Elke and I were visiting Stockholm for a travel conference called TBEX back in June. After a few informative days it was time for me to say goodbye to Elke to experience nature’s best, the Swedish Lapland. Known for it’s light, rivers, dog sledding, sauna and fishing. In the winter you have the chance to see the breathtaking Northern Lights and during our visit in the summertime it’s non-stop daylight.
I was invited for a journalist trip by Visit Sweden to make a road trip through the Swedish Lapland together with 3 other writers. We took the night train from Stockholm and arrived in Luleå around 12pm. We picked up our car close tot the trainstation and drove around 144km to Kukkola. The ride was amazing! Along the way you will see various animals like wild boars and moose.
On the road
Kukkolaforsen, Kukkola
After this awesome drive we arrived at Kukkolaforsen, a guesthouse, restaurant and conference center in Kukkola where we were invited by Kukkolaforsen Turist & Konferens. The place is run by the Spolander family located on the beautiful river of Thorne and right next to Kukkola border of Finland with a stunning river view. You can easily sit here for hours to enjoy the sounds of the river with hopefully a rainbow above it with beautiful birds flying around and whitefish jumping above the water.
Traditions
We started the day with some whitefish fishing. The local fishermen use a method involving a long net handle. We got the possibility to try it ourselves. Unfortunately we didn’t have any luck but we got to taste their famous whitefish anyway. They grill the fresh caught whitefish in a very unique way. The fish is first put on a skewer and then grilled over an open fire in the Timber Smoke Hut, one of the oldest buildings in the Kukkola cultural village. The manager and part of the family Martin showed us how to grill it. They serve your fish with ‘tunnbröd’ (Swedish hard bread) and ‘sima’ (sweet sparkling brew spiced with lemon and brown sugar).
Grilled fish
In the Torne Valley the sauna culture has a long history. They offer an amazing sauna experience. It was a great way to get to know the rest of the writers a lot better (lol). They gave us our own cabin where you will find various sauna’s inside and outside. I tried the different sauna’s, swam in the cold river, did some resting while enjoying their local food which they serve within the cabin and topped of in the hot tub. (Goals!)
I really enjoyed to take the time to relax and make my mind off from all the things at home. If that is what you need, you are at the right place!
Kukkolaforsen Turist och Konferens
Kukkolaforsen 184
953 91 Haparanda, Sweden
Website
Love,
Sarah
*Up next! My visit to the Guesthouse Kangos in Kangosfors where I had a crazy off-road experience in a Land Rover!