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There’s something ingrained in the British psyche that means we spend most of the year praying for the sun to come out and then immediately start complaining when it gets too hot.
Having said that, the last few weeks have definitely taken the idea of a heatwave to the extreme and so as our gardens suffer, hosepipe bans become reality and a good night’s sleep is a distant memory, it’s easy to see why many people are looking forward to the end of the hot spell.
Don’t fear though! We’re here with a list of ice cold attractions that will definitely cool you down should you take a visit. And, if you can’t make it in person, just imagining yourself at any of these places will help combat those high temperatures.
At the heart of the Stubai Glacier, 30 metres below the popular ski slopes of the Tyrolean Mountains, it’s possible to explore an ice cave which reveals secrets going back many years. Not only is there a strange, iridescent blue light to admire, you can also see the different layers of ice that have built up over the years.
The grotto is easily reached via a walking trail and is open for most of the year. Your journey starts by taking the cable car from Mutterbergalm to the Eisgrat mountain station. From here, it’s a 10-minute walk until you reach the entrance to the cave. Inside, a boarded walkway takes you into the glacier to the point that’s only two and a half metres high.
For a real adventure into the Arctic, why not plan a stay at this fantastic ice hotel in Quebec? Guests have a number of different rooms to choose from, including theme suites that have intricate ice murals sculptured into the walls and premium suites that offer fireplaces. You’ll have the room between 9am and 9pm, during which you also have access to the Nordic Spa area, which offers saunas and outdoor pools to help you warm up before you head off to bed.
If you want to see the Hotel De Glace for yourself but don’t want to stay the night, guided tours are available during the day. Special Cocktail Packages also give you the chance to end your visit with a drink at the bar served in a glass made of ice.
This family fun waterpark may be situated in one of the hottest parts of the world, but the various slides and pools are sure to cool you down on a hot day. Located about an hour outside of Dubai, the park has an Antarctic theme throughout, with penguins watching on from the side and the slides set amongst faux snow drifts.
There are plenty of activities for children in the Kid’s Cove, as well as larger slides for the more daring. Highlights include the Snow River, Penguin Bay and an indoor football pitch but there are also areas to relax, grab something to eat or watch a show. There’s even a beach if the ice vibe gets too much and you need to warm up again.
Indoor ski slopes are the ideal way to cool off and hone your winter sports skills at the same time, but SnowPlanet is much more than just an indoor ski slope. Just outside of Auckland, you’ll find 8,000 square metres of real snow where beginners and experts can find something suited to them.
As well as skiing or snowboarding (classes are available for novices), you can choose tubing – where you glide down the slopes in an inflatable ring. Plus, if you have little ones who simply want to run free in the snow, there are ‘Play in the Snow’ sessions available that will allow them to do so.
SnowPlanet is open every day of the year and there are even night time events that offer more of a party atmosphere.
Our last addition to this cool list can be found right here in the UK. Last year, the Ice Cream Farm in Cheshire was listed as one of the top 20 free attractions to visit in Britain and its popularity continues to grow. The family-run business started as purely an ice cream production venture but the park now features a number of attractions especially aimed at children.
As well as the world’s largest ice cream parlour (the reason it makes our list), offering flavours such as sticky toffee pudding, raspberry pavlova, and rhubarb and custard, there is plenty more to do. Payable attractions include Strawberry Falls mini-golf, the Silvercone mini quad bikes, the Jelly Drop inflatable slide and Europe’s largest indoor sand and water play area – Honeycomb Canyon.
If you would like to plan a holiday to any of these destinations, even if it’s just to cool down during the heatwave, the TravelQuest team can offer some expert advice. Call us on 0800 021 3237 or click here to send your enquiry via our website.
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