December 25th 2024.
As the holiday season approached, I found myself feeling more like a Scrooge than a festive elf. The thought of Christmas brought on feelings of stress and obligation rather than excitement. It wasn't until my daughter stumbled upon an old family photo that I was reminded of the magic of the holiday season. The photo was taken 24 years ago during our trip to Lapland and it brought back memories of hot cocoa, reindeer, twinkling lights, and my brother getting his tongue stuck to a lamp post. Suddenly, I was filled with a sense of nostalgia and longing for that same feeling of wonder and joy that I had as a child.
With my daughter now beginning to understand Christmas a bit more, I was determined to bring back the holiday spirit into our lives. So, I booked a four-night trip to Santa's hometown in Finnish Lapland through TUI. The moment we arrived at the airport and saw an "Elf" at the check-in desk, I could feel my cold heart starting to thaw. And as we put on our retro snowsuits, just like the ones we wore on our previous trip in 2000, I couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement and anticipation for the days ahead.
The flight over snowy mountains and the -16 temperatures upon landing in Kittilä Airport certainly woke us up, even after our early 3am alarm. But the crisp air and the promise of a magical adventure with my family made it all worth it. As we picked up our snowsuits and boots at the airport, I couldn't help but notice my daughter's excitement as she tried on her first snowsuit. And for children smaller than 90cm, like my daughter, TUI provides smaller sizes or you can bring your own.
Our first stop was Santa's SnowVillage where we were greeted by an elf and taken on a sleigh ride through the scenic wintry landscape. The sight of Father Christmas's cabin and the warmth of Mrs. Claus's hot berry juice by the fire set the perfect tone for the rest of our trip. And when we finally got to meet Santa himself, my daughter's face lit up with wonder and joy, and I couldn't help but get into the Christmas spirit.
For those looking for more excitement, Lapland offers a variety of activities such as snow safaris and husky rides. Unfortunately, there wasn't enough snow during our visit for the longer husky ride, but we did get to meet some adorable three-month-old puppies named after characters from the movie Frozen. The reindeer ride, however, was just as magical as I remembered from my trip in 2000. The gentle plodding of the reindeer's hooves and the tinkling of their bells against the snowy backdrop was truly enchanting. And as we stopped at a frozen lake for some hot berry juice and biscuits, I couldn't help but feel grateful for the peaceful moment in the midst of the bustling holiday season.
The Lapland Hotels SnowVillage, where we stayed, is rebuilt every year with a new theme. This year's theme was "Underwater" and it was truly a unique and unforgettable experience. And for those wanting to capture every moment, I recommend bringing a pair of silk glove liners with touch-screen compatibility. Trust me, trying to take pictures with frozen fingers is not easy.
If you have some free time during your stay, I highly recommend visiting the Ylläs Ski Resort, the largest ski field in Finland, which is conveniently located next to the Hotel Saaga. While I didn't attempt to ski with my two-year-old, we had a blast sledding on the nursery slope. And after a chilly day of activities, the pool and sauna at the hotel were the perfect way to relax and unwind.
As our trip came to an end, I was reminded of why Christmas truly is the most wonderful time of year. TUI offers three and four-night holidays to Lapland, including flights, accommodation, transfers, and a variety of winter excursions and extras that can be booked through TUI Musement. Our four-night holiday to Ylläs, Lapland at the 4T Lapland Hotel Saaga on a bed and breakfast basis started at £1027 per person for two adults and two children, including flights, 20kg hold luggage per adult, and transfers. It was a holiday that reminded me of the magic of Christmas and created memories that my family will cherish for years to come.
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