Santa Lucia in Stockholm and Santa Pere in Lapland

Enjoy Stockholm in its winter coat of frosted snow glistening from the spires and roof tops of the Old Town for the crowning of Santa Lucia, before retreating to Lapland for a couple of days to meet Santa and mush huskies along a forest trail. Coinciding with winter’s longest day the Santa Lucia tradition stems back to the 18th century when children baked saffron buns for their parents and dressed their hair with candle wreaths.

Whatever the truth of its antecedence today it’s one of Stockholm’s most charming occasions with the year’s Saint Lucy passing through the city to Kungstradgarden. Contrast with a couple of days to meet Santa, mush huskies, play in the snow, bake gingerbread cookies and enjoy the tranquility of Swedish Lapland.

12 DECEMBER

SAS flight in economy seating from London Heathrow to Stockholm’s Arlanda airport. On arrival your driver guide will be waiting for you and take you to Stockholm’s Anglais Hotel. Overnight (2) in a Superior room.

13 DECEMBER

After breakfast in the hotel’s restaurant overlooking the harbour, the morning is free for you to look around this most beautiful of cities, in particular Gamla Stan the ‘Old Town’. In the afternoon your guide will pick you up and take you to Skansen where this year’s recently crowned Saint Lucia will visit amidst traditional celebrations before leaving for the Kungsträdgården (the city’s main lawned square with icerink) and further festivities.

14 DECEMBER

Private airport transfer for a flight to Swedish Lapland (Kiruna) and transfer to the Aurora Retreat, a one time vicarage and bakery now a 6 bedroom restored traditional log house. After lunch, you can try building your own snow castle or igloo, with the help of an experienced instructor, toboggan and kick sled.. Dinner at the hotel.

15 DECEMBER

After breakfast and then it’s time to mush your own team of huskies along a snow carpeted trail through the forest with the children tucked up on a sleigh behind your guide, the silence being broken only by the whooshing sound of the slicingsleigh runners. Return to the Aurora Retreat for lunch after which it’s is time to walk through the forest and find Santa’s cabin where one of his elves will serve pancakes with berry jam. After letting him know your wishes, back at the hotel your host will help you make, bake and decorate your own Gingerbread cookies before dinner.

16 DECEMBER

Breakfast and transfer to Kiruna airport for return flight(s) home via Stockholm to London Heathrow.

Aurora Retreat

This wooden, clapboard former vicarage and bakery, 100km north of the Arctic Circle, now converted into a rustic guesthouse is truly a ‘retreat’ in every sense of the word. Dating back to the 1920’s the building has six simple, elegantly furnished double rooms and a lounge area overlooking the adjacent river. Two of the bedrooms have private bathrooms whilst the other four share two common bathrooms. Dotted around are quiet, comfortable nooks and crannies to relax in after a day out in the snows of Swedish Lapland. Run by your hosts Maya and Mikael their passion is pantry stocked with fresh fish from local rivers and lakes and wild reindeer and elk meat.