Hello there, jet setters. Welcome back to another episode of jet setting with me. Did you enjoy last week's episode where I talked about Colonial Williamsburg during the Christmas Christmas holidays, I might've mentioned that I was in cold weather training, and that is because I went to the Laplands. And today we're going to discover the 3 magical parts of a luxury journey through the Laplands. Laplands is where the Northern Lights dance, the Huskies race, sauna nights and swimming in the Arctic waters await. So listen in for an unforgettable journey that will ignite your wanderlust and warm your soul. Let's get some geography and definitions cleared up first. The definition of the Arctic Circle is actually a geographical definition.
It is about sixty six degrees and thirty four north. I have to get a t shirt that says that sixty six degrees and thirty four north. They don't really sell t shirts in the lab lands, so I'm gonna have to make my own. It marks the southernmost latitude at which in the winter solstice, this is the Northern Hemisphere, and the sun does not rise above the horizon at all. And on the Northern Hemisphere Summer Solstice, the sun does not set. So these phenomena are referred to as your polar nights and your midnight sun. So the Arctic Circle is also not fixed in its latitude on Earth's axial tilt. It actually fluctuates by a margin of some 2 degrees over a 41000 period due to tidal forces, the orbit of the moon, yada, yada, all that astrological stuff that we all studied in grade school.
Consequently, the Arctic Circle is currently drifting northwards at a speed of about 48 feet per year. So some people say that that means parts of Finland are going to leave the Arctic Circle. Some Finnish who live out in the country are happy about that. More on that in a minute. The word Arctic actually comes from Greek. It is a Greek word as you know, this was all done by astrology and the sky. It means near the bear or the Northern big bear, the constellation of the bear and that Arctic comes from the Greek word of arktos, meaning the bear. Locals in the Laplands, which is the region of Sweden, Finland, Norway, and Russia We'll argue somewhat about which cities and places are in the region based on how many lights they have and city centers.
But for our sake, we'll use it to describe just the countries of Sweden, Finland, and Norway, where I got to sleep in all 3 countries and where I spent 9 amazing sunsets. No. Wait. Sunrises? Not really those either. Evenings. Here is what I have learned to share with you before we begin planning your winter wonderland fairy tale. First of all, the term Aurora Borealis was coined by Galileo in 1619 natural night display in Earth's sky, predominantly seen in high latitude regions. Now, the sightings of the aurora borealis, commonly known as the northern lights, are promised to no one.
In my nine day journey, I saw them once, very faintly. I didn't get to see them dance or see any other shades other than the green that you're familiar with in pictures. Also some that I post. If the only reason you're going to see the Laplands is to see the lights, It's less expensive to get to Alaska from The United States than it is to come all the way over to the northernmost part of, Europe. 4 things you cannot miss. Outside of seeing the lights, there are activities that you just have to do so that you can consider your luxury vacation to the Laplands complete.
You have to drive the huskies. Oh my god. These Siberian actually, we have Alaskan huskies are so cute, and man, do they like to run. They are born for it. You have to feed the reindeer, go on a reindeer sled with a reindeer leading you, take a sauna experience, swim in Arctic waters. Yes. You can do that onboard an icebreaker ship, and, of course, visit Santa Claus. It's Christmas, like, here from Oct.
0 through March 0, up until March 0. There is plenty more to do, like visiting what is called the Paris Of The North, Norway. It is the largest city in the Lapland region outside of Russia, and it is like stepping into a Christmas fairy tale land. The food is wonderful. The local people are wonderful, and there are boat rides in the evening time to take you out on a northern lights hunt. It is a wonderful jumping off point to your week long stay in the Lapland region, but it is only a jumping off point. Just ninety minutes by car is the wonderful town, the Kelp CRV, Finland. Here, you can stay in a luxurious, and that's by Scandinavian standards, luxurious.
Although for me, it was luxury. Suite complete at the Santas Inn Rocca. Suite has your own private hot tub on the deck, which stays hot year round, like 40 degrees Celsius, if you wanna do the math, and then you can get right out from your deck into your own personal bathroom sauna. And at the Schakal Hotel, which is located right around the corner, you can actually take in all of the activities that I mentioned above and add skiing and a visit with the Sami, the indigenous people of the region who are the reindeer herders. So we got to do everything but the skiing part. The Shaco Inn is a lovely family owned hotel, and I would be hard pressed to decide whether to stay there or the Santa's in at Rocca. Really, I would probably wanna split my stay and stay at both. The 2 are next door to each other, as I mentioned, and both are enjoyable and deserve nothing but the highest praise for their absolutely wonderful hospitality.
Moving on to Levy or Levy, which is far by car from Tromso, but has its own close by airport, is where the igloos of the Northern Lights Village are. Here at the Northern Lights Village, you can do everything I mentioned, including the ski ski lessons at the nearby downhill runs. There's a cross country ski path, a walking path on-site. All the activities that I mentioned about the reindeer, the snowmobiling, the huskies. They even have kids' snowmobiles. It's an adorable family family resort. And my favorite place was the Gingerbread House, where Santa's elves will help you decorate your cookies and then take you on a heated reindeer sleigh, where you will go halfway through, sit by the fire with hot cocoa, and roast marshmallows before continuing on your journey to visit Santa. And the elves assured me this lovely three hour activity is not for kids only, and they wouldn't think that I was weird for going as an a single adult with no kids.
The Northern Lights Village is the best place to see the Northern Lights because it is far enough away from any of the city lights, and if you're in the right igloo, which did I mention they're all glass covered igloos, you might just be able to see them from your bed. It was hard for me not to think of it as Lapland Disney World and want to stay and become 1 of Santa's elves. They even assured me that my language capabilities of only being able to speak and understand English would not be a hindrance. Number 3. There is no bad weather here. There is only the wrong clothing. And, yes, I did manage to pack in only a carry on. So do not let the fear of the cold keep you from coming to what is clearly a bucket list trip for so many people.
Merino wool base layers, fleece, along with ski pants, and then your coat as a top layer can keep you warm and cozy even when you're outside and it is snowing. Of course, you do need your gloves, hat, and snow boots, but all the excursion and activity providers will actually give you the snowsuit, heavier boots, thick mittens, and a balaclava. Did I say that right? Balaclava? I did. No. It's balaclava. Yeah. Like baklava, but not. I brought sunglasses.
Totally unnecessary as the definition above the Arctic region means the sun doesn't go below the go above the horizon between Dec. 21 and June 21. What I needed but failed to bring was a beanie. I brought a great scarf for my Travel Well December box and a balaclava. However, it wasn't waterproof, so hashtag fail. I really needed a beanie and a neck gator to get me through. All that is to say that with a good packing list, it is easy to make this trip. Plus, sitting by the fireplace with hot chocolate and marshmallows is also a very good way to stay warm.
Until next time, jetsetters. Safe travels.
