• Publish Your article
  • Editorial Policy
  • Contact
  • Advertise
Monday, October 27, 2025
No Result
View All Result
UK Herald
  • Home
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Entertainment
    • All
    • Sports
    England rugby stadium Twickenham given new name after more than 100 years in shock new deal

    England rugby stadium Twickenham given new name after more than 100 years in shock new deal

    Peter Morgan dead at 65: Former Wales and Lions rugby star who became a politician passes away as club pays tribute

    Peter Morgan dead at 65: Former Wales and Lions rugby star who became a politician passes away as club pays tribute

    Horse racing tips: Unexposed Group 1 contender can stun the big guns at 14-1

    Horse racing tips: Unexposed Group 1 contender can stun the big guns at 14-1

    Woman ‘raped seven times by two French rugby stars who left her riddled with bite marks & with horror injuries’

    Woman ‘raped seven times by two French rugby stars who left her riddled with bite marks & with horror injuries’

    Horse racing tips: Gary Moore’s charge can gain revenge after falling last time out

    Horse racing tips: Gary Moore’s charge can gain revenge after falling last time out

    Ian Buckett dead at 56: Former Wales rugby star who was ‘admired and feared equally’ dies as tributes pour in

    Ian Buckett dead at 56: Former Wales rugby star who was ‘admired and feared equally’ dies as tributes pour in

    Horse racing tips: Bash the bookies with these longshots including 9-1 fancy

    Horse racing tips: Bash the bookies with these longshots including 9-1 fancy

    Shayne Philpott dead at 58 – New Zealand All Blacks rugby legend dies after suffering ‘medical event’

    Shayne Philpott dead at 58 – New Zealand All Blacks rugby legend dies after suffering ‘medical event’

    Horse racing tips: This 7-1 chance appears to have been laid out for race he won last year

    Horse racing tips: This 7-1 chance appears to have been laid out for race he won last year

  • Lifestyle
    • All
    • Fashion
    • food
    • Health
    • Travel
    I went to a five-star health spa and realised the secret to long life is free

    I went to a five-star health spa and realised the secret to long life is free

    I visited this lesser-known European gem and spent just £300 in a week

    I visited this lesser-known European gem and spent just £300 in a week

    I stayed in Mauritius’ ‘magic place’ – this is my honest review

    I stayed in Mauritius’ ‘magic place’ – this is my honest review

    The exact dates you need to book off in 2026 to get 56 days of holiday

    The exact dates you need to book off in 2026 to get 56 days of holiday

    Italy’s ‘less glitzy’ gateway destination named one of 2026’s best places to visit

    Italy’s ‘less glitzy’ gateway destination named one of 2026’s best places to visit

    This historic Japanese city is hiking its tourist tax by 900% to stop you coming

    This historic Japanese city is hiking its tourist tax by 900% to stop you coming

    Major airline removes carry-on bag sizers from boarding gates

    Major airline removes carry-on bag sizers from boarding gates

    Qatar Airways Al Mourjan Business Lounge review: ‘It doesn’t get bigger than this…’

    Qatar Airways Al Mourjan Business Lounge review: ‘It doesn’t get bigger than this…’

    What is Bleach or Facial, Best for Skin?

    What is Bleach or Facial, Best for Skin?

    Tourists are flocking to a mind-bending Chinese megacity where Google Maps doesn’t work

    Tourists are flocking to a mind-bending Chinese megacity where Google Maps doesn’t work

    Trending Tags

    • Golden Globes
    • Mr. Robot
    • MotoGP 2017
    • Climate Change
    • Flat Earth
  • Health
  • Opinion
  • Science
  • Tech
  • Crypto
  • Travel
  • Real Estate
  • Sports
  • More
    • Press Release
UK Herald
No Result
View All Result

I returned to Lapland after 24 years and found something I had lost

by Justin Marsh
December 25, 2024
0
0
SHARES
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterReddit


SEC 233110545 b1e0
Seeing my daughter’s face light up was enough to get me into the Christmas spirit (Picture: Metro)

Not to be all Scrooge about it, but Christmas this year felt more like a chore and a source of anxiety than something to be excited about.   

I had forgotten the magical feeling of the Christmas build-up. It was only after my daughter spotted an old family photo on her great-granny’s mantle piece that I began thinking about the childhood trip to Lapland 24 years ago on which it was taken. Happy memories of hot chocolates, reindeer, twinkling lights and my 10-year-old brother getting his tongue stuck to a lamp post began to swirl.

With my toddler beginning to understand Christmas a bit more, I was determined to bring festive spirit back into our lives with a four-night trip to Santa’s hometown, courtesy of TUI.

Seeing the look of wonderment on her face when we encountered an ‘Elf’ at the Gatwick Airport check-in desk was enough for glimmers of merriment to start creeping in; I could feel my cold heart defrosting.

Lapland travel story
The retro snowsuits haven’t changed much since our trip in 2000 (Picture: Metro)

How to get to Finnish Lapland

Lapland travel story
Lapland spans Finland and Sweden in the Arctic Circle (Picture: Rosy Shearman)

A number of airlines fly direct to Lapland from the UK with prices starting at £61 return in December. Choose to fly into Kittila, Rovaniemi, Ivalo or Kuusamo.

Getting from the UK to Lapland

Excitement continued to build as we flew over snowy mountains, tinged with the pinkish glow unique to the Arctic Circle.

Stepping off the plane at Kittilä Airport in -16 temperatures is certainly one way to feel refreshed, even after a 3am alarm. As well as freezing your nose hair, the first sniff of crisp air is enough to energise even the most frazzled of parents travelling with small children. 

Snowsuits and boots are provided if you book a package trip and you will pick these up at the airport. The smallest snowsuit for children is 90cm so if your child is smaller than that, bring your own.

Lapland travel story
The crisp air was cold enough to freeze nose hair (Picture: Metro)
Lapland travel story
Walking in a winter wonderland (Picture: Metro)

Meeting Santa Claus in Lapland

After arriving at Santa’s SnowVillage, we bundled into a sleigh and were off through the scenic woodland, searching for the Big Man himself.

Surrounded by snow dusted trees, Father Christmas’s cabin came into view as we were greeted by another one of his elves.

We warmed ourselves by the fire with some of Mrs Claus’s hot berry juice while waiting patiently for our turn.

Meeting Santa on the first day of the trip set the perfect tone for the holiday, and after seeing my daughter’s face light up during our morning at the SnowVillage I was thoroughly getting into the Christmas Spirit.  

Lapland travel story
The real deal (Picture: Metro)
{“@context”:”https:\/\/schema.org”,”@type”:”VideoObject”,”name”:”Metro.co.uk”,”duration”:”T56S”,”thumbnailUrl”:”https:\/\/i.dailymail.co.uk\/1s\/2024\/12\/11\/11\/93034361-0-image-m-24_1733915265528.jpg”,”uploadDate”:”2024-12-11T11:06:42+0000″,”description”:”Make your Christmas dreams come true!”,”contentUrl”:”https:\/\/videos.metro.co.uk\/video\/met\/2024\/12\/11\/3043310267813282184\/480x270_MP4_3043310267813282184.mp4″,”height”:480,”width”:270}

To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web
browser that
supports HTML5
video

Up Next

Previous Page
Next Page





















window.addEventListener(‘metroVideo:relatedVideosCarouselLoaded’, function(data) {
if (typeof(data.detail) === ‘undefined’ || typeof(data.detail.carousel) === ‘undefined’ || typeof(data.detail.carousel.el_) === ‘undefined’) {
return;
}
var player = data.detail.carousel.el_;
var container = player.closest(‘.metro-video-player’);
var placeholder = container.querySelector(‘.metro-video-player__up-next-placeholder’);
container.removeChild(placeholder);
container.classList.add(‘metro-video-player–related-videos-loaded’);
});

Lapland’s Snow safari

If sitting on Santa’s lap doesn’t quite do it for you, there’s plenty of other options for big kids and thrillseekers. Speeding through the snow-capped trees until you reach a frozen lake is sure to be a highlight.

Balaclavas, helmets and extra gloves are provided, while the kids are also given ski goggles to wear. A brief stop at the lake to fill up on biscuits and more hot berry juice was welcome after we all got quite chilly on the ride up there.

Capture every magical moment

For parents eager to capture every moment, I recommend packing a pair of silk glove liners. You’ll find that you are constantly taking your ski gloves off and tending to hats that have come off and snotty noses.

A pair with touch-screen compatibility will enable you to whip your phone out and capture magical moments and impromptu snowball fights without your hands getting frozen.

Lapland travel story
The Lapland Hotels SnowVillage is rebuilt every year; the theme this year is ‘Underwater’ (Picture: Metro)

Reindeers and huskies in Lapland

Unfortunately there had not been enough snowfall this season for us to do the longer husky ride experience. If tree roots or large rocks on the track haven’t been blanketed by compacted snow, the huskies can injure their paws.  

Instead, we visited a husky farm and got to meet three-month-old puppies that were, much to the delight of my daughter, all named after characters from the movie Frozen.

Lapland travel story
These fluffy guys were so excited to see us (Picture: Metro)

Just like my visit to Lapland in 2000, the reindeer ride was my favourite part of the trip. The gentle plod of their hooves and tinkling bells on their reigns provide a magical soundtrack while you’re pulled along the track, snow gently falling all around. 

The magic was briefly interrupted by the sound of my snoring toddler who fell asleep seconds into the ride.

All that surrounds you is the tranquil darkness and silence of the Finnish forest before the sleigh pulls onto a large frozen lake. You’re compelled to ‘be in the moment’ and I was grateful for it. 

A snow scene from Lapland, Finland, with a sleigh pulled by reindeer
According to Santa’s elves, if you look a reindeer in the eye and it winks three times…you have found Rudolph (Picture: Tui)

Chilling out

If you find yourself with free time during your stay in Lapland, the Hotel Saaga is the perfect base for hitting the slopes at the Yllas Ski Resort, the largest ski field in Finland and right next door.  

I wasn’t about to start teaching my two-year-old to ski when I can barely make it to the bottom of a run myself, so sledging on the nursery slope was the perfect alternative.  

The pool and sauna at the Hotel Saaga is a perfect way to relax at the end of a chilly day. There’s even a warm baby pool complete with toys to keep the littlest ones entertained.

The following day, we reluctantly said goodbye to Lapland, bringing to an end a trip that reminded me of why Christmas really is the most wonderful time of year. 

Rosy Shearman was a guest of TUI.

TUI offers three and four-night holidays to Lapland which include flights, accommodation, transfers and a wide variety of winter excursions and extras that can be booked through TUI Musement. 

A four-night holiday to Ylläs, Lapland staying at the 4T Lapland Hotel Saaga on a bed and breakfast basis starts from £1027 per person. Price is based on two adults and two children sharing a twin room with flights departing from London Gatwick on 3rd December 2025 with 20kg hold luggage per adult and transfers.



Source link

Related Posts

I went to a five-star health spa and realised the secret to long life is free

I went to a five-star health spa and realised the secret to long life is free

by Justin Marsh
October 25, 2025
0

The Swiss wellness resort offers so much more than relaxation (Picture: Grand Resort Bad Ragaz) The phrase ‘there must be something in the water’ could have been coined at the Grand Resort...

I visited this lesser-known European gem and spent just £300 in a week

I visited this lesser-known European gem and spent just £300 in a week

by Justin Marsh
October 22, 2025
0

There were hardly any British tourists in Cádiz (Picture: Sama Ansari Pour/Getty Images) I received the dreaded email a week before my flight: ‘Your trip has been cancelled.’ Scrambling to book a...

I stayed in Mauritius’ ‘magic place’ – this is my honest review

I stayed in Mauritius’ ‘magic place’ – this is my honest review

by Justin Marsh
October 19, 2025
0

The Sugar Beach resort in Flic en Flac, a seaside town on the west of Mauritius (Picture: TUI) Metro Checks In to Sugar Beach, a family-friendly resort in Mauritius. As we drive...

The exact dates you need to book off in 2026 to get 56 days of holiday

The exact dates you need to book off in 2026 to get 56 days of holiday

by Justin Marsh
October 16, 2025
0

Most of us get 25 days of annual leave if we’re lucky (Picture: Loveholidays) Metro journalists select and curate the products that feature on our site. If you make a purchase via...

Italy’s ‘less glitzy’ gateway destination named one of 2026’s best places to visit

Italy’s ‘less glitzy’ gateway destination named one of 2026’s best places to visit

by Justin Marsh
October 13, 2025
0

The Amalfi Coast is widely regarded as one of Italy’s most beautiful destinations (Picture: Getty Images) An under-the-radar Italian seaside town is the top emerging destination for British holidaymakers in 2026. Travellers...

This historic Japanese city is hiking its tourist tax by 900% to stop you coming

This historic Japanese city is hiking its tourist tax by 900% to stop you coming

by Justin Marsh
October 10, 2025
0

Looking to visit Japan next year? You might want to adjust your budget (Picture: Getty Images) Traditional tea houses, ornate temples, late-night ramen culture, pink cherry blossom, and autumn leaves that turn...

Next Post
Year-in-Review, part two: The unsettled dawn of Keir Starmer

Year-in-Review, part two: The unsettled dawn of Keir Starmer

Popular News

Andy Burnham criticises ‘climate of fear’ in Labour with vow to continue ‘debate’

Andy Burnham criticises ‘climate of fear’ in Labour with vow to continue ‘debate’

October 26, 2025
I went to a five-star health spa and realised the secret to long life is free

I went to a five-star health spa and realised the secret to long life is free

October 25, 2025
Starmer is governed by polls, not principles – voters can sense it

Starmer is governed by polls, not principles – voters can sense it

October 24, 2025
Are press trip freebies taxable income for freelances and influencers?

Are press trip freebies taxable income for freelances and influencers?

October 24, 2025
Back electoral reform to embed ‘progressive majority’ and thwart Farage, Starmer urged

Back electoral reform to embed ‘progressive majority’ and thwart Farage, Starmer urged

October 22, 2025
I visited this lesser-known European gem and spent just £300 in a week

I visited this lesser-known European gem and spent just £300 in a week

October 22, 2025
Week-in-Review: Starmer and Badenoch repel their pretenders – for now

Week-in-Review: Starmer and Badenoch repel their pretenders – for now

October 20, 2025
UK Herald

All Rights Reserved © UK HERALD - The Voice of UK

Important Links

  • Publish Your article
  • Editorial Policy
  • Contact
  • Advertise

...

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Politics
  • UK News
  • Business
  • Science
  • National
  • Entertainment
  • Gaming
  • Sports
  • Fashion
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Health
  • Food

All Rights Reserved © UK HERALD - The Voice of UK