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No Visit to Finland is Complete Without Santa

Traveling in the Lapland region of Finland, we were able to experience many things.  We tried local cuisines, stayed and wonderful hotels, and just had an amazing time.  Our last stop on our Finland journey was to the city Rovaniemi.  Rovaniemi is situated right on the line for the Arctic Circle and turned out to be the perfect ending to our trip.  After all, no visit to Finland is complete without Santa.

Enjoying the Snow

No Visit to Finland is Complete Without Santa

Cathy and I are huge fans of the snow.  We just love skiing, sledding, and the first activity on way to Rovaniemi…snowshoe trekking.

Cathy Trekking Through the Snow - No Visit to Finland is Complete Without Santa - RoarLoud.net

While we were in Finland we used the great Kairankutsu Outdoor Outfitters to supply the gear and lead us to the top of Pyhä fell.  We trekked along the fell ridge admiring the wonderful snow-covered landscape.  Partway through the trek, we stopped at a beautiful vista to enjoy refreshments and take lots of pictures.  It was an awesome mini adventure on our way to our hotel.

Scenic vista from fell- No Visit to Finland is Complete Without Santa - RoarLoud.net

Arriving in the Arctic Circle

Santa's Workshop Village- No Visit to Finland is Complete Without Santa - RoarLoud.net

Santa’s Village Workshop

Children of all ages can’t help but get a little excited arriving in Rovaniemi.  Not only because Rovaniemi is the gateway to the Arctic, but just on the other side of the line marking entering the Arctic is Santa’s Workshop Village.  Rovaniemi is recognized as the official hometown of Santa Claus.  Driving past the colorful lights will definitely bring a smile to your face.

Crossing into the Arctic Circle

Right next to Santa’s Workshop Village was our hotel, Santa’s Igloos Arctic Circle.  What better way to appreciate being in the Arctic than to spend it in an awesome glass igloo.  We loved our previous stays at other Santa’s Hotels in Finland.  Getting the chance to stay in an amazing glass igloo right next to Santa’s Workshop Village was the best.

Staying at Santa’s Igloos Arctic Circle

Igloos at Santa’s Hotel

The experience of spending the night in a comfy bed with a view of the Northern night skies overhead is amazing.  If the conditions are right, you may even get to see the Northern Lights dance across the skies.

Night sky in the igloo- No Visit to Finland is Complete Without Santa - RoarLoud.net

Hotel staff are extremely helpful to alert guests of optimal times to see the Northern Lights.  They will even dim the hotel lights to allow guests the best viewing possible.

Our Igloo- No Visit to Finland is Complete Without Santa - RoarLoud.net

Our Igloo

Bonus Video of Santa’s Igloo

Relaxing at Santa's Hotel - No Visit to Finland is Complete Without Santa - RoarLoud.net

Relaxing Outside of Santa’s Hotel

Cathy posing with a bunny- No Visit to Finland is Complete Without Santa - RoarLoud.net

Cute Decorations Everywhere

Hotel Lobby- No Visit to Finland is Complete Without Santa - RoarLoud.net

Hotel Lobby

Modern Lobby- No Visit to Finland is Complete Without Santa - RoarLoud.net

Santa’s Hotels offer the perfect unique experiences you should expect while traveling.  The food at their Arctic Eye restaurant was always delicious.  Whether enjoying their complimentary buffet breakfast or savoring artfully crafted dinner, we loved being able to dine in these surroundings.

Arctic Eye Restaurant- No Visit to Finland is Complete Without Santa - RoarLoud.net

Arctic Eye Restaurant

Dining at Arctic Eye Restaurant- No Visit to Finland is Complete Without Santa - RoarLoud.net

Buffet Breakfast

Finnish Breakfast- No Visit to Finland is Complete Without Santa - RoarLoud.net

Amazing Dessert at the Arctic Eye

As a bonus extra special dinner one night, we traveled to another of Santa’s Hotels located in central Rovaniemi to eat at Lappish Restaurant Gaissa. This stylish location offered a variety of Finnish dishes with modern twists and touches.

   

Finnish Salad- No Visit to Finland is Complete Without Santa - RoarLoud.net

Delicious Food

Finland Firsts

Beautiful Huskies- No Visit to Finland is Complete Without Santa - RoarLoud.net

Part of the fun of traveling to new destinations for us is being able to experience unique or new outdoor activities.  Lapland, Finland did not disappoint in being able to offer those experiences.  Walking distance away from the hotel was Bearhill Husky Tours offering dog-sledding and petting of their huskies.   The tour operators were very proud and eager to share information about their huskies and the long history of dog-sledding in Lapland.

Frank Petting the Huskies- No Visit to Finland is Complete Without Santa - RoarLoud.net

Beautiful Snowy Scene- No Visit to Finland is Complete Without Santa - RoarLoud.net

The last outdoor activity we had in Finland was definitely our most unique experience called ice floating.  An outdoor adventure company called Safartica picked us up at our hotel and drove us to a remote lake.  There we donned special extreme cold weather survival gear and led out to a frozen lake.

Stepping into icy waters- No Visit to Finland is Complete Without Santa - RoarLoud.net

Taking an Icy Dip

Floating in the lake- No Visit to Finland is Complete Without Santa - RoarLoud.net

Stepping into a section of the lake where ice had been removed, we could just float comfortably without having to swim and staying fairly warm in the process.  They even offer an Aurora Ice Float where you can have the same experience under the Northern Lights.

Bonus Ice Floating Video

No Trip to Rovaniemi is Complete Without Santa

Santa's Workshop- No Visit to Finland is Complete Without Santa - RoarLoud.net

Santa’s Workshop

We had so much fun in Santa’s Workshop Village.  They have the cutest shops, ice bars to get something to eat and drink, and a place offering reindeer sleigh rides.

Goofing Around at the Arctic Circle

Kissing Across the Arctic Circle- No Visit to Finland is Complete Without Santa - RoarLoud.net

Kissing Across the Arctic Circle

This was all great fun but you can’t call it a trip to Rovaniemi without going into Santa’s Workshop.  I would have lost my mind to be there when I was a kid.  Although I am way past being a kid, that did not stop me from visiting Santa.  Kids and just kids at heart are always welcome to visit Santa.

Signs at the village- No Visit to Finland is Complete Without Santa - RoarLoud.net     Arctic Temp- No Visit to Finland is Complete Without Santa - RoarLoud.net

Lots of Fun at the Santa’s Workshop Village

The wait in line was worth it as Santa was the best.  While waiting in line, we got a chance to see the wall of famous people from around the world who have come to visit Santa.  Everyone from celebrities to world leaders have met Santa.  Santa was everything you would expect.  A friendly engaging figure that was a joy to meet.  It was the perfect way to round out our trip to Finland and a great memory to cherish.

Posing with Santa- No Visit to Finland is Complete Without Santa - RoarLoud.net
Santa is the best! Photo credit: Santa Claus Village

 

Thank you to Santa’s Hotels who provided our lodging and tours. As always our opinions are honest and our own.

Check out our visit to Saariselka, Finland!

Click here for our tips about seeing the Northern Lights in Lapland

 

About

Frank is the creator of the RoarLoud website, go to guy for gear reviews and Cathy’s IT guy. I know that stands for information technology but Cathy calls him her “IT” guy because he is everything! A lover of nature and a curious soul he tries new adventures eagerly. Fortunately he is also the voice of reason to level out Cathy’s wildcat side.

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