If you have children or even you yourselves stubbornly insist that every time the chubby granpa hops on the sleigh from North Finland, in order to carry out your wishes, then Rovaniemi will amaze you. There resides Santa Claus. He starts the journey with the sleigh to distribute gifts to children all around the world. Or, anyway, thats how the Finnish travel agency wants the word to be spread and since we love to travel we’ll go along with this one!!!
Far, far away, in snowy Lapland, exists a city that every Christmas reminds us more than anywhere in the world that there is magic. The minute December starts in Rovaniemi all other operations are frozen. Everything is moving to the rhythms of Santa Claus to prepare perfectly the big trip around the world. At all other times, it remains a normal city. People who live there work hard and visitors divide their time in different sites. The economy is based on industry, trade timber and fur. It counts 36,000 very friendly inhabitants and while their town was created just last century at the confluence of Qunajoki and Kemojoki rivers. It’s a spiritual and cultural center of Lapland and has a university, polytechnic and cultural sites with rich program. At the entrance of Lapland, slightly south of the Arctic circle,there are kept some of the traditions of those strange people of the snow.
Povaniemi has souvenir shops, restaurants, cafes and of cource the office of Santa Clause which has limited hours together. At Christmas time do a favor for your little friends and pay the 20 euro ticket for entry-if-you are an adult and 15 euros for each child. The park is located 8 km north of Rovaniemi and is very easy to get there by bus number 8. Regardless the age, do not forget to throw your letter in the mail of Santa Claus as you’re leaving. Ask whaevert you feel like, preferably in English. You can make a visit to the shops but as it is a truly unique experience we suggest a cruise on the icebreaker. Transfer the Bothnia Bay where on an icebreaker you will go on a three-hour cruise while the adventurous will do arctic swimming with special uniforms if they dare.
We recommend an excursion to nearby Ranoua with the unique Arctic zoo. You will see lynxes, wolves, reindeer, polar bears, white owls and many other characteristic species of fauna of the Arctic.
A magical Christmas trip to icy Finland with cheerful and hospitable people – the country which has 177,888 lakes and 179,584 islands, is a dream for both adults and youngsters. Snowy areas and cozy hotels, picturesque wooden houses in the forest, the majestic;; but friendly – reindeer, sleigh rides pulled by dogs-companions of the Finns, the famous Arctic circle and the fairytale village Santa!
Useful tips:
– Do not go anywhere without your isothermal suits (most hotels provide them with a small fee).
– Enjoy the snow with the activities you prefer: golf and ice hockey, snowmobiles on the frozen river of Rovaniemi, walking on ice skates, fishing on frozen lakes, travel by icebreaker to the Arctic Circle, visiting Ranua at the northernmost zoo in the world!
– Visit Arktikum, the Museum of the History of Vikings and culture on ice. Try the specialties of Finnish cuisine based on salmon, roe, mushrooms and reindeer and close your meal with a liqueur made from blackberries.
– The sauna is synonymous of Finnish everyday life.
– Do not ignore the advice of your guide and do not stray from the group. In Lapland the adventurous instincts should have some limits.
– In Rovaniemi, attend events at the Museum Arktikoum in Christmas Eve and New Year at 5 – local time. The choir of the local community will sing carols.
-At the ski resorts of Lapland on Christmas and New Year’s Eve are held the famous demonstrations of slalom, cross-country skiing and rides snowmobiles. All accompanied by spectacular fireworks and musical performances.
By Ina K
