Santa's Magic, Saariselkä
Whisk your kids away on a magical trip to Saariselkä, Finland, to visit the big man himself. This three-day trip (with the option to add an additional day to make a 4-day short break) is jam-packed yet still leaves plenty of time to relax and savour the festive feel of Lapland, and you have the option to extend the trip to a fourth day, giving you even more time to try new adventures in the snow.
The fun starts at the airport, where you’re greeted by one of Santa’s helpers before heading to your choice of accommodation (half board is included for all hotels). Once you’re decked out (thermal outer suits, snow boots, socks, gloves and hats are included, so you can travel light), the action begins; tobogganing, reindeer sleigh-rides, husky-sledging and a private family meeting with Father Christmas at his cabin in the woods, are just some of the things to look forward to. If you start to flag, there’s a ready supply of hot chocolate, snacks and pancakes throughout the day to top up energy levels.
![A reindeer sleigh-ride with Santa's Magic.[copyright]Rhonda Carrier[/copyright]](https://www.takethefamily.com/sites/default/files/styles/ttf_2_1/public/reindeer_sleigh_ride_santas_magic.jpg?itok=YlUv3eF_ "A reindeer sleigh-ride with Santa's Magic.")
![Rogner Bad Blumau Hotel, Austria, in winter.[copyright]© Rogner-Bad Blumau Hotel & Spa](https://www.takethefamily.com/sites/default/files/styles/ttf_2_1/public/rogner-bad-blumau_2.jpg?itok=hn-2CcDq "Rogner-Bad Blumau Hotel, Austria, in winter")
![Bear-watching in Finland © Hotel Kalevala.[copyright]Hotel Kalevala[/copyright]](https://www.takethefamily.com/sites/default/files/styles/ttf_2_1/public/bear-watching-finland.jpg?itok=J821xmXR "Bear-watching in Finland © Hotel Kalevala.")
![Ripley in a reindeer sleigh in Lapland.[copyright]Rhonda Carrier[/copyright]](https://www.takethefamily.com/sites/default/files/styles/ttf_2_1/public/reindeer-ride-lapland.jpg?itok=hTkR_lMd "Ripley in a reindeer sleigh in Lapland.")
Location
When
Regular departures in November and December from 13 UK airports direct to Saariselkä's local airport of Ivalo. Flights depart around 6-7 am, returning around 3-4 pm at the end of your stay.
You'll meet lots of cheeky elves on this trip to Lapland!
Stay
There is a choice of 5 hotels, so you can choose one that suits you:
Santa's Hotel Holiday Club – great facilities for kids.
- Indoor pool, Jacuzzis, water-slide, waves, kids' pool
- Spa (local charge)
- Sauna and steam room
- Bar with open fireplaces
- Children's play area
- Family rooms, suites and apartments sleeping up to 6 in twin beds, double and single sofabeds. Apartments are 3-5 minutes' walk from the main hotel and include kitchenettes (but meals are taken in the hotel).
Santa's Hotel Tunturi – with evening entertainment.
- Bar
- Evening entertainment
- Children's play area
- Family rooms, suites and apartments sleeping up to 13! These are located in 3 buildings. Most rooms, suites and apartments have private saunas (excluding Type A bedrooms).
Santa’s Hotel Riekonlinna – in village centre.
- Northern Lights viewing room
- Bar/lounge with open fireplace
- Children's play area
- Saunas
- Family rooms, suites and apartments sleeping up to 6. Some have private saunas. Apartments are located in a building a short walk from the main hotel and have kitchenettes.
Santa’s Saariselkä Inn – small, cosy hotel.
- Central village location (opposite the Holiday Club's leisure complex)
- Traditional Finnish style
- Children's play area
- Saunas
- Bar
- Family rooms and suites sleeping up to 6.
Santa's Star Arctic Hotel – luxury hotel in the perfect spot to see the Northern Lights.
- Located on the Kaunispää fell/hill, close to the ski area and the 1.8km toboggan track
- 1.5 km from the village, reached by ski bus
- Restaurant with amazing views
- Bar
- Privately bookable saunas
- Modern suites, with scenic views, sleep up to 5
- Glass roofed cabins sleep up to 4
- All accommodation is located a few minutes' walk from the main building. Some suites have private saunas.
There are mini skidoos for children to drive.
Offer of the week
Choose an action-packed First Choice Holiday Village for your family's summer holiday and pick up a free child place when you BOOK NOW. Prices from £2,418 for a family of 3*.
Price
From £1139 per adult depending on accommodation chosen and departure date and airport. All prices are based on minimum occupancy and include return flights to Ivalo, transfers, activities, thermal clothing and taxes. Infants are charged at £150 and reduced rates for children. Book early to take advantage of the FREE child places.
Fly through the snow on a wonderful husky sledge ride.
Itinerary
Day 1: Having flown across the Arctic Circle, you’ll be greeted at Ivalo airport by some of Santa's helpers, before a 25-minute coach ride to your hotel in Saariselkä. Here you’ll get kitted out in complimentary thermal gear so you can head out and explore the winter wonderland on your doorstep. This is a chance for you to hone your snowman-building skills or grab a toboggan and give it a go, building up an appetite for the welcome dinner that awaits you.
Day 2: Today is full to the brim with outdoor adventures, including a reindeer sleigh-ride, a husky-sledge ride, a visit to the Elves' Igloo Wonderland for fun and games, a visit to the Reindeer Centre and a host of other activities that include snow sculpting, ice-fishing, mini-skidoos for the children and tobogganing. And the highlight of the day - an exclusive, private family meeting with Santa in his hideaway log-cabin! During the day a warming lunch will keep you topped up before the special gala dinner back at your hotel in the evening.
Day 3: Today you can choose what you do, from a host of optional adventures (we recommend pre-booking these in the UK for the best availability) - these include more husky-sledging, a snowmobile safari and a reindeer sleigh ride! You’ll also have time to browse the souvenir shops and perhaps do a little more sledging before being collected from your door and taken to the airport.
Adventure day: You have the option to add a 4th day to your trip (extra cost applies). This gives you more time to try new snow adventures and see more sights such as a snowmobile safari, a Northern Lights Adventure, a longer husky sledge or reindeer sleigh ride, or perhaps some downhill skiing or tobogganing. This day will normally be added in as 'day 2' of your 4-day trip.
Please note: your flight departure time will affect how long you have in the resort on your final day.
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