Have you ever simply stood outside in the air, gazed up towards the sky and wished you could feel what it would be like to see magic in the sky… real, live, glowing magic. If so, then you need to go and witness the Northern Lights in Finland! I had long dreamed of it, so this winter I reserved one of the Finland packages to be able to see the auroras in all its glory. And what I witnessed will be in my memory for eternity.
The Start of Something Good
I began with a shivery tap on my laptop. I was all tucked in on my Mumbai couch, going through a string of Finland vacation packages, fantasizing about the feeling of snow for the first time in my life. Yep, you’re thinking right, I hadn’t tasted snow magic until then. And then I came across Catch A Trip’s Finland adventure holidays – small group holidays, customized planning, and an itinerary that did not sound like a goofy tourist wish list.
And before you’d even had time to blink, seven days on, I was in the air, passport safely tucked away, dreams in my head, smiling like a kid. Where was I bound, you wonder? Rovaniemi, the mythical land of Santa Claus.
The Winter Wonderland
Once we arrived in Rovaniemi, it almost felt like we have stepped into a human-sized snow glow. Delicate snowflakes all around us, snow clad pine trees, and everything frozen, paused, and just sheer beauty surrounding us.
My Finland trip package consisted of an aurora igloo secluded deep in the Lapland forests. The cozy igloo, with a panoramic forest view and rustic charm, looked like it belonged on a postcard straight out of a Nordic fairytale. Already I could imagine waking up to snowwood views, peacefulness broken only by the sound of reindeer hooves pounding through the snow across the landscape. Our hostess was a retired Finnish lady named Sari, who welcomed us with cloudberry juice and stories of the Sami. I knew right then and there that this holiday was anything but going to be normal.
Chasing the Lights
Markus knocked at the door the second night and declared, “The wind’s fine. Dress warmly. We’re pursuing the lights tonight.”
We all loaded onto a snowmobile sleigh, covered in thermal clothing, and zoomed off into the blackness. It was like drifting into another world on the snowmobile sleigh, where cold met calm in perfect harmony. I caught a blast of cold on my face, with no grumbling. We traveled at high speed for some 40 minutes, well beyond any light pollution, into the remote Arctic countryside.
And then. something happened.
We had this green ribbon suspended there in the air like a breath. And then it intensified. It curved, stretched out, flared with growing light with every breath. And then the heaven burst out into all the different greens. The heavens themselves were performing. I wish I could take some more pictures, but I was so in the moment, that I forgot about everything else!
More Than Just the Lights
The wonderful thing about these Finland adventure tours is that they’re so much more than lights. We took a husky sledding trip one day. The eager huskies dashed forward, their paws beating rhythm into the snow as we raced through frosted trails. The dogs were just completely nuts, barking and racing about until we left, and then. quiet stillness. They pulled us down the snow trails, so we could take in the wonder of it all.
One of the standouts? Ice drifting. Actually, we drifted on an ice lake in dry suits that heated us to our core. The blue above, the stillness all around, the sensation of floating. It was strange, beautiful, and somehow comforting.
And the food. Steaming stews, warm berry soup, pan-grilled salmon cooked over campfires, and cinnamon buns toasted in the campfire. Each time we sat down to eat, it was as if we’d worked for it and felt like home. As the candles flickered in the snow, we posed for a lasting memory to be cherished for years to come.
Saying Goodbye (But Not Really)
We placed ourselves in a circle, surrounded by candlelight under an open sky. There had been a light dusting of snow while we had hot chocolate and shared stories. I remember looking upwards, wishing to see a last flicker of lights.
And there they were. small, almost shy, like a goodnight kiss.
And when I went back home, things were not the same. The trip did something to me. It made me slow down time, look up more, and pay attention to how beautiful our world would be if we break out of the same habit.
The final glimpse of lights felt like a promise—that the Arctic magic never truly leaves you.
Why You Should Go
If you ever fantasized about seeing the Northern Lights, don’t delay. No, seriously. Life’s too short, and all your Arctic utopias are lying in wait to leave their impression on you. Lone traveler, lovesick couple, or group of mates. Catch A Trip’s Finland adventure holidays are the type of experience that will linger on.
Their excellent Finland packages include everything – from cozy rooms to true Finnish experiences. And believe me, you don’t need to try to recreate it yourself way up in the Arctic.
So what are you waiting for?
Book a Finland vacation packages, and see the magic for yourself. Because let’s be honest, looking at other people’s photos of the Northern Lights is never going to be sufficient.
An image from when the faint auroras whispered goodnight, a gentle farewell etched across the starry sky.