In March 2023, when I stepped off the plane and onto the snowy tarmac of Kiruna Airport, I felt it instantly — that mix of excitement, curiosity, and freedom that comes only when you know… this is going to be a trip to remember.
Together with my sister Helena and her two little adventurers, Layla and Karim, we decided months earlier, in November 2022, that we would do it. Head north. Far north. To Kiruna – 145 km above the Arctic Circle, one of the coldest places in Europe, and home to the magical Aurora Borealis.
Cold? Oh yes.
But oh… so worth it.
🌌 Northern Lights Twice(!) and Snow Everywhere
Our first days were like walking inside a snow globe – soft white landscapes, layers of warm clothes, and so many cups of hot tea.
And then, as if nature wanted to welcome us properly, we saw the Northern Lights. Twice.
Green, dancing, wild, and silent – moving across the sky like some kind of dream you never want to wake up from. We stood there in awe, speechless and freezing, our hearts full and eyes wide.
🐾 Abisko, Norway & Dogs That Made Us Laugh
After a few days, we rented a car and drove to Abisko, one of the best places on Earth to see the lights. There, we took a cable lift up the mountain — the views? Unreal. Just snow and sky, everywhere you looked.
We even drove to Norway for a day. Just because. It was that close. And sometimes… when you’re up there, it just feels right to cross borders like it's no big deal.
One of the most unforgettable days?
Definitely our 20 km dogsled trip – with 12 happy, fast, and fluffy dogs pulling us through the snow. We laughed so much, and I honestly felt like a little kid again.
🔥 Sauna, Ice Lake & the Kind of Cold You Never Forget
Swedish sauna after a freezing day? Yes please!
We warmed up, sweated out the cold — and yes, some of us were brave (or crazy?) enough to dip into a frozen lake right after. That shock of cold? It wakes up every cell in your body. Trust me 😄
🧊 The Icehotel: Slides, Sculptures & Frozen Dreams
One of the highlights of our Lapland adventure?
A day trip to the legendary Icehotel.
We didn’t stay overnight (maybe next time? 😉), but we wandered through the frozen rooms, slid down an ice slide, and admired all the carved details and sculptures. Like walking through a fairytale made of ice.
💖 Backpacks, Warm Layers & Minus 25
Temperatures dropped to -25°C in the morning and -15°C during the day, but honestly? We didn’t let it stop us. We just bundled up in all the warm layers we had, took breaks when needed, and enjoyed every second.
And I have to say – my leather backpacks were the perfect travel buddies.
Durable, spacious, easy to carry (even with gloves on), and strong enough to handle Arctic snow. Inside: snacks, gloves, extra socks, hand warmers, cameras, and always some chocolate.
It felt so good to have something handmade and reliable with me in such a wild place.
🌟 Final Thoughts
Lapland is more than just a destination.
It’s an experience that stays with you.
It’s cold cheeks, warm hearts, silence under the stars, and the beauty of feeling small in such a vast, frozen world.
So if you ever get the chance — go.
Chase the lights. Drink tea in mittens. Let a team of dogs carry you through snowy forests.
And don’t forget a good backpack. One that carries your essentials… and maybe a little piece of your heart, too.
With love from the Arctic,
Radka 🤍
