Ultimate Arctic Luxury

The far north conjures up images of deep white snow, aurora borealis, saunas, incredible lodges, husky rides, snowmobiles and of course Father Christmas. This of course is all true, but there is so much more to this region.

We work with one of the most experienced, well connected ‘locals’ in this region. With a focus on high end, experience based trips to Norway, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Iceland, Greenland, Faroe Islands, Svalbard and Lofoten.

I am often asked what the ‘’ultimate’’ arctic trip would look like, but this is difficult to quantify as everyone has their own idea of what ingredients are required to create the perfect Arctic Smörgåsbord.

So here’s an example to whet the appetite; based on a small group of 4 adults travelling together.

Day 1: Reykjavik

Upon arrival, you will be met by private transfers and after a short city tour, you’ll be taken to the ION City Hotel to check in. Rest of the day at leisure.

Featuring cool Nordic design and embodying the spirit of adventure of its sister property, The ION Adventure hotel, this 18 room property is the city version of ION’s award winning countryside retreat. Located in the heart of Reykjavik and near to many cafés, bars, restaurants and shopping, ION City is located in a smartly renovated building augmented by outside walls featuring a traditional Icelandic motif inspired by local weavers.

30sqm Junior Suites boast a 17sqm balcony with a private sauna. The Junior Suites are all equipped with a sofa, a magazine rack & a suitcase bench. The earthy bathrooms include showers and heavenly organic bath amenities. For your entertainment, the rooms have B&O Bluetooth Beoplay S3 speakers and a Samsung smart TV with international TV channels. The rooms also include a complimentary minibar, free Wi-Fi, a Nespresso coffee machine and down duvets and pillows with a choice of non-allergic synthetics.

We’ll be glad to assist with dinner reservations.

Overnight: ION City Hotel, 2x Junior Suites, including breakfast.

Day 2: Reykjavik

Today your adventure begins as you head to the Southern Highlands of Iceland for the 5 hour Eruption Saga Tour. You’ll get stunning views of places like Landmannalaugar, Laxárgil, Háifoss waterfall, Eyjafjallajökull and Mýrdalsjökull glaciers. As well as seeing some of the most famous and active volcanoes like Lakagígar, Katla and Eyjafjallajökull and hearing about their eruptions and how they effected this small nation and the world. Your pilot will make 3 landings in the highlands and also stop at Hotel Laki near Kirkjubæjarklaustur to refuel and have some light refreshments (included).

After this helicopter tour, you’ll head back to Reykjavik and Hotel 101

Duration: 5 - 6 hours

This sleek and modern boutique hotel is located in central Reykjavik, next to the Icelandic Opera House and around the corner from the city’s main shopping street, Laugavegur. Each contemporary designed room is equipped with a minibar, satellite TV, CD/DVD player and iPod docking station. Some rooms also have Harbour views. It offers free Wi-Fi, a fitness centre and spa facilities. There is also a stylish restaurant and bar.

The Junior Suite Balcony is equipped with a king-size bed, a big walk-in shower, bathtub, underfloor heating and a balcony with a Harbour view. Access to a high-speed wireless internet connection, free of charge. Each room is also equipped with a CD/DVD player, a satellite TV, a Bose iPod sound-dock, a phone with voicemail, a safe, bathrobes, slippers, a hairdryer, a well- stocked minibar, an in-room boutique with Blue Lagoon products. Bathroom amenities are by Aveda and bed linens are by Quagliotti.

We’ll be happy to assist you with table bookings for lunch or dinner.

Overnight: Hotel 101, 2x Junior Suites with balcony. Including breakfast

Day 3: Reykjavik

You embark on your 2 day driving tour that will guide you to the most breathtaking areas in Iceland. Super trucks are a powerful and adventurous way of discovering nature. On your first day you will start driving up north from Reykjavik to the westside of Langjökull Glacier. Half way, you will make a stop in Husafell for lunch before continuing with the amazing adventure ahead. After few minutes driving, you will arrive at the colossal Langjökull Glacier and you’ll start driving your snowmobiles into the glacier. After seeing this famous nature spot, you will drive back south through Kaldidalur, one of the most challenging mountain tracks in Iceland to finish the day at Ion Adventure Hotel with a revitalizing dinner.

Duration: whole day.

Less than an hour’s drive from Reykjavík and set against a backdrop of majestic, mountainous lava fields, ION Adventure Hotel is an unforgettable experience. ION’s location by the “Golden Circle” route makes it the perfect base from which to explore Iceland’s rich heritage, hardy flora and fauna, and myriad opportunities for extreme adventure. Their rooms, Silfra Restaurant, award-winning Northern Lights bar, the awesome Lava Spa and the magnificent landscape that stretches out to the horizon wherever you look provides calm and good service, so you can recharge, reflect and rejoice. ION was recently granted the acclaimed Boutique Hotel Awards in the sustainability category.

Deluxe rooms, each carefully decorated in inimitable Icelandic style with floor to ceiling windows so that guests can fully appreciate the magnificent view possible of the unique Nesjavellir Geothermal Power Plant or across the lava fields towards Thingvellir National Park.

Overnight: ION Adventure Hotel, 2x Deluxe rooms, including breakfast & dinner

Day 4: Reykjavik

On your second day after breakfast, you will continue driving your super trucks to the Golden Circle and enjoy exploring the geyser hot spring area. A special lunch will be waiting for you in the Volcano huts in Þórsmörk. More nature is waiting for you after lunch at Gullfoss waterfall. Continue the challenge with the mountain drive on Kjölur mountain road and in Thórsmörk. More beautiful sights, waterfalls and river crossings in the final part of your trip before driving to your next destination: Silica Blue Lagoon.

Duration: 5 – 6 hours.

An experience of the Blue Lagoon that includes a private changing room and entry to the Exclusive Lounge – a sanctuary of relaxation with stunning views, a fireplace, reclining chairs, an attendant, food service, and direct access to the lagoon. This experience includes: Silica mud mask, table reservation at LAVA restaurant, sparkling wine and a Spa Journey Set.

Set in the heart of a stunning lava landscape, Silica Hotel is just a ten-minute walk from the Blue Lagoon. The hotel offers its own private bathing lagoon which is available for hotel guests every day. The hotel has won several design awards. Built in harmony with the surrounding landscape, it offers an oasis of calm, relaxation, and healing. The hotel has 35 bright and spacious double/twin rooms. All rooms offer private facilities and a veranda, with breathtaking views of the surrounding lava fields. Your stay includes complimentary breakfast, complimentary entrance to Silica Lagoon, Wi-Fi, access to gym facilities and every guest receives one complimentary Premium admission to the Blue Lagoon, valid during their stay.

Deluxe room are very spacious, including a veranda with panoramic views of the landscape, making them of one of the most exclusive views and rooms in whole of Iceland.

Overnight: Silica Blue Lagoon 2x Deluxe rooms, including breakfast

Day 5: Reykjavik to Kemi, Lapland

Private airport transfer to Keflavik Airport for your onward flight to Lapland.

Upon arrival in Kemi, Lapland, you’ll be picked up by Tesla for your Private transfer to Lakituvat chalet. Transfer takes about 15 minutes.

From Seaside Glass Villas you have an amazing opportunity to see the special Aurora Borealis. These one bedroom glass villas with small kitchen and bathroom are an excellent choice for our special clients looking for an out of the ordinary experience. Villas are located in the Snowcastle area about 1km away from the city centre and railway station.

Premium 21msq villas are located by the sea. Villas have an unobstructed view through the ceiling and to the frozen sea.

This evening, a 3 course dinner will be served in the snow hotel.

Overnight: Seaside Glass Villas, 2x Premium Villas, including breakfast and dinner (1st night)

Day 6: Kemi, Lapland

Your guide will pick you up from your hotel and bring you to the safari house. After changing into appropriate safari gear, the journey towards the Sampo, waiting for you in the middle of the frozen Gulf of Bothnia, may begin. Reaching the spectacular vessel, you will leave your snowmobile on the ice, climb on board the Icebreaker, to enjoy the full cruise with lunch, tour of the vessel and swimming in survival suits. After the swimming event, you will get off the vessel to continue driving the snowmobile back to the safari house. The mighty Icebreaker Sampo operates on the Gulf of Bothnia right outside the city of Kemi. A cruise on Sampo offers you the most exciting, memorable moments in Arctic nature; while the huge vessel breaks ice, you may admire the beauty of vast open ice fields all around, and the ever changing sky above. The sun may reflect back from the white snow cover, or, as the twilight sets in, it may set down in rays of warm colors of yellow, orange and red, even lilac. Your experience will be even more memorable and unique with a luxurious package. Either the Captain Saloon or the restaurant ́s cabinet for your private use while cruising the frozen Gulf of Bothnia. In the Captain Saloon you may enjoy Champagne, Cocktail bites from Sea Lapland and have a taste of the local berry juices and sweets. In Jaala Cabinet a special menu is offered. Private guide is provided for you during the entire cruise and you will be the first one to try swimming amongst the ice. A Sampo Icebreaker Diploma is handed to you as a memento of the experience.

Duration: 7 – 8 hours.

Rantamaja experience will help you to enjoy the two most traditional Finnish cultural expressions: Sauna and food. A perfect place to feel like a real Finn is Rantamaja area in Snowcastle, by the sea but still nearby the city centre of Kemi. A cozy private venue for an evening by the fireplace and relaxing in a Finnish Sauna and an outdoor Jacuzzi on a covered terrace. After sauna, a delicious dinner will be served just for you in the hut next to the sauna.

Overnight: Seaside Glass Villas, 2x Premium Villas, including breakfast and meals in the itinerary

Day 7 : Kemi, Lapland

Finnish rally drivers will teach you car handling and driving skills like you have never experienced it before. On ice! The experience will be the most complete one driving 3 different type of cars finishing with an amazing supercar: Lamborghini. Lunch and snacks will be served during the day. Ice driving diploma will be given as a gift at the end of the day.

Duration: 7 hours.

Your unforgettable Sea-Lappish experience is about to start! A short snowmobile sledge ride gives you a chance to admire the arctic environment. If you are lucky, you might see the amazing Northern Lights dancing in the sky above - it would definitely make your experience even more spectacular! After entering the Island camp you’ll learn more about Sea-Lapland by listening to the unique stories of the area while your host prepares glow-fried salmon in a traditional Lappish way. By the end of the excursion a delicious Finnish meal is served in a Lappish hut called Kota

Overnight: Seaside Glass Villas, 2x Premium Villas, including breakfast and meals in the itinerary

Day 8: Homeward bound

Private transfer by Tesla from your villa to the airport to catch your flight home.

It’s time to reflect on your amazing adventures in Iceland and Lapland.

So what are you waiting for? If this creative travel itinerary excites the adventurer in you, why not get in touch? Go on, AsktheTraveller….