Full Description
This thoroughly updated fourth edition of Bradt's Lapland is the only standalone guidebook in English to this wintry wonderland, a region spanning the northernmost fringes of Norway, Sweden and Finland where there are as many reindeer as people, it never gets dark in summer and never gets light in mid-winter. In this new edition, expert author James Proctor covers all the latest developments, including the most up-to-date information on where to see the Northern Lights (Lapland is the best region in the world for Northern Lights viewing) and where to go husky sledding, reviews of the treehouse hotels which have sprung up across the region, the latest details of how to fly directly to one of the Europe's most far-flung destinations from the UK and USA, plus information on a wide range of summer and winter adventures, from hiking and wild swimming to snowmobiling, wilderness stays and staying in the Icehotel.
Everybody has heard of Lapland. Everybody knows it's the home of Father Christmas. Yet remarkably few people can accurately pinpoint Lapland on a map. Bradt's Lapland lifts the lid off this little-known, enigmatic region and shows that there's much more to Lapland than the man with the long white beard and the red suit. This is a land of elemental beauty with plenty to offer anyone who's looking to explore the great outdoors without the great crowds. Lapland is vast and empty, a place of indigenous villages, sweeping forests, mighty waterfalls - the raw side of nature here is the region's defining and inescapable characteristic and no visit is complete without leaving the creature comforts of the nearest town well behind.
Whether on an organized tour or travelling independently, Bradt's Lapland is the essential travel companion.
Contents
Contents
Introduction
The Bradt definition of Lapland - and its origins
PART ONE GENERAL INFORMATION
Chapter 1 Background Information
Geography and climate, Natural history, History, Government and politics, Sámi economy, People, Language, Religion and mythology, Culture
Chapter 2 Practical Information
When to visit, Highlights - and distances, Suggested itineraries, Tour operators, Red tape, Getting there and away, Health, Safety, What to take, Money and budgeting, Getting around, Accommodation, Eating and drinking, Public holidays and festivals, Shopping, Arts and entertainment, Photography, Media and communications, Time 39, Cultural etiquette
PART TWO THE GUIDE
Chapter 3 Swedish Lapland: Luleå to Riksgränsen
Luleå, Boden, Harads and Treehotel, Storforsen Rapids, Arvidsjaur, Arjeplog, Northwest to Jäkkvik and Vuoggatjålme, Jokkmokk, Gällivare, Ritsem and the Stora Sjöfallet National Park, Kiruna, Icehotel and Jukkasjärvi, Abisko and around
Chapter 4 Narvik and the Islands
Narvik, The islands: Vesterålen and Lofoten
Chapter 5 From the Gulf of Bothnia to the Arctic Ocean
Tornio, Haparanda and around, Pajala and around, Muonio and around, Kaaresuvanto and Karesuando, Kilpisjärvi and Treriksröset
Chapter 6 Finnish Lapland: Rovaniemi to the Finnmark Plateau
Rovaniemi and around, Northwest from Rovaniemi: towards Kautokeino, Kautokeino, Northeast from Rovaniemi: towards Inari and Karasjok, Inari and around, North from Inari: Kaamanen, Utsjoki and Karasjok, East from Rovaniemi
Chapter 7 Norwegian Lapland: Tromsø to Kirkenes
Tromsø, Alta and around, Hammerfest, Towards the North Cape, North Cape, Moving on from the North Cape: towards Kirkenes, Kirkenes
Appendix 1 Language
Appendix 2 Glossary of Finnish, Norwegian, Sámi and Swedish terms
Appendix 3 Further Information
Index
