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Santa's Magical Adventure - 3 days - 2008

Resort

Saariselka is the most northerly of Lapland's resorts, nestling in the picturesque white wilderness of gently rounded hills and snow-laden forests 200km north of the Arctic Circle. Rugged nature andancient mysticism go hand in hand here to magical effect. The native Sami, with their fascinating cultural heritage and hospitable charm, welcome and enthral visitors with their tales and legends of bygone days and future dreams.Reindeer roam the landscape and other native animals such as Arctic fox, Arctic hare and the snowy grouse can all be spotted, adding to the enchantment of this unspoilt setting.

Saariselka's Elves

Saariselka is home to Santa's tribe of Saari Elves, a hardy outdoor bunch, renowned for their lively, energetic personalities, and whose ears and noses do not grow so long as their cousins' in Rovaniemi. This is due to the time that they spend outdoors playing in the snow, rather than concentrating on toy making in one of Santa's busy workshops further south.

 

Itinerary

Day One:

The children will love being greeted at Ivalo Airport by a reindeer with its Sami handler and one of Santa's elves!

A short, comfortable 25-minute transfer to your cosy chalet or hotel in Saariselka - will you spot any more reindeer or Santa's secret hideaway?

Time for your 'Michelin-man' impersonations, as you are fitted with your special complimentary thermal over-suits and boots, gloves and hats.

Fun-time - a chance to explore, make snowmen, go tobogganing, or just relax in a fragrant Finnish sauna.

For guests on full board basis a wonderful first night dinner sets the scene for tomorrow's excitement!

 

Day Two:

You will be picked up from your doorstep for the ultimate Christmas adventure. The following exciting activities are all included in the price of your short break!

Reindeer sleigh ride - meet your reindeer and your local Sami guide, learn the Lappish reindeer names then take a wonderful 7-10 minute ride into the picturesque woods, with the children cuddled under blankets on your knee.

Husky-sled ride, where children get to ride with a parent (and shout 'mush, mush!') and grown-ups can all take a turn at actually 'driving' your sled! Imagine your sled, drawn by five or six eager huskies, straining at the leash and desperate to run, then released and they are off into the woods for a 15 minute adventure - the perfect way to experience Lapland's winter wonderland.

Traditional Arctic Circle Ceremony - a Sami guide will introduce you their traditional culture with stories and maybe a song or two and you receive a special souvenir certificate to celebrate your intrepid crossing of the Arctic Circle!

Lunch is included to 'recharge your batteries' for the afternoon. This will be a simple two course meal with plenty of hot berry juice, squash, tea and coffee.

In addition to all the above you can enjoy a host of snow and ice activities such as ice- fishing, snow-hockey, kick-sledding (a cross between a scooter and toboggan!) tandem skiing, mini skidoo rides for the children, tobogganing and snow sculpture - a chance for all budding artists to convert a large block of compact snow into a work of art.

See your children's faces light up with wonder as you depart on your Search for Santa. Meet Santa Claus himself in an exclusive family meeting his hideaway log-cabin home, with all his helpers on hand to make you welcome and ensure that there is magic in the air!

Refreshments are included too and are available indoors throughout the day, for those times when a few minutes warming up round a crackling fire is welcomed.

Finally, back 'home' in your chalet or hotel, sit down as a family to enjoy a wonderful Gala Dinner (if full board option is taken) , and relive every unforgettable moment of your biggest ever Christmas adventure!

Day Three:

Fun-time again, with the chance to thrill to another big adventure, either pre-booked in the UK or chosen the night before. Optional adventures include Snowmobile Safari, Northern Lights Adventure, Husky Heaven, Rudolph's Reinder run, ice-driving and others (please ask for further details and prices).

For those on the full board option a light packed lunch will be provided from your hotel or chalet to be eaten at your convenience. This allows you to make the most of your last morning in Saariselka, where time can also be spent in a range of souvenir shops selling traditional Lappish items and Christmas gifts.

You will then be collected by coach from your doorstep, and taken to the airport to catch your flight home to a chorus of fond farewells.

 

ACCOMMODATION

Chalets    

 

   

These two cosy, fully catered log-cabin chalets are full of winter wonderland charm and each has its own dedicated chalet host to cook and clean for you. Both are semi-detached (not together), non-smoking and available ONLY to whole chalet bookings.

      

 

 

 

Both chalets offer:

A substantial breakfast including a choice of cereals or porridge, fruit juices, plentiful tea and coffee, local bread, cold meats, cheeses and preserves and boiled eggs - the perfect start to the day.

3 course evening meals for all the family to share with complimentary wine/soft drinks and after-dinner coffee.

Gala dinner on your last evening - a delicious special meal to celebrate your stay in style.

Both chalets will have a festive atmosphere with a Christmas tree in the lounge and a roaring log fire. Why not relax in the chalet's sauna in the evening?

TV and stereo can also be found in both chalets.

     
Chalet Waskooli (8-10 guests)   Chalet Tievapolku (8-10 guests)

This is an enchanting semi-detached chalet of Nordic silver pine, nestling on the edge of a cross-country ski trail. Its cosy interior boasts a delightful living and dining area, with the added bonus of a further lounge area on the upstairs mezzanine.

 

 

This charming semi-detached chalet is located in the same secluded area as the Chalet Waskooli. The bright, modern furnishings give the chalet a light, airy ambience, as do the open-plan living and dining areas.

     
Holiday Club Hotel ****   Hotel Riekonlinna ****

This superb hotel has everything a family could wish for on a perfect Lapland break. It is centrally located with all the village amenities within walking distance, and all the hotel's own facilities are conveniently accessible without having to go outside.

The exciting indoor pool with its waves and chutes will keep the children amused for hours. Parents can watch from the comfort of the pool bar and perhaps catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights through the pool's glass roof! Alternatively you can enjoy a range of treatments at the spa centre at the hotel (treatments payable locally) or relax in the sauna or steam bath. For those who prefer the great outdoors toboggans are available to use free of charge!

Before and after dinner, the lobby lounge beckons, with the chance to relax by a crackling log fire with your favourite drink. The evening meal can be enjoyed in the atmospheric dining-room and is generally buffet style, allowing guests to choose from a varied selection.

On your last evening, the hotel invites you to a Gala buffet dinner to round off a memorable visit to Lapland (not applicable to 23rd & 24 December arrivals, as there are special festive menus on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.)

Type A family bedrooms sleep 2-4 - twin beds & a double sofa bed, private en suite shower, wc, satellite TV, hairdryer & minibar

Type B family suites, sleep 5-6 - as Type A but more spacious. The twin beds can be partitioned off from the lounge, where there is a double sofa bed and two extra single sofa beds. Each suite has its own sauna.

Family apartments are available as follows, located a maximum of 400m from the main hotel. All meals are taken in the main hotel.

Type C apartments, sleep 3-4 - one twin bedroom, lounge/kitchenette with double sofa bed, private en suite shower, private sauna, wc, satelite TV and hairdryer.

Type D apartments, sleep 5-6 - as Type C but larger, with an extra twin bedroom.

Type E log cabins, sleep 5-6 NEW FOR 2008 - in traditional Finnish style with one twin bedroom, dining area/kitchenette and shower/wc & sauna downstairs. Mezzanine loft area upstairs with double sofa bed, TV with DVD and further twin room under the eaves.

 

 

The Riekonlinna is a well-appointed hotel with an excellent range of facilities and a reputation for wonderful food. A favourite feature is the Northern Lights Lounge, with big squishy sofas looking out to the northern skies through huge panoramic windows, so you can watch for this natural phenomenon in warmth and comfort!

The hotel also benefits from four saunas, massage and solarium (local charges apply) and children's play area with ball pond. Toboggans are available to use free of charge.

The Riekonlinna offers a wide range of family rooms, suites and stylish family apartments set in the woods behind the main hotel buidling, approx one minute's walk away.

On your last evening, the hotel invites you to a Gala buffet dinner to round off a memorable visit to Lapland (not applicable to 23rd & 24 December arrivals, as there are special festive menus on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.)

 

Type A bedrooms, sleep 2-4- comfortable bedrooms with twin beds and, for families, a sofa bed suitable for two children under 10 or one older child or adult. All rooms have private en suite shower, wc, balcony, TV, minibar & hairdryer.

Type B family suites, sleep 4 - twin bedroom & separate lounge with double sofa bed or two single sofa beds, sharing private sauna, shower, wc, balcony, TV, minibar & hairdryer. NB One suite has a bath rather than a shower but no sauna.

Type C family suites, sleep 4-5 - two interconnecting Type A bedrooms, one with private sauna and each with own shower, wc, balcony, TV, minibar & hairdryer.

Type D family apartments, sleep 3-4 - twin bedroom and separate lounge with double sofa bed sharing private sauna, shower, wc, balcony, TV, hairdryer and kitchenette.

Type E family apartments, sleep 5-6 - as Type D with an extra twin bedroom.

NEW for 2008 - experience the Riekonlinna's new igloo snow-cabins. You can book a one night stay in an igloo and sleep on a snow shelf with thermal matress! A thermal suit, socks and arctic sleeping bag are provided for the -5 degrees temperature. Supplement applies - ask for details.

 
     
Hotel Tunturi ****   Hotel Kieppi ***

The Tunturi is a unique, well-designed hotel with a central building housing most facilities where musical entertainment is on offer every evening.

The well established, comfortable accommodation buildings are set in a wooded area near the cross country ski trails, within a 2-3 minute walk of the main building. Most room types have a private sauna. All meals are served in the main central building. New for 2008 is the luxury GIELAS wing offering family bedrooms, all with private bath/wc, sauna and balcony.

The hotel also has a small children's play area and is situated only 300m away from the Holiday Club leisure centre. Toboggans are also supplied free of charge.

On your last evening, the hotel invites you to a Gala buffet dinner to round off a memorable visit to Lapland (not applicable to 23rd & 24 December arrivasl, as there are special festive menus on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.)

Type A bedrooms, sleep 2-4 - with twin beds and a double sofa bed (suitable for one adult or two children), private en suite shower, wc, satellite TV, telephone, minibar, hairdryer and tea making facilities.

Type B family suites, sleep 3-4 - twin bedroom and a separate lounge with double sofa bed, sharing private sauna, shower, wc, minibar, hairdryer and tea making facilities.

Type C family suites, sleep 5-6 - two twin bedrooms and a separate lounge with double sofa bed, sharing private sauna, shower, wc, further separate wc, minibar, hairdryer and tea making facilities. These suites may be on two levels with an internal staircase with stair gates.

The hotel's new 'Gielas' wing, due to open in November 2008, aims to provide the highest standards in Saariselka, and is 2-3 minutes walk from the main building. This wing will offer spacious and stylish family rooms plus a small range of boutiques.

Gielas Type D family bedrooms, sleep 2-4 - two single beds and a double sofa bed (suitable for one adult or two children), private en suite bath/shower, wc, sauna, balcony, satellite TV, telephone, minibar, hairdryer and tea making facilities.

Gielas Type E family bedrooms, sleep 3-4 - as Type D but more spacious.

 

 

 

The Hotel Kieppi is a charming small hotel built in traditional Finnish style and located in the village centre, just opposite the Holiday Club Hotel. The Kieppi prides itself on its friendly informal atmosphere, good service and excellent food.

The main building houses its cosy lounge, bar, restaurant and saunas and the bedrooms are located in four smaller cabins just 10m away. The hotel also has a small children's play area, free use of toboggans and free internet corner.

On your last evening, the hotel invites you to a Gala buffet dinner to round off a memorable visit to Lapland (not applicable to 23rd & 24 December arrivals, as there are special festive menus on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.)

Type A bedrooms, sleep 2-3 - with twin beds and a single sofa bed (suitable for under 12s), private en suite shower,wc, cable TV, radio, telephone and fridge.

Type B family suites, sleep 4-6 - two Type A bedrooms, with an interconnecting door.

Type C family suites, sleep 4-5 - twin bedroom and separate lounge with double sofa bed and single sofa bed, sharing private bath (or shower and sauna), wc, cable TV, radio, telephone and fridge.

 

 

 

 

 

Our Lapland Manager has been escorting trips to see Santa since 1993.

Please call or email Dawn if you require impartial and knowledgable advice prior to making your booking with us.

 
Call us on: 01989 730 552

 

               

NB: Departure dates and airports below, please contact us for an up-to-date quote:

Departure Airport    
Duration

Day/ Date  

Arrival Airport

Bristol
3 days
Thursday 4th December
Ivalo
Saturday 13th December
Thursday 18th December
Saturday 20th December
Monday 22nd December

 

Departure Airport    
Duration

Day/ Date  

Arrival Airport

Gatwick
3 days
Wednesday 3rd December
Ivalo
Friday 5th December
Wednesday 10th December
Friday 12th December
Wednesday 17th December
Friday 19th December
Sunday 21st December
Friday 26th December

 

Departure Airport    
Duration

Day/ Date  

Arrival Airport

Stansted
3 days
Thursday 4th December
Ivalo
Saturday 13th December
Thursday 18th December
Saturday 20th December
Monday 22nd December

Departure Airport    
Duration

Day/ Date  

Arrival Airport

Manchester
3 days
Wednesday 3rd December
Ivalo
Friday 5th December
Wednesday 10th December
Friday 12th December
Wednesday 17th December
Friday 19th December
Sunday 21st December
Friday 26th December

 

 

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