Lapland 2022

MacDanger

Hi All

We (2 adults & 2 children, 6 & 8) are booked to go to Lapland at the start of Dec for 5 nights

• arrive in Helsinki & catch the overnight train to Rovaniemi
• 4 days/3 nights in Rovaniemi, accommodation & rental car booked
• Fly to Helsinki and stay overnight for an early morning flight home

We haven't anything (Santa visit, reindeer, husky, etc.) booked for while we're in Rovaniemi - anyone able to give some recommendations on what to do/not do?

Thanks

fdevine

Might find some tips here;

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2057656104/how-to-do-lapland-on-a-budget

tea and coffee

Santa land is basically a commercial village. There are 3 or 4 Santa's there just FYI.

The Husky and Reindeer are similar so choose one (reindeer better for younger children)

Personally we liked the Santa in the big globe room, but tbh, it's all down to the actor on the day.

Decent supermarket and tiger type shop in shopping centre on main pedestrian Street.

Our kids enjoyed sledding and snow the most of anything. We bought cheap sleds in the Tiger type shop.

Walk past the Santa village out a bit into the woods and it's so peaceful and beautiful with the snow.

Lustrum

Just doing some research for our trip in a couple of weeks, has anyone prepaid for the lunch in Santa Park? And if so is it worth it? We're self catering in Rovaniemi so can bring our own food, but feel like I don't want to miss out if there's something different going for lunch

The Davestator

We decided to go in January and say thank you to Santa. Direct flights, 2 nights in santa village in a decent cabin cost us €1,560 (2 adults and 2 kids)

Just have to think of a way of telling the kids now

MacDanger

Just back from this, had a brilliant time and would definitely recommend it.

A few things that might be of interest for anyone who's going in future:

• The train up is v good, really adds to the build up of seeing santa. We were glad that we flew back though, I wouldn't have fancied a second night on it
• Consider getting a rental car and staying in an airbnb - we stayed with in an apartment beside a family home and it's was excellent. Was lovely being out in a wooded area covered in snow and there was a park with a small playground by the river within short walking distance. The owners gave our kids use of two little plastic sleds and also gave us some firewood to have a fire down by the river (a public shelter & firepit)
• Having a car meant we had a lot more choice for where to eat; prices are similar enough to here or a little more and the quality was good
• Having snow everywhere was one of the biggest draws for our kids, they loved just playing around in it so don't be worried about booking loads of activities
• Booked a 2h reindeer sleigh ride which was v good
• Santa village is good despite a 1.5h wait to see the big man although it's fairly heavy on the souvenirs, If you're just here for a day or two though, you can take in a lot (reindeers, huskies, etc.) in a short period of time
• We decided against going to Santa Park as we'd already been to see him in Santa Village and didn't want to confuse them. It looks pretty decent though and it seems like there are a good few activities inlcuded for ~€40 a head
• Brought the kids skiing for one hour on two days, the rental was 25-30 each so not too bad and they really enjoyed it. One hour was enough as it's tiring enough when it's their first time
• If you're in town, the Angry Birds playground is v good