Husky Sledding in Iceland – make your dream a reality

A bucket-list-must, it’s H-U-G-E fun for young & old, and the doggies are just A-M-A-Z-I-N-G! They were as keen as we were to get out there. Seeing them jump and howl with sheer joy, eager to get going, the good vibe passes on from dog to human, making this and unforgettable experience for all thrill seekers. Make your dream a reality!

dogsledding.is

With many people looking to broaden their horizons this winter season after a tough summer stuck indoors, it’s likely that you’ve found yourself looking for exciting winter breaks to help you break up the same cycle each and every day. There’s a whole host of locations to choose from, but in this post we’re going to focus on one country that really is perfect when visiting in the winter. Iceland is a gorgeous country with more picturesque sights than you could ever imagine, as well as lots of fun activities to take part in that you may not be able to back at home! You can learn more about Iceland by reading on!

Why Iceland?

The first question you might find yourself asking is “Why Iceland?” – admittedly this isn’t somewhere that immediately springs to mind when considering holiday destinations, but we think it’s time to change that notion. Iceland has so much to offer as a holiday location from bustling cities, natural wonders, amazing sights, and even beaches (more about those shortly!).

One thing you may have heard about Iceland is that it’s a hotspot for Northern Lights sightings – this is absolutely true, and you can even take a tour to check out the lights from the best spots on the island! In addition to this, you’ll also have the chance to travel to the dramatic scenery found at both the West and East Fjords, which are rife with photo opportunities and breath-taking views.

One thing to bear in mind when visiting Iceland in the winter is the climate – it can get pretty cold (temperatures can range from 7 above freezing to 8 below, so be sure to pack your woolly hats, scarves, and coats!

The one place you will not need to wear your woolly jumper and gloves are in the hot springs. The most famous one it The Great Geysir, which is the main attraction of Iceland’s most popular sightseeing tour called ‘The Golden Circle’. These hot springs can reach temperatures of between 36 – 44ºCelsius, and wow, that is HOT. They confirm, that Iceland is a country of complete extremes, and yes, they’re great fun to visit and make a day of it, the most special spring being the Hrunalaug hot spring.

Lastly, let’s go back to those beaches we mentioned earlier – whilst it may seem a little odd to be visiting a beach in your coat and snow boots, it’ll all make sense once you see them. These beaches are a sight that need to be seen to be believed; they’re made of black volcanic ash, which gives the appearance of an entirely black beach. These beaches are a great item to tick off of your traveller’s bucket list.

Husky Sledding

One of the most popular activities in Iceland revolves around Husky dogs – this breed is built for cold weather and snow, often being used to pull a sled through the snow in packs!

Dog Sledding is one of the most exhilarating experiences that you can have on your trip to Iceland – zipping across the snow and ice being powered by a pack of beautiful dogs from the island. When sledding, you won’t be in control of the sled – you’ll be a passenger along for the ride; the control of the sled is best left to the experts, who are called ‘Mushers’. Attire is incredibly important when dog sledding – you’ll be out in the open and temperatures can drop to below freezing, so it’s best to dress as if you were going skiing to ensure that you stay warm and safe. Often, the Husky sledding tour operator also provides thermal overalls for further insulation, and boy, will you need those, as the crew found out during the shoot.

Check out this great video from TA-DAH.TV to see some real hands-on dog-sledding clips!

Swedish Lapland – Tree House Hotel in Harads

It is indeed a high-flying adventure, staying in a tree house hotel! This whole new craze has been taken to a new level with the Treehotel in Harads, situated in Swedish Lapland: it has 7 uniquely designed accommodations, which all look out of this world incredible. What’s also massively important to their concept, is the fact that ecological values have been considered to the max, making only a very minimal environmental impact on its surroundings. Live your childhood dream, is what we say

treehotel.se

Exclusive recipe & cooking demo by Austria’s youngest Masterchef

Resident at the infamous Lifestyle & Spa Hotel Jungbrunn, ‘Schranzi’ is cooking up a storm in the kitchen with this clever recipe! It’s easy to prepare, done in 25 mins flat and super delicious – what a clever combo: rabbit, Chanterelle mushrooms, pretzel bread & peach caramel – wow. So give it a try and find out how to prepare this delicious meal exclusively created for TA-DAH.TV by hitting that start button now. Have fun and let us know how you like it… 🙂 …

Red Carpet Event: Marbella on 24 July at Hotel Don Pepe Gran Meliá

#redcarpet #charityevent

The Global Gift Gala has achieved so much good since it was founded by Maria Bravo a few years back. Originally from Marbella, the actress & Philanthropist has created a charity event, that has by now raised many Millions in support of children and mothers in need through the Global Gift Foundation! With the help of her best friend Eva Longoria and countless other famous faces, actors, philanthropists, singers, bands and personalities from sport, fashion and the performing arts, they have provided support for thousands of children and mothers-in-need by hosting one of the biggest society events in the world of charities. They regularly throw high-profile bashes every year and visit capitals and other places of interest like Madrid, Paris, London, Marbella and Dubai. They even have created their own centre in the Spanish city of Marbella on the Costa del Sol, where they don’t just host the gala, but golf events and fashion shows too. (globalgiftgala.com)

Click the title for dates this year

Upcoming events

  • 23 May: Together We Give event during Cannes Film Festival at La Môme Plage, Boulevard de la Croisette
  • 24 July: Marbella at Hotel Don Pepe Gran Meliá
  • 30 September: Paris at Four Seasons George V
  • 8 December: Dubai at Atlantis The Royal Dubai

Barcelona – Font Mágica Water Fountain Ballet

Being one of the first water ballet fountains around, the Font Mágica of Montjuïc in Barcelona still holds its magic after all these years! Built in 1929, it came into its own, when Freddy Mercury was asked to create the theme song for the Olympics, hosted by Barcelona in 1992. To get together with one of Spain’s most famous opera singers was an inspired idea. Montserrat Caballé brought her own magic to the song, and she and Freddy had a chemistry that no-one would have imagined to be so captivating.

Couple this with a fountain that uses light, colour and water to perform a water ballet, and you’ll be entertained without a doubt. 5 pumps push about 3 million litres of water through 3620 jets up to 54 metres high, which means around 2600 litres of water are processed in a single second! The way this water spectacle is designed is pure theatre: the oohs and ahhhs from the crowd are proof that young and old are still amazed by the Magic Fountain, day in, day out. Opening times vary throughout the year, but the fountain is open from April til the end of October with different performance times, so we do advise to check the calendar online to avoid disappointment. It is a fabulous experience, a spectacle you will never forget – just make sure you do not stand too close to the fountain, nor in the direction of the wind, as you’ll get soaked by the spray – leaving with a wet shirt happens to people all the time, you’d be surprised!

With both singers having crossed the rainbow, now singing with the angels, there is an even bigger poignance to enjoy Barcelona’s Font Mágica on the Plaça de Carlos Buïgas at least once in a lifetime.

Sagrada Familia

The Sagrada Familia is an architectural gem, spiking the Barcelona skyline with its 4 towers like no other. It was Antoni Gaudí’s pride and joy – a lifetime achievement, which he couldn’t finish in his own lifetime, and which is still in construction to this day, according to Gaudí’s imagination and style. Having had it’s foundation stone laid in 1882, this iconic building is still a decade or so away from completion. However, seeing is believing, and even in its incomplete state, the cathedral offers breathtaking sights, explaining history with the help of light and colour in countless artistic details and facades. Visitors from all over the world come to see this miracle of a building, with its impressive interior and stained glass windows ‘Gaudí-style’, its Cloisters of Dolours and Sacristy, the Crypt of the Expiatory Temple, the world-famous 4 towers, as well as its Nativity Facade and the Passion Facade. The museum explains the Sagrada Familia’s story very well indeed, even giving insight into what Gaudí’s studio looked like.
The website advises that the best time to visit is in the morning, and we disagree, as it happens. The queues are usually well managed and it helps to pay by credit card, as you’ll then get through even quicker. We believe, the best time to visit is when you can catch the afternoon/evening light, as the whole cathedral is then bathed in warm sunlight and the huge stained glass windows then come into their own, it really is a sight to behold when the cathedral’s interior and apse is drenched in primary colours – it’s glorious! Plan a visit to what is almost a wonder of the world, since the unique story of the Sagrada Familia has defied death, time, funding problems, technical issues and last but not least, a prognosis that more often than not looked as if it will never be finished. sagradafamilia.tickets-barcelona.org > live link

El Nacional

One of Barcelona’s most famous food halls, El Nacional offers a huge variety of gastronomic experiences of traditional & authentic cuisine from the Iberian Peninsula under one roof. Situated off the best shopping street in the city, the Passeig de Gràcia, El Nacional is indeed a national institution for Catalonia. With a list of restaurants, eateries and a tapas bar, an oyster bar, a wine & champagne bar and a pub serving a huge range of beers, you won’t ever run out of options to sample a wide range of local delights, without having to leave the building. Some are know to eat and drink their way around the circle of places to eat and drink, because they couldn’t decide which place to go to first. The atmosphere is great in there, with different vibes throughout the day. From coffee meetings to business lunches to afternoon cervezas and, of course, endless evenings of getting together with friends and family, this place is always busy, so make sure you either go for an early lunch or dinner, bearing in mind that in Spain, the siesta or lunchtime is from 14.00 – 17.00h, whilst dinner doesn’t happen for most before 21.00h. Que approveche, say we…

Fundació Juan Miró

Famous all over the world for his unique style, the Juan Miró Foundation is situated on the hill of Montjuïc, not far from the Font Mágica. You will see his artwork on display when arriving at Barcelona airport, just to get you into the mood of what Barcelona is about. The museum was opened in 1975, and shows over 10.000 paintings, sculptures, drawings, stage designs and….carpets. The roof terrace is a particularly special spot, showing his sculptures against the backdrop of Barcelona’s skyline. The views from up there are breathtaking and typical – nowhere else will you see a sight like this one, so very cool indeed. Miró wanted to create an international and interdisciplinary centre, making art available to everyone. His good friend Josep Lluís Sert, a Le Corbusier student, designed the building, reflecting his good friend’s tendency to harmonic forms and playing with light. This seems to be a real thing in Barcelona: to make natural light and colour interact in order to create a mood, an atmosphere or the feeling of a moment in time. The museum is definitely a must-see when visiting the capital of Catalonia, so make sure it’s down on your itinerary when planning your next city-break in this exciting and energetic place.