Christmas visit to Lapland
Rovaniemi is a somewhat commercialised, large resort, with a lively centre giving access to shops, cafes and restaurants. If Christmas shopping is on the list of things to do, then this is the perfect place. If a smaller, less commercial resort with charm and a friendly atmosphere is wanted, then Saariselkä, Lapland’s most northerly resort set amidst magical wilderness, is the place to head for. Both resorts are less than 30 minutes from the airport.
For children of all ages, this is where dreams can become reality. For adults, a trip to Rovaniemi can renew one’s belief in Santa Claus! Meeting the old man in person is every child’s dream and his elves are there to help visitors find his hideaway log-cabin home in the forest.
Not only will visitors get up close and personal with the jolly old man with the white beard, but the Elves who assist Santa to fly all over the world can be seen walking around the resort, studying in the Elf School, and help in the workshops.
What to Do on a Christmas Visit to Lapland
As the Christmas scene unfolds and the magic wraps itself around the resorts, visitors can indulge in some real Lapland activities like husky-sledding, reindeer sleigh-rides, tobogganing, snowmobiling, reindeer-lassoing and kick-sledding.
A Guide to Christmas in Lapland, Finland
Sled Safaris in Lapland, Finland
Visit Santa Claus’ Lapland Village in Finland
Choose from day-trips, short breaks or longer breaks before Christmas and let the kids write their Santa letters and see the Big Book in which they are all kept. On many of the trips, local Laplanders (the Sami people) are on hand to help visitors enjoy traditional Lapp cuisine (simpler tastes catered for as well). Trips can include a private family meeting with Santa Claus, a Snowmobile Sleigh Ride, a Husky Sled Ride, a Reindeer Sleigh Ride, and lunch and refreshments. If a longer trip is chosen it can include a hunt in the forest for trolls – enchantment personified.
And as a bonus, there’s the opportunity to cross the Arctic Circle into the land of the Northern Lights, making this a Christmas to remember.
What Clothes to Wear Christmas in Lapland.
All visitors, whether for one-day trips or longer visits, are provided with thermal outer wear, boots and gloves.
Choose from 3* and 4* Hotels (most with swimming pools), traditional Lapland log cabins (both self-catering and catered), or the chance to spend a night in a traditional Igloo!
Evening Entertainment?Esprit offers an exclusive Lapland Dinner Show in which children can take part in elf dances – a sure-fire hit with the little ones. After dinner, “Santa Park” is for the exclusive use of Esprit’s guests: tour the Ice Gallery and marvel at the carvings, then ride the Magical Mini-Train before heading for the Ice-Bar ( grown-ups only) where, siting on an ice-stool. leaning on an ice-counter and sipping schnapps from a goblet carved from ice, the meaning of “iced-Vodka” really hits home, .
Christmas is a time to re-kindle belief in pixies, elves, Santa Claus and all things magical. Travelling to Finnish Lapland with Esprit may trigger the casting of the spells.
