The ‘magical’ Christmas town that’s much cheaper than visiting Lapland – with reindeer safaris and husky sledding
THE idea of a Christmas trip to Lapland with the family may seem like the perfect way to get into the festive spirit - until you see how much it costs to get there.
Luckily, there are plenty of other snowy places where a similar experience can be booked, for a fraction of the cost.
One of those is Tromso in Norway, which has no shortage of wintery delights for families to sample during a yuletide visit.
Travel blogger described it as a "magical" place, offering Christmas holidays like nowhere else.
They said: "As the festive season approaches, the enchanting city of Tromso in Norway transforms into a winter wonderland, offering travellers a magical Christmas experience like no other.
"Nestled amidst snow-covered landscapes and the awe-inspiring northern lights, Tromso promises an unforgettable holiday season."
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The city is actually quite a bit further north than Finnish Lapland, making it an even better place to spot the northern lights.
Several aurora tours leave from Tromso, meaning visitors will have plenty of opportunities to go looking for the natural phenomenon.
They aren't the only wintery lights that will please Christmas travellers either, with the town's festive market suitably bedecked in its seasonal holiday decorations.
Stortorget, the city’s main square, plays host to one of several Christmas markets during December, providing guests with the "winter wonderland" feeling they are searching for.
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Stalls hawking local crafts, jewellery and food products can be perused in a snowy setting, surrounded by mountains.
Included in the festive foods are the Norwegian kebab, a pitta bread stuffed with wild mutton, and glogg, the Scandinavian version of mulled wine.
One of the best places in Tromso to admire the Christmas lights is from above, with the Fjellheisen cable car taking people up Storsteinen mountain from where they can see the whole city.
At night its twinkling Christmas lights stretch out beneath, making it a breathtaking winter sight.
Other festive fun can be had in and around Tromso, with pretty much everything available in Lapland on offer in the Norwegian city.
Santa's reindeer can be visited on a winter safari and can even take you and your family for a sledding trip through the nearby arctic landscapes.
Huskies are also more than happy to take people out for a sledding trip as well, with northern lights tours also available with the animals.
They aren't the only animals that can be seen around the town, with whale-watching another popular activity for visitors.
Pods of orcas and humpbacks can frequently be seen in the waters around the city, particularly between November and February.
For such a cold place, there's a surprising array of outdoor activity, including an outdoor cinema, which screens Christmas classics throughout the winter months.
Blankets and mulled wine are provided to viewers, who are invited by to join them "under a starry sky" for "a whole new level of enjoyment".
Others have previously recommended visiting Tromso as a budget-friendly alternative to Lapland, including .
They wrote: "A three-night trip to Lapland could easily cost £7,500 for the five of you, so it’s understandable that you balked at the cost.
"Head instead to Tromso in northern Norway, a winter wonderland 215 miles north of the Arctic Circle, where you can put together an activity-filled trip of husky sledding, snowmobiling and reindeer-feeding."
EasyJet offer direct return flights to Tromso from the UK, as do Norwegian Air.
A night in a hotel for two will start from around £80.
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Meanwhile, these are the cheapest Christmas markets to visit throughout Europe.
And this real life fairytale town celebrates Christmas all year round.
