70 December 2015 www.womanthismonth.com LIFESTYLE | travel Away on the Holly Days Although there’s no place like home for the holidays, for those who want to add the fun of travel to the festive excitement, Ankita Mamgain lists a few destinations where Christmas celebrations extend beyond the usual. Though it is perhaps the most magical time of the year, travel plans during Christmas can be stressful, chaotic and expensive. The obvious options of New York, Paris and London all are well armed to welcome yuletide revellers from across the world. But the sheer influx of tourists in these cities at this time of the year renders them notoriously busy and borderline frustrating. So why not head to a destination that keeps the authenticity of the holidays intact, and provides you a much deserved break, so you can truly relish the essence of Christmas? ROVANIEMI, LAPLAND, FINLAND Santa may visit your home once a year, but here’s your chance to visit his. According to some legends, dating as far back as the 1820s, the North Pole is the official address of Santa Claus, but the Finns would have you believe otherwise. Located just north of the Artic circle, Rovaniemi, the capital of Finnish Lapland, is considered home to Father Christmas. Celebrate the quintessential northern holiday with your family with a host of sites and activities dedicated to the festival. You must attend The Christmas Fantasy; an exotic experience, in which you are guided by elves to the Great Festival hall in the Arctic forest. Mischievous witches and playful elves are out and about and snowflakes, floating in the winter breeze, make this experience even more magical. You can even enrol in Elf School or take a calligraphy class and compose your own Christmas wish list with a traditional quill. Other attractions include the Ranua Zoo, home to baby polar bears, wolverines and moose. At Sirmakko Reindeer Farm, you can take a sled-led reindeer safari and the wonderful Arktikum museum is the perfect introduction to the mysteries of these latitudes and the northern lights. Those in search of a truly frosty experience can stay in the Arctic Snow Hotel, made entirely of snow and ice, but equipped with saunas and hot tubs in which to thaw. Arctic Snow Hotel Santa Clause's Village Rovaniemi
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