“All your dreams can come true if you have the courage to pursue them.”

-Walt Disney

Hello 2025! Hard to believe it’s a new year already. For me personally 2024 was a much better year than the previous two, and for that I am grateful. The big event in 2024 was my decision to retire in early May. I then went to Malta, took a three-month road trip with my dog Oden to the east coast, and in October I went to northern Italy to see family. I didn’t write about any of those trips and I’m most disappointed that I didn’t take the time to write about Malta. It’s a fabulous country, and you should go if you have the opportunity. Now it’s time for my first trip in 2025 – Finland and Norway!

This trip has been almost a year in the making. It started when my friend Laura sent me a message and asked if I’d be interested in traveling to Norway. Of course, the answer was yes, but we had to include Finland. I had seen countless posts about Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi and many more stating 2024 and 2025 would be the best sightings of the northern lights for the next 11 years. Or so they say. Then the planning began with the help of a dear friend, who happens to also be a travel agent. Her assistance was invaluable! I researched quite a bit about the northern lights and learned its best to time your trip around the cycles of the moon. You don’t want the illumination from the full moon to interfere with the colors. So, I looked at the moon calendar and came up with the dates. We should experience only 0% – 8% illumination over the 4 nights we are in the Arctic Circle.

The northern lights would be a bucket list item for me to check off. I missed them this year when they were seen across the United States. I was in Europe both times. I get nervous, as I’ve seen many posts on travel forums I follow for both Rovaniemi and Tromso where people state their dream of a lifetime trip was ruined due to the weather and not seeing the northern lights. Although I will be disappointed, I refuse to let it ruin the wonderful itinerary we have set up. So much to see in both countries, not just the lights. I’ve learned after countless ski trips when you are at the mercy of Mother Nature, you need to know it just may not work out in your favor. We have done everything we can do that is in our control, the location, the dates, the moon calendar, and now the rest is out of our hands. Fingers crossed Mother Nature is kind to us and delivers, but I think we all know this year she has been quite a bitch from the rains in North Carolina to the fires in Los Angeles. Regardless, this will be a fun trip with many adventures planned.

We start in Helsinki, Finland, head north to Rovaniemi, and east to Northern Lights Village Pyha. We then go west to Tromso, Norway, head south to Bergen, and finally east to Oslo. We are covering a lot of miles, and some of the most beautiful countryside. We will travel on planes, trains, autos, boat, snowmobile, sleigh, dog sled, cable car, and of course our feet.

Packing has been quite the challenge. Temperatures have ranged from below zero to mid-40s. They’ve been experiencing rain one day, and snowstorms the next. The key will be layers, starting with merino wool base layers and building from there. I did buy my first pair of Yaktrax since the walking can be quite a challenge when the sidewalks freeze over while you’re enjoying dinner. This was the first time I followed a few travel forums, and I highly recommend them when you are traveling someplace new. I found some great recommendations for restaurants, tour operators, and to make sure you have Yaktraks!

See you all in Helsinki!

Ciao 💕