Our Trip to the Northern Lights 2025

The group of 38 set off on Thursday 15th January 2025 to meet Laura and Leanne in Belfast International Airport for their bucket list trip to Finnish Lapland. The group got checked in and boarded their 3.5-hour flight to Finland. Even though the trip was in January, the cabin crew continued to carry the Christmas cheer of Lapland by wearing a Santa hat and giving out Candy Canes to all passengers on the flight. 

Once we landed, we were met by our ground handler Lisa, who counted everybody onto the bus, she expertly explained the trip, and went through any FAQ's the group may have. Our group were on one bus and transferred to the boots and suits store where we all collected our snow suits and boots. Laura and Leanne delayed the group slightly trying to find a colour which was just right for them!  Although they soon found it was not a fashion show holiday lol! 

The transfer via coach was 15 minutes to the small village of Hetta, where we arrived at our beautifully set Hotel Justappana. The village of Hetta enjoy a simple lifestyle of reindeer farming, snow mobiling and cross-country skiing. With only one supermarket (beside the hotel), a silverware shop, a visitor centre and cafe. This really encourages you to enjoy the beautiful landscape, the snowy conditions and unleash your inner child by taking part in tobogganing in your free time. 

Although this looks like a short trip, it actually feels like you are away a lifetime, with the number of activities included in the short space of time, this is far from a relaxing holiday! it is action packed but that is the fun in it. 

We were so glad to experience the Northern Lights in all there wonder on our arctic night trail. What an amazing experience! We even had an 80th birthday where we sang to the lady under the Northern Lights. An experience I’m sure she will never forget! with memories to cherish. 

All the activities were organised perfectly, with the larger group splitting into smaller groups for the excursions. A favourite of mine was the Husky Mushing which was a laugh. Laura's favourite was the cross-country skiing and a fan favourite was our night time snow mobiling. However, some of the group could have gone a few MPH faster!!! 

The hotel had a homely feel, that of a Ski hotel with wood interior and hearty meals. The breakfast, lunch and dinner are excellent, a buffet serving style who caters excellently for any dietary requirements. The hotel had a plunge pool and sauna, in which many of the group tried!! The hotel had a cosy, snug style Bar where some of the group sat in the evenings if they wanted to enjoy a drink or to socialise. 

One stand out point was an optional excursion to the ICE HOTEL, Sweden. This was a full day out with a long journey of 2.5 hours each way. However, the journey is helped by the pleasant snowy surrounding and the opportunity to visit two continued within 4 days is amazing. The ICE HOTEL itself was a WOW factor. You will walk around the rooms which are all carved into different scenes, the hotel also had an ice bar where you could get a drink in an ice cube glass and an ice slide which the group all tried out. A truly amazing finish to the day was the stratospheric cloud cover which covered the sky as we were leaving, you will see this in the above images. This creates a rainbow sky covering which is rarer than the Northern Lights themselves. 

We entered the Enontekio airport on Sunday afternoon which allowed traveller to buy their last-minute souvenirs. 

What a truly bucket list experience!

Leanne