Hej all!
Over the weekend it has snowed in Linköping! I have been awaiting this so I am very happy about it! 😀 Do you like snow? Because I love it! This reminded me of my time in Lapland – I went there in December 2021. It was a wonderful time and today, I will share with you what I have done there 😀
I think that everybody should go there at least once because it is a great experience. One of the most compelling reasons for me to visit there was the Northern Lights. Lapland is actually one of the best places in the world to see the Northern Lights, also known as the Aurora Borealis. This natural phenomenon of dancing lights in the sky is a breathtaking and unforgettable experience. I have also heard a lot about its natural beauty and it was all true. Lapland is a stunningly beautiful region with pristine wilderness, snow-capped mountains, and frozen lakes. I have seen some photos before but honestly, the photos cannot pay enough tribute to it. Lapland is also a perfect place for winter sports and experiencing Sami culture. Overall, it is an excellent destination for those who enjoy outdoor activities and want to experience the beauty of nature.
Today, I will share with you some things that I have done in Swedish Lapland and hopefully, it may also guide you if you are planning your own trip.
Firstly, I got to Lapland by plane and we stayed in a camp Alta – around 20 min from Kiruna by car. Kiruna is the northernmost city in Sweden. The camp offers you a lot of things for rent so you don’t need to bring everything with you such as winter clothing or shoes.
We stayed in cute cottages like this one.
You have plenty of activities already at the camp. You have a sauna floating on a frozen lake but it isn’t the only one. There are more that you can book if you want to have it only for yourself. I truly recommend you try it out (not even necessarily in Kiruna but anywhere!).
Sauna on a frozen lake
Additionally, you can try ice fishing in this very same lake, you can go for walks in the area or on the lake (there is a river nearby) or you can try cross-country skiing. I don’t know about it now but when I was there for each of these activities you could rent the equipment from the camp. Another alternative to what you can do is to go for a snowmobile ride.
Snowmobile ride
With the snowmobile, you can reach two places: Ice Hotel and Sami village. The Ice Hotel is located in Jukkasjärvi. It is constructed entirely out of ice and snow since 1989. What baffles me the most is that it is rebuilt each year using blocks of ice taken from the nearby Torne River. Interestingly, it isn’t only the hotel but also an art gallery featuring artworks made of ice and snow. If you want to visit it then remember that the hotel is open from December to April each year (so the weather is cold enough to keep the ice and snow sculptures intact).
Sami culture refers to the people who are indigenous to the northern parts of Norway, Sweden, Finland, and the Kola Peninsula of Russia and their way of living. The Sami people have their own distinct language and traditions. However, generally, the culture is characterized by its close relationship with nature and the environment. Historically they herded reindeer, fished, and hunted for their livelihood which is also an important part of their culture now. When I was there I had a chance to pet and feed a reindeer! To be honest it was kind of a scary experience but totally worth it!
Entrance to the Ice Hotel
One of the bedrooms in the hotel
I petted a reindeer!
And last but perhaps the most important is the Northern Lights. I visited Abisko National Park one night and we had a wonderful opportunity to watch Northern Lights. They were intense and floating – it was amazing! Although, they look much stronger in the photo – just so you are prepared for it.
Wonderful Northern Lights
And lastly, I should mention that I went on this trip with ISA and 90 degrees north however, you can always go there by yourself if you want to. It is definitely worth it 😀
/Alexandra, Experimental and Medical Biosciences
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