Luxury Arctic Island Escape Through Finland and Sweden

Your Arctic adventure begins as you arrive into Rovaniemi Airport, where your private driver will be waiting to welcome you to Finnish Lapland. Leaving the city behind, the journey takes you through snow covered forests and alongside frozen rivers before reaching one of the region’s most exclusive retreats, Aino Private Island. Tucked away on its own peaceful island, this intimate property offers an exceptional blend of privacy, contemporary Nordic design and a genuine connection with nature.

After checking into your River Suite, take time to settle into your surroundings. Large panoramic windows bring the Arctic landscape indoors, allowing you to enjoy uninterrupted views across the river and surrounding woodland. Every detail has been thoughtfully designed to create a feeling of calm, making it easy to leave everyday life behind and embrace the slower pace of the Arctic.

Spend the afternoon exploring the island or simply relax beside the river while enjoying the tranquillity that defines this remarkable destination. Depending on your arrival time, you may wish to wander along the snowy pathways, breathe in the crisp Arctic air or simply enjoy the warmth and comfort of your suite.

As evening approaches, head to the restaurant where locally inspired cuisine showcases the best seasonal ingredients from Finnish Lapland. Expect beautifully prepared dishes celebrating regional flavours, served in an intimate setting overlooking the winter landscape.

Later tonight, step outside onto the island to begin your search for the Northern Lights. With virtually no light pollution, Aino Private Island offers excellent conditions for witnessing nature’s most spectacular display. Whether the Aurora appears as delicate green ribbons or vibrant waves dancing across the sky, your first evening provides a magical introduction to the Arctic.

Wake to the peaceful sounds of the Arctic and enjoy breakfast overlooking the frozen river before an unforgettable day of authentic Lapland experiences begins. This morning you travel to a local family run husky kennel where generations of experience and genuine care for the dogs create a truly personal introduction to one of the Arctic’s most iconic traditions.

After meeting the enthusiastic huskies, you’ll set off on your own private sledding adventure through silent forests and across sparkling snow covered landscapes. The only sounds are the soft rhythm of paws on snow and the runners gliding effortlessly along the trail. Along the way your guide shares stories about the dogs, the local environment and the importance of sledding within Arctic life.

Returning to Aino Private Island, enjoy a relaxed lunch before embracing another cherished Nordic tradition with your private sauna reservation. Heated by natural wood and overlooking the surrounding winter scenery, this peaceful experience offers the perfect opportunity to relax after your morning adventure. Alternate the comforting warmth of the sauna with invigorating fresh Arctic air before settling back to admire the surrounding landscape. If your suite includes a private outdoor hot tub, this is the perfect place to continue unwinding beneath the winter sky.

This evening another memorable Arctic experience awaits as you enjoy a private reindeer sleigh ride. Wrapped in warm blankets, travel quietly through snowy woodland as your guide introduces you to Sámi culture and the deep connection between reindeer and life in the far north. The slower pace creates a wonderfully peaceful contrast to the excitement of the morning’s husky adventure.

Return to the hotel for another delicious dinner before keeping watch for another opportunity to witness the Northern Lights overhead. Every evening in the Arctic offers different conditions, making each Aurora experience entirely unique.

After breakfast, it is time to say farewell to the peaceful surroundings of Aino Private Island. For one member of your party, a private transfer returns to Rovaniemi Airport for their onward journey, while the remaining travellers prepare for another memorable Arctic adventure before crossing into Sweden.

This morning you are introduced to one of the region’s favourite winter activities with a privately guided backcountry skiing experience. Unlike downhill skiing, backcountry skiing allows you to travel across untouched snow at a relaxed pace, exploring landscapes that remain inaccessible to most visitors. Accompanied by an experienced local guide, you glide through snow covered forests and across frozen terrain while learning about Arctic wildlife, local traditions and the remarkable environment that surrounds you.

The beauty of this experience lies in its tranquillity. Far from ski resorts and busy trails, you will discover a quieter side of Lapland where every turn reveals another breathtaking winter scene. Keep an eye out for animal tracks weaving through the snow and enjoy the peaceful silence that makes this part of the world so special.

Following your adventure, return for lunch before meeting your private driver guide for the scenic journey west. As you leave Finland behind, you cross one of Europe’s most fascinating borders into Swedish Lapland. The transition is almost seamless, yet each country offers its own distinctive culture, traditions and atmosphere.

Your destination is the historic town of Haparanda, sitting beside the Torne River where Sweden and Finland meet. This unique border town has welcomed travellers for generations and offers an intriguing blend of Swedish and Finnish influences.

Check into the elegant Haparanda Stadshotell, a landmark building that has welcomed royalty, explorers and Arctic travellers for more than a century. Its classic interiors provide a wonderful contrast to the wilderness experiences of the previous days, combining traditional charm with modern comfort.

This evening, enjoy dinner in the hotel’s restaurant before relaxing ahead of tomorrow’s unforgettable Polar Icebreaker experience.

Following breakfast, check out of your hotel and meet your private driver guide for one of the most extraordinary experiences of your Nordic holiday. Travelling towards the Gulf of Bothnia, you reach the departure point for the legendary Polar Icebreaker, an adventure found nowhere else in Europe.

Step aboard this impressive working vessel as it powers through the frozen sea, effortlessly breaking thick layers of ice beneath its reinforced hull. From the deck you can watch vast sheets of ice crack and shift around the ship, offering a fascinating insight into life in one of the Arctic’s harshest environments. Depending on conditions, you may even have the opportunity to walk across the frozen sea itself before experiencing the unforgettable sensation of floating safely among the ice while wearing a specially designed survival suit. It is a truly unique Arctic experience that few travellers ever encounter.

After your time on the ice, your guide will collect you and recommend a local restaurant for lunch, allowing you to enjoy regional Swedish flavours before continuing south towards Luleå Airport. If flight timings allow, there may be time to pause at the UNESCO World Heritage listed Gammelstad Church Town, one of Sweden’s most important historic sites. Its beautifully preserved wooden cottages and centuries of history provide a fascinating glimpse into northern Scandinavian life.

From Luleå, take your onward flight to Stockholm, where a private transfer will be waiting to escort you to one of Sweden’s most prestigious addresses, the magnificent Grand Hotel Stockholm. Overlooking the Royal Palace and the sparkling waterfront, this iconic hotel has welcomed world leaders, Nobel Prize guests and discerning travellers for generations.

Spend the remainder of the evening relaxing in your luxurious surroundings or allow us to arrange dinner at one of Stockholm’s outstanding restaurants, providing the perfect conclusion to another remarkable day.

Wake to views across Stockholm’s waterfront and enjoy a leisurely breakfast at the Grand Hotel before discovering why Sweden’s capital has become one of Scandinavia’s most exciting culinary destinations. Today you’ll experience the city through its food, culture and neighbourhoods on a private Nordic Experience Food Tour.

Meeting your expert local guide, set off on a carefully curated journey through some of Stockholm’s most characterful districts. As you wander cobbled streets and elegant boulevards, you’ll learn about the city’s rich history while sampling traditional Swedish specialities alongside contemporary Nordic cuisine. From artisan producers and family run delicatessens to stylish food halls and independent eateries, every stop reveals another layer of Stockholm’s vibrant food culture.

Your guide will introduce the stories behind many classic Swedish dishes, explaining how seasonal ingredients, sustainability and regional traditions continue to shape modern Scandinavian cooking. Along the way you may sample local cheeses, freshly baked pastries, cured meats, seafood delicacies and handcrafted sweet treats, all complemented by insights into Swedish customs and everyday life.

The tour also provides an excellent opportunity to admire some of Stockholm’s most iconic landmarks. As you move between historic Gamla Stan, elegant waterfront promenades and lively shopping streets, you’ll discover why the city is often described as one of Europe’s most beautiful capitals. Its blend of royal history, innovative design and relaxed atmosphere creates a destination that feels both cosmopolitan and distinctly Nordic.

Following your 3.5 hour private tour, the remainder of the afternoon is yours to enjoy at your own pace. Perhaps visit one of Stockholm’s world class museums, browse Scandinavian fashion boutiques or simply relax with a coffee overlooking the harbour. If you would like to make the most of your final evening, we can arrange reservations at one of the city’s outstanding restaurants, whether you prefer contemporary Nordic fine dining or a cosy neighbourhood bistro.

Return to the comfort of the Grand Hotel Stockholm for your final night, reflecting on an extraordinary journey through Finland and Sweden that has combined Arctic adventure, authentic culture and exceptional luxury.

After one final breakfast overlooking Stockholm’s beautiful waterfront, it is time to bring your Nordic adventure to a close.

Enjoy a relaxed morning soaking up the atmosphere of the Grand Hotel before your private transfer arrives to take you to Stockholm Arlanda Airport. As you travel through the city, there is time to reflect on the remarkable variety of experiences packed into just a few unforgettable days.

From the moment you arrived in Finnish Lapland, this journey has showcased the very best of the Nordic winter. You have experienced the peaceful seclusion of Aino Private Island, where luxurious accommodation and exceptional hospitality were matched only by the surrounding natural beauty. You have travelled through silent forests behind a team of eager huskies, embraced Finnish wellness traditions with an authentic sauna experience and discovered the timeless pace of a private reindeer sleigh ride beneath Arctic skies.

Crossing the border into Swedish Lapland introduced another side of the region, where backcountry skiing revealed untouched wilderness before the unforgettable experience of boarding a working Polar Icebreaker allowed you to venture onto the frozen waters of the Gulf of Bothnia. Completing your holiday in Stockholm added yet another dimension, balancing remote Arctic landscapes with elegant city life, outstanding cuisine and rich Scandinavian heritage.

Whether your favourite memories are watching for the Northern Lights, sharing stories with local guides, enjoying exceptional Nordic cuisine or simply admiring snow covered landscapes from the comfort of your luxury accommodation, this journey offers experiences that will stay with you long after you return home.

Your private transfer delivers you comfortably to Stockholm Arlanda Airport in time for your onward flight, bringing an unforgettable luxury holiday through Finland and Sweden to a memorable conclusion.