Family Christmas break ideas for 2006

A special Christmas encounter in the frozen North

Take a few days out from the frantic run-up to Christmas with a trip to see Santa in his Lapland hideaway deep inside the Arctic Circle. Swap home for a snug hotel or log cabin - maybe even an igloo - in a traditional village surrounded by peaceful forests and snow-covered hills. By day, the children will be busy playing in the snow, listening to fireside stories in a cosy tepee, making decorations and exploring a magical village made of ice.

Everyone will enjoy trying the local transport: sledges pulled by friendly huskies, sleighs pulled by reindeer and zippy snowmobiles. And, of course, there is the all-important meeting with the great man himself. After dark, keep a look out for the mysterious Northern Lights that flicker through the night sky.
For details:
Finnish tourist board www.visitfinland.com/winter
Lapland tourist board www.laplandfinland.com

Where to stay
Yllas is one of Finland's biggest winter holiday resort areas, but remains gloriously unspoiled. The stylish Yllas Saaga hotel is outside the traditional village of Yllasjarvi, close to the ski school and slopes. Its 84 spacious rooms have all mod cons, including a clothes drier (perfect after energetic snowball fights), and many have panoramic windows with views over countryside or towards the village. There is also a spa area with indoor pools, including one for children.

Alternatively, the Hotel Yllasrinne offers simpler accommodation in a tranquil spot outside Yllasjarvi, with lots of winter activities available. There are 50 rooms, including 20 four-bed family rooms with a gallery sleeping area. In the evening, the grown-ups can relax in the sauna while the children are busy in their own play area.

Transun's all-inclusive Spellbound short break to Yllas in December costs from £549 per person. This includes return flights from Gatwick, Stansted or eight regional airports, transfers, accommodation, all meals, scheduled activities including a festive dinner with a guest appearance by Father Christmas and children's disco, hire of thermal suit and boots, guides and a small gift for the under 15s.

If you are short of time, there are also action-packed day trips (from £399 per adult, £299 per child).
For details:
Transun www.transun.co.uk
Hotel Yllas Saaga www.lomaliitto.fi
Hotel Yllasrinne www.yllasrinne.com

What to do around and about
Spending a night in an igloo hotel is an extraordinary experience. The SnowHotel - in the Snow Village, naturally - is made entirely of ice. But don't worry about being cold, as there is plenty of warm bedding to snuggle down in, and warm clothing is also provided for when you're not in bed.

Another snowy activity is cross-country skiing: Yllas has more than 200 miles of marked trails and it only takes an hour or so to get the hang of it. If that sounds too energetic (it burns off more calories than downhill skiing), relax with a Finnish sauna at the Hotel Ylass Saaga's spa, and treat yourself to a muscle-soothing massage.
For details:
SnowHotel www.snowhotel.fi
Yllas tourist board www.yllas.fi
Hotel Yllas Saaga www.lomaliitto.fi