Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Reception will SMS you when the aurora borealis is visible, a nice touch that'll save a
few shivers. Its activity company can arrange snowmobiling and more.
Hotelli Luostotunturi
HOTEL
( 016-620-400;
www.laplandhotels.com
;Luostontie 1, Luosto;r summer/winter €97/165;
)
The rounded design of this curious hotel is supposed to resemble a reindeer's earmark.
Most of the spacious rooms have a log-girt balcony, and some have an extra loft-style
sleeping space, ideal for families. Excellent apartments come with kitchenette and sauna.
There's a pretty indoor pool and various spa treatments; visitors can pay to use the facilit-
ies. Bikes for hire.
Kerttuli
FINNISH
( 016-624-385;
www.luoston-kerttuli.fi
;Hartsutie 1, Luosto;mains €14-26; 2-9pm Wed-Sat)
In the centre of Luosto, this offers pizzas as well as more intriguing fare such as elk stew,
unusual cuts of reindeer, roast meats and risotto in its cosy interior. Portions are generous
and the atmosphere excellent.
Getting There & Away
Two daily buses (four in winter) run to/from Rovaniemi to Luosto (€28, 1¾ hours) and Py-
hä (€31, 2¼ hours); these are the only buses connecting Pyhä and Luosto (€6, 30 minutes).
There are also buses to Pyhä from Kemijärvi and Sodankylä.
Sodankylä
016 / Pop 5540
Likeable Sodankylä is the main service centre for one of Europe's least populated areas,
with a density of just 0.8 people per sq km. It's at the junction of the main two highways
and makes a decent staging post between Rovaniemi and the north; even if you're just
passing through, stop to see the wooden church - humble but achingly beautiful. A con-
trast is provided by the high-tech observatory just outside town, an important collection
point of data on the atmosphere and aurora.
