An exclusive private villa in Lapland followed by two nights in Helsinki and a trip to Tallin, Estonia

Personalised journeys from start to finish

Every trip helps support Conservation

Every detail taken care of

  • Personalised journeys from start to finish

  • Every trip helps support Conservation

  • Every detail taken care of

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Use this itinerary to inspire your bespoke journey

At a glance

Finland is magical in winter – think forests carpeted in snow, clear starry skies and the crisp, still air you only experience when staying somewhere truly remote.

This family adventure starts with five nights in Finnish Lapland in your own private villa. There is so much to discover and fun to be had as you rush across frozen lakes on snowmobiles, race through the forest on a husky sleigh and head out in search of the Northern Lights. Although you’ll feel like you’ve got the place to yourself, you will get the chance to meet some of the four-legged local residents. Spend time with a local reindeer herder learning all about these beautiful animals and what life is like this far north.

You will also visit the incredible Lainio Snow Village whose icy structures are built from scratch every year. A highlight of this trip is a visit to see Lapland’s most famous inhabitant – Santa Claus. Sip on hot chocolate in the elves’ hideaway as you bake gingerbread biscuits and make Christmas decorations before meeting the man himself.

Your final two nights will be spent in the elegant city of Helsinki. You’ll explore the highlights and enjoy a day trip to Tallin in Estonia, a fairytale city that is at its most magical in winter.

Example trip itinerary

Days 1-5

Finnish Lapland

Flights & transfers

Transfer

Private transfer to your villa in Finnish Lapland

Accommodation in Finnish Lapland

finnish-lapland-winter
Four nights at Villa Naavenneito Four nights at Villa Naavenneito

Spend your time exploring the incredible landscape that surrounds Villa Naavenneito. Meet the local huskies and reindeer, set off in search of the Northern Lights and simply enjoy the peace and quiet that comes from staying somewhere so remote.

Northern Lights tour Northern Lights tour

Your driver will take you far from light pollution in search of a clear sky to maximise your chances of seeing the Northen Lights. The appearance of the Northern Lights is not guaranteed, but even without them, the Arctic sky filled with stars is very beautiful.

husky-sleigh-ride-lapland
Husky sleigh ride Husky sleigh ride

The huskies will be eagerly waiting for you since they know that they get to do their favorite thing: running. The speedy sled ride with huskies in the wintery white forest is really an amazing experience. After you return to the farm, you'll have time to spend with the huskies and take unforgettable pictures.

Meet the reindeer! Meet the reindeer!

A unique chance to get familiar with reindeers together with a true reindeer herder. You'll hear stories about the animals and learn how to work with them. While chatting, you can feed and pet a grown-up reindeer and a younger one that's still under training. You can also gather your family to take some beautiful photos with Lapland's very famous residents!

finnish-lapland-northern-light
Aurora hunting by reindeer Aurora hunting by reindeer

Head out into a wintery forest on a sleigh pulled by reindeers. This is a traditional and peaceful way of moving through snowscapes where the only sound you will hear is the light ringing of reindeer bells. The starry northern sky is already a magical experience and hopefully you will be lucky enough to see the Northern Lights. You will spend some time in a Lappish hut, a kota, and gather by the open fire to hear stories and enjoy some snacks.

Snowmobile experience Snowmobile experience

Today you will try your hand at snowmobiling. After going through the safety measures with your guide, you'll start the engines and head into the forest. You will follow your guide and drive along frozen lakes and past trees laden with snow. Children will be pulled in a sleigh attached to the guide's snowmobile, comfortably seated on reindeer hides with blankets to keep them warm.

northern-lights-snowshoe-walk-swedish-lapland
Snowshoe under the Northern Lights Snowshoe under the Northern Lights

Strap on a pair of snowshoes and head out to explore the magnificent landscape, bright and sparkling under the stars. Your shoes make it easy to walk over hills and through deep snow and together with your guide, you'll head to a secluded spot to catch a glimpse of the beautiful aurora.

Lainio Snow Village Lainio Snow Village

Dive into the mystical world of snow building on this privately guided tour. Nearly 200km above the Arctic Circle lie breathtaking constructions made of snow and ice. The architectural design and the themes of interior decoration vary each year meaning every time the experience is unique. The constructors who specialise in using snow and ice as building materials are constantly developing new tools and instruments for snow construction and exploring innovative ways of taking this art form to the next level.

Meet Santa Claus Meet Santa Claus

On arrival you will be greeted by your elf guide who will lead you through the magic forest to the Elves' Hideaway. On the way you will hear the story of the elf in a yellow dress and enjoy hot chocolate. In the elves' secret hideaway you will bake ginger biscuits and make Christmas decorations in the elf school, and finally, the highlight is of course meeting Santa Claus himself.

Flights & transfers

Transfer

Private transfer to Kittilä airport

Flight

Flight from Kittilä to Helsinki

Transfer

Private transfer to your hotel in Helsinki

Days 5-7

Helsinki

Accommodation in Helsinki

helsinki-finland
Two nights in Helsinki Two nights in Helsinki

A city of historic and modern architectural marvels, Helsinki is a visually exciting place. Its position on the Gulf of Finland gives the city a relaxed, maritime feel and an abundance of green space and forests makes it wonderful for those that love the outdoors. After a fire in 1808, much of the city was rebuilt with wide avenues and neoclassical brick buildings the order of the day. You may have spotted some of its architecture doubling as Soviet Union locations in films from the 1970s and 80s.

Although in many ways Helsinki is a thoroughly modern city, there is an incredible sense of history that you can get to grips with at its many museums. And of course, like any good Scandinavian city, the foodie scene is something to write home about. Dip in and out of its cafes and bars and set aside some time to simply sit and watch the world go by.

Helsinki highlights Helsinki highlights

Discover the highlights of Helsinki on this private tour. You will be driven through the city and will see places like Senate Square which was designed in the neoclassical style by Carl Ludvig Engel in the mid-1800s. It is surrounded by the Government Palace, the main building of the University; the enormous Helsinki Cathedral and Sederholm House, the oldest stone building in Helsinki. See the Presidential Palace, the Parliament building and the modern City Hall and Finlandia Hall. You will also visit the monument to Finnish composer Jean Sibelius, and tour Temppeliaukio Church, which was quarried out of the natural bedrock with a design that gives it excellent acoustics.

Day trip to Tallinn, Estonia Day trip to Tallinn, Estonia

The journey to Tallinn takes two hours aboard a comfortable vessel. On arrival you will meet your guide and enjoy a walk inside the city walls of Tallinn old town, passing by the central square of Raekoja Plats where Tallinn Town Hall is located. Continue the walking up the cobble stone streets of the old town to the Kiek in de Kok tower. At the top of Toompea Hill you will enjoy amazing views over Tallinn and can see the Aleksander Nevski Orthodox Cathedral and the rose coloured building of the Estonian parliament.

Tallinn hosts a lovely Christmas market right on the Town Hall Square where you can enjoy some warm drinks and local food while shopping for handicrafts and local products.

Flights & transfers

Transfer

Private transfer to Helsinki airport

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Family Escape to Finnish Lapland

7-Day Example Trip
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Every trip helps support Conservation.

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