| Samuel Johnson said it almost 300 years ago, | | | | flashing across the cold, crisp sky, bathing |
| and I still believe it today ... | | | | the ice in a blue-green glow that melds |
| | | | Nature's wonder with that of man's. The |
| "If you're tired of London, you're tired of | | | | IceHotel is breathtaking in every sense of |
| life." | | | | the word. It's an experience which will be |
| | | | etched into your memory forever. |
| I enjoy many locations around the world, but | | | | |
| none so much as London. It's the center of | | | | Thus, it wasn't a surprise to me when, during |
| civilization, as far as I'm concerned. If | | | | a trip to Stockholm a couple of years ago, I |
| something is 'happening' there, then it's | | | | checked into the Nordic Sea hotel and noticed |
| worth taking note. | | | | a scaled-down replica of the IceBar adjacent |
| | | | to the lobby. I loathe queues, so |
| That's why I was quite impressed to see the | | | | fortunately, I was there on a quiet night and |
| IceBar had set up shop on Heddon Street. | | | | there was no 30-minute limit in effect. I |
| | | | donned the thermal cloak and gloves they |
| You don't need to have a taste for vodka in | | | | provide, ordered an Absolut citron and |
| all its forms, but it helps. That's not only | | | | proceeded to mingle in search of someone to |
| because Absolut is the financial power behind | | | | share a toast of 'Skol!'. Trust me, it wasn't |
| this motif, but because there is a | | | | hard to do! |
| historically-established reason why cultures | | | | |
| from cold climates got this creative with a | | | | Its presence was such a 'natural' in |
| potato. Not only does it 'warm' a soul from | | | | Stockholm that I've thought more than once |
| the inside, but in the realm of Absolut, it | | | | since then that the IceBar meets the criteria |
| comes in more guises than you've got time to | | | | for being a fixture in that center of chic |
| try in a 30-minute session. That happens to | | | | that is London. And now it's happened. |
| be a customer's time limit in the IceBar, | | | | |
| which also limits the number of icebarfights | | | | The £12 cover is reasonable, the drinks |
| on record. | | | | are Absolut, the sculptures and decor are |
| | | | changed periodically --- the cumulative body |
| This is a spinoff of the famous IceHotel in | | | | heat does cause melting over time, so |
| the Swedish arctic zone. If you like to | | | | re-building is a necessity --- and the |
| travel, then this is a required destination. | | | | atmosphere is the only thing that is always |
| It's only a 90-minute flight from Stockholm | | | | warm. After all, who's going to pay for a |
| to Kiruna, where you've got a choice of | | | | 30-minute stay, garbed in silver thermals, |
| snowmobile or dogsled (hint: take the sled) | | | | and not be in a festive mood? It's a perfect |
| to complete your journey to the icy climes of | | | | addition to any festive itinerary. |
| Jukkasjaervi in Sweden's portion of Lappland. | | | | |
| It's situated along the banks of the Torne | | | | In chatting with the lovely blonde svensk |
| River, widely acclaimed as being the source | | | | flicka tending bar that evening, I discovered |
| of the purest water in Europe, if not the | | | | that Absolut is so pleased with the IceBar |
| world. | | | | concept that they're deploying them |
| | | | elsewhere. Besides Stockholm, they opened a |
| I think this is one of the most spectacular | | | | franchice (I couldn't resist the pun) in |
| scenes in existence. Everything is | | | | Milan before venturing into London. That |
| constructed of pure ice, from the chambers to | | | | makes sense. Stockholm's ambience is |
| the furniture to the decor (world-class | | | | quiet-stylish and Milan's is lively-stylish. |
| sculptures from global artists are | | | | If the IceBar succeeds in those cities, then |
| commissioned to create them each season) to | | | | it's ready to move up to a London setting. |
| the glassware. The all-ice wedding chapel is | | | | |
| booked far in advance and the theater stages | | | | It succeeds spectacularly. After one visit, |
| world-class productions. | | | | and 30 minutes of Absolut, you may just reach |
| | | | for the cellphone and book reservations for |
| The beds do make the concession of thermal | | | | the IceHotel, then and there. |
| sleeping bags, which are amazingly | | | | |
| comfortable, but even if you do get a bit | | | | If so, you'll join a growing list of those |
| chilled here, I guarantee you'll be convinced | | | | who have found that drinks in your ice can be |
| it was worth it. I cannot think of a more | | | | more fun than ice in your drinks. |
| majestic locale to view the Northern Lights | | | | |