In the time between Christmas and New Year, swap lazing on the sofa for husky sledding and trade over-indulgence for winter adventures in the great outdoors on these snow-based Betwixmas holidays, provided by the three sister brands of the Artisan Travel Company.
(TRAVPR.COM) UNITED KINGDOM - August 22nd, 2017 - In the time between Christmas and New Year, swap lazing on the sofa for husky sledding and trade over-indulgence for winter adventures in the great outdoors on these snow-based Betwixmas holidays, provided by the three sister brands of the Artisan Travel Company. The Aurora Zone, Artisan Travel and Activities Abroad take you to the tranquil setting of the wilds of Finnish Lapland, where these carefully-crafted itineraries will give you a true feel for a winter wonderland escape whilst ticking off some ‘must-do’ bucket list experiences:
The Aurora Zone:
NEW: In the north of Finnish Lapland – the homelands of Finland’s indigenous Sámi people – you’ll find Torassieppi, a heavily-forested area located on the edge of Torasjarvi Lake. Here, with virtually no light pollution, there are better-than-average chances of seeing the Northern Lights. This Betwixmas break, Torassieppi – Northern Lights and the Snow Village, includes a night at the atmospheric Lainio Snow Hotel which is rebuilt each year. The snow hotel boasts a myriad of ice and snow sculptures, an ice chapel and a beautiful candlelit restaurant. Follow your stay with three nights at a renovated Reindeer Farm. Experiences include Aurora-hunting expeditions, husky and snowmobile safaris, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing and a traditional Finnish cookery lesson. The price is from £1,755 pp (based on two sharing) and includes flights (London via Helsinki to Kittilä), transfers, four nights’ full board accommodation, activities listed, expert guides and cold weather clothing. Departs 26 December. Call The Aurora Zone on 01670 785 012 (www.theaurorazone.com).
NEW: Based in remote corner of North East Finland, Muotka – Fellside Auroras is a three-night Betwixmas Aurora-hunting trip which includes an unforgettable dog sled safari into the wilds of the Arctic Circle. Northern Lights hunting takes place on two nights via minibus, to ensure that the most remote vantage points are sought out. It is also possible to add a stay in an Aurora Kota – spectacular cabin-style accommodation with a glass pyramid roof and superb views of the night sky. The price is from £1,375 pp (two sharing), including direct flights (London/Ivalo), transfers, three nights’ accommodation, most meals, activities, all cold weather clothing and experienced local guides. Departs 28 December. Call The Aurora Zone on 01670 785 012 (www.theaurorazone.com).
NEW: Set against a backdrop of Narnia-esque forests in North West Finnish Lapland, Harriniva – Northern Lights Hunter includes a Northern Lights workshop, husky safari, reindeer farm visit, Aurora snowmobiling, snowshoeing and more. Based at the Harriniva Wilderness Hotel, accommodation is in a cosy Northern Lights cabin situated on the banks of the River Muonio, which divides Finland and Sweden, and features an individual private sauna. The price is from £1,735 pp (two sharing), including flights (London/Kittilä via Helsinki), transfers, four nights' full board cabin accommodation, activities listed, cold weather clothing and experienced local guides. Call The Aurora Zone on 01670 785 012 (www.theaurorazone.com).
Maximise your chances of seeing the Northern Lights by joining this Betwixmas trip - Nellim – Wilderness Weekend. Based just 8km from Russia’s border in the wilds of North East Finland and close to the shores of spectacular Lake Inari, sightings of the Northern Lights are commonplace, with the unpolluted skies providing stunning displays. Aurora-hunting is the focus of the trip but activities such as snowmobiling and snowshoeing can also be booked (additional cost). The price is from £1,145 pp (two sharing), including direct flights (London/Ivalo), transfers, three nights’ full board accommodation, activities, all cold weather clothing and experienced local guides. Departs 28 December.Call The Aurora Zone on 01670 785 012 (www.theaurorazone.com).
Artisan Travel:
Jeris – Winter Cottage short break to Finnish Lapland is an adults-only itinerary that includes a 6km husky dog safari, reindeer farm visit with sleigh ride, 20km snowmobile safari, Northern Lights snowshoe experience and an evening campfire. The price is from £1,615 pp (two sharing), including return flights (Heathrow/Kittilä via Helsinki), transfers, four nights’ winter cottage full-board accommodation (including a Christmas meal and lunch in an ice restaurant), private sauna, activities mentioned, cold weather clothing and guides. Minimum age 18. Departs 26 December. Call Artisan Travel on 01670 785 085 (www.artisantravel.co.uk).
Activities Abroad family options – age 4 or 5 and over to enjoy all activities, but younger children are welcome too:
NEW: Saariselka – Activity Pick and Mix offers a very flexible itinerary which includes accommodation in a north-facing Aurora glass-roofed cabin (accommodates two adults and two children) to maximise views of the lights. If it snows, a timer switch in the cabin will melt the snow from the glass roof in 5-10 minutes, allowing an unhindered view of the Arctic sky. The extensive range of fun activities to choose from include husky sledding, snowshoeing and stay-up-late Northern Lights hunting. There is also skiing nearby (there are 15 downhill slopes and a network of cross-country routes) and tobogganing (the resort has the longest toboggan run in Europe at 1.2km). There’ll be no chance of the family getting bored between Christmas and New Year. The price is from £1,235 per adult and £740 per child (aged 4-14), including return flights (either direct or London/Ivalo via Helsinki), transfers, three nights’ half-board accommodation, cold weather clothing and guides. Additional nights and activities extra. Departures from 20 December – 4 January. Call Activities Abroad on 01670 789 991 (www.activitiesabroad.com).
The Aurora Zone also features a Northern Lights holiday at Saariselkä: https://www.theaurorazone.com/holidays/saariselka-aurora-village-tailor-made
NEW: This is the first time that Activities Abroad’s family favourite, the Jeris Festive Fun in a Winter Cottageitinerary has operated atBetwixmas. There will be plenty to excite all the family with exhilarating husky and snowmobile safaris, with the possibility of meeting husky pups too, alongside plenty of opportunities to search for the Northern Lights. Visit Torassieppi Winter Village to eat lunch in the ice restaurant, meet friendly reindeer, take a thrilling sleigh ride through a snowy forest, before parents can take the chance to experience a traditional Finnish smoke sauna and then dive into an ice pool. The price is from £1,615 per adult and £1,175 per child (aged 4-12), including return flights (London/Kittilä via Helsinki), transfers, four nights’ winter cottage full-board accommodation (with log burning stove and private sauna), activities mentioned, all cold weather clothing and guides. Departs 26 December. Call Activities Abroad on 01670 789 991 (www.activitiesabroad.com).
Ends / 22 August 2017
Notes to editors:
The Artisan Travel Company is formed of three sister companies, all providing expert service and personally-tried-and-tested holidays:
The original Northern Lights company, The Aurora Zone, not only provides the best chance of seeing the shimmering spectacle but also ensures a fully-immersive experience in its hand-selected destinations.
Independent specialist holiday company, Artisan Travel provides life-enriching holidays, personally-crafted to showcase the most captivating aspects of its chosen destinations.
Activities Abroad is a family activity holiday specialist, enabling families to reconnect, create lifelong memories and spend quality time together.
Press: Formore information, high-res images or to discuss a commissioned press trip, please contact Julia Farish or Kate Chapman at Travel PR on 020 8891 4440 or j.farish@travelpr.co.uk or k.chapman@travelpr.co.uk
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