7 independent reviews for Lapland Autumn Northern Lights vacation
Reviews for Lapland Autumn Northern Lights vacation
Ron Bruehlman review 5 Apr 2023
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
It's hard to choose since there are many highlights, but I would say staying in the Ice Hotel. Second would be seeing the Northern Lights (albeit only briefly for one night because of cloud cover)2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Book extra activities (those not included in the package) in advance. At the Ice Hotel in particular, we found that certain activities (e.g., cross-country skiing) were already fully booked by the time we arrived. If you are staying in a cold room in the Ice Hotel (which we highly recommend), book a deluxe room with an adjoining warm bathroom. You get the experience of sleeping and ice room without the inconvenience of trudging to a shared bathroom in cold of night. Also recommend visiting the Arctic museum in Tromso. Early March is a good time to go. Long days but still winter.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Our trip definitely benefited the local populace because tourism is a major contributor to the economies in Lapland and Tromso. It indirectly supported conservation because wealthy societies, like those of the Sweden, Finland, and Norway, are in a position to pursue environmental goals that are unaffordable luxuries in developing economies.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Excellent. Really enjoyed all elements. The accommodations and food were first rate, the scenery was spectacular (especially around Tromso), and the actives were fun. I highly recommend.Evin Dilber review 26 Oct 2023
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Activities with extremely knowledgeable guides. Learned about local nature, culture and lifestyle (past and present).2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Check what time of the year you travel and bear in mind that autumn colours in the North of Finland are in September. All leaves are gone by October.If you have time break the journey with one night in Helsinki and check what's on at the Opera House.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
The hotel/resort seems to be environmental conscious also with materials used and uses local ingredients for meals.Guides are also local and tourism does offer opportunities for jobs.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Great mix of discovery activities: nature walks, museum and information about Sami culture and obviously the Northern lights. Also enough time to relax.Dana Armstrong review 8 Nov 2022
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
The tranquility of the setting.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Be aware the northern lights are often white to our eyes and colours picked up on the camera ...smart phone will do.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Care was taken and I like to think the impact was less.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
A well gathered memory added to the tapestry that is life.Ian Davenport review 8 Mar 2018
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Excellent activities. The highlight for me was the dog sledding experience. All other activities were of an exceptional standard as well.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Just enjoy it. Bring lots of warm clothes, especially socks and hand/feet warmers.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Very much in touch with the local community with activities through local businesses.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
10 out of 10. A fantastic vacation with great activities and a superb hotel with great food.Katrina Miller review 9 Nov 2016
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Can I have two? First, finally, on our third Aurora Hunt and our last night, we watched from the bridge with fantastic open sky views overlooking the Russian border, as the aurora gradually emerged dancing like curtains above us. It was quite magical. Both aurora, pale green and pinkish, and the millions of stars were reflected in the dark river below. Second, hiking through the frozen forest wilderness up the hill, following reindeer tracks towards the low sun streaming through the white, glistening treetops. The silence and stillness of the wilderness are absolute and very moving if you pause, take time and listen.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Take lots of layers, thermal if possible. Ski clothes are perfect. It is very, very cold especially on aurora hunts at night. The overalls and boots the hotel give you are brilliant and you need layers underneath. Inner gloves inside mittens are best. Be prepared to be out from 9pm until the early hours as that's when the aurora is most likely and visible. Star gazing is excellent too becasue there is absolutely no ground light away from the lodge. Take binoculars. And take naps in the afternoon to make up for it!3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes all three. Nellim is a tiny village and the Wilderness Lodge is employing more and more local people. The management is developing the lodge in harmony with the local wilderness environment and the way of life of the local population. We were in a group of 6 at the start of the season. The management will have to be careful not to grow too quickly and lose the ambience of living with the natural environment not just in it.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Excellent. Really great lodge and very friendly and helpful staff. Excellent guides, very knowledgeable and willing to share with you. Lovely to be in a small group.Malcolm Raggett review 30 Mar 2016
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
It was all good but the night trips were the best part2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Plan to take naps during daylight so you can stay awake longer for the nighttime aurora hunting3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes, clearly provided lots of employment and income for local people. Our stay was too short to assess environmental impact.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Excellent. I'd be happy to go back to Nellim againSally Means review 1 Jan 2014
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
I went on this trip hoping to see the Northern Lights. We did not see them on this trip, but I enjoyed the trip so much, I would happily return, lights or no lights. Some memories: watching the beauty of a light snow falling on pine trees from the dining room while enjoying a lunch of homemade soup and bread (I don't see much snow where I live), traveling through the woods on a sledge pulled by snowmobiles while covered with blankets , a very good talk about the Northern Lights at a nearby research station, enjoying my first ever sauna in my own room, etc. and etc.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Just stick with the plan and enjoy!3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
It was a wonderful trip and I have fallen in love with Lapland and Finland.Holiday Reviews
You can trust Responsible Travel reviews because, unlike many other schemes, reviews can ONLY be written by people who we have verified have been on the holidays. In addition, we don't run these holidays ourselves - our only interest is giving you the best independent advice.
