Swedish Lapland is an area in northern Europe that is a complete wilderness, covering a space of 3,600 square miles, with one-quarter of this space located north of the Artic Circle. Lapland is a wilderness almost completely untouched, and certainly untouched by the modern world. The Sami people currently inhabit the area, and interested travelers can take Lapland tours of the many species of animals and fascinating landscape that characterize this place.
Like the medieval town of Visby,
Lapland is currently listed as a UNESCO World Heritage
site. Glaciers, waterfalls, forests, swamplands,
lakes and mountains are just a few of the incredible geographical
features that make up Lapland. Brown bears and other
rare and interesting flora and fauna can also be found
here, and are one reason for the popularity of Lapland
tours.
Lapland tours can be arranged through
a few tour companies. Travelers who schedule a tour
can reach Lapland via an electric train that runs from
Stockholm, Sweden, into Lapland.
Stops within Lapland include Narvik in Norway, as well
as Kiruna and Abisko in Sweden. If speed is of the
essence, an express train takes travelers straight from
Stockholm Sweden to the furthest northern point on the
train route, Nordpilen in the Artic Circle. From
here, you can take a bus to other locations for Lapland
tours or other activities.
Perhaps the most popular reason for non-natives to visit Lapland is for the great Lapland holidays. By far the most popular of Lapland holidays is the Solstice celebration. Among Lapland holidays, this is the only holiday which celebrates the return of the sun after a long, sunless winter. The northern lights are also an appealing attraction.
Yet another reason to visit Lapland
is for the interesting Lapland hotels. Although
there are a number of great Lapland hotels, by far the
most intriguing is the Ice Hotel.
First constructed in the 1980’s, this Lapland hotel
is made, and remade each winter, entirely of ice.
Not only can guests stay at the hotel; they can also enjoy
a sauna, a theatre, a reception hall and chapel which
is often used for weddings and baptisms. The hotel
melts each spring, and plans for the following year are
once again made.
Other fun activities in Lapland include snowmobiling, dogsled rides, cross-country skiing and more. Toughened travelers can explore the forests and glaciers with the help of a Lapland tour guide or Lapland tour company. This incredible section of the world is unlike any place else.
