Samuel Johnson said it almost 300 years ago, and I still believe it today …

If you’re tired of London, you’re tired of life.

I enjoy many locations around the world, but none so much as London. It’s the center of civilization, as far as I’m concerned. If something is ‘happening’ there, then it’s worth taking note.

That’s why I was quite impressed to see the IceBar had set up shop on Heddon Street.

You don’t need to have a taste for vodka in all its forms, but it helps. That’s not only because Absolut is the financial power behind this motif, but because there is a historically-established reason why cultures from cold climates got this creative with a potato. Not only does it ‘warm’ a soul from the inside, but in the realm of Absolut, it comes in more guises than you’ve got time to try in a 30-minute session. That happens to be a customer’s time limit in the IceBar, which also limits the number of icebarfights on record.

This is a spinoff of the famous IceHotel in the Swedish arctic zone. If you like to travel, then this is a required destination. It’s only a 90-minute flight from Stockholm to Kiruna, where you’ve got a choice of snowmobile or dogsled (hint: take the sled) to complete your journey to the icy climes of Jukkasjaervi in Sweden’s portion of Lappland. It’s situated along the banks of the Torne River, widely acclaimed as being the source of the purest water in Europe, if not the world.

I think this is one of the most spectacular scenes in existence. Everything is constructed of pure ice, from the chambers to the furniture to the decor (world-class sculptures from global artists are commissioned to create them each season) to the glassware. The all-ice wedding chapel is booked far in advance and the theater stages world-class productions.

The beds do make the concession of thermal sleeping bags, which are amazingly comfortable, but even if you do get a bit chilled here, I guarantee you’ll be convinced it was worth it. I cannot think of a more majestic locale to view the Northern Lights flashing across the cold, crisp sky, bathing the ice in a blue-green glow that melds Nature’s wonder with that of man’s. The IceHotel is breathtaking in every sense of the word. It’s an experience which will be etched into your memory forever.

Thus, it wasn’t a surprise to me when, during a trip to Stockholm a couple of years ago, I checked into the Nordic Sea hotel and noticed a scaled-down replica of the IceBar adjacent to the lobby. I loathe queues, so fortunately, I was there on a quiet night and there was no 30-minute limit in effect. I donned the thermal cloak and gloves they provide, ordered an Absolut citron and proceeded to mingle in search of someone to share a toast of ‘Skol!’. Trust me, it wasn’t hard to do!

Its presence was such a ‘natural’ in Stockholm that I’ve thought more than once since then that the IceBar meets the critera for being a fixture in that center of chic that is London. And now it’s happened.

The ?12 cover is reasonable, the drinks are Absolut, the sculptures and decor are changed periodically — the cumulative body heat does cause melting over time, so re-building is a necessity — and the atmosphere is the only thing that is always warm. After all, who’s going to pay for a 30-minute stay, garbed in silver thermals, and not be in a festive mood? It’s a perfect addition to any festive itinerary.

In chatting with the lovely blonde svensk flicka tending bar that evening, I discovered that Absolut is so pleased with the IceBar concept that they’re deploying them elsewhere. Besides Stockholm, they opened a franchice (I couldn’t resist the pun) in Milan before venturing into London. That makes sense. Stockholm’s ambience is quite-stylish and Milan’s is lively-stylish. If the IceBar succeeds in those cities, then it’s ready to move up to a London setting.

It succeeds spectacularly. After one visit, and 30 minutes of Absolut, you may just reach for the cellphone and book reservations for the IceHotel, then and there.

If so, you’ll join a growing list of those who have found that drinks in your ice can be more fun than ice in your drinks.

J Square Humboldt is the featured columnist at the Longer Life website, which is dedicated to providing information, strategies, analysis and commentary devoted to improving the quality of living. His page can be found at http://longerlifegroup.com/cyberiter.html and his observations are published three times per week.

Whether it?s for skiing on the edges of the wilderness, exploring the landscape with snowmobiles or dog sledding on endless stretches of snow, Sweden is the preferred travel destination for many.

The prime reason tourists visit this country is for the winter and snow. Winter activities in Sweden in the midst of nature are liberating experiences. Riding a snow mobile is the top one among all activities. Riding a snow mobile is very easy. Simply sitting on a snowmobile and revving the accelerator can take you to remote mountaintops and across alpine lakes. If you are averse to the idea of using smoke-spewing machines in the midst of pure nature, then skiing is the best option. Sweden has resorts to suit varying levels of experience of skiers. From the snowboarder’s wild paradise in Lapland to the family resorts in the southern mountains, Sweden?s resorts accommodate all types of skiers.

If it?s the water that attracts you, then Sweden with 3000 kilometers of shoreline spoils you for a choice. Fishing, swimming, diving, surfing and deep-sea explorations are some of the activities that you can indulge in Sweden. Cruising in the Baltic Sea can be added to your itinerary. The ports of call would introduce you to the history of Sweden, through magnificent palaces, castles and museums. In term of cities, Stockholm, Goteborg and Malmo are fast emerging as Europe?s top city vacation destinations.

A trip to Sweden is incomplete without a stay in the famed ice hotel in JukkasJarvi. Getting off at Kiruna airport and heading towards the ice hotel by dogsled is a perfect prelude to a more interesting event ? staying in a hotel that is entirely made of ice. The suites, beds, pillars, lobby and bar, everything that a hotel should have is made of ice. The drink in the bar comes in glasses made of ? ice, of course.

There are other hotels in Sweden rated by the Sweden Hotel and Restaurant association, which cater to tourists with all kinds of budgets.

The Author of Sweden Hotels and Denmark Hotels – Hotel directories, with descriptions, photos, rates and on-line booking.