"The Great Outdoors" Winter Collection - Chasing the Aurora Borealis
After almost a year of lock down and restrictions, our urge to travel is even more present than before. Travel has always been a part of our existence and having this right removed suddenly from us, deeply impacted our moral and happiness. We weren’t meant to seclude ourselves indoors, staring at white walls or Netflix nature documentaries for most of our days - as much as I love to listen to David Attenborough! With Covid, a new form of nostalgia has emerged, namely a longing for a past that held the prospect of a future – A yearning for nature and the “great outdoors”, and the freedom to roam and travel wherever we wished. Covid has made simple things like holiday plans seem more challenging, and we’ve had to adapt and find pleasure in more simple, heathy and sustainable things – reading, gardening, crafting, biking, hiking and getting out into nature; be it just a walk in the park.
Some of us have also been separated from their loved ones for months. This separation has forced many to reconfigure how to manage day-to-day tasks (i.e. educating children and working from home). This social isolation adds another layer of stress during this time, and the emotional impact may be even more burdensome for many. Separation from family and friends can lead to increased worry, feelings of uncertainty and isolation, and an increase in mental health symptoms such as anxiety and depression. It’s important that we prioritize positive coping strategies during this time to preserve our happiness.
Health and science experts have determined that deepening our connection to nature is extremely important for boosting our overall health, mood and mental clarity. But how do we experience nature when our access to it becomes limited?
Have you ever heard of “Friluftsliv” (pronounced free-loofts-liv)? The expression literally translates as “open-air living” and was popularised in the 1850s by the Norwegian playwright and poet, Henrik Ibsen, who used the term to describe the value of spending time in remote locations for spiritual and physical wellbeing. Today, the phrase is used more broadly by Swedes, Norwegians and Danes to explain anything from lunchtime runs in the forest, to commuting by bike (or on cross-country skis when the snow falls) to joining friends at a lakeside sauna (often followed by a chilly dip in the water) or simply relaxing in a mountain hut. The concept is also linked closely to allmansrätten, the right to roam. Scandinavian countries all have similar laws which allow people to walk or camp practically anywhere, as long as they show respect for the surrounding nature, wildlife and locals.
It's a concept that can be quickly exported. If you have time to watch Game of Thrones on Netflix, you also have time to be outdoors. It’s a matter of making choices and being able to see something green really adds value to everyday life. Staying close to nature makes us feel alive from the inside, and we should not compromise it for recent developments like urbanization, technology, or social media.
Unsurprisingly, friluftsliv has been the runaway hit of this corona season; In the world, we’ve seen a boom in domestic travel, people preferring to stay in their home country to discover the nature around them, going on family road trips and camping trips. It is easy to maintain social distancing while camping and it is precisely the tension between city and nature that makes the concept of friluftsliv all the more relevant. As we see some regions in the world heading into a second lockdown just six months after the first one was imposed, the pull of the outdoors has never been stronger. It is particularly desirable given that the concept is wholly experiential!
It’s with this in mind, that at Blaycation Travel, we’ve decided to launch our “Great Outdoors” or “Friluftsliv” Winter & Summer Travel Collection. This concept has already been a part of our agency identity from the start, consistently developing unique and unforgettable road trip adventures around the world, focusing on the connection with nature and local communities.
With this in mind, we are excited to launch our Winter Travel Experiences in the Nordics, chasing for the Aurora Borealis, in Norway, Sweden, Greenland and Finland.
Few nations embrace the great outdoors quite as wholeheartedly as the Scandinavians do. Whatever the weather, those countries have a captivating landscape, rich for exploration in all seasons. From the Northern Lights and snow-capped mountains, to the blissfully peaceful beaches of the south - it’s no surprise that the Scandinavian lifestyle is inspiring nature lovers across the globe. From hiking sprawling mountain ranges to Glamping next to a serene lake, tiptoeing through an enchanting forest or resting for a while in a calm meadow - freedom to roam gives you the right of public access to all-natural wonders. Visitors to the Nordic lands will always find something to wonder and amaze them. From spectacular light shows, to beautiful glaciers, icebergs, rich fauna, incredible fjords, hots springs lakes and archipelagos. Forget all about Covid, work, busy schedules and calendars - here the silence takes over.
As well as the spectacular light show, you’ll also find an area known affectionately as Sweden’s Lapland. Every inch as magical as its Finish counterpart, this area is a popular place for locals and visitors to take part in some fun outdoors activities and kids to meet with the real Santa Clause! The wild landscape provides the ideal backdrop for dog sledding, reindeer walks, skiing, ice climbing, and exploring on a snowmobile. This area is also home to Sweden’s only indigenous people, the Sami.
And when you plan a trip like this, the most important thing to know is when is the best time to see the Northern Light. We’ve spoken to the experts, the lights shine about every other clear night between September and March, and if you notice that the night sky is clear and starry, your chances of seeing the northern lights are good.
The Northern Lights, also known as the Aurora Borealis, is one of the world’s most magical sights. There are no words to describe how amazing and how beautiful the lights can be. You get to enjoy a shimmering dance of light in the night skies, a phenomenon that’s truly special. This is precisely why many avid travelers would always say that one should make it a goal to see the Northern Lights at least once in their lifetime.
Staying in one of the best Aurora Borealis hotels will make your experience unforgettable, whether it’s watching the Aurora from a transparent igloo room in the middle of the boreal forest or from a wooden cabin in the Arctic. At Blaycation Travel, we’ve selected the best Northern Lights hotels to make your experience in the Nordics even more special!
Going to see Northern Lights can be a life-changing adventure. Once you’re there, you can enjoy nature’s spectacle at its best. You might forget everything that may have gotten you too hooked on the earthly standards of life. Under the Aurora Borealis, you get more than a moment to reflect on how amazing and beautiful the world can be. After seeing the Northern Lights, you’ll have a memory as well as a sense of accomplishment. The trip to see the Northern Lights takes you out into the wilderness of, Finland, Norway, Greenland, or Sweden. You’ll get to experience life in that part of the world where cold, winter nights can turn to magic.
And now more than ever, travellers around the world can use a little magic. Visiting the Northern Lights is one of the closest experiences that anyone will ever have to magic. Instead of resigning yourself to the same skies, keep that spark in your life alive. If magic was real, then this is it. With its serene atmosphere and a wild burst of colors, it’s every bit real magic, particularly when you’re traveling with kids. This is a true holiday of a lifetime that you should add to your bucket list!
You can book with confidence! We consistently check the travel landscape and will not send you somewhere where there’s risk. We’ve selected countries that are safe to travel to and will offer you the space and safety to reconnect with your loved ones. It’s important to look ahead to incredible journeys that are yet to come - adventures so extraordinary, they provide a much-needed boost and adrenaline hit after a year of missed travel. We exist to create unique experiences, and while the world may have seemed to hit ‘pause’, we have been working to give you something truly inspiring to look forward to.
If you want to find out more and receive a tailor-made proposal, give us a call or write to us! We're here for you!
contact@blaycationtravel.com or +4915145740253 / +1 (902) 441-5664
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