Meet Santa in Lapland this Christmas with day trips flying from Scotland
Families in Scotland can experience the magic of Lapland this winter, with special day trips from Glasgow Airport taking passengers on a festive adventure to meet Santa Claus himself.
TUI's Search for Santa flights will return this December, offering two dedicated departures from Glasgow on December 13 and 23. The one-day itinerary takes families from Scotland to the snowy wilderness of Finnish Lapland and back, all within 24 hours.
The festive package includes return flights to Kittilä, in-flight meals, thermal clothing for the Arctic conditions, and a full day of wintry activities, while all ground transfers in Lapland are also included, Glasgow Live reports.
The lucky families that head north will enjoy husky and reindeer sleigh rides, snowmobiling, Arctic storytelling, and a private visit with Santa Claus. And every child will receive a gift from Father Christmas himself.
Prices for the all-inclusive day trip start from £720 per person. The experience begins with a traditional cooked English breakfast served onboard the flight to Lapland.
After landing, passengers collect their complimentary snowsuits and boots before heading to the snowy wonderland.
One of the highlights of the trip is a visit to the spectacular Snow Village, an ice hotel featuring igloo-style rooms, an ice bar, and intricate ice sculptures.
Families can enjoy a sleigh ride guided by reindeer through the forest and take a short journey on a husky-led sled through the Lappish countryside.
Adventurous guests will also have the chance to try snowmobiling, learning how to ride before heading out into the frozen wilderness. For those looking to soak in Lapland's traditions, a local storyteller will share age-old legends around a roaring fire.
The day continues with snow fun for all ages, from snowball fights and sledging to building snowmen. A warming hot berry juice is offered by the campfire before the main event: meeting Father Christmas.
Families will hop on a skidoo and travel through snow-dusted woodland to Santa's log cabin, where elves greet them and even teach visitors how to say hello in Finnish. Each child will enjoy a private visit with Santa and receive a special gift to take home.
A hot lunch is served in Santa's Village during the day, while a festive roast dinner is served on the flight back to Glasgow in the evening.
Chris Logan, Commercial Director at TUI UK, said: "Our much-loved festive Search for Santa day trips are back, and we're making it easier than ever for families across the UK to experience the magic of Lapland.
Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community!
Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today.
You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland.
No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team.
All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in!
If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'.
We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like.
To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.
If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
"Now with flights from 11 regional airports, families have the ease of flying from their local airport to meet Santa and create unforgettable memories together.'
TUI's Lapland day trips have long been a popular Christmas treat for families looking to enjoy a taste of the Arctic and the spirit of the festive season.
With a packed schedule and everything included, this year's trips from Glasgow promise to deliver an unforgettable winter experience for children and adults alike.
Tickets can be booked now through TUI, with limited availability expected as the festive season approaches.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Record
an hour ago
- Daily Record
'I'm an experienced pilot but there's one place in the world I would never fly'
Despite decades of flying experience many pilots will refuse to navigate one place A long-haul airline pilot has revealed the one place in the world he avoids. Despite having more than 10,000 flying hours under his belt and two decades of flying experience in places across the globe, he steers clear of one location. Commercial airline pilot, Richard Wells, spent more than 22 years flying across Europe, Asia and the Americas before retiring. But there's a spot on his no-fly list because the conditions are far too extreme. The 54-year-old said he draws the line at flying in Antarctica. According to travel experts from Wildfoot Travel, Richard is not alone. They said that seasoned pilots with vast experience will avoid the area thanks to its unpredictable and unforgiving conditions. Tourists to the area will usually get their own specialised expedition vessels rather than on a commercial aircraft for this reason, reports The Mirror. Richard said he has encountered every type of flight scenario in his time in the skies, but explained why Antarctica is a no go. He said: "I've flown into mountainous regions, remote islands and through tropical storms. But Antarctica? That's different. " Weather changes with no warning, there are no proper runways in most areas, and if something goes wrong — there's no backup. It's not worth the risk. While a limited number of flights do operate into the continent, particularly to King George Island, these are highly regulated and weather-dependent, with frequent delays and cancellations due to sudden whiteouts, high winds, and near-zero visibility. Commercial airline pilots do not fly there. Only highly specialised charter flights or military and scientific missions operate in the region. Richard added: 'There's no margin for error. The infrastructure is minimal, and even experienced flight crews have limited options if conditions deteriorate mid-flight. That's not something I'd ever gamble with.' In addition to visibility and runway issues, the lack of air traffic control, unpredictable jet streams, and absence of emergency diversion routes all add to the risk. Despite the aviation challenges, Antarctica remains a dream destination for thousands of British tourists every year. Wildfoot Travel reports a sharp increase in interest for 2025 departures, especially for those seeking to explore the continent's wildlife, towering glaciers, and surreal landscapes without relying on direct air access. Their most popular options include: Small-ship cruises from Ushuaia, Argentina, crossing the Drake Passage Fly-cruise hybrids, where travellers fly to King George Island and board an expedition vessel Extended voyages including the Falklands and South Georgia, known for penguin megacolonies and elephant seals All itineraries are supported by expert guides, marine biologists, and ice navigation crews trained specifically for polar conditions. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. Passengers also benefit from daily landings, often by Zodiac boat, with chances to see Adélie, chinstrap and gentoo penguins, whales, leopard seals, and towering icebergs up close — something impossible to do by air alone. Antarctica is not only the coldest and windiest continent, but also one of the most aviation-unfriendly. There are no large-scale commercial airports, minimal navigation aids, and the environment can shift rapidly with little warning. Extreme temperatures also regularly affect flight instruments and engines, and strong katabatic winds - wind that flows downhill and are caused by gravity pulling higher density air downslope to lower density air - can make landings unsafe with little notice.
Daily Mirror
an hour ago
- Daily Mirror
'I moved from UK to Benidorm – price of a pint and Full English left me floored'
Many Brits like to go for a holiday in Benidorm, a popular tourist destination in Spain, and one man who moved to the Spanish city from the UK has spoken about the cost of an English breakfast Benidorm is a seaside resort on the Costa Blanca in Spain and is a very popular tourist destination for its vibrant nightlife and sandy beaches with crystal clear waters. The city is loved by Brits for its sunny climate and affordability and short flight times of around two hours and 30 minutes. One British man has shared the things that surprised him the most when moving to Benidorm, including spending less money in a week than he would in his hometown of Brighton. Harry Poulton regularly gives travel tips and advice about the Spanish holiday hotspot on TikTok to his 48,000 followers. In a new clip, which has garnered 7,351 views, the 24-year-old explained that the party city often leaves Brits baffled by just how cheap the food and drink is. Harry said: 'You can get an English breakfast here in Benidorm for as cheap as £2.50. 'You can even get a pint for literally 87p, which is around €1. 'How crazy is that? 'To be honest, it's cheaper to live here in Benidorm for a week than it would be back at home. Isn't that just mental?' The second thing that shocked Harry when relocating to Benidorm was the 'next-level madness'. He added: 'You've got people dressing up all-year round like it's Halloween. 'You've got crazy foam parties, [...] crazy bingo raves – it's all popping off in Benidorm. 'You never know what to expect. Next thing, you'll turn around the corner and there'll be someone dressed up like a bloody clown. 'Or even worse, an old granny – but they're only 20. Crazy, right?' Last but not least, Harry highlighted the 'unreal' characters. He remarked: 'You're going to meet some absolutely incredible characters here in Benidorm. 'One minute, you'll be speaking to someone who's been coming out to Benidorm every year, 15 times a year, for the last 30 years. 'And you'll then meet the next person who's got 'Benidorm' tattooed all over their legs. It's absolutely unreal. 'Some of the people you meet here in Benidorm are the best people you'll ever meet. Nice, kind, happy and fun. 'Everyone that comes to Benidorm always has a good time.' Several TikTok users have commented on Harry's post, including one who said: 'I absolutely love Benidorm. The energy in Benidorm is something different. 'You just want to party all the time and the prices are perfect, can't wait to come in August.' Another shared: 'I got a flight to come on 5th August £36 one way.'
Daily Record
2 hours ago
- Daily Record
Scotland's 'pickpocket capital' named as busy tourist trap tops list
Two cities in the country have been named the worst for pickpocketing. Scotland's"most pickpocketed" cities have been revealed, with one also named the second worst for pickpocketing in the UK after London. With the summer holidays in full swing and staycations on the rise, it is important that Scots are careful when out and about. If you are not mindful, it is easy to fall foul of light-fingered thieves and lose your valuables. On Tuesday, July 29, Ripe Valuables Insurance revealed the UK's top pickpocket hotspots. London dominates the national pickpocket rankings, but two Scottish cities appear on the list of hotspots outside of the English capital. Ranking as the number one pickpocket destination outside of London in the UK is Edinburgh. In particular, the Royal Mile was singled out as a hotspot for theft. The Royal Mile is the name given to the historic collection of streets that form the primary thoroughfare of Edinburgh's Old Town. Dating back hundreds of years, it is a popular place to visit among tourists. The Daily Record previously reported that the Royal Mile is the "worst tourist trap" in Scotland. The historic destination is home to more than 70 shops, many of which are specifically catered to holidaymakers. Elsewhere, Glasgow placed at number five on the list of the UK pickpocket hotspots outside of London. The city's Buchanan Street was named as a particularly common destination for pickpocketing. Buchanan Street is one of the biggest and most famous shopping thoroughfares in Scotland's biggest city. Forming the central stretch of Glasgow's shopping district, it is home to many big-name brands and chains. Elsewhere, Market Street in Manchester came in at number two on Ripe Valuables' list. Rounding out the top five are The Lanes and Brighton Palace Pier—both in Brighton. To put together their roundup, the experts investigated thousands of Tripadvisor reviews. They compiled reviews that mentioned the word 'pickpocket' across tourist attractions nationwide. CEO of Ripe Valuables Insurance Alan Thomas commented: "We conducted this research to help travellers stay safe while enjoying the UK's attractions. "Whether you're visiting a museum, shopping district or historic landmark, protecting your valuables should be top of mind." The experts also shared a number of tips to help keep valuables safe when visiting Scotland's biggest cities. According to Ripe Valuables, holidaymakers should use anti-theft bags or backpacks, not flash expensive items, and avoid keeping everything in one place. See below for the full list of the UK pickpocket hotspots outside of London. UK pickpocket hotspots outside of London Royal Mile, Edinburgh Market Street, Manchester The Lanes, Brighton Brighton Palace Pier, Brighton Buchanan Street, Glasgow Shambles, York Piccadilly Gardens, Manchester
