We’ve Seen the Lights

Still pumped from Monday and Tuesday's Aurora adventure, we leisurely departed Lapland for Helsinki.

The big city was cold and windy as we whipped around the market and FlyXD Helsinki movie before dinner at Krog Roba.

The gaggle of eight gals said bittersweet goodbyes in the Hotel Haven lobby. The party is over, we've seen the lights and Thursday's flights home were looming.

What a great journey into the arctic.

Magical Lights

The girls split into groups early in the day. I went on a 7+ mile hike with a few friends. Fresh and beautiful crisp air. Tuesday night presented the all elusive Northern Lights! Another fabulous day in the Arctic.

Monday’s Clear Skies and Lights

The sun made its first appearance of the trip on Monday, providing the perfect backdrop for capturing beauty right outside our door. We just knew the clear night would include some Northern Lights. And we were right!

After husky sledding, we gathered in the smoke sauna for some hot conversation and lots of laughs. We then made our way to the West Village for dinner. Before dessert, it was if someone yelled "FIRE!" The restaurant cleared out as word spread of the Aurora lights in the sky. There were lights; not spectacular, but lights nonetheless. The hunt continued back at the East Village until we all got too cold to continue our search. Super fun day!

Husky Sledding

Monday. The best day ever.

Lots of Layers

We piled on the warm layers Sunday. Snowshoeing to snowmobiling involved lots of clothing. Drinks in the Igloo bar, dinner in the West Village...it's good to take some layers off.

Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort

The alarm went off at 5:10am and we were at the bustling Helsinki Airport in no time. Saturday morning travelers moved skis and gear efficiently through the departure gate.

Ivalo, 150 miles into the arctic circle, was an hour thirty minute flight. The frozen tarmac in Lapland was a welcome site and so was the driver from our hotel.

After a fun afternoon settling in and exploring the resort, we enjoyed our first Northern Lights safari by reindeer sled. No lights, however.

Restaurant Brasserie

With barely enough time to shower and dress for dinner after the fun afternoon at Löyly, the gang of girls walked to Hotel Kämp for drinks. A lively cocktail hour, followed by a complimentary dinner at Restaurant Brasserie ended the day on a satisfying note.

Friday in Helsinki

Feeling well-rested, I dressed for a cold day of touring the city. Breakfast was served at the Hotel Haven as we waited the arrival of the final two travelers in our party, Eleanor and Valerie. After introductions in the lobby, we ventured out into the light snowfall and made our way around the ferris wheel, cathedrals and Löyly, the much anticipated sauna experience in Helsinki.

We had lots of laughs and throughly enjoyed lunch before the sauna heat followed by a cold sea-plunge for a few brave girls.

Dinner at Savotta

The Helsinki Airport Taxi dropped me at the Savotta Restaurant just after 7pm. It was an extra long day of travel with a revised agenda, which included an additional stop from Frankfurt to Stockholm.

My five dinner companions entered the restaurant closer to 7:30. It was nice to meet Patty June and greet old friends from my Beaver Creek trip a couple of years ago.

The dinner was traditional Finnish fare with a comforting mushroom soup, salmon entree and a blueberry milk dessert.

The girls assisted me with my bags to the Hotel Haven just a few blocks away. It was a little challenging rolling my suitcase in the freshly driven snow.

Stockholm to Helsinki

This FL girl is getting closer to the Arctic Circle.