As it turns late in the year, snow is already falling in some of our favourite northern spots and early Christmas songs can be heard in shops across the world. But while many are starting to snuggle down and feel the hygge, we’re already looking ahead to the new year and all that you can expect from travel in 2017.
Direct flights to Rovaniemi, Santa’s hometown
Beginning in 2017, Norwegian Air will fly a direct route from London Gatwick to Rovaniemi, Finland. Rovaniemi is the capital of Finnish Lapland (as well as the official home of Santa himself) and the new routing will make it easier and less expensive for travellers to get there and enjoy the unspoilt wilderness for which the Arctic is famous. If you’re going, we recommend a winter trip so you can enjoy stays in both glass igloos and an ice hotel, and make the most of your visit.
Shopping in Aarhus, Denmark - the 2017 European Capital of Culture.
Aarhus set to become the European Capital of Culture
Denmark’s second city is known locally for having top of the line New Nordic cuisine, annual music festivals and a vibrant art gallery, and in 2017 when it takes the title of European Capital of Culture, the rest of the world will know it, too. Visit Aarhus on our Danish Castle Fly Drive, or let one of our travel agents tailor a trip to show you the highlights.
Finland celebrates its 100th year
On 6 December, 2017, Finland will celebrate it’s 100th anniversary as an independent nation, and that means that throughout the year, there will be plenty going on for travellers to enjoy, starting with New Year’s in Helsinki, and then progressing throughout the year to festivals, arts events, sporting competitions and more (you can find the full list online).
Want to get in the spirit of things? Try our Lake Saimaa ice skating holiday, a trip on the Sampo Icebreaker, a bear-watching holiday in Kuhmo or a family holiday to see Santa for some uniquely Finnish experiences.
The Treehotel's aptly-named UFO room. Everyone is waiting to see what the new room will look like...
Sweden’s Treehotel set to gain an extra room
It’s no secret that we love the Treehotel, the eco-friendly and architecturally singular hotel built up in the pristine region of Swedish Lapland (you can also read our interview with Kent Lindvall, its founder). But in 2017, this very cool hotel gets even cooler with a new room, said to inspired by the woods themselves and described on the Treehotel website like this:
“As you near the seventh room from below and look up at the sky, the entire underside of the building is covered by a life size photograph of the treetops as they looked before the room was put in place. This clever camouflage piques one’s curiosity. What is hiding up there? The room is located ten metres up in the pines… Large panoramic windows face north and along with skylights in the bedrooms, they will allow guests to watch the magnificent northern lights.”
