Sleigh Bells Ringing

Visit the grand old man in his Lapland retreat

Snowmobiles, sledges and so much more on a thrilling pre-Christmas break

THERE ARE FEW experiences quite as exhilarating as driving a snowmobile through Arctic snowscapes. Your short break includes a one-and-a-half-hour Snowmobile Adventure amid the fells, forests and frozen lakes of Europe’s last wilderness. Obviously, with such powerful machines, strict rules apply and you must hold a full driving licence to take the controls. For safety reasons, children ride in a sledge pulled by your guide’s snowmobile. But youngsters who want to drive a snowmobile themselves can try out our supervised kids’ snowmobile track during your Snow Fun activities. Your Snowmobile Adventure is only part of your three-night break. But there is so much more included. From a magical Search For Santa to a Husky Experience, from Supervised Snow Fun to a Festive Dinner, your short break is fi lled with magical experiences. Here is a typical itinerary.

DAY ONE
After a festive flight, you land in Enontekiö in Finland and are guided to your coach. The journey (15 minutes to our hotels in Hetta or one hour to the Davvi Arctic Lodge in Karesuando takes you through the heart of the Sámi lands. Watch out for reindeer in the woods! We stop to collect your all-in-one thermal suits and boots. After checking in at your hotel, your rep hosts a welcome meeting and during a welcome dinner, your rep will answer any further questions. Tonight, you can join one of our optional activities, such as a Northern Lights safari by snowmobile.

DAY TWO
After breakfast, you enjoy your fi rst 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 and kick sledges 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! This evening, enjoy a walk to the local church. After a welcome by the vicar and carols, you return to your hotel for dinner. Later, you might want to join an optional night safari.

DAY THREE
After breakfast, head out for your special Supervised Snow Fun, a day of activities that include a Snowshoe Trek, Snowball Throwing Contest, Tandem Skis 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 warming lunch will be served in the hotel. Afterwards, you might want to join in the indoor Christmas crafts. Or, relax indoors. Then, the highlight of the day when you board a 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, enjoy a Festive Dinner. Afterwards, why not join an optional safari?

DAY FOUR
Check out after breakfast, before joining your last Santa safari, a 40-minute Husky Experience or a 1.5-hour Snowmobile Adventure. There should be time for one final play in the snow or to join another optional excursion. After lunch at the hotel, depart for Enontekiö and your flight home.

PLEASE NOTE: For operational reasons, itineraries may vary

Images © Esprit Holidays

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.