On the way to our white Christmas in Finnish Lapand we called into Rovaniemi to see Santa at his home in Santa’s Village.
Everything was covered in gorgeous, pure white snow…the trees.
…pretty buildings in the village
This is the official post office where all the letters to Santa come.
There is world map so Santa can organize his trip.
The edge of the Arctic Circle runs through the middle of the village.
Reindeer were practicing for the big night.
Or resting quietly.
This is Santa’s house.
Here is Santa’s roof with his chimney and ladder.
We had to walk across an ice bridge to reach Santa.
…and up the stairs to the special room where Santa greets his visitors. Here is Santa with Jodie and Allan who had letters from friends to hand deliver. Santa was charming and thanked us for coming all the way from Australia to see him.
Merry Christmas everyone! I hope you all have a great day.
Debra how exciting I have just shown the grandchildren who are now absolute believers, even Dean is upset he didn’t send a letter have a great time hugs
By: Helen Close on December 23, 2013
at 9:04 pm
Santa’s village is great especially at this time of the year. We have been once before but Santa was having a break.
By: Debra Kolkka on December 24, 2013
at 6:40 am
it’s so beautiful, but the reindeer is especially so. That place must bring out the child in everyone.
By: Jan on December 23, 2013
at 9:08 pm
We are hoping for a reindeer sleigh ride, but at the moment they are all booked up. We may have to content ourselves with a dog sled.
By: Debra Kolkka on December 24, 2013
at 6:41 am
Merry Christmas to you and yours Debra. Thank you for all the wonderful blogs during the year.
By: Anonymous on December 23, 2013
at 9:08 pm
Thank you for your kind comments. I am looking forward to lots more travel in the new year.
By: Debra Kolkka on December 24, 2013
at 6:42 am
Just magic, Debra! Glad to see that you are enjoying and sharing all this with us.
By: mulino dominillo on December 23, 2013
at 9:11 pm
Santa’s village is great fun for everyone. I wasn’t allowed to take photos in Santa’s room and had to use the professional one. I would have loved to take photos of him myself.
By: Debra Kolkka on December 24, 2013
at 6:43 am
Beautiful pictures Hope you and yours have a magical Christmas. Thank you for all your wonderful Blogs.
By: Pam Proctor on December 23, 2013
at 9:17 pm
Thanks for being loyal follower. Have a great Christmas and an exciting new year.
By: Debra Kolkka on December 24, 2013
at 6:44 am
Wow Deb. That’s a place I never imagined visiting, even virtually. Thanks so much for sharing with us. Merry Christmas, dear friend! xxx
By: Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial on December 23, 2013
at 9:22 pm
It is a magical place, even if you are not a child. Have a lovely Christmas with your family.
By: Debra Kolkka on December 24, 2013
at 6:46 am
Hi Debra – how amazing. We have some australian friends there at the moment – Jodi and Paul and their two boys – Oscar and Hugo – would be so weird if you ran into them in Santa Land… Have a fab Christmas and hope to catch you in 2014. Kendall
By: Kendall on December 23, 2013
at 9:54 pm
There are lots of Australians here. We are now in Saariselka, 25O kilometres north of Santa’s village. We are enjoying the lovely snow and the temperature is not too cold, so it is all good.
By: Debra Kolkka on December 24, 2013
at 6:48 am
And a very Happy Christmas to you too Debra – have a great day.
By: Just Add Attitude on December 23, 2013
at 9:55 pm
I hope Santa brings you something wonderful. I assured him that we have all been good this year.
By: Debra Kolkka on December 24, 2013
at 7:38 am
Well! This visit to Santa really takes the (Xmas) cake Debra!
I have been enthralled following your blogs, ever since I stayed in your apartment in Bagnidilucca in 2010.
Thank you for extending my memories of beautiful Italy—Merry Christmas!
By: Gypsy richardson on December 23, 2013
at 9:56 pm
It is very special having a gorgeous white Christmas…so different from my hot and sandy Christmases growing up at the beach at Main Beach.
By: Debra Kolkka on December 24, 2013
at 7:40 am
That must be magic! Coming from ‘down under’ and now at the arctic circle!
Happy holidays.
By: Annelies Monnereau on December 23, 2013
at 10:16 pm
It is magical. The sun is just appearing over the snowy trees and we are about to head out for a walk through the snow.
By: Debra Kolkka on December 24, 2013
at 7:41 am
The photos are awesome.
By: ranu802 on December 23, 2013
at 10:49 pm
Thank you, I hope you have a great Christmas.
By: Debra Kolkka on December 24, 2013
at 7:42 am
I am deeply annoyed that your images will not load for me, but I wish you a wonderful christmas out there in the land of Santa.. with reindeer and all!.. c
By: cecilia on December 23, 2013
at 11:37 pm
What a pity! The whole place is gorgeous. We are looking forward to some lovely snowy days.
By: Debra Kolkka on December 24, 2013
at 7:43 am
Buon Natale Deb, e un buon anno pieno di cose belle x
By: Jan Fabretti on December 23, 2013
at 11:39 pm
I hope your new year is full of wonderful things too.
By: Debra Kolkka on December 24, 2013
at 7:47 am
Deb, must tell you that Ethan and John loved this post and especially loved the Santa chimney and ladder – Sure looks cold but what a perfect Christmas and a perfect place to celebrate Christmas . Thinking or you and Jim.
By: Dianne Cant on December 23, 2013
at 11:46 pm
It isn’t as cold as we were expecting it to be, which is nice. This really is a magical place
By: Debra Kolkka on December 24, 2013
at 7:48 am
Dear Debra and Jim,
Wishing you a Blessed Christmas from Australia. Thanks for sharing the Christmas spirit with your postings. Would love to one day experience a ‘White Christmas’ in Italy with family and cross it off our bucket list.
Your postings are so wonderful and colourful that I feel I am actually there with you!
Take care!
By: Gina Martinelli on December 24, 2013
at 1:35 am
Thank you for your kind wishes. I hope your Christmas is wonderful, even without snow.
By: Debra Kolkka on December 24, 2013
at 7:49 am
Oh my goodness, how cold is it up there? How much sunlight?
Nevertheless, I love the photos! Merry Christmas to you as well. … and enjoy the time in Finland.
By: aFrankAngle on December 24, 2013
at 1:56 am
It is not as cold as we expected it to be…about minus 4 degrees. The sun has just appeared at around 10.00am and it will be light until about 3.00pm. The village is well lit and everything looks magical in the soft light.
By: Debra Kolkka on December 24, 2013
at 7:51 am
Thanks for the answers …. glad you got to experience of joys of Santa first hand!
By: aFrankAngle on December 24, 2013
at 12:50 pm
This is absolutely enchanting Debra! What an amazing experience… Merry Christmas!
By: megtraveling on December 24, 2013
at 4:02 am
It is amazing. I can’t help thinking about my grandfather. He would have grown up with this beautiful landscape. It must have been a big shock for him to arrive in sub tropical Brisbane all those years ago.
By: Debra Kolkka on December 24, 2013
at 7:53 am
Love the photos! Wouldn’t mind a bit of the snow at the moment…Hope you have a wonderful Christmas and New Year .
Donna & Audrey
By: Donna Mead on December 24, 2013
at 4:26 am
I don’t suppose there will be much hope of that in Brisbane. Have a great day anyway.
By: Debra Kolkka on December 24, 2013
at 7:54 am
Hi Deb, The pictures are just gorgeous – fairy land. Have a great Christmas and happy 2014. Hope to see you in the summer. luv Helen
By: Helen Maisels on December 24, 2013
at 6:37 am
Hi Helen, I hope you have a happy Christmas and I look forward to seeing you in BdL. Will you be around in June?
By: Debra Kolkka on December 24, 2013
at 7:55 am
merry christmas deb those photos are awesome. a big contrast to our 30+ aussie christmas. hope the northern lights are just as good to you. have a joyous festive season with family. see you in the new year. chris
By: chris on December 24, 2013
at 7:14 am
It is a bit different from our childhood on the Gold Coast. Luckily for us it is not as cold as it should be here. We get the lovely snow without minus 30 degrees. Have a great Christmas.
By: Debra Kolkka on December 24, 2013
at 7:57 am
Thank You presenting one of my favorite places in Finland. I love Your very beautiful photos! If You come next time to the North in Finland, then You must visit our pride:
World’s Biggest Snow Castle.
Happy Christmas!
By: Sartenada on December 24, 2013
at 8:24 am
We are now in Saariselka where it is very beautiful. We are about to try cross country skiing for the first time. Have a great Christmas day.
By: Debra Kolkka on December 25, 2013
at 8:32 am
Thanks Debra! Wonderful Xmas Time!!!
By: roberto alborghetti on December 24, 2013
at 10:27 am
Have a great Italian Christmas Roberto.
By: Debra Kolkka on December 25, 2013
at 8:33 am
Lovely photos. Santa village is a joy and magical, and the temperature is quite pleasant at the moment. Merry Christmas & enjoy your stay in Finland:)
By: cocoaupnorth on December 24, 2013
at 10:45 am
We are now in Saariselka where it is very beautiful. The temperature is very mild…we are lucky. I was prepared for minus 20 degrees, but it is only minus 3 right now.
By: Debra Kolkka on December 25, 2013
at 8:35 am
Lovely pics and so festive. have a very special Christmas x
By: June Finnigan on December 24, 2013
at 2:28 pm
This is my first white Christmas…very beautiful.
By: Debra Kolkka on December 25, 2013
at 8:37 am
How lovely, Debra. Have a Merry Christmas and I hope you get to enjoy the Northern Lights.
By: Karen on December 24, 2013
at 9:16 pm
I hope so too. We are going tomorrow night on a reindeer sleigh to look for the lights.
By: Debra Kolkka on December 25, 2013
at 8:37 am
Have fun!
By: Karen on December 25, 2013
at 3:23 pm
MerryChristmas Debra….how wonderful! Have just sent the link through to my grandchildren……they’ll love it!
By: Pauline on December 25, 2013
at 1:48 am
Santa’s village is a magical place for children…and us.
By: Debra Kolkka on December 25, 2013
at 8:38 am
Lovely photos of the snow! Merry Christmas!
By: linneabylinneanilsson on December 25, 2013
at 2:38 pm
How wonderful to meet Santa! I’d love to visit here one year! 😀 Merry Christmas!
By: Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella on December 28, 2013
at 12:07 am
Santa’s village is great fun.
By: Debra Kolkka on December 30, 2013
at 5:48 am
Such a magical place, Debra. The stuff little children’s dreams are made of. 🙂
By: anotherday2paradise on January 3, 2014
at 1:43 am
There were lots of fun things for children at the village. There were reindeer rides and sleds for sliding in the snow. I wish I had gone there when I was young.
By: Debra Kolkka on January 3, 2014
at 6:16 pm
Wow, that looks magic! Must add that to my Bucket List!
By: Where's Wiwi? on January 6, 2014
at 7:45 pm
Debra, I’ve just been catching up on your beautiful trip to Lapland. How absolutely wonderful. Love it! Definitely on my ‘life list’.
By: cityhippyfarmgirl on January 7, 2014
at 3:33 am
[…] more on our northern adventure click here, here, here, here, and […]
By: White on white | Beautiful Helsinki on January 19, 2014
at 12:44 pm
[…] Finland does Christmas well. This is not surprising as Santa’s official residence is in Rovaniemi in northern Finland, where we went a few years ago to see Santa.Merry Christmas from Santa’s Village in the Arctic Circle […]
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at 8:42 pm