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Christmas in Scandinavia & Polar Express

Package

Celebrate and immerse yourself in the spirit of Christmas as you wander through Santa Claus Village aboard the Santa Express Rail. Also, board the Icebreaker Cruise and enjoy an overnight stay in a Glass Igloo to sleep under the Northern Lights or experience the Aurora Borealis.

Tour Highlights:

  • Overnight in the Glass Igloo Resort
  • Dinner at Igloo Resort Overnight on the Santa Express
  • XMAS Dinner at Santa Claus Village
  • The Ice & Snow Restaurant
  • Onboard the Sampo Icebreaker Overnight Ferry from Helsinki to Stockholm
  • Ocean View Cabin with Dinner

Tour details Collapse
Tour Provider Liberty Tours
Number Of Days
15
Price From
$10,980
Start Location
Copenhagen, Denmark
End Location
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Age Range
Avg. 30+
Group Size
30 to 40
Tour Style
Comfort
Tour Themes
Adventure, Day Tour, Family, Festival, Polar
Physical Rating
Easy to Moderate
Includes Flights
Yes
Itinerary Expand all
Day 1: SYD/MEL/BNE

Copenhagen - Board your international flight with Emirates from Australia to Copenhagen, Denmark, via Dubai.

Day 2: Copenhagen, Denmark

Upon arrival in Copenhagen, you will be picked up and transferred to the hotel for a restful afternoon.

Hotel: Scandic Sydhavnen or similar

Day 3: Copenhagen, Denmark (B)

After breakfast, we'll embark on a sightseeing tour in Copenhagen, the capital of Denmark. We'll visit iconic landmarks such as The Little Mermaid, a sculpture inspired by Hans Christian Andersen's famous fairytale, now symbolizing Denmark's heritage. Next, we'll explore Amalienborg Palace, the official residence of the Danish Royal Family, and if fortunate, witness the changing of the royal guards in the palace square.

Our journey continues through the city centre, where we'll admire the Hans Christian Andersen Statue, the City Hall, and Nyhavn (New Harbour).

Later, we'll head to one of the world's most renowned beer brewers - Carlsberg, and tour their visitor center. Here, you'll have the opportunity to sample freshly brewed beer and gain insights into the brewing process. Copenhagen is renowned for its festive atmosphere during the Christmas season, so to enhance the holiday spirit, we'll visit the famous Christmas Market in the early evening.

Hotel: Scandic Sydhavnen or similar.

Day 4: Copenhagen - Helsinki (B)

After breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport to board the plane to Helsinki. Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel for a leisurely afternoon. Christmas in Helsinki is so much more than jingles and bells. The dark time of the year and cold temperatures offer the chance to discover the calm and peaceful side of Helsinki. Compared to all the glittering Christmas cities around the world, the Finnish capital is like an urban retreat that energizes and soothes you with its hot saunas, beautiful nature, and both new and old traditions.

Hotel: Holiday Inn or similar

Day 5: Helsinki - Rovaniemi (B)

After breakfast, explore the city of Helsinki. First, we shall go to "The Church of Rock,” Temppeliaukio Church. The interior was excavated and built directly out of solid rock and is bathed in natural light that enters through the glazed dome. The church is used frequently as a concert venue due to its excellent acoustics. Later, proceed to visit the Sibelius Monument. Later in the evening, board the overnight Santa Claus Express to Rovaniemi, the capital of Lapland, today also officially known as the hometown of Santa Claus.

Hotel: Santa Claus Express Rail

Day 6: Rovaniemi, Santa Claus Village (B/D)

Upon arrival at the train station, you will be picked up and proceed to the Santa Claus Village, located in the Arctic Circle. The Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi is known as "Santa's official North Pole residence" and is one of the most popular travel destinations in Finland. The village is open year-round for kids of all ages to see Santa and his elves. Visitors can also send postcards - with Santa's special postmark - from the Santa Claus Post Office, shop for souvenirs at the various handcraft shops, or learn about Finnish Christmas traditions at the Christmas exhibition. You could even have your photo taken with Father Christmas himself. Enjoy the rest of the day in the Santa Village for more photo sessions. In the evening, dinner will be arranged at the Ice/Snow Restaurant (exclusively for Liberty Tours).

Hotel: Original Sokos Vaakuna or similar

Day 7: Rovaniemi - Kemi - Sampo Icebreaker - Rovaniemi (B/L)

After breakfast, proceed to Kemi to board the Sampo Icebreaker Cruise. When thinking about Kemi, we have to talk about the sea staying frozen for nearly half of the year. This fact enables the most amazing winter adventures even for the most experienced traveler.

A cruise on Sampo offers you the most exciting, memorable moments in the Arctic nature. This historical Sampo is like a moving museum. Sampo is one of its kind in the world - an Icebreaker offering the most incredible adventure with an ice-breaking experience, feel the Arctic freedom on the deck or relax in the comforts of the vessel indoors, sipping hot beverages in the Icebreaker bar. While the huge vessel breaks the ice, you may admire the beauty of vast open ice fields all around and the ever-changing sky above. The sun may reflect back from the white snow cover, or, as the twilight sets in, it may set down in rays of warm colors of yellow, orange, and red, even lilac. Before returning to the port, the ship will make a one-hour stop to enable each visitor to participate in the swimming event, comfortably dressed in survival suits. At the end of this unique cruise experience, the crew will present the Sampo Cruise Certificate to each and every one. A lifetime experience is guaranteed! After this adventurous day, return to the hotel in Rovaniemi for a restful evening.

Hotel: Original Sokos Vaakuna or similar

Day 8: Rovaniemi - Saariselka, Kakslauttanen (B/D)

After breakfast, the journey continues to Saariselka, a resort village in northern Finland. It's a gateway to the trails and ski areas of mountainous Urho Kekkonen National Park. The village's Destination Northernmost Europe exhibition has a panorama theater with films on the region's plant and animal life, including reindeer. To the north, the lakefront Sarni Cultural Center Sajos includes a craft shop and a library devoted to the indigenous Sarni people. You will have some optional activities to participate in the "Husky Safari."

Tonight, we will be staying in the Northern Lights Glass Igloo. Practically, you have a better chance of seeing the Northern lights in Saariselka, where aurora displays are visible up to 200 times per year. It's highly likely that you'll see a Finland aurora borealis on a clear night during the winter.

Hotel: Northern Village Igloo

Day 9: Kakslauttanen - Rovaniemi - Helsinki (B)

After brekkie, enjoy the last bit of the resort till early arvo. Sightseeing proceeds to Rovaniemi Station to board the Santa Claus Express (overnight rail) to Helsinki.

Accom: Santa Claus Express Rail

Day 10: Helsinki - Porvoo - Vantaa - Stockholm (B/D)

Upon arrival at the rail station in Helsinki, you will be picked up, and the sightseeing will take you to Porvoo, one of the most beautiful medieval towns in Finland. Tourists flock to Porvoo for its Instagram-worthy cobbled streets and famous, red-painted waterfront houses. As Finland's second-oldest city, it's packed with history, from medieval times to the modern day. In the arvo, the tour will proceed to Vantaa. The significant attractions include the Vantaa River (Vantaanjoki), which flows through the city and flows into the Gulf of Finland. If time allows, you can take the optional visit to Heureka, the Finnish Science Centre, and Aviation Museum (Optional Excursions). In the early evening, you will be transferred to the cruise terminal to board the overnight ferry (buffet dinner will be served on board, as well as enjoying live music) crossing borders to Stockholm, Sweden.

Hotel: Overnight Ferry

Day 11: Stockholm - Orebro - Stockholm (B)

After breakfast, disembark the Ferry. You will be picked up and the terminal. The sightseeing proceeds to Orebro, located in the country, where proximity to nature and a long tradition as a trading town have characterized Orebro. A city that is also the birthplace of a member of the current Swedish royal family!

It has many popular attractions, including Orebro Castle, and Vattentornet Svampen, making it well worth a visit. Steeped in history, Orebro is a fascinating city to wander around, and Orebro Castle is its crowning glory. The castle started its days in the 14th century, as a stronghold with a prison, before morphing into a palace during the reign of King Gustav Vasa. Return to Sweden in the arvo.

Hotel: Scandic Infra City or similar

Day 12: Stockholm (B)

After breakfast, the tour will take you to explore the city of Stockholm, which is famed for its iconic city hall, the world's first open-air museum, and the fabulous Abba Museum. But there are plenty of little-known facts about this city that even some locals might not be aware of, including an unusual story about Frank Zappa. In the arvo, you will have free leisure time for yourself to ramble in this beautiful Scandinavian city that's full of amazing history, culture, and architecture, not to mention the tasty tucker. A visit to the Chrismas Market in the evening shouldn't be missed. Get in the spirit for Christmas at the markets with a gingerbread cookie in one hand, and a cup of warm glogg in the other. Here, you can taste Swedish seasonal delicacies, buy beautiful handicrafts and Christmas decorations, and of course, meet Santa.

Hotel: Scandic Infra City or similar

Day 13: Frankfurt - Dubai (B)

After breakfast, enjoy the last bit of Stockholm and its surroundings. You will be transferred to the airport for your homeward flight via Dubai.

Hotel: Premier Inn Airport or similar

Day 14: Dubai (B)

Free at your own leisure to enjoy the modern city of Dubai, transfer to the Airport in the evening for the homeward flight.

Day 15: Arrive in Australia

End of the holidays. Arrive in Australia.

Inclusions Expand
12 Breakfasts (B), 1 Lunch (L), 3 Dinners (D)
Airport pick-up and drop-off
Premium hotels with daily breakfast
Professional bilingual tour guide
Return flights from SYD/MEL/BNE
Sightseeing as shown in the itinerary
Departure dates Expand
Start End Availability Price
30 Nov 2024 14 Dec 2024 Enquire $10,980

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