The Secret of Santa's Village in Finland

Did you know that Santa doesn't rest during the year?

I assume you know what he does with the elves in his home under Mount Korvatunturi. He organises the elves' work, checks the list of the good and the naughty, makes toys, looks after the reindeer, goes to the sauna, grooms his long beard... But did you know that on top of all that, he also has an official office where he meets people all year round? Yes, the real Santa Claus! Only he knows how he does this, but you can ask him yourself when you meet him.

The village with the office is located in the north of Finland, on the 66th parallel north. This means it lies on the North Pole. There, you can officially cross the North Pole border, enter the Arctic Circle, and even get a certificate. And you can do that whenever you want to visit this magical place. Yes, you read that right! Whether it is summer and the midnight sun or winter, darkness and the northern lights, he will be there and his village is open. In addition to the Christmas atmosphere, Finland's Lapland offers a year-round experience of authenticity, originality and the magic of Mother Nature in a subarctic setting. Santa is mostly associated with snow and snowy landscapes, but in this article you will not only learn how to visit him in winter, but also why to visit him in summer! Since I lived there in the winter, I share my personal experience, and as for visiting in the summer, I share the advice I received from my friends and locals.

Let's locate Santa's village on the map

Rovaniemi is the largest city in Lapland, also called the Arctic capital. It is a great starting point to explore comfortably... However, in fairness, the city itself is not very interesting at first glance, especially not architecturally. It has an interesting history, though. The city was burnt down in World War II, and Alvar Aalto, a Finnish architect, rebuilt it so that from a bird's eye view it can look like the head of a reindeer, whose antlers are the main roads. Nevertheless, the city is the best starting point to experience Santa's Village and experience all that the north of Finland, Lapland has to offer.

Now, let's move on to tips for trips in different seasons.

Tips for travellers who want to experience the magic of Lapland and Santa Claus villages and northern Finland in summer:

• Spend the day with huskies, learn what the life of working dogs is like, pet them, and play and walk with them.
• How about a boat ride on the river in the midnight sun? Did you know that the sun doesn't set there for a while? That day is also when it is night? What about a boat trip down the Ounasjoka River to a traditional reindeer farm?
• Visit Santa and ask him if he is feeling hot.
• Ride an electric bicycle through the forests of taiga and listen to the silence of the forests, the singing of the birds. It is very likely that you also meet reindeer, squirrels, owls, foxes and pick some berries for a snack along the way.
• Experience a summer sauna and jump into the lake (Finland has as much as one tenth of the surface covered with lakes).

You can find some guided tours here.

Tips for travellers who want to experience the magic of Lapland and the Santa Claus village in winter:

• Northern Lights! If you want to experience this natural wonder of the world (Revontulet in Finnish), you have the option between late August and early April, while the nights are dark and "still nights". But definitely move away from sources of light pollution to make your experience even more magical!
• A walk on a frozen river. Breathe, listen to the silence while walking on a frozen river or lake (but I recommend that you do this CAREFULLY, as rivers are not completely safe to walk everywhere).
• Enjoy at -30°C. How? Get ready for the cold. Proper clothing is extremely important. The right material (merino wool), loose layers (air circulation between layers keeps you warm), be like an onion. Find out and choose those excursion providers that teach you about clothing before the excursion and also include the rental of overalls and shoes in the price. Click here to see what it looks like at Lapland Safaris (the company where I worked). Do not wear cotton, much less denim (believe me, it is not the most pleasant). This way, exploring the Finnish winter wilderness will not be a problem for you.
• Visit the huskies or the reindeer and let them take you for a ride. Lapland Safaris Rovaniemi and Luosto also offer quiet, emission-free Safaris with electric snowmobiles from January 2024. Want to be active? Experience snowshoeing, electric bike riding on snow and altai skii, which is ski walking for off-roading. All this as part of an organised tour, where a guide takes you safely through the wilderness. As an Arctic guide, I really recommend these experiences in the form of guided tours, especially for people who are not used to the cold Arctic environment.

A must-see all year round:

• Santa Claus and his village! DO NOT forget to visit Santa's Post Office. There you can write a letter and send it to yourself or to your friends. This letter gets a special Santa's Village and Arctic Circle stamp and postmark. However, you can choose when you want the recipient to receive it. There are two letter collectors at the post office (where the elves work), one for the mail that arrives at Christmas and one for regular mail. So you can send a letter in the middle of the year that will come to you, your family or friends at Christmas of the current year.
• Arktikum Museum and Science Centre. By visiting, you can get acquainted with the culture, nature, history of the Arctic, not just Lapland.
• The Pilke Science Center, where you can interactively learn about the Finnish forests and their ecosystem performance.
• Don't forget the traditional Finnish sauna and a dip in the ice cold lake (in winter), but in summer, sauna is also almost a daily activity for Finns.
• Immerse yourself in the experience of authentic nature and clean air. Breathe in, go into the forest and listen to the silence. While you're there, find out how the locals live, maybe talk to someone who can give you some local advice (don't worry, people aren't as closed as most people think they are, or at least not in my experience). But always treat others the way you would want to be treated.
• Ranua Wildlife Park, where you can learn about Arctic and northern animals. Arctic nature is extremely sensitive, as are its inhabitants, as these species specialise in living in extreme environments. Due to climate change and the impact of humans on the environment, the entire ecosystem is increasingly endangered. This is one of the reasons why Rauna is also included in European programmes to protect species and genetic diversity. The park's animals live in adapted enclosures that recreate the natural environment as much as possible, and the park is also located in a forest, an hour's bus ride from Rovaniemi. Most of them grew up in captivity. They also carry out research and have a breeding programme that takes in animals found injured or motherless in the wild. Most of these return to life when they are rehabilitated, and those who do not have a chance of survival remain in care.

Sustainable travel - what can you do to reduce your environmental impact?

• Public transport in Lapland. You can travel sustainably by taking the train from Helsinki to Rovaniemi. There are regular buses to Rovaniemi and Santa's Village, and if you want to go further north (Levi, Luosto), there are good bus connections despite the frozen roads even in winter (this is normal there).
• What you bring to the outdoors, take back with you!
• Look out for hotels, guesthouses and tourism providers that are certified for sustainable tourism (I chose to work for Lapland Safaris for this reason).
• Experience local culture and support local small businesses. For example, Lauri Handicrafts & Guesthouse for souvenirs. There you can buy a kuksa, a knife, deer antler jewellery – the antlers of reindeer fall off every late autumn. You can also make your own souvenir from horn or birchwood under the guidance of a master craftsman from the same supplier.
• Select restaurants with locally produced food, for example Arctic Restaurant, Sky Kitchen & View.
• Carry your own water bottle or thermos with you. Pour water from the tap, anywhere.
• Choose a longer trip, preferably out of high season. This will also be more friendly to your wallet. This means travelling in summer, spring, and January-March if you want to experience the snowy landscape.
• If you visit Rovaniemi during mushroom and berry season, walk on paths that have already been trodden. Choose a tour with a local guide. Try the marsh blackberries, which only grow in the Alpine and Arctic tundra, the taiga. Find out which berries Santa likes the most.

Now you know that the Christmas magic in Santa's Village in Finland never ends. If you want more travel tips or help with planning, feel free to contact me.

Shall I tell you another secret? Christmas never ends because the main ingredient that drives it is love. Santa Claus, reindeer and elves are filled with every good deed that man does through the invisible bonds of love that bind us all together. So every day, with small acts of the heart, with kind and uplifting words for ourselves, our fellow human beings and the natural environment, we are constantly giving back to each other.

If you have not heard yet, I have decided to share some of this Christmas magic in words at the end of the article and wish you to pack your 2024 in the most beautiful package of everything you want. Thank you for being who you are. The world needs people who travel mindfully. Thank you for choosing to travel sustainably. May the peace of the pristine natural environment and the magic of Christmas and the northern lights be with you!