BEATING THE ARCTIC HEAT

When it comes to visiting Northern Europe, most opt to visit during the winter to witness the spectacle called Aurora Borealis aka Northern Lights. But what if your bravado fails you when it comes to extreme cold? Well, then, Nordic summers would be the perfect choice for you.

So, having taken the decision to visit a Nordic site during the week when it was predicted to be the hottest, I rounded in on Rovaniemi, Finland, for it offered me a chance to cross the Arctic Circle (under the most friendly weather) and visit the real Santa Claus (there is just no debate here). To my pleasant surprise, I discovered that the capital city of Lapland had so much more to offer that no matter what one’s personality, they will find something of interest.

ARKTIKUM

It is good to make the museum your first stop, as you get to visually witness the history of the land. Right from how the light travels in the country with the changing seasons, and taxidermy specimens of polar bear and moose to pre-war and post-war models of the city (it was burned down by Germans during the Lapland War, 19441945), it is the perfect icebreaker to Rovaniemi. Like all museums, one can avail of the services of a guide who will explain in detail the history and culture as you pass through various sections in the Arktikum.

HUSKIES

These native canines are an essential part of the Nordic culture. In the olden days, they were used a lot for transportation in the Arctic region. Even now, tourists can ride on sledges pulled by huskies. One can also opt to