Summer in Lapland: A Family Adventure

The adventure

Summer is great — but what if you could add a little Christmas magic to it? Pack up the family and head to Finland, where holiday cheer shines bright even under the midnight sun. Kick things off in Helsinki with a dose of cool Nordic culture and science-fuelled fun before boarding an overnight train to the Arctic Circle. In Rovaniemi — Santa’s official hometown — you’ll visit his village, meet his reindeer and huskies, and soak up the magic of Lapland in the glow of the endless summer light. With hands-on activities, festive fun, and lots of wide-eyed wonder, this six-day adventure brings your family into the heart of a real-life winter wonderland… in the middle of summer.

At a glance

Where you'll go

Day by day

Your journey through

Denmark

Day 1Tervetuloa! Welcome to FinlandHelsinki

Helsinki

Tervetuloa! Welcome to Finland. Your family adventure kicks off in Helsinki with an evening welcome meeting at the hotel before a short orientation walk on the way to an optional dinner out. If you arrive early, you can purchase a Helsinki travel card which allows unlimited use of the excellent public transport and free access to area museums.

Day 2All aboard! Hop on a local train this…Helsinki

Helsinki

All aboard! Hop on a local train this morning for a short ride to the Heureka Science Centre, where the kids will love feeling like a mad scientist with all the interactive exhibits and engaging displays. Return to Helsinki in time for lunch before setting off on a walking exploration of the city centre followed by some free time to relax. In the evening, board the famous 'Santa Claus Express', a comfortable overnight train to the home of Santa himself, Rovaniemi.

Your journey through

Finland

Day 3Disembark at Rovaniemi station then drive a short…

Rovaniemi

Disembark at Rovaniemi station then drive a short distance across the Arctic Circle to Santa Claus Village. Keep an eye out for the big man himself and pen your holiday wishes on a post card; you could mail them home from Santa's own post office. Enjoy some free time in the village, then continue driving to Ranua, your home base for the coming days. Settle in and enjoy the rest of the day and evening free.

Day 4This morning

This morning, you'll get to meet the huskies bred for their amazing mushing skills! They love attention and you'll get the chance to interact with them and to get to know their unique personalities. In the evening, head out with a local guide under the midnight sun for an evening walk to learn about flora and fauna and to get familiar with the Lappish customs and lifestyle. Stop along the way for a picnic break to grill sausages and toast traditional sandwiches in a traditional Lappish hut before returning to the guesthouse.

Day 5Today is yours to do as much or…

Today is yours to do as much or as little as you please on the final full day in Lapland. Optional outdoor activities abound like fishing, a fat bike excursion or book a sauna experience in the woods.

Day 6Depart Ranua in the morning after breakfast…Rovaniemi

Rovaniemi

Depart Ranua in the morning after breakfast and transfer back to Rovaniemi, where the tour ends on arrival to either the train station or the airport.

Discover Finland

A glimpse of the destination you'll explore.

Upcoming departures