Lapland Unveiled: A 7-Day Magical Odyssey Across Frost-Kissed Landscapes

Wizz Air Flight

2:40 PM (Bucharest) to 4:35 PM (Liverpool).

Transfer

After a reasonable wait at the border check, we ordered an Uber and paid £25 for the ride downtown. During the drive, I had an engaging conversation with our driver, a friendly Nigerian gentleman, covering topics like life, football, and, of course, politics, what else? The drive took about half an hour.

Accomodation

Next, we quickly self-checked into our Booking reservation, freshened up with a quick shower, and headed straight out the door to grab a bite to eat.

Dinner

After a brief search for a restaurant, we decided on Italian cuisine and chose a place called Il Forno which was just a few blocks away downtown.

La Siesta

Feeling re-energized, we decided to stretch our legs and take a short walk. Our adventure led us to the lively Chinese Quarter, where we snapped some photos, grabbed a few snacks and water, and headed back to our place for a well deserved rest.

The City

Early, but not that early, we checked out and left our luggage at the reception downstairs. Before starting our day, we stopped at a cozy nearby coffee shop for breakfast, a perfect way to fuel up. Our first destination was the Liverpool Cathedral, the largest in the UK. This impressive building, resembling a fortress, left us in awe. We spent about an hour exploring its grandeur, picking up some souvenirs along the way. If you’re ever in Liverpool, this should absolutely top your must-see list!

Next, we headed to the iconic Docks, just a 20 minute walk from the Cathedral. Here, we snapped some fun photos with the famous Beatles Statue and soaked in the harbor views alongside the majestic Royal Liver Building. It was a quintessential Liverpool experience!

To the Airport

Back at our hotel, we quickly grabbed our luggage and ordered an Uber. After breezing through security, we made a quick stop at Starbucks for a coffee before heading to our gate. Ready for takeoff!

Ryan Air Flight

2:10 PM (Liverpool) to 7:25 PM (Rovaniemi). Our first experience landing on snow. Here it was -10 degrees Celsius.

Car Rental (Enterprise)

After picking up our car, we were pleasantly surprised with an upgrade. Even though we had booked a VW Polo, we ended up with a 4WD Toyota Yaris Cross, a fantastic bonus for our journey!

The Drive

We were all set, so we hit the road for a 2 hour drive up north to Levi, where we planned our first stop.

The Rest

Finally, after a long day, we arrived at our cozy nest. The place featured a sauna and, most importantly, an upper loft bed accessible by a ladder, something Clara was absolutely thrilled to explore!

Breakfast and The Frozen Lake

After a delicious breakfast prepared by Diana, we headed out for the day. Our first stop was the nearby frozen lake of Sirkkajärvi, where locals were ice fishing. We couldn’t resist taking a walk on the lake ourselves, soaking in the serene, icy beauty.

Tontulla Land of Elves

From here, we continued our journey to one of the most magical spots in the region, located just a few kilometers from Levi. Tontulla Land of Elves is charming destination that offers a unique and immersive experience, but it’s essential to plan ahead. Make sure to confirm that it’s open to the public on the day of your visit, as it’s occasionally reserved for guided groups. Allow at least 3-4 hours to fully enjoy the hidden gems and activities it has to offer. From toasting marshmallows over a crackling fire to baking mouthwatering biscuits—ready in just 10 minutes, thanks to the help of charming elves—Clara found joy in every moment. She delighted in crafting intricate paper snowflakes, designing handmade tree ornaments, and visiting Santa’s post office, where she wrote her very first card brimming with wishes, both realistic and wonderfully impossible.

Levi City Center and Nearby Ski Slopes

Around midday, we arrived at a charming spot just a few kilometers from Levi, where we spent the next few hours exploring its hidden gems. The place we chose was Colorado Bar & Grill Levi, with cozy rest areas offering warm teas and coffees to keep the chill away. We made sure to check it was open for public access in advance since it’s occasionally reserved for groups. Dressed warmly and ready for adventure, we wandered through the enchanting surroundings, taking our time to soak it all in. It was the perfect blend of fun and relaxation, and we enjoyed every moment.

Arcandia Arctic Adventure Park

8 km away and 10 mins by car from Levi, another wonderful place was yet to be discovered. And the combination between night, snow and colorful lights was the perfect setting for another incredible experience.

A lookalike to Lord of the Rings Village from NZ, Arcandia is a must to see if you reach Levi. For a deeper dive into our Levi experience please check our other article here.

The Checkout

We started the day with a delicious homemade breakfast, packed up our luggage, and couldn’t resist a fun snowball fight outside with Clara before heading off to the slopes.

The Ski Session

Even if my plan was to take Clara with me, the freezing temperatures (-17°C) made me and Diana decide to keep her warm in the nearby Ravintola Sivakka, where the both of them spent a few hours during my skin session.

So after i’ve rented my gear, opted for a 4 hours ski lift pass and went to the top for my first round. The place is great, either you are a beginner or a pro, the views are incredible and the snow is absolute heaven so the hours flew in a heart bit. Don’t miss this out if you plan a visit to Levi during winter.

Back to Rovaniemi

Left in a hurry but hungry as hell, so our first stop was at K-Market where we initially decided to grab a few snacks for the road but ended up eating a full meal, a total bargain for 20 EUR all of us. Yep, we also forgot about someone, or something depends on how you wanna see it. Our car was also hungry for gas so we went to a nearby petrol station as well. Done, everyone was full, some with food, some with gas, and we hit the road.

Rest Place

Without any mentionable event, we reached our next place near Rovaniemi 18 km away. Our AirBnb host was expecting us. The place was a renovated old school and our apartment was Tammi Suite. Basically our 2 rooms were an old classroom, split with a wooden/leather covered wall. The place had everything you need, coffee and tea machines and also a PS4 with Smart. I’m always listening to music on Spotify, where the playlist always starts with MJ, Clara’s favorite artist. The kitchen was right across our apartment and the bathrooms were 2 doors away near the reception.

Our Host

Also we had a nice conversation with the owner, who also put us in contact with Kimmo, the guy who booked us a Husky ride for the next day. Jari was a former hockey player and also a car enthusiast, owner of a 5-Series Hybrid and Volvo S40. Check his Instagram channel here.

Ranua Zoo

With plenty of activities for the day, The Husky Ride being on the top of our list, we started with a warm up 80 km south with a trip to Ranua Zoo. With tickets purchased one day before, we got in pretty fast to start exploring the diverse arctic wildlife. For a full immersive experience try to spend 3-4 hours with some warming up sessions along the way or just spend a night at one of their villas or igloos.

The Husky Experience

The ride offered a chance to enjoy the stunning surroundings in daylight. While it can be pricey, it’s unforgettable if planned well. Key details include the ride’s distance and duration, whether you can visit a husky farm to interact with the pack, and if you’ll steer the sled or simply sit back and enjoy the experience. Diana skipped the part where I and Clara pet some wolves, it was an incredible one-time experience, but only after they explained us the rules.

Santa’s Village

On our way back home, we stopped at Santa’s Village to savor some local cuisine and soak in the magical atmosphere. With fewer tourists around and most places closed, it was the perfect opportunity for us to explore peacefully and decide what to visit in the coming days.

Hunting the Northern Lights

Back home and refreshed, I was ready for another attempt to see the Northern Lights. Armed with apps like Aurora and AuroraAlert, Clara joined me despite the discouraging cloud coverage. We drove 20 km out of Rovaniemi into the wilderness, leaving light pollution behind. After waiting in the snowy silence with no luck, we headed back, content with our first magical sighting earlier in the trip. On the way, I saw another car in a ditch, a reminder to stay cautious on icy roads, as even a momentary lapse can lead to trouble.

Checking Out

After a wonderful stay at Jari’s place, it was time to say goodbye. In a bit of a rush, we made our way to Santa Village, eager to experience the much-anticipated Reindeer Ride.

Santa’s Village – Reindeer Ride

A little bit late, we were splitted into 2 sleights, so I left Diana and Clara in one and I hopped in the second one and headed to the woods. Even if it was a really nice experience, I’d recommend the shorter version of 1km, because it was quite cold, and by the end of our ride my hands were freezed on my phone.

Santa’s Village – Mrs Santa Claus House

The girl who guided our reindeers offered us some local sausages but we decided to skip and head to Mrs Santa Claus house where they had a nice coffee shop. After enjoying some warm bakery and drinks we were ready to continue our schedule.

Santa’s Village – Elf’s Farmyard

Here we took Gar, a baby reindeer, for a walk in the woods and also gave him some snacks for the day. It was a really nice encounter for Clara to pet and feed him. The ticket also included a tour of the small farm where we saw besides the reindeers, some sheeps, lamas, poneys or small rabbits.

Santa’s Village – Snowman World

The place has 2 zones, in the inside of the igloo where you have a nice ice slide, an ice bar and of course a restaurant and the outside where you have a small ice skate park along with a labyrinth and 2 slides for snow tubing. If you ask me this place was a little bit pricey for what it offers.

Koskikatu Street

Since we had another few hours to spare we headed once more to our favorite coffee in Rovaniemi and then went to the airport where i’ve dropped the car. It was a hell of an experience waiting for the next one which will be on the other side of the thermometer.

The Airport

Our flight was delayed because of the severe icy weather conditions. The freezing temperatures had caused ice to form on the plane’s wings, making it unsafe for takeoff. The ground crew had to carry out a thorough de-icing process to ensure the wings were clear and the plane could fly safely. While the delay was frustrating, safety always comes first in such extreme weather.

The Rest

We arrived at our Airbnb around 11 PM, where our host had thoughtfully left the key under the carpet in front of the door. Exhausted from a long day, we took a quick shower and headed straight to bed.

Checking Out

The place was exactly what we were looking for simple, cozy, and ideal for a good night’s rest.

The Airport

Once we arrived, we cleared the document check and settled down at a Starbucks to enjoy a coffee and a delicious breakfast.

Flight (Ryan Air)

Right on schedule, we boarded our plane and set off on our journey back home.