Inspiration for your own tailor-made trip
Sweden
100% customisable for you
Head to the airport for your two-and-a-half-hour flight to Stockholm’s Arlanda, before hopping on a domestic flight to Kiruna International Airport. You will be met by your guide, who will pick you up and drive you the short distance over the Torne River to the Icehotel. Check into your Kaamos Superior Warm Room which will be your home for the next two nights. The staff at the Icehotel will kit you out in the cold-weather clothing needed to be comfortable in temperatures which can drop to -50 Celsius at times - trust us when we say that your old salopettes won't do the job here. You will then be given a thorough briefing on practicalities of life in the far north and taken through the details of your itinerary for your stay. Long after the light has faded (any time after 2pm in this part of the world), you'll be collected by your guides to set off on a snowmobile adventure to hunt for the Northern Lights in the Arctic night. Hopefully you’re good at multitasking, as you’ll want to keep your eyes on the track ahead while also being on the look-out for the aurora borealis up above. You will stop for a two-course dinner in a remote hut in the wilderness, which gives the guide an opportunity to regale you with tales of the rugged outdoors and some facts and myths about the aurora. You'll be back at the Icehotel at about 11pm, so time for a quick drink from an ice ‘glass’ at the bar before bed.
After a comfy night's sleep surrounded by nothing but darkness and silence in northern Lapland, head to breakfast to fuel up for the active day ahead. Today you will learn how to sauna like a Scandinavian, with a ten-step sauna ritual. For the brave, this includes an ice plunge and a thorough cleanse of both mind and body. When fingers and toes are suitably frosty and stomachs are grumbling, head back to the Icehotel for an extravagant eight-course meal at The Veranda. Sit round an enormous wooden table with other guests while the chef cooks and serves some deliciously fresh Swedish delicacies, all inspired by the eight Sami seasons, Tornedalen and its food history. Be sure to eat your fill, as after dinner you will be heading out to be with the huskies on an overnight dog sledding adventure. Drive your own sled and bed down in a cosy wilderness cabin for the night, making the most of the sauna and even the chance to catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights dancing across the dark night sky.
Today you will wake up in the wonderful wilderness before packing up and heading back to the Icehotel as tonight you will be sleeping in their Deluxe Suite 365. You will sleep among hand carved ice sculptures on a bed made of ice (don’t worry, you get a super comfy mattress, a thermal sleeping bag and plenty of reindeer hides to keep you nice and toasty), as the room will sit between -5 and -8°C. The bathroom and dressing room is next door (in a warm building, don’t worry!), so you can have a steaming shower or even treat yourselves to a bit of time in the sauna. We can organise lots of activities for you while you’re here, such as cross-country skiing, a reindeer meet-and-greet or horse riding. This evening, enjoy the five-course ‘ice menu’ at the Icehotel's main restaurant: the dishes served are all inspired by the flavours of northern Sweden.
Today you'll make the journey through Lapland to Boden. First, you'll be transferred about 15 minutes from Icehotel to the train station, where you'll catch the local train from Kiruna to Boden, this journey will take about three-and-a-half hours to wind its way gently through the enchanting landscapes of Swedish Lapland. Keep an eye out for moose, arctic hares and, of course, the Northern Lights, on your way. On arrival at Boden station
This morning you’ll get to enjoy a cultural experience with the local Sami people. After rubbing your eyes and realising that you have actually woken up in a UFO, Bird's Nest or a Mirrorcube, head to breakfast and fuel up for your day of foraging. Eva Gunnare is a culture guide, food connoisseur and specialist in local wild herbs and berries, and today she will be taking you foraging. You’ll wind your way through pine and birch forest to the meadows surrounding the hotel, tasting the flavours of nature as you go. Learn about the traditional ways of using the plants and then a special fika (coffee) will be served with the treats that Eva has made using her foraged treasures. Having lived with reindeer herders for many years, she knows Swedish traditions inside and out. Tuck into a delicious five-course tasting menu made using fresh, locally foraged ingredients. As you head back to the Treehotel, pause at the Arctic Circle Monument which serves as a reminder of exactly how far north you are in the world. During your stay, we can also organise a pine tree forest walk or a full-day hike in Korgen Nature Reserve.
Today it is time to leave this otherworldly place behind. After breakfast you will be transferred to Lulea airport, which will take around an hour. From Lulea, a short connection in Stockholm will bring you back to the UK with all kinds of holiday memories and a memory card full of reminders of your fantastic experience in Swedish Lapland.
Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.
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Our team of destination experts will get to know you and your unique requirements for your holiday
We work with you to build an ultra-personalised holiday itinerary with your choice of accommodation, experiences and activities
All of our holidays include little extras designed to make a big difference to your trip, from fast-tracking you through airport check-in and security to our network of local Concierges
