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Christmas Travel Guide: How to Visit Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi, Finland

Christmas Travel Guide: How to Visit Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi, Finland

A little Christmas surprise popped up on my Instagram feed recently: Chiara Ferragni visited Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi, Finland.

Even if you don’t follow Italian socialites like Ferragni, you might have heard of Santa Claus Village. It’s one of the world’s most Christmas-happy locations and the hometown of Santa Claus himself.

Every year, around two million visitors fly into Rovaniemi, Finland to get a glimpse of Kris Kringle and enjoy the spoils of his village.

That being said, Rovaniemi isn’t just any typical Christmas-fluff destination.

It’s in the Arctic Circle, for one—which means you need to be more than prepared when packing your bags. Second, it’s a big-ticket venue that’s on par with amusement parks like Disney World, meaning you need to prep for crowds and pricey items.

Still, it’s worth a visit. I don’t even have kids and I’m considering booking a trip—much of which is based on my fantastic winter wonderland experiences near Sweden’s Arctic Circle north of Umea.

So, whether you have kids, whether they like Santa, and whether you ever thought you’d visit the Arctic, it’s the season for miracles.

Here’s how to visit Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi.

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How to visit Santa Claus Village: getting there

Rovaniemi is located in Finland’s Lapland region. It’s a pretty large outpost for the country with around 70,000 inhabitants. Santa Claus village opened its doors back in 1985 just outside city bounds.

Since then, it’s become one of the Western world’s most recognizable amusement parks.

Most visitors reach Rovaniemi via the Rovaniemi Airport. You can find short flights from hubs around the region, including Oslo, Stockholm, Copenhagen, and Helsinki.

You can also take an overnight sleeper train from Helsinki (the capital of Finland), which takes around eight to 12 hours to reach Rovaniemi.

If you have a little extra time and a sense of adventure, I’d highly suggest booking the sleeper car. It’ll get you started off on the right foot for your Christmas adventure by showcasing Finland’s gorgeous forests.

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Where to stay in Rovaniemi to visit Santa Claus village

You’ve got two choices in terms of lodging: stay directly inside the bounds of Santa Claus Village (around eight kilometers outside of the town) or stay in Rovaniemi.

If you’re there to dive headfirst into all things Santa-related, then I suggest bucking up a little extra money to stay at the original Santa Claus Village.

The hotel is highly rated by guests and isn’t that much more expensive than a comparable place in town. (No Disney-level price gouging here.) It’s also really pretty, with snow-banked cabins decked out with pretty lights.

If you want a little distance between you and the fanfare, then head to another hotel inside Rovaniemi. I suggest checking out Arctic City Hotel, Arctic Light Hotel, Arctic Treehouse Hotel, and Santa’s Hotel Santa Claus.

Can’t find what you’re looking for? Keep shopping around for hotels in Rovaniemi.

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What to do in Santa Claus Village

Santa Claus Village is a sprawling attraction that includes Santa Claus Park (more on this below).

In Santa Claus Village, you can do things like visit Santa Claus’s post office, explore his personal study, take a closer look at his snowmobiles (including the history of snowmobiles), and line up to meet the man himself.

But that’s not all. Personally, I’d be more interested in catching a glimpse of the aurora borealis, which is visible for around 150 days out of the year.

I’d also have my fun jumping crisscrossing over the Arctic Circle line, which carves straight through the village.

When you’ve had your fill of Christmas joy, you can head to Santa Claus Park—an award-winning amusement park that includes dozens more experiences. There’s the Arctic Forest Spa, a secret forest (no idea what Santa does in there), Christmas shows, a gingerbread bakery, and much more.

You might end up spending more time at Santa Claus Park. 

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Other pro tips for how to visit Santa Clause Village

Like I mentioned uptop, Santa Claus Village and Park are hugely popular—so you need to plan ahead if you want to avoid missed opportunities.

I suggest following these tips from long-time fans of Santa Claus Village and employees of the park:

  1. Book your meeting with Santa as far ahead as possible
  2. Speaking of meeting with Santa, you’ll have two options to meet him: in his office or at his cottage—choose wisely
  3. Don’t underestimate the cold
  4. Give yourself time to explore the village—it’s full of hidden surprises that you won’t notice unless you go slow
  5. Research special events—and make sure to take full advantage of the free ones
  6. Santa speaks English, but it’s still good to know the basics of Finnish (kiitos = thank you)

According to Lyft, These Airports Are the Easiest to Get To

Want to know how much a taxi from JFK to Bay Ridge, Brooklyn costs? According to my partner, who just landed in the city, it’s over $100.

For context, the distance between New York City’s largest international airport and its cross-town neighborhood is 13 miles. The drive takes about one hour.

Again, this taxi ride costs over $100 (including tip), which rounds out to $7.60 a mile. (Welcome to New York.)

But that’s in a yellow taxi—not a private rideshare like Lyft.

For whatever reason, JFK’s rideshare apps weren’t loading after my partner’s plane landed. After waiting around twenty minutes, my partner called it a day and hopped into a city taxi.

If you’ve been following my airport resources content, then you already know that booking a rideshare ahead of time is one of the most seamless ways to save time and money on airport transportation. That’s doubly true during the holidays when airports are at their busiest and flights at their priciest.

Lucky for us, the great minds at Lyft have scoured the data to determine the best airports in the US when it comes to ground transportation and rideshares.

Data study & metrics

This year’s Lyft Airport Report takes a close look at the rideshare’s annual data and public data related to airports, ground transportation, and other metrics that create a more seamless, integrated airport experience.

To name a few: download speed, TSA wait time, the cost of a bag of Chex Mix, and cancellation rates.

Using this type of data, Lyft determined the most convenient airports, the most affordable, the most efficient, the best amenities, and the best overall airport.

But let’s stick to the list that implicates rideshare apps like Lyft the most: According to their latest studies, which airports are the easiest to get to?

The easiest airports to get to according to Lyft

The average American spends 26 minutes in a car to reach the airport. By contrast, public transportation can take up to 41 minutes from a city center.

In terms of waiting for a pickup, Americans wait an average of nine minutes at US airports. That time might be as low as six minutes for locations that have specific rideshare pickup spots.

Okay, now onto the fun stuff. Here are the easiest airports to get to according to Lyft, in order of speed.

AUS – Austin

  • Rideshare commute: 21 minutes
  • Public transit commute: 35 minutes
  • Wait time for pickup: 6 minutes

SLC – Salt Lake City

  • Rideshare commute: 19 minutes
  • Public transit commute: 25 minutes
  • Wait time for pickup: 8 minutes

BOS – Boston

  • Rideshare commute: 21 minutes
  • Public transit commute: 20 minutes
  • Wait time for pickup: 8 minutes

BNA – Nashville

  • Rideshare commute: 18 minutes
  • Public transit commute: 30 minutes
  • Wait time for pickup: 8 minutes

ATL – Atlanta

  • Rideshare commute: 26 minutes
  • Public transit commute: 20 minutes
  • Wait time for pickup: 7 minutes

SAN – San Diego

  • Rideshare commute: 20 minutes
  • Public transit commute: 25 minutes
  • Wait time for pickup: 9 minutes

LGA – New York City

  • Rideshare commute: 28 minutes
  • Public transit commute: 30 minutes
  • Wait time for pickup: 6 minutes

PHX – Phoenix

  • Rideshare commute: 20 minutes
  • Public transit commute: 30 minutes
  • Wait time for pickup: 9 minutes

DCA – Washington DC

  • Rideshare commute: 19 minutes
  • Public transit commute: 40 minutes
  • Wait time for pickup: 9 minutes

MSP – Minneapolis

  • Rideshare commute: 20 minutes
  • Public transit commute: 35 minutes
  • Wait time for pickup: 10 minutes

Christmas in Telluride: 5 Reasons to Keep This Town on Your Winter Wishlist

I remember my first trip to Telluride.

I was heading to Towaoc, Colorado for a remote job. I’d recently met two of my colleagues at the Denver Airport, who boarded a tiny aircraft with me to cross the Rockies.

Right as the plane rose above the mountains, we were met with a wall of dark storm clouds.

Cue a cinematic amount of turbulence. Cue my maniacal laughter (this was the day I learned I’m one of those people who cackles in the face of death). Cue flashing lights across the control board.

Despite the dramatic moment, the plane eventually landed in Telluride. I remember looking around and feeling like Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz; spit out of a tornado and transported into a fairytale.

Or, more appropriately, a Hallmark movie set. Telluride is home to a historic main street framed by gorgeous mountains and lined with unique restaurants, shops, and local haunts.

Oh, and Christmas trees, Christmas markets, and Christmas events as far as the eye could see.

I’d consider Telluride during the winter months to be one of the state’s best-kept secrets—and you don’t need to flirt with death to get there.

Want to learn about Christmas in Telluride, one of the United States’ best holiday towns? Here are five reasons to keep this Rocky Mountain outpost on your radar.

Looking for a place to stay in Telluride?

5 Reasons to keep Christmas in Telluride on your travel wishlist

Christmas events out the wazoo

Christmas in Telluride is a big deal—I meant what I said about the town transforming into a Hallmark Christmas movie.

Local business owners and the city council work together to organize multiple holiday scenes for the public, from gorgeous light displays to Christmas decorations.

If you plan your trip around major Christmas events in Telluride, you’ll have a full itinerary. I suggest checking out the Torchlight Parade. Snowboarders descend down the mountain and zip through town with lit torches to ring in Christmas Eve.

If that’s a little too rock’n roll for you, you can schedule a trip to the Holiday Prelude ice skating showcase, the choral society’s annual holiday concert, Noel Night, the sleighs and wagons event, or the prelude in Mountain Village, which is decked out like the North Pole.

I could keep listing out events, but I think you get the point. Christmas in Telluride is an affair that the whole town comes together for—like a little Whoville.

And Christmas markets, too

And what would a real-life Whoville be like without a few Christmas markets?

Along with Telluride’s extensive Christmas event schedule, you’ll also notice a few markets around town. The biggest is the Ah Haa School for Arts Holiday Bazaar, an annual event that showcases some of the best crafts from Telluride’s leading artisans.

Noel Night (mentioned above) also includes temporary stalls where locals sell all types of goods. If you miss out on that, too, don’t worry—you can always head to the Christkindlmarket, which is another day-long festivity that takes place on December 22.

Tons of snow for outdoor activities

The Torchlight Parade is one of Telluride’s biggest Christmas events—and the snowboarders couldn’t do their thing without plenty of fresh powder.

Nestled in the Rocky Mountains, Telluride regularly fills with snow in December. That makes it an ideal place for outdoor enthusiasts.

Snowboarding and skiing are possible at any of the lodges dotting the mountainsides around town. But even if you want to move a little slower, you’ve got options. Locals enjoy snowshoeing and even snow-cycling.

If you want to take an even lazier look at the outdoors, you can also book a sleigh ride. 

A picturesque setting—no, really, you’ll want to take pictures

If you’ve been following closely, then you might already have an image of Telluride in your head: mountainous, snowy, and decked out in Christmas lights.

Having used the term ‘Hallmark’ a few times in this article, you might also by picturing a quaint, charming setting.

It’s really that beautiful—enough so that I escaped a near-death experience and almost immediately pointed at Telluride’s main street and said, ‘Hey, that’s cute.’

And as someone who loves a picturesque Christmas town with plenty of holiday fanfare, I really can’t recommend Telluride enough. Just so you know I’m being objective, this might be a good point to mention that Telluride is very pricey. (All that cheer ain’t cheap, my friends.)

Remote, restful, & re-visitable

What’s my top metric to judge a destination? Whether or not you’d revisit.

Some vacations delight you, others shake up your preconceived notions about life. Others will lure you in secretly, tying little strings around your heart.

I think Telluride is one of those places. It’s far off the beaten path for many Americans, making it remote and removed. It’s also small enough that there’s no metropolitan hustle.

And it’s charming enough that I imagine I’m not the only one who has crossed the Rockies on pain of death more than once to reach it.

Holidays Homes: Best Rentals in Barbados for Xmas & New Year’s

I know three things about Barbados: it has the coolest flag on earth, it’s where Rihanna grew up, and it’s one of the best places to head during the holidays.

Travelers from around the world jet-set to the tropical island of Barbados when the weather turns cold. They’re looking for the warm caress offered by an equatorial paradise, along with pristine beaches, historic sites, cultural experiences, and delicious eats.

I think that’s the case with just about any Caribbean destination—but Barbados has a few other allures.

For example, it’s becoming a premier spot for remote workers who want to leave home for a while thanks to its Welcome Stamp program. It’s also home conferences like Fix 25, an up-and-coming FinTech event.

I’m not suggesting that you bundle in a little work trip with your holiday adventure in Barbados; I’m suggesting that you might have a reason to come back sooner than you thought.

Ready to take a closer look at the best rentals in Barbados for your winter getaway? Start with these.

Shortcut to the best rentals in Barbados

Best rentals in Barbados for the holidays

Best for dropping off the map: Talking Trees House 

Airbnb

When I think about Barbados, my mind jumps to the seaside—but this tropical island is also home to forested hills. Enter the Talking Trees House, a full cottage located in Foster Hall.

This non-touristy area lets you take a birds-eye-view of nearby seaside towns like Bathsheba without losing site of the gorgeous hills of Barbados. Toss in the cottage’s stunning dark wood features and you’ll feel like you’ve left behind the wintery madness for an unspoiled paradise.

Just beware: you’ll need the mosquito nets to protect from bugs.

Best for families: West Coast Family Villa Near Holetown

Airbnb

This family-friendly rental is really something to behold. From its small pool (surrounded by palm trees) to its clean and simple design, it feels like a private resort.

But with five bedrooms that sleep ten guests and three lounging areas, you’ll get the best of both worlds: luxury amenities with enough room for a whole family to enjoy them.

Best luxury pick: Ocean Reef 101

Airbnb

Speaking of luxury, this condo in Bridgetown is a truly opulent way to get to know Barbados. Though located on the seaside only a short walk from the beach, you can also swim in the infinity pool that overlooks the water.

Or have a little workout in the building’s gymnasium. With private bathrooms for all three bedrooms, you can also bring along a small crew without feeling cramped at all.

Christmas dip in the pool, anyone?

Best for couples: Coralita No. 5

Airbnb

This seaside apartment is located on a rocky, romantic coastline in Prospect.

Though you don’t have the benefit of stepping out onto a soft-sand beach right when you wake up, I’m in love with the views and atmosphere.

The patio lets you lounge in the sun while you enjoy the lapping waves and views. The apartment’s design is also worth noting. It’s cozy, beachy, and chic. You can also walk to hotspots close by, including popular beachside restaurants, bars, and shops. 

Best budget pick: Leeton-on-Sea

Airbnb

Flights to and from Barbados might cost you a pretty penny… but you can enjoy all it has to offer without forking over thousands for lodging.

That’s the case with this Oistins rental unit.

Though it’s very basic, it’s located right on the beach… with a private yard overlooking the sand. Despite the humble setup, it’s a Guest Favorite on Airbnb—one that many guests are excited to come back to in the coming years.

Best beachfront rental: Beachside 1 Bedroom Apt

Airbnb

The Leeton-on-Sea studio is an impressive beachfront property… but this location has the best views I’ve seen in Barbados.

The windows open straight onto the cerulean beach in the town of Clinketts.

In other words, not only do you have access to the beach straight from the rental’s back door, but the living room windows also showcase the view—meaning you’re always in sight of the ocean.

This is hands-down my top pick amongst the best holiday rentals in Barbados.

Gift of Florida Program: Expedia & Florida Are Offering 20% Off Hotel Stays Until Dec 22

The season of savings isn’t over yet.

The powers at Expedia and the Sunshine State have banded together to offer up to 20% off select hotel stays until December 22.

They’re dubbing it their ‘Give the Gift of Florida’ program.

I’m not usually a fan of spending the winter in tropical destinations—but I’m a huge fan of savings. I’m sure you are, too.

Want to take a closer look at the best hotel deals in Florida from Expedia? Here’s what you need to know. Remember—you have until December 22 to book.

Should you take advantage?

If you fit the criteria listed below, then this Expedia deal is probably great for you:

  1. You’re planning a trip to Florida and haven’t booked lodging yet
  2. You’re looking for an experiential travel gift for someone this holiday season
  3. You want to escape the winter chill up north
  4. You’re intrigued by a tropical Christmas
  5. Florida doesn’t pique your interest but the hotel savings intrigue you (it’s me)

Gift of Florida program details

The Gift the Gift of Florida program venture is a joint project from the State of Florida’s Visit Florida tourism board and Expedia. It includes 20% off select hotels in Florida, which you can easily explore by region from the Gift of Florida page.

You can also shop around for cultural and outdoor experiences around the state, which are promoted by Visit Florida. Visit Florida has a separate Deals page where you can also look for savings on tours.

Altogether, you can book and bundle Florida vacation offers for savings across both Expedia and Visit Florida.

Now onto my favorite hotel deals in Florida from Expedia. Keep in mind that the selections below are those that piqued my interest—but you can find many more straight from the Expedia page.

Best hotel deals available from Gift of Florida program

Best classic hotel: Ponta Vedra Inn and Club

Ponta Vedra Inn and Club

You might not want to reinvent the wheel while on your Florida vacation—and who would blame you? The Ponta Vedra Inn and Club is a luxury beachfront resort with a country club-style atmosphere.

With its long list of solid amenities, high ratings for its attention to service, and tons of activities available for guests, you’ll be able to unwind in the lap of luxury.

Best for friend trips: Hotel Effie Sandestin

Hotel Effie Sandestin

This brand-new hotel from the Autograph Collection is one of the area’s most effortlessly elegant new hotels. It’s stylish, chic, and understated, letting guests soak up the relaxing beach vibes of Miramar.

I’m a huge fan of the Emerald Coast and its laidback, tropical vibes—start here if you want to take your first Florida trip nice and slow.

Top tropical pick: Cheeca Lodge & Spa

Cheeca Lodge and Spa

I know I just raved about the Emerald Coast (the water is actually green, y’all), but the Florida Keys are a close second.

Instead of those gorgeous and clear emerald coastlines, the Florida Keys feels like a Caribbean escape. And the Cheeca Lodge & Spa looks like a masterclass paradise. Think: towering palm trees overlooking a massive pool as sunsets over the ocean far in the distance.

Most unique offer: The Riding Academy Hotel

The Riding Academy

Some Florida hotels let you earn your scuba diving certification; others let you flex your equestrian muscles. Welcome to The Riding Academy Hotel from the World Equestrian Center, the largest competition venue in the US.

Whether or not you’ve spent a lot of time on horseback, this is a gorgeous and stately hotel. As a bonus, it’s also pet-friendly.

Best Hotels in Mexico City: Where to Stay in CDMX

More and more frequently, I hear rave reviews of Mexico City (aka Ciudad de Mexico or CDMX) from my traveler friends.

They talk about the culture, from streetwear to nail salons to music. They gush about the food, the drinks, and the dancing. They dream about going back; some even talk about moving to CDMX.

Here’s what I can tell you about the city off the top of my head: it’s massive.

Mexico City isn’t just the capital of the country—it’s also the world’s fifth-largest city in terms of total population in its urban areas, which are home to almost 22 million people. (And that’s just an estimate.)

Tokyo takes first with 37 million, followed by Delhi (32 million), Shanghai (24 million), and São Paulo (23 million). For context, New York City comes in 11th place on this list with just over 20 million.

So, how will that huge population affect your trip?

To be blunt, I tend to avoid hectic cities with overwhelming crowds and levels of noise. (I like to relax, okay?) But given Mexico City’s sterling reputation, I’d hate to bar myself from a great experience.

The balance lies in knowing where to stay, where to eat, where to visit, and which places to avoid. Don’t just toss yourself into the madness and hope for the best, in other words.

If you really want to pierce the veil of the second-largest city in the Americas, I suggest being mindful about which hotel you book.

At their most basic, the best hotels in Mexico City give you a comfortable place to rest and recharge. But some of the best hotels in Mexico City will also help you make sense of the city’s amazing neighborhoods and idiosyncrasies while putting you close to some of its best eats, bars, clubs, and more.

Here’s where I think you should stay the next time you head to Mexico City. (If you want my pick of the bunch, I vote for Casa Decu.)

Best hotels in Mexico City

Best hotels in Mexico City

Best location in historic downtown: Hotel Zocalo Central

TripAdvisor

Renowned for its gorgeous rooftop views, you won’t get a better vista of Mexico City’s most historic streets than at the Zocalo. In fact, many locals and tourists head to the rooftop for after-work drinks and first dates.

With plenty of elevated decks that let you soak up the views, you might actually spend more time at your hotel than you previously thought. I think the rooms are a little plain, but that’s not a big deal if you’ll be busy on your trip.

The main appeal here is the views and immersion in the city’s oldest district.

Most beautiful architecture: Gran Hotel Ciudad de Mexico

TripAdvisor

Speaking of old architecture, the Gran Hotel Ciudad de Mexico lets you take another up-close look at the city’s heritage. In this case, you’re treated to a stay in a 20th-century Art Nouveau masterpiece.

From the lobby to the elevators to the bathrooms, you’re going to feel like you’re walking through a Gilded Era movie set. Though Casa Decu (below) is my favorite pick for the best hotels in Mexico City, the Gran Hotel is a very close second.

The best part? This hotel also has a fifth-floor terrace where you can have a bite to eat and soak up views of the surrounding area.

Best location in trendy area: Mondrian Mexico City Condesa

TripAdvisor

If the picks listed above felt a little too austere for you, then you’ll love the Mondrian Mexico City Condesa.

Condesa is one of CDMX’s most popular neighborhoods, bordering Roma and close to Polanco—two other trending neighborhoods you should know about. (I know about them after hearing multiple friends rave about their experiences in the city.)

At the Mondrian, you’re treated to a clean, comfortable stay that has plenty of artwork and other colorful accents that perfectly fit the atmosphere outside.

Best no-fuss boutique stay: Casa Decu

Booking

Want a cozy spot to hang up your hat after a long day—no frills needed? Casa Decu has a gorgeous and simple setup, full of black-and-white accents and greenery that will let you unwind in total peace.

As someone who’s a little bit sensitive to madhouse hustle-and-bustle that’s common to cities like CDMX, this is my first choice thanks to its tranquil atmosphere. I also like the simple, clean design and its flora.

Nothing relaxes me more after a long day of eating street tacos and shopping than staring at a hibiscus.

Most social hotel: Casa Sabina

Booking

Want to meet like-minded travelers while you explore the city? I’ve left my social butterfly era behind (for now, at least), but many of the positive takes on CDMX that I’ve heard are based on its easygoing atmosphere, which makes it easy to make friends.

Casa Sabina makes it easy for guests to hang out and get to know one another.

It also has the type of experimental design that creative and Instagram-happy travelers tend to like. Even the rooms are highly unique, with multiple floor plans emphasizing vertical space.

Best BnB choice: Stella Bed & Breakfast

Booking

Similar to Casa Decu, Stella Bed and Breakfast is ideal for anyone who really wants a sanctuary to escape Mexico City’s vibrancy.

The only reason I prefer Casa Decu to Stella is its location; Stella Bed & Breakfast is a little bit further off the city’s tourist track.

The design is nature-centric, letting you feel fully removed from the bustling urban world outside. The décor is more home-style and relaxed, letting you get cozy after a long day or wake up at your own pace when the sun rises.

Best Mexican flair: Soy Local CDMX

Booking

Looking for a hotel that oozes Mexican style and flair? Soy Local CDMX offers a colorful and unique layout, from its gorgeous painted accents to its dark wood furniture.

I always love those faithful design elements; they enrich a trip by adding an extra dose of culture. And in Mexico, that usually involves color, craftsmanship, and cheerfulness.

As a bonus, staff at Soy Local are known for being friendly and helpful, while guests have also raved about its location in Zona Rosa. If you want to get off the tourist track in Mexico City, start here.