Santa Claus Village, FINLAND
Airing Date: Apr 14th, 2003
Located right on the Arctic Circle, Santa Claus Village is the only place in the world that really feels like Christmas 365 days a year - and on 364 of them you are assured of meeting the jolly man in the big red suit.
Each year close to a million letters addressed to Saint Nick wind up at Santa's Main Post Office in Santa's Village.
In December Santa receives a whopping 32,000 letters a day from 200 countries around the world - and he evens answers a few.
To prove to the family back home that you really did meet Santa, you can have your photo taken with him.
In Rovaniemi you don't have to go far for your first Christmas wish to be granted. After meeting Santa, check out Santa Park, where the elves work overtime. If the little men inspire you, you can enrol in elf school.
Alternatively, if you want to learn the best snack to leave by the tree come December 24, you can take a gingerbread biscuit class and bake and decorate your own biscuits.
If you've ever wondered what it would be like to ride with Santa, visit Napipiri Reindeer Farm, where you can meet Rudolf and the gang. Visitors to the farm even get to go dashing through the snow in a sleigh.
Everyone knows how tiring Christmas can be, so at the end of the day, bunk down is the Hotel Pohjanhovi in Rovaniemi.
The facts
Thai Airways international has 26 flights per week to Bangkok. Scandinavian Airlines provides frequent connections from Bangkok to Helsinki. Prices start from $2250 per person from the east coast and $2140 from Perth. Finnair flies from Helsinki to Romaniemi daily. Flights start from $430 per person. All prices include government charges and taxes.
Thai Airways International
Tel: 1300 651 960
SAS Scandinavian Airlines System
Tel: 1300 727 707
Rooms at the Hotel Pohjanhovi start from $190 per person per night.
Hotel Pohjanhovi
Tel: 0011 358 1633 711 (international)
Bentours
Tel: 02 9241 1353
At Santa Claus Village you can write to Santa by filling in a form. To get a reply from the big man himself, simply pay $10 and he'll write back in time for Christmas. A photo with Santa will cost $28.
Santa Claus Village
Tel: 0011 358 16 311 233 (international)
Admission to the Santa Park costs $33 for adults and $25 for kids. A gingerbread class is $10.
Santa Park
Tel: 0011 358 16 333 0000 (international)
Entry to Napipiri Reindeer Farm costs $16 per person.
Tel: 0011 358 16 384 150 (international)
Rovaniemi Tourist Information
