Swap frenzied present giving, feasting and endless TV specials for a guaranteed dose of snow & ice, festive markets, adventure activities and the Northern Lights during December 2017, with a special Christmas or New Year escape from Nordic specialist Discover the World.
From authentic Christmas feasts, New Year bonfires and nights spent on ice at the magical Icehotel in Swedish Lapland to dog sled safaris, snowshoe walks and festive Sami storytelling in Norway and champagne cruises with fireworks in Iceland, there are festive options to suit all tastes and budgets.
Prices available from £671pp for a 3x night New Year break in Reykjavik. For more information, visit www.discover-the-world.co.uk.
Music, Bonfires, Drinks & Lanterns- Christmas or New Year at Icehotel, Swedish Lapland
For a guaranteed white Christmas, head to the Icehotel in Swedish Lapland, with its snow-covered landscapes, winter activities and delicious Scandinavian cuisine. As well as spending a night sleeping in an ice room, surrounded by twinkling lights and decorated trees, guests can explore the new Christmas market (offering local handicrafts, spiced Glögg, gingerbread baking, gift-wrapping workshops), try festive ice sculpting classes, husky sledding and games on the Torne River. Then, on Christmas Day, join a torchlight procession towards the local Jukkasjärvi church for a carol concert.
With the hotel still looking festive after its Christmas celebrations, New Year tends to be more of a romantic affair, beginning with a special candlelit à la carte meal and a glass of bubbly at the hotel, before wrapping up warm and gathering on the frozen Torne River, lit by a bonfire and a sprinkling of candles, to witness the release of Chinese lanterns at midnight. Afterwards enjoy ice cocktails at the Icebar, spend the night in an ice room and wake up on New Year’s Day for snowmobiling, dog sledding and traditional Swedish saunas.
3 nights Christmas Break (departing on 23 December) is available from £1,178pp with 2x nights in warm Kaamos warm room and 1x night spent in an ice room on a B&B basis, including the Christmas carol concert, airport transfers and return flights on Discover the World’s direct IceFlight. 4 nights New Year Break (departing on 29 December) available from £1,678pp with 3x nights in a Kaamos room and 1x night spent in an ice room on a B&B basis, candlelit dinner on New Year’s Eve, glass of champagne, airport transfers and return IceFlight.
From Fireworks to Champagne Cruises- New Year in Reykjavik, Iceland
Departing on 30 December, this seasonal short break combines a classic city break in Iceland’s lively capital, with special New Year’s Eve festivities. Based at stylish Hotel Klettur for 3 nights, the holiday includes a champagne cruise with four-course dinner on New Year’s Eve, floating in a prime position to view fireworks set off by Reykjavik residents. If guests are lucky the Northern Lights may make an appearance too. With two full days to explore the cool capital guests can even enjoy a relaxing New Year’s Day massage at the Blue Lagoon or a full day tour of the famed Golden Circle route, featuring a trio of natural wonders, including waterfalls, volcanoes and hot springs.
3 nights (departing 30 December) available from £671pp based on two sharing at Hotel Klettur, with New Year’s Eve 4-course dinner, welcome drink, and a champagne cruise. www.discover-the-world.co.uk/destinations/iceland-holidays/new-year-in-reykjavik
Discover the World are also able to offer tailor-made New Year packages at both Hotel Ranga (near Hella, around an hours’ drive from Reykjavik) and Hotel Husafell in Borgarfjordur, about 90 minutes’ drive northeast of Reykjavik. Get in touch for further information.
Festivities & Winter Activities- Christmas or New Year at Malangen, Norway
Departing on either 22 December (for Christmas) or 29 December (for New Year) this fully inclusive festive break is located at Malangen Resort, based just south of Tromso on the shores the of frozen Malangen fjord. Enjoy winter activities such as dog sledding safaris, snowshoe walks and, on one of the evenings, embark on a Northern Light watch at nearby Camp Nikka; tasting traditional soup and snacks around an open fire, listening to aurora presentations, and keeping watch for the lights. This is also the location for a special Christmas Eve dinner, with Santa making an appearance too! Whilst on New Year’s Eve guests will enjoy a five-course dinner with fizz and fireworks at midnight. During their stay, guests can also arrange Nordic skiing, Sami storytelling and fat biking.
4 night Christmas Break (departing 22 December) is available from £1,544pp and 4x night New Year Break (departing 29 December) is available from £1,506pp both based on two sharing a double on a half-board basis including return flights from Heathrow to Tromso (via Oslo) and airport transfers. A Christmas stay also includes 1x Christmas Eve dinner, 1x Northern Lights Watch, 1x husky sled safari and 1x snowshoe trek, whilst the NYE stay includes a 5-course NYE Gala Dinner, 1x Sami storytelling, 1x husky sled safari and 1x Northern Lights Watch.
For more information, visit www.discover-the-world.co.uk or call 01737 214 291. (Photos courtesy of www.discover-the-world.co.uk).
