Christmas, Santa Claus and Lapland
The Magic of Christmas Comes Alive in the Snow and Ice of N. Europe
Oct 10, 2008
Enjoy the fun of a Lapland Christmas by heading for Lapland’s most famous resorts, Rovaniemi and Saariselkä in the white snows of Finland.
Many of the Northern European countries claim to have the “true” Santa Claus but in truth, as befits a magical man, he can be everywhere. One thing is for certain, he lives where the snow lies deep and crisp and even, and Rovaniemi in Finland fits the bill perfectly. Set on the lake shore and surrounded by miles of pine forest and gently rolling hills, the Joulukka Christmas Adventure Forest, is devoted to all things Christmassy.
Resorts in Finnish Lapland - Rovaniemi and Saariselkä,
Rovaniemi is a somewhat commercialised, large resort, with a very 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.
Who Goes to Rovaniemi and Saariselkä,
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 you see the jolly old man with the white beard, but the Elves who assist Santa to fly all over the world can be found walking around the resort, and can be checked out as they study 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.
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 the local Laplanders (the Sami people) are on hand to help visitors enjoy traditional Lapp cuisine (simpler tastes catered for as well). All Esprit trips 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 the longer trip is chosen it can include a hunt in the forest for trolls – enchantment personified.
And, there's the opportunity to cross the Arctic Circle into the land of the Northern Lights, making this a magical 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.
Where to Stay in Rovaniemi and Saariselkä,
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.
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