Lapland North Pole Christmas
8 Day Escorted Tour

This once-in-a-lifetime trip shares Christmas with Santa Claus and his reindeer at the North Pole. Spend four days at the Arctic Circle in Lapland in the north of Finland. You can send post cards from the North Pole, learn how to drive a reindeer sledge, ride a 4-wheel drive snow scooter, try out snow shoes and go ice-fishing or even ice golfing. Cruise on an icebreaker ship in the Arctic Ocean for a thrilling experience! Click Here For Itinerary

Inclusions:

• 3 nights at theKempinski Hotel Corvinus Budapest
• 3 nights at the Radisson SAS Alcron Hotel in Prague, over Thanksgiving or Christmas
• First class train from Budapest to Prague
• 6 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 6 dinners

Highlights:

• See Helsinki's Temppeliaukio church, which is carved from solid rock
• Take an excursion to Porvoo, 14th century provincial town and former residence of Russian royalty
• Stay four nights over Christmas at the Arctic Circle, Rovaniemi, Finland
• Visit Santa Claus Village at the North Pole
• Ride a reindeer-drawn sledge
• Attend the Snow Carnival on Christmas Day for snowmobiling, ice-fishing, ice-golfing or a snow shoe trek
• Cruise on an authentic icebreaker ship through the frozen Arctic Ocean

Itinerary
Day 1
Depart U.S.A.
Depart on overnight flight to Helsinki, Finland.

Day 2 D
Arrive Helsinki
Arrive this morning in Helsinki, the maritime capital of Finland, with 500 years of fascinating history to explore. Meet your fellow travelers at the reception and dinner this evening and stay city-center at the traditional, fine RADISSON SAS PLAZA HOTEL

Day 3 BLD
Porvoo/Rovaniemi
Depart this morning on an excursion to the provincial town of Porvoo, which dates from the 14th century and is the former home of J.L. Runeberg, the Finnish national poet. See the medieval cathedral, the old town's narrow cobblestone streets, charming wooden homes and shops brimming with art and local handicrafts. Lunch is at Haikko Manor, once a private summer getaway of the Russian Empire's royal family. On return to Helsinki, catch your flight to Finland's Lapland and the town of Rovaniemi, located on the Arctic Circle. Stay four nights in Rovaniemi at the RANTASIPI POHJANHOVI HOTEL.

Day 4 BLD
Arctic Ocean Icebreaker Cruise
In northern Finland, close to the Arctic Circle, long and cold winters cause ice that is more than a yard thick to form in the Arctic Ocean. Icebreaker ships ply the waters to keep the shipping lanes open. Enjoy a unique opportunity to experience a "cruise" on an icebreaker in the Arctic, aboard a ship that has been performing its task for over 30 years. Lunch is included aboard the ship. RANTASIPI POHJANHOVI HOTEL

Day 5 BLD
Santa Claus Village/Reindeer Sledge Ride
This morning, visit Santa Claus Village to meet the celebrated gentleman in person. You might want to take time to send a postcard or two to affirm that there is a Santa and that he lives here at the North Pole. You also visit a reindeer farm, where the owner demonstrates how the hearty deer are harnessed and offers you a chance to drive a reindeer-drawn sledge. Before returning to Rovaniemi, receive a personal Arctic Circle Certificate as proof of your presence in the most northern parallels. A Finnish sauna (not private) is available at your hotel if you want to indulge yourself later in the afternoon. RANTASIPI POHJANHOVI HOTEL

Day 6 BD
Christmas Day Snow Carnival
Hauskaa Joulua! What better way to celebrate Christmas than to enjoy the Snow Carnival's cornucopia of outdoor adventures, including snow mobiles, 4-wheel drive forest snow scooters, a toboggan run, snow shoes, ice-fishing and ice golf? The grounds are spotted with campfires where you can warm up with a hot drink, soup or snack. Enjoy a gala Christmas buffet this evening. RANTASIPI POHJANHOVI HOTEL

Day 7 BLD
Helsinki
Take a morning flight south to Helsinki and join your local guide to see Senate Square, the Kaivopuisto residential area and the Temppeliaukio church, which was blasted out from and built of solid rock. Remainder of your afternoon is free, so you may want to do some window-shopping for local crafts at the nearby shopping center. Your farewell dinner, the end of a truly memorable trip, is this evening. RADISSON SAS PLAZA HOTEL

Day 8 B
Conclude Helsinki
After breakfast, board your trans-Atlantic flight home. Back to Top

The above rates are presented as a guideline only.
Please contact Quality Travel at 1-800-331-5601
for actual pricing and availability.