It was sometime in late November that I decided last year I wasn’t going to spend Christmas at home. Instead, I wanted snowflakes against city lights, reindeer instead of cars, and real Northern charm rather than commercial cheer. That is how I found myself scrolling through Finland packages, with pictures of Santa Claus Village dusted in snow, and before I knew it, the tickets were booked with Catch A Trip.
Nothing prepares you for that first breath of Finnish air when you step out of the airport. It’s crisp, clean, and carries the faint scent of pine forests. Rovaniemi – the official hometown of Santa Claus – feels like a dream wrapped in frost. As my cab drove past snow-covered cottages and frozen lakes, I could feel the magic building up. This wasn’t just another winter holiday; it was stepping straight into a Christmas card.
A first look into Santa Claus Village
Walking into Santa Claus Village felt like unlocking childhood memories I didn’t even know I still had. The village sparkled under strings of fairy lights, and snow crunched softly beneath my boots. Families laughed, children squealed, and even adults had that unmistakable sparkle in their eyes wherever I looked. Finally, meeting a pretend-Santa was surreal. He looked exactly like the one from my imagination, complete with that deep, jolly laugh.
But what made it even more magical was the sense of belief that hung in the air; nobody here was pretending. For the moment, all of them — no matter what age — believed again.
Beyond Santa: Finnish Adventure Begins
Of course, Santa’s home is just the beginning. What makes Rovaniemi even more special is that it offers so many once-in-a-lifetime experiences bundled beautifully in Finland adventure holidays.
I started with a husky safari, and let me tell you — it’s one of those moments where adrenaline meets serenity. As the dogs ran across the forest, kicking up snow under the pale winter sun, all I could hear was the wind and the rhythmic breath of the huskies. There is no better way to feel alive in the Arctic wilderness.
Next was the reindeer sleigh ride: slower, quieter, almost meditative, it was a scene out of a fairytale. Bundled up with a fur blanket, the landscape became a blur of white and blue as my Sámi guide spoke of the Northern Lights and traditions of old from the Arctic.
Chasing the Northern Lights
One of the main reasons I had chosen my Finland trip package was to chase the Aurora Borealis-and that night, luck was on my side. We drove out into the wild, far from city lights, and waited by a frozen lake. The sky was clear, stars sharp as diamonds, and then it happened-ribbons of green and violet began to dance across the heavens.
No camera, no description can ever depict that moment. It’s that feeling inside your chest, a mix of awe, peace, and utter disbelief. For a few minutes, time ceased to move. Everybody around me was silent, eyes stuck to the sky, faces glowing with the colors above.
A Taste of Finnish Life
Finland isn’t all about snow and lights; it’s also about the warmth-the warmth of a log cabin, a fireplace crackling away, and a sauna, very traditionally Finnish. Among my Finland vacation packages was a stay in a glass igloo, thanks to Catch A Trip, and waking up to a panoramic view facing a snowy wilderness was pure bliss.
The evenings were just as special. Finnish cuisine is hearty and comforting; the combination of reindeer stew, salmon soup, and hot cloudberry juice after a long day outdoors really hits all the right notes.
It’s not just a destination; it’s an experience that lingers long after the snow melts. And as my plane took off, I found myself smiling, already planning my return. For once one has spent Christmas in Finland-once one has seen the Northern Lights, met Santa, and raced through frozen forests-no other holiday feels quite the same.
After all, if you’re looking for something really magical during this season, perhaps it’s time to check out those Finland packages that wait for you — and create a story you will never forget.