Christmas in Sokos Hotel Vaakuna - Rovaniemi
Christmas has arrived, and we want you to go out and meet it. Visit Lapland during these special dates and experience the magic of Christmas up close. Snow, huskies, Northern Lights, snowmobiles... 100% Lapland.
Come and spend magical days in Lapland during one of the most special times of the year, Christmas. Rovaniemi is the capital of Lapland, where a thick white blanket usually covers the entire landscape. You will discover this Arctic region where 180,000 inhabitants coexist with over 200,000 reindeer, where the year has 200 nights, some of them illuminated by the Northern Lights. It is a territory with six national parks and small urban centers. Rovaniemi had to be rebuilt after the Second World War by the prestigious Finnish architect Alvar Aalto, who traced the silhouette of reindeer antlers on the plans and built the street grid upon it. It is a modest but functional city, adapted to the Arctic climate.
Day 1. Madrid / Rovaniemi
Arrival at the airport. Meet with Catai staff who will assist you with the simple check-in procedures. Departure on a special direct flight to Rovaniemi. Snack on board included. Arrival. Meet our guide and transfer to Sokos Vaakuna Hotel (approx. 10 minutes). Arrival. Pick up the thermal suits that we can use throughout our stay in Lapland. Once settled, you will have free time for dinner. The city offers us many alternatives in restaurants of different styles and prices. The guide at the destination will inform you about the different options. Accommodation.
Day 2. Rovaniemi. Snowmobile Safari and Optional Excursion
Buffet breakfast at the hotel. Today we will embark on one of the most spectacular excursions of the trip, a snowmobile safari. We will be provided with helmets and gloves, and after receiving instructions from the guides, we will start our snowmobile ride. The adults will drive the snowmobiles (2 people per snowmobile) while the children will ride in a sled pulled by the guide's snowmobile. During the journey, we will experience the power of these machines and enjoy the breathtaking nature, including the frozen river and the typical snowy forests of Lapland. During the excursion, we will have a snack around a campfire with sausages and drinks. Lunch is on your own. The afternoon is free to explore the city, visit Santa Claus Village, or take an optional excursion. Special Christmas Eve dinner at the hotel's restaurant. Accommodation.
Optional Excursion: Karting and Mini Snowmobiles.
Transfer to the karting circuit, where we will enjoy a completely new experience: driving special karts designed to move on snow or ice. In groups of 5 or 6 per session, we will have a "warm-up, qualification, and race" format, with each person driving their own kart. Driving the karts is very easy, and this activity can be enjoyed by everyone, including adults and children, with a minimum height of 150 cm (required to reach the accelerator and brake pedals). Children who are unable to drive the karts can ride the mini snowmobiles (for children aged 4 to 11 years). Prices are valid for bookings made up to 30 days before departure, subject to availability. A minimum of 10 people is required to carry out the excursion. Adult price: $195 // Children price (5-11 years): $100.
Day 3. Rovaniemi. Optional Excursions
Buffet breakfast at the hotel. Today is a free day to enjoy the city with all its possibilities. Visit Santa Claus Village or take part in one of the optional excursions we offer. Special Christmas dinner included. Accommodation.
Optional Excursion: Polar Explorer Icebreaker.
Undoubtedly one of the best experiences you can have in the Arctic! Early in the morning, we will depart by bus to Sweden (approx. 2 hours, 168 km). Before arriving, you will be able to admire the impressive ship at the Axelsvik pier, in the town of Batskarsnas, just a few kilometers from the Finnish border. The shape of the ship and its extensive stern (rear part), which occupies almost half of its length and allows for easy movement from side to side, will catch our attention. The cruise on board lasts for three hours. We will start with a tour of the ship, from the engine room to the bridge. You can stroll and visit any corner of the ship or relax in the lounge with a hot drink. Well bundled up, you can see and feel the ship breaking the ice beneath your feet. Apart from the unique experience of sailing on a ship of this kind, the best part of the activity comes when the ship intentionally runs aground in the ice and, with a specific maneuver, opens a gap free of ice at the stern. Then... it's time for a swim! You'll put on a waterproof survival suit and float in the water without feeling the cold at all. It's a unique and fun experience that encourages us to take photos or videos. Once the cruise is over, we will transfer to a nearby restaurant for a light lunch. Return by bus to Rovaniemi (total duration approx. 10 hours. Cruise duration approx. 3 hours). Adult price: $500 // Child price (3-11 years): $425. Prices are valid for bookings made up to 30 days before departure, subject to availability. A minimum of 10 people is required to carry out the excursion.
Optional Excursion: Ranua Zoo.
Visit the world's northernmost zoo! Departure by bus from Rovaniemi (approx. 1 hour, 80 km) to reach the northernmost zoo on the planet: Ranua Arctic Zoo. During the excursion, you will have the opportunity to observe native animals that inhabit Arctic regions, not only in Finland but also in Greenland or the North Pole. The zoo is built in the middle of nature, within a forest. You will walk through different areas on wooden walkways, observing the animals up close. During winter, everything is covered in snow, and it is a delightful experience to walk through the forest while observing the animals in their natural habitat. You will see polar bears, moose, snowy owls, and more. Light lunch included at the zoo's restaurant before returning to Rovaniemi. We recommend visiting the Fazer shop (Finland's most famous chocolate). Adult price: $115 // Child price (2-14 years): $105. Prices are valid for bookings made up to 30 days before departure, subject to availability. A minimum of 15 people is required to carry out the excursion.
Day 4. Rovaniemi. Husky Safari.
Buffet breakfast at the hotel. We will start another day of adventures by transferring to a husky farm, where these gentle friends will be eagerly waiting to go on their journey. After equipping the dogs with harnesses and preparing the different teams (4-6 dogs per sled), we will start our sleigh ride. The guides will teach us how to handle the dogs. Well-trained huskies can pull up to seven times their own weight. We will experience the speed through the beautiful white landscapes of Lapland... Light lunch during the excursion. The rest of the afternoon is free to enjoy the Village or visit attractions for which you have tickets, such as the Arktikum Museum. The Arktikum Museum (entrance included) is one of the city's most famous museums. The building itself is remarkable, with unique architecture. Here, you can learn about Sami culture and tradition, as well as the history of the city. Dinner on your own. Accommodation.
Day 5. Rovaniemi. Optional Excursion: Joulukka Christmas Tale and Reindeer Farm.
Buffet breakfast at the hotel. Today you have the day free to enjoy the city and all its possibilities. You can visit the Santa Claus Village or take part in the optional excursion we propose. Dinner on your own. Accommodation.
Optional Excursion: Joulukka Christmas Tale and Reindeer Farm.
The excursion that all children have been waiting for. We will be transported by bus to a secret location in the forest where we will experience an incredible Christmas adventure: the Joulukka Christmas Tale. We will arrive at a fairytale-like place where every detail is taken care of. Upon arrival, the elves will be waiting for us to accompany us to a traditional Sami wooden hut with a bonfire in the center. There, we will participate in the Elf School, including gingerbread cookie decoration. Those who pass the tests will receive a magnificent diploma. We will have time to enjoy fun outdoor activities such as tobogganing, troll dancing, snow scooters, and more. Next, we will be guided to the secret "Elf Control Center." To enter, we will have to pass another test... an incredible place. And there, family by family, we will be led to the cabin where Santa Claus himself awaits us, welcoming us and spending time with us. Each child will receive a gift from Santa. We will conclude this unique experience with lunch at the Joulukka restaurant. Afterwards, we will head to a nearby reindeer farm where we can enjoy a visit, have hot drinks around a bonfire, and take a reindeer-pulled sleigh ride. Adult price: $295 // Child price (2-14 years): $250. Prices valid for bookings made up to 30 days before departure, subject to availability. A minimum of 10 people is required to carry out the excursion.
Day 6. Rovaniemi / Madrid
Buffet breakfast at the hotel. Free time until the indicated time for transfer. You can spend the morning skiing at the alpine ski resort, which has 5 slopes, special slopes for children, and slopes for snowboarders. The capacity of its ski lifts is 3700 people/hour. It also has a special sledding slope where you can have fun with the little ones. You can rent skis and purchase lift tickets for a specific duration. Departure to Rovaniemi airport. Check-in procedures and departure on a special direct flight to Madrid. Arrival and end of our adventure in Lapland.
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