Santa's Spectacular

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!

A short, comfortable 25-minute coach-ride transfers you to your chosen hotel in Saariselkä - just enough time to see if the children can spot more reindeer or even Santa’s little log-cabin home through the forests bordering the road.

Time for your ‘Michelin man’ impersonations, as we get you fitted with your complimentary thermal over-suits, boots, gloves and hats.

Fun-time – a chance to explore and get your bearings on arrival in this winter wonderland, make snowmen, borrow the free toboggans from all our partner hotels, or just relax in a fragrant Finnish sauna - the choice is yours!

For guests who have booked our great value half-board option, a wonderful first night dinner sets the scene for tomorrow's excitement!

This extra day on the 4-day 'Santa's Spectacular' break will normally be your second day, and gives you the chance to start building up the excitement with your choice of our fantastic Optional Adventures. Try a sensational Snowmobile Safari - one of our previous guests' big favourites - or enjoy a few hours skiing, or maybe go for an extra Husky Sled or Reindeer Sleigh Ride - always a popular choice with the children.

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! 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 'Swish' of the runners across the snow, and the children cuddled under blankets on your knee. 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 desperate 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. Traditional Arctic Circle Ceremony, where a Sami guide will introduce you to their fascinating traditional culture with stories and maybe a song or two, and every Esprit guest receives a special souvenir certificate, to celebrate your intrepid crossing of the Arctic Circle.

A host of snow and ice fun activities are provided for you to enjoy such as ice-fishing, snow hockey, 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.

Turn your children’s dreams into reality, as you complete your family’s Search for Santa by snowmobile-sled, and find Santa Claus himself in his hideaway log-cabin home and experience your exclusive private family meeting with Santa, with his elfin helpers 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 half-board option), and re-live every unforgettable moment of your biggest ever Christmas adventure!

Time for more fun, making the most of your time in Lapland to thrill to another exciting adventure, whether pre-booked in the UK or chosen locally the day before from our range of Optional Adventures. Enjoy an even longer Husky Sled Ride, or perhaps take this opportunity for an exciting Family Snowmobile Safari - 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.

We 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.

QUICK LINKS
> Saariselka Resort
> Saariselka Accommodation
> Why Santa's Lapland
> Frequently Asked Questions
> Booking Conditions

* In hotels the Gala Dinner is not applicable to 23rd and 24th December departures due to special menus on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

AVAILABILITY
All the dates above are available as of our last update. However the prices and tours are subject to availability and availability cannot be guaranteed for late bookings made betwen Oct-Dec where availability will be extremely limited with most tours likely to be full. Alternative tours will be offered should this tour be fully booked.

Images © Esprit Holidays