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When you consider the stark contrast of the Arctic Circle next to most travel destinations around the world, taking a trip to Scandinavia is truly a once in a lifetime experience. That being said, the snowcapped landscapes in Finland and Sweden evoke a distinct sense of excitement during the festive season which never fails to delight visitors yearning for a special encounter during Christmas.

From Rovaniemi, huskies sleds and reindeer to the Ice Hotel and Aurora Borealis; the attractions in Scandinavia are nothing short of fascinating and unique while a fairytale-like atmosphere should be enough reason alone to warrant a visit to this part of the world.

Here are just a few of the main reasons as to why a winter break in Scandinavia should be on your radar:

3 Reasons Scandinavia Should Be On Your Travel Radar

1. You Can Visit Rovaniemi – Santa Claus Village

Located next to the Arctic Circle, Rovaniemi is not only a charming and authentic Scandinavian village but also the official home of Santa Claus. In fact, this famous resident is the reason for it being the most popular travel destination in Finland, but then there is also much more to Rovaniemi. Some of these attractions include the Arkitikum Museum, PilkeTiedekeskus, and a series of world-class restaurants. Interestingly, Rovaniemi was designed in such a way that the village resembles the shape of a reindeer, complete with antlers.

That being said, the main reason as to why most visitors arrive in this region is to visit Santa Claus Village to the north of Rovaniemi. Featuring a wide range of interactive exhibitions, the village is actually an amusement park and an interactive experience which never fails to delight visitors of all ages.

2. The Best Place to Witness Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights)

While there is no specific way to predict the Aurora Borealis, Scandinavia is the best place in the world to witness this phenomenon. Of course, dark and clear skies are necessary to see this extravaganza, and it is always best to stay clear of street lights to experience the full explosion of color.

With the above in mind, Rovaniemi and many more locations in Scandinavia are very isolated and offer the perfect scenario to encounter the Northern Lights. Either way, the opportunity to witness these mysterious lights above an equally mysterious landscape is one of the most sought-after travel experiences for a good reason.

3. An Unforgettable Overnight Encounter at the Ice Hotel

Situated next to the town of Kiruna, the Ice Hotel was initially inspired by a sculpture in Japan and created by a French artist as an enticing reason for tourists to visit this frozen land. Essentially, the entire hotel is built from ice blocks which are harvested from the nearby Torne River with the only consistency each year being the pillars at the entrance to the hotel.

While many travelers are yet to understand the appeal of spending the night on a bed of ice, the Ice Hotel in Sweden is arguably the most unique hotel on the planet. As you might expect, there are many comforts in spite of the unusual nature of the hotel, and you can even stay in a “warm” room, should the prospect of below freezing temperatures be a little too much.

It must be noted, these are merely examples regarding highlights of a trip to Scandinavia. In fact, this winter wonderland features a staggering range of outdoor activities and other unique points of interest.

When is the best time to visit Scandinavia?

Scandinavia is home to four seasons, but in many locations, locals claim that the climate is far from simple and consists of several “micro” seasons in between. Among these seasons, locals refer to harvest season, autumn leaf color, snowy spring, and of course, Christmas.

Visiting Scandinavia from South Africa

As already mentioned, the three experiences above are merely scraping the surface when it comes to reasons as to why Scandinavia is such a rewarding place to visit. After all, this is also the home of husky sledding, reindeer rides, fat-biking, snowmobiles, hiking trails and wilderness tours. Furthermore, the prospect of travel to Scandinavia from South Africa is a reasonably straightforward process and often a lot more affordable than you might imagine.

That being said, we are one of the very few companies to specialize in Scandanavia Packages so please do not hesitate to get in touch and we can start putting the wheels of your once in a lifetime adventure in motion.

You can check out more about our Scandanavia Packages Here https://www.unitedeurope.co.za/.