Double New Year In Lapland 29 December 2015 3 January 2016 29 Dec: welcome to Lapland! Arrival at the Luleå airport, in Swedish Lapland. Transfer (abt. 2h) in a private minibus to your charme hotel, located in the town of Haparanda (single rooms available for a 300 supplement). Opened with a grand ceremony in the year 1900, the Stadshotell has had an important role throughout the last 115 years in Southern Lapland. During the first world war, it has been a major meeting point for traders, the army and local businessmen. It has always been the gateway stopover for people who travelled from Sweden to Finland and Russia. Stadshotell has always been and continues to be a great party place. The Goulash Baronen bistrot has seen champagne, vodka and beer flow abundantly, thanks to Russian, French, English and German customers (and locals, too!) It has been completely restored in 1990, and now boasts 92 rooms and several restaurants, with over 500 seats. A welcome dinner will be served in the hotel s restaurant (see picture below). During the dinner, our leader will explain you the tour schedule, and will be available to answer any queries and questions you may have.
30 Dec: reindeer. Breakfast. Today we ll visit a reindeer herder by snowmobile! After a short transfer to the snowmobile departure station (20 mins) and an explanation of driving rules, we ll take our vehicles to a safari through the frozen lakes, rivers and forest, reaching a reindeer herding place. Here you ll speak to the herder and try the thrill of a short, fast ride on a sleigh. A snack will be served during the safari. Return to the departure station by snowmobile, with a buffet lunch and transportation back to TornioHaparanda. Free evening in town. An aurora observation tour will be arranged at night (this could be any night during the tour, so the exact schedule of the aurora tour is subject to change in case ideal conditions are never met, no tour will be organized). 31 Dec: Kukkolaforsen. After breakfast, we will visit the ancient Kukkolaforsen fishing village, perfectly preserved until today, and still inhabited by many of the families that have lived here throughout history. We will visit the fishing museum, and learn how life was like in this area in the old times. You will try your skills at making traditional Lappish bread, on the open fire, which you can then bring home and taste. You will also taste the strong local coffee. You will also have time to relax and perhaps take a walk around the village during the blue hour (see picture). Later on, a gourmet New Year s dinner made with local products will be served in a fabulous cottage on the shore of the Tornio river, complete with sauna and hot tub with a view of the rapids! Before midnight, we will drive to the city of TornioHaparanda in order to celebrate the advent of the year 2016 twice! The midnight fireworks from Finland mark the start of the new year. In the meantime, we will be captured once more by the magic of Lapland: we will cross the border and get back to Sweden, and to 2015, thanks to the time zone that separates the two countries. At midnight (Swedish time), we will celebrate our double New Year 2016 with more fireworks (see picture)! Free time for partying. Return to the hotel on your own. Alcohol is not included you can buy your own in advance from the Alko shop (Finland), Systembolaget (Sweden) or from the Kukkolaforsen bar.
1 Jan: Hello 2016! Breakfast. This day is dedicated to ice fishing. Short transfer to Kukkolankoski (20 mins). After covering up with thermal clothes, we will teach you how to reach the best spots for pilkki, the favourite local pastime on winter days. Our guides will teach you how to dig a hole in the ice (picture) and with a little luck you can catch some local delicacy, to be grilled on the spot for the freshest seafood you ll ever taste! Upon return to the cottage, you can relax in front of the fireplace. Dinner is served in Pohjolan Pirtti, a restored wooden farmhouse from the early 1900s. In case of favourable conditions, this is an excellent spot for observation of the Northern Lights! 2 Jan: Siberian huskies. Your last activity in Lapland will be a husky safari, a fantastic experience amidst silence and nature. After a short explanation of the main sledge riding techniques, we will start our journey through the frozen forest. We will stop for a break in front of the open fire halfway through the safari. During the ride, you will hear from the local breeder how winter life is in the Northernmost area of Europe. After a light lunch or coffee break, free afternoon in the twin cities of Tornio and Haparanda for your last shopping spree or perhaps relax in your hotel sauna. Your farewell dinner will be served at a typical restaurant. 3 Jan: goodbye Lapland! Transfer to the Luleå airport (2h). End of the tour. Price per person: 1690. Supplement for pickup at a different airport (Oulu, Rovaniemi): 250 A/R. Discounts: children 4-12 50%, children 0-3 100%.
New Year The price includes: accommodation in rustic cottages with private bathroom and breakfast, access to sauna, New Year dinner with sauna and hot tub, all indicated meals inclusive of nonalcoholic beverages and coffee, all listed activities, all transfers including driver and fuel, and all entrance fees to the proposed attractions, rental of thermal clothes when required. The price does not include: return flights from your home airport to Lapland, alcoholic beverages, evening entertainment, any additional individual insurance, all activities marked as on your own and all is not mentioned in the price includes. Please check our web site or email us for flight reservations or any other requests. Välkommna / Tervetuloa / Welcome to Lapland! From LappOne the Five Senses of Lapland in partnership with ClubRelax.it (northern lights in Lapland)
(the frozen Baltic sea at midday) (the magical Christmas atmosphere in Lapland)