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A journey across Finnish and Swedish Lapland
Overview
Introduction
Lapland has no state boundaries. Whether you are in Sweden, Finland or Norway, to the Sami people it is simply Lapland. This is an area where nature still rules, jealously guarded by the indigenous Sami; a wilderness area of immense beauty and individual character. Largely within the arctic circle, here we combine the two countries, in a region of lakes, islands and unending forests - frozen in winter, vibrant in summer.
But this is no outback holiday of rough living but an itinerary which combines comfort in modern and historical, world-renowned properties, excellent food and a variety of activities and experiences which will educate, entertain and astonish even the most seasoned of travellers.
Itinerary includes:
- Outbound flight to Rovaniemi in Finland via Helsinki
- Return flight from Lulea, Sweden via Stockholm
- Transfers
- 3 Nights at Arctic Light Hotel, Rovaniemi, Finland (B&B)
- 2 Nights at the Haparanda Stadshotell, Swedish Lapland (B&B)
- 4 Nights at the Treehotel, Harads, Swedish Lapland (B&B)
- Husky dog sled tour
- Ice floating experience
- 7 course tasting menu (on one evening)
- Ice breaker tour
- Snowmobile tour
- Introduction to Sami culture
Agenda
Day 1 - 3 - Day of arrival - Finland
On arrival at Rovaniemi Airport, transfer to the Arctic Light hotel (10 km, 15 min).
The large community of Rovaniemi (63,000 population), the capital of Finish Lapland and the official hometown of Santa Claus is located just 6 kilometres south of the Arctic Circle. The city has a festive magic whether you choose to visit SantaPark or not! Step outside the city in the summer and you are in the midst river valleys, calm lakes accessed by miles of hiking trails. In winter you are in a winter wonderland. The Arctic Light Hotel was once the city’s town hall and is located in the centre of the city within easy reach of restaurants and shops yet only a snowshoe away from the surrounding wilderness. It is the only 5-star hotel in Finnish Lapland. It is decorated with mock furs, and furnishings are plush and radiate warmth and cosiness. The restaurant is excellent and specialises in Finnish dishes. An ideal centre to spend your first three days in this magical region. We have included two excursions. You would not feel that you had ever visited this snowbound landscape without trying a husky dog sled tour. Over 18 or so kilometres (1½ hours) you will be managing a pack of panting huskies pulling a sled for two persons. It’s an exhilarating experience not to be missed and is followed by warm accommodation and a hot berry juice in a yurt! Have you ever tried Ice Floating? It may not suit everyone but it is a quite a unique feeling, floating in a huge, warm all enveloping space suit amongst ice on a frozen lake - and if the Aurora Borealis chooses to make an appearance then the experience is surreal - the ice around you and the northern lights above. If not to your taste, there are a great many alternative excursions you can try during your 4 day stay, ranging from a Moose Safari to Ice fishing.
Overnight at the Arctic Light Hotel
Husky dog sled tour
Day 4 & 5 - Haparanda, Sweden
The bus from Rovaniemi in Finland skirting the coastline of the gulf of Bothnia to Haparanda in Sweden takes 1 hour and 30 minutes (125 km).
Haparanda, with a population of 5,000, is across the River Torne from Tornio in Finland. The two towns belong to two different nations yet they almost function as one, with no borders or barriers. The town is noted for having the northernmost IKEA in the world, much frequented by customers from Finland and nearby Russia! Haparanda is surrounded by wilderness. The Stadshotell dates from the 1900s and is now owned and managed by Susanne Wallin and her son. It has been lovingly restored and personally run. Attention to detail is paramount and the aim is to exceed guests’ expectations. It has been part of the town’s history, accommodating spies during the First World War to welcoming Prince Daniel of Sweden in 2020. On one of the evenings we have included a 7 course tasting menu at the hotel’s restaurant, where meals using fresh arctic ingredients are served with a focus on sustainability. A fascinating, five hour, Icebreaker Tour is included. This begins with a snowmobile transfer to the icebreaker, where the captain explains the workings of this specialist craft followed by watching the ship break through ice up to one metre thick. A trip to the Arctic Circle would not be complete without a chance to see the Northern Lights ( Aurora Borealis). A short taxi transfer followed by a short walk away from the lights of the town where seated around a cosy campfire, your guide will recount the myths and facts associated with the Aurora. Hopefully you will also see the northern lights but this can never be guaranteed.
Overnight at the Haparanda Stadshotell
Ice breaker ship
Day 6 - 9 - Harads, The Treehotel
The transfer on day seven from Haparanda to travel deeper into the Arctic Circle is via Lulea. The first 129 km (1hr 40 min) to Lulea is by bus and then 84 km (1 hr 15 min) from there to Harads and the unique Treehotel.
A footpath from the village of Harads, renowned for its impressive surroundings and the Lule river valley, will bring you to the Treehotel; 7 cabins suspended 4 to 10 metres above the ground amongst nature and the forest trees. You will realise a childhood dream, for not many of us had fathers who built them a treehouse. Each cabin is different, each with its own charm and character. There is no running water here but somehow all the cabins have underfloor heating! There is a sink for washing your hands and brushing your teeth but the showers are in the Forest Sauna and breakfast and excellent meals are served in the Britta’s Pensionat on ground level. An unforgettable experience and a lifetime memory. It is to be noted that not all the cabins are suitable for those with walking difficulties. Being here is an experience enough but, to add to the wonderment, we also include a snowmobile tour and a fascinating glimpse of Sami Culture. The Forest Sami Eriksson family, who live in nearby Flakaberg, will tell you about Sami culture, recount stories and legends and describe a life of reindeer herding with an introduction to the animals themselves. Lunch will be served. A wide range of local excursions are also available.
Overnight at the Treehotel
Treehotel, Harads
Day 10 - Day of departure
The transfer on your final day will be back to Lulea, 84 km (1 hr 15 min) to catch your flight from Lulea to London Heathrow via Stockholm.
Accommodation
Arctic Light Hotel - Night 1 to 3
Conveniently situated in the city with a range of restaurants and shops, you are only a snowshoe away from the alluring, subarctic wilderness and a wide variety of winter activities.
Conveniently situated in the city with a range of restaurants and shops, you are only a snowshoe away from the alluring, subarctic wilderness and a wide variety of winter activities.
Once the former City Hall of Rovaniemi, the contemporary Arctic Light Hotel was the first boutique-style hotel in Finnish Lapland. The style is luxury Arctic design with mock furs, nature inspired wallcoverings and plush furnishings bathed in cool lighting.
With uniquely decorated guestrooms, a restaurant serving high quality Finnish delicacies and stylish lounge bar, we can honestly say that the Arctic Light really does offer guests a warm and welcoming refuge after a day’s exhilarating outdoor expedition.
Enjoy the true magic of winter and snow white landscapes on a reindeer sleigh, snowmobile or mushing your own husky sledge. The hotel can assist you in booking these and many other activities during your stay.
Accommodation
- 57 spacious, individually styled rooms & suites
Amenities / Leisure:
- Buffet breakfast
- Lounges and bar
- Arctic Restaurant focused on the promotion of local ingredients of the highest quality. Table reservations recommended
- Wine tasting experience on offer (pre-booked through Sunvil or payable locally)
- Small fitness room
- A complimentary 30-minute private sauna session is offered for all guests. The guest sauna can accommodate up to 5 people in our guest sauna
- Located in the heart of Rovaniemi
Haparanda Stadshotell - Night 4 to 6
The values and attention to customer service at the Haparanda Stadshotell are aligned with our own. So much so that our first meeting with Susanne Wallin, the property's owner-manager, felt predestined; we have the same vision and same desires - to introduce our guests to the real country and to ensure an enriched holiday experience.
The values and attention to customer service at the Haparanda Stadshotell are aligned with our own. So much so that our first meeting with Susanne Wallin, the property's owner-manager, felt predestined; we have the same vision and same desires - to introduce our guests to the real country and to ensure an enriched holiday experience.
The Haparanda Stadshotell is a project of love, a lifetime in the making. Having started her career at the hotel at the age of 16, Susanne vowed that one day she would own it. Today that dream is a reality and she oversees the design, renovation and day-to-day hospitality alongside her son and her team of friends. It is clear to all that there is a desire by all to exceed guest expectations.
Standing at the heart of Haparanda, the Stadshotell dates from 1900 and its history can be felt within its walls. From housing spies during World War I to welcoming Prince Daniel of Sweden in 2020, this is a property looking to the future. The rooms have been decorated using regency colours, plush textiles and are adorned with handpicked antique pieces and artefacts. Everything has its place and attention to detail is impeccable.
Haparanda is a tale of two cities entwined as one - Haparanda and Tornio. Divided by the Torne river, the former is Swedish and the latter is Finnish; the former is one hour behind Tornio; two different currencies, two different nations and yet intrinsically linked with no visible man-made borders. A fascinating place which, when combined with the hotel, is guaranteed to provide a fascinating insight into life in the Arctic.
Accommodation:
- 92 rooms including standard and superior rooms, junior suite and a suite.
Amenities/Leisure:
- Buffet breakfast
- Bar
- Restaurant
- Ballroom
- Lounge
- Lift
- Sauna
- Free parking
Treehotel - Night 7 to 10
The small village of Harads, situated in the municipality of Boden, is renowned for its impressive surroundings and the Lule river valley.
The small village of Harads, situated in the municipality of Boden, is renowned for its impressive surroundings and the Lule river valley, creating a fusion of forest and river. From the village of Harads, a footpath leads you into the tranquillity and wilderness of the forest and to the seclusion of the Treehotel.
Built from inspiration taken from the film ‘The Tree Lover’ by Jonas Selberg Augustsen, the Treehotel consists of eight cabins each suspended 4-10 metres above the forest floor. This is a unique and exclusive haven surrounded by a backdrop of virgin nature. Whether it is for the experience, the adventure, a special occasion or simply to fulfil a childhood dream, a stay at the Treehotel will offer you an insight into nature at its best.
Accommodation:
Gaze out at Sweden’s spectacular nature from the separate, unique, and comfortable rooms within the trees. In total there are 8 different cabins – the latest being the Biosphere, which has a façade containing 340 birds’ nests, amplifying the Treehotel’s focus on sustainability and nature tourism. The other cabins include the Mirrorcube, Bird’s Nest, The Cabin, 7th Room, UFO, Dragonfly and Blue Cone. We recommend trying out more than one room type during your stay. By doing so you will get to experience different concepts and feelings.
Furnishing and design are contemporary. Underfloor heating, combined with good insulation, ensures a warm cosy stay. Please note that most of the cabins do not have running water - a water canister is provided above the sink in the bathroom (adequate for washing hands, face and brushing teeth). The Dragonfly and 7th room have a shower and the Biosphere has a sauna and shower. Showers are located in the guest house and there are also showers in the Forest Sauna.
The Forest Sauna
Located within walking distance of the cabins, the Forest Sauna has two saunas, a hot tub, relaxation area and showers. Use of the sauna and hot tub is payable locally.
Notes:
Check-in for the Treehotel is completed at the original guest house which retains a charm of yesteryear. The Treehotel cabins are c.5-10 minute walk from Britta’s Pensionat via a forest path – please note that during the winter, when the snow is on the ground, the path may be slippery in places. Guests at the Treehotel can leave non-essential items and luggage at the guest house. Please note that there is no wardrobe space in the cabins.
Amenities / Leisure:
- Buffet breakfast, lunch and evening meals served in the guest house. Lunch and evening meals can be delivered to your room on request. The menus served focus on local and seasonal produce.
- Forest sauna
- Showers (unisex) available in the guest house
- Lounge with woodturning fireplace adjacent to the guest house
- Guided tours of the Treehotel available and payable locally
- Storklinten ski resort c. 20 minutes' drive
- The village of Harads has a population of 600 people, a restaurant, coffee shop and a fascinating mini-market - an experience in itself (c. 20 minutes' walk)
- A host of activities are available year-round both on site at the Treehotel and in the surrounding area
Open: All year
Route Map
Best time to go
- JAN
- FEB
- MAR
- APR
- MAY
- JUN
- JUL
- AUG
- SEP
- OCT
- NOV
- DEC
Time Difference
GMT + 3 hours
Currency
Euro
Language
Finnish
Average flight times
5 hours (via Helsinki)
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Average temperature
Average rainfall
- JAN
- FEB
- MAR
- APR
- MAY
- JUN
- JUL
- AUG
- SEP
- OCT
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- DEC