Jo
Doran
I have been lucky enough to visit most of our Aurora Zone destinations however my first Aurora experience was at Wilderness Hotel Nellim in 2007. It was my first visit to Lapland and the prospect of seeing the Northern Lights was so exciting. Pretty much the first thing I asked my host Jouko was whether he thought we’d see the Aurora? His answer was ‘oh yes, at 10.10pm’. Knowing the Aurora cannot be predicted I laughed it off as a friendly tease and moved on to looking out for reindeer and marveling at the scenery.
When I found myself sitting on a reindeer skin on a frozen lake watching the Northern Lights dance across the sky at 10.11pm Jouko just smiled at me knowingly. I spent hours out there that night, it was one of the most memorable experiences of my life.
Favourite Destination
Abisko
First Aurora Experience
Nellim - sitting on a reindeer skin, on a frozen lake with warm berry juice.
Alistair
Mclean
Being the boss of a company like this you need to be passionate about what you do and if there is one thing I am passionate about it is the Northern Lights. Whether in a winter wonderland in Finland or the mountainous and dramatic scenery in Arctic Norway this celestial natural light show never fails to disappoint.
There are few memories (the birth of my two children possibly!) I treasure as much as sitting on reindeer skins in the Aurora Camp at Nellim with my good friend Jouko, a glass of steaming berry juice, a warm open fire and the Aurora Borealis putting on a spectacular display in the sky above us. We were still sat there long after the fire had burned out absolutely mesmerized.
Favourite Destination
Nellim
First Aurora Experience
Luosto - on the frozen lake.
Stephanie
Eddy
There are so many wonderful activities to keep you busy during the day in Lapland; husky safari’s, snowmobile adventures, snowshoe trekking, ice fishing and skiing – both cross country and downhill styles. After the fun during the day as night falls the anticipation begins to build and you can see people regularly peering out the window to make sure they are not missing anything while they are relaxing round the fire!
There is something extremely welcoming and relaxing about Harriniva and as soon as you walk into the reception area it feels like coming home. One of the best things about Harriniva’s location is that within a two minute walk from the hotel you are away from all artificial lights. I have visited Lapland many times and have never seen the Northern Lights, but this has only served to wet my appetite to keep on searching (my advice to you is try not to got to bed too early – I missed the Lights on more than one occasion because of this).
Favourite Destination
Harriniva
First Aurora Experience
Still waiting to see the amazing light show.
Barry
Nolan
As the Sales Manager in the office it is part of my job to test drive the holidays and be able to give accurate and honest advice and feedback to the clients who enquire. It is also my job to make sure everyone who enquires books on the most suitable holiday based on their desires and level of ability. The beauty of the holidays featured by The Aurora Zone is there literally is something for everyone!
My personal favorite is the Aurora Photography holiday based at Harriniva with Antti. A true Finnish gentleman he knows every inch of the area around Harriniva and the best places to view and photograph the Northern Lights and is a fascinating source of knowledge and entertainment along the way.
Favourite Destination
Harriniva
First Aurora Experience
Harriniva - just outside of the hotel.
Kate
Mclean
Being married to Ali it was a case of love me, love Lapland and especially the Northern Lights! After a few unsuccessful attempts it was at Nellim when I first saw the Northern Lights for myself and it was everything I had been told it would be. I was absolutely stunned by the vividness of the colours and the speed it danced and flowed across the night sky.
Needless to say it was I hurrying Ali along to the Aurora Camp the following evening in a desperate attempt to witness this natural phenomenon again – and the temperamental lady did not disappoint!
Favourite Destination
Nellim
First Aurora Experience
Nellim Aurora Camp
Amy
Griffiths
My first winter adventure was to Tromsø in Norway. Before traveling I did my research and asked all the suppliers for their tips on seeing the Northern Lights, stocked up on extra warm winter clothing, bought a sparkly new camera and spent hours staring at the sky willing it to appear but alas it was not to be. I still returned home full of stories and experiences I wanted to tell everyone having had an amazing first week in the arctic.
It was on my second visit to Finland accompanying a group of clients in Luosto when out sledging at night we saw people pouring out of the Aurora Chalet in droves and heading down the track to the frozen lake. At first I feared there was a fire alarm before I noticed every single person was staring sky wards – Aurora Alarm in hand! I followed the crowds and remained there for almost three hours watching the most amazing light show you could imagine – it danced, shimmered and dazzled and is a memory I will never forget!
Favourite Destination
Luosto
First Aurora Experience
Just a short walk from the hotel on the frozen lake behind the Luostotunturi hotel, Luosto.
Dawn
Rawlings
I was lucky enough to travel to Sweden and Finland in the Autumn last year and witnessed the incredible colours of the Scandinavian ‘Ruska’. Despite not catching a glimpse of the Northern Lights, the beautiful Autumn scenery of the Arctic forests was well worth a visit.
My first Aurora experience was at Nellim in January after we snowmobiled out to one of their fantastic Aurora Camps. After a few hours of unsuccessful watching, we were about to head back to the warmth of the hotel when suddenly a beautiful green streak seemed to split the star-filled sky in two as it shimmered and danced above us. It suddenly all become clear why people longed to go to this area and made me all the more keen to make sure that people got the best Northern Lights holiday they could!
Favourite Destination
Lappeasuando
First Aurora Experience
Snowmobiling to one of Nellim's brilliant Aurora Camps