Anyone been to Finland for the northern lights?

[inlinesix]

On 1/14/2025 at 2:36 PM, denser said:

i got struck in a thick snow, luckily able to get out with 4-wheel drive. My friend drove a 2-wheel car need helps to push from the back

Bring towing rope.

4WD pull 2WD out of the snow

[Wildfaye29]

i thinking of an open jaw trip

1) fly Finair into Helsinki -> then travel northwards to end in Ivalo

2) fly Finair from Ivalo back to SIN (via Helsinki)

Any feedback appreciated.

Likely to be a 2 week trip.

[Spidey10]

On 1/14/2025 at 2:29 PM, denser said:

I flew Icelandair from Helsinki, think you can fly british airways from London.

Yes Iceland is a place i visited where i will remember in my life. I went during winter ending, if I have a chance to visit again i will go in summer time although more crowded but I want to try driving on F-road which closure on winter, and also explore further westfjords.

There will be road blockage if there are volcanic happening but it will not affect your journey, if there is a chance you should go see..

definitely....in my bucket list and to soak in the thermal blue lagoon pool as well......did you try? 

Edited January 14 by Spidey10

[Voodooman]

On 1/14/2025 at 2:36 PM, denser said:

i got struck in a thick snow, luckily able to get out with 4-wheel drive. My friend drove a 2-wheel car need helps to push from the back

Yup, i remember most locals drive 4WD. 

Just curious, since you did both Finland and Iceland, which is better if you only have time for one?

 

[Wildfaye29]

On 1/8/2025 at 4:48 PM, Giordanogavin said:

I only self-drive at artic circle. In Helsinki can take their public transport which is quite convenience.

Can plan to include Tallinn in Estonia. Is just 2 hours ferry away from Helsinki. The old town worth a visit and is a hidden gem.

Day1-3: Tallinn, Estonia

Day 4-6: Helsinki

Day 7-13: Rovaniemi, Levi

Day 14: Fly back to Helsinki from Rovaniemi

 

I can give you more tips on how to increase your chances of viewing Aurora if you are keen 😉

 

@giordanogavin @denser care to share the resources u both used to plan your trip pls?

like transport, hotels, scenic spots, bookings for husky rides etc

thanks in advance!

On 1/10/2025 at 10:01 AM, denser said:

I can share mine when i visited last year

I spent 5 days in Finland then flied to Iceland

Day 1: Collect car in airport and drive to Reykjavik for a night stay

Day 2: Thingvellier National park, Kerid Crater, Geysir, Gullfoss, Hrunalaug hotspring

Day 3: Seljalandsfoss, Gljufrabui, Skogafoss, Solheimasandur, Dyrholaey, Reynisfjarc

Day 4: Fjaorargljufur, Skaftafell, Svinafellsjokull, Fjallsarlon, Diamond beach, Jokulsarlon

Day 5: Vestrahorn, Hengifoss, Gufufoss

Day 6: Dettifoss, Namafjall, Krafla, Hverfjall, Grjotagja, Godafoss

Day 7: Holmavik, Horgshlioarlaug, Isafjorour, Dynjandi, Garoare B4 64

Day 8: Guorunarlaug, Kolgrafafjorour, Kirkjufell, Ingjaldsholskirkja, Svortuloft, Gatklettur, Budakirkja

Day 9: Hallgrimskirkja, Sun Voyager sculpture, Harpa concert hall, Hljomskala park

Day 10: Return

You have 14 days so can spread out the places a bit or even can go Húsavík for whales watching and Hornstrandir Nature Reserve

 

[denser]

On 1/14/2025 at 2:54 PM, Wildfaye29 said:

i thinking of an open jaw trip

1) fly Finair into Helsinki -> then travel northwards to end in Ivalo

2) fly Finair from Ivalo back to SIN (via Helsinki)

Any feedback appreciated.

Likely to be a 2 week trip.

yes i did it, i flew to Helsinki stay a night then took sleeper train to Rovaniemi, visit santa claus village and stay in igloo

took domestic flight back to helsinki and flew to iceland

[denser]

On 1/14/2025 at 4:22 PM, Spidey10 said:

definitely....in my bucket list and to soak in the thermal blue lagoon pool as well......did you try? 

yes i did but not the commercial type, i went to free of charge kind at the westfjords 😆

[denser]

On 1/14/2025 at 10:36 PM, Voodooman said:

Yup, i remember most locals drive 4WD. 

Just curious, since you did both Finland and Iceland, which is better if you only have time for one?

 

definitely iceland, i am a nature person, this place seem like another world especially in the westfjords

[denser]

On 1/15/2025 at 10:02 AM, Wildfaye29 said:

@giordanogavin @denser care to share the resources u both used to plan your trip pls?

like transport, hotels, scenic spots, bookings for husky rides etc

thanks in advance!

 

google hahaaaa...

[Spidey10]

On 1/15/2025 at 10:02 AM, Wildfaye29 said:

@giordanogavin @denser care to share the resources u both used to plan your trip pls?

like transport, hotels, scenic spots, bookings for husky rides etc

thanks in advance!

 

I booked my husky ride using  - getyourguide.com

when I was in Norway...

[Voodooman]

On 1/17/2025 at 9:44 AM, denser said:

definitely iceland, i am a nature person, this place seem like another world especially in the westfjords

Ok, thanks for sharing. I did the Icelandic's Ring Road a few years ago during summer and it was a very memorable trip.  Did some of my best day hikes there. 

Any other nature places/ countries you will revisit?  

Trying to solicit ideas for my next summer holidays. Thinking of Canadian Rockies or some of the Scandinavian countries, hence my question. 

 

[Spidey10]

On 1/17/2025 at 10:58 AM, Voodooman said:

Ok, thanks for sharing. I did the Icelandic's Ring Road a few years ago during summer and it was a very memorable trip.  Did some of my best day hikes there. 

Any other nature places/ countries you will revisit?  

Trying to solicit ideas for my next summer holidays. Thinking of Canadian Rockies or some of the Scandinavian countries, hence my question. 

 

Norway...up to the Artic circle....one of most memorable trips.....i think i wanna go back again....this time road trip to Lofoten 

[Voodooman]

On 1/17/2025 at 1:58 PM, Spidey10 said:

Norway...up to the Artic circle....one of most memorable trips.....i think i wanna go back again....this time road trip to Lofoten 

Yes, Norway is being considered as they offer some fantastic day hikes but like Iceland, it will be expensive.  Trying to spread my travel budget around more trips.

Did you do any hikes while there? Any favorites? 

[Spidey10]

only hike we did was up mount floyen as it was winter...even that we had some difficulty at the top as it's covered with snow and ice and makes it very slippery.  But the view of Bergen was well worth it...and feeezing cold as well... 

I think winter is not for hiking....for asians i guess, but those scandinavians was flying up and down like no ones business and they were on spikes...

if wanna hike, i think summer and autumn is the best....my last trip there we didn't drive as it was in winter....actually Norway, in winter is too dangerous to drive...snow everywhere.

and we were supposed to hike up mount Fjellhesin in Tromso as well...but it was snowing and after the 1st experience in Bergen, we decided not to hike...

is really memorable trip for us, hence i want to go back for a raod trip to Lofoten...

As to the cost....we mainly stayed in Airbnb and cook most of our food...we seldom eat out, only once or twice...and if you get your own ingredients like ham, sausages, breads and other meat and veggies, is actually not that expensive...hence, we saved a lot there. we bought along instant noodles and rice as well and some curry ingredients...pretty fun for the whole family...

Edited January 17 by Spidey10

[Voodooman]

On 1/17/2025 at 2:43 PM, Spidey10 said:

only hike we did was up mount floyen as it was winter...even that we had some difficulty at the top as it's covered with snow and ice and makes it very slippery.  But the view of Bergen was well worth it...and feeezing cold as well... 

I think winter is not for hiking....for asians i guess, but those scandinavians was flying up and down like no ones business and they were on spikes...

if wanna hike, i think summer and autumn is the best....my last trip there we didn't drive as it was in winter....actually Norway, in winter is too dangerous to drive...snow everywhere.

and we were supposed to hike up mount Fjellhesin in Tromso as well...but it was snowing and after the 1st experience in Bergen, we decided not to hike...

is really memorable trip for us, hence i want to go back for a raod trip to Lofoten...

As to the cost....we mainly stayed in Airbnb and cook most of our food...we seldom eat out, only once or twice...and if you get your own ingredients like ham, sausages, breads and other meat and veggies, is actually not that expensive...hence, we saved a lot there. we bought along instant noodles and rice as well and some curry ingredients...pretty fun for the whole family...

Thanks for sharing. I have no intention to travel to Norway during winter.  Done driving in icy condition, it just takes too much effort and can be pretty stressful at times. 

We love visiting northern hemisphere during summer, cool days and long day light.  Super enjoyable.  

Yes, we cooked in airbnb for most of our dinners in Iceland although the food there is generally much better than Scottish/ English food, just crazily expensive.  

[Spidey10]

On 1/17/2025 at 4:21 PM, Voodooman said:

Thanks for sharing. I have no intention to travel to Norway during winter.  Done driving in icy condition, it just takes too much effort and can be pretty stressful at times. 

We love visiting northern hemisphere during summer, cool days and long day light.  Super enjoyable.  

Yes, we cooked in airbnb for most of our dinners in Iceland although the food there is generally much better than Scottish/ English food, just crazily expensive.  

so let's see where to ahhh.....my heart is to do Norway road trip...but wifey could have other ideas, and kids as well....let's see. 

This yr is out for me, another project on....which i foresee will take me easily 6-10 mths to complete. Hence, gotta plan it for next yr liao....

 

[teomingern]

On 1/17/2025 at 9:42 AM, denser said:

yes i did but not the commercial type, i went to free of charge kind at the westfjords 😆

What do you mean? Must wear clothing or not? Or must be naked type? 

[teomingern]

On 1/17/2025 at 10:58 AM, Voodooman said:

Ok, thanks for sharing. I did the Icelandic's Ring Road a few years ago during summer and it was a very memorable trip.  Did some of my best day hikes there. 

Any other nature places/ countries you will revisit?  

Trying to solicit ideas for my next summer holidays. Thinking of Canadian Rockies or some of the Scandinavian countries, hence my question. 

 

Definitely Canadian Rockies... been there once in 2009 for 2 weeks... drive loop from Vancouver and back again... spend time in Vancouver... especially Vancouver Island... if you're interested can give you my itinerary... easy drive, unparalleled scenery, lots of easy hikes and tougher ones if you want...

Edited January 17 by teomingern