible panoramas of the surrounding alpine area studded with rich coniferous forests. Once you’re up on the mountain, there is a range of snow-‐based activities to get involved with and the Sub Zero Ice Bar is always open for a very cool beverage served in customary ice glasses.
www.untravelledpaths.com
06
THE ICE HOTEL EXPERIENCE > WHEN
THE SEASON When does the experience take place and which is the best month to book? The Season
December: The festive season offers a truly magical experience with
The Ice Hotel season runs throughout the
celebrations in full swing. The New
winter and during the initial part of the
Year’s Eve party is particularly special
spring, with the official opening date set
with fireworks and bubbles when the
on Christmas Day, the 25th of December,
clock strikes 12. You’ll also be the very
each year. The Ice Hotel stays open until
first visitors to sleep in the ice-‐suites and
the end of April after which time the warm
eat at the Ice Restaurant at Christmas.
weather sets in and the frozen structures
of the hotel, church and igloos begin to
January: A great time to visit the Ice
melt. However, each year the Ice Hotel is
Hotel as most of the structures will have
closing earlier and earlier because of warm
been built and all the sculptures are
which is what we’ve decided not to take
brand new.
any bookings in April at all to avoid
disappointment.
February: Prime time to visit. The Ice Church and igloos will almost certainly
The construction of the Ice Hotel can only
be finished and the weather is usually
begin once the Balea Lake completely
sunny and crisp. Valentine’s Day is
freezes over, which usually occurs right at
celebrated in style at the Ice Hotel.
the beginning of December after which
Romance on ice, if you will.
point the building, sculpting and carving
commences. However, the unpredictable
March: The month for almost
nature of the weather has an impact on
guaranteed blue skies and sunshine.
the Ice Hotel season, making it difficult for
There’s still lots of snow but you get the
us to predict the exact date the hotel,
best of both worlds. In fact, it’s not
church and igloos will be completed and
unusual to find yourself enjoying a coffee
the precise moment that the ice starts to
outside in a Transylvanian town’s café.
melt.
07
www.untravelledpaths.com
www.untravelledpaths.com
08
THE ICE HOTEL EXPERIENCE > WHY
THE HIGHLIGHTS Why is this experience so wonderful?
2
1
Dine in the Ice Restaurant & sip cocktails at the Sub Zero Ice Bar
Home to one of the only Ice Restaurants in the world, the Ice Hotel Dining Experience is one of our best and brightest highlights. Diners are treated to a delicious four-‐course dinner with starters and dessert served on plates of ice and complimentary cocktails at the Sub Zero Ice Bar to boot. It is pure magic.
Sleeping in your very own snow suite
Redesigned each winter, every room is individual and boasts unique snow sculptures and magical mood lighting that fits in with the overall theme of the hotel. The most difficult part is trying to choose which one you’ll sleep in! You can even spend the night in your very own private igloo.
The winter wonderland landscape
Ice hotels are commonly found next to long stretches of monotonous landscape, but Romania’s Ice Hotel is located over 2000m above sea level in the Fagaras Mountains overlooking breath-‐taking alpine valleys. In winter it is only accessible by cable car making it incredibly remote. 09
3
www.untravelledpaths.com
www.untravelledpaths.com
10
THE ICE HOTEL EXPERIENCE > WHO
THE TYPE Who is this experience perfect for?
Group Type This experience is suitable for the following group types:
Motivation Type
❋ Romance & Magic ❋ Snow & Ice ❋ Gifts & Occasions ❋ Celebrate ❋ Propose
This experience is perfect for those with the following motivations: ❋ Action & Adventure ❋ For Him ❋ For Her
✓ Couples ✓ Friends ✓ Families ✓ Big Groups ✓ Honeymooners ✓ Brides & Grooms ✓ Solo Travellers ✓ First Timers Travellers
Personality Type This experience is suitable for the following personality types: ✓ Adventurers ✓ Culture Vultures ✓ Explorers ✓ Romantics
11
www.untravelledpaths.com
www.untravelledpaths.com
12
THE ICE HOTEL EXPERIENCE > HOW
THE DETAILS How to get there, enquire and book?
The Price
The Flights
This experience includes the following:
As a tour operator we are not able to offer flights. The listed airlines fly directly in and out of the arrival and departure airports for this experience:
✷ Transfers Private airport pick-‐up and drop-‐off All in-‐country transfers ✷ Accommodation 2 nights boutique B&B accommodation in Bucharest 1 night boutique B&B accommodation in Brasov 1 night at the Balea Lake Hotel of Ice
London > Bucharest Gatwick (EasyJet) Heathrow (BA, Air Tarom) Luton (Wizz Air, Blue Air) Stansted (RyanAir) Other UK > Bucharest Liverpool (Blue Air) Dublin (Aer Lingus, Blue Air)
✷ Activities Visit, entry and tour of Peles Castle in Sinaia Visit and entry to Bran (aka. Dracula’s) Castle Visit and entry to Rasnov Fortress
The Process
The Assistance
Here’s more information on enquiring, booking and paying in 10 simple steps:
This experience is classified as ‘hands-‐on’. This means: ü
1.
Select experience and booking page on website 2. Choose travel dates from availability calendar 3. Fill in details on enquiry form 4. Wait up to 24 hours for a response from our team 5. If availability is confirmed, we hold your places and you book your flights 6. Booking is processed and confirmed with deposit payment of 25% (if earlier than 6 weeks before start date) 7. Receive digital materials including a personalised trip itinerary and booklet 8. Outstanding balance is paid 6 weeks prior to departure 9. Pack your bags 10. Get ready for a unique travel experience!
ü ü ü
ü
Full on-‐the-‐ground support with structured itinerary and pre-‐planned logistics Allocated bi-‐lingual guide and driver Private transfers Pre-‐booked accommodation, breakfast, activities and reservations Extensive digital information and handpicked recommendations for sights, bites and highlights
✷ Other VIP cable car passes Bi-‐lingual guide The Ice Hotel Experience booklet Welcome drink
13
www.untravelledpaths.com
www.untravelledpaths.com
14
THE INSPIRATION
Somewhere else for snow and ice
Like this experience? Then you’ll love these.
MOROCCO SKI
THE EXPERIENCE 1. Home > Marrakech 2. Marrakech > Atlas Mountains 3. Marrakech 4. Marrakech > Home
Somewhere else with quirky accommodation THE EXPERIENCE 1. Home > Marrakech 2. Marrakech > Skoura Oasis 3. Skoura Oasis > Sahara Desert 4. Sahara Desert > Atlas Mountains 5. Atlas Mountains > Marrakech > Home
SAHARA DESERT
THE HIGHLIGHTS ✷ Sleep under the stars in a traditional desert camp ✷ Ride a camel across the desert and watch the sunrise ✷ Journey through the epic Atlas Mountains ✷ Experience the magic and mayhem of Marrakech
BROWN BEAR
THE HIGHLIGHTS ✷ Become one of the few people to have skied in Africa ✷Witness the epic Atlas Mountains ✷Relax in luxurious riads in the heart of Marrakech
KOTOR YACHTING
Something totally different THE EXPERIENCE 1. Home > Podgorica > Kotor 2. Kotor > Tivat > Kotor 3. Kotor 4. Kotor > Podgorica > Home
Something else in Romania THE EXPERIENCE 1. Home > Podgorica > Kotor 2. Kotor > Tivat > Kotor 3. Kotor 4. Kotor > Podgorica > Home THE HIGHLIGHTS ✷ Spot wild bears at a Transylvanian hide ✷ Meet rescued bears at
the Liberty Bear Sanctuary ✷ Track bears and bison in the Carpathian Mountains
THE HIGHLIGHTS ✷ Relax on a yacht along the Adriatic Coast ✷Explore the UNESCO sites of Perast and Kotor ✷Admire the beauty of Kotor Bay
**************************************************************************************************************
For more information on any of these experiences as well as our complete collection, please visit our website www.untravelledpaths.com
**************************************************************************************************************
15
www.untravelledpaths.com
www.untravelledpaths.com
16
At Untravelled Paths we believe our innovative approach in combining unique experiences with unusual destinations makes for a winning travel formula. We also believe buying experiences is more important than buying things. That’s why our ‘something different, somewhere different’ experiences are filled to the brim with original and memorable moments to share with the people you love. An Untravelled Paths Experience is a life-‐long purchase that gets even better with time. Unlike other tour operators, our team is tiny. Don’t let this put you off though, for what we lack in manpower, we more than make up for in enthusiasm, passion and downright dedication. We pride ourselves on being able to add a more personal touch to the way we do things. Find out more about our other experiences at www.untravelledpaths.com
CONTACT www.untravelledpaths.com 0207 101 4061 info@untravelledpaths.com 24 Ferncroft Avenue, London, NW3 7PH
Something DIFFERENT. Somewhere DIFFERENT.