FINLAND


Inari village (and doubles as the Sámi cultural centre). Guests can also visit the newly renovated Sámi museum, Siida, which houses a range of interesting collections and exhibitions showcasing the Sámi’s history and lifestyle, and the challenges they face to preserve their traditions (the Finnish Constitution was amended in 1995 to strengthen Sámi rights following decades of discrimination). A nomadic lifestyle is lived by many in Inari, with the majority of residents retaining the ancient VÕÃÌomà ov wÃhin}] hÕnÌin} >n` voÀ>}in}° ,iin`iiÀ husbandry, though no longer the main livelihood for Sámi people in the region, continues to live on – enhanced, like many traditional industries, by modern technology such as GPS collars and helicopters to ÌÀ>Vk Ìhi >nim>lð º9oÕ Üon½Ì wn` mÕVh mi>Ì in Ìhi shops,” mused our guide, Jerome, as we drove long Ào>`à lini` ÜiÌh LiÀVh ÌÀiià >n` Ìhi o`` wÃhin} Ãho« or gas station. “That’s because most people have an uncle or brother who owns reindeer, and you just buy it off them. That’s true Lapland style.” There’s still a heavy use of wood and local timber traditions to construct homes, hotels and schools. Faith in animism, the belief that all natural things have ëiÀiÌÃ] h>à >lÃo Ãiin yoÀ> >n` v>Õn> in Ìhià Ài}ion thrive: visitors can expect to see brown bears, golden


eagles, willow grouse and wolverines – and even the Arctic fox is starting to show signs of re-emergence after years of decline. A native German, we asked Jerome what he loves most about living in Inari. “My favourite part is the nature – the space and freedom you have for yourself,” he said.


Lapland adventures The region is a top-seller for northern lights specialist The Aurora Zone, which offers holidays in Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden. A recent episode of Amazing Hotels: Life Beyond the Lobby, wlmi` >Ì Wilderness Hotel Inari, reportedly contributed to a 31% year-on-year rise in bookings to the area for the operator, with a new direct, twice-weekly British ƂiÀÜ>ÞÃ yi}hÌ vÀom >ÌÜiVk Ìo Û>lo] > Îä-minÕÌi drive from Inari, boosting UK connectivity further. Sales generally are booming: bookings for The


Aurora Zone from September 1 onwards are up by 63% compared with the previous year. Demand is «>ÀÌiVÕl>ÀlÞ hi}h voÀ inl>n`] ÜiÌh iVimLiÀ ÓäÓx ÌÀi«Ã wllin} Õ« ££ monÌhà in >`Û>nVi° “With record-breaking booking numbers, demand for northern lights adventures is at an all-time high,” says managing director Amy Hope. “We’re witnessing an unprecedented surge in


ª


ABOVE: Aurora Cabin, Northern Lights Village, Saariselka OPPOSITE: FIRST ROW: Snowmobiles, Wilderness Hotel Inari; husky safari SECOND ROW: Fat biking; writer Erica Rich; Juutua Wilderness Hotel THIRD ROW: Huskies poised and ready to run FOURTH ROW: Aurora Cabin, Northern Lights Village; reindeer sleigh ride PREVIOUS PAGE: The northern lights, Wilderness Hotel Inari Credits: Wilderness Hotels; Ministerie van Beeld Gorinchem/Hunk de Kock; Anthony Oberlin


70 ASPIRE MARCH 2025 aspiretravelclub.co.uk


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68  |  Page 69  |  Page 70  |  Page 71  |  Page 72  |  Page 73  |  Page 74  |  Page 75  |  Page 76  |  Page 77  |  Page 78  |  Page 79  |  Page 80  |  Page 81  |  Page 82  |  Page 83  |  Page 84  |  Page 85  |  Page 86  |  Page 87  |  Page 88  |  Page 89  |  Page 90  |  Page 91  |  Page 92  |  Page 93  |  Page 94  |  Page 95  |  Page 96  |  Page 97  |  Page 98  |  Page 99  |  Page 100  |  Page 101  |  Page 102  |  Page 103  |  Page 104  |  Page 105  |  Page 106  |  Page 107  |  Page 108  |  Page 109  |  Page 110  |  Page 111  |  Page 112  |  Page 113  |  Page 114  |  Page 115  |  Page 116  |  Page 117  |  Page 118  |  Page 119  |  Page 120  |  Page 121  |  Page 122  |  Page 123  |  Page 124  |  Page 125