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!
( email Jonna at jonna@auroraholidays.net to submit a blog post. For any northern lights holiday related questions please contact us at contact@auroraholidays.net)
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.
Aurora Holidays – An adventure of a lifetime and a place to call ‘home’
By Michaela Shilleto, UK
I have travelled to Finland for many years, and in 2023, I was looking for something a little bit different.
A place that supported mine and my family’s needs and somewhere that I could support a local, authentic family business. I have followed Aurora Holidays on social media for many years, but one post caught my eye, which was that they were disabled and LGBTQ+ friendly. I contacted Tiina, and with a prompt reply, my mind was put at ease, and I booked my first trip here on my own in February 2023. Since then, I have travelled here a total of 4 times in a variety of seasons, and this really is a place I can call ‘home’.
Travelling to Aurora Holidays in Utsjoki Finland from the UK
I now do the same route each time. I fly on a Monday from London Heathrow to Helsinki. Here, I stay the night at the airport hotel, which gives me a restful night’s sleep before I then travel from Helsinki to Ivalo the following day.
Upon arrival at Ivalo airport on Tuesday, I’m always greeted with a warm welcome from the guides. From here, there’s a chance to stock up on snacks from the local supermarket. The food at the resort is really nice and very filling, so don’t worry about buying lots of things! My favorites are the Karl Fazer chocolate and of course, the blueberry juice! There is also a cafe in the supermarket, where I like to get a cup of tea and a traditional Karelian pie before starting the minibus journey to the resort in Utsjoki (approx. 2 hours away).
Accommodation & Food at Aurora Holidays
I have stayed in both the cabins and the apartments, and they are both cosy, authentic, and warm. Both are fully equipped, including a sauna (which is an integral part of the culture here)! The first thing I do when I arrive is put the sauna on! After travelling, it’s a great way to indulge myself back into the Finnish life. I also try and find my inner “sisu” (a term used in Finland to represent one’s inner determination and resilience). After feeling the intense heat in the sauna, I will then plunge myself into the snow outside, a great experience, and it leaves me feeling very refreshed!
The apartments are very spacious; these are great when I’m travelling with family. The large windows are great for viewing the aurora too. I switch off all the lights inside and I can enjoy watching it from the comfort of my sofa! The cabins are great too, they are private and have a lovely view overlooking the Teno river into Norway. All accommodation is on one level, they have a wet room for the shower, and they are all very close to the restaurant so it’s not too far to walk, which is great for my mum who has mobility issues.
The holiday is full board, and the food here is incredible, traditional food that is homemade and locally sourced. Tiina also caters for everyone, from any dietary requirements to requests if you don’t like something. Fill out the questionnaire before you go, and Tiina will do her best to accommodate you. Also, don’t be afraid to try new things. Before coming here I wasn’t a huge fan of seafood, but now I really do enjoy the local fish and the King crab in Norway. My favourite dish is always the Sautéed reindeer, a warm, hearty meal and something I always look forward to (if there’s enough left, I am always up for seconds before pudding)!
Northern Lights holiday Seasons:
Winter – January/February:
My favourite time of year here is the winter. Breathing in the crisp dry cold, the sound of the snow crunching under your snow boots and the ice that forms on your eyelashes because it’s so cold. Now, don’t get me wrong the winters here are warming, however the temperature can and does reach –30 degrees Celsius and it’s quite an experience when it does. The key to keeping warm is lots of layers of clothing. I can recommend thermals, merino wool socks, Hestra gloves and plenty of hand and foot warmers (Tiina does have extra layers if you need them too).
In January, I got to experience the end of polar nights and the beautiful shades of blue, pink, and purple across the sky. Due to the minimal daylight hours, initially I felt a little tired, and it took my body a couple of days to adjust. In February, the sun comes above the horizon so there’s more daylight. It’s brighter and you get to see some lovely sunsets at the resort. Both months are also great for the Northern Lights, and I have seen them most nights whilst I’ve been here.
At the resort, there’s also a fairy lit staircase that will lead down to a hut by the frozen river (do not go onto the river) but here, I enjoy building my own fire and keeping warm whilst waiting for the aurora to appear. It’s also a great place to socialise and get to know the people in your group. I have fond memories in here, listening to stories by Tiina and the guides about the Sami culture and the Finnish way of life.
Autumn (Ruska) – September:
September is a perfect time of year that is not too warm, not too cold, and I got to see the vibrant colours of “Ruska” in Finland. I really enjoyed a nice walk into to the wilderness to “Steve”, a little hut on top of the fell next to the resort. A place to build a fire, read a book, and take in the breathtaking views. I even had a reindeer or two for company. This time of year is also a photographer’s dream, from the spectacular display of the foliage and berries to the reflections of the northern lights in the river. This season is magical, but be sure to check the dates as it only lasts for a few weeks.
Nature in and around Utsjoki, Northernmost Finnish Lapland
Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis):
I can remember standing all alone in the middle of the resort, it was 2 am and minus 25 degrees Celsius. The moonlight reflected off the snow, bright enough that I didn’t need a torch, and it was my guide for walking around the cabins. Despite nobody being around, I felt safe and connected with nature. Starting off as a faint grey cloud, I knew I’d spotted the start of the Aurora Borealis. As the energy built, the universe delivered her beauty through a magical awe awe-inspiring green, red, purple aurora dancing across the night sky. Every time I see her, she’s different, and when she disappears, it leaves me with a feeling of wanting to see more.
One of the main reasons I travel here is that I enjoy watching and photographing the northern lights. The resort is so far north that there’s high chances of seeing them, and they can appear literally all over the sky! There’s no light pollution, so it makes perfect viewing for both the aurora and the incredible night sky with the stars and planets. Tiina has a night camera and a live stream on YouTube. You can view this anytime, and it’s normally set up when you’re in the restaurant too. Remember this camera looks North, and the lights can appear anytime/anywhere when it’s dark. So, occasionally I will just pop my head out of the door or window to check all of the sky and make sure I’m not missing anything. Also, I don’t use any Northern Lights apps here. My advice is, if it is dark and the skies are clear, go out and have a look! On this adventure, I generally don’t get much sleep, I’m always up and about looking for the lights even through the midst of night!
If you have a camera, there will always be someone on hand to help with any advice needed. I generally use my phone, a Samsung 23 Ultra on pro mode, with a tripod and on a timer. I also use my go pro Hero 9 to capture time lapses of the northern lights. Remember, this phenomena is nature. Sometimes it won’t appear, sometimes it can last a few minutes or a few hours, but I can assure you, when you do see it, it will give you memories to last a lifetime.
Wildlife:
One of the other things I enjoy about Aurora Holidays is the wildlife. From reindeer, moose, hares, to the red fox, they’ll suddenly appear when you least expect them. There’s a lovely space at the resort just by the river with lots of bird feeders. It’s a great place to sit, relax, and I enjoy the serenity of listening to the birds when I need some downtime. Occasionally, I’ve also seen birds of prey. Keep an eye out in the fresh snow too, quite often you’ll find the tracks of various animals.
Activities and experiences with Aurora Holidays
Reindeer Feeding and Local village tour of Utsjoki:
I really enjoy getting up close and meeting the reindeer. They are quite skittish animals, but stay quiet and still, and their frosty noses will appear next to you, as they gently nibble the Lichen food from your hand. It’s also interesting to hear about the Sami reindeer herding too.
The guided village tour is very informative and is a great opportunity to explore the local area. Sonja is a very knowledgeable guide and has all of the information you need on the history and the Sami culture here. I also enjoy the walk across the Sami bridge, a place where I can stand in both Norway and Finland at the same time.
Also, don’t forget to take your card/cash as there’s a lovely little cafe and gift shop here too.
Dog Sledding:
As someone who is a dog lover and cares about animal welfare, this is something me and my family really enjoy doing whilst here. These are working dogs; they are well looked after and absolutely love what they do. After a health and safety briefing, you get to hear the excitement of the dogs, barking and howling, when they are ready to go. I love being a passenger/ driver or both, mushing my own team of sled dogs across a frozen river in Norway. It’s great to spend time with the dogs after, giving them treats before heading inside to learn all about them. I am also very grateful to Tiina and the guides, as my mum can also join in this activity, and they have gone out of their way to help make this happen.
Snowmobiling:
What an experience, driving over the fells of the Finnish wilderness, seeing the sunrise/sunset, or even a sundog. Nothing beats feeling the biting ice cold wind on your cheeks, enjoying the silence of the snowdrifts, hearing the occasional sound of ice cracking under your snowmobile, and the only company was that of a herd of reindeer walking through the snow. After this amazing adventure, I always feel on high, and then suddenly it’ll hit. My eyes feel heavy, my body feels tired, and that’s when I realise I’ve been hit with a dose of “fresh air poisoning” as the Finnish phrase goes!
Day in Norway:
I thoroughly enjoy this day out, whether that be the King Crab Safari in Bugøynes or a trip to the Varanger Fjord. They both give you the opportunity to see the beautiful scenery of the Norwegian Fjords. On these days out, it’s great to try Norwegian local dishes, learn about the local culture, and my favorite part is the sauna and a dip in the Arctic Ocean. If you’re a wild swimmer like me, this is an awesome opportunity to do something a little different!
Why choose Aurora Holidays:
Aurora Holidays is a really special place. As a traveller, I always said I would never go back to the same place, yet year after year I’m always drawn back here. Although you have to book flights separately, please don’t let this put you off (it’s all part of the adventure). Aurora Holidays allows you to see the true authentic Finland, Sami culture, and with peace of mind that you’ll be supporting local people and their businesses.
I have travelled here both as a solo traveller and with my family. I’ve also had the experience of being the only one at the resort and being in different size groups. As a solo traveller, this is one of the safest, most comfortable travelling experiences I’ve had (and Tiina doesn’t charge single supplement fees). In the groups, I’ve met people from all over the world and am grateful for the friendships I’ve made here, some of whom I keep in touch with to this day. Tiina, her family, Sonja, and all the staff make you feel so welcome and part of the family. I have always felt well looked after, and nothing is ever too much trouble.
Having gone through some of life’s challenges in the past few years, I’m so grateful I found Aurora Holidays. A place I can truly unwind and immerse myself amongst nature. Here, I just lose track of time, recharge my mind, body, and get to find ‘me ’ again.
This place makes me feel like I don’t want to leave (or like me, you just have to keep returning!). I cannot recommend Aurora Holidays enough. It’s inclusive, an unforgettable experience, with lots of amazing memories/people, an adventure of a lifetime, and a place that I call ‘home’.
Until next time….. ✨️😊
Michaela Shilleto, UK
Additional Tips for travelers by Michaela:
- Remember, there’s no such thing as being cold, just inappropriate clothing!
- Never ask how many reindeer people have, this is considered impolite in Finland.
- Make the most of your time there, if it’s clear dark skies, get yourself out of bed at 2am and go and look at the sky! Trust me, it’s worth it!
- In Finnish saunas, you are generally discouraged to wear bathing suits due to breathing in the chemicals. Obviously, do what makes you feel comfortable, but maybe cover up using a towel or wear a new bathing suit that’s not been exposed to any chemicals.
- Keep a spare hand warmer in your pocket or put your phone in a sock; it’ll prevent the battery from draining as quickly.
- Have a torch to hand, preferably one with a red light as it helps preserve your night vision.
- Don’t forget to put your pin on the world map in the restaurant!
- Make the most of the WhatsApp group, from letting people know when the Northern lights are out, to sharing memories and photos of your adventures.
- Always carry your passport/GHIC health insurance card/Travel insurance documents with you; in the unfortunate event of needing medical attention, you will be required to present these documents.
- If you have mobility issues, walking poles are great to take with you.
The blog text and photos in this post are all by our wonderful guest Michaela Shilleto from the UK. Thank you so much!
