Jonathan Marsh review 25 Mar 2013
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Seeing northern lights, the wilderness retreat and a real log fired sauna. Mika and Maja lovely hosts.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Wrap up warm but go for it. Good for kids but make sure you've got some warm gear for them. Overnight train from Stockholm also great alternative to flying: much more interesting and relaxing!
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes, the local village benefits from the business generated by visitors to the guest house as it is sucha small place.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Excellent.
Liz Evans review 21 Mar 2013
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Warm friendly welcome in Aurora Retreat, dog-sledding and the wonderful Wilderness Cabin
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Try and see the Northern Lights. Maybe March is a better month.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Clear indication of environment concerns, quality food, well-prepared
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Exhilarating
Lynne Walker review 5 Jan 2013
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The snow , local people, husky dogs, father Christmas , -38 !!! And the ice hotel
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Be prepared for the cold and dark days , the train from Stockholm is basic and 18 hours but amazing !
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Absolutely all of the above !
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
4 stars amazIng !
Joanna Rothon review 19 Mar 2012
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The superb meals prepared at the retreat and the Cafe 11:an, and the al- fresco reindeer fry-ups. The attention to detail. The extraordinary people we met, both other holiday makers and locals. Learning some new skills - and of course - the northern lights!
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Don't take too much luggage. Everything you need is supplied and the houses are well heated. There is very little storage space in the bedrooms. You'll need a good camera to photograph the northern lights - should you have the luck to try - but I took some amazing pictures without a tripod.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Absolutely. In the tiny village of Junosuando the activities offered at the retreat are all guided or facilitated by local people who mostly have other jobs and businesses as well. Talking to them about their lives was one of the most fascinating aspects of this holiday. Equipment and clothing was borrowed so no expensive financial outlay was involved of items never to be used again.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
What can I say? This is the first holiday I have organised and taken as an adult. It took me three years from first coming upon the Responsible Travel website and fantasizing about the retreat to finally arrive there with my 13 year old daughter. I intended to squeeze the last drop from every minute and certainly achieved that! It more than fulfilled my hopes and expectations.
G.M review 4 Mar 2012
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Seeing the Northern Lights nearly every evening we were there was a highlight as was the dog sledding excursion.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
We found that three or four nights would be long enough to do the main activities but a seven night break was very relaxing and gave lots of time to explore the village and local countryside by ourselves. You would probably not need any longer than a week.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Yes, Junosuando needs the employment that the retreat and its guests provide and the guesthouse itself certainly minimised its environmental impact with composting toilets, emphasis on recycling and wonderful home cooked organic food- mainly vegetarian.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Fantastic- a great experience. Great company, homely environment and spectacular scenery. Not for those looking for five star luxury but for those who want to travel and get a proper experience of what it is like to live in northern Sweden.
Martina Caen review 12 Jan 2012
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
We were taken to a forest and wearing skies we moved through a beautiful area on virgin snow, just my husband and I and our guide. We didn't see another person in 4 hours and lunch was provided under the canopy of trees while sitting on deer skin. The silence and the serenity was breath taking.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Because of the lack of light in the beginning of January I would consider going in March as the snow is still there and you have longer days to enjoy it. We didn't have very cold weather as winter came late this year but had it been I would of struggled if our hosts didn't have the foot wear and ski trousers I needed to keep warm.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Well I can't say it did really, we didn't drive while we where there and we did go on an excursion with 4 others so that had less impact on the environment and the things we did would not have harmed the environment.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
It was one of the best holidays we have had and we have travelled quite extensively. I would love to go back this year and experience the midnight sun but I also would like to see the Aurora Borealis again, it was fleeting when we saw it on the last night but I am now hooked!
Emma Clifford review 11 Mar 2011
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Everything about our holiday was extraordinary, exciting and totally wonderful. We could not have wished for a better place to stay. This retreat is a very special place where you are welcomed like old friends and spolit throughout your visit. Everything is organised for you, the beautiful, comfortable house is like a home from home and the food is spectacular. The small team running the retreat are that wonderful mix of highly professional and totally relaxed ensuring their guests are happy and content from beginning to end. We have some incredible memories - the snow mobile safari in the deepest snow I've ever experienced, husky driving through lightly falling snow, kick sledding through a beautiful Swedish village as the sun starts to set, sweating in the wood-fired sauna and then rolling in the snow which caused my husband to make noises I've never heard him make before and of course standing open-mouthed in wonder at the amazing night sky and spectacular northern lights. We were very lucky to see the lights and very lucky to spend 5 unforgettable days at the retreat.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Book in straight away! If you've always wanted to experience the northern lights and north Sweden go on this holiday - there cannot be anywhere better to go. If you have concerns about the cold or the food worry no more. Maya and Mikael who run the retreat ensure you are fully kitted out in the correct gear. If you have a special dietary requirement this is the place to go. Everything is freshly prepared and their culinary skills are amazing. Two of us on this holiday are vegans and we were treated to some of the best vegan food we've ever had (and believe me we're vegans who like to eat well!) I'd also suggest that this would be a wonderful place to visit at any time of the year, not just in the winter, as it's so relaxing and in the middle of amazing coutryside. I'm keen to hurry back in the summer and experience the midnight sun which Maya assures us is breathtaking.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Everything we did seemed to support the local community and it was pleasing to see how the community worked together to ensure we had a great holiday. Local firms were used to provide our snow mobile and husky excursions, as well as a local driver to transfer us from the airport. I had an amazing yoga massage from a local lady who is the only Phillipino in the village and we were encouraged to visit the local craft shop selling goods created by local people. This shop was amazing and we purchased items you just wouldn't get anywhere else - truely original and benefitting the local community. The retreat is highly eco-friendly, with areas to recycle many items, composting loos and the food sourced locally and freshly cooked.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
This was the holiday of a lifetime. I'd arranged it as a surprise birthday treat for my husband's 50th - I could not have wished for a better place to go. My sister-in-law and her husband came with us and on the way home we all reflected that we had experienced a spectacular holiday - it was relaxing, exciting and unique. I'd recommend it to everyone.
Nikki Kuelsheimer review 25 Apr 2011
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
All the activities were brilliant. I especially enjoyed the ice fishing as I caught 6 fish and my husband caught none! The fish tasted amazing lot! Staying at the wilderness cabin was a lot of fun as was felt making and in fact all the activities. It was an all round very enjoyable trip and I even enjoyed experiencing minus 31 degree frozen eye lashes!
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
I would encourage other people to go and stay at the retreat for a great experience and to do as many activities as possible ranging from the cross country skiing to staying at the wilderness cabin and ice fishing etc. I would also warn people that seeing the Northern Lights is quite different from the very over exposed photos you see on the internet and not to get too excited about that aspect of it. But they are cool to see.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Yes, I was pleased that all of our activities involved small, local businesses and not large commercial enterprises. Also the food provided was organic and the general running of the lodge was run with the environment in mind.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
We had a really lovely time at the retreat, we felt relaxed and very well looked after by our hosts, Michael and Maya. The food was really tasty and healthy and that's pretty important to us - so that made us very happy. We got to experience life in Lapland by doing lots of different activities and really enjoyed every one. I would rate the holiday as 8.5 out of ten - we had a wonderful time.
Katherine Klinger review 23 Dec 2010
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Wilderness landscapes, frozen lakes, furry reindeer boots, meeting the most kind and knowledgeable local people, building fires in small cabins and eating locally smoked reindeer meat; getting a sense of the simplicity and dignity of lives lived in such a landscape. Yet not romanticising the challenge of living in Lapland - which must be very hard indeed at times!
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Don't worry about the cold - you will be as warm as you need, feel incredibly clean (!), and eat wonderfully. Also, go to the local shop(s)/church etc - as everyone is very friendly, serves great coffee and you can sit and chat about life together.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
I hope so - I made a point of spending money in the local craft shop.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
4/5 star - it was a truly wonderful time. My 8 year old articulated it when we went out one day with a wonderful reindeer herder to visit his deer. He said "I am speechless'.
Pamela Harrop review 29 Jan 2010
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Hard to say really as everything was enjoyable. We went snowmobiling, dog sledding, visited a reindeer herder and his reindeers. The great thing was you were treated like friends rather than guests and learnt a lot about their way of life. At the retreat it was home from home, very relaxed way about it although run very efficiently. You can have as much or as little contact with others it is up to you. Food was good and plentiful and trips etc could where possible be planned when it suited you. Really easy going.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Go and experience something and somewhere that not a lot people have done in the winter.....we went between Xmas and New Year.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Definitely; everything was arranged through the locals who were extremely hospitable. Very low impact on the environment.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
We had a great time at the retreat. We started off in Stockholm and stayed in Kiruna then at a wilderness cabin in Kangos before getting to the retreat.
Michael Clarke review 22 Feb 2009
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Spending a night in a log cabin with a wood fire in the wilderness.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Take contact lenses as your glasses freeze up! If going at this time of year take it slowly at first when going outside as the cold takes a bit of getting used to.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Yes - local companies were used for excursions and care was taken not to disturb the environment.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
It was excellent - the scenery is beautiful and the activities were thrilling. The hosts took great care of us and the food was wonderful.
Catherine Passingham review 14 Dec 2009
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The complete rest from clocks, radio and television in the retreat house. All the excursions: to the reindeer farm, the husky sledge rides and learning to use snow shoes. The amazing snow scenery in the 'blueish' daylight. The dedication of Michael and Maya to their vision. The excellent food provided by Damien and the help given by Ann-Sophie. Thanks to IngerLil for teaching us bread making and showing us the craft centre. Thanks you for allowing us to see the children’s light festival in Church.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Leave your laptop at home, take a good book and relax completely into their way of life. Enjoy the company of all the guests and join in as many activities as you can afford. The holiday will put many things we take for granted into perspective and re-affirm some core values of life.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Yes - all the excursions were designed to appreciate the local skills and crafts. The complete environmental approach to living (recycling, striving to be carbon neutral, organic vegetarian food etc). All the locals live in tune with their environment and made me realise what a fragile eco system we live in.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
An amazing experience - I would like to take the whole family their at some stage!
Judy Harrington review 31 Jan 2009
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Seeing the Northern Lights on New Years Eve with a great group of people we met on the holiday. But other things were really memorable; a night at the wilderness lodge, dog sledding, visiting the ice hotel and just always the amazing light and skies. The retreat was also memorable for the warm and cosy atmosphere; the incredibly helpful and kind staff and the fun and good time we had with the other guests and the staff.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Take local currency in case you want to book extra trips or buy anything. It is a small village and there is no cash point; the garage will sometimes change small amounts. Also alcohol is very hard to find and very expensive.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
The Retreat was run by a local family and the activities were booked with local people running small family businesses so it definitely did benefit local people. The retreat had a very strong environmental and recycling policy and used local foods if possible, organic too. The main problem is that everything is very remote and there isn't much public transport so you do rely a lot on driving to get anywhere.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
It was wonderful - beautiful, interesting, healthy, relaxing...
Isabel Villena review 10 Jan 2009
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Many, many things! The magical blue winter light; the sled dogs silent run trough a sheer white landscape; happily screaming our hearts out frolicking in the snow on a minus 20 centigrades night after a wonderful traditional sauna.
Standing openmouthed and teary eyed on a frozen lake while an unpolluted skyfull of starts and the unforgettable majestic dance of the Northern Lights compete for our attention...
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Just DO it! And don't worry about the cold; if a bunch of Mediterraneans from Barcelona could not only stand it but thoroughly enjoy it, anyone else can.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Yes, the people are as responsible and conscientious as anyone can be, and we think this
little local project can help in many ways in an area that can certainly use that help. Thank you so much to you all: Maya, Mika, Kumar, Agnes,...
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
I never give the 5 stars because I'm simply unable to choose "the best of" anything, but the retreat is certainly up there with our very very best memories on this wonderful planet.
Emma Davis review 4 Mar 2008
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
It was all incredible to be honest. Driving the dog sleighs in the gently falling snow, with nothing but nature all around was probably tops. But Maya and Mikel are the most fantastic hosts, serving delicious food, giving great hugs, lending warm clothes and generally being superstars. Freshly cooked muffins in the morning, elk soup by a fire, just wish I had been there longer.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Don't go for the weekend - go for a week - or you will be desperately unhappy about leaving. I would recommend going for a week to totally chill out and get back to nature, read, eat nice food and do a different activity every day - it's other wordly so why rush back to your own?!
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
I did feel that apart from the awful truth that I flew there. It definitely benefited the locals in that any money that passed hands all went directly to them. It felt like the bus driver, dog owners, cafe owners were all our friends as a result and we really felt part of the community for our trip - or at least totally welcomed by the community. Half the guests stayed in local houses, and absolutely loved that. Seeing photos of the family etc...
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Absolutely fantastic. I can't wait to go again, and this time I would definitely go for longer. I want to go back this time next year, for a week with a few close friends. LOVED LOVED LOVED IT.
Tasha Barlow review 19 Jan 2008
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
We saw the northern lights on our first night. This was because our host stopped the car 3 times to look at the sky and showed us what to look for, and because we were very lucky with the conditions. But equally exciting was the dog sledging- with individual sledges! and a team of 5 dogs each, and fantastic guides. This was because of the local connections that our hosts have. And the food was fantastic too.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
We booked at last minute. Not sure we got the cheapest flights possible from stockholm to Kiruna. The hosts at the Retreat provide all the details of how to book flights or trains.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Yes.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
10 out of 10! best holiday. Good value for money.
Steve Syder review 10 Dec 2008
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
It's difficult to choose what was most memorable about this great holiday - the setting was like living in a Christmas card, the food was delicious, the staff friendly and attentive. The huskey sledging was probably our favourite excursion.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
The Icelandic Horse Farm is very authentic - be prepared to brush and tack your own horse, and don't do an evening ride - you really can't see the glorious scenery that you can enjoy in daylight, and the chances are you will see the Northern Lights while you are at the retreat.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
We undoubtedly put money into a small, local economy and so benefitted local people.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
As good as it gets! We had a great time. Mikael and Maya have worked hard to create a great house to stay in and they and the staff work tirelessly to give every single guest a great experience.
Roni Zehavi review 25 Mar 2007
The vacation at this retreat was fantastic!!!
We have enjoyed it from tremendously from every aspect, starting with the hospitality of Mika and Maya, the organization of the vacation, the facility offered (it was clean and very convenient), and on to welcoming of all the guides of the various activities.
In addition, all the people we have encountered with had very good English, which turned the communication into a very simple one.
All together - a great week with remarkable hosts in a spectacular area!!!
Thank you very much.
