Dreaming of a white Christmas ... in Santa's Lapland
Lapland, Europe
Reindeers, huskies, tobogganing, lots of snowy activities - ice fishing, snow hockey and riding mini skidoos, elves around every corner, spectacular shows and a sleigh ride venturing deep into the forest to visit Santa’s secret hideaway for an unforgettable private visit at his workshop. It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas …this is Christmas in Santa’s homeland, Lapland.
Most Christmas tours will take you to Rovaniemi, where you’ll find Santa Claus’ Village, if you travel a little further north to Saariselka you’ll discover a little less ‘touristy’ yet still all the ingredients for a truly magical white Christmas experience.
Four or five nights is a good time to spend in Lapland, allowing you to enjoy all the activities and increase your chances of seeing the Northern Lights too. In December there is approx. only two and a half hours of daylight – it takes a bit of time to acclimatise to the constant dark skies.
As part of your Lapland experience you will be provided with the appropriate thermal snowsuits and outdoor boots as well as woollen socks and thermal mittens you’ll need to keep warm in the below zero temperatures, so you don’t need to worry about your suitcase being full of all the bulky stuff!
The lead-up to Christmas is the most popular time to visit Lapland - you will need to book early (at least a year in advance), this also includes pre-booking your activities. Alternatively, if you’d like a little more flexibility and pay slightly lower prices, you can still enjoy your Lapland ‘Christmas’ in late November/early December, instead of travelling at Christmas itself.
Kali Abbott
House of Travel Prestons
My passion for travel begun when living in London. I was constantly booking getaways to explore all UK and Europe have to offer and I have not stopped exploring since!
Coming home, I have been privileged to take many long breaks to explore different parts of the world. - Some highlights include USA and Tahiti.
Now having a family, I see travel in different light and really enjoy slowing down and embracing every moment.
Travel is for everyone; the world has so much to offer!
I joined the travel industry just over 6 years ago and have helped many people book their dream holidays, I can't wait to help you with yours!
Kali
Claire Jones
House of Travel Devonport
?? Hello to all my
valued clients—old and new! ??
I’m truly passionate about helping people turn their travel
dreams into reality, and I’m thrilled to embark on many more exciting
conversations with you about all things travel!
As the Cruise Master at our store, I’m proud to have earned
my CLIA cruise certification, bringing you expert guidance for your next
voyage.
Whether you’re a familiar face or someone I haven’t had the
pleasure of meeting yet, I’m here to support your travel journey, no matter how
big or small. With 27 years of experience in the travel industry, I’ve had the
privilege of exploring some of the world’s most incredible destinations—Europe,
Asia, the Pacific Islands, the USA, Australia, New Zealand, Africa, and
unforgettable cruises. ??
Travel is more than just a job for me—it’s a true passion. I
love sharing my adventures, insights, and tips with others. There’s no better
time to explore the world than now. Life is short, and travel creates memories
that last forever, leaving you with nothing but joy and no regrets. ??
I invite you to stop by anytime, say hello, and let’s start planning your next adventure! I can't wait to help you create experiences that will last a lifetime. ??
Claire
Cherry McGovern
House of Travel Mount Maunganui
Having worked in the Travel Industry for 9 years and counting, I am incredibly passionate about detail and no trip is too small!
I have lived in London & Perth, both opening destinations for me to explore! My favourite trips to date were Greece and Thailand.
Every part of the process excites me, from simple flights, group holidays, to your bucket list trips!
I enjoy getting to know my clients and I understand that no detail is too small and warm prompt service is key to delivering great customer experiences.
Cherry
Minji Park
House of Travel Christchurch City
Minji is our Japan specialist in Christchurch. Born and raised in South Korea, her passion for travel began at an early age. This passion led her to study tourism management and become a tour guide in both Japan and Southeast Asia.
Minji has spent most of her tour guide career in Japan, leading tours across the country and gaining an in-depth knowledge of the region. She has also guided tours in Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, and Laos, and has backpacked extensively throughout Europe, Australia, and Canada. Minji has lived in London, Vancouver, and Sydney, spending at least a couple of years in each country.
My top travel tips
- Pack as light as you can (except for cruises). Heavy luggage can be tedious to manage and exhausting just getting on/off trains.
- Try to pre-book and pay in NZ dollars. If you pay locally, you will need to pay in local currency and the banks will apply their exchange rates plus international transaction fees.
- Utilise your stopover opportunities. Two holidays, one ticket, you are basically genius.
"Investment in travel is an investment in yourself" - Matthew Karsten
Why I love travel
I love meeting new people, discovering new cultures, tasting new food and beers and having new experiences. Travel is the best way to tick all the boxes and be inspired.
It is exciting and rewarding to help make my clients' holiday easier with better value and making it more memorable with my travel knowledge and organisation skills. I just love talking about travel, and hearing about their holiday when they return home is the best part of my job. It is very rewarding to hear what a great time they had. I am continuously learning about new travel destinations and new products and experiences so I never get bored.
My top destinations
- Japan – Japan is the country that I have travelled through the most and I can never tire of it. Japan offers so much, from old historic shrines and temples to the most modern architecture and latest technology, fascinating culture, beautiful nature areas and incredible food. It is also a very safe and easy place to travel so I recommend it for all types of travellers.
- Spain - I love the Andalusia region in particular, including Granada and Ronda. You feel like you are walking back in time, or perhaps through a movie set with the many sublime landscapes, spectacular vistas and famous historic sites. A warm evening drinking sangria with some delicious tapas over a view of Alhambra is a personal favourite.
- Vietnam - you can have an amazing experience within a very affordable budget. In one day, you will see more motorbikes than you have seen in your entire life. Interesting French Colonial architecture and indigenous castles and villages, beautiful beaches and rice paddies, the little art and culinary boutique town of Hoi An, unique and delicious food, UNESCO Heritage site Ha Long Bay and much more.
- Galapagos - If you are into wildlife, this is one of the ultimate places in the world to visit. I still say Galapagos was the best travel experience in my life. The everyday encounters with unique species of sea lions, turtles, tortoises, all different types of birds, penguins, sharks, rays, marine iguana are unforgettable. The best part for me was diving amongst schools of hammerhead sharks and eagle rays inside the crater of a submerged volcano.
What's in my suitcase
- Foldable backpack - It is the best thing ever. I always put one in my bag, and it is perfect for a casual day out exploring.
- Travel organiser bags - I have one for clothes, one for underwear/socks and one for toiletries. It will make your pack/unpack so much easier.
- Compact rain jacket and small collapsible umbrella - You will always have some rain during your holiday but unless you are expecting lots of it, you don't want these items to take too much space in your travel bag.
Minji
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