Bucket List Destinations | Mystical Lapland

For around 200 nights a year starting from the end of August till the month of April you can have the chance to see one of the greatest natural spectacles that you will ever lay eyes on. If you are a traveler, and someone who doesn’t live close to the Arctic circle, this could be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. 

The Northern Lights only appear on clear nights, so you might want to spend a couple of days in this frozen kingdom. How you see the Northern Lights is completely up to you. In winter you can get intrepid and speed off into the icy wilderness on a snowmobile or trudge to a vantage point to get the best view of the Aurora with a pair of snowshoes. 

Although this location favors the adventurer, there is a wealth of luxury suites and glass igloos that allow you to gaze up at the Aurora Borealis from the comfort of your accommodation. 

For two weeks in mid-September Lapland’s forests are at their peak of beauty. This period, known as Ruska, is when locals and visitors alike set out for some leaf-peeping.

Forests in Lapland are mostly coniferous, however there are pines and firs interspersed by hardwood trees. In Autumn this creates a beautiful jumble of soft tones, as oranges, reds and light browns contrast with a canvas of deep greens. 

Around 6 kilometers along a cross-country trail from the Levi ski resort guests will find this remarkable attraction containing structures carved completely out of ice. 

It is possible for guests to book a room here, however most people only stop by to stare in awe at the beautiful sculptures over meal or beer. 

If you’re only staying for a drink you can part in what will be the strangest venue for a karaoke sin-song ever!

If you would like to host an event inside the Levi Ice Gallery, the gallery’s facilities can be booked for events. If you are interested in a fairy-tale wedding, this makes for the perfect location, as you get to tell people, “I got married in an ice palace”!

Ready for a Winter Holiday of your own? Check out Christmas Markets of Europe. 

Karjalanpiirakka is a popular pastry dish in Finland, originating in the region of Karelia. The rye crust is traditionally filled with rice porridge and topped with egg butter. 

The dish is eaten for breakfast, as a snack, and even served at weddings!

These meatballs are similar to the ones served in Sweden, but with less spices and herbs. Most importantly, the Finnish recipe calls for kermaviili, a curd cream. Lihapullat is traditionally served with cooked or mashed potatoes, gravy, lingonberry jam and cucumber pickles.

It is no secret that Finns love salmon, and luckily for them, Finland is home to some of the freshest fishing sites. Graavilohi is a Nordic dish made from raw salmon which has been cured in salt, sugar and dill. 

The thinly sliced Finnish cuisine is often served as an appetizer alongside a dill or mustard sauce on bread or with boiled potatoes. 

In summer months, Finnish forests are peppered with bilberries, the healthier Nordic cousin of the blueberry. 

Although other berries, such as lingonberries, can be picked and used to make pies, Mustikkapiirakka filled with yogurt and served with fresh milk is one of Finland’s most adored treats. 

Even though there are many delicious options to choose from when it comes to Finnish cuisine, it is the reindeer dishes that really stand out from the rest. 

The steak or back of the reindeer is thinly sliced, fried in fat, spiced with salt and pepper, and cooked in water, or beer until tender. 

This Finnish cuisine is then served with sugared lingonberries, mashed potatoes and cucumber pickles. 

Located near SantaPark, Arctic TreeHouse Hotel offers accommodation in Rovaniemi. Offering beautiful suites, guests can enjoy picturesque views of the surrounding forest and even the Northern Lights if lucky!

Free private parking and free WiFi are available on site. Decorated with Nordic design, every room comes with a flat-screen TV, tea/coffee facilities and a minibar. Bathrooms are also fully equipped with free toiletries and a hairdryer. 

When getting to the hotel, we recommend asking about the Husky safaris, reindeer farm tours, Finnish sauna and visit to SantaPark. There are many activities to engage in such as skiing, cycling and hiking. With a terrain like Lapland’s, the possibilities are endless!

Wilderness Hotel Nangu & Igloos is located right on Lake Inari, offering their guests beautiful lake views during their stay and accommodation in idyllic log buildings. 

In the winter, guests may experience the Northern Lights, and enjoy the midnight sun in the summertime. The rooms feature traditional log walls,Lappish decor, and come with a private bathroom, fully equipped with toiletries and a hairdryer. 

A range of winter activities can be arranged at Hotel Nangu, such as Northern Lights hunting trips on snowmobiles and snowshoes. Cross-country skiing and ice-fishing are also part of the activities that can be arranged for guests. 

Guests can enjoy a ride by husky sledges and visit a nearby reindeer farm!

Arctic Fox Igloos feature glass igloo accommodations in Ranua, with a 360 view of the Finnish sky and the neighboring Lake Ranuaanjarvi. 

Sleep under the stars in the glass-walled dome, while also getting to enjoy a private enclosed area where the sauna and bathroom can be located (Each room comes with its own sauna meaning, no sharing!) 

Arctic Fox Igloos staff can also help arrange transfer services and daily activities for you and your family. Guests can choose to have a safari expedition, go swimming, snowmobiling, or have a hiking adventure. 

Ranua Wildlife Park can be found 5km away, while the nearest airport is Rovaniemi Airport, 93km away from the property. 

Interested in seeing Lapland for yourself? Why not talk to one of our travel experts, and start building your very own Exclusive Journey. 

We at Art in Voyage pride ourselves on our ability to create ever-lasting memories and this is evident in our catalog of Curated Journey’s. If you would like to find out more Click here to learn more about us.