Tag: Lapland

TRAVELLING DURING CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS

Posted on by Luca Oliveri

What will you do during the Christmas holidays? Have you decided to go on a trip somewhere in the world? Here are the 3 best experiences you could have.

Times Square – Luca Oliveri

Lapland

Lapland is a wildland, even more during the winter, when the landscape is transformed into the land of Santa Claus.

Haven’t you ever dreamed as a child of spending a few days playing completely immersed in the snow?

Would you like to meet the sweet and cuddly huskies or the impassive and funny reindeer?

And if on your bucket list, there’s sleeping in a glass igloo admiring the Northern Lights in the dark sky of the Arctic night, from the warmth of your bed, Lapland is the destination you absolutely must choose for your next trip.

I suggest you consider the Swedish Lapland, most of all if you prefer an exclusive trip with fewer tourists, where you can meet authentic people who will accompany you on your excursions with competence.

Swedish Lapland – Luca Oliveri

Where to sleep?

Aurora Igloo Hotel (now Peace and Quite Hotel)

Think about this: A solitary place in the middle of a frozen lake during the Lappish winter, plus 21 degrees celsius inside that let you stay lazy in your glass igloo, minus 26 degrees celsius outside, a spectacular view from your bed of the wild nature just some meters from you. And when the polar night comes the Northern Lights spectacle begins just in front of you. At least this was my hope.

Lapland Guesthouse

There is a place far, far away, beyond the polar circle where you could meet the genuine Lappish Experience. They have several different types of accommodations: unique single and double rooms, cabins and even standalone secluded housing like my loft-looking room with a comfortable double bed and a fantastic wood stove or the nice “Viking room” more suitable for a family.

Lapland Glass Igloo- Luca Oliveri

NEW YORK

Also known as  “the big apple” or “the city of dreams” New York is one of the most desired cities in the world, one of the metropolises where every dream can come true, especially after the lighting of the Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center.

The possible activities in New York are endless. Your trip, even if only for a few days, cannot miss the Brooklyn Bridge and a photo in front of the Manhattan Bridge, enjoying the magnificent view of the city skyline. I would then spend a day walking around Times Square and Central Park.

At sunset, it’s a must to go up the Rockefeller Center at Top of the Rock to enjoy a fantastic view of the city and the Empire State Building.

There are also many museums in New York: don’t miss the MET, the MOMA and the New Museum. And, after a day of shopping, why not attend an evening musical on Broadway?

New York reel – Luca Oliveri

WHERE TO SLEEP?

There are fantastic hotels of every level in New York. One of the prerogatives of the city is obviously the feeling of being inside a concrete jungle. Why not choose a room with a great view of New York? I recommend the Arlo Nomad hotel. Upon your arrival, ask for one of the King Sky rooms on the higher floors to enjoy a splendid view of the city from the glass window. It is one of the 10 best room view hotels in New York.

Arlo Nomad Hotel – Luca Oliveri

HAWAII

It is impossible to not love these islands. Mythology, Pacific Ocean, the most fascinating treks in the world. Waikiki, Honolulu. The Aloha spirit. Do you need anything else to start dreaming?

Do volcanic islands have an energetic imprint? At the summit of Haleakalā it’s easy to forget where you came from as you look out onto what feels like another world. At dawn, I was suspended in a soft sea of clouds in one of the most magical moments of my life, full of freedom and peace.

It is the intimate contact with nature or, sometimes, with ourselves, the protagonist of the travel.

For example, I had my most intense experience climbing the 3922 steps of the Haiku Stairs, on the island of Oahu in Hawaii. There I found that I did not climb the ridge to the summit just to enjoy the magnificent scenery, but gradually I saw myself reflected into nature and I experienced a great feeling of well-being.

Have you ever heard about the Kalalau Trail? It’s a truly life experience along the Nā Pali Coast of Kauai. The trail runs approximately 11 miles (18 km) along the island’s north shore from Keʻe Beach to the Kalalau Valley and then to the Kalalau Beach. It’s one of the most beautiful, and dangerous, hikes in the world.

Oahu – Luca Oliveri

Where to sleep?

The Waikiki area is full of fantastic resorts. Just out of Honolulu, you can find many accommodations surrounded by nature or cottages directly on the beach. Why not? Have you ever thought of sleeping in a tent in the middle of the Hawaiian forest or along a beautiful trail?

Maui – Red Beach – Luca Oliveri

Aurora Igloo

Posted on by Luca Oliveri
Northern Lights

A solitary glass igloo in the middle of the lake

Think about this: A solitary place in the middle of a frozen lake during the Lappish winter, plus 21 degrees celsius inside that let you stay lazy in your glass igloo, minus 26 degrees celsius outside, a spectacular view from your bed of the wild nature just some meters from you. And when the polar night comes the Northern Lights spectacle begins just in front of you. At least this was my hope.

Driving through Lapland, the first day

In February I spent 2 nights at the Aurora Igloo Hotel in Jokkmokk.

From Lulea airport it’s about a 200kms drive in a snowy and peaceful landscape. Jokkmokk is the crossroads between the airport and Kiruna, a famous Swedish place for winter holidays.

I met Bjorn, the Aurora Igloo host, some minutes after midday on monday and shortly after the presentations he brings me to the private parking lot. The igloo is nearby after a short walk through the frozen forest. This short walk is amazing, cold, dreamy.

Then the igloo appears: around only the icy lake, the white forest trees, the coldest temperature I’ve ever lived, the crackling of my feet on the snow and the sparkling frosty air trough the nose and the mouth. I closed my eyes and I felt a sense of freedom and serenity that I thought I had left somewhere.

Probably you can feel to be in the space or in a different planet because everything is white. Snow snow snow like you had never seen. I loved it.

the glass igloo

Intimate moments inside the igloo, a life experience

Inside there’s a kitchen, a toilet and the main room with a double comfortable bed. And on the bed a complimentary basket with Chardonnay Wine and a spiced one.

“Drink this hot, you’ll love it” said Bjorn

We tried hot that evening and it seemed like the italian “Vin Brulé”. So good!

May you imagine the beauty you can see from the room?

It’s extraordinary better than each other Lappish Igloo hotel I’ve ever seen because, there, you are alone and you don’t have to share your Northern Lights emotions with other guests. Your Aurora polar experience will be exclusive. The lake in front of your eyes is only for you and your dreaming soul.

I lighted a campfire, I have been sit down on the snow, I spent the late afternoon there waiting for the sun falling behind the horizon with the roaring sparks of the flames jumping on the icy snow.

Can you ever imagine about a better intimate moment?

a campfire on the snow

Northern Lights SHOW at Aurora Igloo

When the night came the Northern Lights appears in the clear sky.

It’s Mother Nature’s greatest spectacle, a mesmerizing and spellbinding light show upon you eyes into the infinte night sky.

This lightshow originates 93 million miles away on the surface of the Sun and travels across the frozen wastes of spaces.

There are lots of myths about Norther Lights: cultures across the north understood them through imagery that ranges from poetic to somber to horrifying; for the Sámi people, for example, the lights were energy from the souls of deceased ancestors. When the lights appeared, people were to behave solemnly. Disrespecting them could result in sickness or even death.

What I did, it was simply to lay down on the icy snow looking at the sky when the lights appears strong in a way I had never seen, neither in Finland nor in Iceland. My heart was trembling when the green Aurora Borealis lights were dancing above my head. It has been the first time I could see its waves clear with the naked eye. Exciting and unforgivable.

aurora borealis

During the day you can take part at some activities like snowmobile tour in the surroundings or icebath in the frozen lake in front of your igloo. I took part at both activities but the icebath is something special: you will take your body out of its normal state of equilibrium and it feels regenerating! After the initial fear I loved that moment.

cryotherapy

One night at the Aurora Igloo Hotel is ok but if you want to enjoy completely the adventure I suggest you to spend  at least 2 nights. Your time, there, will be rewarded with an exclusive personal and intimate experience.

snowmobile