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Wanderlust Issue 202 (December 2019/January 2020) • The 2020 Travel Hot List + Wrangel Island + Tiger trekking in India + Georgia + Colombia • Pocket guides: Cape Town + Tenerife
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The 2020 Travel
HOT LIST Inside: Canada + Japan + Portugal + Kenya + Croatia + Albania + Zimbabwe + Chernobyl + Namibia + Kyrgyzstan + Lebanon + Patagonia + Nicaragua + And much more...
TREKKING WITH TIGERS
Earn your stripes in India’s lost forest 000_Cover_202_SO.indd 1
POLAR BEAR ISLAND
Wildlife wonders at the world’s end
GEORGIA ON OUR MIND
Raising a glass to Europe’s gem 01/11/2019 17:01
TRAVEL
HOT LIST 2020
Need inspiration for your next adventure? From unspoilt Albania to promising Pakistan and the ‘new Zimbabwe’, we present 15 essential destinations to visit over the next year WORDS SARAH BAXTER
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KENYA
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WHY IT’S HOT: IT’S TIME TO REDISCOVER CLASSIC AFRICA.
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We say: For many, Kenya IS Africa: its acacia-dotted savannahs, teeming game parks, Rift Valley lakes and remote rusticluxe camps are the classic image of the continent. Security concerns following a spate of terrorist attacks have deterred some travellers in the past few years. But while the FCO urges against visits to specific areas of the country, many places are still on-limits, including the premier safari destinations – elephant-roamed Amboseli, mountainous Aberdare, uncrowded Laikipia, the matchless Masai Mara – as well as dazzling Indian Ocean resorts such as Mombasa, Watamu and Diani. Tourist numbers are starting to increase – international arrivals in 2019 are predicted to be around 5% up on the previous year – but this still remains a great time to rediscover Kenya’s iconic wilderness without quite so many other people. Don’t miss: Visit Ol Pejeta Conservancy for the chance to see two of the world’s only remaining northern white rhinos. Ol Pejeta is also a sanctuary for the endangered black rhino; after receiving four of the creatures in 1989, it set the target of housing 120 by 2020 – an aim already surpassed by late 2019, with 134 black rhinos now living on site. ⊲
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NAMIBIA
WHY IT’S HOT: SHINING LIGHT OF COMMUNITY CONSERVATION IS FAB AT 30.
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We say: Namibia is ageing extremely well. As the country gears up to celebrate the 30th anniversary of its independence from South Africa in 2020 – a big-budget affair that will culminate in a grand event in Windhoek on 21 March – it continues to offer an ever-more sustainable and responsible travel experience. Namibia has long been a pioneer of community-driven ecotourism; communal conservancies, where local people are empowered to manage and protect their environment, comprise 20% of the country. Summer 2019 saw the launch of a dedicated community conservation and tourism website (conservationtourism. com.na) to highlight the wealth of cultural, activity and wildlife-focused adventures available within these areas, from mountain hikes to tracking trips with the San people. These also include exceptional safaris – Namibia is the only country where elephant and lion numbers are increasing, and is home to Africa’s largest population of freeroaming black rhino. Many conservancies provide buffers to the national parks. Don’t miss: Planning a self-drive Namibia trip? Visit tosco.org, a non-profit organisation connecting the tourism industry to local people and conservation organisations, which can help you offset your vehicle’s carbon emissions via treeplanting schemes. ⊲
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NICARAGUA
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WHY IT’S HOT: THE ‘NEW COSTA RICA’ IS BACK IN BUSINESS.
We say: Wracked by political unrest, Nicaragua had a torrid 2018. But earlier in 2019 the FCO lifted its no-go advice for the country and, slowly but surely, tour operators and travellers are returning to what many consider the unsung star of Central America. Costa Rica might grab the headlines, but neighbouring Nicaragua is also a paradise for nature lovers, with a diverse mix of the same good stuff – puffing volcanoes, pristine beaches, lakes and lagoons, canopy zip lines and jungles exploding with wild creatures – just without the hordes of other people. Nicaragua is also far less commercialised (though infrastructure is improving) and comes without Costa Rica’s steepish price tag – expect to pay around a third less for food, accommodation and activities here. Must-sees include the graceful colonial cities of Granada and León, peaceful Ometepe Island, the empty Caribbeanlapped Corn Islands and the historic fortress of El Castillo. Don’t miss: Explore the rainforest, lagoons and wetlands of Los Guatuzos Wildlife Refuge, close to the Costa Rican border, to look for turtles, caiman, howler and spider monkeys and an array of tropical birds. ⊲
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HOKKAIDO, JAPAN
We say: With the Rugby World Cup over and the Olympics on the horizon, there’s a palpable buzz around Japan right now. Tokyo will be the focus in 2020, but to enjoy the energy without the crowds, look a little further afield to Hokkaido, Japan’s northernmost isle. Wild and remote, Hokkaido reveals a completely different side to the country – here, as well as Japanese classics such as volcanic onsen and excellent noodles, you’ll find a range of unspoilt national parks, fragrant lavender farms, brilliant birdwatching and world-class skiing – Finnair’s new direct flight from Helsinki to Sapporo (running 15 December 2019 to 27 March 2020) will provide easier access from Europe to the slopes. Also, the new Upopoy National Ainu Museum and Park is set to open in April 2020, highlighting the culture of Hokkaido’s Ainu, who Japan only officially recognised as an indigenous people in 2019. The museum, by Lake Poroto, will provide insight into the culture of this long-ignored group via exhibitions and more experiential displays, including carving workshops, dance performances and Ainu food tastings. Don’t miss: Japan’s Royal Express sightseeing train (which usually runs south of Tokyo) will be shipped up to Hokkaido in 2020 for a limited number of luxe runs between Sapporo and east Hokkaido during the late-spring/summer. ⊲
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WHY IT’S HOT: EXPLORE THE BUZZYBUT LESS BUSY NORTH.
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PATAGONIA
We say: In 1520, en route to completing the first circumnavigation of the globe, Ferdinand Magellan and his Armada de Molucca discovered the stretch of water that slices through the southern tip of South America, linking the Atlantic and Pacific – the strait that now bears the explorer’s name. Magellan found it a fierce, untamed place. And it remains so to this day, even if the ‘Pathagoni’ – the indigenous tribe of reported giants after which he named it – no longer exist. This is a landscape of calving glaciers, snow-spattered mountains, wild steppe and shores a-waddle with penguins; one of the planet’s most alluring, enduring wildernesses. This anniversary year, take a cruise in Magellan’s wake, maybe through the riddle of channels in the Tierra del Fuego archipelago. Trips runs from Chile’s Punta Arenas (where the Nao Victoria Museum is home to a replica of one of the carracks of Magellan’s fleet) to Ushuaia, via Cape Horn. Don’t miss: Pop to northern Patagonia (the area around San Martín de los Andes and San Carlos de Bariloche), which will be one of the best places to see the total solar eclipse on 14 December. Tie it in with a view of the Geminids meteor shower, which peaks at the same time. ⊲
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WHY IT’S HOT: CELEBRATE THE 500TH ANNIVERSARY OF THIS END-OF-THE-WORLD WILDERNESS.
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TRAVEL TRENDS FOR 2020
CANADA
WHY IT’S HOT: A WEALTH OF NEW OPPORTUNITIES FOR INDIGENOUS EXPERIENCES. We say: Mighty mountains, uncountable lakes, endless forests and prairies – the reputation of Canada’s physical beauty has long drawn travellers. But increasingly the country’s cultural side is bringing them in, too, as visitors seek deeper, more authentic experiences. Indeed, indigenous tourism is growing fast in Canada, rising 23% between 2014 and 2017, compared with a 14.5% increase in overall tourism in the same period. A 2018 report from Indigenous Tourism BC estimated that 7.2 million visitors
TRAVELLING BY RAIL
would engage in indigenous experiences over the following two years. Alberta has recently launched Indigenous Tourism Alberta, an agency specifically focused on promoting First Nations tourism, while the province’s Writing-on-Stone/Áísínai’pi Provincial Park, home to the largest collection of First Nation rock art on the North American Great Plains, was added to the UNESCO World Heritage list in July 2019. In 2020 the new Inuit Art Centre in Winnipeg, Manitoba, is also set to open, showcasing a huge collection of more than 13,000 Inuit works. Don’t miss: Visit Haida Gwaii, the mystical archipelago off the northern coast of British Columbia, where you can engage with the indigenous Haida people (gohaidagwaii.ca).
Conscious of your carbon footprint? In 2020 rail is set to be the new way to travel instead of flying. It’s not only more eco-friendly, but it will allow you to see more of the countries you’re travelling through en route to your final destination. Board a bullet train in Japan to see ancient castles and take part in traditional tea ceremonies or discover the splendour of India aboard a luxury train.
PAKISTAN
Shutterstock; AWL images
WHY IT’S HOT: IT’S POTENTIALLY TRAVEL’S NEXT BIG THING. We say: Pakistan should be heaving with tourists. The country has it all: the most magnificent mountains, surprisingly good and undeveloped beaches, awesome ancient history, a remarkable mix of cultures, one of the world’s greatest road trips, and warm and welcoming people. But it has also had a heap of security issues, which means this once-desirable destination – the darling of the 1960s and ’70s hippie trail – has been languishing on the FCO no-go list for many years. However, things are starting to look brighter. While several areas are still deemed off-limits, tourists are trickling back – visitor numbers have more than doubled since 2010. Also, the arduous visa process has become simpler and cheaper – citizens of 175 nationalities, including Brits, can now apply online. And in June 2019, British Airways launched its first direct London-Islamabad flight for more than a decade. Pakistan has huge potential. In 2020, it just might start living up to it. Don’t miss: In past years, travellers required a No Objection Certificate (NOC) to visit some areas of the country. These have now been largely scrapped, opening up parts of Kashmir, Chitral and Gilgit-Baltistan, where you’ll find Hunza, one of Pakistan’s most beguiling regions. ⊲
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GALWAY, IRELAND
WHY IT’S HOT: 12 MONTHS OF CREATIVE CRAIC.
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We say: “A year of extraordinary creativity and disruption” – that’s how the west-coast Irish city bills its tenure as European Capital of Culture in 2020. Galway is pretty artsy any time, its (many) pubs overspilling with live music, its streets jolly with buskers, its hefty student population lending a lively vibe. But come 2020, the ante will be upped, with a full programme – focused on the themes of language, landscape and migration – structured around the old Celtic calendar: Imbolc (budding season, Feb-Apr), Bealtaine (summer, May-Jul), Lughnasa (harvest, AugOct) and Samhain (winter, Nov-Jan). There will be 1,900 events in total, with highlights including giant light installations splashed across heaths and bogs; a version of Homer’s Odyssey touring the beaches; an International Women’s Day event attended by Margaret Atwood; the Cúirt International Festival and its celebration of Irish and European literature; country, blues, gospel, folk and bluegrass concerts; Project Baa Baa (a paean to sheep); and no fewer than 30 projects celebrating the Irish language. Don’t miss: A launch event (1-8 February) will include festivities county-wide, culminating in a ceremony devised by the team behind the London 2012 Olympics opening (galway2020.ie). ⊲
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ALBANIA
WHY IT’S HOT: UNSPOILT EUROPE, WITH AN ADVENTUROUS EDGE. We say: Although Albania has been welcoming tourists for ages now – finally opening its doors after the fall of communism in 1991 – it’s taken a while for the country to catch the popular imagination. Which bemuses anyone who’s been, because the destination is a revelation. Not as polished as Croatia maybe, Albania sees a fraction of the tourists, and is dirt cheap compared to its Mediterranean neighbours – entrance fees to attractions, food, buses and beer are all a bargain. It also has an appealingly gritty edge, an astonishingly undeveloped coast, wild national parks and mountains, an array of archaeological sites (including Apollonia and Butrint) and plenty of history- and culture-rich towns. The infrastructure is gradually improving too, with better roads, a trickle of more interesting hotels, and new airport developments that will likely see more low-costers flying in. Don’t miss: In the past decade, the 2,000km-long Via Dinarica trail has spiced up the Balkans’ hiking scene; now, the TransDinarica (transdinarica.com) is looking to do the same for cycling. This crossborder route connects Slovenia, Croatia and Bosnia & Herzegovina, but is planning to extend into Montenegro, Albania and beyond soon.
TRAVEL TRENDS FOR 2020
GRAVEL RIDING
Shutterstock,AWL images
If you’re looking to take the path less travelled, gravel riding could be your next adventure. The growing trend originated in the USA in places such as Colorado and Utah, where there are thousands of kilometres of unpaved gravel roads through mountains and forests. The routes are too uncomfortable with a road bike and not difficult enough for mountain bikes, hence the invention of the gravel bike. While the trend started Stateside, there is plenty of remote terrain to uncover from Georgia and Montenegro to Scotland and the ’stans.
ZIMBABWE
WHY IT’S HOT: ALL HAIL THE ‘NEW ZIMBABWE’.
We say: Off the travel map for many years, Zimbabwe – one of Africa’s greatest safari destinations, bulging at the seams with epic landscapes and iconic creatures – is firmly back on it. It’s been a slow burn, but in 2019 the Minister for Environment, Tourism and Hospitality spoke of a “new Zimbabwe”, with an increased focus on reducing poaching and encouraging schemes to help people earn a living through wildlife. Now is a great time to go – while tourism is on the up, this massive country still
sees relatively few visitors, offering a truly wild African experience, whether that’s floating down the mighty Zambezi River or exploring national parks such as huge, elephant-packed Hwange or the baobab plains and red sandstone cliffs of little-visited Gonarezhou. There are also many worldclass safari camps and lodges, and a wealth of excellent guides. Don’t miss: Zimbabwe is home to around 700 painted dogs, one Africa’s most endangered species (only 7,000 remain). Pay a visit to Mana Pools, where a pack of the animals was relocated in 2019; guests at Chikwenya Camp will have the opportunity to see the dogs when they are released in 2020 (painteddog.org). ⊳
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TRAVEL TRENDS FOR 2020
ALTERNATIVE STAYS
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KYRGYZSTAN
WHY IT’S HOT: LESSER-KNOWN SILK ROAD STRAND, WITH TERRIFIC TRAILS. We say: Following her 2018 TV series, Joanna Lumley seemed to single-handedly spark a desire for Silk Road exploration, helping to place Uzbekistan in particular – arguably home of the route’s most alluring cities – on the must-visit list. But if 2019 was about Uzbekistan, 2020 is when intrepid travellers should switch their attention to next-door Kyrgyzstan. This wild and largely undiscovered nation is around 95% mountains, and ripe for an array of hiking, biking, horse-riding and
ski-touring adventures, as well as traditional yurt stays with steppe-roaming nomads. It’s also great value – basic meals cost less than $2 (£1.60) and a bottle of vodka is nearly the same. No wonder the country features in the 2019 edition of budget-traveller bible The World’s Cheapest Destinations. Don’t miss: Hike a section of the Issyk Köl trail network. It comprises around 800km of disconnected paths between Kochkor and the eco-village of Jyrgalan, accessible from Lake Issyk Köl’s southern shores.
It seems travellers are looking for more than just a bed for the night when booking accommodation for their trips. Glass huts, treehouses and floating cabins are set to be top of the list of places to stay in 2020 as they offer an experience, as well as a place to sleep. Try the Treehotel in Sweden, the glass house in the Gorafe Desert, Spain, or the Arctic Bath hotel in Lapland.
PORTUGAL
Shutterstock; Alamy
WHY IT’S HOT: THERE’S STILL SO MUCH TO DISCOVER.
We say: Named the ‘World’s Leading Destination’ at the 2018 World Travel Awards, Portugal has been consistently gracing must-see hot lists for a few years now. And long is that likely to continue, as the country just keeps on delivering – on diversity, on quality and on being brilliant value for money. First you loved Lisbon; then you were intoxicated by Porto. In 2020 it’s about going beyond those fine cities to the lesser-known regions, as travellers begin to realise how much more Portugal has to offer. Delve into the quiet, cork-cloaked hills of the Alentejo, which are edged by better (and less crowded) beaches than those in the Algarve. Explore the vineyards of the northern Minho, where you can stay in characterful manor houses on the cheap. Or tour the varied Centro Region, a beneficiary of the country’s increased development of hiking and cycling routes. Here you’ll find plenty of well-marked trails, including the 600km Grand Route of Portugal’s Historical Villages and the Côa Valley Grand Route, which wends amid UNESCO-listed archaeological sites. Don’t miss: Made a New Year resolution to challenge yourself more in 2020? Then why not hit some or all of EuroVelo 1, a cycling trail that follows Portugal’s entire coast (euroveloportugal.com). ⊲
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TRAVEL TRENDS FOR 2020
FOREST BATHING
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RIJEKA, CROATIA
WHY IT’S HOT: CULTURE CAPITAL STATUS GIVES THE CITY A CHANCE TO SHINE. We say: Croatia’s third-largest city, Rijeka has long sat in the shadow of Zagreb and Split. But that’s set to change in 2020 when the Adriatic-side port shares European Capital of Culture status with Galway. Untouristy Rijeka combines modern grittiness with an ancient centre, and an authentically Croatian atmosphere with a multicultural twist – indeed, its theme for the year is the ‘Port of Diversity’, apt for a city that, over the past century, has changed countries seven times. A varied programme of events is planned, from art installations and gatherings around
Kvarner Bay, to theatre, opera and dance performances and one of the continent’s most colourful carnivals. Also, don’t miss Rijeka’s perennial unsung attractions: the 14th-century Leaning Tower, the buzzy central market, nearby Trsat castle, the Croatian National Theatre and museums, art spaces, cool cafés and bars aplenty. Don’t miss: Hop aboard Galeb, a navy ship that sank in 1944, was reconstructed in 1952 and subsequently used as the official yacht of Marshal Tito. Now a museum, the vessel will host several cultural events.
We all know that spending time in the great outdoors is good for your health and wellbeing, but now there’s even a term for it. Shinrinyoku (or forest bathing), a term coined by the Japanese during the 1980s, involves disconnecting from technology and reconnecting with nature by spending time in forests. Popular in both Japan and New Zealand, the trend is now taking off in Europe.
LEBANON
Shutterstock; Alamy
WHY IT’S HOT: IT’S DELICIOUS, DIVERSE, SAFE AND EXOTIC. We say: Lebanon’s negative image has lasted far too long: 2020 marks 30 years since the end of the ugly civil war that raged from 1975 to 1990, and the country is well and truly back open for business. Tourism numbers are on the up (figures suggest 40% more European travellers arrived in 2019 compared to 2010) and even Saga is launching holidays there. The fact is, it’s a safe and enlightening place to experience Arab culture and Middle Eastern history. As the country is compact, you can pack a lot into a trip, from the lively food, art and nightlife scene of bustling Beirut to the wild Qadisha Valley, Cedars of God forest, ancient sites such as Sidon, Baalbek and Byblos, world-class vineyards and the sparkling Mediterranean coast. Though, if you have time, hit the Lebanon Mountain Trail, a 470km-long hiking path using shepherd tracks and Phoenician and Roman paths to span the country, top to bottom. Don’t miss: Lebanon serves some of the region’s finest food, and the past few years have seen its signature dishes and ingredients – from za’atar spice to manousheh flatbreads – go global. Better to taste them at the source: try a Taste Lebanon foodie walking tour (tastelebanon.co.uk). ⊲
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Is it time to visit SAUDI ARABIA?
We daresay you’ve heard the news – Saudi Arabia is now welcoming foreigners into the country with new e-visas for travellers on offer. But it hasn’t come without debate. While the country’s human rights record leaves a lot to be desired, it remains ‘safe’ to visit – although like anywhere in the world, you must be respectful, stay alert and check FCO guidelines. But there are also incredible sights to behold: underwater scenes at Red Sea reefs, the spice markets of former capital Jeddah, the archaeological ruins at Mada’in Saleh (pictured), the mountains of Asir, where mist descends over juniper forests in winter and thousands of Hamadryas baboons hang out. What do you think, though? Head online to www.wanderlust.co.uk to join the conversation.
BELARUS & UKRAINE
Shutterstock; Jordan Hammond
WHY IT’S HOT: THE BLEAK PAST IS BRIGHT FOR WILDLIFE. We say: Dark tourism – visiting places made infamous by death and disaster – is on the rise. And destinations don’t come much darker than Chernobyl. Pop culture has only increased the fascination: the number of visitors to the site of the nuclear catastrophe has risen since the eponymous HBO series aired this year, and the trend looks to continue, with the Ukrainian president announcing the creation of new walking trails within the exclusion zone. Such travel is not without controversy, but done responsibly, it can be enlightening and thought-provoking. There are opportunities to overnight in the area, visit the decaying school and fairground, and meet ‘self-settlers’ who’ve returned to live in the area. You can also witness how nature has started to reclaim the abandoned landscape: with humans and domestic animals out of the way, many rare wild species have moved back in. The Palieski State Radioecological Reserve – the Belarusian section of the Chernobyl exclusion zone – is open for eco-tours, on which you can spot species such as lynx, wolves, bison, bear and Przewalski’s horses (released after the accident). Don’t miss: Also in Belarus, Naliboki Forest has one of the highest densities of bison, elk, lynx and eagles on the planet.
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NINE OF THE BEST
COLD WINTER STAYS
From mountain-top towers to teetering tubes and hidden treehouses, we lace up our snow boots and explore some cool lodgings in even cooler climates WORDS CLAIRE COLLINS
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HOTEL JEŠTĚD, CZECH REPUBLIC
Hotel Ještěd has been expecting you. Take a thrilling cable-car ride to the summit of Mount Ještěd in the remote northern mountains of the Czech Republic and find this Bond-esque lair stealing the show. With a 94-m TV transmitter, and views spanning as far as Poland and Germany, the hotel beats extreme weather with its award-winning design. Relax in one of its modern or retro rooms, or don a skisuit and glide down the slopes in the shadow of its tower to be the star of your own movie. From £67 per night, breakfast included; jested.cz
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WA N D E R S LE E P S AURORAHUTS, FINLAND
Take your Arctic adventure to the next level with AuroraHut right up in Finnish Lapland: mobile mini cabins that travel across snow, ice and water with floor-to-ceiling windows ensuring prime northern lights views. The first of their kind, they come equipped with a composting toilet, electricity, kitchenette and WiFi, meaning you won’t have to leave your warm room to bear the elements. But if you want to feel the chill, there’s dogsledding, snowshoeing and ice fishing right on your doorstep: you’ll be parked in a choice spot next to frozen Lake Inari. From £231 per person per night; theaurorazone.com
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TREEHOTEL, SWEDEN
On the evergreen outskirts of the Arctic Circle, Sweden’s Treehotel transforms your childhood hangout into a modern-day escape, just an hour’s drive from Luleå. Among the forest, you’ll be spoilt for choice with a range of unique lodgings, from the camouflaged Mirrorcube, to the larger-than-life Bird’s Nest and out-of-this world UFO. Get your blood pumping with whitewater rafting, relax with yoga on ice, or spot the local celebrities on a moose safari. From £379 per night for two people, including breakfast; treehotel.se ⊲
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WA N D E R S LE E P S AURORA BUBBLE SLED, FINLAND
Taking the term ‘living in a bubble’ to a new level, the Aurora Bubble Sled is your own glasscovered sleigh. It’s been towed by snowmobiles into the icy wilderness around Kilpisjärvi, where the lack of light pollution makes for great aurora hunting, and its position close to the border of three countries makes for a fine snowmobiling expedition. Between snowshoeing tramps, your tour guide will explain the science behind the northern lights and point you north before heading back to camp, leaving you to gaze at the natural wonders overhead. Four-day packages from £1,099pp; offthemap.travel
KKilpissafarit
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HOTEL ARCTIC, GREENLAND
Want to experience a night in an igloo, but not keen on the cold? Enter Hotel Arctic. Swapping the ice blocks for a modern aluminium frame, this hotel’s domes ensure you stay snug and warm after exploring Greenland’s great outdoors. These fully equipped cabins are located on a UNESCO World Heritage site, so keep an eye out for some of the world’s biggest icebergs drifting by. And if you fancy trying the best local produce, look no further than on-site restaurant Ulo, dubbed the “world’s wildest kitchen” by Danish magazine Gastro. From £237 per night for two people, available May–October; hotelarctic.com/en
HOLMEN HUSKY’S TIPI BUNGALOWS, NORWAY
Nowadays almost everything is readily available at the push of a button. But not so at Holmen Husky Lodge in Alta, where guests are offered a more organic, closer-to-nature experience. Based on the traditional Sami lavvus (tent), these tipi bungalows are equipped with a stove, bed and large windows to take in your surroundings. However, you’ll have to step out into the bracing fresh air and walk a few metres to eat, shower or use the toilet – as well as to take advantage of the husky-led activities taking you deep into northern Norway. From £80 per night. Only as part of a package; holmenhusky.no ⊳
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WA N D E R S LE E P S
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NORWEGIAN WILD LIGHTHOUSE, NORWAY
Enjoy undisturbed 360° views of the northern lights or midnight sun from your very own lighthouse. Norwegian Wild has created this hideaway in a remote spot among Senja Island’s diverse landscapes, found high on Norway’s island-fringed coastline. Beginning with the boat trip to get there, a stay in this gem will gently lull you into the peacefulness of nature. The island is a great place to recharge your batteries, whether you’re exploring by bike, hiking in Ånderdalen National Park or kayaking the fjords. From £217 per night; norwegianwild.no
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Sitting at the foot of the Monte Rosa massif, trekking to the Monte Rosa Hut is an experience in itself, and a mountain guide is recommended for the journey – its difficulty level is ranked at hard. Don’t let the ascent deter you, though, as your climb will pay off when you encounter the 120-guest capacity lodge. Thanks to an aluminium shell, the building’s structure reflects the surrounding landscape, and produces much of its own energy. It doesn’t just offer easy skis to Zermatt, but is also a good starting point from which to cross over into Italy. From £75 including breakfast and dinner; March-Sept; monterosahuette.ch
BIVACCO GERVASUTTI, ITALY
Be warned, Bivacco Gervasutti’s capsule is not for the faint of heart. Teetering a staggering 2,800m above sea level on the edge of a cliff on the Frebouze Glacier in the Mont Blanc massif, this unique accommodation allows you and 11 friends to sleep (in two dormitories) in the clouds. Add in great hiking, skiing and snowboarding on the surrounding mountains, and this eco-friendly haven is sure to satisfy the ultimate adrenaline seeker in you. The accommodation is free, but a contribution of £9pp per night is suggested; ecobnb.com
Francesco Mattuzzi
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MONTE ROSA HUT, SWITZERLAND
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Exploring the hinterland between Vancouver Island and British Columbia
25/01/2018 09:58
01/11/2019 14:54