Breakfast buffet.

Three wonderful days in a Finnish winter fairy tale!

The surroundings of the SPA hotel are a real winter wonderland whitest snow, picturesque panoramas of snow-capped lakes and green pine forest in snow-white hats! Right in the relict pine forest, along the picturesque lake, numerous ski slopes... This is a unique opportunity to spend a whole day on the crystal fresh air, and after intense active walks, enjoy the hot sauna park, swim in the indoor or outdoor pools or relax in the excellent spa center! At your servicerenovated SPA complex "Blue Lagoon", in which there are 10 swimming pools of different temperatures, including a jacuzzi and children's pools, an outdoor hot pool, water slide, Finnish sauna and aroma turkish sauna (hammam), wellness center offering massages, therapeutic and relaxing baths, physiotherapy, beautician services, gym and sports halls, badminton hall, climbing wall and bar. (A visit to the SPA center is unlimited and is included in the price, services wellness center for extra fee)
The pearl of a spa hotel "" Is the largest "black" steam room in Europe. The unusually fragrant steam of the bath, heated with specially dried birch wood for 8 hours and swimming in the snow or (for the most daring) - in the ice hole, give an incredible charge of vivacity and health! (Visiting time from 16.00 -20.00, price for guests " " - 8€ / adult, 4 € / child 4-14 years old.)
There is also the magical Santa Claus House, where you can enjoy traditional Finnish food and Christmas entertainment! You can take part in master classes on making Christmas decorations and baking Christmas gingerbread, sing to the accompaniment of an accordion, treat yourself to hot Christmas mulled wine or ice beer, dine at Santa Claus's hut, and try hot sausages from the fire and the freshest smoked Finnish salmon outside. (master classes and refreshments - additional fee)
To enjoy traditional Christmas shopping, you just need to take a city bus that stops near the hotel, and in 15 minutes you will find yourself in the central square of the Finnish city of Kuopio.
Kuopio - the "capital" of Eastern Finland, a charming and calm Finnish town... Perimeter main square Kuopio is home to many large shopping centers, where you can go for a traditional European Christmas shopping and buy yourself some great Finnish souvenirs! (transfer to Kuopio and Christmas shopping on your own)
In Kuopio, you can visit a tropical island in the middle of winter at the luxurious modern Fontanella Water Park. 10 pools with cold and hot water, the longest in Finland waterslide with light effects and a gently sloping slide for quieter descents, a jacuzzi, massage showers, saunas, a Turkish bath, an infrared sauna, children's pools with funny fountain animals and a play pool - here you can relax and unwind even all day long! (additional fee)
The picturesque Kasurila ski resort is 20 km from the hotel.... Magnificent illuminated trails, the most modern equipment and lifts, rich infrastructure and a variety of entertainment - the Finnish resort Kasurila is not inferior to the most famous European ski resorts... (By yourself)

Description	Inexpensive bus tour in Rovaniemi from St. Petersburg. An exciting trip to Lapland!
Route	Saint Petersburg - Oulu - Rovaniemi - Ranua * - Saint Petersburg Railway tickets Moscow - St. Petersburg - Moscow are not included in the tour price and are purchased additionally according to the tariffs
Excursions	visit to Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi Eden water park * Museum of the Arctic in Rovaniemi * trip to Ranua Zoo * * additional fee
The price includes	hotel accommodation in Oulu 1 night in SPA hotel Runni and a visit to the water center breakfasts in hotels according to the program transport and excursion service visit to Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi Eden water park * riding dogs or deer * Museum of the Arctic in Rovaniemi * trip to Ranua Zoo * * additional fee

Dates and availability

02.01.2020 03.01.2020

Tour program

Day 1: St. Petersburg - Iisalmi
08:30 Departure by bus from St. Petersburg. Place of departure: st m. Pl. Uprising, corner of the 2nd Soviet and Greek per. Passing the border. Accommodation at the Runni SPA hotel (we recommend taking bathing accessories with you). Dinner*.

Day 2: Oulu
Breakfast in the hotel.
A little acquaintance with the city of Iisalmi, during which you will see the smallest restaurant in Europe, Olvi brewery, the Orthodox Cathedral, as well as learn the history of the military events of 1809. Time to shop. Departure to Oulu.
~ 14: 00 Arrival in Oulu - the most big city Northern Finland on the shores of the Gulf of Bothnia. A short tour of Oulu. After 14:00 check-in at the Scandic Oulu hotel. Visit to Eden Water Park *.
Dinner at the hotel *.

Day 3: Oulu - Rovaniemi
Breakfast in the hotel.
08:00 departure to Rovaniemi (220 km). A short tour of Rovaniemi, the capital of Lapland. Then we will go to Santa Claus Village, where you can meet and talk with Santa Claus in his office, take a photo for memory *, send congratulations to your friends and family from the Santa Claus Post Office, buy souvenirs and receive a diploma on crossing the Arctic Circle. Free time.
Visit to the Arctic Museum *, where you can see Northern Lights... Return to the hotel. Dinner at the hotel *.

Day 4: Ranua
Breakfast in the hotel.
Drive to the Arctic Zoo Ranua * (160 km). Close proximity to natural conditions allows animals to behave according to their natural instincts. While walking along the 2.5-kilometer alley of the zoo, we will see more than 200 of its inhabitants, learn about their habits and behavior. Those who wish can ride dog sleds * or deer *. After a walk in the crisp and frosty winter air, enjoy a delicious lunch * of traditional Lappish cuisine in the zoo's cozy restaurant. We will also be able to visit the store of the famous chocolate factory Fazer and the shop of wines made according to home recipes from northern berries. Return to the hotel. Dinner at the hotel *.

Day 5: Oulu - St. Petersburg
Breakfast in the hotel.
08:00 Departure to St. Petersburg.
Stop for lunch *. Passing the border.
~ 23: 00 Arrival in St. Petersburg.

* additional fee

New Year in Rovaniemi - the village of Joulupukki - Finnish Santa Claus. Traditions. How to get there. Santa park. Things to do. Prices for New Year's tours and hotels.

How to celebrate the New Year in Rovaniemi, the village of Santa Claus (Joulupukki) in Finland

A well-known proverb says: as you celebrate the New Year, you will spend it. If you want your life to be bright and eventful, give yourself and your loved ones an unusual holiday - a trip to Santa Claus in Finland.

Santa Claus or Santa Claus

Every person from childhood knows that Santa Claus lives in the far north. By the New Year, he appears with his fabulous retinue, gives gifts, fulfills cherished desires and returns to the snow-covered forest to his tower.

To visit Santa Claus is the dream of every child. But not everyone knows why in Europe they call him Santa Claus, and where the Finnish Santa Claus lives.

According to legend, the Christian Saint Nicholas, known in Russia as Nicholas the Pleasant, became its prototype. In his earthly life, the saint helped everyone who found themselves in difficult situations, and he especially favored the poor and children. To please them, he secretly left gifts for them. This is the origin of the tradition: at Christmas, under the tree, everyone finds a gift from Santa Claus, as Santa Claus is called in Finland.

© skeeze-272447 / www.maxpixel.net / CC BY 2.0

Where does Santa Claus live

If the Russian home of Father Frost and his retinue is located in Veliky Ustyug, the European Santa Claus lives in Finland, and not in magic palaces, but in real life. His homeland is distant Lapland. And the official residence is located near the city of Rovaniemi. The village of Santa Claus lies in the Arctic Circle. Rather, the geographic parallel runs exactly through the territory of the settlement. Its coordinates are 66 ° 33 "07", and vacationers have fun by crossing the line of the Arctic Circle several times a day.

There is a legend that the real house of Santa Claus is located in one of the caves of the three-domed Korvatunturi hill 78 km from Murmansk on the border of Russia and Finland. So that no one wants to disturb the secluded dwelling, Joulupukki (as the locals call him) decided to move closer to the people. Now the village of Santa Claus is open to guests, and anyone can see him and tell about their desires. The fairytale character comes to the office every morning on a reindeer sleigh, receives guests, reads letters and sends gifts. And at the end of the working day, he returns to the mountains, to his secret workshop.

How it all started

The history of the village is surrounded by legends mixed with real events. It all began in 1950, when the wife of the American President, Eleanor Roosevelt, visited the local region. In order to entertain a high-ranking guest, and at the same time show the beauty of northern nature, a fabulous trip was arranged for her. A cozy wooden house was built in a deep forest, a live spruce was decorated, lanterns were hung and Santa Claus was settled.

I liked the idea. Over time, a whole village was built here, they thought entertainment program, and tourists from all over the world bring their children to visit Santa Claus. Now he has a new residence, but the first temporary dwelling still exists.

Fabulous Lapland, the possessions of Santa Claus from the first minutes amaze the imagination with their pristine beauty. Tall snow-covered fir trees, deep snow, ringing silence and, if you're lucky, the mesmerizing northern lights - the landscapes from the first minutes create a feeling of unreality. Even adult tourists willingly immerse themselves in a fairy tale and again begin to believe in miracles.

The Finns assure that the place was not chosen by chance. Allegedly, it is here that the earth's crust is so thin that the Finnish Santa Claus is able to control time and slow down the rotation of the earth. Manipulation with time is needed so that Santa can visit all the houses on the planet in one night. A clock mechanism is installed in his house. Visitors make their way to the cherished door through passages and suspension bridges, and under their feet gears spin and molten lava gurgles.

The Joulupukki House is open to everyone from 10 am to 5 pm every day absolutely free. Santa Claus has a particularly large number of visitors at Christmas, but the queue moves quickly.

© Ulla / commons.wikimedia.org / CC BY 2.0

Visiting a fairy tale

Rest in the village of Santa in Finland is possible in summer and winter. But the New Year in Lapland will be especially interesting for young travelers.

Ded Moroz's manor, Santa Claus Village Rovaniemi hotel complex, post office, cafes and restaurants stand around the square, in the center of which there is a decorated Christmas tree. No money is charged for visiting the village and visiting Joulupukki, but all other services are paid.

First of all, the guests go to the house of Santa Claus. At the entrance they are greeted by elves and gnomes in colorful costumes. After asking adults what kind of toy their child will be happy with, the elf puts on a badge with the desired image around his neck. Please note that you have to pay for the gift!

Finally you enter. A kind Finnish grandfather is sitting at a table lined with candles in a small room. You give him a prepared list of cherished desires, take pictures, receive a gift. This is where the audience ends. The next kid enters the office, and other entertainment awaits you. By the way, a photo with Santa Claus costs 25-30 euros. It is prohibited to use your camera.

Leaving the house, you find yourself in a shopping arcade selling Christmas souvenirs, decorations, dolls in national costumes, Finnish knives, designer dishes. Having bought the thing they like as a souvenir, tourists go to the main post office.

© jeaneeem / flickr.com / CC BY 2.0

Santa Claus mail

It is not difficult to send a letter to Santa Claus to Finland. Even if you don't know the exact address, just write on the envelope: Santa Claus Village, Finland. Be sure the letter will reach the fabulous addressee. Elves sort the mail, they also convey your wishes to Santa. The exact address Santa Claus in Lapland for letters: Joulupukki, 96930 Arctic Circle, Finland... Every year about 600 thousand letters arrive at the local post office.

Fairy Village official website - santaclausvillage.info.

If you are lucky enough to visit Santa Claus, the same elves will help you compose a congratulatory letter in the desired language and send it to your relatives and friends anywhere in the world. Each letter or postcard will have a special stamp of Santa Claus. Correspondence is sent on the same day.

© Cédric Puisney / commons.wikimedia.org / CC BY 2.0

Fabulous entertainment

What else will please your visit to Santa Claus? If you see a line under your feet with a mysterious inscription Arctic Circleknow that before you is the border of the polar circle. You will have to go through it more than once. In memory of the significant event, you can purchase a confirmation certificate.

It will be interesting for children and adults to visit:

1. Husky dog \u200b\u200bkennel. Entrance costs € 5 per person or € 15 per family. Dog sledding is charged separately;
2. Deer farm. You can ride a reindeer for € 28 (1 km) or € 60 for a 3 km circle. Children tickets are cheaper - € 25 and € 50;
3. Exhibition of snowmobiles with rarities of the 60s and 70s.

Every year, with the onset of frost, the Ice Kingdom is rebuilt - snow figures, palaces of the ice princess, a hotel and a bar made of ice. Twice a season - one Saturday in November and 23 December - Santa Claus invites guests to a free ride Snowman World - the world of snowmen. Tourists ride in a reindeer sleigh, beckoned to go down the hill on a "cheesecake", offer drinks from ice mugs.

Santa park

There is an underground Santa Park not far from the village, Finland built it to attract tourists. The cost entrance tickets in winter - children 25 €, adults 33 €.

Guests descend through a magical tunnel, laid in the thickness of the rock. Here they are greeted by smart elves, and they are waiting for fun entertainment:

• mrs. Claus's pastry shop, where Joulupukki's wife will teach you how to decorate gingerbread;
• school of elves, teaching magic wisdom;
• the house of Christmas, where exhibitions are held, sell reindeer skins products made of felt and wool;
• children's attractions Angry Birds;
• a trip on the magic train "Seasons";
• costume show;
• ice cave.

You can satisfy your hunger in a cozy, warm cafe, and buy a souvenir at a local shop.

© Samuli Lintula / commons.wikimedia.org / CC BY 2.0

Zoo

Take your time and visit the world's only zoo located in the Arctic Circle. Only one hour by bus separates Rovaniemi from the kingdom reindeer, bears, foxes, wolves and almost 200 other animal species. Spacious aviaries stretch in the middle of the forest for 2.5 km. To keep children from getting tired, sledges and strollers are offered to guests at the entrance.

Tired visitors are awaited at the Moor-Moor castle, where elves and gnomes invite to feast on sweets and delicious cloudberries.

You can find information about the work of the Ranua Zoo on the website www.ranuazoo.com.The entrance ticket will cost 14 euros for adults and 12.50 euros for children.

The road to Santa Claus

On the map you will not find an item called "Santa Claus Village", Finland is represented by several major cities... You will find the capital on south coast country, and the city of Rovaniemi is 800 km from Helsinki.

You can get to the place on your own in several ways.:

1. By plane. A modern international airport has been built in Rovaniemi, receiving flights from Moscow and St. Petersburg. If in November a one-way flight will cost at least 8840 rubles, then before the New Year prices rise to 15,600 and more. An option with a change in Helsinki is possible.
2. By rail. Get to Helsinki by express express "" from St. Petersburg (6500 rubles one way) or by train "

   

   © timo_w2s / flickr.com / CC BY 2.0

   What is the price of the issue

   To make a dream come true, you need to decide on finances. So, a trip to Lapland to Santa Claus, cost:

   1. Organized tourists are offered bus tours from St. Petersburg from 26,000 rubles in 4 days;
   2. Children's tour from St. Petersburg costs 20,000 rubles;
   3. A tour to Lapland for 6 days with a departure from the capital will cost € 1100.

   Independent travelers should take care of the roof over their heads themselves. On holidays, prices bite. Having studied the reviews of predecessors, tourists prefer to settle in Rovaniemi or in one of the roadside hotels. In the village itself, housing is expensive. Judge for yourself: "Santa Claus Holiday Village", cottage - for 5 nights with breakfast you will have to pay 217,482 rubles. for two. And this is without taking into account the New Year's program.

   The hotel "Santa Claus", Rovaniemi is cheaper. Overnight in standard room parents with a child under 13 years old must pay 3900 rubles. (with breakfast) or 4270 r. (half board). Gala dinner is included in the price.

   New Year will not lose its charm if you meet it outside the home. New Year Tours in the estate of Santa Claus will give you a cozy evening by the fireplace and a unique fairytale atmosphere.

Prices are for 4 nights, arrival on Fridays: 01/26/18 - 03/23/18

Tour program:

1 day (Friday). Rovaniemi
Departure to Rovaniemi (if booked with a flight tour). Transfer airport - hotel, accommodation. Free time.

Day 2 (Saturday). Rovaniemi
Breakfast in the hotel.
11:00 - excursion to Santa Claus Village. Lapland, northern mysterious land, familiar to many more from children's fairy tales. The land of the Sami, reindeer and Santa Claus. Any child knows that this is where Santa Claus lives, in Finnish - Joulupukki. You can meet him in his office.
14:00 - excursion around Rovaniemi with a visit to the Arktikum Museum. The visible part of the museum, the glass tube, has a length of 172 m. The roof is made of more than a thousand panels of special, extra strong glass and is oriented from north to south. Under the roof of the palace was located local history museumtelling about northern life, people and customs of the polar region, history and culture local residents... The museum displays exhibits of northern flora and fauna. Undoubtedly, attention will be drawn to the Sami culture and life hall.
22:00 - in search of the Northern Lights by car, 2.5 hours (optional for an extra charge).
Seeing the Northern Lights is a great success and unforgettable experience for life! In the evening, the snowy Lapland forest looks magical, and this trip will give you the opportunity to make sure of it. The snow reflects the light of the moon and stars, the trees flicker mysteriously in the headlights. We will take you away from the city lights and find open spaceto admire the sky. The guide will make a fire, and you will try your luck and try to see the Northern Lights. By the fire, everyone will be able to indulge in the Finns' favorite pastime - frying sausages, while the guide will prepare hot glegs for you.
Price: 95 euros / adult, 75 euros / child. (4-11 years old).

Day 3 (Sunday). Rovaniemi
Breakfast in the hotel.
Free time or extra excursions.
10: 00-15: 00 - a trip to the Ranua polar zoo (optional for an extra charge). The zoo is located 80 km from Rovaniemi and it takes about 1 hour by car or bus. An entertaining walk through the zoo, where you can see animals and birds living in natural conditions of the northern latitudes. You will have the opportunity to visit souvenir shops, a shop of the "Fazer" factory, a wine shop, where you can buy unique wines made from wild berries: cloudberries, lingonberries, blueberries, etc.
Cost: 95 euros / adult, 85 euros / child. (4-11 years old).
16: 00-19: 00 - snowmobile safari, 3 hours (optional for an extra charge).
This safari starts with learning how to drive a snowmobile. You will have a great opportunity to ride a snowmobile through the snowy forest and river.
The price includes: program, special clothes, hot drink and sausage during a halt.
139 € / adult on a two-seater snowmobile, € 184 / adult on a single snowmobile, 70 euro / child in a sleigh.

Day 4 (Monday). Rovaniemi
Breakfast in the hotel.
Free time or extra excursion.
11: 00-13: 00 - visit to a reindeer farm (optional for an extra charge).
We will go by car to a local reindeer farm. You will get acquainted with reindeer and the peculiarities of the life of reindeer herders. You will pass the ceremony of initiation into Laplanders. And of course, you will ride in a reindeer sleigh, take unforgettable photographs with northern animals.
Price: 110 euros / adult, 80 euros / child. (4-11 years old).
13: 00-15: 00 - visit to the husky farm, dog sledding safari (optional for extra charge).
Professional dog breeders will introduce you to the husky life on the farm, daily work and life. Take a short course "young dog breeder", after which you go on a dog sled safari (5 km) 1-2 people in a sleigh. Return to the traditional Finnish cat for hot tea or coffee with cookies.
Price: 85 euros / adult, 75 euros / child. (4-11 years old).

Day 5 (Tuesday). Rovaniemi
Breakfast in the hotel. Check-out until 12:00. Transfer to the airport or train station.
Departure to Moscow (if a tour with an air flight is booked).

Attention! It is possible to book an additional overnight at the hotel.

New Year is a magical time. Adults expect a holiday and a change for the better, children are waiting for magic and gifts. If you want to give your child a real New Year's fairy tale and plunge into the atmosphere of children's happiness with your head - you have to go to the end of the world - to Lapland! New Year in the homeland of Finnish Santa Claus - Joulupukki - is real magic, such a trip will be remembered for a lifetime.

In Finland, as in Europe in general, the main event of winter is Christmas, and according to the old style, on December 25th. New Year is not celebrated so widely. So by the New Year's Eve, Joulupukki will already give Christmas gifts to Finnish children and will take care of us, the guests. Joulupukki Residence is located 9 km from the city of Rovaniemi, right on the border of the Arctic Circle.

Santa Claus Village (Joulupukin Pajakylä) is the office and post office of Santa Claus, Santa Park, cottages for tourists, many shops and restaurants, a small reindeer farm. In winter, numerous slides are built on the square, from which you can ride for free. Near the village there is another amusement park - "Arctic Winter World".

In the center of the Village there is a large Christmas tree sparkling in a festive outfit, which immediately improves the mood!

Youlupukki Residence

There is an interesting legend about the house of Santa Claus (Joulupukki): since it is in this place that the earth's crust is very thin, with the help of special mechanisms Santa Claus learned to control time and, in particular, to slow down the speed of the Earth's rotation. And this little trick helps Santa to visit everyone in the world on Christmas Eve in one night and give everyone gifts. In order not to disturb the structure of the clockwork, the guests move along the suspension bridges;

Here you can watch and even pet a deer for free. The reindeer camp is located behind the main house;

You can get to the office to meet Santa Claus through a long fabulous corridor. The famous wizard himself and his assistants gnomes joyfully greet the guests. This happens every day without weekends and holidays. There may be queues in December. Finnish Santa Claus speaks many languages, including Russian!

After the office, be sure to visit the Santa Claus Post Office. Letters from children with their requests and wishes come here from all over the world, the elves disassemble them and hand them over to Santa. Among the piles you can find your own! Write a letter with your child in advance and send it to Santa Claus Central Post Office: Santa Klaus, 96930 Arctic Circle, Rovaniemi, Finland. From the mail of Santa Claus, you can send a postcard to family and friends. All letters and postcards are stamped with a special Santa seal, and they are immediately sent to their destination. Nice souvenir for your beloved grandmothers.

The entrance to the territory of the residence is free. Reindeer riding - 85 euros. Snowmobiling - 150 euros. Postcard - 2-4 euros. Souvenirs from 20 euros. An audience with Santa is free, a photo with Santa in his house is 17 euros.

From railway station Rovaniemi bus number 8, which will take you to Santa Claus Village.

Santa Claus Village Sites:

• santaclausvillage.info
• santaclausholidayvillage.fi

Santa park

Santa Park, a children's theme park, is located 2 kilometers from the Finnish Santa Claus village.

The legend is this: Once Santa Claus was returning from a Christmas trip, and so he was captivated by beauty local naturethat right here in the Arctic Circle, Santa and his elves have arranged a real amusement park for their many guests. In a huge cave, carved into the rock by indefatigable gnomes, there is a whole underground city. This magical place is the only one in the world where you can cross the Arctic Circle underground and receive a certificate in honor of this geographical achievement! Magical coordinates of the Arctic Circle - 66 ° 33 "07"

Santa Park is a huge structure in the form of tunnels that are laid right inside the rock. Before the elves meet you and fairy tale characters, you have a long descent. Carousels, classes with elves, colorful costume shows, cafes and souvenir shops.

Park "Arctic Winter World"

This amusement park is open only in winter - from early December to late March. Every year, entertainment is rebuilt here from snow and ice: slides for children and adults with fantastic lighting, a cafe and a bar where drinks are served in ice glasses, ice sculptures and even a hotel - an igloo (Snowman World Igloo), where you can spend the night in a bedroom heated bag ..

Official site of the park: arctice.fi

The entrance to the park is paid

Santa Claus Village is a very popular place to visit for families with children, especially during the period new year holidays... People flock here, dreaming not only to enjoy the local beauty, but also to return once again to a distant fairy tale from childhood. "The Snow Queen", "Niels's Journey with Wild Geese" - these fabulous places do exist. And if you're lucky, you can see the Northern Lights!

It is necessary to prepare for such a trip in advance. You can buy a ready-made tour, but it is much more convenient and cheaper to plan your trip yourself.

Book a hotel and buy tickets.

Option 1: You can get to the Arctic Circle by own car... From St. Petersburg to Rovaniemi, more than a thousand kilometers. Without taking into account traffic jams and passing the border, it will take about 12 hours to go, and before the New Year there are queues at the border, which means that there is definitely no time for a day, it is better to stop for the night in the middle of the way. This is especially true when traveling with small children. On the way, there are inexpensive houses for family rooms and a sauna:

The most convenient way to get to Santa Claus is by plane. The town of Rovaniemi and the village of Joulupukki are next to international airportThere are direct flights from Helsinki to the city's airport and railway station. From Rovaniemi Train Station, bus number 8 runs every hour to Santa Claus Village. Also, at the Rovaniemi airport you will be stamped in the shape of Santa Claus in your passport.

A trip with the whole family for just 3-4 days will turn into the most memorable childhood journey for your little ones.