Guides to Lapland

Not many people would have thought that I would end up travelling through Lapland and northern Norway. The girl from Brisbane by way of Texas dealing with the extreme cold? No way she’d survive.

I thought that too — after all, I was the one that would put on a jacket if the temperature dipped below 15º. That was before I was given the chance to head to Lapland for a few days prior to a business trip; it was then that I became fascinated with this place that was a polar (ha ha) opposite to most places I had ever visited.

In those initial planning stages, I realised how little I knew about travelling in an area with a semi-permanent cold climate (I say semi- permanent because winter takes up over half the year in these locations — more than every other season combined).

Plus, there were plenty of other logistical concerns that dogged me on both my introductory trip and my extended trip the following year. How would I deal with exchanging money so I didn’t end up in a financial bind after crossing the border into a very small northern town? How would I ensure I was adequately insured for all of the adventurous activities I’d be taking on, especially given I broke my leg on my first trip?

I eventually found answers to these questions and many more, but researching all of these concerns (and planning my itinerary around Norway, Sweden, and Finland) took more than double the length of my actual trip (which was roughly one month long).

Since it took so much time — and so many resources — for me to plan my own trip, I wanted to make the information I had learned available to other travellers to speed up their planning process. Thus, the Guide to Lapland and Northern Norway in Winter was born.

The goal of this guide was both to answer those burning questions you may have about planning a trip to Lapland or northern Norway as well as inspiring those not already planning a trip to travel to this extraordinary destination. It provides travellers with the information they need to have a successful overall trip in a region that presents a number of logistical challenges due to the extremes it endures.

In writing the guide, I fell in love with the region all over again and became fascinated with the idea of returning in summer. After all, with flowing water and snow that just barely dotted the mountaintops — rather than a metres-thick coat across the entire region — it would seem like a completely different world.

It really was. During my seven weeks visiting as many corners of the region as I could, I saw many of the same places that I had on my original visit…but they were barely recognisable. The obvious landmarks — Santa’s village, the world sculpture at Nordkapp, the brilliant red cabins over the water of Lofoten’s fjords — were all in the right places, but the world around them was a new one.

From this extended Arctic trip — my fourth in the last three years, which isn’t a bad effort for someone that lives in Australia — I created the Guide to Lapland and Northern Norway in Summer. Just as the original guide focused on seasonal information, this guide ensures you know the information most relevant to the months of June-August, when Lapland has defrosted and is enjoying the never-ending sunlight of summer.

Plus, Lapland and Northern Norway have both found their way under my skin; this region has affected me more than any other place I’ve ever visited in my life. Its purity and closeness to nature makes me feel like I have found my paradise, and even when I’m rushing around like a chicken with its head cut off, I feel relaxed and happy there. If I can share that joy with even one other person — especially if they may not have considered travelling there otherwise — then my job is done.

Press coverage for A Guide to Lapland and Northern Norway in Winter:

“Described as a primer to traveling Lapland between October and April (the winter season), this is perhaps one of the most beautiful books I’ve had the privilege to review. The pictures make the book – I had to force myself to focus on the text.

Start from basic information about the area, from language guides to the three most common languages to a guide on the natives, the Sami. Learn about seeing the aurora borealis, or the Northern Lights, for yourself – along with some help on how to photograph them. Unless you’re familiar with the extreme cold the area offers, read the chapter on ‘Clothing’ carefully. The chapter on transportation breaks some of the beliefs you might have about getting around such a snowy, icy area.

From riding on an icebreaking ship to hovercrafting to snorkeling (you wear a thick suit to keep you warm), there’s plenty to see and do in this still-exotic area. It’s informative without trying to push anything on you, and is a pleasure to read even if you have no plans to visit. For other travel writers, I just found you a gold standard to shoot for.“

- Chris Backe, One Weird Globe

“Kristin has managed to craft a very thorough and specialized travel guide to Lapland in winter that is almost as much a work of art as it is guide book. Her high quality, inspirational imagery not only paints a beautiful picture of the region but it also proves that she’s been there, done that, and has the knowledge to help others do the same. Brilliant book!”

- Brooke Schoenman, Her Packing List

“Packed with useful travel know how from what adapter you need, to where you can sleep in a glass igloo, this book is an easy to read comprehensive resource for travel to Lapland. The photography tips and inspiring photos throughout this book really set it apart, and you’ll be busting to get there and get snapping.”

- Holly Galbraith, Tourism Tweetup the Podcast

Unfortunately, the guides are now out of print, but I can organise the purchase of a PDF copy. Please head over to the contact page on my photography portfolio site to get in touch, or check out a sample chapter here.