Finnish Lapland

The northern-most region of Finland, Lapland is home to Santa Claus, birch and pine forests, the polar night and midnight sun, aurora borealis and miles of stunning, Arctic wilderness.

Flights run direct between London and Ivalo airport during the winter months, and there are several flights a day between Ivalo and Helsinki. In winter an airport shuttle bus drops off and picks up passengers to and from the most popular resorts and hotels. Arrange this service directly through your resort.

Winter is magical in Lapland and the best time to see the northern lights, but temperatures regularly reach as low or lower than -35 degrees Celcius. While most hotels supply an outer layer and waterproof boots, do pack several base layers and hats, gloves and scarves.

Lapland is home to the Sami, the only indigenous people of Northern Europe. The National Museum of the Finnish Sami, located in Inari, is a tribute to the history and culture of the Sami people, and their Arctic home.


EAT

Be sure to try these traditional Finnish foods:

Blueberries, cloudberries and lingonberries Finnish forests are full of berries and free for the picking.

Munki This doughnut is sugary, pillowy goodness.

Reindeer Native to Finland, reindeer are semi-nomadic and forage through the Lapland forests for their food. Try this lean meat sautéed or in stew.


DRINK

Lapin Kulta A light, local lager popular on draft.

Lapin Panimo A craft beer microbrewery in Rovaniemi. Try the dark Aihki beer which goes down smooth but warms the fingers and toes.

Laplandia Aureus vodka Try the cloudberry flavor.

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Aurora hunt and camp on the Russian border An aurora hunt by van to and from the Russian border, with a stopover at a cozy campsite at the border. Wilderness Hotels can help book this trip through a partnership with Northern Lights Village.

Frozen Lake Husky An incredible, seven kilometer husky sled safari through the forest. Organize this half-day excursion directly through Wilderness Hotels. The dogs were friendly, gentle and well cared for.

Sauna A Finnish pastime. There is no greater way to warm up after a few hours outside!

Show-shoeing, cross country skiing, snowmobiling, etc. Try it all! Book directly through your resort.


STAY

We stayed at Wilderness Hotel Muotka, about 30-45 minutes south of Ivalo airport, and loved it. The resort was remote and surrounded by taiga forests, the accommodations cozy (get a room with a sauna!), the food healthy and the staff excellent. We booked all excursions directly through the resort.

Wilderness Hotels and Safaris have three other sister resorts in Lapland.

Finnish Lapland

Luxembourg City

The capital of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg was once one of Europe’s strongest fortresses, known as the Gibraltar of the North. Today this medieval city is home to the European Parliament and European Investment Bank.

While Luxembourg is a small, mostly rural country tucked between Belgium, Germany and France, it is accessible via train from most places in Western Europe. The airport is also located just a few miles from Luxembourg City.

Luxembourg was occupied by Germans during World War II and liberated by American troops in 1944 and 1945. Today, the Luxembourg American Cemetery and Memorial, a short trip from the City, is the final resting place for over 5,000 American service members and General George S. Patton. It is a peaceful place for reflection and memorial.

EAT

Luxembourgish food draws from the cuisines of its neighbors’ and immigrant communities. Try French pâtisserie, German sausages and apple sauce, and Portuguese food.

DRINK

The historic Grund district, known today for its nightlife, beauty and medieval charm, lies at the bottom of a valley that runs through the center of the city’s Old Town. Our favorite spots include:

Melusina A trendy night club.

The Pyg Friendly and cozy Irish pub.

Scott’s This pub is popular with the ex-pat crowd.

PLAY

Casemates du Bock A network of medieval tunnels used as bomb shelters during World War II.

Le Chemin de la Corniche The “most beautiful balcony in Europe” is a lovely walk along 17th century ramparts overlooking the Grund and Alzette River valley.

Grand Duke’s Palace

The Grund Walk around before the sun sets.

Moselle River Valley vineyards The Moselle’s wines, especially the whites, are internationally recognized and cellar door tastings are a short trip from the city.

Philharmonie Luxembourg A beautiful, internationally renowned concert hall.

STAY

Luxembourg City is small and easy to get around by bus. Stay in the city center for easy access to shopping, restaurants and the Grund’s nightlife, or in the area just north of the train station.

Luxembourg City

Bergen

Located on Norway’s southwest coast, Bergen is the second largest Norwegian city but feels more like a large town. Surrounded by seven mountains, pine forests and beautiful fjords, a weekend here will vastly exceed the wishes of any outdoor enthusiast. The fresh seafood is also fantastic.

While Bergen Airport is 18 kilometers from the city center, public transportation is excellent and cabs are expensive. Take the Flybussen (20 minutes and $13 a ticket) or light rail (45 minutes and about $4 a ticket) directly into Bergen’s city center. Both the bus stop and light rail are directly outside the airport entrance. Book Flybussen tickets in advance to save money.

Norwegian Airlines and SAS run many daily, direct flights to Bergen from across Europe.

While Bergen would be magical any time of year, if you want to hike and fully experience the magic of the fjords (without being inhibited by ice or snow), we suggest planning a trip between April and October.

EAT

Don’t miss the local specialty, fiskesuppe, the Bergen take on fish soup.

Bryggeloftet & Stuene The local speciality is Klippfisk, a North Atlantic cod dried on cliffs for three months, with an intense and salty flavor. Choose the upper floor for the best view.

Fisketorget A fish market has stood on this site since the thirteenth century. Today it has both local vendors and restaurants.

Godt Brød This bakery chain has multiple locations around the city and is great for a quick bite or sandwich on the go.

Hoggorm A hip pizza place just west of the city center that seems to always be buzzing. The pizzas are thin crust, topped with local ingredients and divine.

Naboen This pub and restaurant is a friendly place to drink and eat.

Pingvinen The coziest pub serving up excellent, western Norwegian cooking made with ingredients sourced from local producers. Don’t miss this one.

DRINK

Bryggeriet This classy restaurant overlooking the harbor is also a microbrewery. Go for a beer flight in the afternoon.

Det Lille Kaffekompaniet Cute and comfortable cafe.

Dyvekes This quintessentially Norwegian pub near the harbor has an extensive wine and spirit list and, with its cozy nooks and candle lit tabletops, epitomizes hygge.

Kaffemisjonen Independent coffee shop with great coffee and nibbles.

Statsraad Lehmkuhl This turn of the century, training ship has a place of pride in the Bergen harbor. While it’s possible to take a cruise aboard the ship, we felt the small reception-cum-pub-cum-members-club was a hidden gem. Stop by on a Saturday afternoon for a friendly pint and live music.

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In the summer, Bergen’s seven surrounding mountains are a paradise for mountain biking, hiking and kayaking.

Bergen Cathedral Pop into this religious medieval vestige to admire its 12th century splendor and stained glass.

Bergen’s neighborhoods Make time to walk around the residential areas surrounding the harbor. The neighborhood just behind Bryggen, Eidemarken, clings to the slope of Floyen mountain and is a labyrinth of old, wooden houses and winding, brick-lane streets.

Bryggen One of Bergen's and Norway's main attractions, Bryggen was built after the 1702 great fire and is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The area is known for its medieval, wooden architecture and boutique shops. Check out hip home goods store Røst Bergen.

Bergenhus Fortress This medieval fortress at the top of the harbor entrance is worth an exploration.

Fjord cruise to Mostraumen One of the best ways to experience Norway’s magical fjords is by water. We recommend this three-hour, return trip that takes in wildlife, waterfalls, and gorgeous fjord views. It runs year round but in winter may be more difficult to access the fresh water areas due to ice.

Fløibanen Funicular Take this cable car to the top of Floyen mountain for views of the city and surrounding fjords. A myriad of hiking trails start from here. We also recommend a visit to the lake, which is a short hike from the funicular station at the top.

STAY

Bergen‘s city center is small and most tourist accommodations will be near the main attractions. Check out Thon Hotel Rosenkrantz in Bryggen, or, for a clean and comfortable budget option, we recommend Citybox near the city center.

Bergen

Stockholm

Hey Hej! Stockholm, the capital of Sweden and a beautiful city composed of fourteen islands, offers a little something for everyone. Like most Scandinavian cities Stockholm is clean, progressive, friendly and full of opportunity to discover something new.

Stockholm has a great ferry system, making it easy to explore the surrounding islands.

Stockholm-Arlanda Airport is located 40km from the city centre. The Arlanda express train departs every 15 minutes and takes you to the city in 20 minutes.

EAT

Do as the Sweds do and enjoy a “fika” at a "fik". Basically, this means grabbing a coffee and a pastry at a local cafe.

Bageri Petrus No better way to start the day! Amazing coffee and pastries.

Greasy Spoon Great brunch spot.

Oaxen Krog Fine dining on the water. It’s sister restaurant, Oaxen Slip, is more casual experience. Reservations needed. Recommended by a friend.

Prinsen Traditional Swedish dishes served in a old style setting with wood-panelled interiors.

DRINK

Riche This brasserie is an easy choice for early evening drinks. Known for its extensive wine list.

Trädgården-dgården A popular outdoor summer club in Södermalm. Go early to avoid long queues.

PLAY

Djurgarden Explore the “green island” by bike.

Gamla Stan (Old Town) Wander around one of the most well-kept medieval parts of the city, enjoy the variety of shops and stop into a cozy cafe for a local treat. Don’t miss Stortorget, the main square.

Prästgatan A picturesque street with beautiful houses in the Old Town.

Sandhamn Take a day trip or overnight to this island two hours east of Stockholm. It is incredibly easy to fill an afternoon swimming in the Baltic and kayaking.

The Royal Palace Step back in time and visit the Stockholm palace. Check out the parade of soldiers and changing of the guard.

The Vasa Museum The only, preserved seventeenth-century ship in the world. Go early to avoid the crowds.

STAY

We recommend the central neighborhoods, especially Gamla Stan, Norrmalm and Östermalm.

Stockholm

Nice

Welcome to the Côte d’Azur! This casual and cool beach town in the French Riviera boasts sparkling Mediterranean coastline, bleached pebble beaches and dramatic cliffs with creeping bourgainvillea and breezy jacaranda trees.

If you are flying into Nice Côte d'Azur Airport, and plan to explore Nice in addition to surrounding areas, hire a car. It is possible, however, and quite easy, to take buses from Nice to Villefranche-sur-Mer, Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat and Eze, and a train to Monaco. Taxis and ubers to and from Nice and Monaco are quite expensive.

EAT

Niçoise specialities include socca (thin, chickpea pancake), pissaladière (a savory tart), gnocchi and the well-known Niçoise salad.

La Cave Nature Chic wine bar with fresh, delicious food in Villefranche-sur-Mer. A great stop for lunch on the way to the beach.

L'Escalinada Romantic restaurant in the Vielle Ville Old Town. We recommend the pissaladière and gnocchi.

DRINK

Provence has been producing rosé wine for nearly three millennia, and the pink drink makes up nearly half of the region’s entire wine production.

La Cave de la Tour Excellent little wine bar in the Vielle Ville. Go for happy hour, they close at 8pm!

PLAY

Eze A short drive from Nice, this charming medieval village on a hill has stunning views of the coastline. Spend time exploring its shops and the beautiful Jardin Exotique.

Parc de la Colline du Chateau This green park, also known as Castle Hill, used to house an 11th century citadel. The hill looks out over the Vielle Ville and coastline, and is worth the climb.

Place Garibaldi An 18th century square in central Nice decorated with powder puff trees.

Promenade des Anglais The Promenade running parallel to Nice’s public beach and bay. Don’t miss the gelato stands!

Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat This forested peninsula, just a few miles from Nice, is known for its old-world glamour.

Villefranche-sur-Mer Another adorable, coastal village with a medieval town, sleepy harbor and beautiful beach.

STAY

Stay near The Promenade for easy beach access or the Vielle Ville Old Town for proximity to restaurants and nightlife. That said, Nice is small at the Vielle Ville is only a 20-30 minute walk from the far side of The Promenade.

We stayed at Hotel de la Fontaine, a 3-star, budget option two blocks from The Promenande and a short walk from central Nice.

Nice