A Winter Wonderland Day Trip to Lapland 2019

A Winter Wonderland Day Trip to Lapland 2019

Clad head-to-toe in snowsuits and boots, we were launched outside into a Winter Wonderland. A snowy scene from the movies. The air was cold and crisp, the ground soft and the snow fluffy to touch. The sky glistened and all around us there was a sense of wonder. It was breathtaking. This was a trip of a lifetime.

We visited Enontekio, Finland on an organised one day tour with Transun Travel. A trip to Santa’s Lapland is a trip I wish every child could experience. We considered booking the 3 or 4 day trip but in reality we couldn’t justify the cost and some friends suggested some areas were too commercial as well as there being a lot of waiting around for activities. I wanted something more personal. The whole trip for me embodied the Christmas spirit. A video I recorded on my phone during our sleigh ride to find Santa, followed by the moment George met Santa will forever be one of the most magical moments I have ever experienced. The unexpected, the emotions, the excitement and wonder.

Santa’s Lapland, where Santa lives in a cottage hidden in the middle of a forest. Yes it is that magical. It truly is a very special place. Some of the highlights of our trip were the husky sled ride around a frozen lake, a snow mobile ride through a snowy forest to meet Santa and sitting in a smoky tepee, drinking the silkiest hot chocolate and eating ginger cookies all served to us by a Finnish man dressed in fur.

While all of the activities we took part in require taking turns, those waiting are entertained by Santa’s Elves and helpers. We actually never waited for an activity. And despite being in Santa’s village with a coach of families experiencing this magical day trip we never sensed crowds or queuing. Our Transun guide did just that, guided us so that we could enjoy the trip to its fullest. There was tobogganing, a small park and plenty of snow for you to play in and have snow ball fights. There were reindeer and open fires to sit around, all whilst you waited for your turn.

And lastly, the pinnacle of the trip – a private audience with Santa – it was as charming and magical as you would wish for. We were all in awe of the magic this meeting created. From the sleigh ride through the forest, his cheeky elves throwing snowballs at us to walking in to Santa’s cottage. Pure magic. And then there was the gift that Santa gave to George and the story he told him about putting it under his pillow. We didn’t feel rushed. It was personal. It was enchanting. And so I give you…

 

A Winter Wonderland Day Trip to Lapland

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I was asked so many questions on our return for Christmas. And so, I thought I would answer them as part of sharing our experience of visiting Lapland for the day. I plan to write a couple of other posts around our trip so do look out for those too. Here are the most popular questions from…

A Winter Wonderland Day Trip to Lapland 2019

 

Are day trips to Lapland worth the money?

Lapland is one of the most magical destinations we have ever visited. It is a festive trip of dreams. In short, yes it is worth the money. Our day trip to Lapland was the holiday we always hoped it would be. We have memories that will last a lifetime. I felt emotional for days after. George marveled in the magic. We traveled to Lapland on Friday 20th December 2019 and would highly recommend a day trip. I personally wouldn’t travel with children younger than 5 years old. It is an incredibly long day and very very cold. We left the house at 5 am and returned to our beds soon after midnight.

 

Is the cold bearable?

It really is. But only if you are prepared. We saw several children screaming as their hands were so cold. This could have been prevented with the right planning. Remember that the climate can be harsh so you need ski gloves, snoods, thermal hats and socks. You are provided with snowsuits and boots which are fantastic. We saw less than 1 hour of sunlight with temperatures dropping to -20. The trick is to be prepared. The air is still and very dry, so as long as you dress appropriately, the cold is perfectly bearable. We wore thermal base layers and just one more layer and then our coats. We exchanged our shoes and coats for the snowsuits and boots provided.

 

Do you need to take spending money?

No. Absolutely not. The joy of the Day Trip to Lapland is that everything is included. We didn’t spend one penny or should I say euro in Lapland. You eat breakfast on the plane, lunch in Santa’s village, hot chocolate and unlimited cookies and then your dinner on the plane journey home. We took snacks in a back pack as well as bottled water. We needed the snacks and water as it was a long day.

 

How long were we in Lapland?

Despite landing in Enontekio around 1 pm and leaving at 9 pm we actually only spent from 3 pm to 7 pm in the snow. 4 glorious hours in the snow. We didn’t need anymore than that if truth be told. We didn’t feel like the time went too quickly. We did all of our activities and more in the 4 hours. We didn’t take the full 45 minutes to eat our lunch, instead we went straight back outside to make the most of the fee space and time. As 7 pm approached we were ready to to come home.

 

Are the activities private?

All of the activities with the exception of the ski-doo ride were private. Our Santa meeting was just us 3, we registered under our family name. We were given a voucher for our husky sleigh ride where a pack of eight dogs, so strong with the most amazing sound, pulled us in a sleigh, all whilst we sat back and were driven over a frozen lake. It was unlike any other experience you will ever imagine.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And lastly, the morning after our trip when we woke after what felt like the longest day, in a sleepy daze George turned to me and said…

Was it all a dream Mummy?

I wish we could go back and do it all again

And for me, that was the magic right there. The morning afterwards. The words he spoke, the sleepy smiles, recalling his favourite moments. The emotion. A collection of moments that brought so much joy to his face. We have so many memories, photos and videos from our magical trip that I know will never leave me. Us. And just like that A Winter Wonderland Day Trip to Lapland 2019 was over.

Do let me know in the comments if you have any questions. I would love to help you plan your Trip to Lapland. I have written another post detailing our 10 Top Tips For Visiting Lapland On A Day Trip.