Lapland, home of Father Christmas, is a popular holiday destination over the festive season - and indeed all year round. Located in the most northerly part of Finland, the area has a wintery climate and together with its abundance of pines and spruces and a population of 190,000 reindeer, it looks picture-perfect for a Christmas card.
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The capital of the Lapland region, Rovaniemi, is situated right on the Arctic Circle. Just 8 km to the north, you can find Santa Claus Village complete with Mrs Claus’ Christmas Cottage, the Elf’s Farm Yard Petting Zoo, a Husky Park with Siberian Huskies and their puppies, snowmobile tours, reindeer sleigh rides, and of course, the man himself in attendance every day to meet visitors (although the exact location of his home remains secret, in the mysterious Korvatunturi). It’s easy to reach Santa Claus Village by bus or the Santa Express from Rovaniemi.
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The magic doesn’t stop outside of the festive period though. From Rovaniemi, it’s possible to view the spellbinding Aurora Borealis, or Northern Lights, on around 150 nights of the year. You don’t need to walk far from the city centre to find a good spot away from artificial light interference; the Arctic Garden is a darker spot about 10 minutes outside of the centre, and the top of Ounasvaara fell is 45 minutes away. The Lights, caused by electrically charged particles from the sun colliding with each other when entering the Earth’s atmosphere, can last for a couple of minutes or several hours during the night, usually between 10pm and 2am.
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The Snowman World Winter Zone is a popular attraction in the Santa Claus Village, where the snow can really be enjoyed - visitors can slide down hills, ice skate, and play with the snowman characters. If visiting during the summer, instead try the Ounasvaara sled track; you can enjoy the beautiful views over Rovaniemi whilst sliding down the slope, at a speed you can control. For less daring visitors, take the scenery lift downhill instead!
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For holidaymakers really wanting to embrace the wintery climate, visit the Arctic SnowHotel, around 26 km from Roveniemi. Explore the structures and sculptures made of snow and ice, learn about how the hotel’s construction and operation, and enjoy a shot from the ice bar in a glass made from ice. The restaurant provides a unique setting for Lappish delicacies. The hotel even has a snow sauna experience, where you can find out how to get the best steam, try a traditional Finnish sauna, and soak in an outdoor jacuzzi. For full immersion, the hotel sleeps 70 guests in icy rooms between 0 and 5°C, but sleeping bags and reindeer furs keep you warm and cosy. The Glass Igloos next to the Arctic SnowHotel can sleep up 127 people in warm domes beneath the starry skies and Northern Lights.
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Within Rovaniemi itself, visit the Arktikum museum, the forest-themed Pilke Science Centre, and the Korundi House of Culture to find out more about the Arctic circle, the history and culture of Lapland, and art from the region. If the reindeer and husky parks in the Santa Claus Village don’t cut the mustard, animal lovers should check out the Ranua Wildlife Park where 50 wild species can be found, including the polar bear and the Finnish brown bears.
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What are you waiting for - book your taxis and flights now for this quintessential winter escape!
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Title Image Credit: Stefanie Kurtz (Image Cropped)