Fascinating Information About The Magical Lapland
Lapland is considered by many to be a magical wonderland, it is known, most famously of course, for being the home of Santa Claus.
Lapland really is the place to go to get you in the Christmas spirit; storytelling around crackling fires, reindeer sleigh rides through the woods and meet-and-greets with Santa himself.
There's plenty to do there all year round. Activities such as fell walking, mountain biking, canoeing, white water rafting and fishing are popular here. Then there are the snow sports. An abundance of the white stuff means that resorts such as Levi, Saariselkä, Ruka and Olos offer some excellent skiing opportunities as well as the chance to take part in a reindeer or dog-sled 'safaris'.
Not only is Lapland a magical haven for children, it can also be quite a romantic place to stay for adults alike, with log cabins, snow villages, ice hotels and even igloos! A Snow Castle is created annually at the port town of Kemi! There is even an ice chapel, if you fancy tying the knot in an original way!
So, where is Lapland?
Lapland is a region in northern Europe, located largely within the Arctic Circle in northern Finland, Norway, Sweden, and parts of northern Russia. The average flight time from the UK is 5 hours.
Weather in Lapland
Expect subarctic to continental climates, characterised by mild summers and cold, snowy winters. If you visit in Winter you can expect temperatures of around - 16 °C (3 °F) to 3 °C (37 °F). But pack your thermals, temperatures can drop to as low as - 30 °C (-22 °F) or colder with the wind chill. During December there is an average of only five hours of sunlight a day.
During summer months temperatures are usually 10 - 15 °C (50 - 60 °F) and rainfall is moderate.
Where to Visit
The city of Rovaniemi is where you'll find the Santa Claus Village. It is the most accessible destination, with regular flights from the UK during December.
Rovaniemi includes the post office that sorts through all the letters to Santa from children all over the world. There is also Santa's grotto, where you can meet the big man himself and sit on his knee. Another exciting thing to do here is visit the Santa theme park which is bursting with rides and attractions, including a magic sleigh ride!
Other resorts include Levi, Yllas, Pallas and Saariskela.
Lapland really is a scenic winter wonderland! At night you have a great chance of seeing the mesmerising northern lights. Although costly, this beautiful place will create memories of a lifetime!