Wanderlust Travel Group's Dream Destination #20: LAPLAND
Hello Wanderlust Travelers! |
FALL IS HERE BUT WINTER TRAVEL IS ALREADY CALLING
Fall is officially in full swing, and while we're enjoying crisp mornings, changing leaves, and everything that makes this season so beautiful, there's another season worth thinking about: winter.
If you have a bucket-list trip in mind for January, February, or March, now is the time to start planning. Some of the most incredible winter destinations are at their best during these months and many of the most memorable experiences have limited availability. Think Northern Lights dancing across the sky, sleeping in an ice hotel, or dog sledding through snowy forests. These are the kinds of trips that require a little more planning, especially when you want the right hotel, the right guides, and those once-in-a-lifetime experiences that make the trip truly special. And this month, we're heading north—way north—to Lapland.
Here's something you might not know: Lapland isn't actually a country at all. You may have heard of it as the magical winter wonderland of Santa Claus, reindeer, and the Northern Lights, but it's actually a vast Arctic region stretching across parts of Finland, Sweden, and Norway, with each country offering its own take on the Arctic experience.
So, grab your cozy sweater and a cup of something warm, because this month we're exploring what makes Lapland such an unforgettable winter adventure and why it might deserve a spot on your bucket list. |
THIS MONTH'S DREAM DESTINATION FROM WANDERLUST TRAVEL GROUP: LAPLAND
First things first...where exactly is Lapland? Lapland isn't a country; it's a vast Arctic region that stretches across the northern parts of Finland, Sweden, Norway, and Russia. When travelers talk about visiting Lapland, they are most often referring to Finnish or Swedish Lapland, along with the Arctic reaches of northern Norway. Each offers a slightly different experience, from Finland's famous Santa Claus Village and glass igloos to Sweden's remote wilderness and the iconic ICEHOTEL, and Norway's dramatic Arctic landscapes and coastal experiences. The region sits well above the Arctic Circle, making it one of those places where winter truly feels like winter.Getting there does require a little more planning but that's part of the adventure. Most travelers will connect through a major European gateway before continuing north by a short regional flight or train. In Finland, Rovaniemi is the best-known gateway, while Swedish Lapland is often accessed through Kiruna or Luleå. In Norway, Tromsø is one of the most popular bases for an Arctic adventure. Because these destinations are remote and winter experiences are often limited in size, I recommend planning well in advance especially if your bucket list includes a specific hotel, Northern Lights excursion, dog sledding, or other private experience.So, why put Lapland on your bucket list? Because it offers a type of winter travel that is difficult to replicate anywhere else. Imagine racing through a snow-covered forest by dogsled, meeting reindeer, riding a snowmobile across frozen landscapes, searching for the Northern Lights, or simply stepping outside into a landscape covered in snow and silence. And then there are the truly unique stays from glass igloos designed for Northern Lights viewing to sleeping inside an actual hotel made of ice. Lapland isn't necessarily a trip you take to check off a list of famous sights; it's a trip built around experiences you'll remember for the rest of your life. |
Wanderlust Travel Group Top Pick on Where to Stay - Icehotel Lapland 
Wanderlust Travel Group Top Pick on Where to Stay - Icehotel Lapland
Stay in Style: ICEHOTEL |
There are hotels you stay in, and then there are hotels that become part of the adventure. ICEHOTEL in Kiruna, Swedish Lapland is definitely the latter. Each winter, the hotel is rebuilt using thousands of tons of ice and snow from the nearby Torne River, creating a completely unique experience that changes from year to year. Guests can spend the night in one of the famous ice rooms, where the temperature stays below freezing, bundled up in a thermal sleeping bag on a bed of ice but don't worry, you don't spend your entire stay sleeping on ice! ICEHOTEL also offers warm accommodations, allowing you to experience both sides of this extraordinary property. It's not just a place to stay, it's a reason to go.
Taste Local Flavors: Veranda at ICEHOTEL
If you're going all the way to Swedish Lapland, Wanderlust Travel Group recommends making dinner part of the adventure. The Veranda at ICEHOTEL is the property's most exclusive dining experience and offers a 12-course tasting menu inspired by the eight Sami seasons of Jukkasjärvi. The menu highlights the flavors of northern Sweden and ingredients sourced from the surrounding region, with dishes incorporating everything from Arctic char and reindeer to mushrooms, berries and other seasonal ingredients. The chefs also use traditional techniques such as curing, smoking, drying and pickling, methods that have long been important for preserving food through the Arctic winter. It's an intimate chef's-table experience that feels more like gathering around a table with friends than sitting in a formal restaurant, making it a memorable way to experience the flavors and culture of Swedish Lapland. And if a 12-course tasting menu isn't your style, the ICEHOTEL Restaurant also offers an à la carte menu and its own Ice Menu, where select dishes are served on plates made from ice harvested from the Torne River. |
Wanderlust Travel Group Don’t Miss This: Snowmobiling 
Wanderlust Travel Group Don’t Miss This: Snowmobiling
Wanderlust Travel Group Top Pick Activity: Snowmobiling
With so many incredible winter activities around, Wanderlust Travel Group says choosing just one is almost impossible. But snowmobiling through Swedish Lapland deserves a spot on the list. From the ICEHOTEL area in Jukkasjärvi, guided snowmobile tours take you out into the Arctic wilderness, traveling through snow-covered forests and across frozen landscapes that seem to stretch forever. Depending on the excursion, you can spend a few hours exploring the area or make a full-day adventure out of it, sometimes combining the ride with a traditional lunch, a visit with reindeer, or even a Northern Lights hunt after dark. What I love about snowmobiling is that it gives you a completely different perspective of the landscape. You aren't just looking at Swedish Lapland, you're actually getting out into it. And don't worry if you've never driven a snowmobile before; tours are guided and include instruction before you head out. Just bundle up, you're officially in the Arctic! |
Ready to plan your next adventure? Contact Wanderlust Travel Group today! |
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