Lapland Highlights
- A pristine Arctic wilderness of snow-covered forests, frozen lakes and vast northern skies.
- Meet Father Christmas in his secluded cabin for a wonderfully personal experience the whole family will remember.
- Travel through the wilderness by husky sled, reindeer-drawn sleigh or snowmobile.
- Stay in a cosy log cabin, luxurious wilderness lodge or glass-roofed suite beneath the Arctic sky.
- Search for the Northern Lights before warming up beside the fire or in a traditional Finnish sauna.
Discover Lapland
Deep within the Arctic Circle, Finnish Lapland is a world of snow-covered forests, frozen lakes and peaceful wilderness. During the winter months, its landscapes become the setting for extraordinary adventures, from husky sledding and snowmobiling to reindeer encounters and evenings spent searching the skies for the Northern Lights.
For families, Lapland offers something even more magical. Journey through the forest to meet Father Christmas in his secluded cabin, where private experiences allow children to enjoy the excitement without the crowds. Tobogganing, sleigh rides and playing in deep snow add to the sense of stepping into a real-life winter story.
Lapland can be wonderfully grown-up too. Stay in an elegant wilderness lodge, retreat to a secluded log cabin or watch the Arctic sky from the warmth of a glass-roofed suite. Days filled with adventure give way to traditional saunas, fireside dinners and quiet evenings beneath the stars. Whether you visit for Christmas magic, Arctic adventure or simply the chance to escape somewhere extraordinary, Lapland makes winter feel truly special.
Christmas Magic
Meet Father Christmas in his secluded forest cabin for a wonderfully personal family moment.
Arctic Beauty
Snow-covered forests, frozen lakes and vast northern skies create a peaceful wilderness that feels far removed from everyday life.
Winter Adventures
Husky sledding, reindeer sleighs and snowmobiling beneath the Northern Lights.
Feeling inspired?
Start Planning Your Luxury
Lapland Holiday
Tell me who's travelling and what you would love to experience, from meeting Father Christmas as a family to a romantic escape beneath the Arctic sky, husky adventures and the Northern Lights. I'll create a Lapland holiday around you and take care of every detail from the first idea until you are home.
When to Visit Lapland
Lapland is captivating throughout the year. December to March brings snowy landscapes, Father Christmas experiences and Arctic adventures, while April offers longer days and excellent spring skiing. Summer's Midnight Sun is perfect for hiking, cycling and exploring the lakes. September colours the forests in vivid autumn shades, while October and November bring darker skies, the first snowfall and the gradual return of winter.
Lapland Regions
Finnish Lapland
Finnish Lapland is the Arctic most people imagine, where snowy forests, reindeer sleighs and Father Christmas bring winter stories to life. Rovaniemi offers festive magic and culture, while Levi, Ylläs and Saariselkä add skiing, glass-roofed stays, husky adventures and the freedom of the open fells.
Swedish Lapland
Swedish Lapland is quieter and more design-led, with extraordinary places to stay woven into the wilderness. Sleep among the trees at Treehotel, beside the frozen river at Arctic Bath or within the sculpted walls of ICEHOTEL. Farther west, Abisko is renowned for its clear skies and Northern Lights.
Where to Stay
A glimpse of Lapland's places to stay, from secluded wilderness lodges to extraordinary retreats beneath the Arctic sky. Many more are available.
Swedish Lapland
Arctic Bath
Floating on the Lule River in summer and frozen into it during winter, Arctic Bath is a striking Swedish Lapland retreat. Timber cabins, locally inspired dining, saunas and its central cold bath create a restorative base for Arctic adventures and Northern Lights.
Swedish Lapland
Icehotel
In Jukkasjärvi, Icehotel transforms ice from the Torne River into extraordinary artist-designed rooms and suites. Balance a night on ice with warm Nordic accommodation, Arctic dining and days spent dog sledding, snowmobiling or searching the skies for the Northern Lights.
Swedish Lapland
Treehotel
Suspended among the pines above the Lule River, Treehotel turns a childhood fantasy into an extraordinary Swedish Lapland stay. Individually designed rooms, including the Mirrorcube, UFO and Bird's Nest, combine playful architecture with forest views, local dining and year-round Arctic adventures.
Finnish Lapland
Hidden Arctic Cloud
Hidden among the forests near Rovaniemi, Hidden Arctic Cloud combines the privacy of your own retreat with beautifully tailored service. Spacious interiors, private saunas and outdoor Jacuzzis create an indulgent base for families and friends discovering the magic of Finnish Lapland.
Finnish Lapland
L7 Luxury Lodge
On the edge of Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park, L7 Luxury Lodge offers exclusive use of a beautifully restored seven-room log retreat. Full-board dining, fireside comfort, a sauna and outdoor Jacuzzi await after husky safaris, snowmobiling and Northern Lights adventures.
Finnish Lapland
Apukka Resort
Close to Rovaniemi and Santa Claus Village, Apukka Resort pairs Arctic wilderness with imaginative accommodation, from glass-roofed cabins to spacious family suites. Husky safaris, reindeer sleigh rides and snowshoe adventures fill the days, while evenings are spent searching for the Northern Lights.
Why Plan Your Holiday With Me?
I'm Rachael. I plan tailor-made holidays for people who want more than a beautiful hotel. The right journey, thoughtful details and someone making sure it all comes together.
Design
I listen first. How you travel, what you have loved before and what you would rather avoid. Then I design the holiday around you, from the pace and route to the room you wake up in.
Discover
I work with a trusted network of specialist partners and destination experts. Together, we find distinctive places to stay, memorable experiences and the people who can make your holiday feel genuinely special.
Travel well
Before you arrive, I make sure the people looking after you know what matters, from special occasions and room preferences to the smaller details you may not have considered. I seek out upgrades and thoughtful extras where available, and you have my support until you are safely home.
Luxury Lapland Tailor-Made Itineraries
These itineraries are just a few examples of what is possible. I can tailor any of them to suit you or create something completely from scratch around the Lapland experience you have in mind.
In Search of Father Christmas
3 nights · Fjellborg Arctic Lodge
Travel by husky sled to your private cabin in the Swedish wilderness. Meet reindeer, try ice fishing and snowmobiling, and enjoy a special Father Christmas experience before returning for fireside dinners prepared by your private chef.
2 nights · ICEHOTEL
Spend one night surrounded by artist-carved ice and another in a warm Nordic room. Ice sculpting, dog sledding and evenings searching for the Northern Lights complete this extraordinary family adventure.
Lapland, All to Yourself
3 nights · Levi Spirit Villas
Settle into the warmth and privacy of Levi Spirit Villas, where log-burning fires, your own sauna and Jacuzzi, and dinners prepared by a private chef await. Beyond the villa, drive your own husky team through snow-covered forests, glide between the pines by reindeer-drawn sleigh and venture out after dark by snowmobile or snowshoe in search of the Northern Lights. There is time to enjoy Levi's slopes too, creating a short winter escape that feels wonderfully full without being rushed.
From City Lights to Arctic Skies
2 nights · Helsinki
Begin in Finland's elegant capital, exploring the Rock Church, Old Market Hall and a city shaped by architecture, design and food.
4 nights · Levi and Rovaniemi
Fly north for glass-roofed stays, husky sledding, snowmobiling and reindeer encounters. Meet a local family, dine inside a snow castle and search for the Northern Lights with a photographer.
4 nights · Harads and Stockholm
Cross into Swedish Lapland for two nights at Arctic Bath, meeting a Sámi couple and unwinding beside the frozen river. Finish with two nights exploring Stockholm's cobbled old town and grand waterfront.
Following the Footprints to Santa
2 nights · Levi
Begin with husky sledding across frozen lakes and a snowmobile journey beneath the Arctic sky. Stay in a glass-roofed suite, giving you the chance to watch for the Northern Lights from your bed.
2 nights · Rovaniemi
Continue to the official hometown of Father Christmas for a private festive experience filled with stories, games and gifts. Ice floating and Arctic dining add another side to the magic.
Your Lapland, Designed
Around You
Your Lapland holiday might combine a private meeting with Father Christmas and husky sledding through snowy forest with evenings beside the fire in your own cabin. It could take you beneath the Northern Lights in Abisko, to the remarkable architecture of Treehotel or Arctic Bath, or into the wilderness where reindeer, frozen lakes and snow-covered fells surround you.
I'll help you choose between Finnish and Swedish Lapland, find the right balance of adventure and unhurried time, and decide where greater privacy or a more exceptional lodge is worth the investment. Then I'll bring together your flights, transfers, accommodation and experiences so every part of the journey feels effortless.
Start Planning Your Lapland HolidayFrequently Asked Questions
For the classic snow-covered experience, travel between December and March. December brings the greatest Christmas magic, but also the highest demand. February and March offer deep snow, longer days, fewer festive crowds and often better value. The Northern Lights season runs from late August to early April.
No. You need darkness, clear skies and the right solar activity at the same time. Spending three nights or longer in Lapland gives you several opportunities to look, while a one-night stay leaves far more to chance.
Winter temperatures are often between -5°C and -20°C, although they can fall below -30°C during colder spells. The air is usually dry, which can make the cold feel more manageable. Thermal outerwear and boots are included with many organised activities or can be hired locally. I will always check exactly what is provided before you travel.
Three or four nights works well for a first Father Christmas trip. Five nights allows more time for activities without every day feeling full and gives you more opportunities to see the Northern Lights. A week or longer is ideal if you want to combine Finnish and Swedish Lapland, visit two different areas or add time on the slopes.
There is no perfect age, but five to nine is often the sweet spot. Children are old enough to remember the experience while still believing in the magic completely. Younger children can still have a wonderful time, although the cold, clothing and disrupted routines need more thought. For older children, I would include more husky sledding, snowmobiling and Arctic adventure.
Yes. Seasonal winter flights operate from several UK airports to Finnish Lapland, particularly Rovaniemi and Kittilä, with selected services to other Lapland airports. Routes and operating dates change each winter, so I will check the best option for your dates. Swedish Lapland usually involves a connection through Stockholm to Kiruna or Luleå.
Finnish Lapland offers the widest choice of Father Christmas experiences, glass-roofed accommodation and direct winter flights from the UK. Swedish Lapland is quieter and more design-led, with distinctive stays such as ICEHOTEL, Treehotel and Arctic Bath. Abisko is also known for its unusually clear skies. The right choice depends on whether your priority is Christmas magic, skiing, wilderness, design or the Northern Lights.
They can be, but I usually recommend them for one or two nights rather than the whole holiday. A glass roof lets you watch the sky from somewhere warm and comfortable, but it cannot remove cloud or guarantee the Northern Lights. Pairing an igloo with a cabin, villa or wilderness lodge gives you a more varied Lapland experience.