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Departing Stansted or Bristol on the 9th December 2008.
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 Day 1-
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The children will love being greeted at Ivalo Airport by a reindeer with its Sami handler, and one of Santa’s elves, presenting a delightful photo opportunity to capture your family’s first few minutes in Santa’s homeland.
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A short, comfortable 25-minute coach-ride transfers you to your hotel or cosy chalet in Saariselkä, just enough time to see if you can spot more reindeer or Santa’s hut through the forests bordering the road.
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Time for your ‘Michelinman’ impersonations, as we get you fitted with your special complimentary thermal over-suits, boots, gloves and hats.
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Fun-time – a chance to explore and get your bearings in this winter wonderland, make snowmen, go tobogganing or just relax in a fragrant Finnish sauna.
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For chalet guests and hotel guests on our full-board option, a wonderful first night dinner – a chance to meet and socialise with our other guests and build your anticipation for tomorrow! |
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Day 2
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Today’s exciting adventure sees us exploring the mysteries of Santa’s winter woodland creatures, as folklore tells that Santa loves having help from his visitors.
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Join us on our Search for the Magical Trolls that help Santa look after the local animals. These are not ‘scary’ trolls like the ‘Billy Goat Gruff’ story - Lapland trolls are friendly but shy guardians of nature, who live with the Woodland Sprites - mischievous creatures who disguise themselves as furry forest animals! We search the snowy forest to find the secretive trolls and sprites, and help them distribute the enchanted food that the animals all rely on.
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Elf School is also part of today’s fun, and our cheeky Saari Elves will keep order whilst telling stories and explaining some of the time-honoured elfin activities and traditions, with maybe a song or two along the way.
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Lunch is also included, either before or after your Troll Hunt, in one of the cosy local restaurants. This will be a simple 2-course meal with separate options for the children and plenty of hot berry juice, squash, tea and coffee available.
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Our 5-day trip also allows you that welcome extra bit of time to relax and enjoy Lapland life at your own pace, so for the remainder of the day, choose from the many ‘Extra Optional Adventures’ available.
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Full-board guests will enjoy dinner at leisure in your hotel, whilst bed and breakfast guests may sample Saariselkä’s choice of restaurants. |
Day 3 |
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The highlight of the day is our thrilling 1½ hour Snowmobile Safari Adventure! Adults ride with a partner, taking turns (if you wish) to drive or ride pillion, whilst children are towed in special sledges behind the guides, or older children may choose to ride pillion behind a parent. The memorable trip is broken halfway for hot drinks around a crackling campfire, with toboggans laid on to keep the youngsters happy!
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Lunch is also included either before or after your snowmobile adventure in one of the cosy local restaurants. This will be a simple but warming 2-course meal, with plenty of hot berry juice, squash, tea and coffee available.
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Our 5-day trip also allows you a that little bit of extra time to relax and enjoy life at your own pace, so for the remainder of the day, choose from the many ‘Extra Optional Adventures’.
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Full-board guests will enjoy dinner at your leisure in your hotel or chalet, to set the scene for tomorrow’s excitement, whilst bed and breakfast guests may sample Saariselkä’s choice of restaurants |
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Day 4
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We 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 our prices.
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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.
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Traditional Arctic Circle Ceremony, where a Sami guide will introduce you to their traditional culture with stories and maybe a song or two, and every guest receives a special souvenir certificate, to celebrate your intrepid crossing of the Arctic Circle.
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Husky Sled Ride, where the children get to ride with a parent (and shout ‘mush mush!’ at every
opportunity!), and grownups 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 desperate to run, then released and you’re off on a thrilling 15 minute adventure, racing through the snow-covered woods - the perfect way to experience Lapland’s winter wonderland.
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Lunch is also included to recharge your batteries for the afternoon. This will be a simple 2-course meal with separate options for the children and plenty of hot berry juice, squash, tea and coffee available.
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A host of snow and ice activities to enjoy such as ice-fishing, snowhockey, kick-sledding (a crazy cross between a scooter and a 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.
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See your children’s faces light up with wonder, as you fulfil your family’s Search for Santa, and meet Santa Claus himself, in an exclusive private family meeting, in his hideaway log-cabin home, with his helpers on hand to make you welcome and ensure there is magic in the air!
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Refreshments are included too and are available indoors throughout the day, for those times when a few minutes warming up are welcomed.
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Finally, back ‘home’ in your hotel or chalet, sit down as a family and enjoy a wonderful Gala Dinner (optional in hotels), and re-live every unforgettable moment of your biggest ever Christmas adventure! |
Day 5 |
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Fun-time again, with the chance to thrill to another big adventure, whether pre-booked in the UK or chosen the night before from our ‘ Optional Adventures’ . You may have fallen in love with the huskies and want to enjoy the sled ride again, or perhaps experience skiing, Nordic style or downhill - there are plenty of options to choose from.
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If you’ve booked our 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 Saariselkä, whether for activities or simply to browse the village’s souvenir shops selling traditional Lappish items and Christmas gifts.
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We will collect you from your doorstep by coach and take you to the airport to catch your flight home, to a chorus of fond farewells.
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