This tour offers you unforgettable and exclusive overnight stays, with two nights in the marvellous Arctic Treehouse Hotel in Rovaniemi and one magical night in a Seaside Glass Villa in Kemi, or in a Snow Room at the Snow Hotel (depending upon your selected dates of travel). The tour starts in Helsinki, the capital of Finland. From here, travel by overnight train north to Rovaniemi, the Arctic city in the heart of Lapland and the official home of Santa Claus, where you'll have time to explore. Then experience the Polar Explorer Ice Breaker cruise, en route to overnight in Kemi, the city of ice located on the Finnish coast.
Upon arrival in Helsinki make your own way to the hotel. Reminder of the day at leisure to explore - the many famous sights of the city include the Senate Square, Uspenski Cathedral, Parliament House, Finlandia Hall, Sibelius Park & Monument, Underground Temple, and much more. Overnight at Hotel Haven or similar.
After breakfast at the hotel, day at leisure. Perhaps explore the market place area down by the harbour, where there are food, souvenir and handicraft stalls, and fine old timber boats. This evening, make your own way to the Helsinki Central Railway Station for your train to Rovaniemi. Overnight in a private sleeping compartment on board the express train.
Upon arrival into Rovaniemi train station transfer to the Arctic Treehouse Hotel. The hotel provides a unique blend of luxury comfort in the heart of Arctic nature, combined with local Lappish traditions and modern Scandinavian design. Enjoy meticulously designed accommodation and nest-like cosiness, as well as the panoramic views from the huge windows of the forest and the Arctic skies, and perhaps of the Northern Lights. Dinner at the hotel. 2 nights at the Arctic Treehouse Hotel.
Breakfast and day at leisure. Perhaps enjoy one of the many great optional excursions, including reindeer sled rides, visit Santa Claus Village, husky or snowmobile safaris, a trip Ranua Wildlife Park, and evening Northern Lights excursions. Dinner and 2nd overnight at the Arctic Treehouse Hotel.
After breakfast, transfer from Rovaniemi to Axelsvik port, located in Båtskärsnäs. Board the impressive Polar Explorer Ice Breaker for a three hour cruise in the frozen waters of the Bothnian sea. The cruise is guided, and you have the chance to visit the engine rooms as well as the captain's bridge. During a stop, you can walk on the frozen ice, and for those seeking a little more adventure, in survival suits you can swim in the frozen sea!
After the cruise transfer to your accommodation** in Kemi. If you are travelling between from 01 December 2021 - 31 March 2022 you can stay in a stylish Seaside Glass Villa - with an incredible view of the Bay, the villas each have two walls of glass, plus a glass roof, making it very easy to search the polar night skies for the Northern Lights from the comfort of your bed.
If you are travelling between 18 January and 31 March 2022 you can instead stay at the Kemi Snow Hotel in a Snow Room. Made entirely out of ice and snow, the Snow Hotel snow rooms have an average temperature of -5°C and the beds are covered with lamb skins and sleeping bags with fleece interiors. Some rooms are decorated with ice carvings and each room has access to nearby shared bathroom facilities and the heated castle lounge.
Breakfast and transfer to Kemi Airport, and end of arrangements.
Notes:
*The Ice Breaker cruise only operates on certain days. If the cruise is not operated during your dates of travel an alternative excursion will be offered to you.
**Please note the price will vary according to the accommodation in Kemi selected.
All optional excursions must be pre-booked and some excursions are subject to minimum age & height requirements.
This tour can be done in the reverse direction, please enquire
Prices may vary according to dates of travel
INCLUDES: 1 nights accommodation in Helsinki in a standard room at Hotel Haven or similar including breakfast; overnight train one way Helsinki-Rovaniemi in private sleeping compartment; transfer from Rovaniemi train station to hotel; 2 nights accommodation in Rovaniemi at the Arctic Treehouse Hotel including breakfast daily; transfer Rovaniemi-Kemi; 3 hour Polar Explorer Ice Breaker excursion*; 1 nights accommodation in Kemi** at the Seaside Glass Villas including breakfast (01 Dec 2021 - 31 Mar 2022) OR 1 nights accommodation in a Snow Room at Kemi Snow Hotel including breakfast (18 Jan - 31 Mar 2022); transfer from hotel to Kemi Airport.
EXCLUDES: optional excursions