It doesn’t get much more remote and nature-immersive than at this uber-luxe lodge in more than 300 hectares of pristine Arctic Circle forest in Finland. Few places are more ideal for unplugging your devices and switching off entirely.
As if that wasn’t enough wholesomeness right there, the resort has its own cutting-edge spa and health clinic with wilderness views, where you can sink into a state-of-the-art, Finnish-designed ‘cold pool’ as you would a hole in a frozen lake (a ritual that is part of a traditional sauna bathing session). The space also has also a custom-built swimming pool with a resistance current like that used by Olympic athletes, an alfresco hot tub, treatment rooms, a traditional log-lined Finnish sauna, and a cabin for fireside relaxation and yoga sessions.
Your stay at the lodge is on a fully bespoke basis, so you can decide exactly what you want your escape from the world to look like. A private chef is part of the package, as are some drinks, butler service, and daily housekeeping. Again, food will be tailored to your needs, but expect full-on Arctic cuisine based on ingredients that grow naturally in the region, hand-selected by the chef.
The blissfully secluded setting deep in pine forests makes Octola the perfect option for those who like being fit and active in the great outdoors. An itinerary may include Northern Lights hunting with your guide (there’s a good chance of spotting them between the end of August and April) and a guided mental health walk, followed by a yoga session with meditation and singing bowls, and a classical massage in the spa.
Other winter activities include snowshoeing, off-piste and cross-country skiing, sledging, ice swimming in the private lake, and e-snowbiking. After all that, you’ll probably want to seek sanctuary in front of the flickering hearth in the lodge’s deliciously cosy Karhu (‘Bear’) Bar, built with forest stones, with hand-carved wooden walls, fur-lined seating, and a menu of soothing comfort food that will keep your serotonin levels high. Your two-bedroom villa is also a glamorous nest, with its own sauna and outdoor Jacuzzi and a prime position for spotting the Aurora Borealis through its picture windows.
Lastly, you’ll get the feel-good factor from Octola’s environmental and social sustainability credentials – this is no less than the first accommodation in the Arctic and Nordics to have a negative carbon footprint thanks to its use of wind-generated electricity, geothermal heating, water from its own spring, and locally sourced food.
To book your wellness break at the Octola Private Wilderness, call your Travel Counsellor today.
Finland is often linked with winter trips to Lapland, but there’s much more to discover across the country. From design-led cities to quiet lakes and coastal landscapes, it offers a different pace of travel that feels both refreshing and easy to explore. If you’re looking for a European destination that combines nature, culture, and something a little less expected, Finland is well worth considering.
Few destinations offer as much to discover as South Africa, and recently, a group of Travel Counsellors experienced just how varied a journey here can be. From the dramatic landscapes of the Panorama Route to unforgettable safari moments in Kruger National Park, time spent with local tourism partners, and a deeply moving visit to Soweto, the trip offered the kind of first-hand insight that helps shape more personal, meaningful holidays for customers. It was a reminder that South Africa isn’t only about big-name sights; it’s about the people, places, flavours, and small moments that stay with you long after you’ve returned home.
Spain takes on a slightly slower, softer rhythm in September. The peak summer crowds have eased, the evenings still feel made for long dinners outside, and there’s enough warmth left for beach days, city strolls, and countryside escapes. From island coves to wine country and elegant northern coastlines, these five Spanish destinations all come into their own as summer gently gives way to autumn.
