Sweden Does Space Tourism

As early as 2012, tourist flights to space will be launching from Kiruna in Northern Sweden. Among the attractions: the possibility of flying through the aurora borealis, and catching a glimpse of the Northern Lights from space.

Which, I have to believe, must be one of the most amazing sights ever...



Flights will be operated by Virgin Galactic, and tickets will be available for $200,000 from the nearby Ice Hotel.

Read more about Swedish space tourism here.

Astronomical Hotel

We all know the feeling... rough week, frustrating grind of a job, constant grumblings about the tumbling economy... That's when we start fantasizing about escaping to more exciting locations.

Here's a truly unique one to day-dream about for a little while: Elquidomos, a hotel made specially for star-gazing, located in Chile's Elqui Valley, which typically enjoys over 300 days of clear skies per year.

Each of the 7 rooms is set up as a 2-story geodesic dome, equipped with a telescope, astronomical literature, a terrace and a detachable roof over the upstairs bedroom for bedtime star-gazing.

Check out the layout...



You can see the stairs leading up to the bedroom on this night time view...