7 Days in LAPLAND: 🎅 Santa Claus Village, Polar Express, 🦌 Reindeer Sledding, Finnish Sauna, and ❄️ Icebreaker Cruise!

DAY 1: ARRIVAL DAY Welcome to Finland! 🇫🇮 Our adventure kicks off in the heart of Helsinki. We'll meet in the city center in the afternoon, giving us plenty of time to explore before boarding the famous Santa Claus Express. Let's make the most of it! We'll start with a guided tour that introduces us to the highlights of Helsinki and Finland. In just two hours, we'll get a glimpse of the main attractions and discover where to enjoy a delicious local dinner. I bet you're excited to taste some Finnish delicacies! 🍽️ Worried about how to get to the city center or manage your luggage? No need! I'll provide you with all the tips and tricks to become a travel pro, along with step-by-step instructions, so you never feel lost. 😊 If you arrive early in the morning (which I highly recommend), you'll have the chance to enjoy some extra activities while you wait for the rest of the group. --- CITY WALK TOUR (2 hours). We are going to learn about the past and present of Finland! 🇫🇮 We will visit the ten most recognizable highlights of Helsinki and discuss many fascinating aspects of Finnish culture and lifestyle. Plus, we will delve into the tradition of the Finnish sauna and receive some recommendations on how to benefit from this wonderful tradition the best!

NIGHT: SANTA CLAUS EXPRESS 🎅🚂 In the late evening, we’ll board our train heading north beyond the Arctic Circle. Feel free to retreat to your private sleeping cabin as soon as we board. For our Lappish experience, I’ve booked the most luxurious sleeper cabins on the Santa Claus Express, complete with a built-in shower and restroom. It’s almost like having a hotel room on the train! Needless to say, WiFi, electrical outlets, air conditioning, and all amenities for a comfortable shower and sleep are included. Have a good night’s sleep, and I’ll see you at breakfast! By the way, if you wake up early, let’s explore the entire train together: restaurant wagon, luggage rooms, and pet cabins. This express train will be our cozy home until we reach Rovaniemi, so why not make it your own? 🚄✨ --- SANTA CLAUS EXPRESS - the Finnish double-decker night train travels from Helsinki to the snow-covered Lapland in the north. The train stops at Rovaniemi, the official home of Santa Claus, before continuing to Kemijärvi, its final destination. Enjoy the beauty of Finland from the comfortable compartments of this train and wake up above the Arctic Circle the next morning.🚄✨

DAY 2. ROVANIEMI Welcome to Rovaniemi! After leaving our beautiful Express, we’ll dive into new experiences. But first, we’ll drop off our bags at the accommodation and have a quick refresh. Once we’re ready, and hopefully teamed up with our other group, we’ll set off to explore this northern town, its groceries, and local delicious food. My personal recommendation for lunch is the famous reindeer pizza! 🍕 A must-see attraction in Rovaniemi is the Science Centre and Museum Arktikum. It’s essential to understand our surroundings from day one. February is also the perfect month to experience the Northern Lights. While I’m skilled at hunting them in Iceland, learning how to spot them here in Finland will increase our chances. So, let’s head to the Arktikum! After a day of outdoor exploration in cold, you might want to put our knowledge about the Finnish sauna to use. Thankfully, we have one in our apartment! 🧖‍♀️ --- ARKTIKUM is a science centre and museum that lets you experience northern nature, culture, and history up close. Housing the University of Lapland’s Arctic Centre and the Regional Museum of Lapland, it stimulates thought, encourages debate, and provides a deeper understanding of the Arctic.

DAY 3: SANTA CLAUS VILLAGE 🎅🏡 This is the day when childhood dreams come true! 🎄✨ Today is special not only because we’ll meet Santa Claus at his home, but also because we’ll officially cross the Arctic Circle. You can even get a certificate to commemorate this achievement! 🎉 I have a personal list of must-dos in the Santa Claus Village: delivering a letter to Santa, sending a postcard with an Arctic Stamp to my mom, checking out where the Elves live, and more. This day is completely magical, let’s embrace the enchantment! 😊 And, of course, no visit to Santa would be complete without riding his reindeer sled. Let’s step into Santa’s shoes for a short while and enjoy this magical experience. 🦌❄️ --- SANTA CLAUS VILLAGE is a magical destination in Rovaniemi where you can meet Santa himself. Located on the Arctic Circle, it features reindeer rides, husky safaris, and the Santa Claus Post Office, which receives over 500,000 letters annually. Let’s experience holiday magic together! REINDEER RIDE EXPERIENCE (10-15 min). One of the most well-known experiences is the traditional reindeer sleigh ride. Santa has brought his beloved reindeer right to the backyard of Santa Claus Office. In this magical place, you can even obtain a Reindeer Driving License. ARCTIC CIRCLE CERTIFICATE is a unique souvenir you receive upon crossing the Arctic Circle in Rovaniemi. This special keepsake marks your entry into the land of the midnight sun and northern lights, celebrating a journey to one of Earth’s most enchanting regions.

DAY 4: WONDER FOREST WALK 🌲❄️ Today, after a hearty breakfast, let’s head out for a Winter Hike. This beautifully maintained hiking path will take us through the stunning Lapland nature, crossing ski lines and leading to a wooden observation tower with breathtaking views. It’s a relatively short hike that doesn’t require any special equipment. On our way back to town, we’ll continue exploring the surroundings. If you’d like to return to Santa Claus Village to shop, eat, and enjoy more festive fun, feel free! The evening atmosphere there is truly magical. 🎄🎁 --- OUNASVAARA WINTER trail lets you admire the beauty of the wintery spruce forests and the rocky landscape atop Ounasvaara. The trail follows the Ounasvaara Nature Trail part of the way. The one-way length of the circular trail and the connecting trails is around 6 km in total. There are two lean-tos and an observation tower along the winter trail on the rocky western hillside of Ounasvaara, amidst a pine forest at an altitude of around 160 m above sea level. The tower offers magnificent views over the city center and the Kemijoki River.

OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES 🌲❄️ However, if you’re feeling adventurous and want to boost your adrenaline, here are your options: OPTION 1: SNOWSHOEING TOUR. All equipment will be provided, and a local guide will ensure you have an amazing experience. 🥾🌲 OPTION 2: RIDE A HUSKY SLED The sky’s the limit with this one! Choose the duration and destination of your adventure, whether it’s a small tester ride or a 20 km self-driving journey. Listen to your heart and follow your dreams. 🐕❄️ OPTION 3: SNOWMOBILE RIDE If your dream is to ride a snowmobile beyond the Arctic Circle, hop onto a snowmobile and drive out into the snowy countryside. Enjoy 2-3 hours of driving through the wonderland of Arctic nature. If you’d prefer to be a passenger, no problem—double sitters are available, and your teammates will help you out. 😎🏔️ ❣️ Please note that these optional activities are not included in the trip price and will be purchased directly from the tour provider. --- SNOWSHOEING TOUR . Duration 2-3 hours. Explore the fresh Arctic Nature with a snowshoe walk in Lapland. Learn about traditional ways of living, admire the surroundings, and enjoy a hot drink. You’ll also learn about traditional uses of ingredients found in nature. The slow pace allows you to notice little details and take great photos. (ADDITIONAL CHARGES will apply, starting from EUR 80.) HUSKY SLED RIDE - Dog mushing is one of the favorite ways to get around in Lapland! In Rovaniemi, you can meet husky dogs and try dog sledding year-round. Sled riding is great fun! The duration of a wintry dog sleigh ride varies from a few minutes to several hours, depending on your wishes and schedule. Take a husky tour, spend a relaxing Husky Therapy day, or learn about the life of a musher. (ADDITIONAL CHARGES will apply, starting from 55 EUR) GUIDED WILDERNESS SNOWMOBILE RIDE - You will be driving across the frozen Arctic nature, accompanied by an experienced guide, enjoying the magical winter landscapes of Lapland. During the safari, we’ll stop for a break to enjoy a hot drink and experience the silence of the vast and beautiful Rovaniemi wilderness. (ADDITIONAL CHARGES will apply, starting from 119 EUR.)

DAY 5. ROVANIEMI TO KEMI 🚌❄️ Today, we’ll take things a bit slower after yesterday’s adventures. Enjoy your last breakfast in Rovaniemi before we head to our next destination, Kemi. Our bus will pick us up, and for the next two hours, we’ll soak in the stunning views of Lapland’s nature. 🌲🚌 The highlight of the day is exploring the world’s largest Snow Castle, with its endless tunnels, ice statues, and epic walls. It’s like stepping into a winter wonderland! Every year, this magical place melts away, only to be rebuilt the next winter. This year, we will catch it! ❄️🏰 You might be wondering if there’s a rental store for winter gear around. No need to worry! You’ll be well-prepared for this trip with the packing list sent to you beforehand. Plus, we’ll double-check your winter gear in Helsinki and restock anything you might need. So, get ready to marvel at the icy beauty of the Snow Castle! 🌨️✨ --- KEMI is a captivating town in Finland, home to the world’s largest snow castle and the iconic Icebreaker Sampo. With stunning sea views, it offers unique experiences like snow hotel stays and thrilling icebreaker cruises, attracting thousands of visitors annually. SNOW CASTLE is a winter park made entirely of snow and offers traditional Finnish snow activities for visitors. It includes an ice tube slide, a slide for tobogganing, a snow labyrinth, a traditional Finnish carousel sleigh, and an indoor area with several ice sculptures.

DAY 6. ICEBREAKER CRUISE EXPERIENCE WITH ICE FLOATING This activity has been on my mind since I saw the photo of this ship. Imagine yourself boarding a real Polar icebreaker! The ship is dedicated to opening iced waters for others by crushing thick icy layers. Once we go far enough, our icebreaker will open a pool just for us. We’ll wear safety suits and float on the real Arctic waters! This is an unforgettable experience. Don’t worry if you don’t feel adventurous enough to participate in this tour. Kemi is a beautiful town to explore, and our accommodation close to the Snow Castle and the sea coast may inspire you for future explorations. Once our team catches up all together again, we’ll have one last dinner, ready to say goodbye to this unique kingdom of ice and snow and board our night train back to Helsinki. --- ❣️POLAR EXPLORER ICEBREAKER offers a 3-hour cruise in the frozen waters of the Bothnian Sea in Lapland. During the cruise, you will witness the massive ice-breaking power of the vessel, have a guided tour from the engine rooms to the Captain’s bridge, and enjoy an 11-minute movie about icebreakers worldwide in the icebreaker cinema. The tour is available in 16 languages via an audio guide application. You can relax in the cozy saloon with warm juice or take a walk on the frozen sea ice during the stop. The icebreaker makes a pool free of ice, allowing every visitor to swim in the dark, icy water in a flotation survival suit. The captain will present a Cruise & Swim Certificate to everyone as a memorable gift. The price of this tour is not included in the trip price and costs 395 €.❣️

DAY 7. DEPARTURE DAY We will arrive in Helsinki in the morning, giving you some time to explore the city more, depending on your return ticket. Helsinki is a city with endless opportunities for exploration. But for those who are leaving earlier, I hope you’ve already crossed some long-awaited items off your bucket list. That thought puts a smile on my face. 😊 See you on the next trip!