Our clients come from all over the world
Weekend Aurora Break to the Lulea Archipelago
Break Available: Mid-December to March
3 Nights
Price Per Person: From £1699
The Lulea Archipelago is an exciting addition to the Northern Lights scene in Scandinavia and is one of a few emerging Northern Lights holiday destinations.
Situated on the eastern side of Swedish Lapland the bracken waters of the archipelago freeze during winter and form a giant frozen expanse to explore.
Lulea, the main town, has a thriving and dynamic feel and is bestowed with good restaurants and arctic experiences.
This 3 night weekend break based at the Clarion Sense includes a snowmobile safari, drive your own husky sled experience and Northern Lights chase! Its perfect if you are looking for a short break with great value.
Highlights
- 3 nights in excellent Clarion Sense Hotel
- 2 hour drive your own sled dog experience
- 2 hours snowmobile safari in the forests around Lulea
- Northern Lights hunt
- Excellent Restaurants for dining
Day 1
Fly to Lulea. Transfer to the Clarion Sense. Dinner in the Sky Bar
Day 1
Fly to Lulea. Transfer to the Clarion Sense. Dinner in the Sky Bar
Fly to Lulea in Swedish Lapland, where you will be met and transferred to the Clarion Sense Hotel, the region’s latest and finest 4 star hotel.
Located on the edge of town with far reaching views over the frozen Lule river and the northern night sky this sleek and stylish hotel offers excellent rooms with their colourfully modern murals, bold dark furniture, super comfortable beds & lovely large windows that create an airy atmosphere.
Lulea is situated on the coastal edge of the Luleå Archipelago in the bay of Bothnia, which has a total of 1300 islands and only 100 residents and is a unique wilderness environment where the sea around the island freezes up to a metre thick in winter. From the hotel you look out over the frozen expanse of the Lule river.
Once you have settled in we suggest that you enjoy a drink in the sky bar with its great views prior to Dinner. We have included dinner on your first night as after traveling you may wish to have an easy start to your break.
Enjoy a 3 course dinner under the stewardship of Chef Marcus Samuelsson who has received widespread critical acclaim. His restaurant, Kitchen & Table, transforms the freshest ingredients into cosmopolitan inspired dishes.
Overnight. (Note: if you would like to increase your chances of seeing the Northern Lights upgrade to a deluxe room with views over the frozen river to the northern horizon. This comes with free Spa Entrance too!)
Meals Included: Dinner
A la Carte Optional Extras
- Upgrade to Deluxe room with View
A la Carte Optional Extras
Upgrade to Deluxe room with View
The Clarion Sense is well located on the fringe of Lulea and its not uncommon to be enjoying a drink in the sky bar while witnessing an aurora display overhead.
To increase your chances of seeing the northern lights upgrade to one of the spacious deluxe rooms which combine views over the frozen ice road on the Lule river with views of the night sky.
The room is equipped with a Nespresso coffee machine where you can prepare your coffee to be enjoyed in the spacious lounge area.
Guests in these rooms includes admission to the day spa.
The room is equipped with free WiFi, mini bar, safety box, hairdryer, iron and ironing board, TV, telephone, kettle, coffee and tea and a bathrobe and slippers.
Cost: £40 per person per night
Day 2
Snowmobile Adventure. Northern Lights Chase.
Day 2
Snowmobile Adventure. Northern Lights Chase.
Buffet breakfasts in Sweden are feasts in their own right! Indulge before heading out on a 2 hour snowmobile adventure in the forests around Lulea and bordering on the frozen archipelago.
You will be provided with arctic clothing and instruction before heading out with your partner on a guided exploration of the countryside. There is something special about being on a snowmobile adventure off the beaten track soaking up the beauty and majesty of the arctic landscapes.
Return to the hotel and enjoy some downtime.
You have the facilities at the hotel or you can wander into the centre of Lulea. Our recommendation would be to walk the Ice Road. There is a road marked out on the frozen ice which allows people to walk, ski or skate around the city. See the locals in deep conversation, mothers pushing their children around in adapted push chairs or students racing each other around on skates.
It’s a totally unique experience and well worth a try! There are kick sleds available at certain points of entry to the ice road.
This evening you are free to enjoy dinner at one of the restaurants in town before an evening aurora hunt. You will be picked up from the hotel by your guide and his minivan and taken out to some vantage points for seeing the Northern Lights.
The Northern Lights are not guaranteed but this trip out will give you the best options for seeing them if the forecast is good.
The guides might change the night of this tour if they believe the chances of seeing the Northern Lights are better on an alternative evening.
Return around 11.30 and overnight.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Day 3
Drive Own Sled Dog Team. Explore Lulea
Day 3
Drive Own Sled Dog Team. Explore Lulea
After breakfast experience what for many is the highlight of any trip to the arctic (after seeing the Northern Lights!) and that is the joy of riding your own sled dog team through pristine snowy landscapes.
Your guide will transfer you to the kennel about 15kms away from the lodge. With 2 people per team learn to take control of a husky team and have the satisfaction of mushing them as you drive on the forest and lake trail. The experience lasts 2 hours and is sure to leave you with some fantastic memories.
You will stop for a Swedish Fika as part of the trip.
On your return to the hotel enjoy exploring Lulea or, if you have upgraded your room, enjoy your free access to the SPA and enjoy a typical Swedish Sauna.
This evening venture into town for dinner maybe followed by a drink in the Sky Bar at your hotel keeping a careful watch n the sky for the Auroras.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Day 4
Airport Transfer and Flight Home
Day 4
Airport Transfer and Flight Home
After breakfast at leisure prior to your transfer to the airport for the flight home.
If you would like to make the most of your time there is the opportunity of detouring via the UNESCO world heritage site of Gammelstad en route to the airport. This is the best preserved example of a ‘Church Village’ in Scandinavia.
At its centre is the impressive 15th-century Nederlulea Church surrounded by 424 wood-built houses. The houses were only used on Sundays and during religious festivals to accommodate worshipers from the surrounding countryside who could not return home the same day because of the distance and difficult travelling conditions.
If celebrating a special occasion why not extend your trip by a night and experience a night in one of Sweden’s iconic hotels – the Tree Hotel.
Alternatively you could include a mini break to Stockholm, Scandinavia’s capital city and one of the most picturesque capital cities in Europe.
Meals Included: Breakfast
A la Carte Optional Extras
- Extension to See Stockholm Scandinavia's Capital City
- Tour of UNESCO World Heritage Site Gammelstad
- A night in the Iconic Tree Hotel
A la Carte Optional Extras
Extension to See Stockholm Scandinavia's Capital City
Stockholm is one of the most beautiful cities in the world and always rates in the top 10 most desirable cities in the world to live in. It is also the perfect place to ‘top or tail’ your break to see the northern lights.
The old town in Stockholm is very picturesque and compact and can be done in a full day. Your time will be spent exploring some fascinating landmarks. The VASA museum is world class, the Nobel museum of local interest and for ABBA fans ABBA interactive museum.You will stay in the Rival Hotel owned by Benny Anderson of ABBA fame. The hotel is an excellent 4* hotel in a quiet square but within walking distance of the old town.
We make it easy by including private return airport transfers in the package!
Costs:
£255 per person for Standard room ( weekend rate) £50 (supplement for week days)
£298 per person for Superior room (weekend rate) £60 (supplement for week days)
£395 per person for Deluxe Room (weekend rate) £65 (supplement for week days)
Includes: 2 nights – bed and breakfast, private airport transfers to and from Arlanda airport
Tour of UNESCO World Heritage Site Gammelstad
Instead of departing for a direct transfer to the Airport a guide will take you for a tour of the historic UNESCO world heritage site of Gammelstad . This is the best preserved example of a ‘Church Village’ in Scandinavia. At its centre is the impressive 15th-century Nederlulea Church surrounded by 424 wood-built houses. The houses were only used on Sundays and during religious festivals to accommodate worshipers from the surrounding countryside who could not return home the same day because of the distance and difficult traveling conditions.
It feels like a ghost town now but the preserved wooden houses have survived harsh arctic conditions for centuries. The church is still functioning and is open for visitors.
Duration: 90 minutes
Cost: £88 per person
A night in the Iconic Tree Hotel
If you would like to stay a night in the Tree Hotel during your trip then rather than spending your last night at Brandon Lodge why not take a room in the trees!
The Treehotel comprises 7 unique themed Tree Rooms, created by 7 separate architects. These are the Mirrorcube, Bird’s Nest, Cabin, Blue Cone, dragon fly, UFO and 7th Room!
The rooms are set between 4-6 meters from the ground in pine trees and rooms are accessed by either a ramp or sturdy stairs. They can house between 2 and 4 people and the larger rooms, The Dragon Fly and the 7th Room have separate bedrooms and carry an extra supplement.
Every Tree Room has its own living and sleeping area and is equipped with a state of the art eco-friendly incineration toilet and water efficient hand basin, which means there is no artificial plumbing.
The emphasis is on running the hotel consistent with values of low impact on the surrounding forest and every aspect of the operation compliments this aim
Price: From £325 per person to include Dinner and Transfer
Where You'll Stay
Clarion Sense Lulea
Clarion Sense Lulea
The Clarion sense is Lulea’s latest hotel and a super base for a northern lights weekend hunt with some arctic experiences included. It is centrally located and commands wonderful views over the frozen Lulea river, which empties into the Archipelago at this point. A feature is the restaurant and the sky bar at the top which overlooks the ice road in winter and also faces out towards the northern lights if they are visible.
Each floor is inspired by the year's four seasons in a timeless, sleek design with harmonious color schemes. Here you can experience the changing seasons, interpreted by prominent photographers and lighting designers.
Clarion Hotel Sense’s guest rooms all have flat-screen TV, a desk, minibar and free WiFi. Each room also features unique photo art and designer furniture. Superior Rooms feature views out across the frozen expanse and we offer these as standard for our clients.
The on-site á la carte restaurant Kitchen & Table is open for dinner Monday to Saturday. There are also 2 hotel bars, of which one features spectacular views over the city. A short walk away are the main restaurants of town so there is no shortage of dining options available.
Upgrade to Deluxe room with View
The Clarion Sense is well located on the fringe of Lulea and its not uncommon to be enjoying a drink in the sky bar while witnessing an aurora display overhead.
To increase your chances of seeing the northern lights upgrade to one of the spacious deluxe rooms which combine views over the frozen ice road on the Lule river with views of the night sky.
The room is equipped with a Nespresso coffee machine where you can prepare your coffee to be enjoyed in the spacious lounge area.
Guests in these rooms includes admission to the day spa.
The room is equipped with free WiFi, mini bar, safety box, hairdryer, iron and ironing board, TV, telephone, kettle, coffee and tea and a bathrobe and slippers.
Cost: £40 per person per night
Extension to See Stockholm Scandinavia's Capital City
Stockholm is one of the most beautiful cities in the world and always rates in the top 10 most desirable cities in the world to live in. It is also the perfect place to ‘top or tail’ your break to see the northern lights.
The old town in Stockholm is very picturesque and compact and can be done in a full day. Your time will be spent exploring some fascinating landmarks. The VASA museum is world class, the Nobel museum of local interest and for ABBA fans ABBA interactive museum.You will stay in the Rival Hotel owned by Benny Anderson of ABBA fame. The hotel is an excellent 4* hotel in a quiet square but within walking distance of the old town.
We make it easy by including private return airport transfers in the package!
Costs:
£255 per person for Standard room ( weekend rate) £50 (supplement for week days)
£298 per person for Superior room (weekend rate) £60 (supplement for week days)
£395 per person for Deluxe Room (weekend rate) £65 (supplement for week days)
Includes: 2 nights – bed and breakfast, private airport transfers to and from Arlanda airport
Tour of UNESCO World Heritage Site Gammelstad
Instead of departing for a direct transfer to the Airport a guide will take you for a tour of the historic UNESCO world heritage site of Gammelstad . This is the best preserved example of a ‘Church Village’ in Scandinavia. At its centre is the impressive 15th-century Nederlulea Church surrounded by 424 wood-built houses. The houses were only used on Sundays and during religious festivals to accommodate worshipers from the surrounding countryside who could not return home the same day because of the distance and difficult traveling conditions.
It feels like a ghost town now but the preserved wooden houses have survived harsh arctic conditions for centuries. The church is still functioning and is open for visitors.
Duration: 90 minutes
Cost: £88 per person
A night in the Iconic Tree Hotel
If you would like to stay a night in the Tree Hotel during your trip then rather than spending your last night at Brandon Lodge why not take a room in the trees!
The Treehotel comprises 7 unique themed Tree Rooms, created by 7 separate architects. These are the Mirrorcube, Bird’s Nest, Cabin, Blue Cone, dragon fly, UFO and 7th Room!
The rooms are set between 4-6 meters from the ground in pine trees and rooms are accessed by either a ramp or sturdy stairs. They can house between 2 and 4 people and the larger rooms, The Dragon Fly and the 7th Room have separate bedrooms and carry an extra supplement.
Every Tree Room has its own living and sleeping area and is equipped with a state of the art eco-friendly incineration toilet and water efficient hand basin, which means there is no artificial plumbing.
The emphasis is on running the hotel consistent with values of low impact on the surrounding forest and every aspect of the operation compliments this aim
Price: From £325 per person to include Dinner and Transfer
Testimonials
What's Included?
- 3 nights accommodation with breakfast in standard room at the Clarion Sense Hotel
- 2 hour snowmobile safari on shared snowmobile
- 2 hour drive your own Husky safari – 2 persons per sled
- A northern lights chase on one of your nights
- Welcome dinner on your first night
- Transfers
- Arctic Clothing loan for activities