Overview
What's included?
- Flights: Return from London to Ivalo (either direct or via Helsinki depending on departure date). Flight routes are subject to change.
- Transfers: Return group airport transfers*
- Accommodation: 7 nights' in a standard double or twin hotel room
- Meals: 7 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 7 dinners
- Activities: Snowshoeing in the sacred valley, reindeer sleigh ride and local culture, husky safari, traditional dinner in a Sámi hut, Snowmobile tour, free use of cross-country skis and snowshoes. Aurora Search by car or snowshoe (depends on weather conditions),Village tour by car. (order subject to change)
- Cold weather clothing for the duration of your stay
- Fully qualified wilderness guides and instructors during activities
*Transfers will stop in the town of Inari and then carry on to Utsjoki.
Staying in cosy, comfortable accommodation run by a friendly Sámi family, guests will leave feeling like friends, knowing some of these stories and secrets of this fascinating culture. Your hotel accommodation (around 2km from Utsjoki town) has great views north across the Teno River and into Norway. You are in prime Northern Lights territory here, with frequent and spectacular displays which even still stop the locals in their tracks. Evening safaris are available during your stay - please see the Personalise tab for further details. They are not part of the Artisan holiday because Utsjoki has such great views of the Aurora when they occur that an inclusive trip may be surplus to requirements!
Around Utsjoki, dramatic peaks rise from snow-covered fells above the tree-line and the frozen river lies in front of the hotel, sealed with a layer of thick ice and snow. This winter landscape at the northern tip of Finnish Lapland is the perfect place to experience a variety of incredible winter activities, such as a snowshoe hike in the Sacred Valley and a reindeer farm visit with a sleigh ride, where you will learn about the Sámi culture, which is so predominant in this area. You’ll also get to enjoy a husky safari in Norway, where you can meet the dogs before sledding off across the snow. To add to this, you’ll spend one night dining on a traditional dinner in a warming Sámi hut, as you listen to an enchanting Sámi yoik (song) performance.
We’ve made sure to include plenty of free time so that you can savour the stunning surroundings of Arctic Finland and make the most of your time away in this remote and breath-taking part of Lapland. Extra activities, such as a tour to the Arctic Ocean, a scenic snowmobile-pulled sleigh safari, or cross-country skiing in the surrounding wilderness can be added to your trip if you would like to experience all that Utsjoki has to offer.
Today the population density of Utsjoki is 0.25 people per square kilometre. Compare this to London where it is 4,978 people per square kilometre and you have some idea of the remote beauty you may expect. Nothing, however, can prepare you for the reality of this stunning environment where snow covers the ground for six months of the year and the reindeer outnumber the people.
Image credits: Holiday Village Valle and Klaus Peter Kappest
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Key facts
| Duration: | 7 nights |
| Pace: | Balanced |
Dates & Prices
We include more, no hidden costs
Please note: Single occupancy is only available for the hotel room option.
Prices
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.
Next season’s dates and prices
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 that the prices below are subject to change due to availability at the respective hotels; supplements may apply.
| Dates | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Sat 07 Dec 2024
to Sat 04 Jan 2025 |
Adults £ 3,105 To £ 3,865 | |
|
Sat 04 Jan 2025
to Sat 01 Feb 2025 |
Adults £ 2,945 To £ 3,515 | |
|
Sat 01 Feb 2025
to Sat 01 Mar 2025 |
Adults £ 3,045 To £ 4,055 | |
|
Sat 01 Mar 2025
to Sat 29 Mar 2025 |
Adults £ 3,085 To £ 3,735 |
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, we require a minimum of 8 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 and maximum age
If a specific minimum age applies to this holiday, it can be found in the Key Facts box on the holiday Overview page.
Unless otherwise stated in the in the Key Facts box on the holiday Overview page, the minimum age for participation in an Artisan holiday is typically 8 years old (there may be younger children in some destinations who have booked with other companies). If an adult-only environment is important to you, then please contact our Travel Experts and they will advise on the best dates and destinations for you. If you are looking for a holiday designed specifically for families then please see our sister company www.activitiesabroad.com
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.
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 properly 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.
Brexit information for British Passport holders
For the most up to date information on how the UK’s departure from the EU may affect your holiday please click here to view our Brexit information for British Passport holders.
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.
Terms and Conditions
Our full booking terms and conditions can be found on our website: https://www.artisantravel.co.uk/booking-conditions
Minimum travellers 10, Maximum travellers 20
Agenda
Agenda
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DAY 1
Flights, Transfers, Welcome
Following your flight into Ivalo, you will be transferred to your accommodation in Utsjoki, which is around two hours’ drive away, including a stop at the small town of Inari. The northern skies are visible all the way to your destination and many a transfer has witnessed a display of the Aurora – what a way to be welcomed! Depending on when your flight lands, you will either have a packed dinner during the journey or dinner in the restaurant on arrival.
Your Sámi hosts will greet you at your accommodation. You can head to your hotel bedroom (Aurora permitting) to enjoy your first peaceful night in the very north of Finland.
Included Meals: Dinner -
DAY 2
Reindeer Sleigh Ride and Local Culture
Your hosts are Sámi reindeer herders, so it is fitting that after breakfast you should learn more about these animals which are so central to Sámi culture. You will travel by car to the nearby reindeer farm. Here you will enjoy a short reindeer-pulled sleigh ride.
Over a warming drink, you will learn about the lives of the herders and the way in which the reindeer are central to the culture and traditions of this region. Lunch will be back at the holiday village restaurant. This morning's activity will last for approximately 2 hours.
This afternoon we have left free for you to enjoy your local surroundings at your leisure before dinner in the restaurant.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner -
DAY 3
Snowshoeing in the Sacred Valley
Today you will enjoy a snowshoeing tour in the fascinating Sacred Valley, which has been an important part of Sámi history for thousands of years.
You will learn about the history of the area, as well as the flora and fauna of the region and how to identify the variety of animal tracks dotted across the snow. You will then head back to the hotel where your guide will light a fire in a traditional Sami hut, and you can relax with some warm drinks. This activity will last approx. 2hrs.
Your afternoon is free to relax and unwind, or perhaps you will want to make use of the cross-country skis and snowshoes, which are free for you to use all week (depending on availability).
Dinner will be served back at the holiday village restaurant with more time to watch the skies in this remote location, hoping the Northern Lights will perform their magical dance.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner -
DAY 4
Aurora Search by snowshoes or car
Today will be free for you to do as you wish. You might want to make use of the cross-country skis and snowshoes or add extra activities. In the evening, your guide will take you on this trip to search for the enchanting Northern Lights. Depending on the season and weather conditions, you will either walk on snowshoes to explore the surrounding nature of Holiday Village Valle, or travel by car in search of the Northern Lights.
During your tour, your guide will also tell you stories about the Northern Lights and the stars and their significance in Sami culture. You will be out this evening approx. 2-3 hrs.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner -
DAY 5
Husky Safari
Today you will have the opportunity to experience the thrill of mushing with your own husky dogs’ team and enjoy the breathtaking views of rugged fells from the cold river that runs through this beautiful river valley. Here you will meet with the local musher who will show you how to handle a sled and a team of eager huskies. You will depart on a husky safari lasting around two hours, travelling two people per sled. There is nothing comparable to the thrill of travelling by dog sled. Whether you are driving or sitting in the sled, it is an exceptional experience.
Following the safari, you will enjoy some snacks and coffee around a campfire. You will have time to say goodbye to the dogs at the end of your tour and take as many pictures as you wish before you head back to Utsjoki for free time and dinner. You will be out for around 4 hours this morning, including transfers.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner -
DAY 6
Snowmobile Tour
Today you will be touring a nearby fell area by snowmobile accompanied by your guide. On a sleigh wrapped in warm hides and blankets, you will enjoy the peacefulness of the amazing views of the Teno River valley, and the fells of Finland and Norway. Wild reindeer might be seen on the tour, and you may be able to take photos of them in their natural habitat.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
During your tour, your guide will also provide you with some hot drinks and share stories about the nature and animals of the area. In addition, he will share stories about the Sami people and their lives here in Utsjoki. You will be out this approx. 3hrs. -
DAY 7
Village Tour & Fallegoahti – Traditional Sami Dinner
During your morning drive to Utsjoki village, you will have the opportunity to visit the old church hut open-air museum. Sami families own these log huts, and they used to live in them during church holidays. The huts are Utsjoki most valuable cultural heritage, whose construction dates to prehistoric times. After the church huts, we will visit the village house Giisa, a local gathering spot for the locals. There is also a handicraft shop in Giisa where you can purchase products made by locals and books by Sami authors. You will be out this approx. 1.5hrs
Tonight, will be a special evening where you will be invited to attend to an authentic Sami hut, goahti, where your guide will be proudly wearing the traditional Sami costumes while cooking for you a delicious dinner with local ingredients such as local mushrooms, reindeer roast, Lappish bread cheese and more. The hut lies 300 meters upstream of the Teno River from Holiday Village, away from noise or people passing by. Around the campfire at dinner, you will hear stories about Sami culture, their traditions and you will be given a private Sami yoik performance.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner -
DAY 8
Departure
Today, you will be transferred back to Ivalo Airport for your journey home. If your flight is earlier in the morning, you will be given a packed breakfast rather than having it in the holiday village restaurant.
Included Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation
Accommodation
Included in price
Holiday Village Valle Hotel
Nights: 1-3,5-7
This small holiday village run by a Sámi reindeer herding family offers cosy winter cabins and a lovely hotel by the famous Teno River. The accommodation has a reception building which includes a dining room with a fireplace, a lounge and a wonderful view of the Teno and the Norwegian fells opposite.
Meals are served in the main building and include local produce and delicacies.
Guest room options
Hotel room: each room has a big window that looks out onto the River Teno and the Norwegian Fells. The rooms consist of two single beds, which can be pushed together to make a double, and two big, cosy chairs, one of which can be pulled out to form an extra bed. These rooms all have ensuite bathrooms, a drying cupboard for clothes, a kettle and a hairdryer. Wi-Fi is available throughout the whole of Village Valle premises.
Other options
Holiday Village Valle Cabins
Surrounding the main building (within 100 metres) are ten winter cabins. There are two bedrooms in each cottage, a kitchenette, living area, fireplace, toilet and sauna. These cabins are very cosy and provide guests with their own Finnish home for the duration of their stay. There is nothing nicer than coming back after a day in the wilds to a log fire and your own private heated sauna – just lovely.
Personalise
Personalise this tour
Our pick
Extend your stay
If you have a little bit more time to enjoy the wonder of the wilderness then why not extend your stay. We can arrange for you to spend an extra night in a cabin or hotel room, with half board included so that you can take advantage of some of the other activities that are available in this remote and beautiful area.
Other options
Activities
Cross-country skiing
Cross-country skiing is one of the oldest methods of travel used by the Sámi people. Using the cross-country skiing equipment will allow you to make the most of the snow-covered landscape and explore the untouched wilderness that surrounds the area and to appreciate the beauty of this remote region. You will enjoy a real sense of silence during this activity and hopefully, encounter some of the local wildlife such as elk, hare and willow grouse. There will be a break for warm drinks en-route. This activity requires a minimum of two participants.
A minimum number of 2 participants is required for this activity to take place.
Duration: 2 hours
Tour to the Arctic Ocean by car
You will be driven over the border into Norway to the magnificent Varangerfjord and the fishing village of Nesseby. A trip will be made to the nearby Sámi museum to learn more about the indigenous people of the Nordic countries, and you will also find out about contemporary life by the Arctic Ocean. Time will be made to visit a ‘seita’, or Sámi worship site, and there will be a picnic lunch along the way. Heading back, a stop will be made at a Sámi handicraft workshop in the village of Tana.
A minimum number of four participants is required for this activity to take place.
Duration: 4-5 hours
Winter Fishing
In Utsjoki, Ice Fishing is perhaps the most popular winter activity for locals. Join an experienced guide and learn the secrets behind this unique form of fishing. Your trip will begin as you are transferred via snowmobile-pulled sleigh to a nearby frozen lake. Following this, your guide will then drill holes in the ice using a special drill called ‘kaira’ before you attempt to catch Arctic Trout or Salmon Trout from the watery abyss below. Whilst you are fishing, your guide will prepare warm drinks over a campfire.
A minimum number of two participants is required for this activity to take place.
Duration: 3 Hours
Misc.
Snowmobile Safari in Nuorgam
£198 two people sharing snowmobile / £237 when driving an own snowmobile / £150 When sitting on a sledge.
There's no better way to get around in the snowy wilderness than with a snowmobile, and it's a lot of fun too.
During this tour, you'll drive a snowmobile on your own and learn the basics of snowmobiling. Your guide will first instruct you how to drive the snowmobile, ensure your safety, and then take you through the snowy fells and frozen lakes of Kaldoaiv wilderness.
Because these trails are not in use by the general public, they are not crowded. You will be able to visit places that local guides can only reach. During the tour, your guide will serve you hot drinks and light snacks during a short break. This activity will last approx. 2hrs including transportation to Nuorgam and return.
A minimum number of two participants is required for this activity to take place.
Aurora Reindeer Tour
During the evening, your guide will take you on a reindeer sleigh ride where is possible to spot the Aurora Lights. In your return from the sleigh ride, depending on the weather, your guide will light a fire inside or outside the traditional Sami hut after where he will serve you hot drinks and will provide you with information about reindeer herding and stories about Auroras stars and their significance in Sami culture. This activity will last approx. 2hrs.
A minimum number of two participants is required for this activity to take place.
Handcraft workshop experience
In this workshop, you'll create your own souvenir.
In this activity, you will have the opportunity to select either reindeer horn, reindeer bone, or leather as the material, and you will be able to make different things to take home, such as reindeer horn rings or leather key chains. Moreover, you will be guided during the workshop and taught how to use the tools.
This will be another chance for your guide to share the significance of local handcrafts with you as well as their significance in Sami culture.
A minimum number of two participants is required for this activity to take place.
Arctic Sauna
You can relax in a cosy, wood-heated barrel sauna by the Teno River on a cold winter's day after an active outdoor day.
Enjoy the peaceful atmosphere surrounded by a beautiful river and natural landscape while lying in the soft heat of the sauna.
Depending on ice conditions, the Teno River is ideal for taking a dip or rolling in the snow, which is a traditional method for improving circulation and cold tolerance.
Least but not last, there's a good chance that you'll see the Northern Lights dancing above you.
Sauna and Hot Tub
Enjoy a peaceful moment together with your family or friends in a private sauna and hot tub if you wish to add some luxury to your day.
As you relax in the hot tub, you may be able to see the Northern Lights, since the sauna is located by the riverside.
Reviews
Traveller Reviews
The transfer arrangements were very smooth at both ends, and the hotel and its staff were excellent. Everything was perfectly organised and the itinerary set up worked really well and had sufficient flexibility to enable us to alter things as necessary for the best experience. In fact, this only happened with the Aurora tour, with our guide, Antti, who was terrific throughout, waiting until he…
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felt the best night on which to take it (and, my word, was that a good decision!). Taking the Aurora trip was really worth it, although the lights could be seen from the hotel on two other occasions. The snowmobile safari was breath-taking and the Arctic Ocean trip fantastic. We also really enjoyed the dog-sled trip in Norway. The food was consistently very good, and the service in the restaurant very friendly. The quality of the Wi-Fi was a bonus when you think where you are. All in all, this could hardly be faulted and we are still floating from such a fantastic week. The Arctic truly is a beautiful and invigorating place and Holiday Village Valle was the ideal place from which to experience it.
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The staff were all brilliant in looking after us. Everyone spoke excellent English. The food and accommodation were excellent. The programme passed our expectations and we were able to fit into our week reindeer and husky safaris, ice fishing, Arctic swim and fell skiing and experiencing the Northern Lights. The two guides looked after us so well and all the equipment needed for the climate and…
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activities was provided. The peace and quiet and scenery were all quite magical and we learned about the Sami people. It was good to know the teenagers who came to the traditional dinner were intent on keeping their culture alive despite the 21st century. Many thanks for arranging our holiday.
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We have just returned from an amazing week in Utsjoki. The staff were all brilliant in looking after us. Everyone spoke excellent English. The food and accommodation were excellent. The programme passed our expectations and we were able to fit into our week reindeer and husky safaris, ice fishing, Arctic swim and fell skiing and experiencing the Northern Lights. The two guides looked after us so…
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well and all the equipment needed for the climate and activities was provided. The peace and quiet and scenery were all quite magical and we learned about the Sami people. It was good to know the teenagers who came to the traditional dinner were intent on keeping their culture alive despite the 21st century. Many thanks for arranging our holiday.
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The service from Artisan Travel has been excellent We were very impressed that we weren’t charged extra for going from a northern airport and that a stopover in Helsinki was also arranged at no extra cost Email response to any questions that we had before we travelled was very quick and helpful The information in the trip dossiers was very detailed and helpful The transfers to and from the…
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airport went smoothly and it was great that a meal had been provided for us when we arrived too late for the evening meal The accommodation was excellent; the room was large, warm and comfortable with a big bathroom and excellent shower. It was lovely to have tea and coffee making facilities and a refrigerator in the room (very unusual,for mainland Europe) The food was fabulous and plentiful with a good choice of fresh local ingredients and service in the restaurant was excellent We loved all the activities which were included as part of the holiday and the guides were helpful, personable and knowledgeable It was great to learn about the local history, geography, culture etc from the guides and the hotel owner and his family. We were pleased that all the guides were Finnish as we could learn more from them than we could have done from non-local guides. All the staff were friendly and approachable This is our fifth winter activity holiday in Northern Europe and the best so far. The clothing and equipment were of a very high standard and the skis that were freely available were the best we have used so far and much easier to put on! It was a truly fabulous holiday in a stunning location and the icing on the cake was the lovely staff and guides. We really enjoyed all the activities that were included as part of the holiday as well as the company of the guides. The highlight was probably the additional Aurora Tour that we booked . One of the guides was a real aurora expert and he added us to a WhatsApp group which was great as he sent us messages about when the aurora was predicted so we could see it from the hotel. We were really pleased that we booked the additional tour though as it was a magical experience to be pulled in a sleigh through the snowy forest and onto the high fell where we lit a fire and enjoyed a 369 degree view. I would really recommend this to other people if there is a clear sky and an aurora forecast We also did the trip to the Arctic Ocean which was wonderful.
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The holiday was fantastic and more than lived up to expectations. A very well planned and organised holiday. Very good guides and instructors. So very friendly and helpful. The Husky sledding (was my favourite) because I just adore the huskies and I spent several hours out in the beautiful wilderness driving the tram. Thank you for all your assistance and a huge thank you to all in Utsjoki, I…
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could not have asked for better care and assistance. Activities fantastic. So very sorry to leave but I will be back in Sami country next year!!
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All meals were good quality, excellent scenery around where we stayed, the accommodation was so good...having my own sauna in the house was a real bonus! Henry, the owner of the place was so attentive to our needs (he even provided packed-breakfast the night before we left for Helsinki very early morning). The whole holiday was so, so excellent that I won't hesitate to recommend to my friends.
I got back from Utsjoki ('the top of Finland') on Friday and I'm just emailing to let you know what an excellent experience it was in all respects (even at -35°C)Travelling was trouble-free, the hosts were professional-yet-friendly and attentive to our needs (that's me and the only other people there, a couple from Germany) - though we didn't actually need anything outside of what was…
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provided. The food was particularly fabulous. We agreed that Anne and Petteri made us feel more like welcome visitors than 'tourists' - I particularly appreciated that as a lone traveller - and I'd definitely recommend this for anyone wanting a closer-to-nature experience than some of the hotel-based trips. The Northern Lights made their appearance twice (that we caught). That's not something you could have laid on but I thought you might like to know. Best birthday ever!
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