It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas... Even Mariah Carey and Michael Bublé's festive powers combined would still pale in comparison to what we have to offer here at Lapland during the holiday season. This is the most magical place in the world at Christmas, and where better than Santa’s homeland to spend it?

From the moment Lapland receives its first dusting of snow, an annual wintry transformation begins: the mass blankets of snow deepen, the starry nights draw darker, and once-flowing rivers and streams are frozen to a glistening standstill. The heralding of the festive season is crowned by the reappearance of the dancing Northern Lights overhead. Christmas is coming, magic is in the air, and the excitement is palpable. It's all building up to this. 

It makes sense that Santa would choose to make this his home – this is True Lapland, after all. And when we say it’s the best place to spend the festive period, you can believe that’s very much true as well. Forests of trees bowing under the weight of the snow, the delicious crispness of the cleanest air in the world, and vast expanses of untouched snow which stretch to the horizon. This is Lapland as you imagined it: picture perfect. It's almost like stepping into your own personal snow globe. 

At the centre of True Lapland is Karesuando, a quaint little village in the far north of Finland – far away from the mass-market resorts of Saariselka and Rovaniemi. Here, a timeless charm abounds, and curious traditions hold sway. It's an ideal place to step into a winter adventure involving husky sleds, reindeer sleighs and snowmobiles. Don’t forget to make a visit to Santa on your trip – you’ve travelled a long way to see him! But... how does he remember your name? Never underestimate Father Christmas! Or his homeland. 

What to expect

Your short break of two, three or four nights all begin with a direct flight from your local regional airport to Enontekio, in the far north of Finnish Lapland – no need for lengthy waits or stressful connections at Helsinki! Your 3.5-hour flight includes inflight meals and 18kg of checked luggage per person. 

Following a transfer of approximately 50 minutes, you will arrive in the small village of Karesuando. Although remote and quaint, the village stretches over two countries, Finland and Sweden, and the border is formed by the frozen river which runs through the centre. Karesuando is home to two time zones, two languages and two currencies (but, to make things easier, your holiday will run on Finnish time and the currency in Finland is the Euro)!

The Davvi Arctic Lodge is situated on a hillside, overlooking Karesuado and the fells beyond. There are various types of accommodation available: hotel rooms and timber cabins for families, and apartment-style Fell Houses for larger families or groups. Your full-board stay includes all meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner), which are served buffet-style in the hotel’s main restaurant (drinks are available at the hotel’s bar and payable locally).

You may wish to add some additional excursions to make your stay extra special, such as a night in an igloo, but the Snow Is Falling holiday already includes several thrilling activities. You certainly won’t be short of things to do this Christmas in Lapland!

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