March 05, 2021 • travel
Experience Rovaniemi, Lapland, Finland, Like Nick Viall on 'The Bachelor'
Ho, ho, ho-w does a trip to Rovaniemi sound? Pretty merry, actually!
If your travel companion doesn’t believe in Father Christmas, their feelings will unquestionably change after a few days in Rovaniemi. This city in the northern region of Lapland is the “official hometown of Santa Claus,” so you’ll want to make sure you’ve been nice before traveling all the way here. A stop in Rovaniemi truly gives a new meaning to the “Bachelor” term Hometown Dates!
Nick Viall traveled here on Season 21 of “The Bachelor,” and here’s how you can have just as jolly a time when you visit.
Where to Stay
Due to its location near the Arctic Circle and the prevalence of the northern lights, many hotels and inns in Lapland have large windows to soak in all the beauty. During the winter months, you can even stay in an igloo! No amount of cold can dampen your romantic trip here.
To channel Nick and the ladies, check out Lapland Hotel Bear’s Lodge for a ski destination feel. If you want your own spacious and secluded accommodations on the water, you can book a stay at Villa Niemela. No matter where you decide to stay in Rovaniemi, you and your date will want to head out on the town and get exploring.
One-on-One Date: Santa's Helper
You can’t visit Rovaniemi without making a pit stop to see Santa! You and your date can horseback ride through the city and make your way to Santa’s workshop. There’s a chance you might not even need to tell Santa what’s at the top of your wish list, because that number one pick — your date — will be standing right beside you.
To top off your fun-filled day out, hand your date a rose and tell them they’re the present you always wanted.
One-on-One Date: A Perfect Landing
Channel your playful side as you and your date head out to a frozen lake and go ice skating. Glide over the smooth ice hand-in-hand and twirl each other around as if you’re Olympic champions. Share a kiss as you stick a perfect landing, reminding your love that they’re the perfect 10.
If you’re chilly from your day on the ice, warm up and snuggle next to a fire. Use this opportunity to talk about how ice skating was the perfect trust exercise for your relationship and seeing where your journey for love goes from here. You can even roast some marshmallows and tell your plus-one they’re everything you want and s’more!
A romantic getaway to Rovaniemi feels straight out of a storybook romance for a multitude of reasons, whether that’s visiting Santa Claus or staring out at the northern lights together. This journey will only be the next of many chapters in this book the two of you share forever.