Luxury holidays in Lapland

A snowy forested landscape populated by wolverines, reindeer and a certain jolly bearded fat man, Lapland is a playground for people of all ages to reconnect with their childhood. With a 10% decline in the local population since 1990, tourism helps to bring new faces to towns including Sodankyla, Salla, and the regional capital of Rovaniemi. Here, you will find Santa tours that are predictably popular around the festive holiday season from late November throughout December.

Lapland - Santa's backyard

It's impossible to escape the association with St. Nicholas, Santa Claus, or Father Christmas (to use just a few of his common names) and if you have children with you, you probably won't want to try to avoid it. Either way, it's the perfect excuse to reminisce about your own childhood, so don't be surprised to see grown adults engaged in snowball-based warfare against Santa tour operators dressed as elves, complete with pointy shoes and jingling bells.

The true wilderness of Lapland

The Boreal Forest gives Lapland its postcard landscape, with snowy trees reflecting back the colours of the Northern Lights above, a truly magical scene. This location is also home to Lapland’s wilderness, with reindeer and wolverines roaming the sparsely populated area. This is all part of the appeal for those people keen to get a real break from their day-to-day lives, and if your sense of direction is up to it, you can trek into the trees and feel as though you are the only person on the planet.

When should I visit Lapland?

It's hard to argue against a Christmas trip to Lapland, with all that the region has to offer at that time of year. There's the obvious connection with Santa Claus, and plenty of tours will give you the chance to meet him in person, or to play with his elves and enjoy a reindeer-drawn sleigh ride through the snow. It's a fun way to spend a holiday, especially if you have children. The winter is also the best time to see the Northern Lights or Aurora Borealis, which only adds to the appeal of this time of year. However, the summers are relatively mild, and offer 24-hour sunlight for a time, which is something many tourists are keen to experience too.

What’s on offer on a luxury holiday?

When you think of luxury holidays, sun soaked beaches and crystal clear waters may come to mind – but not all luxury getaways are like this. If the sound of snowmobile safaris gets you adrenaline flowing, choose a luxury hotel in Lapland. If you love the magic of snowy landscapes, take in the views from your plush hotel suite. Luxury holidays are all about enjoying your version of luxury – even if that does come at a cost. With its cold climates, cosy hotels, and mesmerising scenery, Lapland is one of the northern hemisphere’s top luxury holiday destinations. In fact, you may be surprised at just what it has to offer.