Forget the typical office job – imagine a workplace surrounded by snow-dusted forests, the joyful shouts of excited children, and the gentle jingle of sleigh bells. This is the daily reality for Saul Vendrig Castillo, a TUI holiday representative who has opened up about his uniquely festive role in the heart of Lapland's Winter Wonderland.
A Day in the Life of a Lapland Rep
Saul, now enjoying his second season in the icy north, describes being ‘surrounded by snow, excitement and pure joy’. His duties are wonderfully varied, ensuring no two days are the same. One moment he might be greeting families straight off the plane and fitting them with thermal snowsuits; the next, he’s organising thrilling reindeer safaris, snowmobiling adventures, or husky sleigh rides.
‘Kids step off the plane with their mouths open in amazement and you can feel the Christmas magic in the air,’ Saul says. ‘It's like working inside a real-life snow globe!’
Creating Unforgettable Festive Moments
A core part of Saul’s role involves facilitating those priceless family memories. He gets to witness the awe on children’s faces as they meet a reindeer for the first time or throw their inaugural snowball. However, the pinnacle is undoubtedly the visit to Santa Claus himself.
‘When families visit Santa, it's really special,’ Saul explains. ‘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. The excitement in their eyes is priceless.’
He adds that parents often tell him this is the Christmas they always dreamed of giving their kids, making his involvement in the experience profoundly meaningful.
Embracing Local Culture & Top Tips for Visitors
Saul fully immerses himself in the Lapland experience, even sampling local delicacies. He enthusiastically recommends reindeer pizza for the adventurous eater, calling it ‘amazing, and much better than I expected!’ He’s also a fan of a liquorice cake served with blueberry ice cream, which he ordered repeatedly.
Drawing on his experience, Saul offers crucial advice for anyone planning a trip:
- Layer Up: ‘Make sure you bring lots of loose layers to wear under your snow suit,’ he advises, warning that tight clothing can make you colder faster. Temperatures can plunge to a biting -32 degrees Celsius.
- Short Days: In December, daylight lasts just over two hours. ‘At 4pm it can feel like bedtime,’ he says, urging visitors to plan activities carefully to maximise the light.
- Northern Lights Patience: For many, seeing the Aurora Borealis is a bucket-list goal. Saul’s key tip is to be patient, as the lights are unpredictable but utterly breathtaking when they appear.
While Saul works in popular summer spots like Greece, Costa del Sol, and Mallorca, it’s the unique magic of Lapland that calls him back. ‘The snow, the lights, the magic, the excited families always pulls you back. There's nowhere else like it,’ he concludes, perfectly capturing the enduring allure of a winter holiday in this festive paradise.
