Winter Wonderland on a Forest Farm

Overview

Duration: 1 night minimum.

Accommodation: Accommodation on the farm consists of 2 rooms which share toilet/shower and TV/recreation room. Each room accommodates up to 4 persons (or a family of 5).

Required: Good general health. Suitable for the whole family.

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Deep in the forests of Hälsingland the winters of fairytales are very much a reality: soft, thick snow carpeting and stilling the forest, ice lying thick across the lakes - and a crackling log fire to come home to after a day in the crisp winter air.

Winter Wonderland on a Forest farm allows you to rediscover the joy of a traditional winter family holiday in a personal and welcoming atmosphere. This is a unique and out-of-the ordinary experience for those who value peace, quiet and nature.

There is a wide variety of activities to choose from, from cross-country skiing along endless forest tracks and quiet strolls in the hushed woodlands to horse-drawn sled rides through snow-clad forests. You can drill your own holes in the ice and fish for char, or borrow a "kick-sledge" and head out onto the ice of the forest lakes.

Lasse and Åsa have worked tirelessly over the last few years to restore this once-deserted farmhouse to its former glory: a living, breathing, working farm where traditional agricultural techniques are used which respect and enhance biodiversity. They have also created a wonderful, welcoming environment for couples or families to spend a magical time enjoying the delights of an old-fashioned winter holiday.

Åsa is a skilled farmhouse cook and food is a central feature of any stay at the forest farm. Food served at the farm is home-made, organic and prepared from local ingredients wherever possible - a traditional Swedish culinary experience with the flexibility to accommodate a wide range of dietary requirements.

Winter Wonderland on a Forest Farm is a marvellous experience ideal for those seeking a personal and welcoming winter holiday in the heart of the Swedish forest!

Dates & Prices

Dates

Stays at the farm are possible all year round. There is normally snow at the farm from around mid-December until the end of March. Best snow usually mid-January to late March.

The Price

Prices are in British Pounds. If you wish, you are also welcome to make your payment by bank transfer in Euros or Swedish Kronor. If this would be of interest, please let us know and we will be happy to provide prices.

Children under 2 years stay and eat free of charge. The farm lies in a remote location with the nearest opportunity meals elsewhere approx. 30 minutes' drive away. Food at the farm is a central part of your experience and full board is by far the most popular option.

Accommodation + Half Board (breakfast and dinner)

• First night: £97/adult, £49/child 2-14 years (in parents' room)
• Additional nights: £54/adult/night, £27/child/night 2-14 years (in parent's room)

Accommodation + Full Board (all meals and snacks)

• First night: £120/adult, £61/child 2-14 years (in parents' room)
• Additional nights: £77/adult/night, £39/child/night 2-14 years (in parents' room)

Christmas, New Year and Easter packages

Over Christmas (23.12-27.12.11) and New Year (29.12.11-03.01.12), it is only possible to book full-board at the farm (NB: no stays are possible 28.12.11). Prices are as follows:

• First night: £134/adult, £68/child 2-14 years (in parents' room)
• Additional nights: £85/adult/night, £43/child/night (in parents' room)

These packages include extras as follows:

• Christmas: Celebrate Christmas in the quiet of the deep forest and the intimate atmosphere of the forest farm. The price includes an excursion by horse and sleigh to collect the farm Christmas tree from the forest, traditional home-made Swedish Christmas cuisine, and small Christmas gifts made locally from natural materials (wood and flax). In the evening, relax in front of the fire as your hosts regale you with stories from the area, sipping glögg (Swedish mulled wine) and eating traditional Swedish snacks such as pepparkakor (pepper cookies), lussekatter (Lucia buns) and knäck (Swedish toffee).
• New Year: A traditional Swedish New Year celebration with your host and hostess in the heart of the forest, with 3-course New Year's Eve dinner, fireworks at midnight and a horse and sleigh ride in the winter darkness.
• Easter: A forest Easter celebration including Easter buffer, traditional Easter eggs and a hunt for the ultimate "påskris" or Easter branches as well as horse and sleigh or horse and carriage ride in the forest depending on snow conditions.

What The Price Includes

Accommodation

The accommodation on the farm consists of 2 rooms which share toilet/shower and TV/recreation room. Each room can normally accommodate up to four persons (an additional bed can be added to accommodate a family of 5).

Families can also choose to have children in own room (charged at adult rate), giving the family exclusive use of the living and bathroom facilities.

Bed linen and towels are provided.

Private groups: This experience is also very popular with two families travelling together. In this case, the adults often choose to have the rooms as private sleeping accommodation, while the children "take over" the living area as a "den". There are two sofa beds in the living area providing additional sleeping accommodation.

Meals

Food served at the farm is home-made, organic and prepared from local ingredients wherever possible.

• Half board: Breakfast and one meal/day (main course with coffee and cake). Additional meals/snacks can be purchased on site.
• Full board: Breakfast, lunch and 2-course dinner (main course with dessert), snacks during the day.
• Full board for 3 nights or more: As above plus one 3-course dinner and horse and sleigh/carriage ride with outside meal.
• Full board for 5 nights or more (min 2, max 4 persons in a group): As above plus free transfer to/from Söderhamn (normal cost 500 SEK, around £50, one-way).

Equipment

Ice drills for ice fishing, kick-sleds and toboggans are available to borrow from your hosts.

What The Price Does Not Include

Alcoholic drinks.

Optional Extras

Note that depending on your choice of board option and length of stay, transfer and some activities may be included - please see "What The Price Includes" above.

Transfer

Transfer from Söderhamn or Bollnäs if travelling by public transport: 500 SEK/transfer one-way for up to 4 people. This should be booked in advance but paid locally to your hosts on arrival.

Activities

• Horse and sleigh/carriage tour (approx. 1 hour): £58
• Norse and sleigh/carriage tour including meal out of doors: £93
• Ice Fishing (including fishing licence and one hour's guiding): £58 + £10/person over 13/day
• Ice Fishing equipment: £12/person/day
• Cross country ski equipment: £12/person/stay (must be booked in advance, please provide information on shoe sizes)
• Horse riding and dog sledding day tours can be arranged in the local area. Please contact us for details and prices.

If you have a car, the Järvzoo animal and nature park (approx. 40km from the farm) is well worth a visit. A boardwalk of approx. 3km, the longest in Europe, offers an ideal way to view the animals. Järvzoo focuses exclusively on Scandinavian species, with living habitat as close as possible to the animals' natural surroundings. Animals include lynx, wolf, arctic fox, brown bear and moose.

Practical Info

Health requirements/experience

Good general health. Suitable both for adults and families and ideal for children.

Equipment/clothes needed

A detailed recommended equipment list will be sent with your booking confirmation.

NB: We advise you not to buy equipment or clothes for your trip or to incur other non-refundable expenses such as flights until you have received confirmation of your booking from us in writing.

Groups

Groups of up to 8-10 persons (e.g. 2 families of 2 adults with 2-3 children) can be accommodated in the two rooms at the forest farm.

Additional Notes

This host has received a prestigious Swedish Ecotourism award for commitment to high standards to cultural and environmental sensitivity.

Location

Detailed information on travel options will be sent with your booking documentation. We are happy to advise on suitable connections and assist you with any aspect of planning your journey.

By Air

Fly to Stockholm for onward travel by train to Söderhamn (travel time around 2-2.5 hours), from where transfer is available as an optional extra or is included for guests staying a number of nights on full board.

Without Flying

Ferry from Harwich to Esbjerg (Denmark) for onward train connections to Söderhamn.

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