If you are bored with venturing no further than your back garden with a barbie and a portable CD player to celebrate the longest day on June 21, there are lots of incredible places to experience it. And if you cannot make the day itself, then these places in the far north have hours of daylight for at least another month.
Nordic nights
Iceland:
It's only three hours away, but this is where it never gets dark in summer and rarely gets hot. If you want a "cool" destination, pack the woolly and the paracetamol and hop on a flight to Reykjavik.
Renowned for its nightlife, the capital is teeming with discos, nightclubs and late bars - it is possible to drink around the clock then blow away the hangover taking in the beautifully dramatic volcanic landscape where you can superjeep, horseride and hike.
A two-night weekend break with Arctic Experience (01737 214 214, www.arctic-discover.co.uk ), staying at the Hotel Leifur Eiriksson in the centre of the city costs from £321 until August and includes return flights from Heathrow, accommodation and transfers.
Norway and Denmark:
Cruise on a three-day break between Copenhagen and Oslo. In Copenhagen, you can visit the Tivoli Gardens, Rosenborg Castle, the Viking Museum and the Little Mermaid then enjoy the good shopping and seafood restaurants in the Nyhavn area. After a night on board the cruise ship - complete with restaurants and bars, shops, pool, sauna and nightclub - there's a full day in Oslo exploring Frogner Park or the Kon-Tiki Museum. A cruise with Short Breaks Direct (0870 7893338) costs £399pp, including return flights from Heathrow, and accommodation at the Strand Hotel in Copenhagen and the Rico Oslo Hotel.
Sweden:
Traditional celebrations are held in the province of Dalarna (www. dalarna.se), central Sweden, where most small villages have their own festivals involving midsummer poles and plenty of schnapps. Scanmeridian (020-7431 5322) has a three-night break from £462pp (based on two sharing), including return flights to Stockholm, train transfers to the town of Falun in Dalarna (car hire can be arranged) and hotel accommodation. Swedish Travel & Tourism Council: www.visitsweden.com, e-mail: info@swetourism.org.uk.
The whale thing
Canada:
Start the day at Tofino, on the west coast of Vancouver Island, with a leisurely walk through one of the largest ancient temperate rainforests remaining in the world. Just offshore, grey whales are on their annual migration from Baja to Alaska. Afterwards, bathe in the natural rock pools fed by underground hot springs or take a kayak to the quiet inlet of Clayoquot Sound to see river otters, harbour seals and bald eagles. Alternatively, just chill and enjoy the miles of sandy beach. The Wickaninnish Inn (www.wickinn.com), a luxury five-star hotel set on a rocky promontory at the westernmost point of Chesterman Beach, is a great place to watch the sun set and costs £116pp per night. Scheduled return flights to Vancouver with Air Canada cost £603pp (www.aircanada.ca). Kayaking is £33 for a four-hour tour. More details from Lakes & Mountains Holidays, The Red House, Garstons Close, Titchfield, Hampshire, PO14 4EW, tel: 01329 844405, e-mail: lakes@ freenet.uk.com.
Alaska:
In Anchorage, you can run into the sunset for $40 taking part in the Mayor's Midnight Sun Marathon (www.muni.org/parks/mayor.cfm ) on June 23. There's also a half-marathon, five-miler and youth run for the less athletic. Recover on an Arctic tour. Flights from London to Anchorage start at about £500 and usually require two changes. Internal flights are available from Alaskan Airlines (00 1 800 252 7522) and Frontier Flying Service (00 1 907 474 0014). Tours are organised by Northern Alaskan Tour Company (00 1 907 474 8600) and North Star Adventures (00 1 570 297 4015 441552).
Scotland
Skibo Castle:
If you missed Madonna's wedding, you can celebrate midsummer with cocktails, fine food, fireworks and... golf at midnight. The 18th fairway is lit by flares and golfers play three holes with gin and tonic on the first tee, Guinness on the second and champagne on the third. It costs £800 per room per night inclusive of all food, drink, golf, entertainment and most other sporting pursuits. Start saving now for next year. Member rate: £575 per room per night. Guest of member rate: £700 per room per night. Skibo Castle, Royal Borough of Dornoch, Sutherland, Scotland. IV25 3RQ (tel: 01862 894600, e-mail skibo@carnegieclubs.com, www.carnegieclubs.com .
Shetland:
Climb to the top of Shetland's Rhonas Hill (www.visitshetland.com, www.visitscotland.com) and watch the sun skim across the sky, never truly disappearing. A self-catering chalet from P&O Scottish Ferries (www. poscottishferries.co.uk), sleeping up to four people and with views overlooking Scalloway and the islands beyond, costs from £289pp including two nights' on board ship on the way to and from the mainland.
Orkney:
The Magnus festival is celebrated from today until June 21 with fireworks in Kirwall's fishing harbour. There are many historic sites, including Skara Brae and the Ring of Brodgar. British Airways (0845 773 3377, www.british-airways.com) flies to Aberdeen from around £125 return, then pick up the ferry to Orkney (www.poscottishferries.co.uk) from £132, including vehicle. Stay at The Creel Restaurant with double rooms and breakfast from £66pp (Alan and Joyce Craigie, Front Road, St Margaret's Hope, Orkney KW17 2SL, tel: 01856 831311, e-mail: alan@thecreel.freeserve.co.uk).
There is plenty of time to improve your handicap at the Orkney Golf Club in Kirkwall (01856 872457) which is open late in mid-summer. A day ticket costs £15. Stay at the Royal Hotel, Kirkwall (01856 873477) from £50pp B&B. For more information of the island see www.scotland-info.co.uk/orkney.htm.
The Islands:
There is still time to celebrate the dawn of the summer solstice within the 5,000-year-old stone circles of Callanish on the Isle of Lewis and learn all about its astronomical importance from local experts. It's a long night of music and mystery. There are daily ferries and planes from the mainland. For details of transport and accommodation see www.scotland-info.co.uk/lewis.htm .
