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Father Xmas and Animals
4 nights at Ranua Wildlife Park
Overview
This four-night Father Christmas holiday uniquely combines excellent activities, a special private meeting with Father Christmas, superior, spacious accommodation & a location that no other trip can offer. You will have the chance to get up close to Arctic animals at the Ranua Wildlife Park, which is home to the likes of polar bears, moose, golden eagles, Arctic foxes, otters, lynx, elk and deer. Together, you can learn about the fascinating lives of these creatures and help feed them too!
Father Xmas and Animals
Includes:
Return flights
Airport Transfers
Superior Accommodation
Half Board
Free entrance to the
Wildlife Park
5km Husky Safari
3km Reindeer Sleigh Ride
Northern Lights Snowmobile Safari
Christmas Tree Search by Snowmobile*
Meet with Father Christmas
Guided Tour of Ranua Wildlife Park
Cold weather clothing
Fully qualified guides and instructors
Itinerary
Operator's View
"Christmas is, of course, a magical time of year for children (and adults!) alike. This adventure in Ranua makes it all the more special and memorable. With its winter-wonderland setting and carefully designed Father Christmas experience, this trip has the perfect festive feel. Added to that is the chance to choose your own winter activities, giving this holiday a truly personal touch. And how could I forget to mention Ranua Wildlife Park, where you can see a wide range of Arctic creatures up close? This is an unforgettable Christmas holiday!" Ali McLean
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Ranua Family Christmas is part of the "Small & Personal" collection.
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4 nights / 5 days itinerary
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Day 1
Arrival in Lapland
Today you will journey to Lapland ready to begin your wonderful Christmas adventure!
Upon arrival in Rovaniemi, you will be transferred through the snow-covered landscape to your accommodation at Ranua, approximately an hour away.
You will be checked in to your cosy apartments and you will have dinner in the restaurant.
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Included Meals: Dinner
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Day 2
Meeting with Father Christmas
Today the magic starts after breakfast when you prepare for your very important meeting with Father Christmas*. Your guide will lead each family along a forest trail by snowmobile-pulled sleigh and you will soon see the glimmer of lights from a cosy cabin ahead.
The door will be answered by the man in red! He will spend time talking with the children, telling stories and listening to their Christmas wishes. The children can ask any questions they have about his life and work in Lapland. Each family will spend around twenty minutes in his company before returning to Ranua for dinner in the restaurant. In total, the activity lasts around 45 minutes.
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*Please note that some families will have their private meeting with Father Christmas in the next few days depending on your families individual schedule.
If you are travelling on our 22nd December departure date you will also take part in a wonderful search for the perfect Christmas tree to take to the hotel. You head out into the surrounding forested wilderness in search of the perfect Christmas tree. Adults will be given full instruction on how to drive a snowmobile and will travel in pairs, while children will sit in a sled pulled by the guide�s snowmobile. This is a great way to move through the winter scenery and allows you to see more of the stunning landscape.
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Once the important decision has been made and the tree selected, you will enjoy warm drinks and cookies around a campfire before taking your tree back to Ranua to decorate.
Please note that in order to drive a snowmobile you must be over 18 and hold a full driving licence.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 3
Guided Tour of Ranua Wildlife Park
Today you will spend Christmas Day doing something very special as you visit the Wildlife Park and meet with over 50 different types of animals! Whilst you may have popped into the park before now, today you will be given an in-depth tour and you can ask your guide questions about your favourite animals.
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On top of its famous polar bears, the park is home to a wide range of species, including otters, Arctic foxes, wild boars, and wolves. Special enclosures have been designed and constructed to reflect the natural environment of the animals. You will be shown around the park and have the chance to help the guides serving the animals with their dinner!
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After time at the park, you can return to the apartments to spend some time as a family and enjoy your own Christmas celebrations before dinner in the hotel restaurant this evening.
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Dinner will be served at the restaurant this evening.
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Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 3 & 4
Activities Included
3km Reindeer Sleigh Ride
Enjoy a short journey via reindeer-pulled sled, travelling the way people have done here for centuries! The ride will take you from the hotel out into the surrounding wilderness. Duration: approximately 40 minutes
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5km Husky Safari
This is a truly wonderful way to journey across the snow-laden landscape of Lapland!
You will travel in a sled pulled by your own eager team of huskies (two adults and one child per sled) with the chance for the adults to take it in turns to drive. After your adventure, there will usually be a chance to pet the dogs and take pictures, as well as asking the mushers any questions you may have.
Duration: approximately 20-30 minutes
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Searching for the Aurora Borealis via Snowmobile
Heading out into the darkness via snowmobile is a wonderful way to explore the night-time wilderness and your guide will lead the way along the dark forest trails. There will be breaks to enjoy a hot drink and keep a keen watch on the sky in anticipation of a potential Northern Lights display.
Duration: approximately 3 hours (30km)
Please note: the driver of a snowmobile must be at least 18 years old and hold a valid driving licence. Children will travel in a sled pulled by the guide�s snowmobile on selected safaris where this is offered. Older children may be able to travel as pillion on the snowmobile but this is at the discretion of the guide.
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Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
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Day 5
Departure
Today, your festive stay draws to a close. After breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport for your flights home.
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Included Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation
Gulo Gulo Holiday Village
The superior apartments are beautifully decorated with all modern comforts for families. In total, there are twenty-eight holiday apartments at Gulo Gulo, which are housed within ten semi-detached building backing onto a lovely forest landscape.
Room Types
SUPERIOR APARTMENTS
The superior apartments are beautifully decorated with all modern comforts for families. In total, there are twenty-eight holiday apartments at Gulo Gulo, which are housed within ten semi-detached building backing onto a lovely forest landscape.
The ground floor accommodation comprises of an open-plan living room with flat screen TV, kitchen and dining area. The kitchen is well equipped with stove, microwave, dishwasher, fridge, coffee maker and kettle (you may want to take your own tea and coffee to enjoy in your apartment).
There is one twin bedroom downstairs as well as the bathroom which includes a shower, toilet and drying cabinet for clothes. There is also a private sauna which is a real treat. The accommodation also features a hairdryer and ironing facilities if required.
On the first floor, there is a second twin bedroom as well as an open loft area with two smaller extra beds (suitable for children) as well as a shower and toilet. All linen is of course provided.
The apartments have their own decking area which can come in very handy for viewing the local wildlife or (fingers crossed!) maybe even the Northern Lights.
Resort
Ranua
Located around 4km from the small town of Ranua, the Gulo Gulo Holiday Village takes its name from the Latin word for Wolverine, one of Finland’s rare native animals and is an ideal family base. The wildlife theme continues throughout due to the accommodation’s proximity to the Ranua Wildlife Park which guests have unlimited access to throughout their stay.