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A unique occasion deserves a unique experience.

For Expert Advice Call01722 744 695

  

 https://www.weekendalacarte.co.uk/special-occasion-holidays/northern-lights-trips/lapland/epic-best-aurora/

Epic Best of Lapland Holiday

Break available: December to end March exc.Christmas and New Year 7 Night Break

Our expertise in Swedish Lapland enables us to create journeysthat combine the very best this magnificent region has to offer. Ifyou are looking to go to Swedish Lapland once in your life andwish to experience the very best of what is available this 7 nightjourney will amaze, overwhelm and create memories that will lasta lifetime! This is the Rolls Royce of Swedish Lapland Breaks.Quite simply it includes all the key things that make thisdestination so special. Stay in the Iconic ICEHOTEL and TreeHotels plus spend 3 nights in Abisko the Northern Lights Capitalof Sweden

 

Highlights

● 1 Night in an Art Suite at the Original ICEHOTEL.● 2 Night in Sweden's Latest icon - the TREE HOTEL.● 3 Nights in Abisko - Widely regarded as the best place on

earth for consistent sightings of the Northern Lights.● Daytime Snowmobile adventure in pristine arctic wilderness

with breath-taking views.● Drive your own Husky team Safari in a remote river valley

where moose are plentiful.● Sami Culture Day with Lars Eriksson on his reindeer farm.● Night Visit at the Aurora Sky Station in Abisko.● Aurora Photo Workshop in Abisko National Park.● Train  trip to Majestic Norwegian Fjords and historic Narvik

Day by Day Itinerary

DAY 1: Fly to Swedish Lapland. Dinner and Tree Hotel

Fly to Lulea in Swedish Lapland, where you will be met and transferred to the Tree Hotel in Harads, a small hamlet an hour away.

The Tree hotel comprises 7 unique themed Tree Rooms, created by 6 separate architects. These are the Mirrorcube, Bird’s Nest, Cabin,Blue Cone, Dragonfly, 7th Room and the UFO.

After settling in enjoy a relaxing private sauna in the forest sauna prior to dinner. After dinner escape to your house in the trees andovernight! For more information on the Tree Hotel

Meals Included: Dinner

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DAY 2: Sami Introduction Day. Dinner on Ice & Overnight at Tree Hotel

Shortly after breakfast a guide will pick you up and take you on a guided tour to Flakaberg, a village about 80 km from Harads. Here visit LarsEriksson’s family farm. Lars will show his reindeer, talk about the Sami culture, and at the scenic Lake Gorgim, will cook and serve a typicalSami lunch around a campfire in a tepee-like “kåta.” Lars’ authentic and warm hospitality will give you memories for life. If you ever saw theHairy bikers tour of Scandinavia he featured in their programme on the food of Lapland!

Your guide will drop you back at the Tree Hotel where tonight you are in for a real treat, the unique experience of a the Dinner on Ice!

Have a private waited 3 course dinner in your Sami Lavu (Tepee) complete with candelabra. There can hardly be a more unique way tocelebrate a special occasion!

Why not try another of the Tree Hotel rooms – we can arrange for you to spend a night in two different ones!

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 3: Train across Lapland to the ICEHOTEL

After breakfast transfer to the station to catch the train that will take you to Kiruna in Swedish Lapland. This 4 hour journey crosses the arcticcircle and gives you a great chance to see one of the last expanses of wilderness in Europe.

On arrival one of the guides will transfer you to the ICEHOTEL for check in to your warm cabin.

Evening at Leisure – we can make a restaurant reservation for you in one of the Ice Hotel’s 2 restaurants.

Meals Included: Breakfast

DAY 4: Day Wilderness Snowmobile Adventure. Overnight in Art Suite at ICEHOTEL

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Enjoy the excellent IceHotel breakfast prior to pick up for your snowmobile adventure in the arctic wilderness.

After your briefing set off following your own private trail into the wilderness. The scenery ranges from forest to frozen lakes, where thechances of seeing reindeer, moose and unique birds: ptarmigans in their natural habitat are high. From your vantage point near MountEatnamvárri gaze out over fantastic scenery – miles and miles of untouched wilderness. Don’t worry snowmobiling is easy

Back at the lodge enjoy a traditional Sami lunch before drop back at the ICEHOTEL. This evening switch to an Art Suite, one of theindividually designed rooms created by an international Ice Artist, for the night.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch

Our experience staying at the Ice Hotel

A la Carte Optional Extras

Upgrade to Deluxe Suite at ICEHOTEL

The Deluxe Suites are  individually designed and sculpted thematic suites. The artists, perhaps from Sweden, Germany, UK or the US havebeen picked from over two-hundred applicants and invited to make the suite you’ll be sleeping in. Each suite is unique and has never beencreated before.

The room holds a temperature of -5 to -8 degrees Celsius. The suites have the same standard of bed but the big feature is that you haveyour own private heated bathroom and relaxation directly connected to the bedroom. The relaxation area also provides storage for yourbelongings. The suite has doors with locks for your privacy.

Upgrade Cost: From £150 per person  per night

DAY 5:Drive a Husky Team in Pristine Wilderness. Welcome Lappish Menu

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After breakfast check out of the Ice Hotel and pick up for what is for many people the flagship experience of a trip to Lapland- driving a huskysled dog team!

Ylva Sievertsson is one of a select group of accomplished ‘lady’ husky guides, whose kennel is a little deeper into the valley from where sheruns very personal sled dog experiences. She has a very unique relationship with her dogs we always feel it is a privilege to spend time withher.

Once you arrive at the kennels get acquainted with the dogs and receive detailed instructions about how to drive a team. Harness the dogsand feel their excitement as you attach the sled. Head out into the frozen river valley where you will have opportunities to take turns in drivingthe team whilst making stops to take photos. The location is outside the major tourist areas and we can almost promise that you will enjoypristine arctic nature alone.

You will be about for around 2 hours before heading back to base for a warming lunch in the traditional ‘Kota’ adjacent to the family home. How to mush your own Husky Sled dog team.

Mid afternoon journey to Abisko (around 1 hour) widely regarded as one of the best locations on earth for consistent sightings of theaurora.On arrival check into Abisko Mountain Lodge be kitted out with Arctic Clothing.

This evening enjoy the traditional Lappish Meal at the lodge which includes Reindeer, Arctic Char and Cloudberries – 3 of the uniqueingredients to the area. The only thing that can interrupt your evening is the Aurora Call. Abisko Mountain Lodge is in a fantastic location fornorthern lights viewing so if they are out you may be tempted to step out the door and gaze skywards!

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

DAY 6: Explore Abisko National Park. Aurora Hunt at Sky Station in Abisko

Abisko National Park is sandwiched between picturesque mountains and Lake Tornetrask, one of Sweden’s largest, which freezes duringwinter. The team at Abisko Mountain Lodge will provide information on trails you can explore. Alternatively from Mid Feb –Mid March you cantake the chairlift up mount Nujola to view the spectacular landscapes from 300 meters up! Have lunch at the lodge or the Tourist Station.

This evening,after dinner, enjoy a visit to the aurora sky station in Abisko, widely regarded as the best place in the world for consistentsightings of the Northern Lights. Take the chairlift up Mount Nuolja to the observatory which offers visitors a panoramic view over Lapporten,the Abisko Alps and frozen Lake Tornetrask.

During the winter nights when it is dark, depending on the correct weather conditions, it is possible to see the Northern Lights dancing in thesky around you from this fantastic vantage point.

The Aurora Sky Station has an exhibition about the Aurora Borealis, created by IRF, the Institute of Space Physics in Kiruna. Here you willlearn more about the phenomenon before going out on the viewing deck to begin your night sky gazing.

Return to lodge around mid night and overnight

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

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DAY 7: Visit Historic Narvik in Norwegian Fjords. Northern Lights Photo workshop

Enjoy the lodge breakfast before a day trip to Norway!The Lodge will provide a picnic lunch for you to take and enjoy on the trip.

Take the train from the station near the lodge and follow the famous iron ore railroad with beautiful mountain vistas, frozen waterfalls andstunning Arctic valleys. Once you cross into Norway enjoy the magnificent views and to take photos before continuing up and over Björnfjell –a stunning Norwegian mountain dotted with small grass roofed cottages. Meander down the mountain, where small birch trees give way tolarge evergreens and dramatic mountains fall steeply down into the Norwegian Fjord.

In Narvik, where you have around 3 hours, you have the opportunity to ascend to the observation deck of the Scandic Hotel and take coffeeor lunch ( not included), doe some souvenir shopping or visit the newly built Peace Museum. This state of the art facility offers a glimpse ofwhat life looked like in these majestic Fjords during the second World War Nazi occupation.

Train back to Abisko

This evening provides a great opportunity to see and photograph the aurora borealis in the wilderness of Abisko National Park. Abisko issituated in a low precipitation zone and has the lowest levels of rain and snow in Lapland. What this means is lots of perfect nights for aurorawatching!

The ‘Lights over Lapland’ team will provide you with a high quality camera pre set for optimal aurora photography and teach you how tophotograph the magical aurora borealis. Even if you have never used a camera before you have an extremely high chance of going homewith some beautiful Northern Lights photographs and memories that will last a lifetime! Small groups ensure a very personal and genuineexperience.

Overnight at Abisko Mountain Lodge.

Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch and Dinner

DAY 8: Fly Home or Extend Break to visit Scandinavia's Stockholm or Take AuroraAddicts Extension

After breakfast at leisure until the transfer from Abisko to Kiruna to catch the flight home at the end of your Best of Lapland Northern LightsHoliday.

Alternatively why not extend you break to see Scandinavia’s capital city – Stockholm or extend your trip to include our Aurora Addicts bolt oninto Norway.

This is a trip that should be on everyone’s bucket list!

Meals included: Breakfast

For suggestions of things to do in Stockholm

If this is not what you are looking for please see our dedicated Northern Lights website which has plenty more choice

A la Carte Optional Extras

Aurora Addicts Extension into Norway

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This fantastic 4 night extension to your break enables you to extend your holiday into Norway and visit 3 dramatic sky station locations insearch of the northern lights.

DAY 1

Morning at leisure before lunchtime transfer to Abisko, widely regarded as one of the best places one earth for aurora hunting. Settle intoyour room at Abisko Mountain lodge before enjoying their excellent cuisine at dinner. Afterwards transfer to the Aurora Sky Station for theirnightly aurora hunt.

DAY 2

Catch the train from Abisko to Narvik traveling on an historic rail journey with great scenery. In Narvik check into the Grand Hotel. Visit thewar museum this afternoon. Tonight enjoy dinner at the Hotel before pick up for a night of Northern Lights hunting. From Narvik town, you willbe lifted up to the top of Narvik Fjellet by gondola to a stunning newly renovated lodge to search for Northern Lights alongside an expertAurora guide. Amazing views over the Fjords and hopefully an aurora display await

DAY 3

Catch the bus via the Polar Park to Tromso. The Polar Park is home to many of the indigenous wildlife of the region. Wolves, bears, Mooseand lynx are just a few. On arrival in Tromso check into your hotel the Scandic Ishavshotel your base for the next 2 nights. Tonight enjoydinner at the hotel

DAY 4

Explore Tromso, ‘Paris of the North’. We include entrance to the Polar Musuem and a visit to the Arctic Cathedral. Tonight finish your holidaywith a final northern lights hunt and dinner as you Experience Tromsø’s best view! The cable car runs from Solliveien up to the mountainledge in just four minutes. From the viewing platform and restaurant at the upper station enjoy spectacular panoramic views of Tromsø,surrounding islands, mountains and fjords and hopefully the Northern Lights!

DAY 5

At Leisure until flybus transfer to the airport for your flight home.

Price: From £995 per person

Includes: 4 Nights accommodation with Breakfast, 4 dinners, trains, buses and transfers, 3 sky station experiences as described, entranceto Polar Park and museums in Narvik and Tromso.

Extension to See Stockholm Scandinavia's Capital City

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Stockholm is one of the most beautiful cities in the world and always rates in the top 10 most desirable cities in the world to live in. It is alsothe perfect contrast to a break in the arctic.

The old town in Stockholm is very picturesque and compact and can be done in a full day. Your time will be spent exploring some fascinatinglandmarks. The VASA museum is world class, the Nobel museum of local interest and for ABBA fans; new in 2013 is the ABBA interactivemuseum.

Also in December Stockholm has many Christmas markets so a break can allow you to do some shopping and get into the Christmas spirit.

You will stay in the Rival Hotel owned by Benny Anderson of Abba fame. The hotel is an excellent 4* hotel in a quiet square but withinwalking distance of the old town.

Cost From:

£230 per person for Standard room (weekend rate).

£278 per person for Superior room  (weekend rate)

£332 per person for Deluxe Room (weekend rate)

Includes:  2 nights in standard double room – bed and breakfast, private airport transfers to and from Arlanda airport

Where You'll Stay

Tree Hotel LaplandThe rooms are set between 4-6 meters from the ground in pine trees and rooms are accessed by either a ramp or sturdy stairs. Theycan house between 2 and 4 people and the larger rooms, The Dragon Fly and the 7th Room have separate bedrooms.

Every Tree Room has its own living and sleeping area and is equipped with a state of the art eco-friendly incineration toilet andwater efficient hand basin, which means there is no artificial plumbing.

The emphasis is on running the hotel consistent with values of low impact on the surrounding forest and every aspect of theoperation compliments this aim.

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Warm Accommodation at ICEHOTELNordic Chalets - these apartments have two bedrooms, a kitchenette and a simple lounge area, ideal for family or friends sharing.The décor is calm and classic Scandinavian, with white-washed wooden panel walls, birch wood details, heated tiled floors andshades of natural shades of grey, white and brown.

Arctic Chalets have a rustic character, with pine wood paneled walls, tiled floors and birchwood details complemented by shades ofdark blue, grey and white

 

Original ICEHOTELFrom 2015 The ICEHOTEL consists of 2 structures - the temporary hotel is rebuilt each year from blocks of ice harvested from theTorne river which runs adjacent to the IceHotel. These are stored for the summer in a huge warehouse and as the late Autumntemperature in Jukkasjärvi drops below zero ice artists arrive from the world over to build this magnificent creation. They build the4 levels of rooms, the ice chapel and the ice bar. Their art is created with imagination and hard work, only to melt away under theunforgiving rays of the spring sun.

The new ICEHOTEL 365 is a permanent ICEHOTEL and a feat of engineering which offers visitors the chance of staying the wholeyear round. It is an all suite hotel and also houses the celebrated ICEBAR. On request we can ask for the luxury suites which haveadjacent bathrooms. These carry a supplement.

You will leave your luggage in an adjacent service block where there are saunas and showers, whilst all you will take into the hotelis you and your thermal arctic sleeping bag!

Wake up to a hot Lingonberry juice served in your room prior to the very substantial ICEHOTEL breakfast served in the mainrestaurant.

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Abisko Mountain LodgeThe 16 twin rooms in the low red 'Swedish style house' are all en-suite. Although basic in the Scandinavian style they are warm andcosy. There are no televisions in the rooms as time is spent meeting guests around the bar or in the wonderful lounge area.

Additionally there are 4 new double superior rooms added in early 2015. These four rooms are in a separate annex and are usedexclusively by Weekend a la Carte.

Order a coffee or a glass of wine at the bar, read a magazine or spin a yarn about your arctic adventures and the magnificent auroradisplays you have seen.

For those wanting to soothe the muscles there is a sauna.

 

Reviews & FeedbackIt was an amazing trip, and I was looked after so well. Every activity was handled so beautifully, and each guide gave you to believe you werethe only tourists they had seen in months - they were kind, helpful, enthusiatic,interesting and really informative."

Nichola

"Well.... WOW, WOW, WOW!!!! What an incredible trip! This was a trip of a lifetime. If anyone ever has any doubts about spending the littleextra, then all I can say is spend it with Weekend a la Carte -You won’t be disappointed, it’s worth every single penny of your hard earnedpounds. Kevin, can’t thank you enough for putting together this experience"

Bob

Price: From £3,295 per person (Incl Flights)

What's Included?

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● Flights (from the UK) with one hold bag per person and trains● 7 nights Accommodation with breakfast● Meals as indicated● Activities as per itinerary● Guides and transfers● Arctic clothing loan

Break Available:

December to end March exc. Christmas and New Year

Departure Airports:

● Heathrow● Gatwick● Manchester● Stockholm.

For clients wishing to travel from the USA, Australia and Asia we can advise of best options

If you have booked your own flights we can organise ground plans only

© 2018 Weekend a la Carte

For Expert Advice Call01722 744 695