Top places to chase the sun in Northern Europe

Think Northern Europe only has winter delights to offer? Think again.

While Northern Europe evokes imagery of Vikings and endless snow, there’s so much more to this region of Europe than one can imagine. Dreamlike cabins that float on a Swedish river, the majestic fjords of Iceland, the colourful Inuit houses—these are our choice picks for the best places to chase the sun in Northern Europe.

Read about all 100 places to chase the sun around the globe here.

64. Arctic Bath, Swedish Lapland

Warm, bright nights under the midnight sun are the promise of a summer stay at Arctic Bath – a small luxury hotel and spa located on the Lule River in Swedish Lapland. And ample time to explore this dreamlike landscape described as northern Europe’s last remaining wilderness.

From the outside, Land cabins present as a work of sculpture – surrounding birch trees reflected in their yawning glass walls. But it’s a water cabin you’ll really want to book: floating on the river with its own private deck providing ready access to the still, silky water for bright midnight swims.

Arctic Bath hotel and spa in the Lule River, located in Swedish Lapland — Water cabins floating on the river, the private decks perfect for quick access to the Lule River.

65. A bright night-time stroll through Reykjavik, Iceland

It’s 11.30pm when I exit Bíó Paradis, Reykjavik’s cool little arthouse cinema, my mood high after a documentary that dovetailed the spine-tingling tunes of Sigur Rós, one of Iceland’s beloved bands, with clips of the country’s dramatic ice- and fire-carved landscapes. Bending my mind further is the light – and urban buzz – I’ve re-emerged into.

Midnight sun Reykjavik Iceland harbour — Embrace the midnight sun in Iceland at Reykjavik’s harbourside promenade.

Reykjavik’s harbourside promenade seems almost as bright and lively as it was at 11.30am this crisp June morning. Gliding past me are cyclists, skateboarders and fellow pedestrians, some on post-prandial strolls, others who’ve perhaps been for a dip at the city’s open-air geothermal pools or attended a show at Harpa the huge waterfront concert hall with a glassy facade that reflects a cloud-speckled blue sky streaked with pink and orange.

Hallgrímskirkja, a Lutheran church in Reykjavík, Iceland. — Golden sunlight on Hallgrímskirkja, a Lutheran church with stunning architecture in Reykjavík, Iceland.

The sun will barely set – it’ll get just dark enough for the neon signs on bars and hotels to illuminate – and the night, for many, is still young. Some are off on midnight whale-watching harbour cruises, and others are enjoying a pöbbarölt – the Icelandic take on a pub crawl. Establishments like the enduring Kaffibarinn stay open until 1am on weekdays and 4.30am on weekends. And if you want some sleep? Well, bring an eye mask or be sure to book a room with blackout curtains.

By Steve McKenna

66. A seak-kayaking tour in Greenland

Sun and ice make interesting bedfellows in Greenland in summer. Nearly 80 per cent of the country is covered in ice, which means if you don’t fancy donning snow boots during the summer months, the best way to explore is by kayak, just as the local Inuit have done for centuries.

Two people kayaking in Arctic Greenland — The best way to explore Greenland is by kayak, just as the local Inuit have done for centuries.

Take a sea-kayaking tour aboard an expedition boat with Southern Sea Adventures to the Arctic’s most visually spectacular sites, and prioritise seeing the East Coast which is less accessible but more spectacular, and receives far fewer visitors. Here are the top spots to paddle to:

Sefström Glacier, Alpefjord

Kayak your way between towering peaks measuring more than two kilometres in height and pass by serrated brown mountains with hanging glaciers, stopping to walk on the glaciers where creatures like polar bears and musk oxen thrive.

Scoresby Sound

Float between giant icebergs in the world’s largest fjord system, located in the east of the country. The Sound extends over 300 kilometres east to west and you can paddle on it all the way to the edge of the world’s second-largest ice cap, in the Arctic Circle’s most spectacular landscape.

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Kangerdlugssuaq Fjord

This is part of the wildest but most spectacular coastline in Greenland, home to bays where you’ll spot humpback, minke and fin whales, and where you can paddle among orcas and white-beaked dolphins. On dry land, you can hike into one of Greenland’s highest mountains – the Lemon Mountain Range – for stunning views of the fjord.

Tasiilaq

Paddling across the fjord separating the island of Ammassalik from the mainland delivers you to the largest town in eastern Greenland, Tasiilaq, home to more than 2000 locals. Spend time walking between its colourful buildings, surrounded by 1500-metre-high mountains, before taking a dog sled or snowmobile trip into the surrounding wilderness.

By Craig Tansley

Tasiilaq town in Arctic Greenland — The colourful homes in Tasiilaq, the largest town in eastern Greenland.

Next up, nine picturesque places in the British Isles: 67-75 out of our 100 places to chase the sun around the globe.

Wellbeing means different things to different travellers. Here’s how to pick a hotel that gets it right for you.

The best wellness holidays aren’t necessarily spent wrapped in a spa robe. Sometimes they’re found around a dinner table in Cambodia, on a hiking trail in New Zealand or after finally beating jet lag on the other side of the world. The hotel you choose is what makes them happen.

1. Easy access to good food

meals from Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20 — Taste delicious meals at Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20.

One of the quickest ways to derail healthy habits on holiday is to spend half of it working out where to eat instead of digging into the culture around you. Thankfully, Novotel has done much of the hard work already, with chefs building menus that lean into the flavours, ingredients and traditions of each destination.

In Sihanoukville, Cambodia, Korkor soup – often dubbed ‘Cambodian ratatouille’ – sits alongside raw blue crab dressed with lime and chilli, best enjoyed with views across the Gulf of Thailand.

In the lovingly chaotic city of Bangkok, the presence of food cranks up the sociability. At Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20, you can settle in with mango sticky rice and stranger-turned-friends beside the pool at Sky on 20 rooftop bar, or bring them along to tackle river prawns and stir-fried crab with holy basil at the buzzing Crab Paradise Dinner Buffet.

Then Novotel Dubai Al Barsha welcomes you with a laidback twist on the level of indulgence the Middle Eastern city is best known for up on Deck Se7en. Looking towards Burj Al Arab, the rooftop lounge has everything from Mediterranean-style dishes like seabass ceviche to Italian prosecco sundowners.

At the other end of the scale, in the hills that surround the Novotel Bali Ubud Resort, calm comes from nature. At Siralada restaurant, Balinese traditions shape the menu while thunder rumbles over the surrounding jungle – proving the setting is as nourishing as the food itself.

While at Novotel Nha Trang, chef Kieu Thi My Hanh and her team showcase Vietnam’s knack for balancing freshness, texture and fragrant herbs. Pho remains a favourite, while seafood salad with pomelo and mango brings those flavours together in one bright dish.

It’s all an approach backed by partnerships with expert food creators such as Alfie Steiner, whose plant-forward recipes prove healthy food should never taste plain.

2. Better sleep options

Novotel Bali Ubud Resort room — Sleep deeply with Novotel.

There are few travel experiences more disappointing than arriving in a new country, determined to seize the day, only to fall asleep fully clothed by 3pm.

For Australian travellers, jet lag is often an unavoidable part of the journey. That’s one reason Novotel runs sleep-focused initiatives that help guests adjust quickly without compromising on health. We’re talking partnerships with Sydney-based sleep specialist Olivia Arezzolo, known for her advice on everything from better sleep habits to beating jet lag, alongside features like pillow menus, in-room yoga content and tailored sleep guidance.

The sooner you’re operating on local time, the sooner you can get back to more pressing matters – like deciding which spa treatment to book.

3. More ways to move

woman hiking around queenstown new zealand — Stay at Novotel Queenstown Lakeside and explore local hiking trails. (Credit: GettyI mages/ naruedom)

Every place in the world has its own way of getting you moving: whether that’s hiking up ice-bitten mountains before a sauna or gentle stretching by the pool before a facial. From fitness centres to spas, Novotel recognises that wellbeing rarely looks the same.

At Novotel Queenstown Lakeside, activity is inescapable. Here, hiking trails, ski fields, bungee jumps, and white-water rafting have made the region famous. The hotel’s location on the shores of Lake Wakatipu means less time spent organising yourself and more time out there experiencing them. To top it all off, you can book a private hot tub for the evening before heading back into the wilderness tomorrow.

Bali, of course, takes a softer approach. At Novotel Bali Ubud Resort or Novotel Bali Nusa Dua, movement is less about conquering a mountain and more about a dance class between the tropical gardens and lagoon pools. Afterwards, the spa takes over, with traditional treatments like a Lulur body scrub: a combination of rice, turmeric, sandalwood, ginger and jasmine that’ll soothe muscles already relaxed by the Balinese heat.

4. Better connections

Kids will love a stay at Novotel Sharm El Sheikh.

One of the best things about travel is that it gives your family stories you’ll be telling for years. Novotel helps create them with activities that bring everyone together, whether that’s trying something new, learning a local skill, or simply spending more time together.

Go for a distinctly Thai twist at Novotel Phuket Vintage Park, where many of the family activities draw on local culture. Kids can try everything from beginner Thai boxing and language lessons to umbrella painting and – a pastime beloved by children the world over – pool foam parties. Everyone is welcome to join in, whether that’s getting splashed, covered in paint, or simply watching their children discover a new side of Thailand during the dedicated Family & Kids Day.

A different adventure awaits at Novotel Sharm El Sheikh. Kids could be perfectly content with discos, drawing classes and new holiday friends, but the Red Sea has other ideas. Sitting on the edge of Naama Bay, days here might involve snorkelling colourful reefs, taking a boat trip to Ras Mohammed National Park or heading into the desert by quad bike or camel for a Bedouin-style dinner beneath the stars.

5. Location is everything

Surin Beach, Choeng Thale, Thalang District, Phuket, Thaiföld — Explore Phuket’s gorgeous beaches. (Credit: Bence Biczo)

Everyone’s idea of wellness looks a little different. With more than 600 hotels across 65 countries, Novotel gives guests the freedom to choose the destination that suits them best. Whether that’s a beachside escape in Phuket, an alpine expedition in Queenstown or a city break in Bangkok, there’s a good chance a Novotel isn’t far away.

All that’s left? Choosing your version of wellbeing.

Discover stays to inspire your everyday at novotel.accor.com.