Finland
Finland
The magic of Finnish Lapland is tangible. The sweeping northern reaches of the country are unspoiled and spectacular, with frozen lakes and sweeping snow-laden forests transforming the country over winter into a fairytale place, made all the more magical by the ephemeral dancing rays of the ethereal Northern Lights.
Finland has a series of spectacular experiences that vary wildly from season to season. In the summer look out for hiking, riding, rafting and fishing among the trails and lakes of this unspoiled wilderness, making the most of the long days bathed in light by the Midnight Sun. Lazily explore the Land of a Thousand Lakes by private boat. Go wildlife-spotting in search of reindeer, elk, wolverine, wolf or lynx with a top wildlife guide or head to Khumo to stay in a hide while watching for brown bears.
Come winter, go skiing and snowshoeing across the white landscape. Explore further on a snowmobile safari into the frozen backcountry. Join a husky dog adventure through the enchanting snowy Lapland fells with a champion musher. Rent a luxury log cabin in the woods, complete with authentic, private sauna facilities, not forgetting to plunge into the Arctic waters of a nearby lake and roll around in the snow before scarpering back inside. Forage for berries, mushrooms and wild herbs and catch Arctic char before learning how to cook your catch outdoors with a top chef.
Make the most of the lack of light pollution to look out for the Northern Lights, whether that’s from a viewing point in the wild, an igloo with a great vantage point or your private hot tub with a glass of champagne to hand; their appearance will add an extra touch of magic to your adventures. Learn to ice-drive at a winter driving school tutored by a rally driver. Stay in a surprisingly stylish and luxurious property during a night in the Arctic Circle. Take your family to a private tented camp in the forest to learn wilderness survival skills and listen to fascinating traditional Sami folk stories around a roaring campfire. Embrace the season and get in touch with your inner kid again by attending elf school and making gingerbread with Mrs Claus before a private meeting with Santa Claus himself.
Autumn in Levi, Finnish Lapland
Forage for berries, mushrooms and wild herbs
Northern Lights, Finnish Lapland
Make the most of Finland’s stylish accommodation to stay in luxury lakefront log cabins like the design-led villas at Levi Spirit and stylish Scandinavian forest lodges including Beana Laponia, who are intimately connected with their surrounds and have their own husky farm. Look out to for unusual and exciting ways to watch the Northern Lights, with uninterrupted views of the night sky an attraction at the surprisingly cosy glass igloos of Levin Iglut, whose glass ceilings are cleverly insulated and warmed, while the giant north-facing feature windows of the treehouse-style pods perched on stilts at Arctic Treehouse Lodge frame the displays fantastically. For total privacy and peace in the wild, ask us as well about private tented camps in the snowy wilderness.
Although Finland is a year-round destination, every season has its own character and appeal. Travel over the European summer, from June to August for long lakeside nights ideal for getting some extra fishing or hiking in. Travel in late summer and early autumn to take part in foraging for berries and mushrooms. Or head to Finnish Lapland on a winter holiday between November and April and see how the country transforms into a snowy playground bathed under the glow of the Northern Lights.
