Lapland, known as Finland’s winter wonderland and the renowned 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.
Recently, one family opted for a unique experience by taking a whirlwind seven-hour day trip to Lapland on a private jet. Karianne Brown, her husband Allen, and their eight-year-old daughter Jessica, along with 189 others, embarked on this grand adventure to Santa’s homeland organized through the Facebook group “Extreme Day Trips.”
Extreme Day Trips, founded by Michael Cracknell, specializes in arranging day-long excursions from the UK to various European locations, offering efficient travel solutions for travelers looking to explore new places within a day and fostering a sense of community among travelers of all ages.
Chartering a private plane for the Lapland journey with 189 participants proved to be more economical than individual commercial flights. On November 29, 2025, Karianne’s 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 onboard. The group opted to explore Enontekiö, a tranquil yet stunning part of Lapland, to avoid the crowded tourist hub of Rovaniemi.
Upon arrival in Hetta, they engaged in various activities, including meeting Santa, husky experiences, reindeer sleigh rides, snowmobile adventures, downhill sledging, and snowball fights. The group shared memorable moments like husky rides under the moonlight on a frozen lake.
Outfitted with thermal boots and suits, the group enjoyed tobogganing down snowy slopes and browsing a gift shop for festive retail therapy. They savored a dinner of salad, bread, butter, pasta, minced-meat bolognese, warm berry juice, and biscuits in a cozy canteen kitchen.
Reflecting on the trip, Karianne expressed her only regret of not knowing about the option for repeating activities if everyone in the group participated. The adventure concluded with a return to Gatwick, arriving around 11 pm, leaving everyone thrilled and content.
Karianne and her family kept their daughter unaware of the Lapland journey until the night before, adding an element of surprise to the experience. The trip, organized by Gnome and Away Travel, included a range of activities with a price tag of £589 per adult and £559 per child.
As an admin of the Extreme Day Trips group, Karianne has explored various European destinations, with plans for future day trips including a potential visit to New York. The group’s flexibility in scheduling allows for affordable travel during weekends and school holidays, catering to a diverse range of travelers seeking unique experiences.
