Pandas Arrive in Finland as gift from China
This week a pair of giant Pandas have made the journey from China to Finland, as a gift from China to mark Finland’s 100 years of independence. The two pandas, Four-year-old male panda Hua Bao and three-year old female Jin Baobao were greeted on Thursday in a ceremony at Helsinki airport which was attended by […]
Winter Has Come at the Game of Thrones Ice and Snow Village
If you’re a Game of Thrones fan then you absolutely need to check out this year’s Snow Village Snow Hotel. Rebuilt every year in Finland, using around 20 million kilos of snow and 350 000 kilos of crystal clear natural ice, the amazing SnowVillage is rebuilt every year. Game of Thrones is an American fantasy […]
Finland’s Centenary of Independence
Finland’s centenary of independence is being celebrated throughout the world tomorrow, Wednesday 6th December. Flags will fly, music will play and parades will take to the streets across the country as Finland celebrates its independence. The theme for the celebratory year is “Together,” showing that everyone – Finns and friends of Finns – are welcome […]
First Snow of the Season in Finland
The first snow of the winter season has started to fall across Finland and we’re super excited for the upcoming winter across all of our Nordic holiday destinations. Below are pictures from near the Kakslauttanen Glass Igloo Resort in Finland. Typically, heavier snowfall across all of our different resorts starts from around mid November though […]
How to Make Cinnamon Buns – or “Kanelbullar”
A tasty treat to be enjoyed at Fika time (daily time set aside for cake and coffee) the Swedes LOVE their Cinnamon Buns. We’ve trawled the internet in search of the best recipe for Cinnamon Buns and we think we’ve found it at Sweden.Se Ingredients Makes 25 buns 35 g (1¼ oz) yeast 100 g […]
What to do if affected by collapse of Simply Sweden?
Arctic Direct are saddened to hear of the confirmed collapse of fellow Nordic travel specialists Simply Sweden. Following the collapse, we have been approached by a number of customers who have been affected by the failure of Simply Sweden and are helping customers, where possible, to fulfil their holiday packages. We are also in discussions […]
Meet a Polar Bear Cub in Norway
If you’ve ever wanted to see a baby polar bear then you absolutely need to visit The Ranua Wildlife Park in Norway. The Polar bear cub, born last November, will be called ‘Sisu’ a Finnish word meaning a combination of persistence, determination and composure. Naming the polar bear was open to the public and Sisu […]
Exclusive Ice Hotel Rooms Preview
Every winter when the snow has set on the ground, a new Ice Hotel is created on the riverbank in Jukkasjärvi. This year, 28 artists from 11 countries together with the lightning team, ice production, building team and art support will create the 28th rendition of Ice Hotel that will open December 15. Go to […]
Forget Trump’s Fire and Fury – Greenland is burning
Massive fire consumes West Greenland For just over the last week, a number of wildfires have been burning in the Greenland. The largest of which has so far burned roughly 3000 acres and has seen smoke billowing into the sky. The main blaze is in a remote area, located about 90 miles northeast of the […]
Earthquakes felt in Reykjavik Iceland
This week the earth in Iceland has been rumbling and multiple earthquakes have been detected across Iceland including last Thursday 27th July when an earthquake swarm was detected by the Icelandic Met Office with over 500 earthquakes. A glacial flood in the Múlakvísl river occurred and travellers were advised to avoid going close to the […]