telephone. 01989 730552
Santa's Magic - 3 days - 2010

Saariselka is the most northerly of Lapland's resorts, nestling in the picturesque white wilderness of gently rounded hills and snow-laden forests 200km north of the Arctic Circle. Rugged nature and ancient mysticism go hand in hand here to magical effect. The native Sami, with their fascinating cultural heritage and hospitable charm, welcome and enthral visitors with their tales and legends of bygone days and future dreams.Reindeer roam the landscape and other native animals such as Arctic fox, Arctic hare and the snowy grouse can all be spotted, adding to the enchantment of this unspoilt setting.
Saariselka's Elves
Saariselka is home to Santa's tribe of Saari Elves, a hardy outdoor bunch, renowned for their cheeky smiles and sense of fun, who will help guide and welcome you to Santa's hidden log cabin home in the forest.
Day One
The children will love being greeted at Ivalo Airport by a reindeer with its Sami handler and one of Santa's elves, presenting a delightful photo opportunity to capture your family's first few minutes in Santa's homeland.
A short, comfortable 25-minute transfer to your chosen hotel in Saariselka - just enough time to see if the children can spot more reindeer or Santa's log cabin home through the forests? Time for your 'Michelin-man' impersonations, as you are fitted with your special complimentary thermal over-suits and boots, socks, gloves and hats.
Fun-time - a chance to explore, make snowmen, go tobogganing, or just relax in a fragrant Finnish sauna. For guests on half board basis a wonderful first night dinner sets the scene for tomorrow's excitement!
Day Two
You will be picked up from your doorstep for the ultimate Christmas adventure. The following exciting activities are all included in the price of your short break!
Reindeer sleigh ride - meet your reindeer and your local Sami guide, learn the Lappish reindeer names then take a wonderful 7-10 minute ride into the picturesque woods, with the 'swish'of the runners on snow and the children cuddled under blankets on your knee.
Husky-sled ride, where children get to ride with a parent (and shout 'mush, mush!') and grown-ups can all take a turn at actually 'driving' your sled! Imagine your sled, drawn by five or six eager huskies, straining at the leash and desperate to run, then released and they are off into the woods - the perfect way to experience Lapland's winter wonderland.
Traditional Arctic Circle Ceremony - a Sami guide will introduce you to their fascinating traditional culture with stories and maybe a special song or two and you receive a special souvenir certificate to celebrate your intrepid crossing of the Arctic Circle!
Lunch is included to 'recharge your batteries' for the afternoon. This will be a simple two course meal with plenty of hot berry juice, squash, tea and coffee also available.
In addition to all of the above you can enjoy a host of snow and ice activities such as ice-fishing, snow-hockey, kick-sledding (a cross between a scooter and toboggan!) tandem skiing, mini skidoo rides for the children, tobogganing and snow sculpture - a chance for all budding artists to convert a large block of compact snow into a work of art.
See your children's faces light up with wonder as you depart on your Search for Santa. Meet Santa Claus himself in an exclusive family meeting his hideaway log-cabin home, with all his helpers on hand to make you welcome and ensure that there is magic in the air!
Refreshments are included too and are available throughout the day, for those times when a few minutes warming up round a crackling fire is welcomed. Finally, back 'home' in your hotel, sit down as a family to enjoy a wonderful Gala Dinner (included on the half board option), and relive every unforgettable moment of your biggest ever Christmas adventure!
Day Three
Fun-time again, with the chance to thrill to another big adventure, either pre-booked in the UK or chosen the day before. Optional adventures include Snowmobile Safari, Northern Lights Adventure, Husky Sled Ride, Rudolph's Reindeer run, ice-driving and others (please ask for further details and prices).
This morning also gives you the chance to browse the souvenir shops in the village. Choose from traditional hand made Lappish items and clothes, Christmas gifts and toys. You will then be collected by coach from your doorstep, and taken to the airport to catch your flight home to a chorus of fond farewells.
*Please note that the trip does not include a snowmobile safari (where adults can drive a snowmobile). This can be booked as an optional excursion -ask us for details.
| ACCOMMODATION | ||
| Holiday Club Hotel **** | Hotel Riekonlinna **** | |
This superb hotel has everything a family could wish for on a perfect Lapland break and is an established favourite. It is centrally located with all the village amenities within walking distance, and all the hotel's own facilities are conveniently accessible without having to go outside.
The exciting indoor pool with its waves and chutes will keep the children amused for hours while parents can watch from the comfort of the pool bar. Alternatively you can enjoy a range of treatments at the spa centre at the hotel (treatments payable locally) or relax in the sauna or steam bath. For those who prefer the great outdoors toboggans are available to use free of charge! Before and after dinner, the lobby lounge beckons, with the chance to relax by a crackling log fire with your favourite drink. The evening meal can be enjoyed in the atmospheric dining-room and is generally buffet style, allowing guests to choose from a varied selection.
On your last evening, the hotel invites you to a Gala buffet dinner to round off a memorable visit to Lapland. Type A family bedrooms sleep 2-4 - twin beds & a double sofa bed, private en suite shower, wc, satellite TV, hairdryer, minibar & bathrobes for the adults. Type B family suites, sleep 5-6 - as Type A but more spacious. The twin beds can be partitioned off from the lounge, where there is a double sofa bed and two extra single sofa beds. Each suite has its own sauna. Family apartments are available as follows, located a maximum of 400m from the main hotel. All meals are taken in the main hotel. Type C apartments, sleep 3-4 - one twin bedroom, lounge/kitchenette with double sofa bed, private en suite shower, private sauna, wc, satellite TV and hairdryer. Type D apartments, sleep 5-6 - as Type C but larger, with an extra twin bedroom. Type E log cabins, sleep 5-6 - in traditional Finnish style with one twin bedroom, dining area/kitchenette and shower/wc & sauna downstairs. Mezzanine loft area upstairs with double sofa bed, TV with DVD and further twin room under the eaves.
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The Riekonlinna is a well-appointed hotel with an excellent range of facilities and a reputation for wonderful food. It has proved an extremely popular choice over recent years. A favourite feature is the Northern Lights Lounge, with big squishy sofas looking out to the northern skies through huge panoramic windows, so you can watch for this natural phenomenon in warmth and comfort!
The hotel also benefits from four saunas, massage and solarium (local charges apply) and children's play area with ball pond. Toboggans are available to use free of charge. The Riekonlinna offers a wide range of family rooms, suites and stylish family apartments set in the woods behind the main hotel buidling, approx one minute's walk away.
On your last evening, the hotel invites you to a Gala buffet dinner to round off a memorable visit to Lapland.
Type A bedrooms, sleep 2-4- comfortable bedrooms with twin beds and, for families, a sofa bed suitable for two children under 10 or one older child or adult. All rooms have private en suite shower, wc, balcony, TV, minibar & hairdryer. Type B family suites, sleep 4 - twin bedroom & separate lounge with double sofa bed or two single sofa beds, sharing private sauna, shower, wc, balcony, TV, minibar & hairdryer. NB One suite has a bath rather than a shower but no sauna. Type C family suites, sleep 4-5 - two interconnecting Type A bedrooms, one with private sauna and each with own shower, wc, balcony, TV, minibar & hairdryer. Family apartments are available as follows, located approximately one minute's walk from the main hotel. All meals are taken in the main hotel. Type D family apartments, sleep 3-4 - twin bedroom and separate lounge with double sofa bed sharing private sauna, shower, wc, balcony, TV, hairdryer and kitchenette. Type E family apartments, sleep 5-6 - as Type D with an extra twin bedroom.
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| Hotel Tunturi **** | Hotel Kieppi *** | |
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The Tunturi is a unique, well-designed hotel with a central building housing most facilities where musical entertainment is on offer every evening. The well established, comfortable accommodation buildings are set in a wooded area near the cross country ski trails, within a 2-3 minute walk of the main building. Most room types have a private sauna. Evening meals are served in the main central building, whilst breakfast is served in both the Gielas (newer wing) and Tunturi dining rooms. The hotel also has a small children's play area and is situated only 300m away from the Holiday Club leisure centre. Toboggans are also supplied free of charge.
Type A bedrooms, sleep 2-4 - with twin beds and a double sofa bed (suitable for one adult or two children), private en suite shower, wc, satellite TV, telephone, minibar, hairdryer and tea making facilities. Type B family suites, sleep 3-4 - twin bedroom and a separate lounge with double sofa bed, sharing private sauna, shower, wc, minibar, hairdryer and tea making facilities. Type C family suites, sleep 5-6 - two twin bedrooms and a separate lounge with double sofa bed, sharing private sauna, shower, wc, further separate wc, minibar, hairdryer and tea making facilities. These suites may be on two levels with an internal staircase with stair gates. |
The Hotel Kieppi is a charming small hotel built in traditional Finnish style and located in the village centre, just opposite the Holiday Club Hotel and is known for its friendly informal atmosphere.
The main building houses its cosy lounge, bar, restaurant and saunas and the bedrooms are located in four smaller cabins just 10m away. The hotel also has a small children's play area, free use of toboggans and free internet corner.
On your last evening, the hotel invites you to a Gala buffet dinner to round off a memorable visit to Lapland.
Type A bedrooms, sleep 2-3 - with twin beds and a single sofa bed (suitable for under 12s), private en suite shower,wc, cable TV, radio, telephone and fridge. Type B family suites, sleep 4-6 - two Type A bedrooms, with an interconnecting door. Type C family suites, sleep 4-5 - twin bedroom and separate lounge with double sofa bed and single mattress bed, sharing private bath (or shower and sauna), wc, cable TV, radio, telephone and fridge. |
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The hotel's new 'Gielas' wing (opened 2008) provides the highest standards in Saariselka, and is 2-3 minutes walk from the main building. This wing offers spacious and stylish family rooms plus a small range of boutiques.
Gielas Type D family bedrooms, sleep 2-4 - two single beds and a double sofa bed (suitable for one adult or two children), private en suite bath/shower, wc, sauna, balcony, satellite TV, telephone, minibar, hairdryer and tea making facilities. Gielas Type E family bedrooms, sleep 3-4 - as Type D but more spacious. On your last evening, the hotel invites you to a Gala buffet dinner to round off a memorable visit to Lapland. |
Our Lapland Manager has been escorting trips to see Santa since 1993. Please call or email Dawn if you require impartial and knowledgable advice prior to making your booking with us. |
Call us on: 01989 730 552 |
NB: Departure dates and airports below, please contact us for an up-to-date quote:
Most of our Lapland trips are discounted from brochure prices.
Departure Airport |
Duration |
Day/ Date |
Arrival Airport |
Gatwick
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3 days |
Wednesday 1st December |
Ivalo |
Thursday 2nd December |
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Friday 3rd December |
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Tuesday 7th December |
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Wednesday 8th December |
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Thursday 9th December |
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Friday 10th December |
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Tuesday 14th December |
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Wednesday 15th December |
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Thursday 16th December |
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Friday 17th December |
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Saturday 18th December |
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Sunday 19th December |
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Tuesday 21st December |
Departure Airport |
Duration |
Day/ Date |
Arrival Airport |
Manchester
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3 days |
Thursday 2nd December |
Ivalo |
Tuesday 7th December |
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Thursday 9th December |
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Tuesday 14th December |
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Thursday 16th December |
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Saturday 18th December |
Departure Airport |
Duration |
Day/ Date |
Arrival Airport |
Bristol
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3 days |
Friday 3rd December |
Ivalo |
Wednesday 8th December |
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Friday 10th December |
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Wednesday 15th December |
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Friday 17th December |
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Sunday 19th December |
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Tuesday 21st December |
Why Rediscover The World? | How to book your holiday with Rediscover the World | telephone. 01989 730 552 | email. santa@rediscover.co.uk |













