Aurora Borealis
The northern lights can be spotted throughout Sweden, Norway, Finland and Iceland! Considered the world’s greatest light show, this incredible display of colours is the result of a solar wind whooshing charged electrons and protons from the sun straight towards earth.

The Midnight Sun
This natural phenomenon takes place above the Arctic circle during Scandinavia’s long summer days. When the solstice hits, the sun remains above the horizon for a full 24 hours. With nights bathed in light, there are plenty of hours in the day to discover all that Scandinavia has to offer.

The Polar Night
The Polar Night is the opposite of the Midnight Sun. Occurring in the dead of winter, the night lasts for 24 hours and the sun does not rise. The dark sky is lit with the colours of the aurora borealis, while the landscape is bathed in snow.

Christmas Magic
Rovaniemi in Finland is home to one of the most magical destinations in the world, the Santa Claus Village. Here, you can cross the Arctic Circle, meet the red man himself, send postcards from Santa’s post office, visit the reindeer and frolic with the elves.

Husky and Reindeer Sledding
There is no better way to see the beautiful landscapes of Scandinavia and its Nordic neighbours than by husky or reindeer sled! In Finland, reindeer are a treasured icon and used as the traditional means of travel.

Scandinavia can be visited year round depending on what you are there to see and do. For travellers wanting to see the Northern Lights we recommend travelling between September and April, keeping in mind the further north you go the better chance you have at seeing the lights.

High season runs from mid-June to August as midsummer means warmer weather. The weather is still nice in the shoulder season from September to October but there are a lot less tourists around (some of the tourism spots are closed but the rest will be a lot less busy).

Embarking on a self-drive through Norway’s Lofoten Islands, and in turn Iceland, was one of the best ways to discover the diverse and beautiful landscapes of both countries.

Travelling during summertime in Norway is fantastic, with the added bonus of almost constant daylight – there is no rush to get anywhere, except perhaps the shops before they closed! The roads are great, making it a pleasure to drive through and treating us to some truly stunning landscapes. I loved starting every morning with soaring mountains rising above the glassy water, a cup of coffee, and Norway’s beloved cardamom spiced bun. I have a real soft spot for far flung places – either very far north or very far south, so the Lofoten Islands had always been on my list to visit!

In Iceland, I was able to explore some of the country’s more remote destinations on a self-drive journey, taking in some incredible views along the way. Highlights included the famous puffin colony in Borgarfjörður Eystri, passing by a field of Icelandic horses with their foals, and heading out for a day walk in Landmannalaugar, with its multi-coloured mountains and geothermal activity. Sparkling water in the harbour at Husavik and watching an Icelandic football game with the locals during their magical Euro tournament run was also a real treat.

Dorothy Chambers, Travel Designer

Currency Krone (Please note in each Scandinavian country they hold a different value.)

Language Sweden – Swedish, Norway – Norwegian, Denmark – Danish.  All three languages are quite similar in Scandinavia however the dialects and accents can complicate things!

Weather Summer runs from June to August, autumn from September to October/November, winter from November/December to March/February, and spring from March/April to May. The weather varies from north to south, with the north bringing much colder, sub-zero temperatures, and the south a much more mild climate.

Festivals and events  There are numerous festivals across Scandinavia including food festivals, summer solstice, culture festivals and the Viking Games.

Health* There are currently no health requirements entering Scandinavia.

Notes *Please be aware that Health information is subject to change at any time and you should always double check these requirements at the time of booking and before travel.