The spirit of Christmas was inherent in each of us when we were young, but sadly for the majority of people this faded over the years to be replaced by some form of financial scepticism (writes Antony Hayes). This is mostly due to the fact that a time of giving has been overly commercialised by advertising starting so early in the year, and thus by the time Christmas does finally come around, it isn’t exciting anymore.

Though having said this, Christmas is often reborn for adults when they have their own kids and can feel the magic, if for only a fleeting moment through the wonder and joy that affects the little ones. But even so, sometimes that Christmas feeling has to be chased: have you ever considered Lapland?



A place in the north of Scandinavia

Lapland has often been referred to as the place where the real Santa Clause resides. This is more than believable since it is an area rich with reindeer, has plenty of snow in the winter and the cold night sky is often covered by a blanket of twinkling stars and bright northern lights. Situated largely within the Arctic Circle, Lapland is home to the Sami people who are indigenous to the region and have been so for over two millennia.

As far as the wildlife goes, the usual residents include wolves, bears, lynxes, wolverines, and the many forms of bird and marine life. The landscape is picturesque to say the least, with pine trees, mountain ranges and typical Arctic flora and fauna.

Dress warm for the trip

With winter temperatures dropping as low as -40°C and sometimes even lower, it is important to purchase and wear suitable thermal clothing for the trip. Thermal underwear and the like isn´t particularly expensive, but is essential if you are to enjoy the outdoor weather instead of spending your time cuddling a fire.

Some people may shy away from this trip because of the cold but that is what half of the experience is about since most of the fun and memorable activities are built on the climate conditions. In fact you will definitely want to check out snow village in the west of Lapland which allows visitors to see and even reside in buildings beautifully crafted of ice.

What about a Lapland safari?

When it comes to activities in Lapland, there is no shortage of options. First on the list of activities are the popular snowmobile safari tours, which can last anything from a couple of hours to a couple of days. This is an incredibly fun way to see Lapland with many package holidays including this in their deal. Next on the list is either a husky safari for those who have always wanted to try dog sledding, or for something a little more different how about a reindeer safari.

If you plan to visit Lapland for more than a couple of days, it is more than possible to try all three and even round off the trip with a reindeer race! Apart from the safaris, there are a multitude of activities which of course include snowboarding and skiing.



A warm memory of a cold place

Lapland is unarguably cold in the winter, but the experience on offer is a warm one that will remain as clear as day in your memory for years to come. The accommodation options range in style, but mostly involve warm cosy cabins or small resorts for people who enjoy the company of others. Although this isn’t a budget holiday consideration, by looking around and choosing a tour operator with care, it is possible to have a pleasant trip without breaking the bank.

For those who really don’t like the cold, it is worth remembering that in contrast to the winter, Lapland experiences the midnight sun in the heart of summer which sheds light on the lifestyle in a whole new spectrum of colours.