Best Agers Autumn Adventures at Apukka Resort in Rovaniemi
With over 30 blogs about Finland and Lapland online, it's safe to say we at Traveltomtom have become true Lapland enthusiasts and fans! And of course, sharing our love for Lapland with others is the most beautiful thing there is.
While there are certainly plenty of adventurous activities to do in Lapland, it is definitely not a destination only suitable for adventurous young people. In fact, Lapland is an ideal destination for everyone and all ages!
Best Agers
In the travel industry there is a growing number of so-called Best Agers. Seniors are increasingly vital, fitter, and more mobile. This results in a growing wanderlust within this demographic. They naturally have more time and often more to spend. Reasons for travel often include outdoor vacations like hiking and cycling, but nostalgia and (making) memories also play a major role for this generation.
Even though we don't belong to the Best Agers demographic ourselves, their reasons for traveling are quite similar to our own: enjoying the outdoors and making memories.
With our love for Lapland and four parents in the Best Agers target group, we decided to travel to Lapland again, to introduce them to this special destination and let them experience what we love so much there. And to experience Lapland through the eyes of the Best Agers!
Rovaniemi
Of course, there is only one destination imaginable for us, and that is Rovaniemi. But Rovaniemi isn't just a great destination. It's the capital of Lapland. This makes the city and the region easily accessible. The city offers every conceivable amenity. As the largest city in Lapland, it also offers plenty of opportunities in terms of activities, restaurants and shopping, which is certainly not unimportant. The good accessibility and the presence of important facilities makes Rovaniemi an ideal Lapland destination for all ages.
Autumn
While Lapland is a true winter dream destination, we've experienced it in summer and autumn as well. And while most people will always come for the snow, a green Lapland is also enchantingly beautiful. Just imagine, endless forests, changing autumn colors, crisp air and northern lights. Consider pleasant temperatures and longer days. It's much quieter in terms of tourists, a definite plus in our opinion! All in all, plenty of reasons to consider Lapland during the summer and autumn.
Apukka Resort
In our search for a perfect home base for this trip, we quickly came across our well-known and favorite Apukka Resort. What makes Apukka so suitable for this multigenerational trip? Apukka Resort is just 15 minutes from Rovaniemi's main attractions: the city center, Santa Claus Village, and the airport. Everything is easily and quickly accessible.
They offer a huge range of activities, all of which take place at or near the resort. So if you stay at Apukka you don't actually need to leave the resort, because they offer every conceivable activity themselves. If you do want to venture out, for example to the city center or Santa Claus Village, Apukka offers its own shuttle service. It runs several times a day, making it incredibly easy to move around.
Moreover, Apukka is located in the heart of nature and directly on a large lake. This offers plenty of opportunities for activities and relaxation.
Apukka offers a variety of igloo accommodations, from standard two-person cabins to complete family cabins. This makes Apukka suitable for every traveler, whether you're traveling alone or, like us, with our parents. Their cozy igloo accommodations all offer amazing nature views. What we especially appreciate about Apukka is the warm hospitality and the tailored experiences for all ages.
Apukka – Family Cabin
Over the past two years, Apukka has been working hard to expand their resort, adding 19 new family cabins.These family cabins are located in the resort's most charming area, Apukka Village. Situated on the outskirts of the resort, they offer optimal privacy and tranquility. The best thing about these new igloos is that many of them offer stunning lake views.
Imagine waking up, opening the curtains and the first thing you see is an endlessly beautiful lake.
The cabins are generally suitable for up to six people. Under the igloo windows, you'll find a double bed, and there's a separate bedroom with another double bed. The sofa folds out into a double sofa bed.
If you're traveling with six people and bringing six large suitcases, it might be a bit cramped. If you're traveling with a family of four, these igloos are the perfect place to stay! Besides the exceptional lake view, I found the bathroom decor an absolute highlight of these igloos. We had a large photo of a beautiful reindeer on the shower wall, wonderful right?
Apukka activities for every generation
If you're used to always traveling as a couple, and now suddenly find yourself traveling with four parents, it will require some adjustment when it comes to activities. That's not a bad thing, of course, but it's something to consider before embarking on such a trip.
For us, there was only one thing that was truly important for this trip to Lapland: we wanted our parents to experience as much of the real Lapland as possible. And as it turns out, the activities carefully selected with local partners turned out to be perfect for all ages!
Sauna & Lake Swim
A visit to Finland is simply not complete without a truly traditional Finnish sauna experience. Saunas are an essential part of Finnish daily life. Did you know that Finland has approximately 3.3 million saunas for a population of 5.5 million people. This means that there are more saunas than cars in Finland. The Finnish way of using a sauna involves warming up thoroughly in the sauna and then cooling down. In summer and autumn, they use lakes for this, where you can take a dip. In winter, they jump into the snow next to the sauna or take an ice bath in a frozen lake. This is then repeated several times. It's good for both body and mind and leaves you with a wonderful feeling afterward.
Apukka Resort recently installed several new lakeside saunas. These saunas all have access to the wooden deck, which leads into the (frozen) lake. A sauna and lake swim are ideal for all ages. Almost everyone enjoys a nice sauna. And because ice baths have become so popular, more and more people are also curious about a dip in a cold lake. Jumping into that icy lake with my mom was incredibly special!
A brave lake dip is considered a unique and ultimate bonding moment across generations.
Hiking Lapland’s Autumn Forests
Did you know that the purest air in inhabited areas on this planet is found in Lapland? We think Lapland’s pure air is an underrated valuable treasure of Lapland. You only notice how pure and good the air quality in Lapland is when you get back home. So, we advise anyone going to Lapland to be aware of this and enjoy it to the fullest!
It's this excellent air quality, among other things, that makes outdoor life in Lapland so appealing. Lapland boasts countless accessible trails suitable for all fitness levels and all ages. How wonderful it is to immerse yourself in nature with your family and pick fresh blueberries, for example. They'll never be fresher!
Be sure to ask Visit Rovaniemi or your accommodation provider for information. They know the best hikes in and around Rovaniemi. Apukka Resort opened its own walking trail this summer. From the resort, it runs for over 2km through the forest to a kota. This walk is very accessible, and the entire route is on boardwalks.
Autumn Huskies
A real Lapland winter classic, a husky ride. Tourists come to Lapland especially to do these kinds of activities in winter. However, there's no snow in Lapland in autumn, so can you experience it then? The answer is yes! The summer months are too hot for the huskies, but starting in autumn, preparations for the upcoming winter season begin. Part of this preparation is the Autumn Husky Ride on Wheels. Please note: if the temperature rises above 15 degrees Celsius, it will be too hot and the ride will be canceled, for the sake of the huskies.
This activity is a unique twist to the classic sled ride in winter. And it’s much more than just a husky ride on wheels. You get to visit the kennel, meet the huskies and learn everything about them and their role in Lapland. After the husky ride on wheels you’re invited into the kota for a hot drink and some delicious cookies.
Apukka has their own husky kennel which makes it very easy and accessible to do this activity. The Autumn Husky Ride on Wheels is highly recommended when visiting in Autumn. It’s absolutely special to be taking these dogs through the Lappish forests that are coloring to the always changing autumn colors. When you hear your parents say to each other that they probably would never have done this otherwise, then that is exactly what this trip is about and makes our hearts fill with warmth and love.
Gold Panning
Lapland has a long history of gold panning. Something we didn't even know about until recently, to be honest. At Apukka Resort, they want to keep this history alive and have created the Apukka Gold Rush.
This activity takes place in Apukka Village, right in the heart of the resort. Depending on which igloo you book, it's literally right next door. It’s a very fun and educational activity for all ages. You don't need to be trained or know the techniques, the guide will explain everything to you and then you'll go looking for pieces of gold together. After the intensive search for gold, it is of course time for a delicious hot drink and a tasty cinnamon roll.
It’s an exciting hands-on activity which sparks curiosity, fun and laughter.
It also brings a bit of competitiveness. Who's already found some gold, and who'll take home the biggest nugget?Definitely one of the most fun activities to do together as a family.
Horse carriage ride
We first learned about the Finn horse during our last trip to Lapland in March 2025. They are the national horse breed of Finland. Finn horses are claimed to be among the fastest and most versatile cold blood breeds in the world.
Although we normally don't have much to do with horses, we thought it would be interesting to learn more about them. That turned out to be the best choice we could have made! An incredibly fun and interesting activity with some truly impressive Finn horses. Apukka Resort also offers activities with Finn horses in the fall and winter. From early September, they are even centrally located at the resort.
The Horse Carriage Ride under the Night Sky of Apukka is an activity that is ideally suited for all ages. It’s a slow-paced scenic ride through the autumn landscapes. It is already dark outside when the activity starts, so you will be pulled through the silent forests of Lapland by a beautiful Finn horse.
During this ride, you'll learn a lot about this national horse breed and the area surrounding Apukka and Rovaniemi. After a scenic ride, you'll arrive at a kota where you can enjoy campfire stories, hot drinks, and tasty snacks. Inside the kota, close to the warm fire, there is plenty of time to ask any questions you may have. If the skies are clear, you also have a good chance of seeing the Northern Lights during this activity.
All the activities mentioned above are offered by Apukka, and we did them while staying there. Apukka Resort offers many more activities, allowing you to create a complete program without having to leave the resort to complete all those bucket list activities. This makes Apukka an ideal location and base for a trip to Lapland and Rovaniemi.
Other Lapland must do’s
In addition to the Apukka activities mentioned above, there are even more activities that make Rovaniemi special and are truly suitable for all ages and generations. Thanks to the convenient Apukka Shuttle Bus, all these activities are within easy reach.
Santa Claus
Then of course we start with the most famous and perhaps most important resident of Rovaniemi, Santa Claus.Who doesn’t know him? For many travelers and tourists, Santa Claus is one of the main reasons to choose Rovaniemi as a destination in Lapland. That goes for us too, by the way! Rovaniemi was our dream destination for years because of Santa Claus Village.
A visit to Rovaniemi simply isn't complete without a visit to Santa Claus. You can visit him for free year-round at Santa Claus Village. His office is located on the main square. And speaking of different ages and generations, if anyone appeals to all ages, it's Santa Claus!
We'd had the pleasure of meeting Santa Claus before, so we knew what to expect. But for our parents, it was obviously different. They were a little nervous, with butterflies in their stomachs. We felt the same way on our first visit! And as it happens, when you finally get to meet him, even your own parents become quiet and shy, a beautiful sight! It makes the older generations feel very nostalgic. And when Santa says he wants to sing a song with you at the end, even the Best Agers join in! When they then walk out speechless and still enjoy the afterglow, you know it was a successful meeting!
Without thinking twice, this is truly an activity that is suitable for all generations and ages and that everyone will enjoy equally.
Reindeer
Say Santa Claus, and you naturally think of his reindeer. So if you visit Santa Claus and Santa Claus Village, a visit to Santa Claus Reindeer is a must.
Reindeer are a vital part of Finnish culture and economy, especially in the Lapland region. In Lapland the ancient tradition of reindeer herding is deeply connected with Sami culture. It is therefore not surprising that reindeer are popular in Lapland and that many travelers want to know more about them.
Santa Claus Reindeer is definitely the place to go in Rovaniemi. They're centrally located in Santa Claus Village, right behind Santa's office. In winter, you can enjoy several wonderful reindeer sleigh rides here. Unfortunately, that's not possible in autumn. But even then, they're open, and you can learn all about the reindeer. You can even get up close, ask all your questions, and feed them.
Rovaniemi museums
As the capital and largest city of Lapland, Rovaniemi naturally has a number of interesting museums that are well worth a visit.
If you'd like to visit these museums yourself, we recommend the Rovaniemi Culture Pass. This pass gives you access to all of Rovaniemi's museums and saves you money on admission.
Museums are also a good idea for Best Agers. They're interested in this and enjoy delving deeper into the destination they're visiting. A visit to a museum contributes to this. We visited Arktikum with our parents. The main reason is that Arktikum tells you all about Rovaniemi, its history, and the Arctic and Arctic life. If you really want to learn more about Rovaniemi and Lapland, then Arktikum should not be missing from your itinerary. The great thing is that everyone can visit a museum in their own way and at their own pace. They can pause at what they find interesting and move on if it's less interesting.
Besides the Arktikum, Pilke and Korundi are also nice museums to visit.
Shopping
Shopping is of course something that transcends all ages. In fact, we've found that Best Agers love browsing local shops and souvenir stores in search of that one special item. Fortunately, Rovaniemi is a fantastic place for shopping. In the city center, you'll find the Revontuli and Sampokeskus shopping malls. Sampokeskus is particularly interesting because of its selection of authentic Finnish brands like Marimekko, Pentik, and Moomin.
In addition, Santa Claus Village also offers a large and diverse range of shops and souvenir shops. Best Agers love shopping for their children and grandchildren. One typical Finnish or Lappish souvenir after another was snapped up and taken home.
Nordic food experiences
One thing that is an important factor for us to return to Lapland again and again is the local food. Finnish and Lappish cuisine is known for fresh, local and seasonal ingredients. Lappish cuisine is simple, rugged and relies on the natural Arctic environment. Lappish dishes offer a unique taste of Nordic delicacies.
Traditional dishes that are worth a try include reindeer, salmon and berries dishes.
Although the ingredients are basic and raw, straight from nature, the dishes are often on the edge of fine dining.
Northern Lights
Probably the most important reason for many to ever plan a trip to Lapland is to see the Northern Lights. It is good to know and always keep in mind that the Northern Lights are a natural phenomenon.
You need clear skies and as little light pollution as possible. And a bit of luck with good aurora activity from the sun is also a bonus.
At Apukka, they do everything they can to ensure the best possible conditions. All their accommodations are igloos, meaning you'll sleep in bed beneath a large window. They offer an Aurora Alert app that you can activate. As soon as the Northern Lights are spotted, you'll receive a notification and know you can go outside tohave a look.
Apukka is located just over 15 minutes from the city, surrounded by nature. Their resort has minimal light, so they offer you the best chance of seeing the Northern Lights. Standing outside late at night with our parents looking at the Northern Lights is something I will never forget!
A word from the Best Agers
Of course, we would also like to give the Best Agers the opportunity to talk about their experiences with Lapland, Rovaniemi and Apukka.
“For us holidays are always about relaxing and chilling, sun and beach. We want to be completely unburdened and enjoy luxury and tranquility. We always tailor our holidays completely to this. A more active holiday in Lapland was therefore something different. However, Rovaniemi is a place you must see. Rovaniemi is a magical and enchanting destination. Places like Santa Claus Village emphasize this special atmosphere.”
“There's so much to do and we enjoyed everything we did: the huskies, horses, hiking, reindeer, and of course, the highlight, meeting Santa Claus! Then there's also shopping and culture, you almost run out of time!”
“Apukka is a unique and amazing place to stay. We experienced Apukka as a luxury hotel! There are plenty of activities to do, and not to mention the incredibly delicious food!”
“All our expectations were far exceeded! Everything was amazing and it was wonderful to be able to experience all of this.”
“Pure luxury and pampering! We score a trip to Finland with a 10!”
“Last but certainly not least we have to mention the incredibly nice and friendly locals. They absolute made our trip even more special.”
“Whether you come for adventure, relaxation or simply to enjoy the unique Lapland atmosphere, you are guaranteed to leave with memories that will last forever.”
The Traveltomtom Best Agers Tip: Try to time your visit to Rovaniemi to coincide with the annual International Grand Market. All kinds of nice stalls from all over the world. It will leave you roaming the streets for hours and hours.
Final Thoughts
To get straight to the point, we believe Lapland and Rovaniemi, in particular, are a perfect destination for Best Agers.
It was a long-cherished dream for us to show our parents what makes Rovaniemi and Lapland so special. We also want to show that Lapland is a destination suitable for all ages and generations, offering activities for everyone. You can certainly seek for the speed and adrenaline activities, but Lapland is naturally a quiet and relaxing outdoor destination. You don't have to look far to find that.
Apukka is a fantastic destination. All their accommodations are igloos, which makes it incredibly special to begin with. Nature plays a significant role at the resort, too. It feels like you're staying right in the middle of nature. Apukka's incredibly wide range of activities makes it a one-stop destination. You arrive, check in, and can do anything you want right here. Their restaurant offers traditional Nordic cuisine with a touch of luxury. Once you've eaten here for one night, you won't want anything else.
Especially with the Best Agers demographic in mind, Apukka is a perfect base. Beautiful and spacious accommodations offer plenty of space to move around. A resort surrounded by nature, with all the activities and facilities on-site. What makes Apukka truly special and makes them stand out are the people who work there. Everyone is cheerful and helpful, which is very important to Best Agers.
At all the activities we did, we had enthusiastic guides who were genuinely eager to make it a fun experience. That often makes an activity a success already.
The beauty of experiencing such a magical place as Lapland together is truly indescribable. Creating core memories across generations is something I wish for everyone! Rovaniemi is master at making you experience special moments, for all ages.
It's the older generation in general that appreciate the cultural depth of activities and experiences much more than other. Nature becomes a shared playground where we experienced that generations come together and hike, pick berries or simply sit by the fireplace and enjoy the silence.
I encourage every Best Ager to explore Lapland as a destination. And not so much as a winter destination, but especially for the summer or autumn, when Lapland is quieter because mass tourism arrives in winter. Outside of the season, temperatures are pleasant, days are long, prices are low and the number of tourists is negligible.
I also encourage everyone to travel with your loved ones, create core memories that will last forever. And in this case embrace the Arctic Autumn with the four most important people in our life.