Sweden

If you know me, you know I love Scandinavia. I can't get enough of it. But until recently, I had somehow never been to Stockholm. I can say it out loud now... Stockholm is my new favorite city (move over, Paris)! It combines a classic European feel with innovative, sleek design sensibilities, an amazing food scene, the most resplendent nature right in its backyard, and the friendliest people. You can get a taste of it in three days, but if you give yourself a week, you'll really be able to immerse yourself in all it has to offer.

Stockholm, Sweden, may not receive as much attention as other popular destinations in Europe, but the city and its neighboring islands rival any destination for its culture, charm, architecture, history, food and nature. It's a city that should be on everyone's Europe bucket list. I was first intrigued by Stockholm after reading the book series, "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo". The story set in the Stockholm neighborhood of Soder (translated to South in Swedish) and the archipelago (a collection of islands) intrigued me and so I set out with my family on a summer adventure to check it out. Stockholm surprised us with its plentiful offerings and promises to be a destination worth a return visit.

Visiting Stockholm or the Swedish Lapland? Harads, a charming village with only 600 people situated just south of the Arctic circle, is the perfect destination to add on for some ultimate bucket-list winter adventures. From a treehouse to a spa hotel floating on a river, the hotels in Harads will take your breath away for an idyllic winter wonderland getaway. Lulea Airport is only roughly an hour from Harads and has direct flights to Stockholm, Paris, London and Dusseldorf, making it an ideal long weekend getaway or add-on to a Northern Europe itinerary. From dogsledding to snowmobiling to viewing the Northern Lights, the number of winter activities available to you in this region is endless! Because the Northern Lights cannot be guaranteed, the longer you are able to stay close to the Arctic Circle, the more opportunities for viewing you will have.

If you are headed to Scandinavia in the middle of winter, there is typically one thing you're after - the Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights). Sweden and Finland have some epic unique luxury hotels, including a wellness hotel that floats on a river, an ice hotel that is constructed with ice from the river from designs submitted from artists from all over the world and a gorgeous igloo hotel with a private jacuzzi that is perfectly situated for Northern Light viewing. Combine them all for a perfect itinerary in Lapland where you can chase the Northern Lights, experience amazing winter wonderland activities, and dabble in the amazing Scandinavian wellness culture.

Sweden was ranked one of the top ten happiest countries in the world, and after a visit there it is without question why. Stockholm is full of history, culture and sustainable architecture, not to mention the brilliant food scene. The shopping is unreal; from vintage to designer to home decor, the only issue is how to get it all home. After walking around Stockholm from island to island, it's time for nature! From Stockholm, you take an easy flight to the airport of Luleå which is a 90-minute drive to Harads, Sweden. A stay at Arctic Bath, Loggers Lodge or Tree Hotel are all ideal locations to experience the spirit of Swedish Lapland. Remote luxury among pine tree forests, with a river running nearby (or frozen nearby depending on the time of year), and a star-filled sky make it an ideal place to watch the Northern Lights dance on clear nights. To see the beauty of the Northern Lights, head to Swedish Lapland between early September and late March (but of course, the lights are no guarantee).

Stockholm is a city built around water; it’s spread across 14 islands and connected by 57 bridges. The city is full of charming cafes, cobblestone alleyways, and numerous waterfront promenades and viewpoints. One third of the city is made up of parks so you are never too far from a nature break. 90% of the city’s subway stations have art installations and the buildings are often painted in bright colors, meaning there is color around every corner in Stockholm. The city and archipelago are well connected via subway, bus, train, and ferry, which makes Stockholm a very easy city to explore. While it’s very popular to visit during the summer for all of the warm weather festivals, visiting it during the winter will allow you to see the city from a new perspective, avoid crowds, and really appreciate the abundance of saunas. Stockholm is also the perfect launching point to venture north to Lapland, explore before cruises, or to visit the rest of Scandinavia afterwards!

Deciding on a destination for a girls' trip can be quite tricky. Stockholm, Sweden offers something for every girl in the group - no matter their travel style. Stockholm has got it all: sightseeing, shopping, spas, museums, boat cruises, you name it! Not to mention, delicious dining options and unique spots to grab drinks. We all agreed that we would like to return to Stockholm again just to eat - the food was seriously that good!

Seeing the Aurora Borealis (i.e. The Northern Lights) in The Nordics is truly a magical experience. It’s an event where no matter how many times you see it, it leaves you in awe. The Nordics have incredible viewing opportunities for the lights, and many struggle with choosing their destination. That’s where this handy guide comes in! Whether you’re looking for a calm, wellness-inspired retreat, an active adventure filled with dogsledding and reindeer herding or authentic Arctic cultural experiences — this guide will give you a great starting point for where your perfect destination is to see the Aurora. Although in the end, seeing The Northern Lights is never a guarantee. I can promise that whatever the experience is you’re looking for, I can help you find it in The Nordics. Contact me today and let’s get started on planning your perfect trip to see the lights!