Hello from the "North Pole!" This week, Aoife and April are taking a deep dive into the most magical destination on Earth: Lapland.

Aoife is fresh off a 10-day DIY adventure and is here to bust the myth that Lapland is only for December. She shares her "lightbulb moment" on why visiting in January is actually the ultimate travel hack—it’s quieter, cheaper, and the perfect way to say "thank you" to Santa after his busiest night of the year.

Meanwhile, April shares her experiences with the package deal side of things, including her emotional six-hour whirlwind trip to the real Lapland and why Lapland UK in Ascot might be the best "bang for your buck" if you can’t make the flight to Finland.

Whether you’re dreaming of log cabins in the woods, husky sledding through a winter paradise, or hopping on the overnight Santa Claus Express train, this episode is packed with the tips, hacks, and "crack" you need to plan your own Arctic escape.

Plus, in this episode:

• The DIY Itinerary: Flying into Helsinki and the 12-hour train journey to Rovaniemi.
• Driving in the Snow: Why you shouldn’t be afraid to rent a car in Finland.
• Theme Park Face-off: The pros and cons of day trips vs. long stays.
• Aoife's Word for 2026: Why "Prosperity" is her focus for the year ahead.

• 00:00 – Welcome to the North Pole!
• 01:07 – Aoife’s Word for 2026: Choosing Prosperity
• 02:33 – Lapland UK: The magical portal in Ascot and why it’s worth the price
• 07:07 – The Real Lapland Day Trip: Tears, -28 degrees, and 6 hours of pure magic
• 10:15 – The Cost Breakdown: Package deals vs. DIY
• 12:15 – The January Hack: Why Santa’s "home" is better (and cheaper) after Christmas
• 16:00 – The Santa Claus Express: An overnight train journey to remember
• 17:30 – Exploring Levi: Skiing, snowmobiling, and the Elves Village
• 19:30 – Driving in Finland: Busting the myths about driving in the snow
• 21:30 – Husky Rides vs. Reindeer Sleighs: Which is better?
• 34:30 – Coming up next: Big birthday and anniversary trip.

• Companies Mentioned:
• Canterbury Travel & Sunway: Package experts for Lapland trips.
• Irish Ferries: Aoife’s preferred way to start a stress-free Disney trip.
• Inside Car Hire: Highly recommended for renting a car in Rovaniemi.

• Key Locations:
• Ounasvaara: The "cabin in the woods" ski area near Rovaniemi.
• Levi: A family-friendly winter sports paradise.
• Santa Claus Village: The commercial heart of Lapland (great for postcards!).

Don't forget to rate us 5 stars on Spotify and Apple Podcasts! See you next Thursday. 🎙️

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