Top Luxury Experiences to Include in a Customized Finland Tour
Updated: Sep 14
Everyone comes to Finland to see the Northern Lights, but don’t let your winter wonderland holiday itinerary end just there. Here we recommend four unique experiences that you should check out when in Finland to make your holiday an unforgettable one.
Staying In A Glass Igloo
If you are seeking the ultimate luxury experience in Finnish Lapland, spending a night in a glass igloo at Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort is simply unmissable. Tucked away in the wilderness near Saariselkä, these glass igloos let you sleep beneath the open Arctic sky in complete comfort. They are equipped with specially designed glass ceilings that keep you warm and melt the snow collected on the roofs to offer uninterrupted views of the star-studded skies above. If you're visiting between late August and early April, you stand a real chance of witnessing the Northern Lights dance across the sky right from the comfort of your bed. Each igloo is thoughtfully appointed with plush furnishings, ensuite bathrooms and heating, blending rustic Arctic charm with modern indulgence. Each one also has its own sauna which you can relax in to get a true taste of Finnish luxury.
Photo: Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort
Cruising on an Icebreaker
Almost every port in Finland remains frozen for a big part of the year so the country's maritime industry has specialized in icebreaking. One of top leaders in icebreaking technology, some of the mightiest icebreaker ships are housed in Finland's shipyards.
Icebreaker cruises have now become a popular attraction for tourists too, and the port of Kemi in Finnish Lapland attracts thousands of guests every year. These cruises operate between December and April.
A typical icebreaker cruise from Kemi takes you on an unforgettable three-hour journey through the frozen Arctic waters. From the comfort of the ship’s deck, you can watch the powerful vessel break through the thick sea ice. For a closer experience, step ashore and take a walk across the frozen sea, or, if you’re feeling adventurous, put on a survival suit and take a refreshing dip in the freshly cleared Arctic waters. During the cruise, a guided tour offers fascinating insights into the history of these remarkable icebreakers, with an opportunity to meet the captain and crew. After your Arctic adventure, enjoy a delicious lunch on board featuring a selection of carefully curated Lappish specialties.
King Crab Safari
The Norway King Crab is native to the cold waters of the Atlantic off the coast of Northern Europe. The red King Crab is large and rare to be found, and its succulent flesh makes for a superb Nordic delicacy. Kirkenes, a picturesque town situated close to the Russo-Norway border, is one of the main hubs for harvesting King Crab in the Barents Sea.
A King Crab safari tour from Saariselkä, Inari, Ivalo or the surrounding areas in Finland to Kirkenes makes for a perfect year-round Arctic adventure. You will get to go hands-on in fishing these giant Arctic crabs in the Barents Sea on a RIB boat (or, snowmobile if the sea is frozen in winter). The guide will teach you how to find king crabs, and how to catch them using net cages and mackerel bait. You can also lend a hand in hauling up the "crab pot" from the depths of the waters if you want. You will also be taught how to hold the crabs safely (avoid those claws!) so you can pose with one of these 6ft monsters! Then, indulge in a freshly prepared, authentic Norwegian feast of succulent crab meat. And as a bonus, you also get to tour the world's only year-round snow hotel in Kirkenes.
Enjoying a dinner in an Ice Restaurant
Finland also has its own snowhotel and ice restaurant. No luxury Finland tour is complete without a visit to the enchanting Arctic SnowHotel just outside Rovaniemi. This one is, however, only operational in the winter months when an entire world of snow and ice is rebuilt from scratch every year between December and March. You get to wander through intricately carved corridors adorned with ice sculptures and step into rooms crafted entirely from snow and ice, kept at a constant sub-zero temperature yet made cozy with insulated sleeping bags and reindeer skins for the brave souls who choose to spend the night. Even if you're not staying over, dining at the resort's Ice Restaurant is an experience in itself. You sit on ice seats warmed with furs at tables carved from ice, savoring gourmet Lappish cuisine. There is also a fun ice bar you can check out!
From sleeping under the stars in a glass igloo to dining amid sculpted ice, you will make memories here in Finland which you can find nowhere else.
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