"Winter Wonderland" is a term used frequently but you won’t find a more fitting phrase for the Northern Lights Village in Finland. Sitting north of the Arctic Circle, you’ll feel like you’ve walked through the wardrobe and into Narnia. What’s even better is the location. You’re within walking distance of the resort of Saariselkä and all of its facilities, but you’ll still get the full experience of a winter escape.
This short break is ideal for the festive period and what better way to get in the spirit than a meeting with Father Christmas himself. Rather than standing in a long queue to see the man in red, a friendly elf will take you, one family, at a time on a magical sleigh ride. Here, you’ll search for the lights of Father Christmas’s cabin and once you find it, your family will have a private meeting with him and will even receive a small gift to take with you!
Your Lappish itinerary is complete with a husky safari and reindeer sleigh ride. You’ll also have the opportunity to try your hand at snowmobiling – one of the most popular ways to travel across the Arctic wilderness.
What makes this break extra special is the place you’ll call home. Your glass-roofed accommodation is an Aurora cabin in the snow-covered wilderness, giving you incredible views of the night sky. As you’ll be in Northern Lights territory, you could see the amazing light show right from your bed. Kids will love the excuse to stay up late and you won’t be able to resist looking up at the sky and searching for the lights.
Saariselka itself is just 1000m away and offers lots for families as well as some excellent downhill skiing. We also offer plenty of fun-filled activities to add to your time away. This short festive break in the Northern Lights Village is a convenient, yet perfect location for you and your family to create many once-in-a-lifetime memories together.
Upon arrival at the airport, your transfer will be waiting to take you directly to your Aurora accommodation in the incredible Northern Lights Village, around 25 minutes away.
Depending on your arrival time, you may want to book an evening activity for after dinner – especially now you’ve entered Northern Lights territory! See our ‘Personalise’ section to choose an activity to suit your family.
Included Meals: DinnerFollowing breakfast, let Father Christmas’s elves lead the way as the whole family goes on an adventure to find the man himself.
You’ll start by baking gingerbread (Father Christmas’s favourite!) with a friendly elf before meeting some reindeer and enjoying a short sleigh ride (approx. 10 minutes).
Now you’re all ready to go, it’s time to begin the search. You’ll travel in a cosy sleigh pulled by a snowmobile and your elf will help you look for Father Christmas’s cabin deep in the forest. Watch your children’s faces light up as they spot the cabin for themselves and you all enjoy a private meeting with Father Christmas – you’ll even receive a small gift to take home with you! Your family will spend approximately 10 minutes with Father Christmas.
To make the visit even more personal, children can write a letter to Father Christmas in advance so that he will have it when they arrive for their meeting. He is a busy man at this time of year, but he will try to read all the letters.
The magic continues this afternoon with an enchanting sleigh ride through the snow pulled by Finland’s arguably most majestic creature – the reindeer. Snuggle together in the sled and enjoy this special moment with your loved ones. The sleigh ride will last approximately 25 minutes.
Why not design your ultimate holiday by including an evening chasing the Northern Lights? Visit the ‘Personalise’ tab to discover a range of additional activities.
Dinner will be served in the restaurant this evening.
Included Meals: Breakfast, DinnerEnjoy a hearty breakfast before embarking on your next adventure. A husky safari is a favourite here with everyone at Activities Abroad. The excited yelping of the dogs as the sled is being prepared is infectious and you’ll doubtless find that your family are just as eager to get going. Once the dogs get down to business and you glide over the snow-covered landscapes the yelping is replaced by the gentle pattering of paws as they focus on the road ahead. It is quite surreal when you take a moment to process what you are actually doing in comparison to your daily life. Driving a team of dogs (2 people per sled) in a Lappish wilderness is such a contrast, that is unless you happen to be a professional musher!
Prepare for a thrilling afternoon on a two hour snowmobiling excursion. You will be given expert tuition on how to handle your snowmobile and you can test your skills as you drive across the snow. Travelling two adults per snowmobile, you will stop for hot drinks along the way.
Children will enjoy the winter wonderland from the comfort of a sled.
Please note: the driver of a snowmobile must be at least 18 years old and hold a valid driving licence. As a general rule, children (13 years and under) will travel in a sled pulled by the guide’s snowmobile. Children 4 years and under must be accompanied in the sleigh by one parent. Older children (14 years and over) may be able to travel as pillion on the snowmobile but this is at the discretion of the guide and the child must be at least 140 cm tall. Children will pay the adult price if riding on the snowmobile.
After dinner, you have a free evening with your family. After dinner, you have a free evening with your family. Why not spend the last night in style and arrange a Northern Lights trip such as the Aurora camp by the lake to maximise your chances of ticking the Northern Lights off your bucket list too!
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
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
Located in the north-east of Finland, the Northern Lights Village is the latest in a long line of innovative Aurora accommodation coming out of Finland. This one is particularly clever because you spend every night in your glass-roofed Aurora Cabin rather than just one which is normally the case. Situated close to, but distinct from, the small ski town of Saariselkä, the village’s outlook is that of a pristine, snow-covered wilderness which will capture the imaginations of children and adults alike. Conveniently, however, the town itself is only 1000 metres away. This means that you will find all the amenities necessary for a relaxed family holiday, yet you are still right on the doorstep of an authentic Lappish wilderness.
The Northern Lights Village offers accommodation in Aurora Cabins which are half-roofed with glass. Imagine a cosy family evening as the Aurora appears above the panoramic windows. The cabins are unusual in that the glass is heated meaning that any view-restricting snow simply melts.
There are 80 cabins in total, all of which are within a 5-10 minutes’ walk of the village’s central facilities which include the restaurant where you’ll enjoy breakfast and dinner. There’s also the large lobby near reception for you to relax in after your meal.
The Aurora Cabins have a half-glass roof and all face north. The design is based on the traditional wooden kotas (teepee) of Finland.
Each cabin has twin beds (which can be made into a double) and a sofa bed, suitable for an additional adult or two children. There is a shower room (with underfloor heating) and a toilet (please note that the hot water is limited in the cabins). Tea and coffee making facilities, a hairdryer and a minibar are also included.
Importantly for duvet-based Aurora hunting, a timer switch can be used to heat the glass roof should your view be obscured by snowfall. It takes approximately 5-10 minutes to melt the snow so there’s no need to go out and sweep the roof in your pyjamas!
Cabins are not cleaned between arrival and departure unless requested from reception. Additionally, towels can be exchanged at reception if required.
Free Wi-Fi.
Venturing out into a dark wilderness in search of the Aurora is an enticing prospect. You will travel via bus with a sense of anticipation and excitement. The hunt in itself is an experience, but the captivating landscapes are ethereal and enchanting during the night hours. Your guide will build a fire by the shore of the frozen lake, where you can enjoy some hot drinks and snacks whilst gazing up at the night sky. Keep an eye out for flickers of colour, for if the ‘Green Lady’ appears then you are likely to be treated to a spectacular dance.
Read moreDuration: approximately 3 hours
Availability: Monday - Sunday at 8pm (please note that the time may vary throughout the season)
Minimum age: 4 years and over
Group size: 1 - 24 approximately
A Narnia-esque winter wonderland awaits as you journey by snowmobile-pulled sleigh up into the snow-covered fells surrounding Saariselkä.
Your guide will make an open fire where you can enjoy a hot drink and snacks and listen to tales about the Aurora, before hopefully experiencing a captivating show. The lack of light pollution and the location of The Northern Lights Village at the heart of the Aurora Zone are ideal for Auroral activity.
Read more about this activityDuration: approximately 3 Hours
Availability: Monday - Sunday at 8:30 pm. Please note that the time may vary throughout the season.
Minimum age: 4 years and over
Group size: 1 - 24 approximately
Why should it just be the grown-ups having all the fun on snowmobiles?! Let your children take the wheel (or more accurately, handlebars) during this mini snowmobiling adventure.
Riding along a 200-metre track, this is a safe environment for the little ones to try this thrilling activity and make the most of the snowy conditions.
These mini snowmobiles have been specially built for children so they’ll be able to drive them with ease. In fact, it’s not uncommon to see some of the younger children with better skills than most adults!
Guides will give the children instructions before they set off and then parents will supervise on the track. This is a great opportunity for children to experience this adventurous activity in a controlled way, and have a brilliant story to take back home with them!
The price includes a safety introduction from a guide and instructions on how to drive and safety equipment (including a helmet).
Read more about this activityPlease note that parents must supervise this activity and are responsible to ensure their child is following the guide’s instructions safely.
Choose from a 30-minute or 60-minute session. There is no age restriction but children must be 100cm tall or above.
Prices:
30 minutes from £27 per child
60 minutes from £53 per child
Price based on two adults sharing a Northern Lights Cabin with one or two children (aged 4-14) on a sofa bed.
Please note: if you are travelling over Christmas, you will enjoy a festive dinner and celebrations on the 24th (traditionally in Finland, Christmas is celebrated on Christmas Eve).
| Departure dates between | |||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Tue 03 Dec 2024
to Fri 06 Dec 2024 |
Adult price (per person):
£2075.00
to £2325.00 |
Child (age 4 - 14):
£1225.00
to £1375.00 |
Enquire |
|
Tue 10 Dec 2024
to Fri 13 Dec 2024 |
Adult price (per person):
£2125.00
to £2385.00 |
Child (age 4 - 14):
£1255.00
to £1405.00 |
Enquire |
|
Tue 17 Dec 2024
to Fri 20 Dec 2024 |
Adult price (per person):
£2125.00
to £2385.00 |
Child (age 4 - 14):
£1255.00
to £1405.00 |
Enquire |
|
Fri 20 Dec 2024
to Mon 23 Dec 2024 |
Adult price (per person):
£2475.00
to £2775.00 |
Child (age 4 - 14):
£1575.00
to £1765.00 |
Enquire |
|
Fri 27 Dec 2024
to Mon 30 Dec 2024 |
Adult price (per person):
£2475.00
to £2775.00 |
Child (age 4 - 14):
£1575.00
to £1765.00 |
Enquire |
Please note: our holiday prices are based on the lowest available airline fares. These fares can sell out quickly and, as a result, prices may increase and supplements may be applicable. We recommend booking at the earliest opportunity in order to secure the best possible fares and flight times. This only applies to holidays that include flights.
You can make a pre-reservation to secure your holiday at this stage by paying an initial deposit of only £50pp. The provisional departure dates, prices and itineraries remain subject to change. We will contact you when the final dates, prices and itineraries are confirmed, and you will have 14 days to decide if you would like to go ahead. You will then need to pay the remainder of your deposit to confirm your booking in full. If you decide not to travel, we will refund your initial £50pp payment. Our Travel Experts will happily provide you with full terms and a complete quotation. Please note: where listed in the What’s Included section, pre-sales prices include return UK flights.Please note: the prices below are subject to change due to availability at the respective hotels; supplements may apply. Please note: our payment and cancellation terms will be unique to each booking – they will be confirmed with you at the time of quotation.
| Departure dates between | |||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Fri 05 Dec 2025
to Tue 16 Dec 2025 |
Adult price (per person):
£2445.00
to £2735.00 |
Child (age 4 - 14):
£1445.00
to £1615.00 |
Enquire |
|
Fri 19 Dec 2025
to Mon 29 Dec 2025 |
Adult price (per person):
£2845.00
to £3185.00 |
Child (age 4 - 14):
£1815.00
to £2175.00 |
Enquire |
For our full booking terms and conditions please click here
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 Family Travel Experts for further information.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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%
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%
Fantastic easy transfers from airport to holiday village, fabulous staff and great accomodation with lots of activities to do.
Created by families for families
Experience real adventures enjoyed safely
Family friendly destinations and accommodation
Maximising your precious family time
Family time, not screen time
Family memories to treasure
For toddlers, young children, teenagers & adults alike
Enjoy the company of like-minded families
Family owned and run
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Customers rate us 4.8/5 Stars
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Activities Abroad, Suite B, 168 Brinkburn Street, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE6 2AR
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The Northern Lights Village was the perfect mix of convenience and wilderness surroundings for our family. Not only we were able to take part in incredible winter activities, but we also loved being able to stare up at the night sky from the warmth of our private cabin. The whole trip was perfect from start to finish and with the snow-covered landscape leading you to Father Christmas’s house, even I felt like I was meeting a childhood hero!
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