That’s not to say I didn’t visit Santa Claus Village. I was there on an educational trip after all, because I wanted the knowledge to help send families on magical adventures they’ll never forget. We visited Santa’s Post Office, where I posted a letter for a small human friend, and spent time at Santa’s Pets feeding the reindeer, toasting marshmallows over fire pits and sledding down snowy slopes.

Just because you’re an adult doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a bit of magic too.

What surprised me most was that it wasn’t overrun like I expected. There weren’t children everywhere, I didn’t queue for anything and when we got too cold and fancied a break, there was even a lovely quiet little bar serving gorgeous gin and tonics.

The atmosphere feels completely different to anywhere else

Aside from the Christmas magic, the Arctic landscape itself is what really stayed with me.

The snow absorbs sound and makes everything feel unbelievably quiet. The forests seem endless, the air is so crisp and during the short winter days, the sky turns pastel pink. It sometimes doesn't feel real.

One minute you can be doing something adventurous and exciting, the next you’re tucked away in a cosy coffee shop or candlelit bar watching snow fall outside with a warming drink in hand.

Whether you’re travelling as a couple, with friends or even solo, Rovaniemi has so much more to offer than just Santa.

Husky sledding was one of the best experiences of my life

We didn’t actively hunt for the Aurora Borealis while we were there. It snowed heavily for most of the trip, so our chances of seeing them weren’t particularly high, but I loved the snowy conditions so much that I didn’t mind at all.

Instead, we focused on other Arctic experiences and husky sledding was my favourite thing about the trip.

I love nature and wildlife when I travel, but I’m also very conscious that animal experiences need to be ethical. That was something I paid close attention to throughout the excursion.

The huskies were clearly incredibly well cared for and clearly excited to run. While the sleds were being prepared, the noise they made was unbelievable because they were so eager to get going. Once we were out on the trails, though, they became quiet and focused, only whining impatiently whenever we stopped moving.

The staff were constantly monitoring the dogs, checking the teams and adjusting pairings to make sure the huskies and guests were both comfortable throughout the trek.

Afterwards, we had time to cuddle and play with the dogs and I could have stayed there all day. I practically had to be dragged away.

Lapland is perfect for adults too

Lapland naturally lends itself to romantic trips. Think glass-roof cabins, snowy forests, candlelit restaurants and cosy winter evenings.

But what I liked most was that nothing felt overly polished or artificial. The whole experience leans fully into the Arctic environment and the surrounding nature rather than trying to turn it into something else.

If you’re looking for a winter trip that feels different from the usual Christmas markets or city breaks, Lapland offers something much more memorable.

There’s more to Lapland than Rovaniemi

Although Rovaniemi is a great base, especially for first-time visitors, thanks to the convenience, shops, restaurants and huge choice of activities, there are plenty of other areas worth considering too.

Some travellers prefer quieter destinations deeper into the wilderness. Levi is particularly popular for skiing, while places such as Saariselkä feel much more remote and peaceful, with excellent opportunities for spotting the Northern Lights.

If you’re looking for something truly special, there are also some incredible wilderness lodges and adults-focused properties hidden far away from the main towns, where the experience becomes less about ticking off excursions and more about slowing down and embracing the Arctic surroundings.

It isn’t just one destination or one type of holiday, which is seems to be known for. You can make it adventurous, luxurious, romantic, activity-packed or completely relaxing depending on the experience you want.

Final thoughts...

Before visiting Rovaniemi, I thought of Lapland mainly as a family destination. By the end of the trip, my friend and I were already talking about returning with our husbands and wondering why more adults don’t go.

It combines adventure, nature and relaxation in a way that makes it incredibly easy to switch off from everyday life, especially because it almost doesn’t feel like the real world at times.

That’s what makes it such a special destination 🩵