Family Finland

As well as being the ultimate winter wonderland, with virtually guaranteed snow covering the region in the winter months, Finnish Lapland also boasts some truly original places to stay. Children (and let's face it, grown-ups) will delight at the prospect of sleeping in a treehouse or a glass-topped igloo - it will certainly make bedtime that bit more exciting than at home.

Then onto some adventure, and there's plenty of that on offer here. We can arrange dog sledding or snowmobile safaris through snow-clad forests and across frozen lakes to take in the incredible surroundings. You could also head out on a sleigh pulled by reindeer at night in the hope of seeing the Northern Lights, which will have the whole family's eyes glued to the skies, and isn't something any of you will forget in a hurry.

Up in the north of the country, there is also the opportunity for a spot of skiing in Levi. This is Finland's largest ski resort and is fantastic for families; there are plenty of slopes suited to beginners and you can look forward to much quieter slopes than you'll find in parts of the Alps.

For Father Christmas experiences (we know, we said it's more than just a festive destination, but it's pretty special to be in the home of Saint Nick!) you can either fly directly to Rovaniemi for the classic (if somewhat commercialised) experience, or head further north for a more authentic (but also more expensive) experience. Whichever you opt for, meeting the man himself is sure to keep the magic of Christmas alive for believers and non-believers alike. Plus, you'll be able to keep some serious bargaining power in your back pocket with the promise of meeting Father Christmas at the end of the year.