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Arctic New Year In Lapland
Visit: Saariselka – Rovaniemi - Santa Claus Village- Kemi (Ice-breaker Cruise)
7 Days & 6 Nights
Winter Guaranteed Departures 2019
Experience this unique journey to Lapland and be amazed by a blend of first class travel and the most fascinating and invigorating winter activities in the region. You will stay in Saariselka with its dazzling with landscape as well as in Rovaniemi. You will be treated to a night in a glass igloo, and weather permitting, you will see the magnificent northern lights from your bed. Santa Claus will be expecting you at Santa Claus village. You will also experience a visit at the Sami reindeer farm and sleigh ride, as well as a husky safari. The highlight of this winter adventure is the ‘Sampo’ icebreaker safari, where you have a chance to take a swim in the fresh arctic waters of Kemi.
FEATURES
• Winter activities
• 1 night in a Glass Igloo
• Reindeer farm visit with sleigh ride
• Rovaniemi and Santa Claus Village
• Husky Farm & Safari
• A visit from Santa Claus at Santa Claus Hotel
• 2 New Year gala dinners
• Sampo Icebreaker cruise & ice swimming
Arrival to Ivalo Airport and regular transfer to the hotel for check-in. In Saariselka, in the far north of Finnish Lapland, lies the popular resort of Inari-Saariselka. The unique northern countryside, national parks, lake areas, rivers and highland fells offer a wealth of opportunities for year-round travel. In winter, the Northern Lights dance across the sky up to 200 days a year. The legendary Saariselka is the northernmost travel destination in Finland and boasts a variety of services. In Inari and other villages in the area, the Sami culture is still very much in evidence in everyday life. Here is where you find the genuine Lapland. Please consult the welcome letter, which you will receive upon check-in to your hotel, and kindly note where and when to meet your Tour Director.
OPTIONAL: AURORA SLEIGH RIDE (no driving)
(pulled by Snowmobile)
Min 2 Persons
DURATION: 3 hours (19:00 – 22:00)
MEETING TIME: 18:30 at the hotel reception, 300 meter walk to activity
INCLUDED: Thermal outfit, English guide, snowmobile ride & juice break
During this brisk safari you can just sit back and enjoy the view and ride! Your guide will take you up to the fell district to see the beautiful hilltop scenery with unlimited views of the northern sky. Your journey will head towards a beautiful fell cabin where you can enjoy warm berry juice while admiring the nature. If you are lucky, the sky will be clear to see the moon, the stars and even the Northern lights may appear!
REQUIRES PRE-BOOKING
In the morning, get ready for some fresh air activity literally following the footsteps of the Sami.
SNOWSHOES SAFARI - INCLUDED
DURATION: approximately 1 hour 30 minutes
Put on your snowshoes and feel the crunch of snow under your feet. Capture the true feeling of winter in the northern woods as you explore the nearby white wilderness of forest and hills and Urho Kekkonen National Park, surrounding Saariselka. The afternoon is at leisure and we recommend trying a Finnish sauna, available at the hotel.
OPTIONAL: EVENING SAFARI BY REINDEER
DURATION: approximately 2 hours (19:00 – 21:00)
MEETING TIME: 18:45 at the hotel reception
INCLUDES: transportation, guide, thermal outfit, juice
Min 2 persons
Get yourself ready for the unique experience of sitting in a sleigh pulled by reindeer. The journey will take you into the quiet evening forest and maybe you will even get to marvel at the beautiful Northern Lights dancing in the sky. Once you are back at the camp, a nice warm campfire and warm drink will be waiting for you to enjoy. REQUIRES PRE-BOOKING
In the morning after breakfast, the adventure continues as we make our way to Rovaniemi. Along the way, we will visit one of the highlights of the tour.
SAMI REINDEER FARM VISIT & SLEIGH RIDE - INCLUDED
DURATION : approximately 2 hours 30 minutes (11:30-14:00)
INCLUDED: a traditional 3-course lunch
Meet the traditional Sami farmers who will tell you about the reindeer, the Sami and teach you how to throw Suopunki (Sami lasso). Sitting in a two-person sleigh, pulled by your reindeer, you will experience a short ride in this traditional and peaceful way of moving through the white landscape where the only sound you will hear is the melody of reindeer bells. A typical three course lunch is included at the farm.
OVERNIGHT IN A GLASS IGLOO - INCLUDED
The journey continues south to Rovaniemi following the roads through the snowy forest and arriving at the Santa's Igloos Arctic Circle, where you will check-in to your private Glass Igloo. Enjoy the warmth of your Glass Igloo and weather permitting you will have the opportunity to marvel at the amazing Northern Lights and the millions of stars from the comforts of your bed. In the evening, you are invited for a three-course dinner in the Restaurant Arctic Eye.
In the morning after breakfast you will travel by bus to Rovaniemi where you will check-in at Santa´s Hotel Santa Claus and your New Year adventure can begin with a visit to the Husky Farm & Safari. You may choose to round off the night with the unique experience of a Finnish sauna included.
HUSKY FARM & SAFARI - INCLUDED
DURATION: approximately 2 hours (14:00-16:00)
INCLUDED: winter clothing, outdoor picnic
2 persons per sledge
The barking of enthusiastic dogs will welcome you to the most genuine Husky farm in Rovaniemi. The head musher will talk about the life and training of these Arctic animals and you will also have the chance to take some great photos. He will also provide you with brief instructions on how to ride the sleighs. Riding in pairs you will embark on a run through the forest behind your pack of huskies. After the trip there is time to visit the farm and enjoy a traditional outdoor lunch of Lappish sausage grilled on the campfire followed by Lappish pancakes.
The day continues with a visit to the world-famous Santa Claus Village, built right on the Arctic Circle and home to Santa Claus. Stop by his busy post office where you can ask Santa to send a letter to your loved ones just before Christmas. Take a step into the magical world of Santa’s home and meet Santa himself. No words can describe the emotions of this fairy-tale-like moment. It is something you will always remember. An absolute must for any visit to Lapland. From Santa Claus Village it is a short ride to the hotel for check in. The rest of the afternoon and evening at leisure.
Enjoy a Scandinavian breakfast buffet and prepare to welcome a new year.
Take the opportunity to explore the small and picturesque town at your own leisure.
Around 18:00 Santa Claus will pay a visit to the hotel where he will deliver Christmas presents to our youngest guests. There will be a small gift per child from the hotel and the possibility for families to arrange, that Santa Claus special delivers a present to their children on their own behalf.
NEW YEAR’S EVE GALA DINNER - INCLUDED
19:00 - 22:00
New Year’s Eve Gala Dinner buffet will be served at the hotel Santa Claus. An aperitif and one glass of house wine, beer or soft drink per person included.
OPTIONAL: MYSTICAL NEW YEAR’S PARTY
22:00 – 01:00
At 22:00 take a transfer from the hotel to a Special New Year Venue just 20 minutes from town. At Lapland’s magical border of the Arctic Circle, the festivities will be held for welcoming in the New Year. Fire, ice, darkness, snow, lights, music, dance are the combined elements that create a magical event for the whole family. The mysterious shamans fuel the atmosphere and as the New Year approaches Santa Claus himself will also pay us a visit!
A giant snow disco, snow bars, massive fireworks display, and the spectacular New Year Dance Show definitely makes for a memorable experience. New Year’s tin casting is an old Finnish tradition to see what the future holds. Shamans - the fortunetellers - help you interpret the marks for the future in your tin. The event will take place by snowy banks, in idyllic winter setting. At 00:30/1:00 transfer back to the hotel. REQUIRES PRE-BOOKING
Time for a swim as we head to the town of Kemi for a full day of activities. First a visit to the Snow Castle* with its special snow slide. Enjoy the snow sculptures and complex. Later you will experience one of the highlights of your winter adventure as we board the Sampo Icebreaker and spend 3 hours on this unforgettable vessel breaking though the ice of the northern Gulf of Bothnia. Prior to the cruise you will enjoy lunch onshore in the Seaview Restaurant.
*Please note that the construction of the Snow Castle is dependent on the weather conditions and therefore not guaranteed to be open before the 19th of January
SAMPO ICE BREAKER & ICE SWIMMING - INCLUDED
DURATION: 14:00-17:00 HOURS
This extraordinary experience beings with a lunch served onshore in the Seaview Restaurant and includes a guided tour of the ship with its massive engine room, communications room and bridge and ice swimming. In the middle of the largest ice field in Europe, you have the opportunity to jump in the sea and float! You will of course be fitted with a warm survival suit and those of you who dare will receive a certificate by the ship authorities to attest your courage. An unforgettable experience. Return to Rovaniemi with early evening arrival at your hotel.
Breakfast and the rest of your day at leisure until your regular transfer to Rovaniemi airport in good time for your departure flight.
Inclusion
✓ 6 nights in First Class hotels in standard double/twin rooms with private facilities ✓ 6 breakfasts, buffet style ✓ 2 dinners, 2 lunches & 1 picnic as mentioned in the program (all lunches & dinners are 3-course meals or buffets including coffee, unless otherwise specified) ✓ Bi-lingual Tour Escort (English & Spanish or Portuguese) from Day 2 to Day 7 inclusive ✓ Regular departure transfer to Rovaniemi Airport ✓ The long-distance coach from day 2-6 offers WIFI ✓ All tours and transportation, as mentioned in the program ✓ Visits, excursions and entrances as mentioned in the program ✓ Outdoor clothing for winter activities/safaris as mentioned in the program. For further information please consult the general conditions ✓ Luggage allowance is 1 suitcase & 1 piece of hand luggage per personExclusion
Beverages or any extras Porter Service Any services not mentioned in the InclusionsNote
HOTELS Santa´s Hotel Tunturi Santa's Igloos Arctic Circle Santa’s Hotel Santa Claus Due to the nature of the tours and the destination, we are unfortunately not able to accept children younger than 4 years old on these programs. Child supplement is available on request Cost for Optional activities is available on request Regular Transfer Services included in the program are only available for transfers from Ivalo Airport & to Rovaniemi Airport and only on the published official date of end of the tour. The transfers are escorted by an English-speaking driver and is shared with other fellow passengers; therefore, minor waiting time may occur. This transfer service is not valid for passengers with pre/post nights or passengers who require private transfers – for a supplement, private transfers can be reserved. The Northern Lights are weather dependent and cannot be guaranteed as they are a natural phenomenon.Tour Category
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