Not your ordinary Santa holidays - with Activities Abroad

Nov. 14, 2011 - PRLog -- Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without Santa Claus, and there’s no better place to see him than in Lapland. Getting away from touristy day-tripper destinations may involve a lengthier journey (tell the kids it’s a long way to the North Pole), but it does mean that, once there, it’s the real Lapland you’re visiting, that of Narnia-esque scenery and frozen landscapes – as well as Father Christmas’s home.

Winter holiday specialist Activities Abroad has Santa holidays in Finnish Lapland and Norway which families – both young and old – will adore. Whether as part of the exciting Christmas countdown or actually over 25 December itself, these holidays are not just for children; they will ensure a memorable winter for parents too, who could find themselves learning to drive a snowmobile one moment and relaxing in a sauna the next.

Stephanie Eddy, Marketing Manager of Activities Abroad comments, “Our Santa holidays are a far cry from commercialised “we sold our soul to Santa” experiences. Whilst Rudolph, Santa and his elves all feature, guests also get a feel for the real Lapland, whether it’s through local storytelling, tasting Lappish specialities or meeting reindeer herders and ice fishermen.”

Here are a couple of options, complete with winter activities, magical Narnia-esque landscapes and, of course, Father Christmas visits:

All the ingredients for a proper family Christmas – Finnish Lapland from £1,645 per adult and £1,145 per child (aged 5-14)*
Get the family all under one roof this year – that of a cottage in snowy Finnish Lapland. Surrounded by snow-covered trees, families have time to themselves – perhaps for stories, hot drinks and marshmallows around a warming campfire – or the chance to go husky-sledding, snowshoeing and snowmobiling. On Christmas Eve, after choosing a tree from the forest, each family will visit Father Christmas, whose log cabin – reached by snowmobile-pulled sleigh – is at the end of a candle-lit path. Next day, there’s plenty of free time, as well as a meeting with Rudolph and a chance to take the reins of a reindeer sleigh.
*Price includes flights (London), transfers, six nights’ full-board accommodation, all activities above, cold-weather clothing and guides/instructors.
Departs 21 December, 2011

Sleigh bells in Savalen – a Norwegian approach to Christmas from £1,125 per adult and £845 per child (aged 3-15)*
Overlooking a frozen snow-covered lake, Savalen is the picture-perfect place to see Santa at home. Enjoy a private family visit to see him and his elves, as well as a guided tour of his cosy log-built house, before decorating a tree straight from the forest. There’s also a horse-pulled sleigh ride through Savalen, an exhilarating snowmobile ride across the fells, a husky safari and the chance to try ice fishing. Accommodation is either an apartment on the aptly-named Santa Street or the Savalen Fjell Hotel and Spa, which is the best option for families with younger children.
*Price includes flights (London), transfers, four nights’ full-board accommodation, all activities above, cold-weather clothing and guides/instructors.
Departs 15, 18, 19, 22 and 23 December, 2011

Contact Activities Abroad on 01670 789 991 (http://www.activitiesabroad.com).  

ENDS – 14 November 2011

For press enquiries or photography:  please contact Helena Hamlyn or Richard Mellor at Travel PR, tel: 020 8891 4440, email: h.hamlyn@travelpr.co.uk or r.mellor@travelpr.co.uk

# # #

Travel PR is one of the leading travel PR agencies in the UK with over 30 clients covering trade associations, hotels, tour operators and tourist boards.