Looking to escape? Here’s a recent trip local readers took to Japan. Check it out, then find more reader travel inspiration at www.mercurynews.com/tag/wish-you-were ...

The Lycksele Ice Pillar in Lapland, Sweden, is the world's tallest ice pillar. Every winter, locals rebuild this town's ...

The doors to Sweden's stunning ice hotel have opened. 'Icehotel' says it is the first and largest hotel made out of ice, and they rebuild it every year after the hotel melts in the spring. The doors ...