6 Days / 5 Nights From £935 pp
Why not spend a memorable Christmas in snowy Lapland. The Arctic atmosphere provides an enchanting backdrop for this magical time of year. Enjoy a wide range of winter activities in Kuusamo, one of Finland's most popular ski resorts among Finns and international visitors alike. As well as skiing, guests can enjoy snow-shoeing, ice-fishing, and husky, reindeer or snowmobile safaris.
For a plunge into a tropical oasis in the middle of this arctic winter wonderland, visit the Spa at Holiday Club Kuusamo.
Ruka downhill ski centre, located 25 km from Kuusamo town centre and connected by ski busses, offers skiing in both day and night: the illumination of the slopes creating a dreamlike atmosphere in the polar night.
Departures: 22nd - 27th December 2009 We can arrange a similar holiday through out the 2010 winter season, minus the visit from Santa of course.
Package price is £ 935 p.p. based on availability and two people sharing a double room. Single supplement £ 185 p.p.
Package includes:
- Return flights from London to Kuusamo via Helsinki on Finnair
- Airport transfers in Kuusamo
- 5 nights accommodation in Sokos Hotel Kuusamo with half board
- Brunch and festive dinner on 24th December
- Christmas programme at the hotel
ARCTIC CHRISTMAS ITINEARARY
DAY 1 - Arrival in Kuusamo. Transfer by bus directly to the hotel. Your hotel is located right in the centre of Kuusamo town. Dinner and overnight in Sokos Hotel Kuusamo.
DAY 2 - Optional activities. Buffet breakfast at the hotel. Free day to enjoy one of the range of optional activities or go downhill skiing. Evening or morning sauna and swim at the hotel. Dinner and overnight in Sokos Hotel Kuusamo.
DAY 3 - Christmas Eve. The Finns celebrate Christmas on 24th December. Enjoy a Christmas Brunch. In the evening Santa Claus himself visits the hotel, followed by a traditional Christmas buffet dinner. Evening or morning sauna and swim at the hotel. Dinner and overnight in Sokos Hotel Kuusamo.
DAY 4 – 5 - Optional activities. Buffet breakfast at the hotel. Free day to enjoy one of the ranges of optional activities or go downhill skiing. Evening or morning sauna and swim at the hotel. Dinner and overnight in Sokos Hotel Kuusamo.
DAY 7 - Departure. Return by bus to Kuusamo airport for your flights back home.
OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES
- IN THE HEART OF NATURE - Tue and Thu, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. Snowmobile safari into the wilderness. Enjoy the outdoors and take this safari through the heart of nature. Your trail traverses rugged fells and narrow valleys to your first stop where your guide will cook a typical Lappish lunch over the campfire. After a refreshing cup of strong hot coffee, you are ready to continue. You ride on through the forest – you may come across a herd of reindeer searching for their favourite food, moss and lichen, under as much as one metre of snow. Keep your eyes out for other forest animals searching for food! The weather in the North can change quickly – ranging from cold and blizzard to warm sun and crisp clean snow – so the snowmobile trails may vary. Duration: 5 - 6 hours (80-110 km) Price: € 165,- per person (2 persons per snowmobile)
- LEGEND OF FOUR WINDS - Wed and Fri, 9 - 12 a.m. and 2 - 5 p.m. Snowmobile safari to the Reindeer corral. Your trail takes you over frozen waters and snow-covered forests to visit a reindeer corral. Sit with the herdsman around an open fire; learn about the oldest form of livelihood in the North, the daily routine of a reindeer herdsman, and hear the Story of the Four Wind Hat. Ride in a reindeer sleigh and receive your own reindeer driving licence, then carry on down the trail back to town. Duration: 3 hours (20-30 km) Price: € 98,- per person 2 persons per snowmobile)
- FISHING EXPERIENCE - Wed and Fri, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Local fishing traditions. Transfer by car to a fishing venue where the host and hostess welcome you. Join them to pull in the nets from the frozen lake and try your hand at traditional ice fishing. Hear stories about local fishing traditions, history and development. After fishing, have a cup of hot coffee with tasty homemade bread and smoked whitefish. If you get a catch, you can fry it over the fire in the Lappish Hut. Duration: 3-4 hours Price: € 71,- per person Min.: 4 persons
- ARCTIC SPEED - Tue and Thu, 9.30 - 12.30 a.m. and 2 - 5 p.m. Snowmobile safari to the Husky Camp. Drive along the trail through the snow-covered landscape. Visit a Husky Camp and learn about these friendly Arctic dogs, their daily life and training. Have a ride on a sleigh pulled by a husky team and enjoy a cup of hot berry juice around the campfire. Duration: 3-4 hours (30-40 km) Price: € 125,- per person (2 persons/snowmobile)
- WHITE SILENCE ON SNOWSHOES - Mon, Wed, Sat, 1 - 3 p.m. Snowshoe walking trip. Challenge yourself to experience the snowshoe adventure in beautiful snowy countryside. On this guided snowshoe trip you will feel the silence and beauty of the snowy forests. Duration: 2 hours Price: € 49 per person
- FRESH AIR ON SKIS - Mon, Wed and Fri 9 - 11 a.m. Cross-country skiing school. Your skiing guide leads you to the slopes after each participant has received the necessary equipment; skis, sticks, shoes and outdoor clothing. Your skiing instructor tells you about cross-country skiing and provides instruction in skiing techniques. In the beginning you learn basic skills like how to slide and stop, how to use the sticks, how to fall safely, and so on. During the trip you train your skills and learn how to ski up and down hills. Participants can use the skis free of charge for the remainder of the day. Duration: 2 hours (skiing distance 2-5 km) Price: € 49,- per person
- RIDE OF YOUR LIFE - Wed and Sat, 1 - 3 p.m. Memorable reindeer sleigh ride. Transportation by car to reindeer corral, where the reindeer herder tells us about reindeer and their habits. Everyone can enjoy a 5 km sleigh ride and will receive a reindeer driver’s licence. After a successful ride, we have a cup of coffee and locally baked cookies in a Lappish hut. Duration: 2 hours Price: € 89,- per person Min.: 4 persons
- HUSKY SAFARI - Tue, Thu, Sat, 1 - 3.30 p.m. Wintertime safari with husky teams. After a drive by car from the hotel, arrival at the Husky Camp, where the barking of the enthusiastic dogs welcomes you to the safari. You will be given tuition on how to control the sled that you ride in pairs (musher and passenger) before departing on the journey. When returning to the Husky Camp, you will savour hot berry juice by an open fire and chat with the head musher about these northern animals. Duration: 2.5 hours Price: € 136 per person (2 persons/husky sled)
Participants are equipped with warm winter clothing for the duration of the trips. Drivers must be at least 15 years of age and hold a valid driving licence. Persons under the age of 15 may ride a snowmobile as a passenger. The snowmobiles are insured, but drivers are liable for the first 750 EUR in the event of accident.