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Rovaniemi – The Capital of Finnish Lapland

Spot The Northern Lights On A Snowmobile Tour

Spot The Northern Lights On A Snowmobile Tour

Photo Credits: Lapland Hotels & Safaris

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Experience The Northern Lights In Rovaniemi

Experience The Northern Lights In Rovaniemi

Photo Credits: Wild Nordic

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Sleigh Ride In The Snowy Forest

Sleigh Ride In The Snowy Forest

Photo Credits: Wild Nordic

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Meet The Amazing Arctic Animal On A Dog Sledding Tour

Meet The Amazing Arctic Animal On A Dog Sledding Tour

Photo Credits: Lapland Hotels & Safaris

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Drive A Snowmobile Through The Snowy Forests

Drive A Snowmobile Through The Snowy Forests

Photo Credits: Lapland Hotels & Safaris

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Rovaniemi – The Capital of Finnish Lapland

Rovaniemi has long been considered the capital of Finnish Lapland and the official home of Santa Claus, as a result there is a wealth of activities and accommodation to suit every kind of visitor. Just outside of this urban oasis is an Arctic wilderness waiting to be explored and its proximity to the Arctic Circle makes it a Northern Lights hot spot. The city offers an abundance of restaurants and cafés (befitting a nation that drinks more coffee per capita than any other nation in the world), as well as fine art galleries, museums and science centres, proving Rovaniemi is not just for Christmas but a versatile and appealing destination for all.

DAY 1 Rovaniemi
Fly direct to Rovaniemi from Gatwick or via Helsinki from a choice of UK airports. On arrival transfer to your chosen hotel and familiarise yourself with your surroundings before enjoying your first Lappish experience – a wilderness dinner and search for the Northern Lights. Just 20 minutes outside of the city, hidden in the Arctic wilderness is a cosy candle lit Wilderness Lodge. Here you will be served a traditional home-made Lappish dinner served next to an open fire. There is ample opportunity to walk around the lodge and absorb the pristine nature and snowclad trees as you wait for the Northern Lights to appear. Return to Rovaniemi, having already fallen in love with the region.

DAY 2 -3 Choose your activity
With so many adventures to choose from, we have deliberately left these days free for you to choose your bucket list activity. We have listed our favourites, on the opposite page. There are snowmobile safaris to suit beginners or those seeking a more intense experience, all are guaranteed to show off the surrounding Arctic landscapes. Meet and learn to mush a team of huskies, and take a romantic Reindeer sleigh ride. Head out for more Northern Lights adventures or an ice-breaker cruise, try traditional sports such as ice-fishing or snow shoeing. We can even arrange a private meeting with Santa Claus himself.

DAY 4 UK
Breakfast, check-out and transfer to the airport in time for your return flight home.

Arctic Lights Hotel
Arctic Lights Hotel

This independent and privately run hotel was the former City Hall of Rovaniemi, before local entrepreneur Mikael Gröhn turned it into a luxury boutique hotel. The protected building still houses many original features and includes rare Paavo Tynell lighting fixtures and beautiful wooden inlay doors. 57 individually crafted rooms include 4 themed suites and 6 Aurora Lofts. Each room has a bespoke work of art, whether it is a grand chandelier or dynamic wall art. In addition to this each room has en suite bathroom, air-conditioning, expresso machines, complimentary Wi-Fi, bathrobe and slippers. Polar rooms are especially family friendly, with a separate cosy lounge area equipped with a 40” flat screen TV and private sauna. Chef, Sarah La Fontain, has created a unique breakfast offering a healthy and energising start to the day. The Arctic Boulevard Restaurant takes inspiration from the ocean and forest, and Lasiterassi, a cosy winter garden lounge, has a wide range of sharing platters and cocktails. It is no wonder this is a Nordic Experience favourite.

Original Sokos Hotel Vaakuna
Original Sokos Hotel Vaakuna

Originally built for the 1952 Olympics, the Original Sokos Hotel Vaakuna has the best location in the city. Scandinavian styled rooms with wooden floors and en suite bathrooms have air-conditioning, a desk, hair-dryers and mini-bar, TV and en suite facilities. Corner suites have double aspect views their own private sauna, bathrobe and slippers, tea and coffee making facilities and mini-bar. Junior Suites have a seating area. The hotel has even managed to replicate a Northern Lights vibe with special lighting effects in many of the rooms. The 10th floor restaurant has a rooftop terrace boasting panoramic views. 

Santa’s Hotel Santa Claus
Santa’s Hotel Santa Claus

This hotel offers excellent value in the heart of Rovaniemi. Warmly decorated Scandinavian style rooms contain all you need for your stay including en suite facilities, flat screen TV, adjustable heating, tea and coffee making facilities and complimentary Wi-Fi. The four restaurants each have a menu that suits all tastes and budgets and for those looking for a little taste of Las Vegas, the Hotel Santa Claus also has its own entertainment area complete with table games – all run by professional croupiers. 

Rovaniemi - Easy Snowmobile Safari

Suitable for all ages (children are pulled on a sled behind the guide) and those who have never snowmobiled before, this short snowmobile safari gives you the opportunity to drive a snowmobile around the Arctic Circle. Enjoy beautiful snowy landscapes. Stops are taken along the way so that you can swop driving duties and take photos. Hotel pick-up, transfers and outer thermal clothing included.

Tour available: Daily at 12.00

Duration: 1 hour 

£99 pp
Rovaniemi - Snowmobile Safari Into The Arctic Circle Forest

Enjoy a 2-hour snowmobile safari that takes you into the surrounding snowclad forest. After full instruction and safety briefing, you will head out with your expert guide into the surrounding forest. Driving in pairs (with any children travelling in a sled pulled by the guides), this is a lovely opportunity to admire the Arctic nature and snowy landscapes. Hotel pick-up, transfers and outer thermal clothing included.

Tour available: Daily at 12.00

Duration: 2 hours

£130 pp
Rovaniemi - Snowmobile Safari To A Wilderness Lodge With Campfire Lunch

This extended 55-65 km, 5-hour snowmobile excursion explores further afield. Head towards the Arctic Circle Wilderness Lodge, a traditional lumberjack house nestled by the river of Raudanjoki and surrounded by beautiful rapids, a lush shoreline forest and pristine nature, you can walk around in the Lodge area, visit the river island and admire frozen rapids. Delicious hot soup lunch will be prepared and eaten by a campfire. The snowmobile safari will continue after the lunch break, as you ride back towards Rovaniemi. Hotel pick-up, transfers and outer thermal clothing included.

Tour available: Daily at 09.00

Duration: 5 hours 

£200 pp
Rovaniemi - Snow Fun Combination

An all in one snow fun day offers the opportunity to try some of the most popular Lappish activities. Over four hours enjoy a short snowmobile safari, visit a local Reindeer farm and a short ride with reindeer sleigh. Continue on to a Husky farm and meet some adorable four legged friends, who will then take you on a husky sled ride. It is then time to take a hike in the forest with snowshoes, try out tandem skiing and have fun on a toboggan hill. These taster sessions are suitable for the whole family. Hotel pick-up, transfers and outer thermal clothing included. 

Tour available: Daily at 09.00 

Duration: 4 hours 

£250 pp
Rovaniemi - Family Snowmobile Safari

This tour is specifically aimed at families with small children and offers both adults and children the opportunity to drive a snowmobile. First head out and explore the snowy trails surrounding Rovaniemi. The adults will drive in pairs, whilst the children travel in a sleigh pulled by the guide. On returning to the camp it is then the children’s turn to drive their own mini-snowmobile. A bonfire is lit as you take it in turns to grill sausages and sip hot drinks to keep out the chill. Hotel pick-up, transfers and outer thermal clothing included.

Tour available: Daily at 14.00

Duration: 3 hours

£169 pp