If you have children, you have probably been pestered to take them to the winter wonderland Santa Claus calls home,

Lapland. Set amongst authentic Sami villages, Lapland boasts snow-dusted forests and cosy log cabins; it is truly a once in a lifetime break where children’s dreams come alive. Maybe you like to relax in the sunshine when you take your annual holiday but it’s doubtful you would regret making a change and visiting Lapland. The captivating wonderland provides an unforgettable experience that is unlike any other destination in the world and memories, which will too last a lifetime. Comprising of two, you can choose from Finnish or Swedish Lapland. The majority of the festive fun is in Finnish Lapland though the original Ice Hotel is in Sweden.Karen Mills, a 34-year-old receptionist from Surrey travelled to Finnish Lapland over Christmas 2011 with her husband Mike and two children Ruby, nine and Emily, seven. It

was the family’s first visit to Lapland and they hope to return in the future. Though Karen and her family wouldn’t usually choose Lapland as a holiday destination she says, “we wanted something completely different and we also presumed this would be the last year the kids would believe in Father Christmas.” “My husband and I kept the destination a secret from the kids until we arrived at the airport. We filmed the moment the check-in lady told the kids they were going to meet Santa in Lapland, their faces were a picture. We stayed in the Snow Elf Hotel in Yllas which was surrounded by plenty of space for the kids to play in the snow which they loved.” Karen admits the holiday was as much fun for her and Mike was it was for the kids and believes Christmas in the UK will never be as exciting as celebrating in Lapland. “My husband and I absolutely loved it, it exceeded our expectations by far and I’d

recommend it to anyone. I’d even travel here without kids; we missed the Northern Lights by about ten minutes and were absolutely gutted, I’d love to visit again to see them. The Finn’s don’t celebrate Christmas day; their most important date is Christmas Eve. At about 3pm they turn off all of the lights and light candles, it looked very magical in the snow and the kids thought they were lighting a runway for Santa’s sleigh to take off! “It was exactly as you expect Lapland to be, like a picture from a festive book. The scenery was breath taking; it was dark most of the time so we enjoyed trekking through the forest with torches pretending to look for elves in the glittering snow. The husky ride and Ice Hotel trips were our favourite.” The Ice Hotel is an exquisite piece of awe-inspiring and is open to visitors for a fee of 325SEK/£30 for an adult or 75SEK/£7 for a child. Rebuilt year after the hotel is entirely dependant on freezing temperatures, if you visit early in December you can witness the

artists and ice sculptors at work constructing the hotel, but it is seasonal and only open until April. For an extra charge you can visit the ice sculpture gallery, marvel at the frozen works of art before they melt away in spring. Equally as remarkable but not as well known as the Ice Hotel is the Kakslauttanen Igloo village, in Finnish Lapland. You can stay the night in one of the impressive igloos amid the igloo village, marvel at the northern lights and clear starry sky from the comfort of your cosy sleeping bag. A trip to Lapland wouldn’t be complete without a magical Husky ride. Sip mulled wine in the toasty log cabins before dashing through the frozen forests on a sleigh pulled by Huskies. A four-night stay at the Snow Elf Hotel and Apartments in Yllas departing on 19th December 2012 will cost £775 per person a full-board basis, based on four sharing a family room. The price includes return flights from Gatwick, coach transfers and the Thomson rep service (thermal clothing, activity taster sessions, a meeting and gift from Santa, a Gala meal and activity event.) The hotel is in the centre of Yllas, a peacefully authentic resort with an ambiance of Lappish culture but with enough festive fun for the kids. It’s just a five-minute walk to the shops, bars and restaurants and is in close proximity to the ski tracks where this also a nursery slope and a ski school. If you tire of the outdoor fun wind down in the hotel’s sauna and treatment area with a

traditional Finnish massage. Whilst staying in Lapland as well as relishing in the festive fun you will witness the fascinating local culture of the Sami people. They are incredibly traditional and nature is their livelihood, many make a living by herding reindeer. Though tourism means they are becoming progressively westernised they still dress in customary Sami attire and have music and craft festivals.

Terry Davis, a 59-year-old grandfather from Plymouth took his wife Julie and two grandchildren Rosie, eight and Luke, six to Finnish Lapland prior to Christmas 2011. They stayed at the White Reindeer in Levi; Terry says there are ample facilities for older people as well as kids. “White Reindeer has a wellness centre so my wife could relax and enjoy various treatments whilst I took the kids to the play area. The children’s buffet was great too as the grandchildren can be a bit fussy, they certainly didn’t want to eat reindeer.” Terry met many couples in Lapland holidaying without children and says there are plenty of activities for adults and he would definitely like to return in the future.“It’d be lovely to visit with the whole family, kids and grandchildren as it was truly

magical, like something from a film. Our highlights were seeing the Northern Lights, though the little ones weren’t too impressed by that. They much preferred the husky ride and the Santa meeting, their faces lit up when they thought they’d met the real Father Christmas. Levi is ideal for skiing; whilst my wife and I didn’t take to the slopes the little ones did a couple of taster sessions and really enjoyed the different activities on offer.” A Northern Lights excursion is imperative when in Lapland. Mostly witnessed between September and March under a clear sky, the visual parade of dancing lights also known as the Aurora Borealis is a mesmerising treasure, not to be missed. Levi is one of Finland’s largest ski resorts and is bursting with festive entertainment. A four-night stay in Levi’s White Reindeer Complex will cost £785 per person based on four sharing on a half board basis. The price includes return flights from Gatwick, departing on 19th December 2012, coach transfers and the Thomson rep service.For little beginners Levi is home to Kid’s Land, a fun and snow-filled playground for all kids from youngsters to teenagers. Make use of the free sledges and sliders before thawing out by the roaring fire with a cocoa. A day trip to Rovaniemi will provide plenty of enjoyment. Sat directly on top of the Arctic Circle marker is where Santa Claus ‘officially’ resides, the Santa Claus Village. Admission is free and there are activities, cafés and shops aplenty. Pop in to Santa Claus’ Post Office where you can sit by the fire and write letters to home, posted for you by the elves. There is a combination of souvenir stands and gift workshops where local Sámi handicrafts can be purchased. At a cost (4 Euros) the children can have an enjoyable time earning their Arctic Circle certificates for crossing the Arctic line painted on the pavement. Also in Santa Claus’ Village is the Christmas House. The house holds a festive exhibition with memories from yesteryear, displaying different culture’s Christmas traditions and habits from all around the world. Imagine old Christmas movies and rare, unique decorations to take you on a journey through nostalgic memories; a family ticket cost just ten Euros. Whilst at Santa Claus’ village thaw out at the Ice Bar or stop by the Santa Park, a festive-themed amusement park built into caves, kids can bake gingerbread with an army of elves and ride on the Christmas carousel. Lapland is the holiday destination fairy tales are made of, the sugar-coated wonderland is crammed full of family fun, festivities and once in a lifetime opportunities. The memories you will create will last long after the last snow melts.

“It was exactly as you expect Lapland to be, like a picture from

a festive book.”

Enchanted LaplandLapland, a festive fairy-tale renowned for snow, skiing and reindeers aplenty. Why not treat the kids to a trip

to the winter wonderland and trade your annual summer holiday for a Christmas break your family will never forget?

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UNFORGETTABLE GETAWAYS