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Icebreaker cruises Luleå – Swedish Lapland

Icebreaker cruises – Swedish Lapland

⁠Come and join our unforgettable polar adventure on a cruise over the frozen Gulf of Bothnia!

The icebreaker is a unique vessel. Unlike other ships, the icebreaker has a specially designed reinforced hull to withstand the pressure of the ice. It also has an ice-clearing shape to cut a channel through the frozen waters, and a great power to push through sea ice. In the beginning of winter, ice is not more than 30-50 cm thick, but it could reach up to 2 meters by April.

Frej is a Swedish icebreaking vessel owned by Sweden and operated by Sjofartsverket (Swedish Maritime Administration). The ship is homeported in Luleå.⁠ The list of Swedish icebreakers includes Ale (1973), Atle (1974), Frej (1975), Ymer (1977) and Oden (1987). They contribute to maintaining maritime and environmental safety and accessibility. Oden also serves as a scientific research vessel.

Experience the rare opportunity to travel aboard the icebreaker while visiting Swedish Lapland!

During the icebreaker tour, you will be a witness of a massive ice breaking power of the vessel. You will have a guided tour all the way down to the engine rooms and all the way up to Captain’s bridge. You will be able to relax in the cosy saloon, go for a walk on the ice or float in icy water for the most courageous ones! It is a safe activity. You don’t need to know how to swim thanks to the neoprene suit.

Let the magical moments in arctic nature blow you away!

You can save and easily book online and choose between Icebreaker Arctic Explorer and Icebreaker Polar Explorer on our website. Do you prefer personal contact? Then contact us and based on group size and your wishes we will help you in achieving a unique memorable experience.

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Winter Break Luleå

For this winter season we continue offering one of our most popular packages: Winter Break Luleå. This 4 days package is ideal for those who wish to escape from daily routine into a winter wonderland! Offering 4 star hotel accommodation in the city’s newest hotel and including activities like dog sledding, snowshoe walking and snowmobiling.  Where you have the chance to see the magical Northern lights during the evenings!

Availability

Available from 9 December to 18 April 2022.

Luleå

Having a wide variety of iconic winter activities, Luleå becomes the perfect winter destination to experience family-friendly snowshoe walking to thrilling snowmobile safari. From a close-up meeting with Husky’s, during a Dog Sledding tour to driving on ice through the frozen archipelago. You can also explore the region cultural icon the UNESCO World Heritage site “Gammelstad”, which is Scandinavia’s largest and best-preserved church town. When lucky you even have the chance to see the magical Northern Lights!

Package highlights

This package includes 3 nights in the city newest hotel at the Clarion Sense that highlights its all-season sense spa facilities and the rooftop Skybar that you can be amazed by the best view in town. To enrich your Swedish winter experience, this package includes the most popular winter activity for the region, a unique dogsledding tour. On top of the included dog sledding tour, this package offers flexibility for you to customize your holiday further. Choose from one of the following winter excursions which is covered by this package; Northern Lights tour, Snowshoe walking, Luleå Archipelago Tour, Ice-Fishing, Gammelstad guided tour, Meet a moose, Outdoor skills and Nordic Ice-Skating. Or use your activity voucher for activities like snowmobiling or joining a once in a life time icebreaker cruise!

Contact us for more information or visit our website for more information about our latest travel package Winter Break Luleå

Photo credits: Anna Öhlund/imagebank.sweden.se

 

 

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Sami Culture Winter Holiday

We have now updated our Sami Culture Winter Holiday package. This 6-day package features the Arctic winter and indigenous Sami culture in Jokkmokk. It also offers flexibility to explore Swedish Lapland on your own, benefiting from the included rental car. Visit the world famous Icehotel. Or go skiing in the nearby ski resort Dundret.

During this winter holiday you can learn more about the indigenous Sami culture in Jokkmokk. Meet and feed reindeers, listen to stories during a visit by a Sami family and enjoy the beauty of winter during a unique dog sledding tour with Husky’s. With minimal light pollution in Jokkmokk, if lucky, you may even see the magical Northern Lights in the evenings!

Jokkmokk

Located about 5 km north of the Arctic Circle, Jokkmokk is an important cultural hub for the region’s indigenous Sami population. The surroundings consist of vast forestland, marshland and mountains with national parks of Sarek and Padjelanta. This town with its certain mythical charm, has long been a significant trading area. Indeed, it is the best place in Lapland to stock up on authentic Sámi art and handicraft products. The Ájtte Museum, one of Sweden’s best museums, is dedicated to showcase the viable Sámi culture.

With its only 5000 inhabitants, Jokkmokk is a yet unfamiliar destination for many people. However, the town annually hosts one of Swedish oldest markets, dating from the Middle Ages, attracting both traders from across Sapmi region as well as international tourists to Jokkmokk.

Accommodation

You will stay in a typical Swedish wooden cabin on a small campsite near the lake “Stor Skabram”. The cabin is equipped with a bathroom with toilet & shower, TV, free wifi, a sofa bed, refrigerator, kitchen pantry with an electric stove and cutlery, pots, and pans. Two bedrooms with bunk beds, one room with the lower bed 120x200cm, the upper bed 90x200cm; the other room with bunk bed 90x200cm.

Contact us for more information or visit our website for more information about our latest travel package Sami Culture Winter Holiday

Travel date: December – March 2022

Photo credit: Anna Kuhmunen/SilbaSiida

 

 

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Top 5 most popular winter activities in Luleå, Swedish Lapland

Top 5 most popular winter activities in Luleå

So, you’re dreaming of coming to Luleå, in the Northern most part of Sweden for your winter holiday but not sure where to start planning your activities. Don’t worry, we’re here to help! First, you need to decide if you are going to come here for speed and adventure, or tranquility and time for reflection. To help you further, we made a list of most popular winter activities in Luleå. The experiences are mainly nature oriented. Why? Because that’s what Swedish Lapland is mostly about: snow covered forests, frozen rivers, and magical Northern Lights.

1. Dog sledding

By far the most requested activity and one of the most iconic ways to enjoy the nature of Swedish Lapland in wintertime. Going on a a dog sledding tour through Swedish Lapland is a unique experience in many ways. Live the dream of feeling the strength of the dogs pulling the sled at high speed in the snow-covered terrain. Listening to the sound of the snow crunching under the sled and the paws of the dog team. A lifetime experience!

We offer short dogsledding tours, half-day dogsledding tours and evening dog sled tours to chase the Northern Lights!

2. Northern Lights

The Northern lights, Aurora Borealis are shrouded in magic and mystery. Joining a Northern Lights tour will allow you to use our experience and mobility to go to the best places around Luleå to see the Northern Lights and learn more about this magical natural wonder.

We offer 2 different types of excursions: our regular Northern Lights tour by car and a more active version with snowshoes.

3. Snowshoe walking

Experience the serenity of the nature areas around Luleå ‘floating’ across the snow in an unspoiled winter wonderland. Our snowshoe walking activities offer a unique way to get close to nature. During the excursion, your guide will tell you about the unique local nature, and hot beverages will be served.

We offer 2 different types of excursions: our regular Snowshoe Walking tour and an evening tour to chase the Northern Lights!

4. Sámi culture experience

Meet a Sámi family to get to know their way of life. Laponia is also the land of the Sámi people and the reindeer, referred to as Sápmi, stretching from Norway to Russia including Sweden and Finland.

In this excursion, you will get the opportunity to immerse yourself in the Sámi culture. Listen to joik, the traditional Sámi way to musically tell a story and to remember the old ways. A genuine Swedish experience!

5. Icebreaker Cruises

Come and join our unforgettable polar adventure on a cruise over the frozen Gulf of Bothnia! Let the magical moments in arctic nature blow you away and enjoy floating in icy water. It is a safe activity. You don’t need to know how to swim thanks to the neoprene suit.

You can book online and choose between Icebreaker Arctic Explorer and Icebreaker Polar Explorer.

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Dogsledding tours Luleå

Dogsledding tours Luleå

Have you ever heard of the Husky dogs’ call? Dogsledding is a must-do activity for any traveler, but especially for dog lovers or those wanting to get a real Swedish experience. Originally used as a mode of transportation by the native and Inuit people in the northern areas. This practice was also appealing to polar adventurers in quest of the poles.

Each tour begins by spending time meeting and getting to know the team of Alaskan huskies that will take you into the wilderness. Challenge yourself to remember the dogs’ name – each one has a special role to play to maintain the team operating as one! The mushers will show you how the dogs live, and how much they love to run! Once on the trail, drive your own dog team or wrap yourself in blankets and relax as your experienced musher guides your team through Swedish Lapland. Then, let your eager and powerful dog team lead you into the stunning surroundings.

A lifetime experience!

Live the dream of feeling the strength of the dogs pulling the sled at high speed in the snow-covered terrain. Listening to the sound of the snow crunching under the sled and the paws of your new furry sidekicks.

Dogsledding is undoubtedly a synonym for great winter adventure and will give you a thrill never to be forgotten!

The dog sled tours in Luleå are operated by small family businesses. The owners are passionate about their dogs, the quality of the experience and this results in extremely high-quality tours.

We are offering short dogsledding tours, half-day dogsledding tours and evening dog sled tours to chase the Northern Lights!

You can save and easily book your dogsledding tour on our website. Do you prefer personal contact? Then contact us and based on group size and your wishes we will help you in achieving a unique memorable experience.

Welcome to Luleå, Swedish Lapland!

Photo credit: Luleå Travel

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Northern Lights Kiruna and Abisko

For winter season 2021/22 we will offer a new travel package specially designed for the ones who are dreaming of seeing the magical Northern Lights. You will spend 5 days in Kiruna and Abisko, both located within the Aurora Oval. Offering a high chance of seeing the Northern lights during your stay. By arrival in Kiruna, you have already landed 150km above the Arctic Circle. From here you will travel even more north, to the small mountain village of Abisko. One of the best places in the world to see the Northern Lights.

Aurora Nights

Almost every night you will spent time outdoors trying to catch a glimpse of the magical Northern Lights. You will hunt the Aurora Borealis over the frozen landscape with a team of friendly huskies. Immerse yourself in the silence of the polar night in a warm outdoor jacuzzi and visit the Aurora Sky Station in Abisko. One of the best places on earth to see the Northern Lights. Optional we can add on the last evening a thrilling Northern Lights snowmobile safari if you want to get the maximum out of your Aurora nights holiday in Swedish Lapland.

Winter activities

It’s not only the Northern Lights which makes Swedish Lapland an interesting destination. During day time you will bring a visit to the renowned ICEHOTEL, the world’s first hotel made by ice. You will also have the chance to learn more about the Sámi cultureand meet and feed reindeers on a traditional Sámi meeting place. This Abisko and Kiruna Aurora package also offers flexibility to customize your holiday further with adding activities like Snowshoe walking, Ice Fishing, Moose Safari and Reindeer Sledding.

Contact us for more information or visit our website for more information about our latest travel package Abisko and Kiruna Aurora Nights

Photo; Credits: Hjalmar Andersson/imagebank.sweden.se
Location: Lapporten, Abisko – Swedish Lapland

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Nature’s Best approved!

Nature’s Best approved!

We gladly like to inform you that recently Luleå Travel has received the green eco-label Nature’s Best. With not many approved companies in Sweden, this is absolutely something we are very proud about! Our Nature’s Best certification guarantees that we provide you with high-quality experiences. Combined with an active responsibility for protecting nature, more eco-friendly travel and careful consideration of the cultural values and people at the destination.

What is Nature’s Best?

Nature’s Best is Sweden’s only sustainability label for nature-based experiences. The labeling system labels the activities of ecotourism entrepreneurs. Nature’s Best functions both as a systematic tool for nature and cultural tourism companies.  Sustainable business development and a quality label that makes sustainable experiences visible to conscious travelers.

The organization who stands behind Nature’s Best is the Swedish Nature & Ecotourism Association (Naturturismföretagen). More information regarding quality labeling of experiences in Swedish nature you can find on the website from Nature’s Best

Nature’s Best six basic principles

1. Respect the limitations of the destination – minimize the negative impacts on local nature and culture.
2. Support the local economy.
3. Make all the operator’s activities environmentally sustainable.
4. Contribute actively to nature and cultural conversation.
5. Promote knowledge and respect and the joy of discovery.
6. Quality and safety all the way.

Choose smart

As our guest, you too can contribute to support the environment and sensitive nature. By for example using the train instead of flights between Stockholm and Luleå to reduce CO2 emissions.  Select hotels who step out in the field of environmental responsibility and sustainable operation within the tourism industry. Or choose quality approved activities which have the lowest environmental impact during your stay.

Please contact us if you would like to know more about our sustainability work.

Photo credits: Frédéric Forsmark

 

 

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Lapland Coast to Mountains

As the days are getting longer we are looking forward to the summer season. However it will still take a while before the last snow has disappeared from Luleå. For this summer we have added a new package to our summer holiday assortment: Lapland Coast to Mountains. Which is a copy from our popular winter version of this holiday.

Lapland Coast to Mountains

Travel through Swedish Lapland with round-the-clock daylight from the coast to the mountains in 6 days! Discover the vibrant coastal city of Luleå before continuing your holiday towards the mountain village of Abisko. The distance (approx. 440km) between Luleå and Abisko you will travel by train over one of Europe’s northernmost scenic train routes. You will cross the Arctic Circle and go through endless forests in one of the world’s most unique landscapes. To enrich your summer holiday, this package includes a visit to Moose & Reindeer Park, the UNESCO World Heritage site Gammelstad (Old Church Town) as well as a chairlift up to the STF Aurora Sky Station. Creating an even better summer memory, you may also opt for extension overnights in the floating Arctic Bath, up in the wood Treehotel, or chill in the ICEHOTEL!

Contact us for more information or visit our website for more information about our latest travel package: Lapland Coast to Mountains. 

Travel date: 21 June – 13 September

Photo credits: Luleå Travel

 

 

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The Arctic Route

Many people have revealed if they do not drive, or prefer not to drive , it is challenging to explore the beautiful northern part of Scandinavia during winter. However, if you will take The Arctic Route bus service, it is actually quite easy and comfortable to travel from northern Finland to northern Sweden and northern Norway.

The Arctic Route bus service operates daily scheduled services from December 1st until the end of March every year, across various popular tourist destinations between Luleå and Kiruna, Rovaniemi, Tromsø, Narvik and Lyngen. The routes make it easier and cheaper for tourists to explore the Arctic region from the rugged coast to stunning mountainous landscape.

Luleå

When you arrive Luleå, we will be ready to welcome you! We have a wide selection of winter activities and packages fit the demands of families and explorers. Some of our iconic winter activities are Dog sledding, Snowshoe walking, Snowmobiling, Ice fishing and of course, Northern Light safari!

Besides our day tours to explore the surrounding of Luleå such as Storforsen Nature Reserves (Europe’s biggest rapids), we also have well-designed packages e.g. Christmas themed, Short breaks, Fixed departures, All-inclusive packages and so forth.

Contact us for more information, or visit our website for more details regarding all our activities, holiday packages or request for a custom offer.
Arctic Route information: The Arctic Route

 

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NEW winter holidays Swedish Lapland

We are aware of the many concerns travellers have now. Feeling insecure about planning holidays due to the possible travel restrictions caused by the Covid-19 virus. But we hope soon, we can all travel again! For upcoming winter season we have many NEW holidays to choose from. Below you find a few of them:

Lapland Coast to Mountains  (5 days / 4 nights)

Travel through Swedish Lapland from coast to mountains in 5 days. Discover the modern city of Luleå, visit UNESCO World Heritage, before continuing towards the mountain village of Abisko and even up to the Aurora Sky Station.

Arctic Sweden Christmas Holiday (7 days / 6 nights)

White Christmas, Swedish classic food, Northern Lights and Winter Activities. Experience the best Swedish Lapland has to offer during the Christmas festive season. From the coast to the mountains in 7 days, crossing the Arctic Circle.

Jokkmokk Winter Market 2021 (5 days / 4 nights)

World-class Sámi art, culture, handicraft, folk dance as well as great food and atmosphere. This short break in Swedish Lapland includes a day trip to the famous Jokkmokk Winter Market One of the oldest markets in Sweden and an unforgettable dog sledding tour.

Arctic Sweden Winter Holiday (7 days / 6 nights)

Aurora Sky Station, Aurora Spa, Icehotel, Treehotel, Sámi culture and Northern Lights. Experience the best Swedish Lapland has to offer during winter season. From the coast to the mountains in 7 days, crossing the Arctic Circle.

Luleå Archipelago Skiing tour (6 days / 5 nights)

Discover the pristine winter landscape of the Luleå Archipelago on cross country skis from island to island. This unique multi day skiing trip is for everybody who loves the outdoors but doesn’t want to stop exploring during winter.

Winter Bucket List ( 5 days / 4 nights)

Fulfil your Winter Bucket List with this holiday in the heart of Lapland. Combining Northern light hunting, Arctic Circle crossing, Santa Claus Village, Icebreaker adventures as well as Lapland cultural interactions.

Contact us for more information, or visit our website for more details regarding all our activities and holiday packages.

Photo: Abisko – Lapporten Valley. Credit: Peter Rósen

 

 

 

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