Family holidays in Lapland

It's not difficult to see why people choose to take a family holiday to Lapland - you only have to imagine your child's face when you tell them their next trip will be to go and see Santa Claus at his home. Finnish Lapland is the main destination for Santa tours, and these are carefully constructed packages that usually come complete with transfers from the airport out into the Lappish wilderness, and often in the company of a cheeky elf who acts as your tour guide or holiday rep for the duration of your stay.

Lights out

The list of breath-taking experiences on offer during cheap family holidays in Lapland goes on and on, and one of the natural phenomena on that list is the Aurora Borealis, or Northern Lights. There's never a guarantee of being able to see these, but the further north you are, the better your chances, and the wilderness of Lapland has the added bonus of being very low in light pollution, which means you should be able to see the wispy greens, blues and purples of the Aurora with little to no glare from ground level.

Snowy pursuits

Lapland's landscape lends itself nicely to some winter sports, not of the downhill variety, but of the cross country kind. You can trek out into the snowy Boreal Forest yourself, or you might be able to book you and your children on to an organised activity like a reindeer tour or a husky sled ride. On some family holidays in Lapland, one of Santa's naughtier helpers might start a cheeky snowball fight, so if your tour guide seems particularly tricky, be ready to defend yourself by throwing back a snowy missile of your own.

When to travel

It's sensible to want to take family holidays in Lapland in the run-up to Christmas, so the kids get to see Santa at the right time of year, but of course he's likely to be very busy at that time too. A visit to the region in the summer months allows you to experience another phenomenon, as locations north of the Arctic Circle are bathed in perpetual sunlight for several weeks. Likewise, in the winter the sun never rises above the horizon, giving breaks at this time of year an eerie aspect all of their own.

Why Lapland is so great for families

The Lappish love kids and the warm welcome they extend to younger visitors is renowned. Lapland family holidays are a great opportunity to enjoy snowball fights, explore spectacular scenery and, of course, take a tour of Santa's home. A trip to Lapland also offers the possibility of experiencing the unforgettable spectacle of the Northern Lights. All of this, combined with Lapland's world-class children's attractions and the country's relaxed lifestyle, ensures that weary travellers can leave their troubles at home and immerse themselves in a uniquely snowy culture.