Deep in the Finnish snow-cloaked forests countryside lies the Kakslauttanen Holiday Village, an ideal romantic getaway, tucked away from all the world.

Located far enough away from one another in a beautiful woodland are 37 spacious and warm rustic cabins dotted amongst the trees, The cabins are far enough apart so you would enjoy privacy, and with a meter of snow and your own private garden area you can have fun building a snowman.

Although each log cabin is equipped with its own electric sauna, you can find a couple of traditional wood/smoke saunas around the village, as well as the largest smoke sauna in the world, normally used for private groups up to 150 people.

During December Kakslauttanen, offers two new options to its guests, they can either spend a night in ice rooms with polar sleeping bag, or take one of twenty glass igloos, that provide an amazing experience of watching the stars and snowfall while embraced by the warmth of the traditional dome shape igloo. If you’re lucky enough you will get to marvel at the phenomenal aurora borealis above.

Things to do:

If relaxing and enjoying the purity of nature isn’t enough for you, the Kakslauttanen Holiday Village has a lot to offer to its guests.

You can go on a cross country skiing adventure, enjoy Kakslauttanen’s Ice Gallery, or dine in the world’s largest snow restaurant where everything there is made out of crystal-clear ice. With the guidance of an instructor you can learn how to make beautiful sculptures and carvings out of snow and ice.

Now if you are brave enough you can try dipping in a little hole in the ice to experience swimming in the icy cold water. I know I would never do that myself, but I might get tempted if they could talk me into all the different health benefits.

You can also take a trip to “Paratiisi” an island in Lake Inari, where you can enjoy nature and fishing, the hotel offers staying over at the island in one of their log cabins.

Dining:

The hotel offers an open fire warm and cozy restaurant that serves both a set and an à la carte menus. Coffee, cakes and light snacks are available from the self-service counter. At the basement you can find a warm welcoming Piano lounge.

Using the always available Ski Bus, you can head out to the nearby ski resort of Saariselka, where you can find several shopping and dining options in the little town.

In the darkest months, December and January, daytime shortens to about 5 hours, but the lingering sunrise and sunset reflecting off the snow provides an enchanting polar light, great for photography. By night, the stars and the moonlight provide their own charming magic.

How to get there:

You will have to fly to Helsinki, in Finland, once there, you need to catch a flight to Ivalo. Make sure you book that domestic flight ahead and make sure you got the right dates, since they don’t have a high frequency.