Rovaniemi – The Capital of Finnish Lapland

Spot The Northern Lights On A Snowmobile Tour

Photo Credits: Lapland Hotels & Safaris

Experience The Northern Lights In Rovaniemi

Photo Credits: Wild Nordic

Sleigh Ride In The Snowy Forest

Photo Credits: Wild Nordic

Meet The Amazing Arctic Animal On A Dog Sledding Tour

Photo Credits: Lapland Hotels & Safaris

Drive A Snowmobile Through The Snowy Forests

Photo Credits: Lapland Hotels & Safaris

Rovaniemi – The Capital of Finnish Lapland

Rovaniemi has long been considered the capital of Finnish Lapland and the official home of Santa Claus, as a result there is a wealth of activities and accommodation to suit every kind of visitor. Just outside of this urban oasis is an Arctic wilderness waiting to be explored and its proximity to the Arctic Circle makes it a Northern Lights hot spot. The city offers an abundance of restaurants and cafés (befitting a nation that drinks more coffee per capita than any other nation in the world), as well as fine art galleries, museums and science centres, proving Rovaniemi is not just for Christmas but a versatile and appealing destination for all.

DAY 1 Rovaniemi
Fly direct to Rovaniemi from Gatwick or via Helsinki from a choice of UK airports. On arrival transfer to your chosen hotel and familiarise yourself with your surroundings before enjoying your first Lappish experience – a wilderness dinner and search for the Northern Lights. Just 20 minutes outside of the city, hidden in the Arctic wilderness is a cosy candle lit Wilderness Lodge. Here you will be served a traditional home-made Lappish dinner served next to an open fire. There is ample opportunity to walk around the lodge and absorb the pristine nature and snowclad trees as you wait for the Northern Lights to appear. Return to Rovaniemi, having already fallen in love with the region.

DAY 2 -3 Choose your activity
With so many adventures to choose from, we have deliberately left these days free for you to choose your bucket list activity. We have listed our favourites, on the opposite page. There are snowmobile safaris to suit beginners or those seeking a more intense experience, all are guaranteed to show off the surrounding Arctic landscapes. Meet and learn to mush a team of huskies, and take a romantic Reindeer sleigh ride. Head out for more Northern Lights adventures or an ice-breaker cruise, try traditional sports such as ice-fishing or snow shoeing. We can even arrange a private meeting with Santa Claus himself.

DAY 4 UK
Breakfast, check-out and transfer to the airport in time for your return flight home.

Arctic Lights Hotel

This independent and privately run hotel was the former City Hall of Rovaniemi, before local entrepreneur Mikael Gröhn turned it into a luxury boutique hotel. The protected building still houses many original features and includes rare Paavo Tynell lighting fixtures and beautiful wooden inlay doors. 57 individually crafted rooms include 4 themed suites and 6 Aurora Lofts. Each room has a bespoke work of art, whether it is a grand chandelier or dynamic wall art. In addition to this each room has en suite bathroom, air-conditioning, expresso machines, complimentary Wi-Fi, bathrobe and slippers. Polar rooms are especially family friendly, with a separate cosy lounge area equipped with a 40” flat screen TV and private sauna. Chef, Sarah La Fontain, has created a unique breakfast offering a healthy and energising start to the day. The Arctic Boulevard Restaurant takes inspiration from the ocean and forest, and Lasiterassi, a cosy winter garden lounge, has a wide range of sharing platters and cocktails. It is no wonder this is a Nordic Experience favourite.

Original Sokos Hotel Vaakuna

Originally built for the 1952 Olympics, the Original Sokos Hotel Vaakuna has the best location in the city. Scandinavian styled rooms with wooden floors and en suite bathrooms have air-conditioning, a desk, hair-dryers and mini-bar, TV and en suite facilities. Corner suites have double aspect views their own private sauna, bathrobe and slippers, tea and coffee making facilities and mini-bar. Junior Suites have a seating area. The hotel has even managed to replicate a Northern Lights vibe with special lighting effects in many of the rooms. The 10^th floor restaurant has a rooftop terrace boasting panoramic views.

Santa’s Hotel Santa Claus

This hotel offers excellent value in the heart of Rovaniemi. Warmly decorated Scandinavian style rooms contain all you need for your stay including en suite facilities, flat screen TV, adjustable heating, tea and coffee making facilities and complimentary Wi-Fi. The four restaurants each have a menu that suits all tastes and budgets and for those looking for a little taste of Las Vegas, the Hotel Santa Claus also has its own entertainment area complete with table games – all run by professional croupiers.

Rovaniemi - Snowmobile Safari In Search Of The Northern Lights

Depart in darkness as you go in search of the Northern Lights by snowmobile. Driving in pairs, you will follow the tracks deep into the wilderness, far from any light pollution. When a suitable spot has been found, the guide will light a campfire. Grill sausages and sip hot berry juice as you wait in anticipation of seeing the Northern Lights. Hotel pick-up, transfers and outer thermal clothing included.

Tour available: Daily at 19.00

Duration: 3 hours

£160 pp

Rovaniemi - Husky Safari For Nature Lovers

Experience and explore the vast taiga forests of Lapland as you mush a team of dogs through the remote trails just north of Rovaniemi and the Arctic Circle. The length of the trail does depend on weather conditions, but a distance of 30-40 km is often covered. A stop is made for a wilderness lunch, served around a campfire, before heading back to civilization, master of your four-legged friends. This excursion is best suited for adults and you can choose to share the driving or take control of your own sled. Hotel pick-up, transfers and outer thermal clothing included.

Tour available: Wed at 08.30

Duration: 7 hours

£349 pp

Rovaniemi - Snow Shoeing At The Arctic Circle Wilderness Lodge

Snow shoeing does require a little effort but is an easy art to master and fun to do, it also allows you to explore areas normally out of bounds to both huskies and snowmobiles. Traverse the snowy landscapes, follow the frozen river banks and see frozen rapids. Fortify yourself for the return journey with a wilderness lunch cooked over an open fire. Fun for all the family. Hotel pick-up, transfers and equipment hire included.

Tour available: Daily at 13.00

Duration: 2½ hours

£95 pp

Rovaniemi - Visit Ranua, The Arctic Wildlife Zoo

Ranua Wildlife Park is one of Finland’s leading attractions and offers the opportunity to observe around 50 species of Arctic animals, who live here throughout the year in an authentic environment as possible. Transfer to the Zoo and entrance ticket included.

Tour available: Mon, Wed, Fri Sun at 10.00

Duration: 5 hours

£119 pp

Rovaniemi - Husky Safari Into The Wilderness

A chorus of howling hounds will greet you, all eager for their morning or afternoon run. After receiving a full safety and skills briefing, head out into the Arctic wilderness. Children can travel in the same sledge as their parents, who can take it in turns to mush. The length of the trail can vary according to the weather conditions and mushing skills of the participants, but it averages 16-22 km and takes about 1 hour 30 minutes. On returning to the farm you will be rewarded with hot juice and cookies and hear how these marvelous animals are cared for. Hotel pick-up, transfers and outer thermal clothing included.

Tour available: Daily at 09.00 and 13.00

Duration: 4 hours

£179 pp