Santa's Magic
3 nights in Saariselka
Call 0161 298 7477 for a live quote on this trip!
Itinerary Details
Important: Pricing - Both Seasons
Prices on this trip are fluid and can increase with the sales on each flight. Due to the current situation this has been more apparent this year than ever before with prices for 2021 & 2022 increasing without prior notice. Be aware that a quote is only valid at the time of quoting.
Overview
The most popular 3 night break from the UK to the small ski resort of Saariselka, in the north-east of Finnish Lapland. Excellent for snow, fun and the Northern Lights*. Contains a purpose-built activity area in the middle of the woods with a private meeting with Santa in his cabin.
Child age: 2-11
Day 1
Welcome
Having just flown across the Arctic Circle, the children will love being greeted at Ivalo Airport by my reindeer and friends, the Samis and one of my elves, presenting a delightful photo opportunity to capture your family’s first few minutes in my homeland!
A short, comfortable 25-minute coach-ride transfers you to your chosen hotel or cabin in Saariselkä – just enough time to see if the children can spot more reindeer or maybe my little log-cabin home through the forests bordering the road.
Time for your ‘Michelin-man’ impressions, as my helpers get you fitted with your complimentary thermal over-suits, boots, socks, gloves and hats.
Then it’s fun-time – a chance to explore and get your bearings on arrival in my winter wonderland, make snowmen, borrow the free toboggans from all my partner hotels or cabins, or just relax in a fragrant Finnish sauna – the choice is yours!
For hotel guests who have booked my great value half-board option, a wonderful first Lapland night dinner sets the scene for tomorrow’s excitement, whilst those in my Christmas Cabins will enjoy a home-cooked family meal!
Day 2
Adventure Day
This extra day on my 4 day break will normally be your second day, and gives you the chance to start building up the excitement, with your choice of my fantastic Optional Adventures.
Try a sensational daytime Snowmobile Safari, where parents take it in turns to drive the snowmobile and children will be towed in a special sled by the guide, or the evening snowmobile option, with my popular Northern Lights Adventure. Or perhaps enjoy a few hours downhill skiing, or Saariselkä’s toboggan run. Animal lovers may prefer to go for an extra, longer Husky Sled Ride or Reindeer Sleigh Ride – always a popular option with the children.
Families in my cabins will be welcomed back to dinner by their host, whilst half board hotel guests dine in the hotels. There will be lots of stories to tell about the day’s adventures, as the excitement mounts for tomorrow’s Big Day!
Day 3
Search for Santa
My helpers will pick you up for the ultimate Christmas adventure, enjoying all the following exciting activities at some point throughout the day, all of which are included in my prices!
Husky Sled Ride – where the children get to ride with a parent (and shout ‘mush mush!’ at every opportunity!), and grown-ups can all take a turn at actually ‘driving’ your own sled! Imagine your sled, drawn by five or six eager huskies, straining at the leash and eager to run, then released – and you’re off! Racing across the snow and through the woods is the most perfect way to experience Lapland’s winter wonderland.
Reindeer Sleigh Ride – meet your reindeer and your local Sami guide then take a wonderful 7-10 minute ride into the picturesque woods, with the ‘swish’ of the runners across the snow, and children and parents cuddled together under blankets in the sleigh, arriving at a very secret location.
My Elves and Igloo Fantasia is hidden away in the woods and only reached by reindeer sleigh and once there, join in the fun and games with my Elves in their Igloo Wonderland before visiting my Artistic Igloo and admiring the magnificent ice sculptures and enjoying a drink in my ice bar.*
My Reindeer centre is full of exciting reindeer based activities. Join in the fun and play on the Crazy Reindeer Golf, Try your hand and Reindeer Lasso or feed one of my reindeer friends, and find out what surprises are in store at my Special Reindeer Barn.
Lunch is also included, to ‘recharge your batteries’ for the afternoon. This will be a simple and warming 2-course meal, with plenty of hot berry juice, squash, tea and coffee also available.
A host of Snow and Ice Fun Activities are provided for you to enjoy, such as ice-fishing, snow-hockey, kick-sledding (a crazy Finnish cross between a scooter and a toboggan!), tandem skiing, mini-skidoo rides for the children, and my favourite – tobogganing.
See your children’s faces light up with wonder, as you fulfil your family’s Search for Santa, and meet me in an Exclusive Private Family Meeting in my hideaway log-cabin home, with my elves on hand to make you welcome and ensure there is magic in the air!
Refreshments are included too, and are available throughout the day, for those times when a few minutes warming up round a crackling log fire is welcomed.
Finally, back ‘home’ in your hotel, why not finish the day with a wonderful Gala Dinner (included on our half-board option).
Day 4
Grand Finale
Fun-time again, with the chance to thrill to another big adventure, whether pre-booked in the UK or chosen locally the day before from my range of Optional Adventures. You may have fallen in love with the huskies and want to enjoy an even longer Husky Sled Ride, or relax on Rudolph’s Reindeer Run, or perhaps take off on a Snowmobile Safari for high-octane thrills – there are plenty of options to choose from.
This morning also gives you a chance to browse the village’s souvenir shops, to choose from their range of traditional hand-made Lappish items and clothes, Christmas gifts and toys.
My helpful team will collect you from your doorstep by coach for the short ride to the airport to catch your flight home, to a chorus of fond farewells!
* Day 2 & Day 3 on the itinerary are reversed on the Christmas departures.
Book for a deposit of
£150 per person
* Balance due 12 weeks before travel
Accommodation Details
Holiday Club Spa Hotel
Located right in the heart of Saariselkä, this popular spa hotel offers a high standard of accommodation and an impressive range of facilities including a fabulous indoor pool complex with waterslide, water massages, waves and kids’ pool.
Kelotahti Apartments
Recently built, excellent value, luxury apartments in a highly convenient central village location. All apartments are fully equipped with ultra-modern appliances, contemporary furnishings and private en suite sauna. Heated indoor car park. Ski storage and maintenance room. The apartments are located in the very centre of the village, 100m from the ski bus stop and Holiday Club Spa Hotel, and 250m from a well-stocked supermarket.
Tunturi Hotel & Tunturi Gielas
A wonderfully atmospheric hotel cosy wood-panelled public areas and good cuisine. All hotel rooms and suites are in separate buildings 100m from the main reception and restaurants. Deluxe rooms are located in the beautiful highly recommended new Gielas Hotel building. The property is in a peaceful setting 2 minutes' walk (200m) from the village centre, next to the start of the cross-country ski tracks.
Hotel Riekonlinna & Riekonlinna Apartments
The Hotel Riekonlinna is very popular with my visitors to Lapland. With its excellent range of facilities and a reputation for wonderful food. A favourite feature of mine is the Northern Lights Lounge. The Hotel Riekonlinna offers a range of family rooms, suites and stylish, well appointed family apartments set in the woods behind the main hotel building, approx. one minute’s walk away. All sofa-beds are suitable for two children under 10 or one older child or adult.
Saariselka Inn
If you are looking for a smaller Property, offering excellent value for money, then I suggest the Saariselka Inn. It is built in traditional Finnish style and is located in the centre of Saariselkä, just opposite the pool and spa at the Hotel Holiday Club. It is well known for its friendly informal atmosphere and welcoming staff.
Resort Details
Saariselka
Located in the wild mystical north of Lapland, close to Russia and just a few hours from the Arctic Ocean, Saariselkä is an exceptionally friendly uncommercialised resort with a unique frontier atmosphere. With magnificent Arctic wilderness scenery just on the doorstep, it makes an ideal resort for an all-round winter wonderland adventure. The skies are often a deep hue of pink and purple, the pine trees heavily laden with snow, and being so far north there is a good possibility of seeing the Northern Lights too.