The Real Santa Claus Village is located in Rovaniemi, in the heart of Finnish Lapland. Here is all the information on how to get there and what to see.
All today's adults were yesterday's children, with dreams, desires, little magical beliefs. Like that of believing that, on the night of December 24th, abig man dressed in redand with a long white beard, he leaves from the distant North Pole aboard a sleigh pulled by reindeer and, with all the gifts in the world crammed behind him, he goes down the chimneys of the houses delivering his gifts.
Meeting Santa Claus is the secret dream of every child and of many adults who, as children, have remained him in their souls. The ritual has always been the same: letter to Santa Claus, waiting for Christmas night, coming down the chimney. And everyone, without distinction, has always known that that "good-natured guy" dressed in red lived in the coldArctic Circle, in a distant world called Lapland, where ice and snow lasted all year round. There, in his village, Father received everyone's letters, sorted them with the help ofElvesand Little Helpers, he prepared the gifts in his workshop and sorted them into piles in his office, while the reindeer waited happily to do their work.
HOW TO GET
The real Santa Claus Village is located just north ofRovaniemi(about 8 km), in Finnish Lapland, exactly along the line of the Arctic Circle. To get there you can book excursions (prices vary from 120 to 150, depending on what they include), or take a bus (number 8) which leaves you directly at the entrance from the center of Rovaniemi.
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WHAT TO SEE IN SANTA CLAUS' VILLAGE IN LAPLAND
Santa Claus lives in his office, surrounded by Elves, and is always available to meet adults and children. Entrance is free but it is not possible to take photographs. The only ones taken are the official ones and, to be able to download them in digital format, it is necessary to pay a sum ranging from 30 to 40 euros. In front of the entrance to theSanta Claus officean open space opens up dominated by a giant snowman and, next to it, some columns mark the passage of the lineArctic Circle. Twice a day (morning and afternoon) the official ceremony of crossing the Arctic Circle line takes place (if you want to book or have a certificate issued you will need to pay a fee).
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Santa Claus Village is quite large and it is worth spending at least half a day inside. Next to Santa Claus' office are thePost Office and the various souvenir shops, with restaurants and cafes
Nearby there is a reindeer farm and two husky dog farms. In each of them it is possible to experience the thrill of being pulled on a sled. Prices vary depending on the duration of the route (for huskies from 30 to 50 euros, for reindeer from 18 to 30).
Inside the village there is also a small kota (typical Lappish), theRoosevelt Cottage” (typical Finnish structure), lo Snowman World(it is possible, at a cost of 20 euros, to visit the igloo with the ice sculptures) and the Santa Claus Holiday Village.
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USEFUL INFORMATION
There is free WiFi within Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi which can be accessed freely. The queue to meet Santa Claus is quite long, unless you go during the "break" moments (around 2.30pm) when the organized groups have left and the Village is relatively freer.
The ride onhusky dogsis exciting (but only if you don't have the chance to do one that lasts at least a couple of hours), while the one onreindeerIt is mainly suitable for children. There is a very characteristic café located right next to Roosevelt Cottage. To warm up from the cold, all you need is a good Finnish Lappish tea or a coffee (completely different from the Italian one), cooked on a fireplace. You will always find biscuits nearby ready to accompany your drinks.
