SCANDINAVIA: The Best of Lapland with Sampo Icebreaker Cruise

Day 1

Welcome to Lapland & the Snow Castle

Begin your winter adventure at Kemi Airport, where our local representative awaits to greet you and transfer you to the Snow Castle for a memorable overnight experience! This unique hotel— made almost entirely of snow and rebuilt each winter— is a source of pride in Kemi and a showcase of expert snow-craftsmanship by the local builders. The illuminated snow- and ice-sculptures and the fresh air in your room will ensure sweet dreams tonight as you snooze in a thermal sleeping bag on top of a soft bed.

Spend the night at the Snow Castle in Kemi.

Day 2

Sampo Icebreaker, Arctic Swim & Northern lights

Enjoy breakfast in the warm Castle Lounge before heading to your next hotel for refreshment in the morning sauna. Around noon you will be taken by bus to Ajos Harbour for a cruise on the Icebreaker Sampo ship. On board, a busy program is on the agenda: an interesting presentation about icebreaking techniques and the ship’s history followed by a visit to the control room and the huge engine room. You can also see how the Captain commands the vessel in the bridge.

After lunch in the ship’s cosy restaurant, it’s time for the highlight of the cruise: the “arctic swim”! A special survival suit will keep you warm and afloat as you take a dip in the 0-degree water of the Baltic Sea! Before the tour is over, you will also receive an “icebreaking diploma” from the crew.

In the evening Enjoy an exciting guided evening snowmobile trip into the wild to explore the extraordinary beauty of Lapland’s nature and maybe Northern Lights*. Later, after enjoying a delicious hot beverage and light snack around a campfire, you are returned to the hotel.

*Please note that the northern lights are a natural phenomenon and sightings cannot be guaranteed.

Spend the night at a hotel in Kemi.

Day 3

Train to Rovaniemi

Today you will board the train for the 1.5-hour long train ride to Rovaniemi, the home of Santa Claus. After checking in to your hotel, enjoy the day exploring this charming town.

Spend the night at a hotel in Rovaniemi.

Day 4

Sami Reindeer Farm & Santa Claus Village

Following breakfast at your hotel, today’s adventures begin with a guided snowmobile trip to a reindeer farm, where you will learn about the Sami culture and its tradition of reindeer herding.* You then have the opportunity to take a ride in a reindeer sleigh and participate in the special Lappish ceremony of crossing the Arctic Circle.

Later, after lunch at a cosy restaurant, you will continue to the Santa Claus Village to visit none other than jolly old Santa himself. Here, you can send postcards from Santa’s main post office and do some leisurely shopping at the various souvenir and handcraft shops in the Village.

Spend another night in Rovaniemi.

*Please note that during December, transportation to the reindeer farm is by car instead of snowmobile.

Day 5

Departure

Today you are transferred to Rovaniemi airport in time for your departure flight.