AUTUMN SIGHTS AND NORTHERN LIGHTS IN SWEDISH LAPLAND Have you ever wanted to escape somewhere calm and peaceful with nature all around? You've enjoyed the long days of summer, but you're not quite ready for the winter... Then we have something for you. Experience the rich colours and beautiful nature of Swedish Lapland's autumn alongside the coast of the Bay of Bothnia. It's the perfect time for autumn shades and Northern Lights. In the autumn the people of the Arctic region begin to prepare for the long winter ahead. By day they are picking berries and mushrooms in the forest, hunting game and fish and cutting wood for the open fire in preparation for the long winter ahead. The days are crisp and darkness has started to creep in after 100 nights of summer light; candles are being lit and snuggle blankets are appearing on sofas. This is a lovely time of the year and these darker nights mean that it's also a wonderful time to see the Northern Lights late in the evening without having to brave sub-zero temperatures and the heavy snow all around. Why not join the people of Swedish Lapland at this special time of year, and relax and absorb the great outdoors and nature with a few of our hand-picked outdoor experiences. ITINERARY DAY 1 - ARRIVAL DAY Arrive Luleå Airport. Met on arrival and transferred to your accommodation in the Luleå Archipelago (approx 1 hour).
Brändön Lodge is located just north of Luleå on the coast of Swedish Lapland overlooking the Bay of Bothnia and the 1250 islands of the Luleå Archipelago. Your first afternoon is spent getting to know your hosts, relaxing and taking a short walk along the beach or through the pine forest surrounding the lodge. A delicious dinner awaits you in the restaurant during the evening. After dinner you can relax in the lodge's lounge and bar area with a drink, take a short walk down to the water's edge to look for the Northern Lights or why not enjoy an optional sauna and hot tub under the stars (see Excursions tab for details). 4 nights BRÄNDÖN - Brändön Lodge DAY 2 - FORAGING WALK PLUS OUTDOOR COOKING CLASS Closeness to nature is part of daily life for people in the Arctic and the forests around Brändön are full of autumn delicacies including blueberries, cloudberries, lingonberries, Sea Buckthorn (bursting with Vitamin C) and several different types of mushrooms. These all ripen in the late summer and autumn and enhance the flavours of many of the local dishes. During this walk you will be specifically searching for these types of berries and mushrooms and will take them back to the kitchen after the tour so your chef can have them ready for your evening activity*. Lunch is included either outdoors or at the lodge. Swedish Lapland is famous for its cuisine. During your evening activity your chef will show you how to prepare an amazing outdoor 3-course dinner using local raw ingredients, including those picked by yourself during your morning of foraging. You then enjoy the fruits of your labours - just as nature intended! * Should the winter chill arrive early in the season, and the berries and mushrooms are too few then you will spend the morning learning Nordic wilderness skills in the forest surrounding Brändön.
DAY 3 - GUIDED BOAT TOUR TO AN ISLAND Brändön Lodge looks directly out to sea with approximately 1300 islands in the Luleå Archipelago. Many of these islands are deserted or only have small cabins used by local people for their summer holidays. On this guided tour you will travel by boat to one of the nearby islands to find a nice place to stop, go ashore and prepare lunch. You will spend time exploring the island on foot with a chance to swim or simply relax and enjoy the view. Return to the lodge with the afternoon free to relax or for optional activities including kayaking and fat biking (guided or independently). Dinner is served in the lodge's restaurant during the evening or alternatively why not try either our guided Northern Lights Walk or our guided Northern Lights Island Boat Tour - both of which include dinner outdoors, letting the fresh air build your appetite - see Excursions tab for more details. DAY 4 - FREE DAY Today we have given you a free day for optional activities. You may decide to rent a kayak or fatbike and explore independently, or you may prefer to be guided. Or how about a visit to Gammelstad Church Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, or a seal safari? Dinner is included at the lodge during the evening. DAY 5 - HOMEWARD BOUND Depending on your time of departure you will have part of the morning to relax and enjoy the lodge. Lunch is not included on this day as some flights depart earlier than others. Should your flight be
confirmed as departing during the afternoon then lunch will be taken at the lodge, supplement shown under prices. Your transfers will be arranged in accordance with your flight departure. DEPARTURE DATES & PRICES Departure Day: Daily according to flight schedules Departure Dates: September & October 2017 Duration: 4 nights/5 days Price from: Prices are based on a minimum of two people travelling together and sharing a cabin Deposit for this holiday: 200 per person AUTUMN IN SWEDISH LAPLAND prices from Departure Date Price from per person 1 Sept - 31 Oct 2017 1970 Lunch at lodge on day of departure if late afternoon flight 18 Price includes: Scheduled flights with SAS in SAS Go class from Heathrow to Luleå (via Stockholm) including taxes, 23kgs of checked luggage and one piece of hand luggage. Return guided transfer from Luleå Airport to Brändön Lodge. 4 nights at Brändön Lodge based on 2, 3 or 4 people sharing a cabin with two bedrooms, bathroom, living room area, kitchenette and dining table including daily buffet breakfast, 3 dinners and 1 lunch (served in the main lodge building). Guided forgaging walk in the forest including lunch, duration 3 hours. Outdoor cooking course with local chef including 3-course dinner, duration 3 hours. Guided boat tour to an island including outdoor lunch, duration 3 hours.
ACCOMMODATION Brändön Lodge Located on an Island on the coast of Swedish Lapland is Brändön Lodge, a cabin resort which overlooks the frozen sea and islands of the Luleå archipelago. The main building is a log cabin that includes the relaxation lounge, bar and restaurant. Surrounding the log cabin are 15 cabins facing towards the sea. Each cabin is simple in design and includes one bathroom (shower only), two bedrooms with 2 single beds in each room (two of the single beds can be joined together to create a double bed on request), an open plan small living room with kitchen and a front facing covered porch/verandah which has a view over the sea. The cabins can accommodate up to 5 people if using the sofa bed in the living room. When meals are included in the holiday package these are taken in the restaurant in the main building. EXCURSIONS & ACTIVITIES The beautiful region surrounding Brändön Lodge has lots of experiences available for you to take part in. Whether you enjoy being active or prefer something more leisurely there is something for you. Here are our selection. FAT BIKE ACTIVITIES
RENTAL OF FAT BIKES Fat bikes are a fantastic way of exploring more rugged terrain by bike without having to avoid sand, rocks and small obstacles - these are simply ridden over! It is possible to rent fat bikes locally from Brändön Lodge as follows: 1.5 hour - SEK225 per person 3 hours - SEK325 per person 6 hours - SEK475 per person 24 hours - SEK800 per person GUIDED FAT BIKE TOUR Description: Challenge yourself with an unforgettable Northern Scandinavia experience. Take a fabike tour on the island and ride on top of the sand and through the forest as your guide takes you on a tour starting in Brändön through the village to some secret areas riding the trainls and beaches. Fatbikes are easy to pedal and uniquely suited to the environment all year around. Duration: 3 hours Price: 140 per person GUIDED KAYAK TOUR Description: There is no better way to experience the beauty of the Bothnia Bay than by kayak. Take a relaxing paddle in the shallow protected bays and coastline around Brändön as you explore one of the larger islands in the 1300 island archipelago. Your guide will ensure you and your kayak are wellmatched and seaworthy, before you set out on a memorable trip to secluded locations which have been selected by your guide depending on wind direction and weather conditions. No two tours are the same as it is possible to see seals, seagulls, sea eagles and the occasional moose as you paddle to a point where you take a break on land for some pictures and a stretch before continuing. Duration: 4 hours Price: 160 per person
SEAL SAFARI BY BOAT Description: You will depart in a 7.5 metre boat captained by your nature guide. You will explore the archipelago in search of seals resting on the many islands and small rocky reefs. The two types of seal in the Baltic are Ringed Seal and Grey Seal which feed on fish in the bay including herring and salmon. Both grey and ringed seals were hunted along the edge of the ice in earlier days but not the protected numbers have exploded making sightings very likely. Birdlife is also prevalent in the region and includes Sea Eagles, Black Guillemot, Velvet Scoter, Oystercatcher, Less Black-backed Gull, Western Capercaillie and Willow Ptarmigan. Moose, who are known to swim between islands, bear and even reindeer and hare are found on the islands, as on the mainland, and are also possible sightings from the comfort of your boat. Duration: 2 hours Price: 225 per person GAMMELSTAD GUIDED TOUR Description: This tour includes a short transfer to the World Heritage Gammelstad Church village where you will have a guided tour of the village. The village is of significant cultural and historic importance to Luleå and Sweden and whose origins dates back to the 14th century. There are also some great art and craft shops and a visitor display which you will visit. Along the way your guide will explain the history of the village and how it relates to the local geography, the region's development and the history of northern Sweden. Duration: 3 hours Price: 115 per person