Lapland - Our Trip to meet the real "Father Christmas"!

On 27th November 2015, we travelled to Saariselka in Finland “aka Lapland” for a two-night three day break.

My husband and I had been planning this trip for two years for my little girls, trying to get the ages just right they are now 4 and 8 years old, so when the Lapland brochures went on sale a whole year previous to our travel date, we took the plunge and made the booking and managed to keep it a secret for a whole 11 months until the weekend before we flew out the following Friday.

The weekend before I very cheeky elf on the shelf arrived at the door and rang the doorbell and with him in his “bed box” was a “personal invite” from Father Christmas to come and visit him in Lapland, our girls were so excited about the elf who later became known as “Harry”?! that they almost missed the invite and whilst Robyn our eight year old was bouncing around the room in delight we had to relay what the invite said to our four year old – Freya – a truly magical moment that almost made mummy cry!

So after a wonderful Jet2 flight to Ivalo with staff with Santa hats and Christmas carols by the kids at the front of the plane, we landed in Finland “aka Lapland” and we were greeted by mischievous elves and a guy in traditional dress with two gorgeous reindeer in tow – the girls were in Santa heaven!

After a short journey we arrived at our hotel the 4* Gielas Wing of the Tunturi hotel in Saariselka and the best hotel in the resort in my opinion too, a lovely modern property with rooms that sleep 4 and saunas built into the bathrooms too.

It’s at this point I have to stay the service from Santa’s Lapland who we travelled was impeccable, from the flight, airport transfers, collection of thermal suits/boots and the welcome meeting, we couldn’t fault anything.

I had (at this stage) booked around 20 sets of families now on the trip over the last 4 years and the feedback from all has been excellent, after a lovely evening meal (included in the cost of our trip) and an early ish night (after lots of snow and tobogganing fun) we fell fast asleep!

Day 2 was the Arctic Circle day – our activities were included in the cost of the trip, we had an amazing husky sled ride, a reindeer sleigh ride (twice!), we played snow angels, made a snowman, did some ice fishing, went in the ice bar, had a show with the elves in the “magic igloo”, the girls tried kids skidoos, lassoing and the long awaited private visit with Santa that was just magical to see their little faces. We had a great lunch included ah the Arctic circle centre and there were tepee’s with free hot berry juice and pancakes and free tea and coffee in the restaurant area all day too.

That evening we had a wonderful gala buffet dinner and entertainment for the kiddies too.

The following day after breakfast (also included) we had a morning on the toboggan slope in resort with our toboggan’s (2 Euros per toboggan to rent) from a vending machine – I jest you not!

I wish that we could return every year – the girls loved it’s much as did the adults, a truly magical experience not to be missed if you have children!