Only one travel experience includes the phrases “Santa Claus” and “snowmobiling” in the same sentence. On the Arctic Circle Impressions tour offered by Scantours, tourists can first revel in Lapland’s wintry wonderland, then head to Helsinki where they can treat themselves to fine dining and city sightseeing.
First stop is Rovaniemi, home of the Santa Claus Workshop Village, where hundreds of thousands of children send Christmas letters every year. While you’re there, check out the souvenir shop, the puppet theatre, and watch the joy on little kids’ faces as they meet the real Santa.
Over the next four days, travelers have the option of the following snowmobile excursions around Rovaniemi:
Safari into the Wilderness: Learn how to maneuver your way around frozen rivers and snowy trees as you traverse rugged, untamed forests. Basically, pretend you’re Bear Grylls! But instead of unnecessarily drinking your own urine, enjoy a much pleasanter coffee, tea or hot chocolate provided by the tour.
Highlights of Lapland: Head to a nearby reindeer farm where you’ll learn about Lappish culture and reindeer husbandry. Provided you pass the test, you’ll even be issued an international reindeer driver’s license, making you the owner of the official most awesome souvenir from anywhere, ever. If that wasn’t enough, this tour allows you the opportunity to participate in a “mysterious” Lapp ceremony of crossing the Arctic Circle.
Santa Claus Safari: This tour combines everything included in Highlights of Lapland but adds a visit to the big man himself. After crossing the Arctic Circle, you’ll stop for lunch in a cozy, rustic restaurant before finally meeting Santa at his workshop village so you can remind him that no, you would not like another sweater vest this Christmas.
Safari to a Husky Dog Farm: Check out the view from a local hilltop and continue on to a husky farm, where you’ll learn about how these beautiful dogs train and even ride in a sled. Finish with coffee and a campfire.
After four days in Rovaniemi, you’ll fly to Helsinki, where a driver will be waiting at the airport to take you to your hotel. Spend the day enjoying a 1.5-hour audio sightseeing tour of the city and the following day you’re free to discover Helsinki’s museums, shops, and restaurants.
The Arctic Circle Impressions tour includes daily complementary breakfast, transportation to and from the airports, snowmobiling equipment and hotel accommodation at Sokos Hotel Vaakuna while in Rovaniemi and Sokos Hotel Helsinki in Helsinki.
The tour is available through April 17th for $1193 per person double and $563 single supplement.