Sauna in A New Giant Golden Egg in Sweden

(Source: Travel Weekly China)

A new sauna experience awaits guests in Northern Sweden in a giant (and moveable) pop-up Solar Egg. As much an art installation as a solar-powered sauna, the golden Solar Egg sauna is available as an add-on to any Arctic itinerary, for no additional charge, when booked through Arctic specialists Off the Map Travel. Available through September 2017, the Solar Egg will be moved to different locations around Kiruna, Northern Sweden to offer prime locations and viewing.

The new Solar Egg, outfitted with solar panels to power its lights, accommodates up to eight people and is warmed by a heart-shaped wood burning stove at its center. Standing five meters high and four meters wide, the Solar Egg has an exterior made of 69 gold-plated stainless-steel panels which reflect the city and surrounding countryside. The sauna is designed to be moved to different locations to offer varying views of the region.

Now located in Riksbyggen (Luossavaara), the sauna will travel to the banks of a mountainside lake in Nikkaluokta from July to September before heading to Paris in November.

The Solar Egg was created to commemorate the start of Kiruna's urban transformation project with design by prize-winning artistic duo Mats Bigert and Lars Bergstrom of Sweden. The egg shape symbolizes rebirth and new opportunities in Kiruna, a project that involves the relocation of entire city districts in response to ground sinking from decades of iron ore mining. The sauna symbolizes the sun as catalyst for creativity, care, hope and togetherness and is a long-standing tradition in Sweden.

The Solar Egg experience fits well within one of the region's Arctic itineraries, each customized by Off the Map Travel to meet travellers' interests and needs. Possibilities include a stay at Camp Ripan hotel and a visit to its Aurora Spa (with yet another sauna); or, perhaps, inclusion in the new "Midnight Sun by Rail" program, a Norway to Sweden itinerary by train to enjoy the Arctic's 24 hours of sunlight; or the Midnight Sun on Ice itinerary which includes visits in Narvik, Norway as well as Swedish Lapland. Prices vary by length of itinerary and inclusions. The Solar Egg can be booked on Thursday, Friday or Saturday, subject to availability. There is a nominal charge for towels, transport and sauna snacks.