Swedish Lapland - The Area
Lapland is Sweden’s northernmost region. It provides a steady stream of adventures all year round. The main attraction is Lapland’s unique and magnificent unspoiled wilderness which brings in visitors not only from Sweden, but from the whole world. If you have ever looked out over Rapa Valley in Sarek’s national park, you realize how beautiful nature is. Exotic. The World Heritage site Laponia clearly shows that this nature must be preserved for future generations. You come here to relax, embark on adventures and gain new perspective. The Sami are and will continue to be an inalienable part of Swedish Lapland. Their customs for culture, cooking and keeping reindeer very much affect those living here today. Just imagine the Sami dish Souvas, made from smoked reindeer meat, which you can be served in many of the local restaurants. The Sami provide you with a chance to see reindeer drives, increasing awareness and understanding of this native people, how they live and their history. Winter is a wonderful time for all those who love snow and wintry sports. There is a countless number of slopes and tracks for ski trips. It is not surprising that the Swedish elite of skiing, with Ingemar Stenmark and Anja Pärson in the forefront, come from Lapland’s Tärnaby. A snowmobile safari for a few days will get you out into the wild. If you want a more natural feeling, you might prefer a ride with a dog sled over vast expanses of snow, all under the colour cascades of the northern lights. They are clearly visible in the polar night, the time of year when the sun does not reach over the horizon. Here, snow and ice are the building materials for the irresistible Ice Hotel in Jukkasjärvi which is built anew each year. One night there will etch Swedish Lapland forever into you memory. The cold here is more comfortable than the chill in southern Sweden, because it is drier here. Remember to dress in layers before going out on snowy trips. The summer is exquisitely beautiful and perfect for hikes along the mountain trails. Fishing on a lake or along the mighty rivers is a unique experience and joy when your catch writhes in your arms. If you, on the other hand, want to test your bravery, white-water rafting is a good option. At this time of the year, it never really gets dark since the midnight sun shines around the clock. Try a helicopter tour for a fantastic overview of the area. This is a landscape full of culture, where the World Heritage site Gammelstaden (Old Town) in Luleå holds a unique position. The churches in Jukkasjärvi and in Kiruna are impressively beautiful and you should not miss the Silver Museum in Arjeplog. Taking a sauna here is a significant tradition that you should observe. You will also get several opportunities to buy mementos and visit local craftsmen who often preserve old culture, not least the Sami culture. Only your imagination can set limits. Don’t forget to enjoy the rich assortment of dishes, which revolve around reindeer, game and fresh-caught fish. The restaurants often use local grown produce. Sami cuisine tastes best in a warm, wood-heated hut. Here is a host of new taste sensations! But this is not only about preserving and displaying culture and history the future is just as important. Join us on a guided tour of Esrange, which sends research rockets into space and eventually even people. A high-tech facility not far from Kiruna. A good way to get here is by train. It is good for the environment and you don’t need to think about petrol costs and parking. If you choose to take the night train from Stockholm to Kiruna, you can wake up wide-awake and alert, ready to begin your Lapland adventure.
