Santa's Secret Cottage Review, Kuusamo, Lapland

Travelling to Lapland to meet Santa is something many parents dream of for their children, so it's really important to find out as much as you can before booking your Lapland trip. If you are  planning to make the journey, or even thinking about it, here is the low down on what to expect when you visit Santa's Secret Cottage, which is about a 30 minute drive from Ruka, Kuusamo. We visited Santa there in March, as part of our trip to the Ski resort in Ruka and wanted to share our experience, to help you know what to expect and to prepare for this exciting part of your Lapland adventure.

Ruka: The Best Lapland Resort for Children

In March we were lucky enough to stay in Ruka Ski Resort, which is in Kuusamo, Finnish Lapland. It is a truly remarkable place and I strongly recommend that if you can, go. What this custom-made Lapland resort offers, in terms of magic and wonder, for little (and bigger) ones cannot be beaten. It has a depth and realism to it, with no plastic or gimmicks, that appeals to children of all ages. It is also really educational, you absorb so much about the culture and landscape just from being there. We found so many aspects about Ruka that made it family friendly, that we have written this guide on all the best bits for children.

Fun Facts about Finland

I must admit, when I travelled to Finland recently, I knew very little about it. I assumed, being very naive in such matters, that as it was in Europe it would be a little bit familiar, that we would have things in common and it wouldn't feel like too far from home. But it turns out it is further than I thought, 1598 miles to be precise, and there are quite a few differences that I hadn't expected, including a very different landscape, made up of better snow than we get here in the UK! If you've ever wondered what's different about Finland, I have the answers. Enjoy our fun facts and fascinating findings, full of Finnish flavour!

Reima Review and the Story Behind #MillionHoursofJoy

I may have mentioned, once or twice, the fantastic press trip I attended recently to Finnish Lapland, with our friends from Reima as part of the #millionhoursofjoy campaign. As well as being brilliant, it was also the perfect opportunity to learn more about the brand and put their specialist performance kidswear through its paces. I've been looking forward to writing this post, as I have never been in a position to write such a thorough, comprehensive review before. Read on to find out how Reima's clothing range stood up to mountain night-hikes in -19C temperatures and lots of snow, as well as the bigger picture from a brand leading the way in encouraging children to be more active all over the world.

Finnish Lapland with Reima - Diary of our Trip Part 2

I've spent the last few days sorting through the 748 photos we took during our 6 day visit to the fantastic Ruka Ski Resort in Kuusamo, Finnish Lapland, courtesy of the brilliant children's ski wear brand Reima and their #MillionHoursofJoy Kidventure campaign. There were so many amazing things to see and do, that I'm amazed we stopped there, and didn't have a few thousand photos to bring home! Part 2 of our diary follows below, with details of more daily #kidventures and the all-important Northern Lights! If you haven't read it yet, you can find Finnish Lapland Kidventures - Part 1 by clicking the link.

Finnish Lapland with Reima - A Diary of our Trip Part 1

I have been uncharacteristically quiet on the blog and social media this week and there is a very good reason why. We have just returned from the trip of a lifetime, courtesy of the brilliant Finnish outdoor children's clothing brand Reima. I've worked with Reima on product reviews before and L is especially fond of their clothes. Not to say that he is fussy, but comfort is a VERY big deal to him and we both appreciate that he can wear their clothes and stay warm without complaining! So, how did it all happen and where did it end? Read on to find out how Finnish Lapland became more than just a dream and what happened on our trip.

What to Pack for a Lapland Holiday

Now that Christmas has come and gone, our holiday to Lapland is fast approaching. As the rest of the country are despairing at the horrible British weather and planning, or hoping for, a trip somewhere hot and sunny, we are very much looking forward to 'real snow' and sleigh rides in Ruka, Finland. This does, however, pose a little problem; I have absolutely no idea what to pack. I've never been on a winter adventure holiday before, and I was lucky enough to win this one, so I'm not likely to go again. I need to know what to buy and, more importantly, what I won't need, so that I can save money and vital packing space for the trip and this was the question I posed to a group of previous Lapland adventurers.

The Importance of Movement in Children and a Competition with Reima

The title of this post may sound like an obvious statement, but, as with all parenting essentials, it's surprisingly easy to take your eye of the ball (sorry about the pun) and find that physical activity has gone by the wayside. Particularly as the nights draw in and the weather turns colder and wetter, you may find the family as a whole favouring the warmer indoors and getting less exercise as a result. Obviously, it's less safe for children to be outside when the evenings are dark, so how can we make sure movement and fitness are part of life and not something we have to remind ourselves to do? 

5 Ways to Save Money in Iceland

Do you remember when the Dismaland exhibit opened in Weston-super-Mare and I couldn't go, so instead, I asked my intrepid explorer friend Mel, from The Diary of a Jewellery Lover to tell you all about it? Well, she now has a travel blog, where she documents her adventures as she explores the globe with her husband. When I mentioned how keen I was to go to Iceland, but how expensive it was reputed to be, she sent over this rather brilliant budget guide on how to save money in Iceland. There's some great advice in here, as well as some fascinating shots of the island. Come for the tips, stay for the stunning photographs!