Ah, the Northern Lights. A dream, a goal for every traveller’s bucket-list. Beautiful colours floating in the sky, singing melodious strokes to you, cold snow around you, and hopefully a loved one in your arms!
The land of huskies, fur coats, northern lights, and midnight sun, Sweden is a delight child in the north east of Europe. A scandinavian delight; architecture, food, people and nature. The best of everything. If I had to take a trip, it would be like this:
Land in Helsinki and explore every nook and cranny of the city. Full of history, pubs and some excellent parks, Helsinki is a fun way to explore swedish culture.
A day-trip to Tallinn; because there is no way I will miss out on a drop of Eastern Europe with the exciting ferries that take you within two hours from Helsinki. The town is magical; cobbled streets, little castles (best oxymoron you may find!) and some exciting baltic culture around you!
Then a flight into Rovaniemi, because huskies and northern lights eventually end up beckoning you. A week or an eternity is not enough to explore this gift of nature!
Last but not the least; I will make sure I get onto an ice-breaker to float in ice-cold water in the middle of icebergs! Yes, you can do this!
Swedish Lapland is where you go on winter safaris, walks into the forests, learning about cultures and myths around a fire, chasing northern lights and dare I say…… enjoying saunas all around you. There is no Swedish experience that feels complete without some spa-cations too!
But what I will definitely cross off the bucket-listing is a stay at the Arctic Bath Hotel; a floating paradise in the Harads region of Lapland. Oh dear lord. Luxury, wellness, brilliant cuisine and the best of scandinavian architecture beckoning me; how can I not indulge? A circular innovation sitting in the Lule river; and on an ice-ed up surface when winter strikes, the Arctic Bath Hotel is an immersive experience with a complete spa & wellness experience; choose from saunas, stone massages, facials or simply just a stay in one of Lapland’s exotic locations. The kicker for your excitement? Almost every aspect of the hotel is built using sustainable materials and houses only a maximum of 25 people at a time!
Swedish Lapland has always been on my list; and sometimes leaving things for later turns out to be a good idea. If I had gone earlier, I would never have been able to witness (or, hope to!) this marvel. And god knows, I want to!
Written by Mohit Gupta
Week 52, December ’20
