Northern lights holiday in Swedish Lapland

Planet

Sweden takes great pride in its natural and cultural environment and sustainability is at the heart of its tourism. This program utilises the rail network to get visitors between destinations, drastically reducing the environmental impact of travelling. While in Abisko National Park no transportation is required. Both included activities in the program are experienced by foot, right from the hotel’s lobby.

Both hotels used in this program are devoted to green practices. STF Abisko Turiststation Hotel is part Svenska Turistforeningen (STF) which operates facilities throughout the country. Each of their facilities take a sustainability pledge which involves engaging in their local communities, educating guests on how to be sustainable travellers, waste management (including sorting and recycling), and opting for renewable energy when possible. They also use environmentally friendly cleaning products as well as organic and sustainable, locally sourced produce.

Family owned Camp Ripan, in Kiruna, strives to be as sustainable and environmentally friendly as possible. Their Nature’s Best Certification guarantees that guests are provided with high-quality experiences combined with an active responsibility for protecting nature, eco-friendly travel and careful consideration of cultural values and local peoples. The hotel also holds both the Nordic Swan Eco-Label since and Kiruna Lapland’s Sustainable Arctic Destination certification. Their restaurant’s new Eco-Kitchen is one of the most sustainable in the country, utilising the latest technology in water and energy conservation, composting, and heat recovery to minimize its impact on the environment. They serve local wild produce and a menu that resolves around seasonal ingredients such as foraged berries and mushrooms and wild meat. They source sustainable wines, locally produced beers, eco-certified coffee, and all the water they serve (plastic free) comes from local glacier fed rivers. Even their cleaning products are ethical and environmentally friendly, and they encourage guests to make greener choices such as reusing their towel and bed linens for the duration of their stay.

People

We emphasise the natural beauty and purity of the Swedish countryside, stressing the importance of treating both the countryside and the local people with respect. Wherever possible locally owned and family-run accommodations are used, and visitors are encouraged to visit locally owned and run attractions.

Both the properties used in this program work very closely with the local community and businesses for sourcing the ingredients for their restaurants as well as for providing local activities and transportation. This helps to foster and support local jobs in the Arctic and contributes to the economic well-being of these northern communities.

During the exclusive dinner at the Aurora Sky Station guests will have the change to try Lappish and Nordic cuisine and will also learn about the legends and beliefs that the local people have about the magical northern lights.

Additionally, Camp Ripan is a member of Slow Food Sápmi which is an organisation that represents Sami food entrepreneurs, Sami interest in Sami food traditions, and sustainable resource consumption in the Sami regions across Sweden, Norway, Finland, and Russia.