The luxury Ranua Resort is spectacularly located on the shores of remote Lake Ranuanjärvi, right on the Arctic Circle. A collection of heated igloos – more often than not twinkling under Northern Light's multi-coloured swirls – of course steal the show, an extension of the log-cabin retreats that lie perched by the serene lakeside forest. Each has a private kitchenette, and there's a delightful Lappish restaurant just moments away. Take full advantage of the Arctic surroundings with snowmobiling tours, husky safaris and relaxing private saunas.
Eat
Hours spent snowmobiling and spotting wildlife are bound to work up an appetite – take advantage of your private kitchenette and rustle up midnight snacks as you wait for the ethereal glow of the Northern Lights to make their appearance. Or, enjoy delicacies at the nearby Wild Arctic Restaurant, offering a Lappish-themed dinner in a charming hut, where produce is ultra-fresh, using berries, mushrooms, game meat and fish from local forests and rivers.
Sleep
It's hard to imagine a more magical setting for the auroral ballet than a night spent in a glass igloo, and Ranua Resort puts the view front and centre, with cosy beds for two framed by heated glass and made all the more comfy with sleek wooden floors, cosseting furs and even a small kitchenette. The highlights don't end there, though – each igloo has its own sauna, alongside a small ensuite bathroom.
Do
In ancient Finnish folk tales, the shimmer of the Northern Lights appear when an Arctic fox sweeps a fell with its tail, sending sparks into the sky. And it's, naturally, the dancing lights of the aurora that are the crowning glory of this region. Whilst the snug furs of your glass-ceilinged bedroom offer a tempting viewing spot, it’s outside’s canopy that holds most allure. Head on aurora safaris around the icy lake expanse, and when daylight rears its head, spot moose, wolves, lynx and polar bears in the Ranua Wildlife Park – the northernmost zoo in the world, alongside visiting reindeer farms, dog sledding and husky safaris. For a special experience, make your way to the igloos via snowmobile. Head here in autumn and the surface of the lake mirrors the stars and moonlight, while winter's chill reflects the snow and ice. Summer has its delights, too, as the midnight sun affords refreshing swims in the doorstep lake.
