Icy Destinations
If you’ve never visited an ice bar, add it to your bucket list now. You’ll be served a drink in an atmosphere of 28-degrees F — the ideal tasting temperature that enhances the smoothness of vodka. Everything from your glass to the seating and walls will be made of ice, and don’t worry, you’ll be given fur to sit on with a coat and gloves before entering. If you can stand the ice bar, get ready to expand your horizons with a trip to some of the world’s iciest destinations. After rafting the Ocoee River add these icy destinations to your list.
Hotel de Glace- Quebec City, Canada
Photo courtesy of Business Insider
Hotel de Glace is located only 20 minutes from Quebec City and is the only ice hotel in North America- an icy destination you shouldn’t miss. It is open annually, January – March.
Gullfoss, Iceland
Photo courtesy of Mental Floss
100-foot long Gullfoss waterfall is located in southwest Iceland in the canyon of the Hvítá river. It partly freezes over in the wintertime, and the waters, which fall in two stages, turn vibrant shades of blue and turquoise, while the rocks gather ice and snow.
Jigokudani Monkey Park, Japan
Photo courtesy of Mental Floss
Located in Joshinetsu Kogen National Park, the Jigokudani Monkey Park receives tons of snow for most of the year and boasts natural hot springs. Snow monkeys visit the valley in the winter to bathe in the warm water. If you’re into wildlife, consider visiting, and look forward to checking out the steam vents, which shoot hot steam into the air.
Lake Baikal, Russia
Photo courtesy of Mental Floss
Not everyone would suggest visiting Russia in the winter. However, some would do it anyway just to catch some ballet and see the frozen lake of Baikal. Known as the “Sacred Sea” by the locals, it is the word’s deepest freshwater lake. In the winter, it becomes a 12, 200-square-mile ice rink. Dog-sled and snowmobiling tours are offered, as are ice diving and RAFTING in the areas where the water hasn’t frozen over.
Midway, Utah
Photo courtesy of Mental Floss
Located a short flight from the Outpost is the little town of Midway, Utah. Thanks to a geothermal caldera, there’s year-round scuba diving in 90-degree water, skiing, and horse-drawn sleds. Be sure to check out the gorgeous ice castles that are crafted every year by a team of skilled ice artists. You can check out the massive and intricate structures, which are made with 20 million pounds of ice.
Svalbard, Norway
Photo courtesy of Mental Floss
Here, you’ll find the magic that inspired Disney’s Frozen series. Situated between the 74th and the 81st parallel, this icy destination of a quaint mining town offers polar bears, Northern Lights, and Polar nights, where the sun never rises for months out of the year. It’s about as far north as you can go.
Perito Moreno Glacier, Argentina
Photo courtesy of Mental Floss
This glacier is a popular tourist spot and with good reason. Located in the Los Glaciares National Park, it’s also one of only three Patagonian glaciers that is currently growing. The large glacier is three miles wide and goes about 558 feet underwater. At the northern end of the giant block of ice, there’s a glacier cave that tourists can explore. Finally, some opt to take boat tours in order to get a good look at its deep blue ice.
Let us know YOUR favorite icy destinations and if you’ve visited any of these beautiful areas.
—Outland Expeditions, Inc.
BOOK YOUR RAFTING TRIP ON THE OCOEE RIVER WITH OUTLAND EXPEDITIONS, HERE!
#ocoee #rivers #cold #icebar #icehotel #nature #stillness #snow #winter #outland #outlandexpeditions #vacation #bucketlist #frozen2
