A magical trip to Lapland is a once in a lifetime experience
SHOUT when you can see the snow. Can you see it? Can you?” And suddenly the plane erupts with squeals and shrieks.
The children don’t even realise we have made our rapid decent. In a vessel full of kids, not one is crying at the force of touchdown, or at the speed as we grind to a halt.
Landing, usually a source of tears and trauma for small children, has become nothing more than an opportunity to see all that snow up close.
They barely registered the 6am take off either, the carol singing was already in full swing at that stage.
And the party continued right throughout the three and half hour flight, taking a break only for food (free full breakfasts included, just like the good old days all over again on Aer Lingus).
Kids were dancing in the aisles, air hostesses were leading conga lines in red festive aprons and ‘zogabongs’, the pilot was even spotted in a Santa hat.
At one point, half an hour from landing, he interrupted the flight to tell us air traffic control were warning us to look out for reindeer; Santa’s team were on practice runs.
We could expect no less, Christmas Day was just two weeks away after all — and we were on a flight path to Lapland, home to the man in red himself.
That beautifully crazy, utterly child-focused flight set the tone for our Sunway one-night trip to the most Christmas of destinations.
Goodie bags, full of selection boxes, reindeer ears (with bells — handy for singing ‘Jingle Bells’ later) and colouring books, were handed out at check-in.
As singalong carols were blasted out over the intercom, and children were taught choreographed dance moves in the aisles, even us adults forgot we were in the air.
At one point, as the seat belt sign flashed for turbulence, the incredible Aer Lingus air hostesses danced the kids back to their seats (the team tell us later they all clamoured to work on this rare route and secure a night in Lapland; they even spotted the northern lights that evening).
Everything about this trip was about children — and whoever coordinated it in Sunway knows kids.
A party entertainer travelled with us, the wonderful Cork-based Rosie Howick, aka Katy Perry, and her multitude of candy coloured wigs.
She was the one who taught the dance moves and blasted out songs over the flight intercom.
She was the one who knew to distract the kids at take-off and landing with carols and snow spotting.
Later, back in the hotel, she had a crowd of adoring children surround her for face painting and later still, after dinner, she taught the kids full dance routines, encouraging other tour groups, none of whom came with entertainment, to join her.
It gave parents a chance to relax with a drink (watch the prices here in Finland before you order...) after a day of non-stop activities in the snow. We were destroyed, our cheeks flushed, bodies aching, but like the kids, we were all on a high.
We had landed at 11.30am that morning (Lapland is two hours ahead) and straight off the flight, we were brought to get full clothing to cope with the Arctic conditions: overalls, boots, thick socks, scarves, and gloves.
I said no to the balaclava, it hadn’t felt that cold I told myself as we stepped on to the bus from the plane.
I hadn’t thought, of course, that Lapland has only a few hours of daylight — and that temperatures would drop (on the second day one thermometer read minus-12). I paid for that decision later in the snow.
We were taken to a type of activity centre, really that’s the only way to describe it, for five hours of non-stop Lapland experiences. There were husky rides, gingerbread decorating, rides on snowmobiles.
My highlight had to be steering a reindeer sleigh with my two kids in tow through the snow covered tracks, sheltered by white fir trees.
‘Walking in a Winter Wonderland’ was just written for that moment. It is etched deep in my memory, and I know I’ll keep returning to it.
There was a welcome break for a warm lunch and, of course, a visit to Santa’s cabin.
Families went in groups of two or three. He had the longest beard and sounded just like we knew Santa should — my 10-year-old thinks yes, he was the real one.
He took time with us all, and his elf kept snapping until every child was smiling for the camera.
As we left there were gifts — a gorgeous Arctic fox cuddly bear each.
It’s funny, for all the amazing activities, talking to the kids later, their highlight was, Santa aside of course, the snow.
In between the huskies and the reindeer, and all the other Lapland wonders, a slide had been made on a little hill out of the snow and an elf was on hand to nudge the smallies down — and hurl the older and braver ones.
In the downtime there were also snowballs to mould and throw, snow angels to make, and a little open fire to heat the hands, warm juice on hand to help negate the low temperatures.
I took my 10-year-old, Mia, and my four-and-a-half-year-old, Lana, on the trip; my husband stayed home with the two-year-old and one-year-old.
Sunway had warned me that at four she may be a little on the young side. And for a brief moment I feared they may be right.
Exhausted from the 3am wake up (check-in at Cork airport is 4am), and even with a little catch up sleep on the flight, she was at exhaustion point on the bus, and reached her wits end by the time we got to the warehouse to choose our winter thermals.
Again, the snow saved us all. Finally rugged up in winter gear, she emerged from the building and made a snowball to fling at her sister before we embarked on the bus — and the 3am start was forgotten. The magic was alive again.
It was a long day for her little four-year-old legs, but she adored it. The huskies were a fascination for her.
The 10-year-old was the most perfect age for a trip like this.
I had kept our holiday a secret, and it’s another memory I’ll savour forever, waking her last Saturday morning to tell her we were going to Lapland.
She adored every second of it, making a new friend, nine-year-old Lauren, on the trip to share it with.
Day two, and after 12 hours of catch up sleep for the kids, we woke for breakfast — options for hot and cold, included in the package (like every other meal).
The room was basic, but warm and comfortable. We were back on the bus with our tour guide, Snowball the elf, for a short drive (nowhere was longer than 15 minutes away on any of our bus journeys) to Santa Village.
This was souvenir central — and prices aren’t cheap. But it’s a wonderful way to pick up small gifts, souvenirs and decorations.
We visited the famous Arctic Circle Post Office, and sent postcards home with Santa’s official stamp.
And of course we put Santa’s letter — a full list from Lana, Mia and their two sisters, carefully carried from home — in the mail box.
Santa’s Village turned out to be another little winter wonderland.
Afterwards there were certificates to say we had crossed the Arctic Circle, signed by none other than Santa.
From there it was straight to the airport for the 3.15pm flight home. This is the joy of a package holiday — no concerns about times or transport. Everything was taken care of.
There was a two hour delay (to de-ice the plane...) but that wasn’t a cause for concern with Katy Perry on hand to teach every child there more dance moves.
Yet again she was every parent’s saviour (mums and dads were booking her for their kids’ parties right there and then).
On the plane there was a marathon game of Chinese whispers and statues, the kids in a line down the aisle.
We landed with a final rendition of ‘Jingle Bells’ — and a “Ho ho ho, Merry Christmas” from the captain and the flight deck.
Every airplane journey, we decided, should be just like this.
At roughly €800 per child and €900 for an adult (including taxes) this holiday doesn’t come cheap.
Its popularity naturally waned during the recession, though this year demand was so high a second trip was organised from Cork.
But is it worth the money?
As a family we book early and save all year for our summer holidays. And yes, after experiencing Lapland, I can say without hesitation that I would forgo a week or two in the sun for this one night magical experience with my children.
And Mia felt exactly the same way.
I’m already saving to take my other two. They need their once in a lifetime experience too.
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
