Get pumped for an absolutely thrilling day bursting with adventure in the magical winter wonderland of Finland! We're about to dive into a jam-packed experience from dawn 'til dusk. The moment we touch down, we're zooming straight to Apukka Resort to kickstart our adrenaline with epic snowmobile rides.

Then the next morning we are off to a exhilarating start to the day with a enchanting horseback ride through the winter wonderland of the snow-covered forest! The adventure continues as we make our way to the legendary Santa Claus Village to immerse ourselves in the joyous holiday atmosphere.

But wait, there's more! The excitement continues as we embark on a thrilling ride aboard the Snow train, hoping to catch a mesmerizing glimpse of the elusive Northern Lights painting the night sky with their enchanting colors.

Welcome to another weekend full of exciting adventures in Rovaniemi, Finland! We're beyond thrilled to be here, ready to explore the breathtaking landscapes and immerse ourselves in the unique culture of this beautiful country.

Check-in – Finnair

Our weekend adventure begins with a journey to Frankfurt Airport, where construction is in full swing, adding a bit of chaos to the scene. Undeterred, we drop off our car and make our way inside, each of us lugging four sizable bags and backpacks filled to the brim with warm clothing and essential items. With Finland’s sub-zero temperatures in mind, we’ve come prepared for chilly weather and are ready to embrace the wintry wonderland that awaits us.

Our flight with Finnair was scheduled to depart in about 2 hours, which seemed like plenty of time. However, upon reaching the bag drop area, we were greeted by a long line with very little movement. Dropping off our bags, going through security, and finding our terminal can be time-consuming tasks, especially considering that boarding usually begins about 30 minutes before departure.

With only an hour and 30 minutes left, we were cutting it close. After waiting for about 45 minutes, we finally reached the bag drop counter, which was unusually slow compared to our previous experiences. Once we dropped off our bags, we proceeded to security, jokingly wondering who among us would be chosen for additional screening. As fate would have it, both of us ended up being selected for a thorough search this time, adding to the unexpected delays.

As we made our way to the terminal, we found ourselves with about 30 minutes to relax and wait before boarding. Time seemed to fly by, and before we knew it, our boarding call was announced. After scanning our tickets, we were directed to another waiting area. From there, we scanned our tickets once more and descended three flights of stairs to reach a shuttle bus that would take us to the plane.

Upon arriving at the aircraft, we settled into the bus, expecting a short wait before boarding. However, we found ourselves waiting for about 15 minutes before the doors were finally opened. After finding our seats on the plane, we endured another 45-minute wait for reasons unknown. Despite the delays, we were relieved to finally be on our way to our layover in Helsinki.

Arriving in Helsinki with just 20 minutes before our next boarding time was a bit stressful, especially considering the original layover was supposed to be an hour and a half. However, thanks to the close proximity of the next gate, we managed to make it in time without any issues. We grabbed some waters and snacks before boarding the next plane, which was a short hour-long flight to Rovaniemi. Despite a bit of turbulence, we landed on schedule without any problems.

Stepping off the plane, we were greeted by a North Pole-like airport adorned with Christmas lights, holiday decorations, and even Santa Claus himself. As a Christmas lover, I couldn’t help but feel like I was in heaven! Making our way to baggage claim was a breeze, as the airport was quite small.

After retrieving our luggage, we were pleasantly surprised to find a lady holding a phone with my name on it, arranged by the resort for our airport transfer. It felt a bit fancy! To our surprise, our ride turned out to be a Tesla, despite expecting something larger due to Finland’s snowy weather. Nonetheless, we hopped inside and braved the cold as we headed towards the resort.

Hotel – Apukka Resort

The journey to the Apukka Resort was surprisingly smooth, with the roads being wet rather than icy despite the freezing temperatures. As we drove, we passed by a beautifully lit area decked with Christmas lights, which turned out to be Santa Claus’s Village—a magical sight indeed. Upon arriving at the resort, the helpful lady assisted us with unloading our bags at the check-in counter.

The clerk at the counter warmly welcomed us and provided us with all the necessary information for our stay, from activity schedules to how to access amenities like hot water and snow clothes.

He even added a touch of humor to the conversation, which we appreciated. After receiving our keys and a map, another staff member offered us a cart to transport our luggage to our igloo—a gesture we gladly accepted to avoid trudging through the snow.

Arriving at our igloo, we were pleasantly surprised by its spaciousness. Inside, we found a cozy couch, a welcoming fireplace, a convenient counter with plates and utensils, ample storage space for our clothes, and a generously sized bathroom. The highlight was the huge bed positioned beneath the circular windows, offering a glimpse of the snowy landscape outside.

Dinner – Aitta Restaurant

After dropping off our bags and bundling up in as many layers as we could manage for the chilly weather, we set off to explore the nearby restaurant, Aitta, conveniently located across from the resort check-in. As we entered, the staff inquired about reservations, to which we replied that we had just arrived