The following is a customer written and photographed Travel Blog as part of a new series where we hope to share actual real guest experiences at Aurora Holidays. If you’ve stayed with us as our guest and would like to be a Travel Blogger for a day, we’d love to hear from you!
Please note that the following blog post is the personal experience of the writer; up to date detailed information about our holiday packages and other services can be found on our website www.auroraholidays.net.
A Magical New Year in Utsjoki: Our Experience with Aurora Holidays, Finland by Luise & Mark
When my husband and I decided to book a New Year trip for 2024 into 2025, we knew we wanted something unforgettable—and peaceful.
A good friend of mine had visited Aurora Holidays in the Autumn of the year before, he had raved about the experience on Social Media, so I checked out the company for myself.
The ethos of the company fitted beautifully with our own in that all are welcome – Aurora Holidays proudly ‘Speak Gay’, all dietary requirements can be catered for and never before have I been asked not to wear strong perfumes within the accommodation so that anyone with allergies would not need to worry about staying in the cabins.
I was also appreciative of the fact that the company is a family business. Tiina and her husband are a Sami family with strong links to the area of Utsjoki where Auroura Holidays is located in Northern Finland.
The family own their own Reindeer who we got to hand feed during our trip.
Aurora Holidays’s Northern Lights experience seemed perfect.
Still, I’ll admit—I was a little apprehensive about booking accommodation-only and having to sort flights separately. Luckily, we found a lady named Nicky Cullen of Travel Councillors UK. Nicky handled our flight arrangements for us, and once we had decided to go ahead with the booking with Aurora Holidays, the booking process was really easy.
We paid a low deposit and were reassured that automated reminders would let us know when the next payment instalments were due, which made everything so much easier.
We stayed at London Heathrow the night before departure, then flew with Finnair from Heathrow to Ivalo via Helsinki.
We opted to spend our first night in Finland in Ivalo before being collected the following day by the warm and friendly team from Aurora Holidays.
On the way to the Aurora cabins, we were taken to a local supermarket—a thoughtful and practical touch that allowed us to stock up on snacks for our cabin. As a child, I had lived in Sweden and fondly remembered the traditional Scandinavian ginger cookies (piparkakut), so we stocked up on those and hot chocolate powder.
Later that night, we enjoyed our treats outside under the stars, sipping hot chocolate and nibbling on cookies while watching the Northern Lights right outside of our cabin.
Welcome to Aurora Holidays
When we arrived at the Aurora Holidays cabins we were warmly welcomed and felt instantly at home. The team’s friendliness, knowledge, and genuine hospitality set the tone for the rest of our stay.
Our cabin featured two twin bedrooms, underfloor heating (perfect for warming clothes overnight!), a wet room, a private sauna, and an open plan sitting, dining and kitchen area.
At check-in, we were invited to join a WhatsApp group, a brilliant system that kept us informed about meal times and, most importantly, alerts when the Aurora Borealis appeared. This meant we were never caught off-guard and could throw on warm clothes and head outside whenever nature put on a show—even in the middle of the night !
Aurora Holidays also provided excellent photography tips and offered tripods for just €10 for the entire week, helping us capture the Lights beautifully. Even better, the staff took photos of us throughout the trip, which were included in the holiday package.
Chasing the Lights
We were incredibly lucky and saw the Northern Lights every single night of our trip—except New Year’s Eve. But we suspect that was only because we were too busy celebrating! The lights may well have been out however, we were otherwise engaged.
The auroras were visible right outside our cabins. Even when not easily seen with the naked eye the lights could be seen through a camera lens. On several occasions, we were lucky enough to see greens, blues, pinks, purples, and even rare red auroras shimmering overhead. One night, we witnessed a corona, an intense aurora display directly overhead. The staff were just as thrilled as we were—a corona is a rare and exciting sight even for them. The lack of light pollution this far north definitely contributed to the spectacular displays.
A Double New Year Celebration
One of the most memorable experiences was our double New Year celebration. We started the evening with dinner, then took the minibus to a local village in Finland to watch fireworks and celebrate with sparklers and a glass of bubbly. Then, in a unique twist, we crossed the border into Norway and did it all over again an hour later—another countdown, more bubbly, and a second celebration. It was magical.
We returned to the cabins to find what was modestly described as “a few snacks” but turned out to be a full spread of delicious food. The on-site restaurant and bar became a cozy spot to play cards with our group and Tiinas family well into the early hours.
Snowshoeing Adventure
On New Year’s Day, my husband and I opted for a guided snowshoeing experience on Aurora Holidays’ private land. Our guide, Sonja, led us across the road and up a nearby hill to a scenic cabin. After reaching the summit and snapping a few photos, Sonja went ahead to light a fire at the firepit and prepare our lunch. We enjoyed toasted cheese sandwiches, sausages (with vegetarian sausages for me), and hot chocolate around the fire. It was peaceful, romantic, and one of the most special days we’ve ever spent together.
Dog Sledding in Norway
Another highlight was the dog sledding experience at Levajok Lodge in Levajok, Norway, organized by Aurora Holidays. We were loaned thermal suits to stay warm on what turned out to be a particularly cold day. After a short journey and safety briefing, we set off across a frozen river, with a chance to swap roles halfway—passengers could become Dog Sled drivers!
We ended the excursion with hot soup, homemade bread, and plenty of snacks. The experience was well-organized, fun, and truly memorable.
Arctic Ocean Dip in Vestre Jakobselv – Northern Norway
We also had the chance to do an Arctic dip in the Arctic Ocean at VarangerTunet in the village of Vestre Jakobselv, along the Varangerfjord, near the Russian border. This stunning bed and breakfast is run by Siren and Jan-Eilif, who welcomed us warmly.
After coffee in their cosy gift shop, those of us brave enough to dip were provided with dressing gowns and crocs, and the minibus (heater running!) took us a few minutes down to the shore. While my husband stayed dry with the camera, I joined four others for the plunge. Sonja, who is an experienced open water swimmer in Finland, supervised the activity, ensuring our safety and warming us with her enthusiasm.
After the dip, we jumped into the heated van, then straight into the sauna back at the B&B. Once we were fully warm and dressed again, we were invited into a traditional lavvu (a Sámi-style tipi) with a roaring fire and served the most delicious fish soup I’ve ever had. The soup, made with locally caught fish was accompanied by homemade bread, dried fish, and reindeer sausage for the meat-eaters. Dessert was served in the main Scandinavian-style restaurant: waffles with blueberry coulis and coffee—a perfect ending to my perfect day.
Final Thoughts
From the moment we were picked up to the moment we said goodbye, Aurora Holidays exceeded every expectation. The food was incredible, dietary needs were catered for with ease, and no detail was overlooked. Often, there were second helpings of dinner available – most welcome after cold, snowy days.
The knowledge imparted by the Guides while we were travelling around in the mini bus was also most welcome. We learnt a great deal about the Sami people and their way of life. We visited the nearby town, visited the gift shop and saw traditional Finnish houses and gorgeous churches.
After the trip, my husband and I stayed one extra night in Ivalo to explore the town before flying to Helsinki for three days—an ideal way to contrast the wild beauty of the north with the elegance and charm of Finland’s capital. On the road trip back to Ivalo, we saw a wild moose by the roadside. A truly unexpected surprise.
Aurora Holidays provided a perfect blend of adventure, comfort, and natural beauty, with a personal touch that made us feel like part of the family. We can’t wait to return.
If you’re thinking about booking a holiday full of magic, adventure, and unforgettable moments, we couldn’t recommend Auroa Holidays more.
Website: Aurora Holidays
From start to finish, our time with Aurora Holidays in Utsjoki was nothing short of magical. Every detail—from the warm welcomes to the WhatsApp aurora alerts, the thoughtful excursions to the spectacular Northern Lights—was handled with care, expertise, and genuine warmth.
If you’ve ever dreamed of a true Arctic escape, I can’t recommend Aurora Holidays enough. They exceed every expectation—and create memories that will last a lifetime.
Planning Tips:
- Fly into Ivalo Airport from Helsinki.
- Stay overnight in Ivalo if you’re concerned about flight times.
- Bring your passport for any excursions into Norway.
- Don’t forget your camera, but no stress if you’re not a pro—the team will help you capture it all.
Whether you’re going for the auroras, the New Year celebrations, or just the peace and beauty of Finnish Lapland, this is one experience that stays with you forever.
Luise & Mark Fenton, UK
