FESTIVE LEGENDS

3 Nights short break in Karesuando

LEGENDS packages are based at the Davvi Arctic Lodge in the tiny village of Karesuando, which is a 2.5 hour transfer from Kiruna, deep in the heart of the 'True Lapland'.

HAVING SPENT CHRISTMAS itself at home, why not extend the festivities with a short break amid the magnificent snowscapes of Lapland. Although Santa has hung up his sack for another year, he’s looking forward to meeting you now that he’s got some more time on his hands.

*** Every family guaranteed their own private meeting with Santa!***

Imagine you've enjoyed all the traditional pleasures of a family Christmas at home, complete with presents from Father Christmas, and now, on Boxing Day, you are flying off together for a festive break in the land of Father Christmas himself. It can often feel a bit of an anti-climax, the days after Christmas. All of a sudden, the children have nothing left to look forward to, while the grown-ups can't help feeling they could do with a good rest.

Now you can escape those dreary turkey leftovers by flying to Santa's magical kingdom, deep inside the Arctic Circle. Santa himself is feeling a little tired now, after his epic round-the-world journey delivering presents to boys and girls everywhere. But he is always delighted to have visitors to his hideaway cabin, hidden deep inside the snow-draped forest, and if you manage to find him, he will be happy to put aside his holiday brochures for a festive season chat.

26 December

Collect your special boarding pass at your check-in in the UK and keep it safe! After an early flight to maximise your time in Lapland, you land in Kiruna in Sweden where you are guided to your coach. The two-and-a-half-hour transfer to the Davvi Arctic Lodge in Karesuando, Finland, takes you through the heart of the Sami lands. Watch out for reindeer in the woods!

Temperatures here can fall to -35C in December and we stop to collect your all-in-one thermal suits and boots, an essential part of your holiday package. Hats, scarves and gloves are also necessary, so remember to pack some for everyone!

After checking in at the Davvi Arctic Lodge, your rep hosts a welcome meeting before dinner, giving you all the information needed to get the most from your break.

27 December

One of the joys of the Davvi Arctic Lodge is that the majority of your outside activities conveniently take place outside in the delightful grounds. After breakfast, you can enjoy your first included Santa safari, either a 40-minute Husky Experience or a 1.5-hour Snowmobile Adventure, followed by a warming buffet lunch at the hotel.

Throughout the day you can enjoy snow activities outside, with toboggans available free of charge and kick sledges available upon payment of a deposit. Or, if you prefer, there's plenty of family fun to be had making snowmen or enjoying a good old-fashioned snowball fight! And there's even an outdoor ice rink, with skates available for youngsters to hire.

Alternatively, you might opt to join Mrs Claus's craft class or maybe try one of our exciting optional excursions, such as trying your hand at reindeer herding.

This evening there is a host's cocktail reception before dinner. Then relax, or join one of our optional snowmobile night safaris, perhaps in the hope of seeing the Northern Lights.

28 December

After breakfast, you head outside for our special Supervised Snow Fun. This is a day of supervised activities that include a Snowshoe Trek (like walking on tennis racquets!), Snowball Throwing Contest, Tandem Skis (two people on one pair of skis ... with hilarious results) and Children's Skis, Snowman Building, Tug-of-War, Snow Hockey, and lots more! In addition, there will be a supervised kids' snowmobile ride. Activities are available throughout the day. A hot warming lunch will be served in the hotel. Afterwards, you might join Mrs Claus's Christmas Crafts class making party hats and streamers for the Festive Dinner. Or relax in the Sami Lounge.

Then, the highlight of the day. With your special boarding pass, we set off by snowmobile, before you join Santa's own reindeer sleigh in search of Father Christmas. During a private family meeting in his secret cabin, each child has the chance to talk with Santa and receives a small gift. This evening, perhaps have a drink in Davvi's unique Ice Bar. Later, enjoy a Festive Dinner, with party hats and streamers. After dinner, why not join us on an optional Northern Lights husky safari?

29 December

Check out after breakfast, before joining your last included Santa safari, a 40-minute Husky Experience or a 1.5-hour Snowmobile Adventure, whichever you did not join on day two. There should be time for one final play in the snow or to join one of our optional excursions, perhaps reindeer herding. After lunch at the hotel, we depart for Kiruna and our flight home.

Check our Credentials