Lapland

northern lights!

In our series of destination insights we feature programme ideas, activities and venues that we believe represent the best that Iceland has to offer. We hope that this provides a basis from which we can work with you to develop a programme that works best for your people, your business and fits your budget.
Remember that here at eventwise we pride ourselves in designing unique programmes and developing ground-breaking ideas, so this insight is just a taster of what may be possible for your event.

Lapland overview

Lapland, a region in North Europe, which belongs to Norway, Sweden, Finland and Russia, is renowned for its vast wilds and fells. The wooded hilly landscapes and lush riverside countryside are its dominating characteristics. There are few animal species apart from the reindeer and the huskies as the demanding climate of Lapland requires unique tenacity not only from the animals, but also the flora and fauna.
Yet this country does offer some incredible and unique experiences, many not for the faint hearted, ranging from igloo building to dog sledding, from skidoo safaris to rally driving on ice. There is also the possibility of seeing the incredible multicoloured Northern Lights born at a height of around 100 km above ground level and visible when electrically charged particles collide with the earth's atmosphere near the magnetic poles. The best time to see them is during cold and clear winter nights.
In our opinion Lapland is a truly amazing destination for an incentive programme, the stunning scenery alongside the adrenaline fuelled activities make for an award winning programme that will excite any group.

getting there

Rovaniemi is the local airport in Lapland and this is accessible by connecting through Helsinki or Stockholm from London. There are no direct flights connecting Rovaniemi to any other European cities all flights come through Helsinki or Stockholm. From London the approximate travel time is 5 hours, however what awaits your group in Lapland is worth the journey!

where to stay

Clarion Hotel Santa Claus ****
The Clarion Hotel Santa Claus is only 15 minutes from the airport and is located in the heart of Rovaniemi. The hotel offers guests superb amenities, bars and restaurants and its 168 modern bedrooms are all well appointed. The Clarion Hotel Santa Claus offers first-class amenities and superb service, making any stay a pleasurable one. Conveniently located in the very heart of Rovaniemi, only a 15-minute transfer from the airport, this stylish hotel is complete with shopping mall, restaurant and café. The Hotel Restaurant Gaissa specializes in both Lappish and international dishes and the street level Café Bar Zoom. It makes the best variations of coffees and drinks. Despite the central location the unique Lappish nature is only a stone's throw away.
Bedrooms: 153 well equipped spacious rooms all with: Pay TV, mini bar, internet access, a lockable safe, adjustable heating and air-conditioning system, kettle, ironing board and trouser press. Meals: A la Carte dining at the hotels restaurant offering the best tastes from Finland along with Lapland specialities and exotic influences from around the world.

programme example

Day One

Guests will be asked to join their host and colleagues at their airport of origin and check-in for their flight to Lapland.

Fly to Rovaniemi on board selected carrier.

A meal suitable to the time of day and open bar service will be served in-flight.

Arrival at Rovaniemi, guests will be met and greeted by our representative who will be dressed in traditional Lappish costume and then directed to the waiting vehicles for transfer to the Hotel Santa Claus, Rovaniemi – a journey time of approximately 15 minutes.

On arrival at the hotel guests will be able to collect their keys from the hospitality desk, which will be staffed by the eventwise representative. All guests will have been pre-registered and rooms will have been pre-allocated to ensure that there are no delays in obtaining room keys. Full winter safari outfits will be waiting for the guests in their rooms. NB. We will require the following information from each guest - height, weight & shoe size.

Video Cameras. Who will rise to the challenge? On arrival at the Hotel we will distribute 4 video cameras to those most trustworthy and creative within the team. Their task will be to shoot ‘rushes' of the group throughout the trip. We will then edit the footage into a short ‘highlights' film post.

When guests arrive into their hotel room they will find a welcome gift from Lapland (Lappish four wind hat), along with a personalised letter from the host to mark their arrival.

Dinner in the hotels restaurant.

Over night at the Hotel Santa Claus.

Day Two

Breakfast at leisure.

Guests will be asked to meet in the lobby of the hotel (dressed in the outfits delivered to their bedrooms on the previous day) to take the short walk to the Arctic Safari House to collect their helmets, which will complete their winter safari outfits.

Once guests have collected their helmets they will proceed down to the river shore where their snowmobiles will be waiting (2 guests per snowmobile).

Snowmobile Safari. Following a briefing on how to handle these vehicles and a safety briefing the safari will commence taking the route along the ice-covered river Ounasjoki towards the snowy woods and white hills.

The first stop will be at a local husky farm. At the farm guests will learn about these arctic animals and enjoy a 30-minute ride in a sledge pulled by the huskies.

The safari will then continue towards a local reindeer farm where guests will learn all about these amazing creatures of the arctic.

Lunch will be taken at Villa Marina a local restaurant close to the Reindeer Farm.

After lunch it's time to experience the mysterious Arctic Circle crossing ceremony by reindeer and guests will even receive an official reindeer driving licence.

From the reindeer farm the safari heads back to Rovaniemi a journey time of about one hour.

Upon returning to the hotel (approx 16:00) the hotel sauna will be at the guest's disposal.

Early evening guests will be asked to join their host in the lobby at for their onward bus transfer to Snowland where dinner will be served in a real igloo restaurant and guests will dine under the ice roof seated on reindeer pelts.

During the evening you will be welcomed to Lapland by a true Saami tribesman, indigenous to the country. Saami are a tribe with their own history, language, lifestyle and identity, all of which has a strong connection to nature. Their colourful national costume displays the family relation to its forefathers and during the evening you will be party to an insight into this fascinating way of life. Remember to look up as you leave the restaurant as you might be in for a nice surprise.

Return transfer to the hotel where guests can spend the remainder of the evening at their leisure.

Over night at the Hotel Santa Claus.

Day Three

Breakfast at leisure.

A full buffet breakfast and morning sauna will be available at Sieripirtti Lodge.

Olympic Arctic Snow Fun Competition. The group will be divided into small teams for this competition, with each team being named after an arctic animal. After the grand opening of the games, teams will partake in the following events, tandem skiing, snowshoe racing, snow buggy driving and the snow sculpture competition.

Lunch will be served during the games followed by the winning team being awarded with traditional wooden medals.

Following lunch guests will be transferred back to Rovaneimi.

On arrival back at the hotel, guests have the afternoon at leisure.

Santamus: Coach transfers will take the guests to the mysterious world of Santamus for dinner. Designed by well known Finnish architect Rejjo Rajamaki in the shape of a gold nugget, the Santamus log house with its 33 corners conceals a piece if authentic Lapland nature. It offers a unique atmosphere and unforgettable experience on the Arctic Circle for any visitor. The name Santamus originates from the words Santa and “isommus” a French word for a giant gold nugget. It really is a ‘restaurant of sensations'.

Coach transfers back to the hotel.

Over night at the Hotel Santa Claus.

Day Four

Breakfast at leisure

A full buffet breakfast will be available in the hotels restaurant this morning.

Guests will then be asked to join their host in the Lobby for their onward transfers to the rally driving site.

Ice Karting. This is the final opportunity to capture some great film footage, guests will drive 2-3 training laps and 2-3 ranking laps and the best drivers will get into the final lap.

Guests will then head back to the hotel for lunch.

Guests will then have time to pack, check out of the hotel and settle their incidental room accounts. Guests will also be asked to return their safari outfits.

Transfer to Rovaniemi airport.

Depart Rovaniemi on selected carrier.

how much?

An indication of the likely cost of the programme as outlined above is £2,100.00 + UK VAT per person based on the following criteria:

A group of 50 people.

Travel in May 2009.

Economy class air travel.

Sharing twin accommodation.

All activities mentioned above are included.

The group would be accompanied by one eventwise travel director.

Half bottle of wine p/p and soft drinks are included with meals.

For more information about Lapland please contact our international event design team on +44 (0)207 378 2900, or send us an e-mail to people@eventwise.co.uk

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