Getting Back to Nature by Louise Pyne

With pristine views from every angle, the freshest air imaginable and a healthy, active attitude to living in the great outdoors, it’s no wonder that the Scandinavians are some of the healthiest people on the planet. Get back to nature and with our top Scandinavian getaways for the mind, body and soul.

FOR THE BODY
Release your inner spirit of adventure with these adrenaline pumping breaks for the body…

Pedal Power
Fancy taking in some of the Europe’s most dramatic scenery? Denmark is one of the safest and flattest destinations in the Northern hemisphere and with more than 10,000km of cycle routes, there’s something for everyone whether you’re a city slicker seeking the thrill of urban life or more of a country bumpkin who fancies freewheeling through picturesque winding lanes.
Calories Burned Per Hour: 200

Snow Patrol
Yearning for an alpine summer? Swish across the pristine, powdery white slopes of Riksgransen, Sweden’s most northerly ski resort. The pistes stay open until the end of June so there’s still time left for a final fix of thrilling wind-whipped skiing for hardcore snow bunnies.
Calories Burned Per Hour: 450

Saddle Up
Gallop into one of the wildest regions just south of the polar circle. The summer snowmelt in Lapland makes for seriously exciting crossings through thrashing rivers, thick forests and rocky landscapes. 
Calories Burned Per Hour: 270

FOR THE MIND
If you’re looking for more of a relaxing retreat, nourish your soulful side at these Scandinavian holistic havens...

Swedish Saunas
After sweating away your stress through a spell in the sauna, enjoy a knot busting Swedish massage at the famous Coperhill Spa in Are, Sweden – the pressure may hit your pain threshold but you’ll reap the rewards later.

Marine Supreme
Renowned for its remarkable remedial properties for skin disorders such as eczema and psoriasis. Iceland’s Blue Lagoon Spa located near Reykjavik is home to pools of steaming, turquoise geothermal seawater rich in minerals, silica and algae which help alleviate symptoms for sufferers.

Northern Lights
What better place to get away from it all than the most northern point in all Europe, deep in the heart of the Arctic Circle. The spa at Finland’s Kapri My Spa, boasts a range of aqua massages, marine body wraps plus a range of fabulous facials all in Lapland’s pristine surroundings.