Overview:
Dreaming of a snowy New Year filled with winter activities such as visiting Mr & Mrs Santa Claus and learning about Sami arts and Sami culture, while staying at a small and cosy hotel in Sweden? Then look no further. Our New Yer's programme in Skelleftea will cater to all your wishes, all topped with a Scandinavian hot tub, sauna and traditional Swedish New Years dinner on the last day of the year.
Holiday price is from £ 1,860 per person based on availability and 2 persons sharing a standard double/twin room. Single supplement is £ 225.
Discount for infant 0-2 years and child 3-11 years when the child shares a room with 1 parent. Please contact our team for qoute.
Departure Date:
| DEPARTURE |
RETURN |
| 29 Dec |
02 Jan |
Tour Itinerary:
29th December: Arrival in Skellefteå
Arrival at Skellefteå Airport and transfer by private coach to the hotel Transfer by bus to the hotel (Stiftsgården or Stadshotell), approx. 20 minutes distance. Stiftsgården dates back to the 1500’s and is a former vicarage situated in a peaceful area in the center of Skellefteå’s oldest cultural area. The hotel is built all in wood on ancient reindeer grazing lands of the Sami. All this gives the right impression of the Subarctic on the arrival. Check-in at the hotel in double/single use rooms. Stadshotell is located in the heart of Skellefteå and has been recently refurnished. A light hot meal will be served. Overnight at Stiftsgården/Stadshotell.
30th December: Visit Santa Claus in Svansele with lunch
Scandinavian breakfast buffet. Early morning departure in private coach. We travel through subarctic forests and tundra landscape, passing small villages on our way to Svansele, (approximately 50 minutes transfer. Welcome coffee at the arrival. After a storytelling about the moose the guide takes the guests on a sled pulled by a snowmobile out to the village. All guests will be equipped with winter overall, shoes, helmets and gloves, which they will keep until departure from Lantliv Lodge on the 1st January. The safari is about 3 kilometers, 20 minutes, and runs over frozen lakes and rivers and through dense forests. The activity includes a guide and safety instruction. Once arrived at the Moosepeople camp guests will be welcomed by Santa Claus who, after greetings, will walks them along the short path that leads into the forest, to the camp. His wife is waiting with warm lingonberry drink. Guests will hear many stories and tales from the wilderness. Santa and his wife will especially give a lot of attention to the kids, talking to them about Christmas time. They will offer warm soup, cooked over the open fire, together with bread. At the end of the visit, they will bring the big jute cloth sack with Christmas gifts to their guests!
OPTIONAL ACTIVITY: DRIVE YOUR OWN SNOWMOBILE TO SANTA SECRET PLACE- Additional to price list: Guests will drive their own snowmobile instead of being transported on a big sledge behind snowmobile driven by guide. It will be aprox 1 hour and half tour. Price £ 90 per person (2 persons per snowmobile) - Price £ 180 per person (1 person per snowmobile). NB! The minimum age for driving snowmobiles is 18 years. Children 2-12 yrs on sledges behind the snowmobiles. Children between 13-17 yrs old can sit behind adults. In the afternoon, transfer back to Stiftsgården hotel where a three-course dinner will be served. Overnight.
31st December: New Year’s Eve – Guided tour in Skelleftea & Meeting Local Sami Culture
Scandinavian breakfast buffet. We start the day with a guided walking tour to the Skellefteå country Assembly church, Sweden’s largest country church. Bright and beautiful cruciform church in neo-classical style, from the 19th Century, and to the adjacent church town called Bonnstan, which dates back to the 17th Century. Bonnstan comes from the Swedish (and local) word for farmer, so in English means “City of farmers”. We will enjoy a coffee break in one of the cosy wooden house. Back at the hotel we will be served a lunch buffet and after we will have a meeting with a Sami representative who will introduce you to the Sámi culture. In the afternoon, guests will spend some time relaxing in the SPA (outdoor hot tub, sauna and snacks included). Around 6 pm transfer by private coach to Österjörn at Lantliv Lodge for New Year’s Eve dinner. A tasty traditional Swedish Christmas buffet consisting of Swedish specialties will be served in the restaurant. After the dinner we will celebrate the New year outside the hotel launching in the air the typical lantern lights. Late transfer to Skellefteå hotel. Overnight at Overnight at Stiftsgården/Stadshotell.
1st January: Day for Relaxing & Optional Activities
Late Scandinavian breakfast buffet at Stiftsgården. Private coach transfer to Österjörn village situated on the shore of a frozen lake and beautifully surrounded by forest. Guests can drill their own hole in the ice on the lake nearby and try the thrill of capturing an arctic char. A hot drink will always be available by the campfire. A tasty warming soup with bread is served “drop-in” and indoors in the warm and cosy Lantliv Lodge during the day. Late afternoon coach transfer from Österjörn to Hotel Stiftsgården. You will be served a three course dinner at the hotel. Overnight at Stiftsgården/Stadshotell.
Optional activities only pre-bookable on site, on request and only due to availability:
DOG SLEDDING SAFARI: The dogs are barking, eager to take you away on a 3 km, 20-30 minutes’ dog sledge safari through the pine forests. This is a safe adventure where the guides share their knowledge about nature, culture and history with you. We will make a stop along the route for hot drinks.
Duration: approx. 3 km/30 minutes
Price p/p: SEK 520 adult – SEK 300 kid
SNOW SHOEING WITH GUIDE: Experience the art of walking on the snow with the snowshoes. The guide will take you out for a 2 hours guided tour including a break with hot beverages and biscuits.
Duration: 2 hours
Price p/p: SEK 750 – SEK 325 Kid
OPTIONAL AND FREE OF CHARGE:
ICE FISHING Drill your own hole in the ice on the lake nearby the hotel and try the thrill of capturing an arctic char. Icedrilling and fishing gear available on site.
BORROW A KICK SLEDGE: Using the kick-sledge, “spark”, is a tradition and often very funny way of transportation on snowy and icy roads in northern Sweden. It can be used by two people at the same time. Duration regarding activities are approximate and depend on ice, snow and weather conditions.
2nd January: Farewell Skellefteå
Breakfast box – early departure. Private coach transfer from the hotel to the airport, 20 min.
Package Includes:
- Return flights from London Gatwick via Stockholm on Norwegian Airlines
- 1 piece of check-in luggage per traveller (up to 20 kg)
- All transfers as mentioned in the program
- 4 nights’ accommodation at Stiftsgården/Stadshotell
- 4 Scandinavian breakfast buffets at Stiftsgården/Stadshotell
- 3 three-course dinner, 29-30 Dec, 1st Jan at Stiftsgården
- 1 lunch buffet, 31 Dec at Stiftsgården.
- 1 New Year’s Eve dinner, 31 Dec at Lantliv Lodge in Österjörn
- 2 light lunches with warm soup & bread on the 30th Dec at Santa’s place and 1st Jan at Lantliv Lodge
- Santa Claus Snowmobile Safari at Svansele on the 30th Dec
- Guided tour to Bonnstan church-town and Skellefteå Assembly
- Meeting with a Sami representative, 31st Dec
- Sauna, relax and Jacuzzi at the hotel on the 31st Dec
- Ice fishing on 1st Jan
- English speaking local representative
- 24-hour emergency service
- ATOL protection
- All taxes
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You'll see...
Will I see the Northern Lights?
Please scroll down to see the specifics for the country you wish to visit:
Iceland:
The Northern Lights are in the Northern sky from September through April but are only visible when the sky is clear and free of clouds. Like many of natures wonders, it’s ephemeral – they may be visible, they may appear for a bit and then be gone. But it’s worth it to be patient. Because they’re a winter event, you need to be prepared to wait outside, while looking for them. It’s best to dress very warmly, in layers, with good footwear, gloves, hats and whatever else will make you comfortable while you await this truly amazing event. The Northern Lights can be pretty spectacular, and for the best photos we recommend using a tripod. Much of Iceland offers a very a good chance to see the Northern Lights when conditions are right. Remember – the Northern Lights are natural phenomena, not guaranteed, but appreciated all the more for their elusive qualities.
Norway:
Northern Norway is one of the world's best places to experience the Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis). In Northern Norway, Northern Lights occur in up to 90% of every clear night in the period from late September to late March. Most Northern Lights occur in the time span from 6pm to slightly after midnight, with an absolute peak at around 10-11pm.
In Norway, the area north of the Arctic Circle is prime aurora territory. The various destinations in the High North have a distinct personality, and are well worth exploring. Major places in Northern Norway are Tromsø, Kirkenes, Alta, Bodø, Lofoten and Vesterålen Islands and Svalbard.
Finland:
The best place to see the Northern Lights in Finland is in the Northern Lapland region, which is almost entirely located within the realm of the Arctic Circle. During the dark winter months here, when the sun rarely peaks its head over the horizon, you can expect to see the Finland Northern Lights with regularity, and other peak seasons include February through March and September through October. The most common colours of the Northern Lights are greenish-yellow and red.
The Finnish term for the Northern Lights, Revontulet, meaning fox fire, comes from an old tale where the fox was believed to swish its bushy tail on the snowy fell landscapes, throwing sparks into the air.
As mentioned, Lapland is the best place to see the Finland Aurora Borealis, with the Kilpisjarvi area offering the most abundant opportunities. The best time of the day to see the Finland Northern Lights is between 9 pm and 11:30 pm, though they are certainly not restricted to this time frame.
Sweden:
In Northern Sweden, the Northern Lights usually occur during the winter months through late March or early April, but they can be spotted as early as September in the Northernmost parts. Your best chance of catching a glimpse of the Northern Lights is on cold winter nights when the sky is clear and cloudless. You need to be away from city lights, which dilute the effects of these natural phenomena, so head out into the countryside. On clear nights, the Northern Lights can be visible from most locations in Swedish Lapland, occurring between 6 pm to and 2 am, with the strongest shows happening between 10 pm and 11 pm. For those willing to brave the cold on winter nights, here are some of the best locations in Swedish Lapland for viewing these phenomena:
Abisko National Park
Abisko National Park, a couple of kilometers north of Kiruna, is a prime location for viewing the Northen Lights. The scientifically proven “blue hole” — a patch of sky over the Torneträsk lake that usually remains clear despite overcast weather in surrounding areas — gives Abisko its own micro-climate, which is suitable for catching the lights.
Jukkasjärvi and the Torne Valley
Not only does the village of Jukkasjärvi (population roughly 541) boast the world’s first ice hotel (rebuilt ever year from Torne River ice), it’s also one of the best regions to view the Northern Lights. ICEHOTEL organizes guided tours for guests which takes the to the Esrange Space Center located 30 minutes from Kiruna. You can dine at a wilderness camp and get the chance to scan the Arctic winter sky for aurora borealis.
Other regions in Swedish Lapland
As mentioned earlier, if weather conditions are just right (clear, dark, cold, and cloudless), you might catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights from any location within subarctic and arctic Sweden — even close to larger towns such as Luleå, Jokkmokk, Arvidsjaur, and Gällivare.
Greenland:
The northern lights - or Aurora Borealis as it is officially known - actually occur all year round, but cannot be seen during the summer months in Greenland due to the midnight sun. The phenomenon is often seen around midnight and is best experienced on a dark, clear night in the period from September to the beginning of April. If you are travelling during this period, you can see the Northern Lights from anywhere in the country, whilst in South Greenland the northern lights can be seen from as early as the end of August.
Car Rental
You can rent a car, as long as you have a valid EU or international driver's license. Most cars will have manual transmission.
Transportation
Railway mostly serves domestic routes and is used as an easy and quick way to get from the capital to major cities of the country. There are some international routes, like to Moscow and St. Petersburg, but time spent on the way will be quite long.
Buses are one of the most convenient ways to travel between the Baltic States. Eurolines will get you between Riga, Vilnius and Tallinn. One way tickets will cost £ 15 - £ 20 and approximate travel time is 5 hours between the cities. Ticket reservations in advance are recommended.
Taxis are the quickest and most convenient way of travelling round the city. You'll find them located close to the main hotels. Usually it's quite easy to catch a taxi on the street, however, it's much better and safer to order one by phone. Taxi costs in all of the Baltic countries and Poland are approximately the same and a ride in the centre of the city will cost you approx £ 5 - £ 7. Taxis in Finland and Russia are considerably more expensive. It is always a good idea to get your hotel to book a taxi for you and ask approximately how much the trip will cost before you get in.
We would not recommend you to take public transportation within the city, as it's usually crowded and it may cause you unnecessary anxiety about where to stop.