Now that it is fall, we are turning our attention toward winter getaways. If you have ever dreamed of visiting Santa Claus, taking a reindeer safari, and sleeping under the Northern Lights, tune in to hear about Finnish Lapland. Kevin Wagar from the Wandering Wagars shares his family's experience in Finland during the winter and all the things there are to do in Santa's wonderland.

ON THE PODCAST

00:35 - Sponsor - Allianz Travel

01:13 - Talking with Kevin Wagar

04:16 - When to go to Finland

09:30 - How long to spend in Helsinki

14:30 - Where to go in Finland

18:53 - How to split up your days

22:20 - Driving around

24:10 - Santa Park/Village

27:30 - Where to stay

29:35 - Prices in Finland

30:40 - Kevin's favorite travel gear

32:00 - Coming up for Kevin and his family

33:10 - What's coming for Vacation Mavens

ABOUT ALLIANZ TRAVEL

We all travel for different reasons. Some to get closer as a family and some to get away from it all. Some to discover new sounds, new tastes, and others to discover themselves. No matter your reason, Allianz Travel Insurance is the ultimate wingman—having your back while helping you make the most of every moment. True experts providing protection for all the reasons you travel.

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ABOUT KEVIN WAGAR

Kevin Wagar is a professional photographer and adventure and family travel writer who makes his home near Toronto, Ontario. When he isn't traveling the world with his wife and two boys, Kevin in sharing stories and inspiring parents to look beyond the standard family vacation. He focuses on exploring the world in a way that makes travel fun, adventurous, and educational for the whole family.

When Kevin isn't writing for publishers such as Explore Magazine, and Intrepid Travel, he is creating content for his website Wandering Wagars – Adventure Family Travel. There he shares guides and inspirational stories of family adventure travel.

Follow Kevin on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and Twitter.

TIPS FOR VISITING FINLAND

• You may think that Finland is going to be extra cold compared to the United States or Canada, but you will find that the coldest temperatures will be between 9 to 17 ºF (-8 to -12 ºC).
• Keep in mind that if you are going to Finland around Christmas time, you will only have 2 - 4 hours of daylight. But this also means that the Christmas lights will come on sooner making everything pretty and magical.
• Most visitors will probably choose to fly into Helsinki Airport, and if you do you should definitely spend a day or two there and explore.
• Saariselkä and Levi are resort towns and ideal if you are planning to do a lot of skiing and outdoor activities.
• The Pilke Museum it is fantastic for kids --basically and giant indoor play area.
• If you are a nervous driver, you may want to think about taking a hired car, public transport or bus tours. Otherwise the roads are good and decent to navigate.
• The cost to go and visit Finland is actually better than other Scandinavian countries.

FAVORITE TRAVEL GEAR

Kevin loves his Merrel shoes and pairing them with his Columbia tear away pants.

MENTIONED ON THE PODCAST

Christmas Lapland Finland

Things to do in Rovaniemi Finland Winter

Santa Park Finland

Things to do Inari Finland

Santa Claus Village Finland

Things to do in Helsinki

Pilke Museum

Santa Park

Santa Claus Village

Glass Igloos

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