A journey into the heart of the Arctic winter, where time seems to stand still... or perhaps to run twice. Between Swedish and Finnish Lapland you will enjoy the unique experience of celebrating two New Years in a single night, crossing the border and toasting the arrival of the new year twice over. From Luleå, an elegant city on the Gulf of Bothnia, you will travel through snow-covered forests and frozen seas, discovering landscapes that shine with a light of their own. You will experience the thrill of a cruise aboard the Polar Explorer icebreaker, with the chance to float among the blocks of ice, and the adrenaline of a snowmobile excursion in the white silence of the taiga. The night of 31 December will be the heart of this journey: a Lappish New Year's Eve dinner, the hunt for the Northern Lights and then the double toast, first in Finland and then again in Sweden, travelling back in time by one hour. A New Year you will never forget, suspended between two time zones and a thousand emotions.
Starts from
5 days / 4 nights - from Luleå to Luleå
Characteristics
Group tour with a local guide / escort. Include meals (v. the fee includes). Guaranteed departures min 2 / max 45 participants until seats are sold out.
Meals
Legend: B breakfast, L lunch, D dinner.
Cancellation policies
25% of the total price from 30 to 21 days before departure.
50% of the total price from 20 to 15 days before departure.
100% of the total price from 14 to 0 days before departure.
Itinerary
Giorno 1 — Lulea
Welcome to Swedish Lapland, where the silence of the snow-covered woods meets the charm of the frozen sea. I arrive at the airport of Luleå. I arrive and transfer freely to the hotel. Dinner free. Accommodation Clarion Hotel Sense.
Giorno 2 — Lulea
Breakfast. Departure towards the woods surrounding Luleå, where Arctic nature reveals itself in all its authenticity. Here an unforgettable experience awaits: a snowmobile excursion across frozen lakes and snow-covered forests, to breathe in the freedom and silence of the truest Lapland. Free lunch. Afternoon available. Luleå is a delightful town, a mix of modernity and tradition, with lively cafés, local boutiques and the charming waterfront, frozen in winter and perfect for a scenic walk. Dinner free. Accommodation Clarion Hotel Sense.
***OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES*** (see supplements).
ICE FISHING - An ancient practice that ensured the survival of local populations during the long Arctic winters, and which today offers a rare moment of peace and contemplation in the endless white of the North.
Auto
Giorno 3 — Lulea → Pitea → Lulea → Tornio
Breakfast. Today will be a day that stays in your memory forever. After breakfast, departure by private coach to Piteå for an experience unique in the world: a cruise aboard the Polar Explorer icebreaker, which ploughs through the Baltic Sea when its waters, almost free of salt, turn into an expanse of ice. During the roughly two-hour sailing, the bravest can put on a special thermal suit and float among the blocks of ice, suspended between excitement and Arctic silence. In the afternoon, return to Luleå and a short time to relax before setting off for the second part of the day. We will cross the border into Finland, following the Gulf of Bothnia as far as Tornio, a town that unites two countries and two time zones. Here a Lappish New Year's Eve dinner awaits us at the Park Hotel Tornio: a convivial and authentic moment, far from formality but rich in Nordic flavours and traditions. After dinner, at approximately 21:30, the hunt for the Northern Lights will begin, in the hope of greeting the new year beneath a sky dancing with light. The day is not over yet: as midnight strikes we will stop to celebrate the arrival of the new year, hopefully with the sky lit up by the aurora. Once we have toasted, we will move on towards Sweden; crossing the border we will also cross the time zone, so on the way to Luleå we will stop halfway to celebrate midnight a second time, this time in Swedish Lapland.
A double toast, two countries, one magical night. Return to the hotel. Accommodation Clarion Hotel Sense.
Giorno 4 — Tornio
Breakfast. Time available for optional activities. Dinner free. Accommodation Clarion Hotel Sense.
***OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES*** (see supplements).
HUSKY SAFARI 5 KM - Guided by the breathing of the dogs and the swish of the sled on the snow, you will experience an authentic and deeply Nordic moment. Snacks and hot drinks will be served during the excursion.
AURORA SPA - an Arctic wellness experience with sauna and outdoor hot tub, from which to admire the starry sky - and, with a little luck, the Northern Lights dancing above you. The perfect way to round off your journey to the ends of the earth.
Giorno 5 — Tornio
Breakfast. Free transfer to the airport.
Price includes
Accommodation at the scheduled hotel (or similar)
Meals: 4 breakfasts
New Year's Eve gala dinner
Italian-speaking tour leader
Snowmobile safari (an international category B driving licence is required in order to drive)
Cruise aboard an icebreaker and floating among the blocks of ice
Northern Lights excursion
Double New Year celebration in two countries
Transfers for the activities as per the programme
Price does not include
Opening fee and Zero Risk coverage
Medical-luggage-cancellation insurance
Transfers
Unmentioned meals, beverages and extras in general
Tip
Porterage
Flights and airport taxes
Everything not expressly mentioned in "The fee includes"
Notes
TRAVEL DOCUMENTS: Participants must ensure before departure that they have the necessary and valid documentation for entry into the countries visited during the tour.
SMOKING: smoking is not allowed on buses and in hotels.
HOTEL FINAL LIST: indicated in the travel documents.
HOTEL / ITINERARY, CHANGES: The organizing company reserves the right to modify the itinerary and/or the planned accommodations if required by unforeseen circumstances and if necessary for the safety and smooth continuation of the trip.
INTOLERANCES AND SPECIAL DIETARY REGIMES: food intolerances (allergies, celiac disease, etc.) and special dietary regimes (vegan, etc.) must be communicated at the time of booking. Special menus or treatments are not provided or guaranteed, but we will do our best to accommodate the needs of participants. Notifications made after arrival will not be taken into consideration.
PUNCTUALITY: we recommend respecting the scheduled times. No refunds are provided for services missed due to customer delays.
HEALTH / VACCINATIONS: Participants must be aware of the itinerary and their own physical ability to handle it; it is recommended to always check the Viaggiare Sicuri website for the latest updates on necessary and recommended vaccinations and prophylaxis.
