Experience a lesser-known side to the Arctic
Journey to the Arctic and beyond with experts Not In The Guidebooks, and immerse yourself in the best of Lapland, Norway and Iceland
Words by Laura French
Snow-blanketed forests glowing violet beneath the sky; icy-blue lakes surrounded by still, serene mountains; the ethereal dance of the aurora borealis – the Arctic is a land like no other.
And from Northern Lights-spotting in Finland to midnight sun adventures in Norway, glacier hikes in Iceland to husky safaris in Lapland, there’s no end of adventures to have here.
If you want to explore its many sides while learning more about the local culture and people, look to Not In The Guidebooks. With expertise in the Arctic, the B Corp-certified travel specialist offers premium private trips that have been curated by locals to properly immerse you in the region while supporting nearby communities.
All their trips can be fully tailored, with local guides who’ll take you off the beaten track and provide their own unique perspective – so you can get an authentic glimpse into life here as you embark on a sustainable, customisable adventure to remember.
Be mesmerised by Finnish Lapland
From glass-igloo stays to reindeer sleighs, Lapland is truly magical, and it’s not just for families. If you fancy catching the luminescent green ribbons of the aurora borealis, look to Not In The Guidebooks’ three-night Northern Lights Adventure in the Forest in Saariselkä, Finland.
You’ll stay in a glass-roof Aurora Cabin, peering up at the star-covered sky to maximise your chances of seeing the Northern Lights, and embark on various aurora-hunting adventures – from a snowshoe expedition to a night-time sleigh ride. In between, you’ll have the chance to take part in various other experiences – including a husky safari and an ice fishing experience, where you’ll learn more about Sámi culture.
If you’re coming with children, look to the three-night Family Lapland Winter Adventure in Phyä, which combines a stay in the Aurora Cabins with a reindeer sleigh ride to see Santa Claus; or if you want to sleep right among the trees, book the Arctic Treehouse Adventure in Rovaniemi. On this three-night trip, you’ll wake up to a panorama of snow-dusted pines, have time to explore the famous Santa Claus Village and visit reindeer and husky farms, meeting the local mushers for an immersive, memorable experience.
Discover the year-round magic of Norway
It's not just Finland that’s known for its winter scenes, of course – Norway offers its own slew of icy adventures, including a chance to stay at the Snowhotel’s cosy, Sámi-inspired wooden cabins in Kirkenes. Not In The Guidebooks’ four-night Norway Winter Break Snow Hotel and Northern Lights trip combines a stay here with a visit to a local family home, as well as a king crab safari, where you’ll head on a fishing trip by snowmobile and tuck into your catch for dinner in a traditional Sámi lavvo tent.
But the Land of the Midnight Sun doesn’t only dazzle in winter – its aqua fjords, emerald peaks and fragrant pine forests come alive in summer, and the Norway Summer Odyssey is one of the best ways to see it all. This 14-night self-drive combines scenic rail and road journeys with glacier hikes, RIB boat rides, island-hopping adventures and a cruise on the UNESCO-listed Geirangerfjord, taking in the colourful cities of Oslo, Bergen, Ålesund and Trondheim along the way.
If you want to delve a little deeper into the culture while you’re here, tag on a half-day Taste of Oslo food tour in the capital to discover the markets and hidden corners with a local, sampling the likes of smoked fish, local cheeses, cured meats and Norwegian beers.
Or if you want to get more remote still, consider the Lofoten archipelago, whose tranquil fishing villages, dramatic fjords and pristine beaches are home to some of Norway’s most spectacular wildlife. Book a five-night Get To Know Lofoten trip to experience its highlights and embark on a kayaking tour in the midnight sun to be truly mesmerised.
Explore the unique energy of Iceland
Elsewhere, Iceland offers its own slew of year-round attractions, with lunar-like lava fields, soaring volcanoes and electric-blue glaciers for a backdrop.
For a classic adventure that strings together some of its most impressive sights, look to this four-night itinerary, where you’ll embark on an Icelandic food tour in Reykjavik, explore the spluttering geysers of the Golden Circle, traverse a dramatic lava tunnel and hike on the Sólheimajökull glacier.
Iceland wouldn’t be Iceland without its geothermal pools, of course, and if you want to make the most of their mineral-rich properties, this Golden Circle, Geothermal Lagoon and the Northern Lights trip in Iceland might be just the ticket. Led by a local host, you’ll visit key spots including the Sky Lagoon, whose steaming waters and and seven-step bathing ritual are lauded for their healing powers.
If it’s more wildlife that lures, though, come in the summer months. April to September is peak whale-watching season; book an evening Reykjavik Whale Watching in the Midnight Sun trip for the chance to spot humpbacks, minke whales, dolphins and porpoises as the sky blazes orange and pink above the sea. Iceland is also home to half the world’s puffins – if you want to see them in their glory, this small-group boat tour will take you to glimpse them on one of three nearby islands, as the crew talk you through their habitat.
On both cruises, you’ll travel with a family-run company that spans four generations of Icelanders, getting a local’s take on this pristine part of the world – so you’ll leave with a newfound understanding of not just its extraordinary wildlife and landscapes, but also the people that have long called them home.
Inspired to delve into the Arctic?
Discover authentic experiences crafted by local experts and curated by Not In The Guidebooks – where genuine travel comes to life.
