Lapland, North Cape and Lofoten Island

About the destination: Lying just south of the Arctic Circle, Rovaniemi is the Finnish capital of Lapland. It is located at the confluence of Lapland's mighty rivers Kemijoki and Ounasjoki. Beautiful colours all year round, relatively warm summers, real snowy winters, Santa Claus, many sport resorts, great hotels and services, for all this and more Rovaniemi is an obligatory northern stop. Moreover, it is a good place to explore the Lapland region and to observe the Aurora Borealis or Northern Lights. The Lumberjack Candle Bridge, Jätkänkynttilä, has become a symbol of Rovaniemi. The bridge has a high pylon with bright yellow light on top and a massive bronze lumberjack statue. The Arktikum museum is a one-stop cultural centre for all things Arctic, it is dedicated to exhibits relating to Lapland's geology, climate, plants, animal life and cultures. Aside from the exhibits, the Arktikum's highlight is definitely its long glass corridor with its views on the river behind the building. Outside Arktikum there's a garden of arctic plants. Rovaniemi is, of course, Santa Claus hometown. At Santa Claus Village you can meet Santa Claus, send friends and relatives greetings from the Arctic Circle at the Santa Claus Post Office and visit the Christmas Exhibition, which explains some of the Christmas traditions from around the world. Rovaniemi is the best place to make a Christmas wishlist and to experience awe-inspiring wilderness, traditional Sámi culture, and enjoy a range of different activities surrounded by a wonderful natural landscape.

About the destination: Kiruna is the northernmost and the largest town in Swedish Lapland. It is located about 145 km north of the Arctic Circle, making it possible to experience the midnight sun and polar night there. It is home of the famous Ice Hotel, which changes its looks every year as it is rebuilt by different artists each year. Kiruna Kyrka is a beautiful building and has won prizes for being Sweden's most beautiful building and its tower is artistically adorned. It is one of Sweden's largest wooden buildings and is famous for its special tent like structure. The city hall of Kiruna was inaugurated in 1963. It was once elected as the most beautiful building by Swedish Architects. It houses the local government and often hosts various exhibitions. It also has a small but quite well renowned art collection of famous Swedish artists. In the summertime you can visit the LKAB Iron Mine. You'll descend 540 metres into earth and you will learn about the life at the mine. Kiruna is a perfect base to explore the wilderness and scenery of northern Lapland, including Sweden's highest mountain, Kebnekaise. There are several national parks all within easy reach from the city, including Abisko National Park, one of the most beautiful places in Sweden. Kiruna is a place of contrasts, where the summer sun shines for almost two full months without setting, while the polar night lowers its dark blue blanket over the area for the last three weeks of December. The contrasts are seen also in other ways, for here we find the ancient Saami Lappish crafts and ways, existing side by side with the high-tech that has made Kiruna a unique European research centre.

About the destination: Lofoten is an archipelago and a traditional district in the county of Nordland, Norway. Lofoten is known for a distinctive scenery with dramatic mountains and peaks, open sea and sheltered bays, beaches and untouched lands. Its largest town, Leknes, is approximately 169 km (105 mi) inside the Arctic Circle and approximately 2,420 km (1,500 mi) away from the North Pole, making Lofoten one of the world's northernmost populated regions. Though lying within the Arctic Circle, the archipelago experiences one of the world's largest elevated temperature anomalies relative to its high latitude.

About the destination: Tromsø, often called the “Gateway to the Arctic,” is a compact, walkable city that blends dramatic nature with a lively cultural scene. Located well above the Arctic Circle, it offers colorful wooden houses, a picturesque harbor, and mountains rising straight from the sea. Despite its remote position, Tromsø feels surprisingly cosmopolitan, thanks to a large student population, creative restaurants, and a packed calendar of festivals and events. From late September to early April, Tromsø is one of the world’s best places to witness the Northern Lights. Clear, cold nights may reward you with curtains of green, pink, and violet dancing above the fjords. Numerous tour operators offer aurora-chasing excursions by minibus, boat, or even on snowshoes, allowing you to escape city lights and learn about the science and folklore behind this natural phenomenon. In summer, the Midnight Sun replaces the aurora: the sun never fully sets, bathing the landscape in a soft golden glow ideal for hiking and photography. Outdoor activities are a highlight in every season. In winter, visitors can go dog sledding through silent forests, snowmobile across frozen plateaus, or try cross-country skiing on well-groomed trails. Summer brings long days perfect for hiking on Tromsøya Island or nearby Kvaløya, kayaking through calm fjords, and birdwatching along rugged coastlines. For a panoramic view of the city and surrounding mountains, ride the Fjellheisen cable car and explore the trails at the top. Tromsø also offers a rich cultural and historical experience. The striking Arctic Cathedral, with its triangular silhouette and stained-glass window, has become an icon of the city. Museums such as Polaria and the Polar Museum tell stories of Arctic wildlife, climate, and legendary polar expeditions. After a day of exploration, warm up in cozy cafés or sample local specialties—fresh Arctic char, cod, reindeer, and cloudberries—in restaurants that range from casual bistros to innovative New Nordic fine dining.

About the destination: Kamøyvær is a fishing village in Nordkapp Municipality in Troms og Finnmark county, Norway. The village lies along the Kamøyfjorden on the east side of the island of Magerøya, about 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) northwest of the town of Honningsvåg. It sits at the end of a cul-de-sac road, the Norwegian County Road 172. About 2 kilometres (1.2 mi) south of the village, the road meets the European route E69, the main road leading to the North Cape. The village is sheltered from the open sea by the islands of Lille Kamøya and Store Kamøya, the water between the village and the latter being called the Østersundet. There are around 70 inhabitants in the village. Although there are no ethnic distinctions today, the people of the village are descended from coastal Sami and Kven as well as Norwegians. In the summer of 2012, the labour force in the village included people from the Baltic states. A small hotel/guesthouse called the Arran, owned by a Sami family, occupies three blue-painted buildings in the centre of the village. One of them is right on the waters of the harbour and the other two are just across the road. The top floor of a house in the centre of the village contains an art gallery called the Gallery East of the Sun which displays and sells the work of a German-born artist, Eva Schmutterer, who lives in the village.

About the destination: Saariselkä (Northern Sami: Suoločielgi, literally islandback) is a village located in a mountainous area in northern Finland. It is a popular tourist destination, providing activities such as skiing, hiking and a spa. It is located in Northern Lapland and belongs to the Inari municipality.

About the destination: Kamøyvær is a fishing village in Nordkapp Municipality in Troms og Finnmark county, Norway. The village lies along the Kamøyfjorden on the east side of the island of Magerøya, about 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) northwest of the town of Honningsvåg. It sits at the end of a cul-de-sac road, the Norwegian County Road 172. About 2 kilometres (1.2 mi) south of the village, the road meets the European route E69, the main road leading to the North Cape. The village is sheltered from the open sea by the islands of Lille Kamøya and Store Kamøya, the water between the village and the latter being called the Østersundet. There are around 70 inhabitants in the village. Although there are no ethnic distinctions today, the people of the village are descended from coastal Sami and Kven as well as Norwegians. In the summer of 2012, the labour force in the village included people from the Baltic states. A small hotel/guesthouse called the Arran, owned by a Sami family, occupies three blue-painted buildings in the centre of the village. One of them is right on the waters of the harbour and the other two are just across the road. The top floor of a house in the centre of the village contains an art gallery called the Gallery East of the Sun which displays and sells the work of a German-born artist, Eva Schmutterer, who lives in the village.

About the destination: Lying just south of the Arctic Circle, Rovaniemi is the Finnish capital of Lapland. It is located at the confluence of Lapland's mighty rivers Kemijoki and Ounasjoki. Beautiful colours all year round, relatively warm summers, real snowy winters, Santa Claus, many sport resorts, great hotels and services, for all this and more Rovaniemi is an obligatory northern stop. Moreover, it is a good place to explore the Lapland region and to observe the Aurora Borealis or Northern Lights. The Lumberjack Candle Bridge, Jätkänkynttilä, has become a symbol of Rovaniemi. The bridge has a high pylon with bright yellow light on top and a massive bronze lumberjack statue. The Arktikum museum is a one-stop cultural centre for all things Arctic, it is dedicated to exhibits relating to Lapland's geology, climate, plants, animal life and cultures. Aside from the exhibits, the Arktikum's highlight is definitely its long glass corridor with its views on the river behind the building. Outside Arktikum there's a garden of arctic plants. Rovaniemi is, of course, Santa Claus hometown. At Santa Claus Village you can meet Santa Claus, send friends and relatives greetings from the Arctic Circle at the Santa Claus Post Office and visit the Christmas Exhibition, which explains some of the Christmas traditions from around the world. Rovaniemi is the best place to make a Christmas wishlist and to experience awe-inspiring wilderness, traditional Sámi culture, and enjoy a range of different activities surrounded by a wonderful natural landscape.