| 1300km North of Stockholm lies the city of Kiruna. | | | | Torne river. With its ice sculptures and fine works of |
| With a population just 20,000 it sits in the middle of | | | | art the Ice Hotel is truly an experience that should |
| Norrlands wilderness. Built around a mining community | | | | not be missed. |
| at the end of the 1800's the city was designed with | | | | Snow and ice are a big feature in Kiruna and there's |
| the time's foremost experts with architecture and | | | | plenty of it! Families seeking snow, Santa Claus and |
| community planning. Kiruna was the first Swedish | | | | winter activities need look no further, as the city |
| community with a city planned around the climate. | | | | caters well for people wanting to make the most of |
| The streets were designed to follow the terrain in an | | | | this unique and snowy landscape. With a large range |
| irregular pattern in order to curb the Arctic winds. | | | | of activities ranging from dog sledging, snowmobile |
| The city is also built on the side of a mountain, which | | | | tours, cross country skiing, wild moose safari's, |
| means higher temperatures. Despite its northerly | | | | northern light tours, hunting, ice fishing, ice sculpting |
| location the city centre temperature rarely drops | | | | & the Ice hotel to mention but a few, there's |
| below -20. | | | | really something of interest for everyone! |
| During the winter months the city is plunged into | | | | This is also true of Kiruna's accommodation with |
| darkness as the sun barely gets chance to show | | | | many interesting types available. As well as a good |
| itself. Even so, the city is far from dark. A | | | | choice of comfortable hotels and guest houses, |
| combination of the moon & stars reflecting off | | | | Kiruna also offers a choice of original and exclusive |
| the snow give a beautiful glow to Kiruna and not | | | | ideas such as the Ice Hotel, Wilderness cabins, |
| forgetting the extraordinary Northern Lights which | | | | lodges, igloos and traditional wig wams. |
| crackle across a cloudless evening sky. | | | | The city centre also offers a good selection of shops |
| Just an hour and half's drive away is the Abisko | | | | and restaurants, so your able to take time out from |
| Mountain Station considered as the best place on | | | | your winter activities if you wish. You'll find a good |
| earth to view the Northern Lights. With its fresh | | | | selection of local handy crafts most of which are |
| clean air and its practically cloud free skies the | | | | designed by the local Sami population, who incidentally |
| conditions for seeing the lights are optimal. More or | | | | herd all the reindeer in the area. |
| less aurora occurs every night but to detect it the | | | | Despite it's location getting to Kiruna is surprisingly |
| skies have to be dark. The period from September | | | | easy. With daily flights by SAS Airlines and an |
| to March is best time of year. | | | | overnight train from Stockholm, it's within easy reach |
| Kiruna is also home to the unique Ice Hotel which | | | | no matter where you're travelling from. |
| gets rebuilt year after from the ice of the local | | | | |