Inspiration for your own tailor-made trip
Finland – Lapland – Saariselka
100% customisable for you
Hats and scarves at the ready – your reconnect retreat in Finnish Lapland starts today. Head to the airport, whizz through security and settle into the lounge for some complimentary nibbles before take-off. Direct flights to Ivalo take around four hours, so sit back, relax and crack open your holiday read.
After landing, grab your bags and meet your private driver to embark on the 25-minute journey to Saariselka, deep in the heart of Finnish Lapland. Along the way, keep your eyes on the windows as a series of snowy scenes roll by.
When you arrive at your lodge this afternoon, check in, drop your bags and divvy up the sides of the bed. Then, shake off any post-journey-stiffness with a visit to the on-site sauna followed by a sumptuous massage (yes, please).
Fuel up on a wonderfully warming breakfast this morning before donning your thermals and stepping out into the snow. On the agenda today: an iconic Arctic adventure.
Meet a local musher (a person who drives, trains and manages sled dogs) for a lesson on what to do when you take the reins. Once you’re briefed and raring to go, climb aboard your husky-led sled to lead your newfound furry friends through snow-blanketed forests and pure-white plains.
Halfway, stop for lunch around a campfire while the huskies enjoy some well-earned R&R. Then, rally the troops and hop back in the sled to return to the lodge this afternoon.
Later, if you’re lucky, you’ll be able to head out in the hope of seeing the aurora borealis – also known as the Northern Lights. But if the night sky is inky and black, simply settle down with a mouth-watering meal and a glass of wine (mulled, of course) next to a crackling fire.
Another day, another foray into the snow. After breakfast this morning, take your pick from a wealth of ways to explore more of your picture-perfect surroundings.
If you fancy something slower paced after yesterday, strap on a pair of snowshoes and put pole to snow as you embark on a guided walk through the heart of the nearby Urho Kekkonen National Park – the second largest protected park in Finland.
More of a daredevil? Grab some skis to race along a cross-country course through the forest at the edge of the park. Or, to continue your safari streak, climb on a snowmobile to set off at thrilling speeds across this icy tundra.
But if all that sounds slightly too extreme, hop on a fat bike (essentially a mountain bike with winter tyres) for a slow-paced pedal around your lodge with a private guide.
Nurse a steaming cup of coffee over breakfast this morning before leaving the lodge to enjoy more wildlife encounters. This time, you’re visiting a traditional reindeer farm.
Reindeer herding remains a significant source of income in Finnish Lapland, something you’ll learn more about while meeting the herd. As you reach out to touch the snow-flecked snouts of these gentle giants, listen as their owner tells you about daily life on the farm and his country’s traditions.
Having met Rudolph and friends, head back to the lodge this evening to slip into a pair of fluffy socks and plop some marshmallows into a hot chocolate. It doesn’t come much better – or more wintry – than this.
Sadly, your Arctic adventure in Finnish Lapland comes to an end today. Tuck into a delightfully decadent display of pastries this morning before grabbing your bags and meeting your private driver to return to the airport in Ivalo.
Your direct flight home takes around four hours, just enough time to trim down your camera roll so it’s ready to show to friends and family back home.
Everything in this itinerary is entirely customisable, down to the smallest details. Here are some more suggestions of what could be included
Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.
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Our team of destination experts will get to know you and your unique requirements for your holiday
We work with you to build an ultra-personalised holiday itinerary with your choice of accommodation, experiences and activities
All of our holidays include little extras designed to make a big difference to your trip, from checking you in for your flights to our network of local Concierges
