Lapland, known as Finland’s winter wonderland and the legendary residence of Santa Claus, is a top destination for children who adore Father Christmas. The picturesque snowy forests and roaming reindeer create a magical Christmas setting.
A family recently experienced this enchantment firsthand by taking a whirlwind seven-hour day trip to Lapland on a private jet. Accompanied by 189 others, Karianne Brown, her husband Allen, and their eight-year-old daughter Jessica embarked on this grand adventure to Santa’s homeland, organized through the Facebook group “Extreme Day Trips.”
Founded by Michael Cracknell, Extreme Day Trips specializes in coordinating day-long journeys from the UK to various European locations, offering convenient travel solutions for those eager to explore new places within a day and fostering a sense of community among travelers of all ages.
Chartering a private plane for the dreamy Lapland excursion with 189 participants proved more cost-effective than individual commercial flights. On Saturday, November 29, 2025, Karianne, her family, and the other adventurers departed from Gatwick Airport to Finland.
Their private flight included a delicious breakfast of scrambled eggs, ham, mushrooms, and potato-onion rosti on board. The group opted to visit Enontekiö, a serene and stunning area in Lapland, to avoid the crowded tourist hub of Rovaniemi.
Upon arrival around 2pm local time, after a three-hour flight, the group embarked on various memorable activities in the village of Hetta, including meeting Santa, husky experiences, reindeer sleigh rides, snowmobile adventures, downhill sledging, and snowball fights.
The participants donned thermal boots and suits throughout the day, enjoying leisure time tobogganing down snowy slopes and browsing the gift shop. A dinner of salad, bread, butter, pasta, minced-meat bolognese, warm berry juice, and biscuits was served in a cozy canteen setting, with opportunities to toast marshmallows by pit fires.
Reflecting on the journey, Karianne highlighted the excitement of their husky ride under the moonlit sky, describing it as a standout moment. After a memorable day, the group returned to Gatwick around 11 pm.
Karianne shared that the experience was extraordinary and unique, especially for her daughter, who was kept in the dark about the trip until the night before departure. The trip was arranged through Gnome and Away Travel, offering a package that included various activities and amenities for a memorable Lapland adventure.
As an active member of the Extreme Day Trips group, Karianne has explored several European cities on thrilling day trips and expressed interest in future quick-fire trips to destinations like New York. The group’s flexible travel options cater to families, solo travelers, and individuals of all ages seeking unique travel experiences.
