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Northern Lights, Ice Hotels & Huskies 2019
Time To Get ExcitedThank you for choosing to travel with Albatross Tours. It’s not long now until you leave for your holiday to Europe!
You will just love Europe throughout the festive season. You will be exhilarated by the soaring mountains, ancient churches and castles, and visits to beautiful European cities and villages. Then there are the fun experiences, riding on a snow bound horse drawn carriage, or maybe making snow angels, and savouring the sentimental moments with a group of new-found friends. Fond memories, like these, really inspire me to design our festive tours our special way – the ‘Albatross Way’.
Nearly 25 years ago we were the first to offer Festive European tours. We were the original, and I’m incredibly proud that we are still the best!
Euan Landsborough, Managing Director & Tour DesignerAlbatross Tours
Your DocumentationIn this bookletIn this booklet you will find your tour itinerary, hotel details, map plus other important information you will need to know before departing.
Enclosed in your documentation pack• Joining instructions
• Tour vouchers and lanyards
• Luggage tags - Your Albatross Tours luggage tags will be used by your Tour Manager to identify your luggage whilst on tour. Please attach them to your luggage on the first day prior to boarding your coach.
Other necessary documents you will need to bring with you• Valid Passport - Please ensure your passport is valid for at least six
months beyond the return date of your trip. Currently, Australian, New Zealand and UK passport holders do not require any visas on any of our European tours.
• Travel Insurance Details - It is a condition of travel on our tours, that you are covered by adequate International Travel Insurance. Please make sure you bring your insurance details with you.
Your ItineraryDAY 1Helsinki – meet your fellow Arctic Adventurers Your tour commences this evening in cosmopolitan Helsinki. Before dinner, enjoy a welcome drink in the hotel with your Tour Manager and fellow Arctic Adventurers. Meals: D
DAY 2Rovaniemi and Santa Claus Holiday Village Today we fly north to Rovaniemi – the gateway city to Lapland. First, we visit the award winning Arktikum Museum of Science and Lapland Culture to learn about the mysterious Aurora Borealis and the indigenous Sami people. Afterwards, ‘My Time’ to explore Rovaniemi. We spend the next two nights in Santa Claus’ village, located literally on the Arctic
Circle. Far from corny, this is such a great place to stay and here you will be amazed to discover a whole township of shops, wooden cabins, bars, restaurants. Dinner tonight is in the 3 Elves restaurant. Meals: B,D
DAY 3Reindeer rides, Snow Shoe walking on the Arctic Circle Dressed in Arctic weather clothing – rather like big quilted boiler suits, boots, hats and mittens – we visit the Arctic Reindeer Centre. Sitting beside a log fire in a large wooden igloo you will enjoy a warm drink and a ‘reindeer’ talk before learning to drive your own sleigh (two people per sleigh) on a circuit through the snow-covered woods. Later you will put on snow shoes and step out and trek over deep snow through the
nearby woods. It is so easy, and the quietness when walking over such light snow is wonderful. The rest of the day is free in the Arctic Circle complex. Time for a warming mulled wine or Akvavit? Meals: B
DAY 4Snow Castle of Kemi, an Ice Castle dinner and Glass Villas First stop will be in the centre of Kemi, located on the frozen Baltic Coast. Take a guided tour of the Snow Castle of Kemi and enjoy a warm drink before settling into your amazing Glass Villas which are set beside the frozen Baltic Sea! Make sure you take a walk out over the ice sheets, across to one of the frozen islands. Next it is time to visit and explore the Ice Castle with its snow
hotel, and later we will dine in the frozen ‘long hall’. It is a remarkable experience sitting on reindeer pelts draped over ice benches, enjoying dinner surrounded by beautifully decorated ice walls carved with animals, patterns and pictures. Meals: B,D
DAY 5Ride on a Baltic Ice Breaker and swim with icebergs Your morning is free to relax and explore. Subject to daily availability, you may be able to arrange ice fishing or for the thrill seekers, Ice Karting. You can even hire out Lamborghinis or Tesla cars and take them for ‘a spin’ on the ice! You don’t even need a licence because you will not be driving on land! Later
we board the Ice Breaker Sampo to carve a path out through the thick sea ice. Way out at sea, the ship will smash an open water pool. Time for a swim! Putting on ‘dry suits’ you can jump in the water to float and swim amongst the broken ice flows. Your dry suits are incredibly warm, and you actually put them on over your clothes. Snug as a bug, they are incredibly buoyant, and you do not even need to swim as you can just lay back and float amongst the ice chunks like ‘Teletubbies’. A stunning experience. Meals: B,D
DAY 6The Jukkasjärvi ICEHOTEL and Sámi village Entering Sweden’s vast forested wilderness we arrive into Jukkasjärvi, which means ‘meeting by the water’. For centuries the local Sámi tribes have come together here and at the Nutti Sámi Siida culture and reindeer park we take a guided walk through the reconstructed village and cultural centre. Next stop, our incredible ICEHOTEL! Why do we choose to stay in this particular ‘ICEHOTEL’? It’s easy - Time Magazine listed this ICEHOTEL among the top 100 places to see on our entire planet! That’s why! Each year when the wild River Torne freezes deeply, they cut out the clear Arctic ice to build an absolutely astonishing ice complex. Each summer the ice melt flows naturally back into its source. Set in
Your Itinerarya picturesque winter wonderland setting, with dry powdery snow drooping off laden branches of birch and fir trees, the landscape promises winter walks along forested pathways and amazing adventures on frozen lakes and rivers. In this complex you will also discover wooden cabins, reception areas and restaurants. In the Riverside Lobby with its open fire, changing rooms and saunas, we collect our full Arctic weather clothing, complete with ice boots, balaclavas and mittens, which you will wear on your adventures over the next two days. On our guided IceHotel tour, we will explore the giant white hallways with frozen pillars and ice chandeliers, the wedding chapel with its ice pews, and the bedrooms and suites lovingly carved by Ice Artists. One might have a giant gorilla bursting out of the wall, another frozen jelly fish dangling above you, some… the list goes on! Time for a welcome drink in the fantastic ICEBAR, with glasses made of ice, of course! Tonight, dinner is in a delightful warm, wooden cabin which is ranked in the top 3 restaurants in Swedish Lapland.Meals: B,D
DAY 7Husky Ride and Northern Lights Snowmobile Safari This morning we ride with huskies into the wilderness. Climbing aboard – 4 four people to a sleigh – we
chase along the frozen River Torne and into the unspoiled wilderness. Their breath billowing like smoke in the sub-freezing morning air, we follow forested pathways twisting this way and that and then stop at a small wooden igloo where a fire is built for our coffee and biscuits. Your afternoon is free back at the hotel. There is lots you can do. Ice carving? Husky training? Snow shoeing and wilderness walks or, just relax and enjoy ‘My Time’. Tonight we will enjoy an escorted night time snowmobile safari chasing the Aurora Borealis. With two people per snowmobile,
we drive deep into the wilderness, far away from any civilisation or light pollution. Stopping regularly, your expert ‘Northern Lights’ guide will talk about this remarkable phenomenon and the surrounding pristine countryside. Dinner will be in a wooden cabin in the forest. What a terrific farewell to Lapland.Meals: B,D
DAY 8Stockholm and farewell dinner Flying to Stockholm we enjoy a panoramic city tour before our farewell dinner. Meals: B,D
Your Helsinki Hotel Sokos Hotel VaakunaAsema-aukio 2, 00100 Helsinki, FinlandPhone: +358 20 123 4610Email: [email protected]
Your Arctic Circle HotelSanta Claus Holiday VillageTähtikuja 2, 96930 Rovaniemi, FinlandPhone: 358 40 159 3811Email: [email protected]
Your Glass Villa ExperienceKemi Seaside Glass VillasLumilinnankatu 15A, 94100 Kemi, FinlandPhone: +358 40 831 8273Email: [email protected]
Your incredible ICEHOTELICEHOTELMarknadsvägen 63, 981 91 Jukkasjärvi, SwedenPhone: 46 0 980 668 00Email: [email protected]
Your Stockholm Hotel Radisson Blu Royal Viking HotelVasagatan 1, 111 20 Stockholm, SwedenPhone: +46 8 506 540 00Email: [email protected]
Your Hotels*
*Note: Your tour itinerary and hotels may be subject to change.
Important InformationDo you have a disibility or medical condition we should know aboutIf you have advised us of a disability or medical condition on your traveller information form, we will have passed these details on to your Tour Manager. We recommend that you also raise the matter confidentially with your Tour Manager at the beginning of the tour.
Luggage and PorterageHotel porterage for one suitcase per person is included at each stay during your group touring programme. It is not included on the first or last days of your tour when arriving or departing your hotel independently. Please liaise with your Tour Manager and Driver regarding porterage for additional luggage.
For Finnair and SAS flights on this tour please note:
1 piece of checked baggage with the maximum weight of 23kg and external dimensions (length + width + height) of up to 158 cm.
1 piece of carry-on baggage, maximum dimensions 55cm x 40cm x 23cm and also 1 personal item such as a small handbag, backpack or laptop. Maximum combined weight of carry-on baggage is 8kg.
Your Tour Manager is: Heidi Klintemoller HansenHeidi’s mobile number is: +45 2567 8797
A native Dane, Heidi has worked as a qualified guide and tour manager for the past 11 years, escorting English-speaking groups around Denmark, Scandinavia, the Baltics and Southern Europe. She is based in Copenhagen where she also works as a language instructor at university and higher education level, and has a particular interest in the Nordic region, in particular its contemporary societies and how the Scandinavians live and see the world and how the region’s history has influenced the Scandinavian way of living.
Your Tour Manager
How much money do I need to budget for optional meals and excursions?Very little! Unlike other tour companies we don’t sell extra ‘optional’ tours once you arrive. All the excursions, activities and meals we outline in the itinerary are already included. Most dinners, even special regional restaurant dining, are already included.
How much should I budget for tips on tour?Nothing! We have already taken care of that for you. At Albatross Tours we understand that knowing when to tip, who to tip, and how much to tip can make you uncomfortable. That’s why we have included all tips whilst you are ‘on tour’ including the end of tour tips for your Tour Manager and Driver. That makes life easier!
What type of clothing do you recommend on your Festive Tours?The weather can get cold, but you will be comfortable when travelling as your first class coach is fitted with heaters and double glazed windows. Once you arrive at your hotel you will be greeted with a warm and comfortable atmosphere. We recommend sturdy waterproof walking boots, thick socks, a woollen beanie, and the warmest wool based thermal underclothes, gloves and sunglasses.
Any outdoor activities will require complete thermal outfitting which will be supplied as needed - on site. Further suggestions can be found in the pre-departure information on our website www.albatrosstours.com ‘My Tour’ section. Look for ‘Handy hints on what to pack and bring’.
Will I have free time while touring?Yes, absolutely! We refer to this as ‘My Time’. And since we do not sell ANY optional excursions your free time remains free! We believe the perfect touring holiday includes a balanced mix of included activities as well as free time to enjoy your surroundings. Let’s face it, part of the joy of a destination is to relax and enjoy a leisurely lunch or wander through the streets and experience the local culture.
What if I have special dietary requirements?All the hotels and restaurants, along with your Tour Manager, will have been notified of any special dietary needs you advised to us on your traveller information form. Nevertheless, please do check with your Tour Manager to ensure he/she is aware of them. Whilst every effort will be made toaccommodate your special dietary requirements, we cannot guarantee they will always be available.
Frequently Asked Questions
• Daily tour itinerary
• Helpful holiday tips
• Destination ideas
• Interactive maps
• Weather updates
• Currency converter
The Albatross Tours App
Albatross Tours App features
Remember to download the Albatross Tours App before you leave
Designed to enhance your travelling experience, the Albatross Tours App features your daily tour itinerary, travel maps, weather updates plus ‘My Time’ suggestions. Please download your App before you leave home.
Your personalised Albatross Tours App will be available 4 weeks prior to your tour departure. To download the Albatross Tours App simply go to the App Store (Apple) or Google Play Store (Android) and search for ‘Albatross Tours’.
Your Albatross Tours App login can be found in your Albatross travel documentation.
If you have any questions regarding your Albatross Tours documentation, please contact our office by email [email protected] or telephone:
Australia: 1300 135 015New Zealand: 0800 446 232
On behalf of the team at Albatross Tours, we wish you a wonderful European holiday!
WINTER WONDERLANDPHOTO COMPETITION
Enter your favourite photos from your Albatross Festive tour by 5th April 2020 for your chance to WIN one of the following:
First prize: $500 Visa gift cardRunner-up prize: $250 Visa gift card
We look forward to seeing your photos of European landmarks, regions, villages and memories from your Albatross tour.
To enter simply upload your photos via www.albatrosstours.com.au/winter-wonderland-photo-competition
