Health, wellness and slow travel

In the Nordic countries, wellbeing is part of ordinary life rather than something set aside for a spa. A sauna after a day outdoors, a swim in cold water, a walk in the forest, food that follows the seasons: these habits have shaped life in the north for centuries, and they travel well.

Our health, wellness and slow travel journeys are built around them. Spend summer days by the lakes of Finland, where lakeside cabins traditionally come with their own sauna, or walk in the mountains of northern Norway. In Iceland, geothermal pools and hot springs are part of daily life. In winter, stay in a water cabin frozen into the Lule River at the Arctic Bath in Swedish Lapland, and move between saunas, a cold bath open to the sky and spa rituals.

None of it needs to be strenuous. There is time to walk in silence, pick berries under Everyman's Right, and let the quiet do its work. For more on the traditions behind it, read our guide to Nordic wellness holidays.

Commonly asked questions

What is a Nordic wellness holiday like?

Quieter and simpler than most people expect. There is no packed schedule of treatments. Instead, the days follow the rhythm of Nordic life: time outdoors walking, skiing or swimming, a sauna as the day closes, a dip in cold water if you choose, and meals built around what is local and in season. The setting does much of the work, with forests, lakes and long stretches of silence. Most travellers find they sleep better and slow down within a day or two. For more on the traditions behind it, read our guide to Nordic wellness holidays.

Which wellness trip is right for me?

It depends on the season and how you like to unwind. In summer, our stays in the Finnish lakes and archipelago near Helsinki pair cabin life and saunas with time on quiet water, while Tromsø and the Lyngen Alps adds mountain scenery and a yoga and wellness focus. In winter, Swedish Aurora Glamping and Arctic Wellness moves between wood-fired saunas at a wilderness camp and the Arctic Bath on the Lule River, with a chance of the Northern Lights. Our specialists can help you choose, or shape any journey around rest.

Do I need to be fit for a wellness holiday?

No. The walking, swimming and skiing on these trips are gentle and taken at your own pace, and cold-water dips are always optional. If you have a heart condition or other health concerns, check with your doctor before using a sauna or trying a cold plunge.

Are spa treatments included?

Where sauna or spa access is included, it is listed in the tour's inclusions. At the Arctic Bath, for example, spa access comes with your room. Treatments and wellness programs are usually optional extras, which can be booked locally or arranged in advance.

Do you wear swimwear in a Nordic sauna?

It depends where you are. In Finland, public saunas are traditionally single-sex and bathers go without swimwear, while mixed saunas usually ask for swimwear or a towel. Hotel and spa saunas generally require swimwear, and at the Arctic Bath it is required throughout the spa. If in doubt, pack swimwear and follow the lead of the locals.

Can I take a wellness holiday on my own?

Yes. Most of these journeys are independent trips that can be booked for one traveller, with a single supplement.

When should I book?

Many of the stays on these trips are small. The Aurora Safari Camp, for example, has just five cabins, so for winter dates in particular, it is worth enquiring early.

Can I book through my travel advisor?

Yes. We work closely with travel advisors across Australia, New Zealand and the Americas, and your advisor can book any of these journeys - or a fully tailor-made option - with us.