Lapland, known as Finland’s winter wonderland and the legendary residence of Santa Claus, is a must-visit destination for children who adore Father Christmas. The picturesque snow-covered forests and roaming reindeer create a magical Christmas setting.
A family decided to experience this enchantment firsthand by taking a rapid seven-hour day trip to Lapland aboard a private jet. Karianne Brown, along with her husband Allen and their eight-year-old daughter Jessica, joined 189 others on this extraordinary journey to Santa’s homeland. The excursion was coordinated through a Facebook group called Extreme Day Trips.
Extreme Day Trips, founded by Michael Cracknell, specializes in organizing day-long trips from the UK to various European destinations, providing convenient travel options for individuals eager to explore new places within a day and fostering a sense of community among travelers of all ages. With 189 participants signed up for the dreamy Lapland adventure, chartering a private plane proved to be a more economical choice than individual commercial flights.
On November 29, 2025, Karianne, her family, and the other adventurers took off from Gatwick Airport to Finland on the private jet. The exclusive flight included a delicious breakfast featuring scrambled eggs, ham, mushrooms, and potato-onion rosti.
While Rovaniemi is a popular destination in Lapland, the group opted to explore the less crowded tourist spot of Enontekiö, a serene yet equally stunning part of the magical wilderness. Karianne, also known as Kari, described the experience as “beautiful, just like a forest covered in snow,” in an interview with the Express.
Upon arrival around 2pm local time, the group ventured to the quaint village of Hetta in Enontekiö, where they engaged in a variety of memorable activities. These included meeting Santa, participating in a husky experience, enjoying a reindeer sleigh ride, snowmobiling, downhill sledging, and snowball fights.
Reflecting on the standout moments of the trip, Kari mentioned the thrilling husky ride under the moonlit sky as a breathtaking experience. The group was provided with thermal gear for the day and had leisure time for tobogganing and shopping at the gift store for festive souvenirs.
They savored a dinner comprising salad, bread, pasta with minced-meat bolognese, accompanied by warm berry juice and biscuits throughout the day. The cozy setting included warming huts and pit fires for toasting marshmallows, creating a truly magical atmosphere.
Kari expressed that the trip felt perfectly timed, offering a balance between experiencing everything they wanted while ensuring it was not too long for the children to get bored or too cold. She mentioned that the excursion, priced at £589 per adult and £559 per child, was inclusive of various activities and amenities.
Upon returning to Gatwick around 11 pm, Kari shared the group’s enthusiasm for the trip, emphasizing the extraordinary and unforgettable nature of the experience. She highlighted the joy of witnessing her daughter’s excitement and the magic of surprising her with the trip to Lapland.
Organized through Gnome and Away Travel, the Lapland journey offered a range of activities, making it a memorable adventure for all participants. Kari, an admin of Extreme Day Trips, has explored various destinations, with plans for more exciting day trips in the future.
The group is considering future day trips to New York and other European cities, catering to a diverse range of travelers seeking unique and affordable travel experiences. Kari emphasized the accessibility and appeal of these day trips for families, singles, and travelers of all ages.
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