Christmas holidays: Visit Santa in Lapland

On Christmas Eve, Father Christmas has to cover more than 100 million miles, travelling at 1000 miles per second, in order to make all his promised deliveries.

Now why not make his job easier and visit him at his real home in Lapland instead? Here's how to plan your visit.

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Weatherproof gear is a must. Although more famous in summer as the land of the midnight sun, in winter, at midday, it barely rises above the horizon. And it's cold.

Make sure any holiday package you buy includes proper thermal wear including an insulated outer shell suit, moon boots, thick mittens, tea cosy woolly top hats and Johnny English balaclavas.

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Tour companies use different lodges. One example is the family-run Harriniva, a Finnish wilderness holiday centre on the edge of a national park on the banks of the river Muonio. Sweden begins on the opposite shore.

On the inside, Harriniva looks like the innards of a sauna, all pine fresh, cosy and comforting. You'll never want to leave.

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As well as the visit to Santa, there's a plethora of activities to enjoy.

Riding a sleigh pulled by a reindeer or snowmobiles across frozen lakes, tobogganing and drinking mulled rose around the fire inside a Sami tee pee are just some of them.

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Visiting Santa is the highlight of the stay. In a lonely cabin radiating like an advent calendar, elves greet you at the door fora  private audience with Santa.

Elves wrap presents to the side while the man himself sits in a big throne of a chair.

With a beard big and bushy enough to hide a flock of starlings, little round specs, big red boots, rouge cheeks and oozing homespun fireside wisdoms, he is the real deal.

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With several operators offering packages, flying from several UK airports, the Santa business is a classic in the 'you get what you pay for' school of economics.

Be sure to check exactly what’s included in the price; those that seem expensive might well work out cheaper in the longer run once you cost in the price of meals, winter wonderland activities, thermal clothing etc. Operators include: Transun, Canterbury Travel, Activities Abroad, Nordic Experience, Esprit.

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