Bucket list material: to the Arctic Circle in Lapland, Finland!

Send a postcard to your loved one from the Arctic Circle!

I think every traveler has a bucket list with special destinations they want to visit. I want to travel there again someday. One of the destinations that was high on my list is Lapland FinlandI already have a photo of myself at the equator in Uganda, now I just need to take a selfie at the Arctic Circle to add to the collection. The Arctic Circle... sounds like a bucket list destination, right?

The Arctic Circle in Finland is a real attraction! Because... that's where Santa Claus lives. He really does exist ;-). The Finns are firm believers. And let's be honest, the man who lives there looks a hell of a lot like Santa Claus. Santa Claus Village is located right on the Arctic Circle, just outside Rovaniemi. LaplandIf it's your first time in Finnish Lapland, you'll probably fly into Rovaniemi Airport. And while you're there, be sure to pop into Santa Claus Village for a selfie at the Arctic Circle.

Crazy idea, right? Being so far north that you're at the Arctic Circle. BRRR! It's almost like standing on the Empire State Building in New York for the first time. It's incredibly crowded with tourists, but it's just one of those classics you want to see with your own eyes :-).

Meet Santa Claus!

At Santa Claus Village, you can meet and greet Santa Claus, among other things. But since it was almost Christmas during my trip, Santa Claus was too busy. At least for me ;-).

Send a card from Santa's Post Office

Another thing you can do at the Arctic Circle (and actually much more fun, if you ask me!) is send a card. Funny detail: you can choose between a letterbox for this coming Christmas or the following Christmas. Since I'm a huge sucker for Christmas-themed things, I naturally sent my sweetheart, parents, and aunt a card from the Arctic Circle. Well, what can I say... the child in me couldn't resist pulling one of those adorable reindeer cards off the rack :-).

Did you know that Santa Claus receives half a million letters a year? And yes, there are actually elves opening the letters!

I know Santa Claus Village is quite touristy, but it's super close to Rovaniemi Airport. Perfect if you have a few hours to kill before your flight home.

Santa Claus Village

Address: Arctic Circle, Napapiiri, Rovaniemi, Finland
Province: Lapland Finland
Website: santaclausvillage.info

This is what you wear to Finnish Lapland!

A warm jacket, ski pants and good snow boots are a must if you go on holiday to Lapland.
1) Lola Bordeaux red coat // 2) Slalom ski pants // 3) Sorel snow boots // 4) Laney jacket // 5) White ski pants // 6) Sorel snow boots in black

Plan your trip to Lapland Finland:

* Flights from Helsinki to Rovaniemi:
– Finnair flights depart daily from Helsinki to Rovaniemi in Finnish Lapland. The flight takes approximately 1,5 hours. Cheaptickets.nl you can easily find cheap flights from Helsinki to Rovaniemi. Search & book here >>.
– Do you also need to book a flight to Helsinki? Both KLM Finnair flies daily from Amsterdam to Helsinki. Find & book the cheapest flight >>
* Accommodation:
Want to stay in a unique hotel? Then check out these domes in the middle of the forest:
Kakslauttanen Igloo West VillageOr sleep in a snow hotel! These are Finland's top snow hotels: snow village en Arctic Snow Hotel.
– Yourlbb's hotel tips for Lapland Finland: hotel for the 1st night upon arrival in Rovaniemi is the Santa's Hotel Santa ClausBeautiful hotels in various villages in Lapland Finland are: Ski-Inn Hotel Pyhätunturi (Pyhätunturi), Spa Hotel Levitunturi (Levi), Santa's Hotel Aurora (Luosto), design hostel 7 Fells Hostel (Äkäslompolo) and Holiday Club Salla Hotel Revontuli (Salla).
Traveling with the whole family or a group of friends? Book a cabin instead of a hotel. Via booking.com you can book beautiful cabins in every place in Lapland Finland >>. A nice cabin where I have stayed myself is “Kultakuru 1” in Pyhä (via Pyha.fi can you book this cabin) In Salla I stayed in Pan Village Near the reindeer park. Highly recommended!
* Everything you want to know about Lapland Finland can be found on the website of onlyinlapland.com which is why I was invited on this bucket list trip.

PS: You can find more great travel tips in the Lapland Little Black BookA travel guide with the best tips for an unforgettable trip to Finnish Lapland.