Planning a trip to Europe offers many summery destinations, from the romantic French Riviera to the charms of the Mediterranean. But consider a change of scenery: trade stone streets for snow-covered trails, sun-kissed coasts for white-tipped hills, and enjoy the best of Finland.
(visitfinland.com)
LAPLAND
Head up north to Rovaniemi, Lapland and brace for its wintry breezes. What sets it apart from the Finnish capital Helsinki isn’t just its higher altitude and pinpoint on the map. This upper part of the Scandinavian nation is part of the Arctic Circle, granting anyone who graces its powdery white fold with mesmerising views of the rare midnight sun, polar night, and aurora borealis that ripple through a starry night sky.
(visitrovaniemi.fi)
What to do:
- Santa Claus Village
Radio host Markus Rautio is partly responsible for establishing Lapland as the home of the jolly Christmas icon, but Rovaniemi itself built its lore around this claim. Festive spirit is in the air year-round here, so no need to wait until December to meet Joulupukki (that’s what locals call Santa) and read the letters sent to him. One thing to find here is the Roosevelt Cottage, a wooden cabin erected in honour of Eleanor Roosevelt’s visit to the region, becoming the Arctic Circle’s first building. Don’t miss the rare chance to cross the Arctic Circle’s threshold that runs through this village, the perfect spot to witness its majestic celestial rarities.
W: santaclausvillage.info
IG: @santaclausvillageofficial - Raitola Reindeer & Husky Farm
An ordinary farm, Raitola is not. Considering the terroir, the only animals one would encounter here are reindeer and huskies. Families can enjoy a thrilling ride through the sunlit forest of Saarenkylä region on a sleigh pulled by these furry friends.
W: raitola.fi
IG: @raitolareindeerhusky
Where to stay:
- Arctic Nook
Found within the skier’s haven that is Levi in northern Lapland, this 13-villa compound lives up to its name. These are ecologically designed, minimalist-modern enclaves of comfort among groves of airy Scots pines. Set up with multiple bedrooms and ample space, both kids and adults will find it easy to settle in after days in and out of the ski resort, accessible by the gondola lift just a short walk away.
W: arcticnook.com
IG: @arctic_nook - Arctic TreeHouse Hotel
Picture a luxurious cabin among forests blanketed in snow, and that’s what one would get at this lodging. Whether it’s a comfy suite or a spacious villa, each accommodation forsakes one side of its wooden wall with glass, making each room a cosy vantage point for when the northern lights paint the twilight.
W: arctictreehousehotel.com
IG: @arctictreehousehotel
Where to eat:
- Kekäle
With a name taken from the Finnish word for red-hot glowing ember, there’s much warmth to expect from the restaurant’s fine dining experience, and it delivers. Whether it’s the warmly lit, wood-clad interiors or the delectable food served fresh off the open charcoal grill, it’s a worthy pit stop amid the freezing duress of the ski-ready climate.
W: kekale.levihotelspa.fi
IG: @kekalerestaurant - Korvalan Komea
45 minutes from Rovaniemi city centre is a rustic wooden cabin tucked on the quieter side of an already quiet region. But that isn’t what gives this restaurant its distinctly Lappish soul; it’s the family who has been running the inn it occupies since 1956. The food here is just as authentic: homemade bread, creamy soups, flaky salmon, and sautéed reindeer.
W: korvalankomea.com
IG: @korvalankomea
BEST TIME TO VISIT:
- July: Milder and more temperate cold climate, suitable for hiking and lake activities before catching the summer’s midnight sun.
- February: The epitome of winter wonderland, where one can go skiing, meet huskies and reindeer, or witness the aurora borealis.
Asia Dreams Volume 58
