I continue to talk about our New Year holidays in Finland. So, we decided to go to Lapland and see the Finnish Santa Claus.
On the Internet, we saw that you can get there from Helsinki by train, the journey will take 12 hours. The destination is the city of Rovaniemi (capital of Finnish Lapland). The day before the trip, we booked a hotel room. If you decide to travel the same way as we do spontaneously, then I still advise you to calculate the time so that you book two or three days in advance. Because it was already difficult to find a number in a day. The prices are more expensive there than in Helsinki.
Train tickets were bought immediately there and back. There were only seats left, like on an airplane. Not the most convenient option, but nowhere to go.
So, we bought tickets for night Train... Still, not a desire to waste precious vacation hours. Trains in Finland are double-decker. Their compartments are designed for two people. And seating. The train is clean, comfortable, there is where to connect to charge the phone. And then there's Wi-Fi! The only thing that overshadowed the trip was that all 12 hours would have to sit.
We arrived in Rovaniemi in the morning, at an ordinary small station. And got a little lost. Everywhere you look, there is snow everywhere. And nothing else is visible. They followed the crowd and somehow came out to our hotel, since it was nearby. Therefore, I advise, if you book a hotel, see that it is located in the center, not far from the station.
All day we slept and walked around the town. It gets dark very early in Lapland. It starts to get light somewhere around ten in the morning, and at two in the afternoon it gets dark.
Our hotel was located in the center, we walked a lot, went to shops and bought souvenirs. By the way, we met a Russian woman in one store; she has been living in Rovaniemi for over ten years. And she told us that best souvenir from Lapland it's cloudberry tea and this is a bookmark for a book.
Deer skin bookmark, with its fur and antlers. Buying such a bookmark, you can say you are buying a whole deer))) We decided to listen to it and buy it.
The next morning we drove to Santa Claus village. In the morning, we came back to the station where we arrived and there is a bus stop nearby, where the bus departs to the village.
We drove for a short 30-40 minutes.
And then we arrived. Of course, the beauty is breathtaking. Fabulous.
Music is playing, all the houses are beautifully decorated, the Christmas trees are illuminated.
The border of the Arctic Circle passes through the village. We cross it)))
Let's see what is there. There is a "Christmas house" where you can see various exhibitions dedicated to the New Year.
"Santa Claus Mail". Elves work here, they will help you send you a beautiful postcard to their friends and relatives for Christmas. There are many beautiful postcards and cute souvenirs here.
"Office of Santa Claus", this is where Santa Claus himself lives. You can take a photo with him, of course, for a fee.
The rest of the houses are cafes and shops. There are a lot of souvenirs.
There are also clothing stores. Finnish brand Marimekko, of course. In Finland, he is at every step.
The village of Santa Claus in Finland is located near the small town of Rovaniemi. A small village called Joulupukki invites you to visit the Finnish Santa Claus all year round... Fabulous Lapland is not only a place where you can see the northern lights, but also the permanent habitat of the real Santa Claus.
People no longer want to celebrate the New Year in tropical countries, but tend to the snowy land to the homeland of Santa. Even teenagers who do not believe in Santa Claus for a long time, once in Lapland, will again believe in a fairy tale. They will want to write a letter to the Finnish Santa Claus and enjoy the kaleidoscope of entertainment this magical place has to offer.
Even if the celebration of the New Year is planned at some of the ski resorts in Finland, getting to visit Santa Claus is very easy and does not take much time. From any city you can buy a plane ticket and fly to Rovaniemi, and there any public transport will take you to the fabulous village in just 10 minutes.
How to get there
The address of Santa Claus in Lapland is the village of Joulupukki, which is located 8 kilometers from the Finnish town of Rovaniemi. It is located 1000 kilometers from the Russian border. From St. Petersburg, with a visa, you can get there by train, plane or bus in just a few hours. First you need to get to the capital of Finland, then to Rovaniemi, and from there buses run every hour.
Rovaniemi has an airport and a railway station, so residents of St. Petersburg have the opportunity to take tickets to the village of Santa Claus directly. From the railway station in Rovaniemi you need to take bus number 8. If tourists decide to travel to Finland by their own vehicles, then tell the name of the village of Joulupukki into the navigator device and you will arrive exactly at Santa's house.
History
Everyone knows that the real birthplace of Santa Claus is Lapland. It is said that it was this magical symbol of the New Year that created the famous Northern Lights. The first tourist who visited this place was Eleanor Roosevelt. The Finns built a hut in her honor, which can be seen today.
Visit the village of Santa Claus better in winter, but Santa Park and the elves work there in the summer. After all, there are many children on earth and everyone writes letters that need to be processed and delivered to their destination. Santa reads all letters without exception, even if it was sent by e-mail.
Santa Claus's summer home is located in the same village as the winter office, it started operating in 1950. There, on the shelves, are crowded volumes of books, where the villains of the whole country and obedient children, who every year receive gifts from Santa, are inscribed. Fairy elves help Finnish Santa Claus. To get into this magical house, you have to go through the clockwork.
On a note! In the village, you can always go with a group, where the guide will tell about the history of this place, and buy souvenirs. Be sure to write a letter from Lapland and send it to your family, the envelope will be stamped with the Arctic Circle.
Opening hours, ticket prices
Finnish Santa Claus receives guests all year round, but there are also days when you cannot get to the village. To plan your train, it is best to know the exact schedule of visiting days:
- September to late November: 10am to 5pm.
- From January 7 to the end of May - from 10 am to 5 pm.
- June to late August - from 9 am to 6 pm.
- From December 1 to January 6 - heightened schedule from 9 am to 7 pm.
Children under three years old can see the Finnish Santa Claus for free, adults will pay about $ 40, and children from three to 18 years old - $ 35. This price includes not only a meeting with Santa Claus, but also a visit to Santa Park.
Letter to Santa Claus
In the village of Joulupukki, not far from Santa's house, there is a post office, which is crowded at any time of the year. Here you can write and send a letter to any part of the earth with an imprint of the Arctic Circle, as well as leave a message to Santa Claus. Be sure to get some unique cards featuring the wonderful landscapes of Lapland and the Northern Lights.
Santa Claus's assistants work in the post office - fairy elves, they will help to compose interesting text... If the child is small and still does not know how to write, the elves will write a letter for him in any language of the world. Each visitor will have the opportunity to have a photo session with all the villagers, warm up by the fireplace and watch the elves deliver the mail bags to Santa.
The residence of Santa Claus in Finland has an official website, where every inhabitant of the earth also has the opportunity to send a letter to Santa Claus in electronic form.
Write down the resource addresses and be sure to send the cherished message:
- santaclausvillage.info;
- santaclausholidayvillage.fi.
On a note! It costs about $ 15 to send one letter. Remember, no matter what time of year a letter is written, if you put it in a red box, Santa Claus will read it on Christmas Eve.
Winter fun
Santa Park Rovaniemi is designed as dreamland... It will be interesting for people of any age. There you can go for a ride on attractions, visit an elf school, participate in games and competitions. Every child can attend calligraphy writing classes and Mrs. Claus's bakery, which bakes fragrant Easter cakes. You can not only taste delicious gingerbread, but also take part in the process of their preparation.
Rovaniemi has many ski resort... You can organize your vacation there, and visit Santa Claus on one of the days of your stay in Finnish territory. If you forget your outfit at home on vacation, it doesn't matter, you can buy it in any Finnish store.
Despite the fact that the village is open all year round, experienced tourists are advised to come there in winter. Snow-covered paths and New Year's lights emphasize the eve of the New Year at the right time. Walking along the snowy paths, you involuntarily begin to believe in magic. You can make snowmen with a whole company and play hockey.
Joulupukki Village offers entertainment for all ages:
- You can go ice skating on the frozen lake.
- Ride on snowmobiles, reindeer or dog sleds.
- Visit the ice houses and even have a tea party there.
- Taste Finnish traditional food.
- Go ice fishing or take a steam bath in a Finnish sauna.
On a note! Every visitor to the fabulous place should get to know Santa Claus's reindeer. They live not far from the magic grandfather's house.
Shops and restaurants
Dress warmly if visiting Finland during the winter and after seeing local attractions, shop around. In each you can buy New Year's souvenirs for favorable prices.
If the children visited the workshop of elves, then they will be able to take all hand-made crafts with them. Be sure to shop for Christmas decorations, northern lights slide paintings and Finnish delicacies.
1 day Moscow, Saint Petersburg
Joining / disconnecting from the group in European cities is carried out only after written agreement with the managers in the direction, before booking air or railway tickets to the place of connection / disconnection.
Departure from the Leningradsky railway station by train # 56 at 21:24 or by another train, meeting to receive documents in 40 minutes. before departure at the carriage No. 3. For the guide, the train and carriage number, see the section a week before departure.
2nd day Saint Petersburg - Helsinki
Arrival in St. Petersburg early in the morning (~ 05: 19). Meeting at 05:30 at the main entrance to the "Gallery" shopping center..
T transfer by busin Helsinki (~ 390 km), museums * to choose from: Museum of Natural History "Ateneum" "Kiasma"
Overnight at the hotel
Day 3 Tampere - Oulu
Breakfast in the hotel.
Morning inspection of Tampere Free time.
Afternoon transfer (~ 480 km) to Oulu
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 4 Oulu - Rovaniemi *
Breakfast in the hotel
Rovaniemi Santa Claus villagesSanta park
New Year's Eve Dinner"Buffet" (included in the price)will be held in a cozy restaurant.Day 5
Breakfast in the hotel. Inspection Oulu
Ranua (~ 150 km), n visit to the Arctic Zoo
In search of the Northern Lights*Attention!). Return to the hotel.
Day 6 Kuopio
Breakfast in the hotel
In the morning, transfer (~ 280 km) toKuopio
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- Riding * on "cheesecakes"Climb* on lookout tower Puyo (from € 7 payable locally).
Day 7 St. Petersburg
Breakfast in the hotel.
Day 8 Saint Petersburg - Moscow
Departure by night train # 55 at ~ 01: 15and or by another train. Specify information on departure / arrival and car number - in the section .
Arrival in Moscow at the Leningradsky railway station at 11:20 or other.
If you purchase tickets yourself, it is important to leave St. Petersburg to your city not earlier than the main group. The presence of a ticket for a tourist for an earlier train than for the main group is not a basis for changing the schedule of the group.
1 day Saint Petersburg - Helsinki
DEPARTURE ON THE NEXT DAY FROM THE STATED DATE OF DEPARTURE.
Meeting at 05:30 at the main entrance to the "Gallery" shopping center..
T transfer by busin Helsinki (~ 390 km), tour of the city with an accompanying person: Senate Square, Esplanade, Assumption Cathedral, monument to Alexander II, City Hall, Sibelius monument, Presidential Palace, sculpture "Havis Amanda". Free time. Visit possible museums * to choose from: Museum of Natural History (€ 15 adults / € 7 children under 18), museum visual arts "Ateneum" (€ 17 adults / children under 18 years old - free), gallery of modern art "Kiasma" (€ 15 adults / children under 18 years old - free).
In the evening, transfer to Tampere (~ 180 km).
Overnight at the hotel
Day 2 Tampere - Oulu
Breakfast in the hotel.
In the morning visit Tampere with an accompanying person: Cathedral, Town Hall, Kaleva Church, Art Nouveau architecture, Tammerkoski national landscapes, etc. The city is located between two i are lakes - Nasiyarvi and Pyhäjärvi. Free time.
In the afternoon, transfer (~ 480 km) to Oulu - one of the largest northern cities in the world, located on the shores of the Gulf of Bothnia.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 3 Oulu - Rovaniemi *
Breakfast in the hotel
Free time in Oulu or a trip (~ 190 km) for the whole day inRovaniemi* (€ 60 / € 54 up to 12 years old, transfer + entrance tickets, purchase and payment only with a tour), a visit to the Santa Claus Village - a meeting with the real Santa in his residence, a visit to the magic mail, where you can order a "real" letter from Santa's for Christmas, the largest Christmas-themed souvenir center.Crossing the Arctic Circle and receiving personalized certificates for memory. Excursion to Santa park - a fairy cave of elves, here you can ride the Christmas train, see the workshop of Santa Claus and his assistants - elves and gnomes, take part in making Christmas gifts with the elves, watch a fairy dance performance, etc. Return to the hotel.
Only for the date 12/28: Celebrating the New Year in Oulu!
New Year's Eve Dinner"Buffet" (included in the price)will be held in a cozy restaurant"Torilll" hotel SCANDIC OULU 4 * (includes 1 glass of wine *). * alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks are ordered and paid additionally on the spot.
The program of the evening includes competitions, fiery music and space for dizzying dances ...
23:40 departure from the hotel. Celebrating the New Year with a glass of champagne inin the very center of the city next to the shopping and pedestrian streets of Rotuaari and Ainola Park. Festive festivities and fireworks.Day 4 Oulu - Ranua (Arctic Zoo) *
Breakfast in the hotel. Inspection Ouluaccompanied by: Cathedral, library, theater, shopping area, etc. The symbol of Oulu is the market policeman, his statue is located at the entrance to the Kauppatori market.
Free time, for those wishing to travel * to Ranua (~ 150 km), n visit to the Arctic Zoo * (€ 45 / € 42 up to 14 years old, transfer + tickets, purchase and payment only with a tour) - more than 60 species of rare animals (reindeer, lynx, wolverine, etc.) with demonstrative feeding.
In the evening - an excursion is possible * In search of the Northern Lights (€ 25 / € 20 up to 16 years old, transfer + ferry + small picnic;*Attention! It is important to remember that the Northern Lights - a natural phenomenon, which depends on the whim of nature and cannot be guaranteed). Return to the hotel.
Day 5 Kuopio
Breakfast in the hotel
In the morning, transfer (~ 280 km) toKuopio... Inspection of the city with an accompanying person - the Puyo tower on the mountain of the same name, the symbol of the city, the Neoclassical Cathedral, the museum quarter, small wooden houses of the 17th-19th centuries, where the way of life and crafts of past centuries have been preserved, in the center of the modern city.
Free time or for those who wish:
- Husky dog \u200b\u200bsledding * approx. 1 km (€ 35 adults / € 30 children under 13 years old. $ 10 - obligatory non-refundable prepayment for the excursion when buying a tour, additional payment on the route);
- Riding * on "cheesecakes" (€ 9 adults - 1 hour, booking and payment when buying a tour);Climb* to the Puyo observation tower (from € 7 payable locally).
In the evening, check in at the hotel, rest and visit the pool, sauna and jacuzzi at the hotel.
Day 6 St. Petersburg
Breakfast in the hotel.
In the morning, transfer (~ 300 km) to the border with a stop for lunch *, if there is time.
Moving to St. Petersburg (~ 195 km). Arrival to St. Petersburg after 23:30 pm, to the Gallery shopping center, there may be delays at the border, the time is indicated approximately.
With an early arrival - free time without using the bus, luggage can be left in the storage room at the railway station.
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. You can find your own among the piles! 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
2 kilometers from the village of Finnish Santa Claus, there is Santa Park, a children's theme park.
The legend is this: Once Santa Claus was returning from a Christmas trip, and so he was captivated by beauty local naturethat right here on 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 tireless 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, over 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.
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 the 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 hall of culture and life of the Sami.
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 tours.
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.
Price: 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 an 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 safari (5 km) on dog sleds 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.
