Joulukka in Finland is without a shadow of a doubt, one of the best trips we have ever had as a family. We travelled to Rovaniemi in Finland to visit the ‘Official Hometown of Santa Claus’ to celebrate Christmas with our 5-year-old in fabulous, storybook winter setting. We wanted to visit here whilst the Santa Claus magic was still alive and thriving in our Kidsetter.
Picked up in the magic bus and collected at our Chalet by an Elf named ‘CC’ set the scene of what was about to begin. We were heading to Santa’s Secret Forest – Joulukka which a 30 minute ride from Rovaniemi, and is a magical forest of Lapland located deep in the Artic Circle. We sung Christmas songs with the Elves in the magic bus with a couple of other families as well until we reached our destination. We were led down a mystical Fairy-tale pathway by elves, each with their gorgeous bubbly characters.
We reached Santa’s Secret Command Centre deep in the wood. The Elves announced we would roast some marshmallows around a picturesque campfire surroundings until we taken into the command centre. We were shown around in our own private group family by family. This was very well managed.
We learnt how the elves of Joulukka supervise the important task of the logistics of Christmas night. After learning about the eventful co-ordination an Elf opened a door to another room, sitting in here was ‘THE’ Santa Claus. Our Kidsetter was beyond belief. Santa embraced our Kidsetter warmly and he sat on Santa’s whilst they chatted. Santa gave our Kidsetter a little soft toy husky that he can whisper into his ear and have a direct line to Santa as what he’d like for Christmas.
We then enjoyed Mrs Claus’ special hot chocolate recipe in the forest around a campfire with the elves before being taken to the legendary Elf School. This was a barrel of laughs. We discovered just how the elves find out how children have been well behaved or not. We decorated ginger bread cookies. We received an official certificate to say we had graduated from Elf School.
I knew it would be a truly magical experience however I didn’t anticipate the elves to be so delightful and to create as much atmosphere and fun to the entire experience.
If you are wanting to create a truly enchanting and memorable Christmas for your family – you must take them here ! Yes, it’s a long way to fly however it is worth it !
