48Finnish Lapland - LuostoThis small ski resort of Luosto offers genuine wilderness encounters and an excellent range of activities. All of them can be experienced from a cosy log cabin, a spa hotel or the haven of the Aurora Chalet. It's a real Lappish gem."Luosto provides something for everybody and the range of wonderful accommodation here is rare. The log cabins are cosy and romantic and the hotel facilities are ideal for families" Amy GriffithsOur opinionWe love Luosto, the people, the place and the activities. Our staff can often be found holidaying there themselves. In our opinion, Luosto represents the very best of Finnish Lapland. Excellent facilities and activity services combine with a choice of modern hotel accommodation, spa facilities, cosy log cabins, well groomed downhill ski slopes and the ever popular cross country ski trails.We have numerous holidays here based in either the Luosto Tunturi Hotel and Amethyst Spa, log cabins (see opposite) or Aurora Chalet (please see page 46) so there is something for all tastes and budgets here.If you would like to experience all the main activities as well as some genuine downtime then why not look at our 'Taster Week' on page 50. The holiday is designed to introduce you to the most popular Nordic activities. None of the safaris are particularly long so this holiday is suitable for just about anyone, regardless of age and fitness. The mainly half day activities also give you the opportunity to enjoy Luosto's ski slopes or simply muck about in the snow. It has proved immensely popular with families and adults alike. Alternatively, if you want to tailor something completely to your own level then you can design your own holiday. Our tailor made options are detailed on page 53. Please also visit our website where you will find detailed descriptions of each activity as well as the weekly schedule and prices. Simply enter the brochure code 1015 into the search box online at www.activitiesabroad.com. As part of The Aurora Zone we have introduced a 'Northern Lights at Leisure' holiday. This tour combines comfort and ease with opportunities to search for the stunning Aurora Borealis at your own pace.If you have any questions then please call a member of the reservations team as almost everyone in the office has been to Luosto and we'd love to give you first hand advice. Please call us 01670 785 087.12345

49winter experiences 2011/12finlandLuosto Log CabinsThe idea of returning to a log cabin after a day in the Arctic temperatures, enjoying a relaxing sauna and settling down in front of a blazing fire is extremely enticing. Fortunately, Luosto is renowned for its silver pine cabins and everywhere you go, in and around the village, you'll see collections of cabins of various shapes and sizes.The normally semi detached cabins are almost always privately owned so a standardised description is nigh on impossible as each one varies according to the taste of the proprietor. Generally speaking, our cabins are situated in a wooded area approximately ten to twenty minutes walk from the centre of the village. Please take this into careful consideration if you are booking with young children as you may want to consider the excellent hotel accommodation.Each cabin sleeps between two and five people with one bedroom and an additional loft area with up to three more beds. In addition they also include a sauna, living room/ kitchen area, fireplace, shower/toilet, drying cupboard, refrigerator, dishwasher, microwave oven, television, digi-box, coffee maker and a radio.Firewood and end of stay cleaning are also included in the holiday price. For meals most guests choose to include the half board option at the Tunturi Hotel which means a pleasant walk to and from your cabin for breakfast and dinner. It provides exceptional value for money in Luosto and makes life very easy.There is a small supermarket in the village which sells the basics so for the inventive cook self catering is an option. Of course you can also try some of the other restaurants in the village if you want some variation but eating out every night can prove expensive.Please give us a call if you want some first hand advice, we like our food here at Activities Abroad and have eaten just about everywhere in Luosto.to book call: 01670 785 087 www.activitiesabroad.comAccommodation - our opinionLuosto Tunturi Hotel & Amethyst SpaThe Luosto Tunturi Hotel and Amethyst Spa is run by our good friend Juha-Pekka and in our opinion provides some of the best hotel facilities North of the Arctic Circle.The standard rooms are spacious and all have an en suite toilet/shower room (with hair dryer), mini bar, digital television and telephone. The sofa in each room can easily be converted into an extra bed. There are also family rooms with a mezzanine sleeping area which also prove very popular (subject to availability). The twelve Tunturi Suites (pictured below) each have a bedroom, a lounge/kitchen area, a sauna, shower, toilet, telephone, digital and pay TV, hair dryer, clothes drying cabinet and balcony. The sofa can be turned into an extra bed for an extra adult or two small children. We highly recommend these suites for families with young children as all the facilities are on your doorstep. The hotel also has a limited number of two bedroom suites.The hotel has 3 restaurants so there is an excellent range of dishes available. The half board option includes an extensive buffet breakfast (including make your own waffles) and evening meal comprising of soup, salad buffet, a choice of three main courses and pudding. It's also worth trying the bistro which serves burgers, pizzas and pasta dishes.The Amethyst Spa offers a pool with a variety of massage points as well as an amethyst cave jacuzzi. The Finnish and Turkish saunas combined with massage, treatment and fitness centre offer both relaxation and the chance for a work out.Photograph credits1-5 © Visit Finland