Father Christmas

& Arctic Animals

4 nights over Christmas at Ranua Wildlife Park

Operator's View

"Christmas is, of course, a magical time of year for children (and adults!) alike. This adventure in Ranua makes it all the more special and memorable. With its winter-wonderland setting and carefully designed Father Christmas experience, this trip has the perfect festive feel. Added to that is the chance to choose your own winter activities, giving this holiday a truly personal touch. And how could I forget to mention Ranua Wildlife Park, where you can see a wide range of Arctic creatures up close? This is an unforgettable Christmas holiday!" Ali McLean

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Ranua Family Christmas is part of the "Small & Personal" collection.

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4 nights / 5 days itinerary

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Day 1 - 23rd December 2020

Arrival in Lapland

Today you will journey to Lapland ready to begin your wonderful Christmas adventure!

Upon arrival in Rovaniemi, you will be transferred through the snow-covered landscape to your accommodation at Ranua, approximately an hour away.
 

You will be checked in to your cosy apartments and you will have dinner in the restaurant.

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Included Meals:  Dinner

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Day 2
Christmas Tree Search by Snowmobile, Meeting with Father Christmas and Christmas Festivities
 

Today is Christmas Eve and this is when the Finns celebrate Christmas so this will be a day to remember.

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The magic starts after breakfast when you head out into the surrounding forested wilderness in search of the perfect Christmas tree. Adults will be given full instruction on how to drive a snowmobile and will travel in pairs, while children will sit in a sled pulled by the guide’s snowmobile. This is a great way to move through the winter scenery and allows you to see more of the stunning landscape.

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Once the important decision has been made and the tree selected, you will enjoy warm drinks and cookies around a campfire before taking your tree back to Ranua to decorate.

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Please note that in order to drive a snowmobile you must be over 18 and hold a full driving licence.

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Then it will be time to prepare for your very important meeting with Father Christmas*. Your guide will lead each family along a forest trail by snowmobile-pulled sleigh and you will soon see the glimmer of lights from a cosy cabin ahead.

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The door will be answered by the man in red! He will spend time talking with the children, telling stories and listening to their Christmas wishes. The children can ask any questions they have about his life and work in Lapland. Each family will spend around twenty minutes in his company before returning to Ranua for dinner in the restaurant. In total, the activity lasts around 45 minutes.

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*Please note that some families will have their private meeting with Father Christmas in the next few days depending on your families individual schedule, but either way, he'll be making an appearance during your festive dinner on Christmas Eve, so everyone will get to see him at some point on that day too.

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This evening there will be a Christmas dinner with a range of Finnish and international specialities, along with lots of festivities to cap off a magical day.

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Day 3

Guided Tour of Ranua Wildlife Park

Today you will spend Christmas Day doing something very special as you visit the Wildlife Park and meet with over 50 different types of animals! Whilst you may have popped into the park before now, today you will be given an in-depth tour and you can ask your guide questions about your favourite animals.

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On top of its famous polar bears, the park is home to a wide range of species, including otters, Arctic foxes, wild boars, and wolves. Special enclosures have been designed and constructed to reflect the natural environment of the animals. You will be shown around the park and have the chance to help the guides serving the animals with their Christmas dinner!

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After time at the park, you can return to the apartments to spend some time as a family and enjoy your own Christmas celebrations before dinner in the hotel restaurant this evening.

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Dinner will be served at the restaurant this evening.

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Included Meals:  Breakfast, Dinner

Day 3 & 4

Activities Included

Meet the Polar Bears

Enjoy a close up look at a polar bear on this exciting activity!

Your guide will take you to the polar bear enclosure and you will be able to view him from the other side of the fence. Your guide will give you lots of information about this beautiful animal as you watch from just a few metres away.

Duration: approximately 45 minutes

3km Reindeer Sleigh Ride

Enjoy a short journey via reindeer-pulled sled, travelling the way people have done here for centuries! The ride will take you from the hotel out into the surrounding wilderness.  Duration: approximately 40 minutes

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5km Husky Safari

This is a truly wonderful way to journey across the snow-laden landscape of Lapland!

You will travel in a sled pulled by your own eager team of huskies (two adults and one child per sled) with the chance for the adults to take it in turns to drive.  After your adventure, there will usually be a chance to pet the dogs and take pictures, as well as asking the mushers any questions you may have.  
Duration: approximately 20-30 minutes

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Searching for the Aurora Borealis via Snowmobile

Heading out into the darkness via snowmobile is a wonderful way to explore the night-time wilderness and your guide will lead the way along the dark forest trails. There will be breaks to enjoy a hot drink and keep a keen watch on the sky in anticipation of a potential Northern Lights display.

Duration: approximately 3 hours (30km)

Please note: the driver of a snowmobile must be at least 18 years old and hold a valid driving licence. Children will travel in a sled pulled by the guide’s snowmobile on selected safaris where this is offered. Older children may be able to travel as pillion on the snowmobile but this is at the discretion of the guide.

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Included Meals:  Breakfast, Dinner

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Day 5

Departure

Today, your festive stay draws to a close. After breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport for your flights home.

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Included Meals:  Breakfast

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Accommodation Details

Gulo Gulo Holiday Village

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Located around 4km from the small town of Ranua, the Gulo Gulo Holiday Village takes its name from the Latin word for Wolverine, one of Finland’s rare native animals and is an ideal family base. The wildlife theme continues throughout due to the accommodation’s proximity to the Ranua Wildlife Park which guests have unlimited access to throughout their stay.

The holiday village offers families modern comfortable apartments which are very well equipped.

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Hotel Facilities

• Ranua Wildlife Park offers a wonderful opportunity to observe the lives of Arctic wild animals in their natural environments. Your ticket entitles you to visit the wildlife park as many times as you wish during your stay, something that our families always love

• The simple but convivial restaurant is situated at the wildlife park itself which is just across the road from your accommodation. Here you will enjoy a buffet breakfast, lunch and dinner, offering a selection of traditional Finnish foods and international dishes for all the family to enjoy

• Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the apartments

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SUPERIOR APARTMENTS
 

The superior apartments are beautifully decorated with all modern comforts for families. In total, there are twenty-eight holiday apartments at Gulo Gulo, which are housed within ten semi-detached building backing onto a lovely forest landscape.

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The ground floor accommodation comprises of an open-plan living room with flat screen TV, kitchen and dining area. The kitchen is well equipped with stove, microwave, dishwasher, fridge, coffee maker and kettle (you may want to take your own tea and coffee to enjoy in your apartment).

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There is one twin bedroom downstairs as well as the bathroom which includes a shower, toilet and drying cabinet for clothes. There is also a private sauna which is a real treat. The accommodation also features a hairdryer and ironing facilities if required.

On the first floor, there is a second twin bedroom as well as an open loft area with two smaller extra beds (suitable for children) as well as a shower and toilet. All linen is of course provided.

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The apartments have their own decking area which can come in very handy for viewing the local wildlife or (fingers crossed!) maybe even the Northern Lights.

Resort Details

Ranua

Located around 4km from the small town of Ranua, the Gulo Gulo Holiday Village takes its name from the Latin word for Wolverine, one of Finland’s rare native animals and is an ideal family base. The wildlife theme continues throughout due to the accommodation’s proximity to the Ranua Wildlife Park which guests have unlimited access to throughout their stay.