Lapland (Finland) > Reviews > Lapland without the Children

Author's product rating:   

Value for Money	Average
Sightseeing	Excellent
Shopping	Good
Nightlife	Good
Ease of getting around	Excellent

Advantages:	Great Christmas Atmosphere
Disadvantages:	Can be expensive if you are not careful

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

Yes that's right, my partner and I decided to leave his kids at home and embark upon a four day trip to Rovaniemi, the capital of Lapland.

Flights from London Gatwick to Rovaniemi took around 3 hours and although a little uncomfortable whilst wearing your thermals I would heartily advise you to! Although you only have a short walk from your plane into the arrivals lounge it is very much like walking into a freezer - it was minus 14 when we arrived and only got colder!

We stayed in Rovaniemi cottages, log cabins just outside the city at the bottom of a ski slope - stunning in the dusk when they are spraying the slopes with more snow, it looks like pink mist has descended on you! With our own sauna and wonderful welcome from the staff we felt very much at home.

Can heartily recommend visiting a husky farm - I think it was the highlight of our trip. Be warned - if it's very icy and there has been little snowfall think twice about a snowmobile ride - they need snow to move across and without this it's a bumpy ride!!

Rovaniemi has some great restaurants - the newly opened Lordi's being one. Owned by the 2006 Eurovision winners, its worth a visit to look at the exterior artwork if nothing else!

I cannot praise the Finnish people enough; every single person we met without fail was warm and welcoming and was happy to give advice and recommendations. Although we missed the northern lights this year I know we will be heading back for a second attempt!

Although Lapland may be primarily for the kids don't feel like grown ups can't have fun either, there is plenty for adults to do and the scenery is beautiful. Stunning sunsets over snow dusted countryside at 3.30pm is something to behold. Just remember your thermals - it was minus 26 for the majority of our stay!