Day 3 - And it keeps getting better!
March 25 in Finland ⋅ ☁️ 32 °F
This is a long one…..
Early morning, we’re up and out of the hotel by 8am, bundled up and full of excitement for the day ahead. Today’s highlight? A VIP meeting with the “big guy” himself—Santa Claus. But first….I cross the Arctic Circle!
The path you take to meet Santa feels magical, lined with presents, festive decor, and letters to Santa from around the world.
Santa Claus Village also offers overnight stays and day rooms for visitors.
https://santaclausvillage.info/fi/
Visiting Santa Claus Village is one of the reasons travelers make their way to Rovaniemi. This magical destination offers so much more. From thrilling outdoor adventures like dog sledding and snowmobiling to unique stays in glass igloos, there’s no shortage of unforgettable experiences. And of course, there’s the ultimate bucket-list moment—chasing the Northern Lights… fingers crossed we’re lucky enough to catch a glimpse.
Afterward, we had two hours to explore—browsing shops, grabbing a bite, and even taking a reindeer-pulled sled ride for the full Lapland experience. ✨
We are fortunate enough to tour glass igloos which are just a 10 minute walk from the village.
We then head to Husky Park—and if you know me, you know this was the highlight of my day. https://huskypark.fi
On our private tour, we learned how the dogs are cared for and trained. Another first for me: my very first sled dog ride!
Afterward, they gave us some time to warm up in a cozy yurt with a fire burning and some amazing vegetable soup—such a perfect touch.
We wrapped it up with a meet-and-greet with the pups, which was extra special since I’m definitely missing my fur babies back home.
Back in town, we did a quick room inspection—only a couple themed rooms, including a Christmas and Northern Lights room (so cool!).
After a short recharge, we toured the newly renovated Hotel Santa Claus—beautiful property, with Christmas decor only from October to March.
Dinner was incredible: artichoke soup, creamy rigatoni, and reindeer (yes, another first!), followed by fruit and fresh cream for dessert.
Ended the night with a waterfront walk—thought we saw the Northern Lights, but no luck. Back by 8:30 and ready to relax.Read more