Lapland holidays: everything you need to know from where to meet Santa to the best holiday packages
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Christmas is a particularly magical time for little ones hoping for a visit from Santa - but why make them wait for Christmas Eve when you could go directly to see Father Christmas himself?
In fact, British families have been heading to Santa's Grotto in Lapland for decades, to hand deliver their Christmas wishlists, and enjoy an extra dose of festive cheer before the big day.
It's an enchanting trip for the whole family, as one parent found out when he took his three young boys, right from your arrival through to the moment you get to meet Santa in his grotto.
But it's not all about Father Christmas and his elves. In fact, there are plenty of incredible things to see and do in Lapland - no wonder it's still a firm favourite with Brits.
So where exactly is Lapland - and how can you make the most of your time there?
We've put together the ultimate guide to Santa's home (not to mention it's much easier to visit than his North Pole residence!).
What's included in the guide?
Where is Lapland?
How to meet Santa during your visit
Where to find Lapland holiday deals
Airlines that fly to Lapland from the UK
Where to find cheap hotels in Lapland
Extra travel tips - including the weather and essentials to pack
Where is Lapland UK
Where is Lapland?
Lapland is in the north of Finland, on the Arctic Circle - so unsurprisingly, it boasts plenty of snow-covered landscapes.
For example there's capital Rovaniemi with its lively bars and restaurants, not to mention Santa's village just 8km away, or the more remote village of Levi which is a hit with skiiers and snowboarders.
(Image: Getty)
How to meet Santa during your visit
No trip to Lapland is complete without a visit to see Santa; it's part of the whole experience. Luckily in Lapland it's not tricky to find Father Christmas - they have a dedicated Santa Claus village.
Head to Christmas House to meet him, then go exploring the activities and exhibitions around including underground caverns, the Santa Post Office and plenty more fun including Arctic Circle crossings and traditional ceremonies.
If you're booking a holiday package, it's worth checking whether this includes a Meet Santa experience as this could be an easy way of saving money compared to booking your flights, hotel stays and all of the activities separately.
(Image: Getty)
Where to find Lapland holiday deals
Airlines that fly to Lapland from the UK
If you'd prefer to book your flights and hotels separately rather than a package, there are plenty of airlines that offer flights from the UK. We take a look at the top ones below...
Where to find cheap hotels in Lapland
If you're on a budget, then it's worth checking out TripAdvisor who compare over 200 sites to bring you some of the best cheap hotels in Lapland including rooms from £49 per night. Meanwhile Booking.com has rounded up the 30 best hotels in Lapland to suit any budget.
Extra travel tips - including what to pack
When you pack for Lapland, just think - layers, layer, layers. And make some of those layers thermals. In December, temperatures range from 0 to -20 degrees, but it has fallen as low as -40 in some circumstances!
Daylight is usually between 10am-3pm.
For more information you can also head to visitfinland.com/lapland.