Thu, 03 May 2012
Finland Frolics!
Husky sledding, snowmobiling, and viewing the Northern Lights, is what Jo from Taber Holidays got ...
Read moreWed, 02 May 2012
Fine Cusine, Culture and Adventure in Norway!
Fresh back from her workshop in Norway, Suzel tells us she had a fabulous time! Her highlights inc...
Read moreWed, 02 May 2012
Iceland Express celebrate new flights from Edinburgh
To celebrate the launch of the new Iceland Express (IE) flights from Edinburgh, agents were invited ...
Read more
The Polar Express to Lapland featuring the Treehotel and Icehotel
6 nights, self-guided
|
To Book Call us on 01274 875 199 Or 
|
This truly wonderful holiday begins in Sweden's lovely capital city, Stockholm, before taking the overnight journey by rail northwards and crossing the Arctic Circle into Swedish Lapland.
Sweden’s capital city is beautifully situated over 14 islands and is connected by 57 bridges. The city is full of charm and atmosphere, old and new. Gamla Stan is one of the largest and best preserved medieval city centres in Europe, and one of the foremost attractions in Stockholm. This is where Stockholm was founded in 1252. All of Gamla Stan and the adjacent island of Riddarholmen are like a living pedestrian-friendly museum full of sights, attractions, restaurants, cafes, bars and places to shop. Gamla Stan is also popular with aficionados of handicrafts, curios and souvenirs. The narrow winding cobblestone streets, with their buildings in so many different shades of gold, give Gamla Stan its unique character. Even now cellar vaults and frescoes from the Middle Ages can be found behind the visible facades and on snowy winter days the district feels like something from a story book!
In our opinion no visit to Stockholm would be complete without visiting The Vasa Museum. The Vasa is the only preserved 17th Century ship in the world and a unique art treasure. More than 95% of the ship is original and it is decorated with hundreds of carved sculptures. The 69 metre long warship sank on its maiden voyage in the middle of Stockholm in 1628 and was salvaged 333 years later in 1961. Today the Vasa Museum is the most visited museum in Scandinavia.
The overnight train across the Arctic Circle, or ‘norrlandståget’, from Stockholm to Luleå is an alternative, and we think rather romantic, way of making the long journey northwards to Lapland. The train leaves Stockholm during the early evening and arrives in Luleå the following morning. Accommodation on the train is in 2 berth sleeper compartments with shower and WC either in the compartment or available in the corridor. There is a buffet car on board though meals are rather basic and we suggest you buy drinks and food in Stockholm prior to departure and make your own little picnic on board!
A really lovely winter holiday adventure for those wanting to experience lots of new things.
View The Polar Express to Lapland featuring the Treehotel and Icehotel in a larger map
Day 1
Arrive Stockholm Arlanda Airport. Take the airport train and a taxi to your hotel (not included).
1 night STOCKHOLM - Clarion Hotel Sign (BB)
Day 2
Almost a full day in Stockholm to explore before departing early evening by overnight train across the Arctic Circle into Swedish Lapland. 2 berth sleeper compartment reserved.
1 night ONBOARD TRAIN (RO)
Day 3
Met on arrival at the train station in Luleå. Your transfer is approximately 1 hour long and an adventure in itself, beginning with a short tour of the city of Luleå after which you will pass through the World Heritage Gammelstad Church Village. Your guide will introduce you to a wide range of interesting places along the Luleå river valley and convey information about the region, its people and its history. Arrive Harads and check-in at Britta’s Pensjonat for your overnight in your tree room at the Treehotel. Dinner and breakfast are taken at Britta’s Pensjonat.
1 night HARADS - Treehotel (HB)
Day 4
Lazy morning with time for a sauna in the nearby Tree Sauna before transferring to your hotel in Luleå city centre. Remainder of day free to explore Luleå.
1 night LULEÅ - Elite Stadshotellet (BB)
Day 5
Departure from Luleå by rail continuing your journey northwards further into Swedish Lapland. Afternoon arrival in Kiruna. Met on arrival and transferred to Jukkasjärvi and the Icehotel. Afternoon and evening free with the opportunity to try and exciting outdoor activity before collecting your thermal sleeping bag for a night spent in the Icehotel.
1 night JUKKASJÄRVI - Icehotel (BB)
Day 6
A nice hot morning sauna is followed by a hearty breakfast. Remainder of the day free for optional excursions/activities.
1 night JUKKASJÄRVI - Kaamos Hotel Room (BB)
Day 7
Transfer to Kiruna Airport for your return flight to the UK.
Departure Days: Thursdays, Fridays & Saturdays (Sunday - Wednesday at a supplement, see price panel)
Departures Dates: December 2011 - March 2012
Duration: 6 nights
Clarion Hotel Sign ****
Stockholm's largest hotel is located in the heart of Stockholm city adjacent to the Central Station and Arlanda Express facing the Norra Bantorget Square. The hotel is brand new, built in 2008, and is a spectacular building dominated by granite and glass, leaning over the square reflecting the green park. The hotel has a wonderful Aquavit Grill & Raw Bar, contributed by Marcus Samuelsson of New York’s Aquavit restaurant. The eighth floor of the hotel holds Selma CitySpa+ where you can indulge yourself in the sauna, gym, spa with a spa treatment and/or in the heated outdoor pool, all with a fantastic view of Stockholm. All rooms are non-smoking and have TV, telephone, hair dryer, Internet access and some of the most comfortable beds we have ever slept in in the whole of Scandinavia! Lift to all floors.
Treehotel
An amazing collection of tree house rooms, all with WC and washbasin - showers in the Tree Sauna closeby!). Each one is an individual design based on ecological principles. Price based on either the Birds Nest, Cabin, Blue Cone or UFO, supplement for the Mirrorcube. Britta’s Pensjonat is close by which has a restaurant, sauna and relax area and is where breakfast is served.
Elite Stadshotellet ****
The Elite Stadshotellet Luleå is a modern hotel of a very high standard, where style and 100-year old craftsmanship have been tastefully combined with today’s demands for comfort and service. Elite Stadshotellet Luleå is located in central Luleå overlooking the city park and the north harbour.
Kaamos Hotel Room ***
Warm accommodation is provided in Kaamos Hotel Room where the double rooms are spacious and bright with a contemporary Scandinavian design. The double bed in some rooms can be converted into twin beds (please advise at time of booking). All rooms have TV, phone and kettle.
Icehotel, Jukkasjärvi
The Ice Hotel at Jukkasjärvi was the first hotel of its kind and is therefore perhaps the most extensive of all ice hotel projects. The hotel is built of ice and snow with designs inspired by the local nature i.e. Jukkasjärvi, the River Torne, the cold Arctic climate and The Northern Lights. The Ice Hotel has several different 'room' categories; a snow room which is simple but spacious accommodation where you sleep in thermal sleeping bags on reindeer skins on a bed built of snow and ice or an Ice Room With additional furniture made from ice and unique artwork decorating the room. Those not on a buget may also choose to stay in an Art Suite with ice art in the shape of fantastic design and wonderful sculptures. Standard, of course, is the Ice Bar and lounge where you can mingle with other guests sipping colourful cocktails from glasses made of ice, however you may also choose the warmer option i.e. to sit in the warm building connected to the Ice Hotel around a crackling fire until it is time for bed. A hot drink, breakfast and sauna are included the following morning.
To book call 01274 875 199 or