Sleigh rides, huskies, and Father Christmas are all part of Saul Vendrig Castillo’s job on a daily basis.
The TUI Lapland rep has opened up about his festive role in the Winter Wonderland where he is ‘surrounded by snow, excitement and pure joy’.
Saul immerses himself in festive destination during his time there, including the local culture and cuisine.
He has even tried reindeer pizza sand recommends it for those who are feeling adventurous.
‘Reindeer pizza is amazing, and much better than I expected! I also can highly recommend a liquorice cake with blueberry ice cream that I ordered a few days in a row as it was so good,’ Saul reveals.
The rep is spending his second season in Lapland and during the summer, works in popular holiday destinations like Greece, Costa del Sol and Mallorca.
But the Christmas magic of the icy location is what makes Saul want to return and he says, ‘The snow, the lights, the magic, the excited families always pulls you back. There’s nowhere else like it.’
His day-to-day work in Lapland varies, sometimes he’s greeting families off the plane and kitting them out with snowsuits, while other days are spent organising reindeer safaris, snowmobiling and husky sleigh rides.
Sleigh rides, huskies, and Father Christmasare all part of Saul Vendrig Castillo’s job on a daily basis
The TUI Lapland rep has opened up about his festive role in the Winter Wonderland where he is ‘surrounded by snow, excitement and pure joy’
‘Kids step off the plane with their mouths open in amazement and you can feel the Christmas magic in the air. It’s like working inside a real-life snow globe!’ says Saul.
The rep also gets to be part of one of the most magical moments – when the children meet Santa Claus.
‘When families visit Santa, it’s really special. The children get to meet him in his cosy, twinkling cabin, tell him what they’ve been wishing for, and even receive a little gift to take home,’ Saul says.
‘The excitement in their eyes is priceless and it’s magical for the parents to see too.’
He adds, ‘Lapland is one of the only places on earth you can experience the magic of gliding through snowy forests, wrapped up warm, with a majestic reindeer leading the way.
‘It’s peaceful, magical and gives you time to soak up the Lapland winter wonderland.’
Saul enjoys other fun moments in the snow, too, including seeing families go on husky rides and children meeting a reindeer for the first time.
‘The children get to ride in sleds pulled by a team of energetic huskies. The sound of their paws on the snow and the speed of the sled make it an unforgettable adventure. Everyone leaves smiling and talking about it for days,’ he says.
He has even tried reindeer pizza sand recommends it for those who are feeling adventurous
The rep is spending his second season in Lapland and during the summer, works in popular holiday destinations like Greece, Costa del Sol and Mallorca
‘When a child sees their first reindeer or throws their first snowball, that’s the moment you realise how special this job is. Then you take them to meet the Big Man, and their faces light up in a way you never forget.
‘Parents often tell me this is the Christmas they always dreamed of giving their kids, so it’s really special to be a part of that experience.’
The Lapland worker shares his top tips for holidaymakers hoping to visit the festive destination.
He advises people pack plenty of warm layers and be prepared for shorter days with little light.
‘Make sure you bring lots of loose layers to wear under your snow suit as they trap the heat, whereas tight clothes can make you colder fast. And once you feel the chill it’s hard to get rid of it, some days it can get to –32 degrees,’ Saul says.
‘In December, we get just over two hours of daylight which means at 4pm it can feel like bedtime. Make sure you plan your activities with this in mind to really maximise those daylight hours’.
‘For many people visiting Lapland their bucket list goal is to see the Northern Lights, and my one piece of advice is to always be patient with them. They can be unpredictable, but they really are a sight to behold when they appear in the evening’.
