Get captivated by the magic

THE magnetic fields of sun twist and turn when it rotates on its axis and when these fields become intertwined they burst and generate sunspots that occur in pairs. When the temperature on the surface of sun fluctuates the sun starts boiling and generates bubbles. The particles escaping from the sunspot regions when clash with the plasma called solar wind, it takes around 40 hours to reach Earth and when it occurs that causes the fascinating displays called the aurora borealis.

Wild About Lapland, offer tailor made Aurora Borealis #Lapland tours depending upon the abilities of their clients, weather conditions and the Northern Light forecasts. Their expert guides teach their clients about #AuroraBorealis and also show how the natives make a fire and cook over it. To make the experience of watching the mesmerizing lights they drive away from the city to find the perfect spot that provides the highest chances of seeing the lights on the destined night.

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Autumn equinoxes

MARCH has witnessed some of the best Northern Lights activity in recent years and, according to experts at The Aurora Zone, this is not coincidental. Scientific research strongly points to increased geomagnetic activity in the weeks around the spring and autumn equinoxes. On that basis, The Aurora Zone believes that the coming autumn could witness equally spectacular displays.

Increased Auroral activity is not the only reason to take a Northern Lights trip in autumn. Less cloud cover makes sightings easier, the burnished seasonal colours provide a stunning backdrop, temperate weather results in more comfortable Aurora hunting conditions and lakes and rivers, which have not yet frozen, often reflect the Aurora in their glassy surfaces for double the effect.

An example of such a trip is Wilderness Auroras during the Finnish Autumn, which features Menesjärvi in Finnish Lapland as its magical setting. Daytime activities provide ample opportunities to experience Finnish ‘ruska’, the time of year when the leaves turn to rust. Included are a visit to a reindeer farm, a guided nature walk and a trip to meet excitable huskies at a neighbouring farm.

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Up in the air . . .

FINNAIR is to add 100 plus weekly flights for 2018/19 European Winter. Finnair will continue to grow its operations during the 2018/19 European Winter season with additional capacity on existing routes in Lapland, Russia and the Baltic countries. 

Finnair General Manager – Australia, New Zealand and New Caledonia, Geoff Stone said Finnair would serve both Kittilä and Ivalo, in Finnish Lapland, with additional daily non-stop flights over the European Winter. Mr Stone said schedules for flights to Lapland airports were being aligned for more convenient connections and increased options for customers.

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Sweet on Sweden

THE past year has seen UK visitor numbers to #Sweden soar, a wealth of new campaigns, exciting new tourism products and the launch of three new flights from the UK.

Annual figures from Visit Sweden show that UK traveller bed nights hit a record number of 857,570 in 2016. With 600,170 UK traveller bed nights recorded in 2013, this represents a 43% increase in the space of just three years. Here are some exciting new experiences to try out.

New mountain biking trails in Småland Known as Sweden’s mountain biking mecca, Småland has much to offer all enthusiasts, from beginners through to professionals. Its Isaberg Mountain Resort offers 12 trails and pump tracks for all abilities, with a new, challenging technical trail featuring jumps and drops launching in 2018. Meanwhile, at Huskvarna, bikers can try out the very track used for the European championships, which contains climbs, lifts, and extreme uphill and downhill sections, all with a fabulous view over Lake Vättern. www.visitsmaland.se/en/experiences/nature-and-adventure/mtb

Stay in an Igloo at the Iglootel Lapland in Arjeplog The ultimate winter wonderland experience for many, the boutique igloo hotel Iglootel Lapland is now in its 5th incarnation and visitors double every season. Built completely from snow and ice, the Iglootel features an Ice Bar, two Event Igloos, a Fire Igloo, Lounge Igloo, outdoor area with heated hot tubs and a sauna, plus ten individually designed Sleeping Igloos for two to six guests. www.iglootel.de

Hang out with huskies on a Northern lights pack walk New for this season, Husky Home in Kiruna is offering visitors the chance to experience the Northern Lights in a completely different way. Run free with a husky dog pack on a nightly walk through the splendid scenery of their extensive land. Following the walk, bond further by giving the dogs a massage over Swedish fika in the farmhouse. www.huskyhome.se

New luxury hotel in Riksgränsen, famed for its midnight sun skiing Launching in March 2018, the Niehku Mountain Villa is likely to be northern Sweden’s newest mecca for ski enthusiasts. Located in Riksgränsen, known for its lengthy ski season, which allows for midnight sun skiing and incredible off-piste, the boutique hotel will offer just 14 luxurious rooms. The owners aim to create a home from home for nature and skiing devotees, who love creature comforts as much as they do the slopes. www.niehku.com

Houseboating in Swedish Lapland AquaStay Arctic is providing a unique way to access stunningly beautiful yet otherwise impenetrable areas of Swedish Lapland, by renting out houseboats along the Lule river, surrounding Jokkmokk. Absolute peace amongst a serene and beautiful natural environment. www.aquastay.se

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Santa's Lapland

EACH winter Santa’s Lapland offers families magical three- and four-day breaks to Santa’s home in Saariselkä. #Families can stay in one of Santa’s #Christmas Cabins or hotels with accommodation options to suit a range of budgets. 

Santa’s Lapland guests enjoy a private meeting with the real Santa; husky sled ride; reindeer sleigh rides at the Reindeer Centre; Elf & Igloo Fantasia; snowmobile sleigh rides plus much more. 

New for 2017, Santa Lapland has added more departure dates with a great value three-day ‘Post-Christmas Magic Break’ and a four-day ‘New Year Spectacular Break’. Flights are available from 19 UK regional airports and transfers to resort are included. 

SantasLapland.com

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Ice cold in Lapland

Elephant in the room by Anna Sofia Maag
Photo Credit Asaf Kliger

THE ORIGINAL ICEHOTEL in Swedish #Lapland has opened its reindeer-clad doors to guests for the winter season. The amount of snow used to create the hotel’s 55 rooms, church, and bar would be enough to make 700 million snowballs, with its chandeliers alone being made from 1,000 ice crystals. Highlights of the 19 individually-designed ice suites include a life-sized elephant, a 1970s love capsule, a herd of jumping sheep, and an undulating cairn forest. 

Guests can expect two new experiences: a traditional Swedish sauna with an invigorating ice plunge, and a winter wilderness survival course. Also new for this season is ICEHOTEL’s first ever ice beer (Torne Islager), made with melted ice from the nearby Torne River, renowned for its purity.

Exclusive direct flights between Heathrow and #ICEHOTEL (landing in Kiruna after a 3.5 hour flight) are operated by Discover the World and run until late March, with three-night breaks priced from £988pp.

In the village of Jukkasjärvi in Swedish Lapland – 124 miles north of the Arctic Circle – the temperature at ICEHOTEL can drop to -5C/23F. Guests are kept warm with reindeer skins. Adjacent to the ice hotel are buildings that have warm rooms, dressing rooms, saunas, luggage storage, relaxation areas, and restaurants. This part of the hotel is open year-round.

Love Capsule by Luc Voisin and Mathieu Brison
Photo Credit Asaf Kliger

  

www.discover-the-world.co.uk/icehotel

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Picture Credit: www.discover-the-world.co.uk/icehotel

Up in the air . . .

YOU might curse Southampton Airport for using the ‘C’ word in July, but it suggests there is no better time to be thinking about next Christmas. The airport has planned flights to Finnish Lapland for Xmas 2015, increasing capacity by 300 percent. 

Jan Halliday, director of Marketing & Communications, said: ‘It must be every child’s dream to see Santa in Lapland, so this year we’re making it possible for even more families. We’re delighted to be able to offer additional flights from Southampton Airport which, particularly for the day trippers, will be a much more convenient alternative to the larger London airports.’

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Picture Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/19646481@N06/4123836032">Santa Chair</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/">(license)