Magical Christmas in Lapland – Winter Holiday

Arrival at the chosen airport in Lapland. After collecting your luggage, we will transfer to Haparanda-Tornio, about an hour and a half away, a city crossed by the border between Sweden and Finland.

Here we speak two languages, use two currencies, and live in two different time zones! You will stay in a hotel room or lodge, upon your choice and availability. For larger families, family suites with private facilities are available. Hotels are generally centrally located, close to numerous restaurants and shops, and easily reachable on foot. Lodges are usually more isolated and atmospheric. Many have their own restaurant.

If conditions allow, we will guide you on the first hunt for the Northern Lights, which will take place in the countryside surrounding the city center, up to half an hour's drive away.

After a delicious breakfast, we will travel (up to 20 min transfer) along the Swedish side of the Tornio River, until the perfectly preserved heritage fishing village of Kukkola, located on the banks of the longest rapids in the Nordic countries. We will guide you through the historic buildings, explaining how people lived in these areas in ancient times.

We will visit the small but fascinating fishing museum, where we can live through the thousand-year-old traditions of the area. We will be able to admire interesting buildings such as the sawmill, the flour mill, and the miller's house (entrance to some of the buildings may be limited by snow).

Later, we will walk to a kota dating back to the late eighteenth century, to learn how to make bread in the traditional Lappish way, sitting around the fire in a unique atmosphere, with the guidance of a local person. We will be able to enjoy the bread we have made together with a succulent fish salad and a hot juice.

Afterwards, once we are refreshed, we can take an optional snowmobile safari lasting about two hours in the beautiful forest that surrounds the area. The safari requires normal physical fitness and a driving license. Children can sit on a sled pulled by their parents or the guide.

In the evening, we will return to your hotel, where you can relax (sauna may be included or subject to an extra fee), and have a typical dinner. After dinner, weather permitting, we will go on a night safari to try to observe the Northern Lights. As every evening, the safari may be postponed to one of the following days in case of unfavorable weather.

Once breakfast is finished, we will leave to the husky farm (about 1h transfer, depending on your hotel), where a safari on a sled pulled by Siberian huskies awaits us. The experience is very intense, in close contact with these wonderful animals and unspoilt nature.

Upon arrival, we will meet the mushers, who will welcome us and give security instructions. The dogs will howl and browl upon your arrival: it is not a sign of threat, but simply willingness to start running! After a short explanation of the driving techniques, we will begin a wonderful journey through the snowy forest, which we will cross for about 20-30 minutes.

At the end of the safari, we will gather around the fire to sip a hot juice. The restaurant is open at lunchtime – you can buy a snack or light lunch for yourself. Afterwards, we will return to the hotel for a relaxing afternoon, followed by dinner and northern lights chase.

Upon arrival, we'll meet the mushers, who will welcome us and give us safety instructions. The dogs will howl and growl as we approach: this isn't a sign of threat, but simply their eagerness to go! After a brief explanation of the driving techniques, we'll embark on a fantastic excursion through the snow-covered forest, which we'll traverse for about 20 to 30 minutes.

At the end of the safari, we'll gather around the campfire to enjoy a hot drink. The restaurant is open for lunch; you can purchase a snack or a light meal there. Next, we will return to the hotel for a relaxing afternoon, followed by dinner and an excursion in search of the Northern Lights.

After enjoying breakfast, we will drive back to Rovaniemi (about 1h 30min), where we will visit the Santa Claus Village, located in the northern part of the city, where the Arctic Circle passes. The village has shops, restaurants, the famous post office, and the equally famous Santa Claus house, where our Santa Claus receives anyone who wants to chat with him for free (photos are subject to a fee). Lunch will be free. Our minibus will be available during the visit, and you can leave your luggage there.

Once the visit to the village is over, we will return to the hotel or lodge for dinner and northern light chasing.

Following breakfast, we will drive to the reindeer farm, located around 1h away. Here you can meet these incredible animals, feed them and hear from the herders about how crucial their existence has been in the past. You can also try a short round on a sledge.

After leaving the reindeer farm, we will reach Kemi (about 15 minutes away), where you can take a short walk on the frozen sea! This incredible experience takes you to Laitakari, an island where the first settlers founded the city of Kemi, in the mid 1800s.

The ruins of the sawmill and houses are still visible amidst the trees – dive back into time and see how people lived in the old days!

Upon returning, you can visit the Snowcastle, in its permanent part, located indoors. This structure allows you to admire ice sculptures and become a child again by sliding on the ice. Back at your hotel, you will be served dinner, after which we may go on a Northern Lights, provided conditions are favourable.

After breakfast, we will drive by private vehicle to your chosen airport. End of the tour.