WHY HOTEL KAKSLAUTTANEN?
For the majority of my vacations, I adore lying on a warm beach and taking in the beauty of the ocean and sunshine. When asked to plan our dream vacation, I wanted something more fulfilling and exciting than lying on a beach soaking up the sun. Hotel Kakslauttanen offers travelers all the wonders they would ever imagine. 

I have chosen this destination because:
1. The view of the stars and Aurora Borealis
2. The exciting and different hotel setting - A GLASS IGLOO? How could you pass up on that?
3. The activities offered - Husky Safaris, Fishing adventures and Ice Karting... Where else could you participate in all of these exciting activities?
4. The famous ice bar and restaurant - there is something spectacular about sitting and drinking from a glass made of ice!
5. WHY NOT?  There need not be any specific reason why I would want to travel to Hotel Kakslauttanen, just the mere fact that this hotel offers a different experience from anything I have ever seen is enough to persuade me to want to spend a week there!


Although this trip would be extremely costly, I believe it would be an experience of a lifetime and if this "DREAM VACATION" could ever become a reality, I believe it would be an experience that would stay with me for a lifetime. 

HOTEL KAKSLAUTTANEN REVIEWS: 
Before traveling, I find it extremely important to read up on reviews of the specific location I will be visiting. Trip Advisor is typically the most useful site that I have found. In regards to Hotel Kakslauttanen, there have been numerous different beliefs and reviews. Some have loved their experience whereas others complained about the food, service and weather. 
            TRIP ADVISOR COMMENTS AND CONCERNS

EXAMPLE OF REVIEW I WOULD FOLLOW: LIZZYTDEVON

• We visited Kakslauttanen in Feb 2010 and traveled with my partner and his Mother. I had read mixed reports about this place on Trip advisor particularly wrt price, food and service, but I must say our holiday went like clockwork. I regularly stay in 4 / 5 star hotels with work and was not disappointed with Kakslauttanen at all!!.
• We had arranged pick up / delivery to and from Ivalo airport by Kakslauttanen which I would recommend as I certainly did not see any TAXI's at this small airport.
• We then also spent 1 night in a glass igloo, which was extremely warm (even though it was -32'C outside) and worth doing for one night.
• We did 2 husky safaris, reindeer safari and snow mobile safari. I would recommend the 4 hour ones as they are an experience to remember. Husky safari is by far the best, followed by snow mobile. All arrangements made by the hotel for these excursions were excellent, but you do need to check the notice board in the reception area daily for times etc.
• Food was excellent every day of our 8 day stay. There is a set 3 course meal every night which is good home cooked food. We had no complaints and never felt the need to choose off the a la carte menu. We had superb soups, salmon, steak, Thai Pork, fish, reindeer and a variety of desserts from chocolate mousse to pancakes. 
• The staff were extremely friendly and always went out of their way to help. They spoke pretty good English such that language was never a barrier. They certainly delivered service with a smile!!
• Best way to get around the area in on the bus (incl Ski Bus) - make sure you go to Huippu as you get a great view of the area, supermarket and gift shops at Saariselka.
• To top it all off we saw amazing Northern lights on 2 nights - to give you an idea of the level of service one of the waitresses ran 10 minutes across the site to our cabin at 9.30pm at night to tell us that the sky was full of Northern lights!!

STAR GAZING:
Hotel Kakslauttanen has been voted one of the best hotels in the world to see the Northern Lights / Aurora Borealis. 
If you love the stars and the sky as much as I do, it is no reason that I have chosen this magical destination for my dream trip. Sleeping in a glass igloo with a perfect view of the northern lights and beauty the stars have to offer, it would be an experience I would hold with me for the rest of my days. 

Imagine... Sleeping in this warm beautiful igloo while watching the Aurora Borealis from up above...

MUST SEES: 
Snow Restaurant is built every year and it is open from December/January till the end of April. The restaurant is situated inside a huge snow igloo and offers a full three course dinner in a very special environment. The tables are made of crystal clear ice and our kitchen is fully equipped guaranteeing you a top-notch meal. Before the meal we encourage our guests to try snow curving, which is an exciting way to find an artist within you. You also may want to have a drink or two in our ice bar. The seating capacity of the restaurant is for 150 persons.  (http://kakslauttanen.fi/en/services/restaurants)

This one of a kind experience would be something that I could never pass up. Sitting in an ice bar... drinking from cups and martini glasses made solely of ice would be a spectacular experience. Ideally, I would like to visit this masterpiece more than once upon arriving at Hotel Kakslauttanen. If time permits, I would like Christian and I to have dinner at least once in this world famous restaurant, but visit the ice bar at least 2 - 3 times to indulge in a few relaxing drinks after some of our safaris. 


WEDDING CHAPEL: 
Although wedding bells are not in the near future for Christian and I, I cannot imagine visiting Hotel Kakslauttanen and not taking a gander at the beautiful frozen wedding chapel they have to offer. Filled with glass sculptures and snow, this wedding chapel is a spectacular man made masterpiece.

SCHEDULED ITINERARY

DAY 1: Ice Karting
Driving on ice... what could be more exciting and exhilarating than that? Ice Karting would be a one of a kind experience and racing alongside my boyfriend for some friendly and fun competition, well, I just don't know what could be better to start off our week long trip!

DAY 2: Husky Safari
It has always been a dream of mine to be taught how to drive the sledge. At Kakslauttanen, they provide you with the experience you need to drive and manage the sledge. Each team consists of 6 dogs. The safari lasts approximately four hours and includes a lunch served over an open fire in a wooden teepee.

DAY 3: Ice Swimming

To most, swimming in below freezing water would not seem all that enticing, however the Kakslauttanen it has been proved that ice swimming has healthy effects on your body. As freezing as this experience may be, I would be more than willing to attempt this... at least for a few seconds.

DAY 4: Ice Fishing Safari

My boyfriend and I are extremely big into fishing! Although this activity is perhaps not for everyone, I would never miss the opportunity to participate in a TRUE Finnish experience. Something extremely different and potentially very fun, is the fact that if you catch a fish, you may keep it and the cook back at Hotel Kakslauttanen will be more than willing to cook it for you!

DAY 5: Downhill Skiing and Snowboarding

Saariselka, a ski village located very close to Hotel Kakslauttanen, offers travelers who love snowing and skiing 15 slopes with top-notch skiing conditions. Bus transfer to and from the hill accommodate guests to facilitate getting to and from the ski hill with ease. 

- For Christian and I, skiing and snowboarding is what we live and breathe... This activity would be a blast!

DAY 6: Reindeer Safari 

Reindeer safari is a relaxing experience, in which you peacefully glide through the magical winter forest pulled by your very own reindeer. Although I am 21 years old, there is something magical about seeing a Reindeer in person. This is an experience that I would never want to miss. 

ESTIMATED COSTS: 
1. Flight
The closest airport to Saariselkä fell area is the IVALO airport. Round trip from Toronto to Ivalo and back again comes to a total of  $6, 146.72 CAD/ person. 
For Christian and I, the total cost for our flights would come to $12 293.44CAD
Something important to consider when booking our trip, is that the months of December - January are the most expensive in terms of flights due to Christmas and New Years. 

2. Hotel
The Glass Igloo's in hotel Kakslauttanen provide a one of a kind opportunity to admire the norther lights and gazing at millions of stars while sleeping under an "open" sky.   These igloos are built from special thermal glass which prevents the glass from getting frosted as you star gaze. This experience would be overwhelmingly spectacular - getting the igloo experience and a taste of what nature has to offer while still being cozy and comfortable in a comfortable luxurious suite would be the ideal accommodation for my dream getaway.
For two evenings in a GLASS IGLOO, the total cost amounts to $1, 112.05 CAD.
The total for my romantic 6 night stay under a glass igloo would be $ 3 336.15 CAD

3. Activities
Downhill Skiing and Snowboarding
Ice Karting
Ice Swimming
Husky Safari

Reindeer Safari

Ice Fishing Safari

I believe that the total cost for all of these activities would be approximately - $ 2500 for both of us! Although no prices are listed, I would hope that budgeting $ 2500 for both Christian and I would be more than enough. 

                           WHO & WHEN
WHO: 
I plan to travel to travel to Saariselka, Finland to Hotel Kakslauttanen with my boyfriend of 4 years - Christian. 
WHEN:
Ideally, the time of year that would be most appropriate for our romantic getaway would be for New Years Eve. 
Arrival Date: DECEMBER 29th 2011
Departure Date: JANUARY 5th 2012

I believe that a full week would be the perfect amount of time to accomplish all the activities and surprises that this magical hotel has to offer, and what better time to experience this magical winter wonderland than NEW YEARS EVE!