Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi is the official home of Santa Claus and his helpers, where the magic of Christmas comes to life. You can reach Santa’s Village by plane, but there is also a more scenic option: the Santa Claus Express train from Helsinki, which travels through picturesque landscapes from Finland’s capital to the Arctic Circle.The main highlight of Santa’s house is Santa’s Office, where visitors can meet Santa, talk with him, and take photos. The house is filled with festive decorations, a cozy atmosphere, and holiday music. The official residence is open year-round and welcomes hundreds of guests annually who travel to Lapland specifically to see Santa. Naturally, the Christmas season at the end of December is the most popular time, so it is recommended to book your visit in advance.

Santa’s Village also features a husky park, offering sleigh rides, several restaurants, a snowmobile park, the legendary Snowman World playground, a variety of unique hotels, and Santa’s famous post office, where thousands of letters sent from around the world to Santa can be seen. From this post office, you can also send a letter or postcard to your home or friends-a unique souvenir from the Arctic. Of course, a trip to meet Santa isn’t complete without encountering his charming reindeer, an essential part of any true winter fairy tale. For those who wish to stay close to the village, unique accommodation options are available, such as glass igloos with panoramic roofs for viewing the Northern Lights or the distinctive Treehouse Hotel nestled in the surrounding forest.

Lapland is one of the rare places in the world where you can see the enchanting Northern Lights (or Aurora Borealis), which illuminate the sky with their unique beauty. This natural phenomenon, caused by solar winds, can occur throughout the year. However, the nights must be dark and clear for the light show to be visible. Many hotels in Lapland offer cabins with glass roofs, where you can comfortably watch this mesmerizing phenomenon. In the Swedish part of Lapland, the village of Abisko is home to a "Northern Lights Sky Station," which is equipped with everything needed to view the Aurora. According to statistics, the Northern Lights are visible in Lapland for about 200 nights a year, or every second clear night. The Finnish Meteorological Institute even has a website dedicated to space weather, which shows the current Aurora activity in Finland. Additionally, local Northern Lights tracking apps are available in various parts of Finland.

The Sami people, who have historically inhabited Lapland, continue to practice traditional reindeer herding and crafts. A sleigh ride with reindeer in Lapland is an unparalleled experience. The beautiful landscapes, peaceful atmosphere, and these majestic creatures create a special feeling, allowing you to fully enjoy your journey. Moreover, with proper preparation, you can join a sleigh ride on a Northern Lights hunting tour or a Lapland reindeer safari to marvel at the Midnight Sun. Another wonderful way to get close to reindeer is by visiting one of the local farms (one of the most popular is located in Rovaniemi). Here, you can feed the animals, learn about their way of life, history, and their significance in the region.

Lapland's snow hotels and ice restaurants are considered some of the most fascinating places in the region, attracting thousands of tourists from around the world. They are built every winter using only snow and ice. Snow hotels are often decorated with ice sculptures and lights, creating a magical atmosphere. Each year, they feature a new design, giving visitors the chance to discover something new.Although the rooms are made of ice, sleeping here is not only possible but also quite comfortable. The hotels provide special thermal sleeping bags that ensure warmth and comfort. Dining in ice restaurants is also an unforgettable experience. Everything, from tables and chairs to cutlery, is made of ice. The restaurants offer local cuisine, including reindeer meat, fresh salmon, desserts made from red berries, and more. Special lighting and ice details create a truly unique atmosphere. Such places can be found, for example, at the SnowHotel in Rovaniemi.

Would you like to feel like a true northerner? Try another traditional activity of the Sami people: reindeer safari through the magnificent landscapes of Lapland. The wind, the adrenaline, and the loyal team of dogs will remain in your memory for a lifetime. During the tour, you can also learn about the real care and lifestyle of reindeer herders in the North. When choosing your walk, you can select your preferred route-challenging, easy, long, short, and so on, depending on what your heart desires at that moment. Another energetic and adrenaline-filled sports option is snowmobiling in the snow-covered terrain. A short instruction, and you can immediately join the wonderful group tour and start a snowmobile safari. But the most important thing is not to forget your driver's license.

Lapland can be reached through several different routes. Here are the options recommended by "Touristo" (don’t forget that to visit the Finnish, Swedish, or Norwegian parts of Lapland, a Schengen visa is required):

1. Yerevan-Paris-Rovaniemi
   Flight price: starting from €650 or the equivalent in local currency.
2. Yerevan-Vienna-Rovaniemi
   Flight price: starting from €670 or the equivalent in local currency.
3. Yerevan-Milan-Rovaniemi with low-cost airlines like Wizz Air or EasyJet, where you will need to go through double check-in at airports.
   Flight price: starting from €570 or the equivalent in local currency.