Lapland – Europe’s Pristine Winter Playground
It’s a well known fact that Lapland is one of the most beautiful locations in the world, especially during its winter months. It’s an absolute haven for children, but few people realize it’s actually a fantastic holiday destination for adults too. Kids love Lapland because they can meet Santa and all the other animals and wildlife that Lapland offers up, as well as some unique winter activities they might not get to take part in back home. Adults love Lapland because of the beautiful sights and attractions that are unique to the region, as well as meaningful experiences you encounter that really stimulate the senses.
There is one place in Lapland that can’t be missed, it’s a great build up to the magic of Santa, and it’s also a place that will leave children mesmerized and adults amazed, and this place has to be the Lainio Snow Village. This village is annually constructed as soon as the temperature drops to about 10 degrees below zero, usually around October or November. The construction is different each year, utilizing the skills of only the best specialist construction workers and tools in order to produce some really stunning buildings and sculptures, taking the art form to new levels each year. The Snow Village allows you to have a warm drink at the ice bar, spend a night in the beautiful snow hotel, explore the specially sculpted snow maze, or simply explore the village and enjoy the beautiful feats of engineering that is this beautiful village.
The Amethyst mine is another gorgeous place that has to be visited. It’s truly unique to Lapland, with its various shades of violet it is a wonderful place to visit during your stay. Here, you can explore the different beliefs and tales that surround this epic mine, and maybe even get the opportunity to dig up your own lucky amethyst, it’s a truly unforgettable experience, and perfect for budding photographers too!
Another great experience would have to be a trip through the Rauna Wildlife Park, perfect for families and lovers of animals and wildlife! This wildlife park is home to over 60 species of animals, ranging form the very small, to the very large, each live in the Arctic and other northern regions. It’s open throughout the year, and is home to the unique Fazer Candy Store – a kids dream. It’s a fantastic opportunity to allow your kids to learn a little bit more about Arctic wildlife and their habitat.
And let’s not forget Lapland’s most famous attraction – Santa Claus Village. Once you have crossed the Arctic Circle, you can dine in the unique restaurants that are found there, or browse the souvenir shops for something to bring home and remember your holiday by (not that it will be easy to forget!), then you can finish the day by taking your kids to Santa Claus’s office where they can meet him in person, an experience they will remember for the rest of their lives, it’ll certainly have them believing in Santa Claus for many years to come!
Lapland holidays are perfect for families with younger children, but few people realize you can actually indulge in a nice, grown up holiday too here, making it perfect for couples too. With other activities such as skiing, snowboarding, snowshoe trekking, and even husky sled and reindeer sleigh rides, there will never be a dull moment, and you’ll have a holiday that you all will remember for a lifetime.
