Published 28th Jun. 2021
Reading time
Cold, crisp, chilly; the winter wonderland that is the Scandinavian region offers oodles of festive fun and plenty of opportunities to warm up afterwards with a hot chocolate in one hand and Swedish meatballs in the other. The people here are known as the happiest in the world and while enjoying these unique winter activities, you too will get a taste of the season's cheer. At Original Travel, we know that planning a holiday is snow joke (excuse the terrible pun), so make the most of your arctic adventure with five of our top recommendations...
A world away from the quintessentially British traffic jams on the M25 in the run up to Christmas, the incredible experience of being pulled along by Siberian huskies on frozen lakes and through snowy forests is one you'll never forget. This experience is best paired with a stay at the famous Ice Hotel in Jukkasjarvi, just a 20-minute drive from Kiruna International Airport, where you'll stay in (literally) icy rooms, albeit in the cosiest bed sheets you can imagine.
Snowmobiling - a Scandinavian adventure holiday classic. From chasing the Northern Lights in Swedish Lapland and exploring Iceland's Golden Circle, to searching for polar bear tracks and spotting seals in Svalbard - Scandinavia's most northernly point - snowmobiling is an utterly thrilling winter adventure (and in the seriously snowy places, the preferred mode of transport). Pair your snowmobiling shenanigans with a stay at the welcoming Funken Lodge in Svalbard - an excellent base when touring this northern hotspot which, hard as it is to believe, is technically classed as a desert due to its extremely low humidity.
One of main reasons people visit the seriously cool Scandinavian region is to see the Northern Lights. A bucket-list-worthy experience, see the aurora borealis create stunning nighttime landscapes that are otherworldly in their beauty. We recommend combining a Northern Lights hunt with snowshoeing, snowmobiling or an evening polar drive to get the full experience.
Feast on an Arctic tapas dinner while scouring the landscape (and under it) for wildlife on this no-pollution cruise aboard the Brimm Explorer (we mean it, not even sound is generated). Cruises take you around the coast of Tromso, a city in northern Norway famous for its Northern Lights spotting. You can also discover the Lofoten Islands on the cruise, making base at a traditional wooden fishing hut - as if your holiday couldn't get any more unique.
It would be criminal to write a blog about Scandinavian winter activities without mentioning ice caves, so before you sit down with your warm cup of cocoa and Swedish meatballs, you simply must make a visit to them. These natural formations - curated by millions of years of erosion on some of Scandinavia's most famous glaciers - offer a picturesque experience like no other and if you're in Iceland or Norway, it's an absolute must-do.
Want to know more about Scandinavian adventure holidays? Get in touch and we'll be happy to help.
Practical advice and inspiration for your next trip
If paradise had a postcode, it would be somewhere on Bali’s coastline. Embraced by the sea on all sides, this Indonesian island is home to a bounty of beautiful beaches. Whether your perfect day means unwinding on the sand with a cocktail and a good book, learning to ride your first wave, exploring Bali’s underwater world, or sampling its lively nightlife, the island offers something for every mood and pace.
29th December 2025 - Indonesia Travel Inspiration
Love it or hate it, winter rolls around every year. So, why not spend this polarizing time on a polarized continent? From skating on the frozen lakes of the Canadian Rockies and crunching through the snow-blanketed plains of Alaska to sampling internationally renowned wines in the vineyards of Northern California and cruising between the laid-back microcosms of The Florida Keys, North America has something for everyone during winter.
24th December 2025 - USA Travel Inspiration
Have you ever felt the urge to hop on a flight after watching a particularly good film? Us too. From settings to storylines, travel and cinema are inextricably linked, taking viewers on a journey through new and exciting destinations. While this has been the case since film’s inception, the connection between the two has grown in recent years, with ‘set-jetting’ (visiting locations featured in films or television) holidays steadily on the rise.
22nd December 2025 - Travel Inspiration
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
