Christmas and New Year availability with Activities Abroad and The Aurora Zone

Dec. 2, 2013 - PRLog -- Swap damp nights and lame fireworks for Lapland’s (hopefully…) Northern Lights-filled skies and enjoy a white Christmas in Finland or New Year in Norway.

It’ll be a Christmas or New Year to remember if you’re after an action-packed trip or are content with just relaxing, whether travelling with the family or not.

Experience a traditional Sami Christmas with no sign of Santa, Finland

This trip to Inari strips away the commercial elements of Christmas, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in traditional Sami culture, and enjoy the tremendous natural beauty of Finland. Excursions include visits to an ancient Sami sacrificial site and a working reindeer farm, as well as a husky safari and a snowmobile trip to try and hunt down the Aurora on Christmas day itself.

Departing 22 December, Christmas Auroras in the Sámi Heartland costs from £1,795 pp – two sharing – including flights (London), transfers, four nights’ full-board accommodation, activities and warm clothing. The Aurora Zone (01670 785 012, http://www.theaurorazone.com).

The joy of Christmas for all the family, Finland

Unforgettable festive experiences are at the heart of this holiday, with each day packed with memorable fun-filled activities. Kick off with a tour of the Ranua Wildlife Park, home to polar bears, golden eagles, lynx and more. A highlight for young travellers will undoubtedly be a visit to see Father Christmas. Arriving by sleigh, each family will individually meet Santa, and explore his authentic home and workshop.

Departing 23 December, Polar bears and Father Christmas costs from £1,575 per adult and £1,375 per child (5-12) – family of four sharing – including flights (London), transfers, four nights’ full-board accommodation, activities and warm clothing. Activities Abroad (01670 789 991, www.activitiesabroad.com).

End the year banqueting with a Viking Chieftain, Norway

Norway’s Lofoten Islands are the perfect location for a first-time visit to Scandinavia, possessing all the winter charm without the frostbite-inducing temperatures (although it’s still pretty chilly). Showcasing the area’s dramatic landscape of snow-dusted mountains and fjords, the trip includes some of the less strenuous activities in the area: a visit to an ice art gallery, a trip to a traditional local farm, dinner at a Northern Lights basecamp and an after-dark Aurora minibus trip. A banquet at a Viking Chieftain’s house at a living museum also promises a raucous New Year, seeing in 2014 Scandi-style.

Departing 28 December, the Lofoten Island New Year Celebrations costs from £1,495 – two sharing – including flights (London), four nights’ full-board accommodation, activities and warm clothing. The Aurora Zone (01670 785 012, www.theaurorazone.com).

ENDS – 2 December 2013

Note to editors: The Activity Travel Company has been running for eleven years and consists of three brands: Activities Abroad, The Aurora Zone and The White Circle. Activities Abroad specialises in family holidays in both winter and summer, while The Aurora Zone was created to highlight the innovative concept of Aurora-hunting (actively going out to seek the lights rather than remaining in one location). The White Circle is the latest addition to the portfolio, and offers adult-only winter experiences for adults in Lapland.

For press enquiries, to discuss press trip commissions or for photography: please contact Helena Hamlyn at Travel PR, tel: 020 8891 4440, email: h.hamlyn@travelpr.co.uk.