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The Best Times to Visit Arctic Norway, Sweden, and Finland

Å være midt i smørøyet / "To be in the middle of the butter melting in the porridge." ― Norwegian saying for being in a great place

 

I pretended to be a lot of things last week in Norway's spectacular Lofoten archipelago. I was a Viking, a fisherwoman, and a farmer's wife - documented in my silliest photos on Nine Muses Travel's Facebook and Instagram. The photo above was taken after I actually caught a fish, using that very reel to my left. I was with a small group of travel professionals on a fishing expedition from Svolvær, where we stayed at Thon Hotel Svolvær (award winning hotel for best breakfast in Norway). Upon our triumphant return, we first docked right below our hotel where we raised the catch up in a bucket to be delivered to a glass-enclosed workstation inside the restaurant where the group was taught to skin and debone the fish we shared for dinner. To be honest, I skipped that part and instead talked about the hotel and local area with the hotel's managers. The group had fun learning that skill, and it's all part of the experience I can arrange for you too.

 

I encourage you to see the photos I took throughout Arctic Sweden and Norway last week because you might be surprised to see it isn't snow-covered and filled with polar bears. One of my highlights was a guided hike through along a canyon with rushing waters and alpine meadows to the shores of a lake within Sweden's Abisko National Park. The day was sublimely sunny, and we only needed to wear a light layer. It was nothing like what most Americans imagine it feels to be inside the Arctic Circle! It was still green and just beginning to show fall colors, and this is the time of year when the Northern Lights start appearing. You don't need to wait for the depths of winter to see them! I saw them twice - not from a remote tundra but from our Norwegian hotels right in the center of the towns of Narvik and Harstad. And you'll find some of the best hotel rates here in September, which is a slow season in the Arctic.

 

Most of my clients appreciate the more "light adventure" range of activities you can do here like hiking, fishing, visiting husky puppies before riding on a dog sled, visiting Santa at his home, sleeping in an ice hotel, or riding a camel. Yes, a camel. There are plenty of more physically demanding options like learning to surf in a fjord, white water rafting, or in the winter going cross-country or downhill skiing. Narvik, Norway is super excited to be hosting the 2029 Alpine World Ski Championships, and you might want to visit before the rest of the world catches on about Narvik.

 

I'm almost embarrassed to admit how unaware I've been of all the historic towns to visit, museums to explore, and outdoors activities to experience in the Arctic regions of Sweden, Norway, and Finland. And that's why I accepted the invitation to attend this tourism sales conference and pre-tour. Please visit Nine Muses Travel's Facebook and Instagram to see photos of towns and unbelievable scenery without any filters. Definitely look for the ones from Norway's absolutely breathtaking Lofoten archipelago where every bend in the road is a dreamy new vision begging to be photographed.

 

Everywhere I went I thought of ways we can tailor an itinerary for you filled with delicious food (where salmon is caught one day and served in NYC the next day), indigenous Sámi cultural experiences, and fascinating maritime and local history - especially about World War II battles, occupation, and spies. Every town here has a story to tell. The Arctic in summer, fall, or winter is best and can be crafted to best suit families with kids, singles or groups, and really cozy, private, and romantic getaways for couples. Which time of year is best to explore the Arctic regions of Europe for you? Let's talk about it!

 
 

Nine Muses Travel designs journeys to inspire artists, arts lovers and the culturally curious.

Danielle Dybiec

Founder & President





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