There is normally an element of compromise when travelling with young kids but this holiday ticked every box for us. We loved the sophistication and elegant design of the main building but also how cosy and welcoming it felt for us and the kids. The food was of really high standard with plenty for fussy kids to choose from. All of us staying in the same Aurora cabin felt like a fun sleep over and the glass roof meant we could look out for the Northern Lights long after the kids had fallen asleep.
Overview
Key facts
- Duration:3 nights
- Key Facts: Thursday departure
- Suitable for: Anybody aged 4 years or over (younger children may join the holiday, but may not be able to participate in all the activities). Please see terms for details
-
What's included?
- Flights: Return flights from London to Kittila (direct or via Helsinki depending on departure date). Flight routes are subject to change
- Transfers: return group airport bus transfers
- Accommodation: 3 nights in a glass-roofed Aurora Cabin
- Meals: 3 breakfasts, 2 lunches*, 3 dinners
- Activities: Searching for Father Christmas, 5km Husky safari, 2-hour snowmobile safari, and a 25-minute reindeer sleigh ride
(order subject to change) - Aurora alert service which you can set to alert you throughout the night or end at a specific time
- Cold weather clothing for the duration of your stay
- Fully qualified guides and instructors during activities
- Services of our expert local guides
*If you're travelling between 5th December and 29th December on direct flights, you will receive 3 lunches.
When choosing a holiday with children an element of compromise can be required to find something everyone will enjoy. This holiday is about everybody, young and old and delivers something for everyone in the family creating a truly memorable short break which you will be discussing months later.
The Northern Lights Village in Levi opened in 2019 and received fantastic reviews since The striking and elegant design of the main building achieves the perfect compromise of being effortlessly stylish but also welcoming and very cosy. The Aurora Cabins are extremely comfortable and a really fun and exciting place for kids and adults alike to stay.
As you drive from the airport through the ski resort of Levi you will see all the lights, buildings, shops, restaurants and general bustle of this small but extremely busy town. As the majority of the coaches stop at the hotels and hordes of people get off, you will continue down the road and away from the town. It’s not long before the urban setting becomes a winter wilderness especially as you turn onto a smaller road and eventually a snowy track through the forest. By the time you arrive at reception, you will feel like you have found a hidden gem surrounded by a pristine winter wilderness and a million miles away from busy Levi.
Packed with fun, this holiday will take you husky sledding, snowmobile riding, on a visit to the elf kitchen to bake gingerbread cookies, to enjoy a reindeer sleigh ride, and finally go in search of Father Christmas’s secret cabin hidden in the snowy forest. Each family will enjoy a short, private meeting with Father Christmas himself and receive a small gift before returning to the main village via snowmobile-pulled sleigh. The whole experience is designed to be as relaxed and personal as possible – no one will be trying to sell you souvenirs or key rings with your picture on them. Just enjoy the precious family time and create some treasured memories together.
Image credits: Northern Lights Village Levi, Teemu Moisio & Visit Levi
Agenda
Agenda
Show full agenda-
Day 1 Flights, Arrivals and Transfers
After your journey north, you will retrieve your bags and make your way to the transfer vehicle waiting for you outside the airport. Then it is just a short 25-30 minute journey to your home for the next few days. At check-in, you will be provided with all the information about your upcoming stay and also be issued with your cold weather clothing which is yours to keep for the duration of your holiday.
Dinner will be served in the hotel restaurant this evening which is just a short walk from even the furthest Aurora cabin. This means that you don’t have to dress up in all the thermal gear whenever you head over to the restaurant. After dinner, you can settle into your cabins before the excitement begins tomorrow.
Importantly, there is a tablet located in each cabin which you can set to alert you if the aurora is seen in the surrounding area. We do suggest you also keep an eye out and even take a short walk to explore the Northern Lights Village to give yourself the best chance of seeing the Northern Lights.
Please note that the order of activities within your itinerary is subject to change and the agenda below should be used as a guide only. The exact order of your agenda will be confirmed upon arrival at the hotel.
Included Meals: Dinner -
Day 2 Search for Father Christmas and Husky Safari
After breakfast, you will gather all your cold weather clothing and head to reception to start your adventure. Santa’s elf will meet your small group and together you will bake some gingerbread cookies – what could be more festive? Following this, it is time to get all wrapped up and head outside to meet Father Christmas’s very own reindeer. You will take a short (approx. 10 minutes) reindeer pulled sleigh ride through the snowy forest – a magical family experience.
Finally, you will travel by snowmobile pulled sleigh ride deeper into the forest to look for Father Christmas’s secret cabin. The excitement grows as you glimpse twinkling lights through the trees and you are you invited inside for a short meeting with Father Christmas himself. Your children can share their hopes and dreams for the year ahead, listen to stories and take that all-important picture to remind you all of the time you met the real Father Christmas! Each child will be given a small gift before returning to the restaurant for lunch. The whole experience lasts around 3 hours.
If you would like to book additional activities – such as a husky safari or cross-country ski lesson then please view our personalise section for more information. We would suggest different durations of activity depending on the ages of your children. Five-hour snowmobile safaris in sub-zero temperatures and four-year-old children just don’t mix so please seek our advice if you have any questions.
Today, you will also head out on a dog sledding excursion, a must do activity in the arctic. Nothing beats the feeling of gliding over snowy trails with your trusty team of dogs leading the way. Chances are when you first meet the sled dogs, they will be excitable and barking, ready to get going on their adventure. You’ll find though, as soon as you set off and they settle into their pace, the only sounds you’ll hear is soft panting and paws on the snow. You will usually travel two per sled (one driving and one as a passenger in the sled). Children will ride as passengers. The sled ride will last approximately 30 minutes, allowing 30 minutes also, to meet the huskies and get familiar with the sleds.
This evening you will enjoy dinner in the hotel restaurant and, as darkness settles there is another chance to enjoy some stargazing and hopefully see the Northern Lights.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner -
Day 3 Snowmobile Safari and Reindeer Sleigh Ride
Enjoy breakfast before heading out into the snow and revving up your engines. A thrilling snowmobile safari awaits, a vital form of transport in Lapland but to you, it offers an exciting family adventure to explore the snowy surroundings. Adults will ride two per snowmobile and children will sit wrapped up in a sleigh pulled by the guide’s snowmobile.
You will stop along the way to take photographs of the stunning scenery and there will also be time to warm up with hot drinks and snacks.
Please note, you will travel two per snowmobile with the option to swap drivers however, you must be at least 18 years old and hold a full driving licence to drive a snowmobile. Children aged 13 and under will travel in a sleigh pulled by the guide’s snowmobile. Children who are 13-14 years old and 140cm tall can choose to travel pillion on their parent’s snowmobile but will be charged as an adult.
It wouldn’t be a trip to Lapland without seeing some reindeer. Today’s fun continues with a short reindeer sleigh ride giving you a taste of how people have traversed here for centuries. A reindeer sleigh ride is an experience that can be hard to comprehend until you do it.
After a day filled with adventure, head back inside for a hearty dinner this evening.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner -
Day 4 Departure
Unfortunately, it’s time for your festive family short break to come to an end. If you don’t have time to enjoy breakfast in the restaurant, we’ll box it up for you before transferring you to the airport.
Included Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation
Accommodation
Included in price
-
Levi Northern Lights Village
Nights: 1-3
Located in the far north of Finland, 16km away from the centre of Levi and approximately 14km away from the ski resort, the Northern Lights Village sits tucked away in a brilliant location for a family holiday.
The village is made up of 40 Aurora Cabins, which you’ll have for the duration of your stay. Each cabin comes equipped with a half-glass roof for the incredible opportunity to see the Northern Lights right from your bed!
All cabins are within walking distance of the restaurant which serves local food and Lappish delicacies.
Read more about this accommodation Read less about this accommodationFacilities
The village restaurant, Buffet is designed to look like a traditional wooden Finnish tipi and serves local food and special delicacies.
Breakfast is a buffet of continental options and some hot dishes. Evening meals are a buffet with starters of soups and salad, and then a choice of local meat or fish will follow. Dietary requirements are all well-catered for as long as we are informed at the time of booking.
All activities start from The Northern Lights Village (except the husky safaris and art gallery) to make your holiday as easy as possible.
Aurora Cabins
All Aurora Cabins face north and out into the wilderness to increase your chances of seeing the Northern Lights through the half-glass roof. The windows are also laser heated to melt the snow so that you have clear views at all times.
Inside, you’ll find twin beds which can be made into a double and there is also a sofa bed (suitable for an additional adult or two children). There is a shower room, toilet and luggage storage area (please note that hot water is limited). You also have tea and coffee making facilities, a hairdryer, minibar and unlimited Wi-Fi.
Cabins are not cleaned between arrival and departure unless requested from reception. Additionally, towels can be exchanged at reception if required.
Image Credit: Neil Walton & Levi Northern Lights Village
Other options
-
Levi Northern Lights Village - Aurora Suite
If you are travelling with children or as a family and are looking for more space or simply want the added luxury of a private sauna then why not consider upgrading to one of the Northern Lights Village’s Aurora Suites.
Brand new for winter 2023, with the same innovative design and laser-heated glass as the standard Aurora Cabins but with a bigger footprint (approximately 44m2), the suites can accommodate 4-5 people depending on the make-up of your group, although please note that the sleeping space is all in one room.
Within walking distance of the restaurant and activity meeting point, each suite has its own private sauna, air conditioning and heating, a hairdryer, a minibar (charges apply locally), safe and tea and coffee-making facilities.
Please speak to one of our Family Travel Experts for more details.
Dates & Prices
We include more, no hidden costs
Departs on the following dates as standard:
2023: 5th, 12th, 19th, and 26th December
Pricing: Adult price is per adult based on 2 adults sharing an Aurora Cabin with 1-2 children (aged 4-14)
Dates
Terms
For our full booking terms and conditions please click here
The Specifics
Holiday group size (approximate)
This holiday requires a minimum of 2 people to run, however, on some dates we require a minimum of 10 people for our flight allocation. Maximum 30 people (approximately). Please speak to our Travel Experts for further information.
Group Size
We always try to provide an approximation of the group size you can expect to be with for the duration of each of our holidays. It may be that you are joined by others for parts of your holiday (such as transfers and particular activities) but the above number reflects those you can normally expect to be with from beginning to end. If group size is something which is particularly important to you, please speak to our Travel Experts and they can suggest the best holidays for you.
Tailor-made holiday group sizes will vary for all activities as will the group size for any additional activities you book.
Minimum numbers required for a holiday to operate
Some of our holidays require a minimum number of participants to operate (as listed in the ‘Group Size’ section). If your holiday departure has not yet reached the minimum number, you will be told at the time of booking. In the unlikely event that your chosen date is not guaranteed by nine weeks before your scheduled departure date, we will contact you to discuss the available options as per our booking conditions.
Minimum and maximum age
The minimum age for this holiday can be found in the ‘Key Facts’ section of the holiday overview.
Younger family members may be able to participate but may not be able to take part in all activities. Please contact one of our Travel Experts if you have any questions.
Itinerary amendments
The order of activities listed in this agenda is provided for guidance only, your final and detailed itinerary will be provided either with your final travel documents (which are uploaded into your online account around a week prior to departure) or upon arrival.
Medical History and Advice
We want our holidays to be accessible as they can be and will do our best to accommodate any special requests and requirements where possible. We have a wide range of holidays and destinations and so our travel experts will help find the best holiday for you.
In order to give us the best possible chance to do this we ask that if you or any member of your party has any medical condition or disability which may affect your holiday or has any special requirements, that you tell us at the time of enquiry or booking. You must also promptly advise us if any medical condition or disability which may affect your holiday develops after your booking has been confirmed. You may need to provide a doctor’s note and proof of insurance in some cases as the health and safety of our clients is absolutely paramount.
In providing this information you are allowing us to work with our expert local partners to ensure that your whole party can enjoy the holiday. By letting us know in advance we can discreetly work with you to adapt any part of the holiday which may potentially be challenging. Being able to prepare for this in advance makes an incredible difference to what we can offer and minimises any impact on your party and the rest of the group.
Unfortunately, if you choose not to share this information with us in advance then it may limit some or all of the itinerary you have booked, and we cannot be held accountable for any additional costs or missed activities resulting from this.
It is vitally important that you advise us prior to departure of any medical or dietary condition relating to any member of your party so that we may notify our local staff before you arrive. We recommend only drinking bottled water from bottles with unbroken seals and be vigilant about the use of ice in drinks and ice cream.
Insurance
Insurance is not included in your holiday, but it is a pre-requisite to travelling with us. You will need to ensure that you have cover for all the activities that you will be participating in during your holiday.
It is extremely important that you take out a suitable travel insurance policy at the time of booking. Plans do sometimes change, and you will need this policy should you need to cancel your holiday.
If you are struggling to find a suitable policy then details of our preferred provider, who will cover you for all the activities we offer, can be found on our website by clicking here. Please note that this policy is available to EU residents under the age of 75 only.
The UK Foreign Office Advice
Our clients’ safety is at the centre of everything we do, and our operations team continually assesses and monitors the destinations we feature. We carry out thorough risk assessments and work closely with all of our suppliers to continually follow best practice. For up to date travel advice the UK government offers its Travel Aware website as well as the advice detailed below.
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office Advice
We receive all updates from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) with regards to travel advice and we always ensure that we follow this advice in our operations. The FCO issues travel advisories for countries based on a very wide range of factors. They may provide notification about things as simple as a football match and crowds, or they may go so far as to advise against all travel to a region. We ask all our clients to refer to the relevant Travel Advice by Country for the destinations they are visiting in order to make an informed decision on the safety of the destination based on the details provided. It also provides vital information regarding entry requirements, embassy information, local laws and customs as well as specific safety and health. Guests should take responsibility for keeping themselves up to date with this advice. Please also ensure that, if you are transiting through another country, you have read the advice and meet the entry requirements for that destination too.
The FCO travel advice is applicable to British Passport Holders. Most governments will issue their own travel advice for a region and, if you are not a UK resident then you can find some helpful links below:
Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade http://www.smartraveller.gov.au/
New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade http://www.safetravel.govt.nz/
Canadian Consular Affairs Bureau http://voyage.gc.ca/
The U.S. Bureau of Consular Affairs http://travel.state.gov/content/travel/english.html
If the FCO deems that there is an unacceptable level of risk for UK citizens then, together with the government, they may issue an advisory against all travel to a region or country. If such an advisory is published, then we will act accordingly, and this may require the cancellation, curtailment or amendment of a holiday itinerary. These decisions are made on the basis of ensuring our clients’ safety and will affect all clients on the holiday, regardless of their nationality.
If one of our local experts suggests an amendment due to a situation which develops locally then we may also take the decision to amend an itinerary appropriately.
If we have to cancel your holiday prior to departure you will be offered the option of an alternative trip (where any price difference will either be refunded to or covered by you) or a full refund of the monies paid.
If we have to curtail a holiday, then you will be refunded for any costs for the elements we have been unable to deliver, where we have been able to secure a refund from our suppliers. If we must reroute a holiday, then any basis for refund is determined on a case by case basis and dependent on whether the central holiday experience was provided or not.
Booking activities locally
Additional activities can be booked locally in almost all our destinations. However, as per our booking conditions, we cannot be held responsible for any injury or loss incurred through participation in activities which are booked at your destination outside of our holiday itinerary (see our ‘Terms and Conditions’ for further details).
When arranging any such activity please always ensure that safety is your primary concern.
In some of our destinations, you can borrow or hire equipment for use in your free time. You do so entirely at your own risk. You must ensure that you are correctly prepared, have the necessary equipment and knowledge (maps, etc.) and ensure that where applicable, you follow marked routes. We recommend discussing your plans with the local teams who will be able to advise on the most suitable options for you.
Always let the reception/guide know where you are planning to go and take a torch and mobile phone (with the hotel/guide’s phone number stored). It is also a good idea to leave your contact number and the time you expect to return to the hotel should the hotel need to contact you.
Flight schedule changes and connecting transportation
On your documentation, we will confirm your flight schedule. Sometimes the flight number, routing and timings might change prior to your departure. If the change is classed as a significant change then we will contact you to discuss this. Please see our booking conditions for details.
Flight schedule changes can impact on your pre and post-holiday travel arrangements if these have been booked separately to your holiday. We strongly recommend that you do not book transport (such as trains or transfers), car parking or non-connecting flights to the departure point for your holiday until you have received your final confirmed travel times when your final travel documents are issued. We are not responsible for the effect of any schedule change on your pre or post travel arrangements. We strongly recommend that you do not purchase non-flexible or non-refundable tickets to avoid cancellation and penalty charges.
Booking your own flights cancellation disclaimer
If you have chosen to book your own flights, then you will need to wait until we confirm to you that the holiday departure has met the minimum numbers required to run (if applicable to your chosen holiday). Once the holiday is guaranteed to run, you will be informed and you can then make your arrangements.
If transfers are included in your holiday, please ensure that any potential flights will be met by our standard transfers (speak to one of our Travel Experts for advice) otherwise private transfer supplements may be applicable. Once your flights are booked, please send us a copy of your detailed flight itinerary.
Please be aware that most tickets are non-refundable in the case of cancellation. For this reason, we strongly advise you check the rules of the ticket and check the limitations of your cancellation insurance before booking. We cannot be held liable, in the unlikely eventuality that we should be forced to cancel or amend your trip, for losses incurred relating to any flight booking you have made.
Specific Payment and Cancellation Terms - Northern Lights Villages
Please note that the following cancellation terms supersede in part those mentioned in Section 7 of our general booking terms and conditions.
- Up to balance due date (This is normally 12 weeks prior to departure however some holidays differ. If this applies to your holiday you will be advised at the time of booking) - Loss of deposit (including the full cost of flights or other services where paid at the time of booking)
- between balance due date and 43 days prior to departure - 50%
- 42 to 16 days prior to departure - 80%
- 15 or less days - 100%
Terms and Conditions
Our full booking terms and conditions can be found on our website: https://www.activitiesabroad.com/booking-conditions
Please note: our payment and cancellation terms will be unique to each booking – they will be confirmed with you at the time of quotation. The terms listed above are noted as a guide only
Please note that the following cancellation terms supersede in part those mentioned in Section 7 of our general booking terms and conditions.
- Up to balance due date (this is normally 16 weeks prior to departure however some holidays differ. If this applies to your holiday you will be advised at the time of booking) - Loss of deposit (including the full cost of flights or other services where paid at the time of booking)
- Between balance due date and 92 days prior to departure – 50%
- 91 to 24 days prior to departure – 75%
- 23 or less days – 100%
Gallery
Photos (6)
Travel Website Development
