Lapland for Christmas

We spent Christmas 2013 in Lapland visiting Santa, a magical experience for the whole family. Flying out on 21st December early from Manchester airport we arrived in Finland 3 ½ hours later, the descent to the airport was beautiful with all the snow covered trees. The airport is only small so the whole process from disembarking the aircraft to collecting the luggage was only about 30 minutes. Located right on the edge of the Arctic Circle we were assured a white Christmas. Once the luggage was collected we were directed to our coach transfer where we met our very own elf, Whisper. The transfer to the hotel was only 20 minutes and in that time Whisper talked us through what would happen when we arrived from the welcome meeting to collecting all our winter gear. Whisper was fab at being an elf and by the end of the coach journey even I was believing! The welcome meeting covered some of the optional excursions we could book then the process of getting the winter gear was really easy and quick – then across the road to the hotel. We were staying at the Hotel Snowflake on full board. Bedrooms were on the small side but very adequate with a fridge and TV. We were on full board basis, food was buffet style and although not an extensive choice all the food was very nice. The hotel also has a viewing room for the Northern Lights should you be lucky enough to have them at the time of visit, unfortunately we weren’t. The following day was an early start for a day at Santa’s Resort. A coach takes you to the resort where there is all sorts to keep you busy, try out a snowmobile, get pulled along by husky dogs or a reindeer, enjoy some tobogganing and of course the all-important private meeting with Santa himself. Each family is taken out to the woods to a log cabin where you go in and meet the big man, all done very lovely with a roaring log fire. Lunch was included to warm you up along with a retreat log where you could warm up and the kids draw with the elves. On Christmas Eve we booked to go on the Elf Adventure, a half day spent on a frozen lake where you can experience ice fishing, tobogganing, football, and mini skidoo and snow shoes. Again the elves are all on hand to make the day enjoyable. All the kids are asked to go into the woods to choose a Christmas tree and decorate it and there was a cabin for hotdogs and warm drinks. The afternoon was spent on the nearby toboggan run, the hotel had toboggans in reception for a two euro deposit you could enjoy whenever you liked. There was also skiing available should you wish to do it. The hotel was on the edge of the resort, a 10 minute walk to the nearby supermarket. On Christmas Day we woke up to it snowing, after a leisurely morning we went out for more tobogganing. After lunch we enjoyed a couple of hours at the Angry Birds activity centre which was great fun. Then it was home and time to get ready for the gala dinner, followed by a disco enjoyed by all. Then on Boxing Day we came back home, a perfect, and magical way to spend Christmas. A one off but well worth it.