New Year 2020

34 The Ultimate Arctic Adventure A year-round extravaganza, promising unique sea, snow and ice experiences to all who visit, there really is no better place to go than the Seaside Glass Villas at the SnowCastle Resort. Always on the lookout for those trips offering something a little different, we at LUXlife thought we’d take a closer look and share what could be. Imagine waking up to the magnificent desolation of the Finnish wastes. Through panoramic glass windows, all that lies before you is a endless vista of snow and ice. In other seasons, it’s a sea, but for now, it’s frozen over, covered in snow so soft that flakes drift across the plains like mist. It’s impossible to escape the outside. Within your room, you’re laid bare to nature itself. This is the start of your day in Lapland, with the rest of the trip promising to build on this once-in-a-lifetime experience. Always ready to surprise you, the Seaside Villas and various experiences are set apart from the distractions of everyday life. The clean air, the peace and quiet, the connection with nature will allow you to truly relax. For those lucky few visiting the Seaside Glass Villas, access to the SnowExperience365 and its breath-taking opportunity to explore the SnowCastle is included in the price of booking. Built every winter since 1996, using only snow and ice made of sea water as materials, you can’t fail to be impressed by pearl-white pathways, leading you through something out of a fairy-tale. Stunning snow sculptures adorn the Castle Walls and rooms in the deluxe SnowHotel. Like the rest of the Castle, these rooms are only available in the winter, and constructed entirely of snow and ice – surely the ultimate in Arctic adventure. Beautifully lit and decorated to project the full majesty of these gorgeous constructions, never the same from year to year, a comfortable bed with white sheets, fur cover and sleeping bag designed for the Arctic conditions fulfils the promise of a good night’s sleep. This is an experience that simply has to be experienced. For those wondering about how to get that true Lappish experience all year round, the SnowExperience365 provides everything one could wish for. With the amazing ice art and ice-slide on hand, and of course a three-course meal at the IceRestaurant365 by the ice tables, concluding with a toast using glasses made Oct19217 of ice, there’s no doubt that you can find the colder side of the Finnish climate no matter what season it is. Anybody wanting something a little warmer is welcome to explore the luxurious Seaview Restaurant Lumihiutale. Showcasing a true passion about food with a menu that is constantly innovating with a modern Arctic twist. Combining local fresh tastes with local fresh ingredients, you’ll be lulled by the delicious cuisine, tempting and tantalising your taste buds. From your table, you’ll be able to witness spectacular sunrises and sunsets, the light changing from season to season, flitting between the midnight sun of summer to the starlit polar nights. There is still the space for adventure, however, and in the winter, the frozen sea will be laid waste to the Icebreaker Sampo. Experience the bygone glories of a vessel now tamed and allow a knowledgeable crew to guide you from the Captain’s bridge to the engines that once powered this floating museum. You can even try floating amongst the ice of the frigid seas, tucked up safe and warm within a survival suit. Other activities designed to take advantage of the glorious seascape include safaris with huskies and reindeer, with the chance to ride with both through snow-covered forests and ice fishing, done following the traditions established in Finland for generations. If you’re lucky, you can prepare your catch over an open fire, topped off with a refreshing cup of coffee. Still a popular hobby amongst the locals, it’s an amazing way to witness the splendour of the Bothnian Bay, frozen for the season. At other times of the year, the Bothnian Bay is home to kayakers, paddling to catch those all-too-rare arctic bright nights. Replacing the icebreaking experience, the chance for a jet-ski safari, teaching you the basics of jet-skiing is on offer. Travelling as part of a group, you’ll head to an island for tea and coffee. Those wanting to take it slow and appreciate the natural brilliance of the countryside might take advantage of the chance to travel unfettered