We were on a trip of a lifetime to Lapland in Finland, and as we heard ‘figgy pudding’ and ‘toffee’ being called out, you would be forgiven for thinking they were part of the sumptuous buffet at our hotel. But no, these were the names of the fun and knowledgeable ‘elves’ who were bringing our magical Christmas trip alive. Where to stay in Lapland Our hotel, the 4T Lapland Hotel Saaga, was a scenic 40-minute drive from Kittilä airport, during which our elf flagged points of interest, including the runway that Santa uses for take off and landing on Christmas Eve. The hotel’s location, in the heart of the Yllasjarvi ski area, was the perfect base for everything in this Arctic wonderland. The decor is a mix of cosiness and modern Scandi design, and floor to ceiling windows provide impressive views of the ever-changing sky, and a swimming and spa area like any you would find in a luxury French alpine resort but also perfectly equipped for children. Our room had the added bonus of being able to watch skiers navigate the slopes from the comfort of our own beds. It’s only a 20-minute drive to get to all our scheduled winter activities, and with festive fairytales and quizzes from Figgy Pudding along the way, there wasn’t a single cry of ‘Are we there yet?’ READ MORE: ‘I flew to Mauritius expecting a ‘fly-and-flop’ winter sun holiday but I was wrong’ READ MORE: ‘I found the perfect Christmas holiday in a country you wouldn’t expect – it was like a movie’
The 4T Hotel Saaga in Lapland
(Image: TUI)
What to do in Lapland Meeting Father Christmas Of course, right on the top of our list was meeting the man of the moment. The sun hadn’t quite risen when we set out to find Santa, and the pink sky peeking over the horizon made it feel even more magical. On arrival at the Snow Village, we took a sleigh through a tree-lined forest to find the big man at his cottage, passing fairy light-lit cabins on our way. Our time spent with Santa is a special memory that will last forever, and upon leaving he said he hoped that we’d see the Northern Lights while we were there, which he called his ‘Super Santa Lights’. The Snow Village itself is a hub of excitement, with thoughtful taster sessions of all the full excursions, including a chance to see reindeers, take a ride with huskies, and even try your hand at snowmobiling. The Ice Village also has a bar if you fancy a hot toddy or hot chocolate.
The stunning Snow Village
(Image: TUI)
Say hello to huskies Another eagerly anticipated activity was a visit to the husky farm, where we cuddled six-month-old Siberian puppies named after characters from Disney’s Frozen. The puppies were as bouncy and as adorable as you can imagine, and we couldn’t wait to give them belly rubs as they fell over each other to get our attention – apart from one called Sven, less excitable and sat proudly in the corner of the kennel. “He’s a stand-out wheel dog,” the musher told us. “He will be the muscle of the pack and will hold the heaviest part of the sleigh” – near the wheels, hence the name. The leaders are the most experienced and intelligent of the pack and are nearly always females, she told us with real pleasure and a warm wink. Huskies are born and bred to run, and they love it. Most important is the love, respect and well-being given to the dogs here, and it really shows. This isn’t a job for the staff here, it’s a way of life. Every last detail is thought of, even down to the dog leader who, after brushing the huskies, collects their discarded hair and gets it entwined with wool to knit into the jumper and gloves she’s wearing.
Meet the huskies that pull the sleds in Lapland
(Image: TUI)
The kids loved stroking husky puppies
(Image: Supplied)
Reindeer sleigh rides A visit to Lapland also wouldn’t be complete without a traditional reindeer ride – and with more reindeer than people here, the chances of spotting one on your travels are high. Reindeer sleigh rides take you across the vast, Narnia-esque landscape and over frozen lakes; it isn’t the fastest way to explore, but it is suitable for all ages. One of the children in our group found it so relaxing she even nodded off to the sound of crunching snow and sleigh bells. You’ll also get the chance to get up close to these majestic animals by hand-feeding them; lichen, a type of moss type, is their favourite thing to munch on. If you get close enough you can get a good look at their impressive antlers. Remarkably, they can grow up to 2cm in one day. Other fascinating reindeer facts are passed on inside a toasty log hut with a hot berry juice in hand.
Guests of all ages will enjoy a reindeer sleigh ride
(Image: TUI)
TUI provided an end-to-end service for our whole trip, which included flights, transfers, accommodation and planned activities. Additional extras can also be arranged, including doorstep skiing and lift-assisted sledding for thrill seekers. Our time in Lapland really was a dream come true, and whatever your age I can guarantee you’ll find plenty of Christmas spirit – and if you’re lucky, Santa’s Super Lights too. How much does it cost to go to Lapland? TUI offers a four-night holiday to Ylläs, Lapland staying at the 4T Lapland Hotel Saaga on a bed and breakfast basis from £1,027 per person. Price is based on two adults and two children sharing a twin room with flights departing from London Gatwick on 3 December 2025 with 20kg hold luggage per adult and transfers. To find out more about this holiday or to book go to TUI, visit your local TUI holiday store or download our app. All prices quoted are correct to the particular product package at the time of TUI issuing the price package/packages to the publication. Price was quoted on 13/12/2024. Prices provided are subject to change and have limited availability. Terms and conditions apply. For more options for holiday to Lapland, check out Expedia’s latest deals. Meanwhile if you like the idea of nabbing a holiday for £99pp, Wowcher’s Mystery Holidays are back – the only catch is that you won’t know where you’re going until nearer the date. Story SavedYou can find this story in My Bookmarks.Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right.
