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The Northern Lights are among the most famous natural phenomena in the world and getting a first-hand view of the Aurora Borealis and its magical light patterns swirling around the earth’s atmosphere is on many travellers’ bucket lists.

Iceland, a beautiful and awe-inspiring country, is also one of the top travel destinations in and around the Arctic Circle, where you can explore the countryside and historic cities, try activities such as swimming in hot springs and glacier hiking, and see volcanos, geysers, and crashing waterfalls alongside the lights.

The Baltic Travel Company experts have collated some guidance to ensure you understand how best to see the Aurora, including the right times of the year to travel, some of our popular Icelandic Northern Lights packages, overnight excursions and trips, and why the weather patterns can influence your experience.

Tips to Maximise Your Chance of an Unforgettable Aurora Experience

Picking the right time to travel to Iceland is key if you have your heart set on seeing the Aurora Borealis. The lights are visible to some extent throughout the period between September and early May, but the brighter the sunlight and the closer to spring it is, the less distinct and clear the lights will be.

For example, travelling to Iceland during the midnight sun season, which lasts from May until around July, means there is very little likelihood you’ll see the lights. In this part of the year, Iceland experiences 24-hour daylight, which, while enjoyable and an unusual experience, doesn’t provide the right conditions for you to see the Aurora.

The official Northern Lights season begins in October and lasts until March when the days are shorter and darker, and the night sky is visible for longer, making it a peak time for viewing.

Much depends on the weather and Aurora forecast, but guides often feel that the Winter Solstice, which falls on 21st December, is the optimal opportunity, with roughly 20 hours of darkness every day.

We’d suggest booking an Iceland holiday with a specific Northern Lights hunt, tour or trip since a guide is the foremost source of advice who can check the weather, cloud cover and conditions and recommend the evening or night during your holiday when you’ll have the best chance to see the lights.

If you’ve chosen a holiday in Iceland that is primarily city-based, it is well worth scheduling a boat ride away from the light pollution or a guided tour into the wilderness since even if the lights are slightly visible within the city, the view further out will be incomparable.

Unusual and Unique Places to See the Northern Lights in Iceland

The ideal way to get an uninterrupted view of the Northern Lights is to travel as far from the cities as possible. We have some incredible opportunities to stay in special, once-in-a-lifetime accommodation to make the most of your Iceland holiday.

While guided excursions and Northern Lights hunts are always great fun, you could consider the following:

·         Heading on a romantic evening or nighttime boat tour, seeing the vast open night skies and a clear view of any Auroral activity.

·         Private Aurora hunts with a local guide, stopping along the way for refreshments and photos of your excursion.

·         Heading to a glamping area or woodland lodge in the winter countryside, miles away from anything that could impact your view.

We’d also recommend heading to some of the many stunning natural sights in Iceland to watch the lights dancing in the evening and night sky, including Ásbyrgi Canyon in Northern Iceland, Kirkjufell Mountain to the west and Thingvellir National Park down to the south.

Some areas in Iceland have particularly good viewing conditions for most of the winter. Although remote locations in the north are good, other spots include those close to the Vatnajökull Glacier, Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon and the black sand beaches that characterise the area.

Even if you aren’t a keen photographer, it’s a great idea to pack a good camera or ensure your phone is fully charged with plenty of storage capacity before you begin a Northern Lights tour. Many people see the lights only once or twice, and it’s not something you’ll want to forget!

Your guide will often be happy to assist and offer tips to ensure you get a great shot with your loved ones or travelling companions as a keepsake.

Choosing Your Perfect Iceland Northern Lights Trip

Our Icelandic Northern Lights packages are put together to ensure you get to experience all that the land of fire and ice has to offer. These tours include knowledgeable local guides, many of whom use the Northern Lights forecast from Iceland’s Met Office to monitor viewing conditions up to three days in advance.

Some of the most popular holidays to see the Northern Lights in Iceland include:

·         Nature and Northern Lights Short Break: Spend five days in Iceland visiting the hot springs, the roaring Gullfoss Waterfall, black lava beaches, and the Blue Lagoon, and touring the Golden Circle to see the Northern Lights in all their glory.

·         The Land of Northern Lights: A five-day trip to South Iceland, taking in the Eyjafjallajökull Volcano, the Blue Lagoon and a glacier hike along with an excursion to the Reykjanes Peninsula where you’ll get an uninterrupted of the Aurora Borealis.

·         Northern Light, Volcanoes and Glacier Lagoon: A winter trip around the Golden Circle, encompassing the Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, smoking geysers and the famous waterfall at Hvítárgljúfur Canyon, where you’ll head on a Northern Lights tour from Reykjavik into the Auroral Oval.

We often make special provisions in case the weather patterns or cloud cover make the Aurora difficult to see on your selected travel dates, with a complimentary tour the following day where timings allow.

You’ll find this information and much more in our comprehensive travel itineraries, including the dates and airports from which to select your return flights and airport transfers and all the meals and excursions provided. You can also get in touch with the Baltic Travel Company team at any time for further details about any Iceland Northern Lights holidays.

Information Source: - https://www.baltictravelcompany.com/blog/index.php/northern-lights/advice-for-travellers-booking-a-northern-lights-iceland-holiday/

Northern Lights holidays can be romantic, exhilarating and awe-inspiring, but we often speak with guests concerned about the suitability of the frozen Arctic tundra for their little ones – however keen they might be to share this adventure of a lifetime with their family!

The great news is that the Aurora and the magic of Lapland are brilliant opportunities for kids to expand their horizons, explore landscapes and natural phenomena they might never have heard of before, and try excursions and activities they will remember forever.

Let’s talk about family trips to see the Northern Lights, some of the amazing activities we’d recommend for younger visitors, and varied accommodation options that are perfect at any age.

Can I Travel to See the Northern Lights With Children?

We often organise packages and tours for families while recognising that smaller travellers are less likely to be able to stay awake into the evening to watch the Northern Lights twinkling across the sky! One fantastic option is to consider a glass igloo, where you stay in heated, luxurious accommodation with an uninterrupted view of one of the most famous natural wonders.

The Arctic Circle itself is a remote and wild part of the world, but with all excursions managed by experienced local guides, often with cold weather clothing included, you’ll be in safe hands throughout your trip.

Few holidays inspire as much excitement as a visit to the North Pole, and all of the best places to see the Northern Lights are also considered among the safest, with almost non-existent crime rates –packages that include Aurora Borealis viewing are located in the beauty of Finnish or Swedish Lapland, Greenland, Iceland, Norway and Svalbard.

Discussing your Northern Lights holiday beforehand and explaining how this breathtaking natural phenomenon is formed by solar particles colliding in the earth’s atmosphere can be a great way to build up enthusiasm for the trip – as can the chance to see polar bears, reindeer and majestic huskies in the snowscapes of the Arctic.

Unique Activities for Kids in the Aurora Zone

There are two primary options families tend to prefer when organising a Northern Lights adventure, depending on the age of their children:

·         Booking overnight tours and trips to see the Northern Lights with warm, comfy accommodations that are suited to children.

·         Opting for an ice hotel or lodge close to the setting-off point to see the Aurora, arranging childcare with a qualified childminder, or a family member who is happy to alternate days for their chance to glimpse the lights.

Aside from the Northern Lights themselves, there are hundreds of activities you might wish to schedule, many of which are ideal for younger visitors and provide a learning experience as well as a huge amount of fun.

Northern Lights city breakscan work well, where you might, for example, schedule a four-night trip with a couple of days in a modern, festive city and then organise an overnight excursion or stay to see the lights. This combination package fits as much into your itinerary as possible.

Children can meet huskies and join in with a dog sledding safari, safely seated in a snug sled behind their tour guide. Kids also embrace the chance to ride as a passenger on a snowmobile, zipping through a landscape of snow-capped mountains and forests – age restrictions may apply.

A reindeer safari or visit to a reindeer farm is another fabulous day out for every family member, listening to herders talk about the heritage and lifestyle of these incredible animals, and with a chance to take a sled ride.

If you’re keen to plan a Northern Lights holiday that is focused on Christmas, you could book our outstanding Arctic Christmas tour in Finland, or the Lapland Adventure with Santa and Rudolph, with an overnight Aurora camp and one-on-one meetings with Father Christmas himself included.

Accommodation Options for Family Northern Lights Holidays

Although some Arctic Circle accommodation is designed as an adults-only getaway, there are plenty of options for families within the Aurora zone. A glass-roofed aurora cabin or a lodge with a viewing platform are excellent options, where the adults can stay up later to watch the lights in the dark skies once smaller travellers have settled down for the night.

Our Christmas tour includes accommodation at the superb Hotel Kalevala in Kajaani, Finland, where you can enjoy traditional local dishes, skiing, snowshoeing and reindeer safaris, along with a visit to Santa Claus, carol singing and a search for the ideal tree.

This package is designed for families, with an evening sauna and outdoor jacuzzi, special activities specifically for children, and a Christmas Eve buffet. Parents can make the most of a babysitter, included in the holiday, for two days, with a kid’s playroom, board games and PlayStation games, ice-sleds and toboggans to keep kids entertained and excited throughout.

You are welcome to contact our talented travel advisers for more information on this package or other tours and custom itineraries to ensure all of the members of your party have a wonderful experience, whatever their ages!

Planning Your Family-Friend Aurora Adventure

Planning a Northern Lights tour that includes a day or two within one of the nearest cities is a great compromise; you can visit Christmas markets, theme parks and attractions before heading into the pristine Arctic countryside where activities like snowman building and sledding are an excellent way to enjoy quality time together.

Note that smaller children aren’t able to manage the rigours of cross-country skiing, but a toboggan ride down a gentle slope is tremendous fun, and you can bring your little ones with you on a snowmobile – kitted out in cosy thermal clothing to keep the chill at bay.

Visiting the real-life winter wonderland remains a fairy-tale experience for children, and snuggling up in the evening around a blazing fire to watch the Northern Lights is an unmissable holiday – and one that every child will love.

During your trip, your hosts, guides, and tour leaders will be happy to help, whether recommending snacks and drinks or packing these on your behalf and offering layers and blankets for colder outdoor winter activities to keep the children content.

Information Source: -https://www.baltictravelcompany.com/blog/index.php/northern-lights/northern-lights-trips-for-families-how-to-make-your-aurora-hunt-child-friendly/

If you’re on the lookout for a holiday destination that’s both diverse and captivating, look no further than Slovenia, situated right in the heart of Europe. Despite its modest size, this country welcomes travellers with its stunning coastal towns, pristine lakes, charming cities, and a rich cultural heritage that’ll leave you wanting more.

Coastal Charms: Portorož and Piran

Portorož, also known as the “Port of Roses,” where you can indulge in extensive relaxation and rejuvenation in the therapeutic saltwater baths and enjoy the luxury spa resorts while soaking up the sun. And just a skip away lies Piran, a medieval town straight out of a fairy tale, with its narrow streets, Venetian-style buildings, and breathtaking sea views. You can’t miss Tartini Square, named after the famous composer, Giuseppe Tartini, and the stunning St. George’s Parish Church perched atop a hill, offering panoramic vistas of the town and the Adriatic Sea.

Cuisine and Culinary Delights

Now let’s talk food! Along the coast, seafood reigns supreme, with fresh catches brought in daily by local fishermen. From Istrian seafood stew to grilled Adriatic fish and creamy risotto bursting with local flavours, your taste buds are in for a treat. And don’t forget to wash it all down with a glass of crisp Slovenian wine or a refreshing local beer – perfection on a plate!

Cultural Festivals and Events

There’s always something exciting happening along the Slovenian Riviera! Throughout the year, you can immerse yourself in the local culture with traditional music and dance performances, seafood festivals, and art exhibitions. Rest assured, engaging with the locals and crafting memories at these vibrant gatherings will undoubtedly be the highlight of your journey.

Outdoor Adventures and Activities

Now, let’s get adventurous! Beyond the charming towns and stunning coastline, Slovenia offers a plethora of outdoor activities for thrill-seekers and nature lovers. How about kayaking along the scenic coastline, cycling through picturesque vineyards, or hiking in the lush green hills? And for a more laid-back experience, why not indulge in some wine tasting at local vineyards, unwind at one of the many terme (thermal spas), or set sail on the sparkling Adriatic Sea?

Olive Oil: Liquid Gold of Istria

Slovenia’s Istrian region is renowned for producing some of the finest olive oil in the world. Blessed with a mild climate and fertile soil, the region’s olive groves yield olives of exceptional quality, resulting in olive oil prized for its delicate flavours and fruity aroma. Visitors can explore local vineyards, learn about the olive oil production process, and indulge in tastings to sample the diverse varieties of this liquid gold.

Salt Pans: A Glimpse into Slovenia’s Heritage

The salt pans along Slovenia’s coastline are a living testament to the country’s rich history of salt production. Dating back centuries, these salt pans have been meticulously maintained, with the traditional salt-making process passed down through generations. As you explore the salt pans, you’ll be amazed by the delicate balance between nature’s beauty and human skill. The shimmering crystalline structures are truly mesmerizing to behold.

Secovlje Salina Nature Park: Where Time Stands Still

Located near the town of Piran, the Secovlje Salina Nature Park offers a glimpse into Slovenia’s natural beauty and cultural heritage. Spanning over 650 hectares, this protected area is home to a diverse ecosystem of flora and fauna, thriving amidst the salt pans and wetlands. Visitors can embark on guided tours to learn about the park’s conservation efforts, observe bird species in their natural habitat, and marvel at the intricate salt-making process that has sustained local communities for generations. A visit to the Secovlje Salina Nature Park is a journey back in time, where nature’s timeless beauty never fails to inspire.

Accessibility to Slovenia

While Slovenia has just one international airport, situated in the capital city of Ljubljana, travellers have convenient options for accessing the country through neighbouring airports. You can opt to fly into Trieste and Venice in Italy, both of which are nearby, and then embark on a scenic drive to Slovenia to explore its captivating beauty. Other airport options include Klagenfurt, Austria and Zagreb, Croatia.

Why wait any longer? It’s time to pack your bags and set off on an unforgettable journey to Slovenia’s coastal paradise. Whether you’re in search of relaxation, adventure, or cultural immersion, Slovenia’s coastal charm offers an experience tailored to every traveller. Enquire today for a tailor-made experience! Contact with Baltic Travel Company!

Information Source: -https://www.baltictravelcompany.com/blog/index.php/balkans/exploring-the-slovenian-coast-a-hidden-gem-in-the-heart-of-europe/

As a leading care home company, our experienced care and nursing centre managers often consult with families and loved ones who benefit from guidance, support and independent advice when making key decisions about the care for themselves or a relative.

We never underestimate the complexity of these conversations, which many find emotional, with concerns about how they can compare one care home to another or what they should ask to verify whether a residential home has the compassion, kindness and sensitivity they want their loved one to be treated with.

Our first tip is to pick a care home provider who welcomes questions and in-person chats and is happy to take as much time as you need to talk you through care planning, facilities, and available care services. It is essential that all parties feel assured that their selected care setting is right for them and that their preferred care home has the necessary team members and support services.

Family members pour time, effort and energy into finding the perfect home for older people and loved ones and often refer to regulatory inspection ratings published by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) in England. These ratings are useful and provide a broad-stroke overview of how well a care home conforms to safeguarding, record-keeping, confidentiality and patient care standards.

You can also use resources such as CareHome.co.uk to access each care centre’s review score to see how other service users and residents feel about the care they have received.

However, it is always valuable to take the opportunity to visit a care home in person. Speaking to all the staff, getting a proper look at accommodation and suites, and seeing how carers engage and connect with their residents is a great indication of whether a care home has a friendly team and delivers good care.

The care teams in each Forest Healthcare location also encourage families and residents to visit any of our facilities that they may be interested in, whether a specialist nursing care centre or residential care home. Having that first-hand experience can make the transition into a care home far smoother and less stressful for all and ensures our care managers and teams are familiar faces.

Next, we’ll run through the questions we’d advise you to ask during those visits and before making any decisions.

Care homes charge varied fee structures, depending on the type of care required, the accommodation or suite a resident wishes to reserve, and whether the individual or family receive funding support to contribute towards their overall care costs. 

Although most amazing care homes offer absolute transparency, it’s worth enquiring during your visit if you are unsure whether everything is included in that fee. For example, you might find that visiting therapists or beauticians offer manicures, haircuts and beauty treatments at an additional charge or that the care home can organise extra amenities within a room for a nominal fee.

Particularly when you are arranging long-term or complex care, you should be informed about any potential changes to care home fees, if these are reviewed annually, or whether you need to make a deposit there and then to avoid losing out on a high-demand accommodation space.

We suggest asking to see either the room or a similar room during your tour, where you can check what is included, what you might be able to bring from home, or what the care home might be able to organise on your behalf. Simple things like a private TV, a comfy sofa, generous wardrobe storage space and a radio can make a big difference.

Entertainment facilities add real value and ensure that all care home clients, whether living as residents in a dementia care or complex care setting or short-term recovery and rehabilitation care, have plenty of things to do, from crafting to day trips, garden parties to birthday celebrations and movie and quiz nights where residents chat, make friends and relax together.

Although all care homes are required to offer daily activities, the broader the range on offer, the better every resident will be able to pick and choose outings, organised entertainment or group activities that bring them joy.

It’s also a great idea to ask about outdoor activities or visits. Our award-winning care homes place huge value on social interaction and organise all sorts of day trips, cinema evenings, days out or shopping trips for residents who wish to participate and can do so.

If you are organising a care home place on behalf of a family member with an ongoing or degenerative medical condition or cognitive illness, the standard and availability of nursing support may be key. Care homes normally provide medication reminders and help patients take prescribed medicines at specific intervals, but more in-depth or ongoing supervision may be required.

For example, you might ask how the care team tracks medications and what they would do if a doctor or consultant prescribed a change in dosage. You may also need to know what happens if your loved one becomes ill or needs help with an intravenous line – is there a registered nurse on duty at all times, or does the care home have a resident or nearby doctor they can call upon?

Visiting arrangements may vary depending on the type of care delivered. However, even residents with profound disabilities or cognitive impairments benefit from regular visits from people they know and love, and the impact on their mental health is impossible to overstate.

Some care homes have specified visiting hours or durations or might allow a resident to have a maximum number of people per day to avoid overcrowding in smaller facilities. Others will have an open access policy and offer a warm welcome to every relative, taking the time to organise larger gatherings for special events or celebrations.

Finally, meal times are a focal point for many care homes, and it’s important that your loved one can advise on the types of foods they like to eat – not solely based on medical requirements, allergies or intolerances.

Excellent care is centred around health, well-being and comfort, and providing a varied, tasty and fresh menu every day is hugely important to the happiness and enjoyment of residents. Never hold back from asking to see the menu, enquiring about snacks during the day, or wanting to know whether your relative will be offered a soothing cocoa at bedtime if this is part of their routine.

For further information about comparing care homes, choosing the best care facilities for you or a loved one, or raising questions and concerns during care home visits, please get in touch with Forest Healthcare at any time.

Information Source: - https://www.foresthc.com/choosing-a-great-care-home-company-for-you-or-your-loved-one/

Scandinavia is an astonishing part of the world, with cities and landscapes across Denmark, Sweden and Norway Holidays that range from vast open wildernesses to eclectic towns, tiny villages and islands perched in the ocean to sophisticated spa hotels and luxury wellness centres.

If you’re keen to travel to Scandinavia and want to see as much as possible, a tour package is the perfect option. We offer a range of Scandinavian holidays, from winter wonderland trips to relaxing summer adventures and self-guided fly/drive packages.

Let us share some of the best places to go and the most popular things to do in the region, alongside recommendations for activities and excursions you will love.

Creating a Customised Tour of the Scandinavian Countries

One of the brilliant aspects of travelling around Scandinavia is the contrast between the seasons – the region transforms throughout the year with the changing weather, and even if you’ve visited countless times there is always something new to see.

We’d recommend beginning with a checklist of your must-see places or the type of holiday you’d most love to experience – for example:

Would you prefer to travel in the warmest summer months, during the snowy winter, or during spring and autumn when most cities are quieter?

Are there activities you’ve always wanted to try? Perhaps you’d like to hike up a mountain, relax in an authentic outdoor spa, snowmobile across a glacier, or camp in a rural area overnight to watch the Northern lights holiday.

Do you have a particular type of accommodation in mind? We offer a huge selection, including treehouses, ice hotels, glass igloos, rustic summer cabins, ultra-modern hotels and lodges.

Organising a tour means you don’t need to make any compromises – you can incorporate all of your bucket list items into one trip, often starting in one of the major capital cities to soak up some culture and entertainment before you head further out.

Exploring Scandinavia’s Capital Cities

The architecture and history of Scandinavian cities are a big draw for guests. There is a variety of experiences to pick and choose from, such as fine dining, visiting world-famous palaces and museums, walking tours and self-guided tours where you can see the sites via bike or book a boat trip around the local harbour.

Oslo is Norway’s capital, with an urban, contemporary feel, yet surrounded by mountains and greenery. The nightlife is lively and welcoming, and we recommend a stop at one of the superb museums, including the Munch Museum and the Kon-Tiki Museum.

Our next stop is Stockholm, Sweden – a captivating and beautiful city characterised by cobbled streets winding through Gamla Stan, the 13th-century old town, with attractions like the Royal Palace and Nobel Museum.

If your Scandinavian tour includes a visit to Copenhagen, you’ll see colourful houses lining the harbour and canals. You can also visit the stunning Amalienborg Palace, home of the Danish royal family, and the world’s second-oldest amusement park at Tivoli Gardens.

Booking a Winter Tour of Scandinavia

Several Scandinavia tour packages are designed around festive themes, including the Polar Express Train Journey, which takes you on an incredible tour through the Arctic Circle, crossing Norwegian and Swedish Lapland. The eco-friendly transport runs from Kiruna in Sweden to Narvik in western Norway, with opportunities to try a dog sledding safari in the snow and visit the Abisko National Park.

Another great option for a Scandinavian tour holiday in the winter is our Swedish Ice Hotel Adventure. It begins in Stockholm, which is made up of fourteen islands that form the archipelago. Once you’ve finished exploring the city, you’ll head to Swedish Lapland and dive into a truly magical experience.

Scandinavian Travel During the Summer

If your ideal holiday is a summer visit, we can suggest an equally broad array of options, tours and packages. The Castles and Jutland package is a popular fly-drive holiday where you can explore Denmark at your leisure and stay as long as you wish at each landmark or city.

This holiday is suited to visitors of all ages and takes you through the Danish countryside. You will learn about the Viking heritage of this fascinating country, visit pristine beaches along the wild coastline, sample Nordic cuisine, and see historic ruins and museums at each stop.

Highlights include a stop-off at the original Legoland in Billund, which opened in 1968 and is adjacent to the Lego factory, and a visit to the beaches in Skagen – Skagen Sønderstrand and Gammel Skagen Strand are both great places to visit.

Recommended Places to Visit During Scandinavia Tours

Scandinavia offers such diversity that it’s impossible to curate a list of everything we’d recommend. Still, below, we’ve highlighted some amazing views and structures you’ll not see anywhere else in the world.

Denmark and Sweden: Oresund Bridge

This bridge connects Sweden and Denmark and sweeps for five miles above the Oresund Strait. There is an underwater tunnel, an above-ground bridge and even an artificial island called Peberholmen. As a feat of engineering, the bridge is the longest road or railway in the world and can be seen from the air as you land in Copenhagen.

Norway: Preikestolen Cliffs

At 2,000 feet high, these cliffs are far above the Lysefjord below. They are a granite plateau accessible via a short, steep hiking path that takes roughly three hours to climb. This is another unique Scandinavian landscape that keen hikers should never miss—the view is breathtaking.

Sweden: The Stockholm Archipelago By Boat

We’ve mentioned Stockholm, but a tour of the archipelago by boat is a great day out in itself. There are numerous islands to explore, with the chance to stop off and cycle along the nature trails or see the ancient Viking graves, with seabirds, eagles and seals often spotted along the cliffs and coastlines.

Booking Travel and Transport throughout a Scandinavian Holiday

Travel is part of the excitement of Scandinavian tours, where you can experience an overnight train ride across borders, hire a car for a once-in-a-lifetime road trip, or navigate the Norwegian fjords aboard a ferry – spotting rare wildlife and even the Aurora Borealis in the right winter weather conditions.

There are plenty of sustainable, eco-friendly travel options throughout the region, especially in Norway – examples include emissions-free public transport networks across Oslo and electric ferries and trams.

Please review our comprehensive range of tours and packages online. You’ll find full itineraries, flight details, and lists of the attractions, excursions, and accommodations included.

If you need any assistance tailoring your Scandinavian tour or can’t find what you’re looking for, please feel free to contact the expert travel consultants at the Baltic Travel Company.

Information Source: - https://www.baltictravelcompany.com/blog/index.php/scandanavia/scandinavian-travel-checklist-designing-a-bespoke-tour-across-northern-europe/

Lapland is a truly incredible holiday destination, as a real-life winter wonderland where adults and children can enjoy unique experiences, from husky sledding to snowman building, exploring the snowy wilderness on snowshoes, skis, snowmobiles or snowboards, visiting Santa in a beautiful grotto adorning with twinkling lanterns to sampling the local delicacies by a roaring fire in the evening.

Alongside the famous Aurora Borealis, or Northern Lights, and the exhilaration of crossing a frozen lake, walking along glaciers and venturing into the Arctic Circle, there is a huge choice of accommodation, including log cabins, luxury spa hotels, ice hotels, tree-top lodges and glass igloos.

The travel experts from the Baltic Travel Company have some tips and suggestions to ensure you have the complete Lapland experience and create memories you and your family will never forget.

Visiting Lapland for a Holiday of Festive Fun

The first area we’d clarify is that Lapland isn’t one country. Instead, it is a region characterised by pristine white snow, forests, mountain peaks, glaciers and vast frozen lakes, spanning Finland, Norway and Sweden.

Visitors can travel to their chosen resort or destination, book guided tours or packages with organised activities, and plan day trips into the wilderness to catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights later in the night, and the extraordinary animals that call Lapland home.

Travelling to Lapland is itself a magical journey, flying over snowbound landscapes that feel like a fairy tale with vast white tundras and icy forests. Once you arrive, there are endless activities, trips and experiences to pick from, with thermal garments provided for most tours to keep you snug before returning to the welcoming warmth of your lodge, cabin or eco-luxe ice hotel.

, Make the Most of the Unique Lapland Experience for Your Next Winter Holiday

Lapland Adventures – Meeting Father Christmas and Rudolph

If you are planning a magical meeting with Father Christmas, you’ll find multiple resorts, themed attractions and grottos across Lapland, including the Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi, Finland. The nearby park completes the experience, and kids, big and small, can meet Santa and his elves, snack on gingerbread and warming hot berry juice, and enjoy a reindeer ride in the snow.

Our Lapland Adventure package is a brilliant option for families, with a private meeting with Santa Claus in his cabin, including a gift for each visitor. This tour provides a number of fantastic experiences, including:

A husky safari, where experienced guides introduce you to real huskies and steer you through the snowy landscapes. Visitors learn about husky handling and zip along the trails, watching the excitement and joy of these remarkable animals.

A visit to the superb Ranua Reindeer Farm, with reindeer sled rides included! Herders will happily teach guests how to lasso a reindeer and talk about the lives and personalities of their herds.

Snowmobile rides, with full instructions about handling, steering, and stopping the snowmobile before a journey through the snow-capped forest. Note that only adults with a driving licence can drive a snowmobile, although other guests can experience the ride as passengers.

To top off your trip, you will travel by snowmobile to the Aurora Camp, nestled in a forest campsite in the countryside where you can watch the Northern Lights in all their glory glistening in the night sky. Guests keep warm around an open fire, with hot drinks to ensure you are cosy.

Lapland Outdoor Adventure Holidays

Finnish Lapland is known for its expanses of open landscapes and forests, and if your dream holiday is one of comfort and relaxation, the Aurora Adventure Short Break is ideal. The Muotka Wilderness Lodge, away from noise and traffic is romantic and peaceful, set deep in the Taiga forest close to the Urho Kekkonen National Park.

Another excellent option is the Aurora Bubble and Winter Wonderland package, which is filled with activities and thrilling experiences. Each log cabin comes with its own private sauna, with dinner served in the hotel’s main building, and you can pick from:

Husky safaris across frozen Lake Inari

Snowshoeing to see the Northern Lights during the late evening or night

An overnight stay in an Aurora Bubble

Based in Nellim, Finnish Lapland, the rustic setting is a chance to watch the Northern Lights far from light pollution as the dark skies draw in.

If you’d love nothing more than to enjoy Lapland activities with your partner or spouse, the Arctic Experience at Nangu Wilderness Resort is great for couples. The adults-only accommodation includes luxury log cabins, thermal clothing rental, gentle snowshoeing excursions, snowmobile rides, and a chance to meet and feed the peaceful reindeer with help from a local herder.

Arctic Bath is also worth a mention – a stunning floating hotel in Swedish Lapland that offers a spa hotel experience like no other. The sustainable, low-carbon footprint hotel is a marvel of environmentally conscious design and construction. It offers warm saunas and cold bathing, along with other wellness treatments to indulge in.

Arctic Wildlife Holidays in Lapland

Our final recommendation is to make time during your Lapland holiday to see the rare, graceful wildlife nearby, including wolves, polar bears and moose. Ranua Wildlife Park is a fabulous place to get close to these amazing animals, whether you’re a keen photographer or simply want an unforgettable trip in this white wilderness.

Within the park, you can see arctic foxes and eagles, meet gorgeous Finnish horses, and relax in a horse-drawn sled. The Norway Arctic Adventure is also designed for guests looking for an outdoor trip, with activities from ice-fishing for the enormous King Crabs, dog sledding across the snow and staying overnight in the Snow Hotel.

Kirkenes, Norway, is positioned to the far north and offers an authentic Arctic experience with English-speaking guides who will steer you through each activity. The Snow Hotel is an astonishing feat of architecture, sculpted from snow, with 20 private suites, stunning ice sculptures and real reindeer living in the resort. Just a short walk from the reindeer safari park at Gabba, there is so much to see and do, or you are welcome to spend your time enjoying the traditional sauna.

Choosing Your Perfect Lapland Holiday

There are numerous packages, trips, tours and itineraries, including outdoor winter activities, wildlife holidays, luxury and romantic couples Lapland visits, and packages designed for families, including the all-important chance to meet Santa.

You can find details of all the featured packages we have mentioned here, alongside our other special Lapland experience holidays, with inclusive trips that cover flights, taxes, thermal clothing, return airport transfers, meals and excursions.

For further information or help to select the Lapland holiday that will tick off every item on your festive wish list for a truly magical experience, please get in touch with the Baltic Travel Company travel consultants at any time or visit our website to submit your enquiry.

Information Source: -https://www.baltictravelcompany.com/blog/index.php/finland/make-the-most-of-the-unique-lapland-experience-for-your-next-winter-holiday/