Experience hygge on a cozy holiday with Magnetic North Travel

As the clocks go back and the night draws in we are all looking for ways to beat the winter blues. Despite the dark, cold winters, global reports rank Denmark as the happiest country in the world year after year, so what is the secret to their happiness? Some experts believe that it is all down to hygge, which loosely translates as ‘cosiness’ and in practice means enjoying the good things in life, loving simple pleasures and being kind to yourself.

Magnetic North Travel is offering a collection of new holidays across Scandinavia that encompass the hygge way of life and will help us to find some cold comfort during the winter. 

Best for romantic hygge…stay in the NEW Arctic TreeHouse Hotel, Finland

Opening on 19 November 2016 is Lapland’s newest hotel, the stylish Arctic TreeHouse Hotel, located in the Arctic circle near Rovaniemi. Stay in one of just 32 private pod-suites with their Scandi-cool warm wooden interiors. The floor-to-ceiling glass wall offers incredible views of the frosty Finnish forest below and the Aurora Borealis above. Combine with some winter activities including snowmobile safaris, husky mushing and sleigh rides. Read more...

Best for family hygge…Ice-skating in Finland  

Get your skates on and enjoy a hyggelig day of family fun ice-skating in Finnish Lakeland, Europe’s largest lake district. The lakes form a labyrinth of narrow waterways, islands and isthmuses and during winter, the water freezes and becomes an enormous ice-rink of intertwining paths ready to be explored. In the past, skating from island to island was an essential way for Finns to get around – now it is an enjoyable winter activity.  Under the expert guidance of a local skating guide, skaters will be given a skating lesson and then taken out on the trails. Warm up by the roaring fire with a hot chocolate in one of the log cabins at Resort Järvisydän on the shores of Lake Saimaa. Read more...

Best for Christmas hygge…Tivoli Gardens, Copenhagen                                             

Experience some festive hygge at the Tivoli Gardens where thousands of twinkling fairy lights light up the dark skies and transform the area into an authentic winter wonderland. Sip on a warm cup of hot glögg (mulled wine) and feast on smoked sausages, baked apples and roasted nuts. Best buys include hand-crafted wooden stocking fillers and, ideal for keeping warm during the winter, the traditional Faroese jumpers made famous by the city's best-known actress, Sofie Gråbøl, the star of The Killing.  Decorating your home with ornaments is big part of Danish Christmas hygge so why not boost the hygge levels and design your own at Tivoli Gardens – a perfect gift to give. A three-night stay (BB) at the five-star boutique Hotel Nimb costs from £895pp with flights and transfers included. Enquire

Best for adventure hygge…star-gazing and polar-camping in Spitsbergen

Spend a night under the stars wild camping in the polar wilderness on this three-night trip to Spitsbergen. The first and last nights are spent at Basecamp Trappers Hotel before navigating to the polar camp under the moonlight. The remoteness of the camp provides optimum viewing for the stars and Northern Lights. The tents include a modern heating system to make camp life in the Arctic more comfortable. Telescopes are provided and knowledgeable guides are on hand to give guidance to guests. This new three-night star gazing package costs from £1,245pp and includes flights, airport transfers in Longyearbyen, the Star Gazing Camp excursion (with one night in the polar camp) and two-night’s accommodation at Basecamp Trappers Hotel (BB). Enquire

Best for wellbeing hygge…NEW Arctic Yoga Retreat (yoga-on-ice) under the Northern Lights

Wanderlusting yogis looking to perfect their downward dog, restore their wellbeing and connect with their surroundings should consider the new Arctic Winter Yoga Retreat. Located deep within the Arctic Circle near Jokkmokk in Swedish Lapland this snow and ice yoga retreat takes place 23-26 March, 2017 at the Aurora Safari Camp - a pop-up camp consisting of traditional Sami Lavvu (similar to a tepee), and located in the wilderness, far away from any light pollution, on the frozen Råne River. The retreat offers guests daily virya yoga classes, which take place on the ice-covered river and in the lavvu. The winter wonderland scenery and Arctic silence combined with the guided meditation classes will take guests on a journey of inner self discovery.  Accommodation is in traditional style Sami Lavvu at the Aurora Safari Camp. The modern day version features lots of home comforts including a wood-burning stove. The ice camp also features a wood-fired sauna and icy plunge pool ideal for getting the heart pumping and the blood circulating as well as relaxing muscles. Read more...

Get in touch with our team here at Magnetic North Travel for inspiration on your next hygge holiday in Scandinavia.