Hols to get your Claus into
Finds magical Christmas deals
SARAH MARSHALL
THE Christmas period has always been a magical time of year, particularly in the frozen north of Lapland.
Historically regarded as the home of Father Christmas and his industrious elves, this snow-covered section of Scandinavia becomes a playground of tinkling sleigh bells, sparkling ice palaces and – if you’re lucky – displays of the Northern Lights.
Dozens of lodges and hotels offer winter breaks in Finland and Sweden, but places are limited and popular slots quickly book up. Even more so now both destinations are now open to double-vaccinated UK travellers, with accompanying children exempt from any travel restrictions.
Take advantage of these top deals to make a date with Santa this year.
FIND SANTA’S LAIR
Somewhere deep in the forest, Santa hides out with his band of elves.
Become his neighbour for a long weekend at the Northern Lights Village, just outside northern Finnish town Levi. Spend days baking gingerbread cookies and petting reindeer, building up to meeting the man in red.
Other activities include husky and snowmobile safaris.
Activities Abroad (activitiesabroad. com; 01670 789 991 ) offers a threenight, full-board trip from £1,695 per adult and £995 per child (4-14 years old), including flights. Departures on December 9 and 16.
UNCOVER FOREST SECRETS
Get into the Christmas spirit at the Ounasvaaran Lakituvat Log Cabins, surrounded by forest, and follow trails made by friendly elves.
Seek out the Forest Queen and take a secret path to find Santa, visiting husky and reindeer farms along the way.
There are opportunities to try tobogganing, kick-sledding, tandem skiing and mini-snowmobiles for children.
Regent Holidays (regent-holidays. co.uk) offers a three-night break from £2,150 per adult and £1,265 per child (based on four sharing), including flights and most meals. Availability from December 9-12.
EXPERIENCE A FINNISH FAIRY-TALE
Set on the edge of a frozen lake surrounded by snow-laden fir trees, 30 minutes from Rovaniemi Airport, The Winter Wonderland Hotel and Log Cabins lives up to its name.
As soon as guests arrive, Santa’s elves whisk them away for magical days of snowmobile rides, husky rides, tobogganing and reindeer safaris.
In the build up to meeting Santa, Mascot Captain T entertains kids with storytelling, arts and crafts and marshmallow-toasting by the campfire.
TUI (tui.co.uk) offers four-night, half-board stays from £933 per person (four sharing). Includes flights from Manchester on December 1.
SLEEP IN THE DEEP FREEZE
Every winter, frozen water from the Torne River is used to build the Ice Hotel in Jukkasjarvi, Sweden. Artists are chosen to design the suites, where guests keep warm with a thermal sleeping bag and reindeer hides.
Split a stay between the frozen palace and a warmer room, then continue to Fjellborg Arctic Lodge to spend time with a family who’ve lived in Lapland for nine generations. In addition to dog sledding and ice fishing, have a go at reindeer lassoing and ice sculpting.
Exsus Travel (exsus.com) offers a five-night break at both properties from £3,350 per person (four sharing), including flights from Heathrow or Manchester. Travel between November 2021 and April 2022.