In the latest instalment of our team's travels, we hear from Senior Luxury European Specialist, Torr... 

Name:

Torr Walker

Where did you go?

Arctic Sweden 

Which operator did you travel with?

Best Served Scandinavia 

When did you go?

March 2026

What were your top 3 moments?

1. Seeing the Northern Lights

We were incredibly lucky to see the Northern Lights on three out of our four nights. Seeing them appear across the sky was definitely one of the highlights of the trip. 

2. Ice Fishing & Snowmobiling

Getting out onto the frozen Baltic Sea by snowmobile and trying our hand at ice fishing was a completely different way to experience the landscape. 

3. Sweden’s Unique Places to Stay

From the iconic Treehotel and Arctic Bath to Aurora Safari Camp and the remote wilderness lodges, staying in some of Sweden’s most unique properties was a real highlight. 

Torr's Travel Diary

Day 1 

My travel journey began with a smooth flight via Stockholm before arriving in Luleå. We arrived in the late afternoon, settled into our city hotel, and enjoyed an incredible dinner at Hemmagastronomi. Here I was introduced to some incredible local flavours, including reindeer. I'll admit I was slightly apprehensive at first, but it was delicious. We finished the evening with a leisurely stroll along Luleå's waterfront, taking in our first impressions of this charming town. 

Day 2

This morning we stepped back in time, visiting Gammelstad, located just outside Luleå. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is Sweden's largest and most well-preserved church town comprising over 400 traditional red church cottages that surround the original medieval Church.  

From there, we saw a very different side of Sweden with a visit to the stunning Villa Ång. Nestled beside the Lule River, complete with private chef, sauna and hot tub, it redefined my idea of a luxury countryside retreat.  

That afternoon we visited two of Sweden's most iconic hotels. First was the Arctic Bath, a floating wellness retreat with 12 ultra-sleek rooms, six on land and six floating on the Lule River. Then came Treehotel, where each uniquely designed hideaway is suspended among the trees. Our evening ended with a superb curated tasting menu at Treehotel, celebrating the seasonal local flavours, most of which were hand-foraged. 

Day 3  

The next morning, I gave the famous Arctic Bath ice plunge a go. I definitely had a moment of wondering why I’d agreed to it, but the feeling afterwards was quite exhilarating!   

We then headed further into the wilderness, stopping at Sörbyn Lodge and the Aurora Safari Camp before meeting the huskies at Winterdog. They were full of energy and clearly more than ready to get out on the trail. 

That evening, we headed out on a snowmobile safari through the forest after dark. It was a great way to see the landscape at night, and we were lucky enough to get a glimpse of the Northern Lights along the way. 

Day 4

After breakfast, we visited Essence of Lapland. One thing that really surprised me about Arctic Sweden was how much of the experience centres around its people and traditions. Spending time with local forager Eva Gunnare was fascinating as she introduced us to the herbs, berries and flavours that have shaped Sweden’s cuisine for generations.  

Our next stop was Smedja Brinna, where we met local blacksmiths and watched the traditional craft in action. Before we left, it was time to slow down and enjoy Fika. Fika is a Swedish concept that means taking a break to drink coffee/tea and eat a sweet treat; it’s more than a quick snack and a vital social ritual used to relax and connect with friends and family. This is a daily ritual I would very happily adopt at home. 

We then made our way to Brändön Lodge, which has a privileged, peaceful location tucked away on Bothnian Bay. After some time to relax and explore the surroundings, we enjoyed a hearty three-course dinner before heading outside to see if we could spot the Northern Lights one final time. 

Day 5

On our final morning, we headed out by snowmobile across the frozen sea to try our hand at ice fishing. Sitting out on the ice, surrounded by the vast frozen landscape, was a pretty unique experience and a perfect way to round off an incredible adventure. 

A reason to return?

Swedish Lapland completely exceeded my expectations. It isn't just about the snow or the Northern Lights; it's about the warm welcome you receive wherever you go, the outstanding food, the remarkable places to stay and the feeling of switching off in one of Europe's last true wildernesses. If you're looking for somewhere that combines adventure, luxury and authentic experiences in equal measure, I can't recommend it highly enough. Just don't forget to pack your thermals!