Varangertunet Rooms and Apartments

During my recent trip to Finland, #AuroraHolidays organized a day trip to #Varangertunet in Vestre Jakobselv, Norway. The trip included an option to take a dip in the Arctic Ocean but for me the high point was listening to the owners, Siren and Jan-Eilif, tell stories about the village, local customs and the history of both. Their love of the area and their eagerness to share their respective family histories was lovely to experience. After my fellow travelers enjoyed a brief swim, we had a traditional Norwegian lunch in their lavvo. The lavvo was a portable tent used by the native Sami people. It looks similar to a Native American teepee but is wider and shorter. There’s a place in the center for a fire which kept us warm during the meal. Siren and Jan-Eilif kept us entertained with their descriptions of life in Vestre Jakobselv and how they came to be proprietors of this gem of a guesthouse. After lunch, we went to the beautiful on-site restaurant to enjoy exquisite desserts and hear some deeply moving stories about their families. Both lunch and dessert included delightful vegan options. Whether you go as a guest of #AuroraHolidays or make the trip on your own, you’ll enjoy the time spent at #Varangertunet with these gracious and engaging ambassadors of Norway.