We always wanted to celebrate New Year abroad and decided to go to Finland by car. I wanted to go to Santa Claus in Rovaniemi.
The route was as follows: Moscow - St. Petersburg (overnight) - crossing the border near the city of Sala (we chose this city because there are fewer cars on the border, this city is located a little to the north). Next, another overnight in Finland and, finally, arrival at a cottage not far from the Arctic Circle.
We booked our accommodation online (we found a Finnish website for renting out houses) and rented a cozy cottage near the city of Kuusamo (about 15 km from it). Then we obtained visas on our own, which was not difficult (we collected a standard package of documents).
We left early in the morning of December 29, were in St. Petersburg already in the afternoon, on the morning of December 30 we set off and drove to the border with Finland (the road in Karelia is not very good, broken in places). Plus in winter the speed of movement is much lower. We stood at the border for about an hour; in general, there were few cars. There, at the border, they sell car insurance (green cards - the price depends on the length of stay and the type of car), which you need to purchase when you enter Finland.
After crossing the border, we immediately felt that we were in Europe) The roads are ideal, smooth, clean, the snow has been removed. There are speed limit signs everywhere, on average 80 km per hour.

On the same day, December 30, we spent the night in a hotel near the border, which we had booked in advance through booking, and on the morning of December 31 we went to our cottage. We drove almost all day and arrived in the evening.
Important: in Finland in winter, especially closer to the Arctic Circle, daylight hours last approximately 4 hours (lightening at 10:00 and darkening at 14:00).
The cottage was incredibly cozy! Kitchen, living room, fireplace, bedroom, sauna and second floor, you could also sleep there. The cottage is wooden, everything inside smells of wood, freshness, forest, nature. There was also a grill where you could make barbecue. The cost of cottages varies, on average, it is very profitable to rent for two families, for example, this cottage costs 600 euros for a week.

We stayed near the Kuusamo Ski Resort. In this area the mountains are low, approximately 300 meters, just for those who want to learn how to ski.
All equipment that is rented is in very good condition. You can also rent cross-country skis, as there are a lot of routes specifically for cross-country skiing. And in the evening they are illuminated with lanterns, making it a pleasure to ride!

What to do in winter Finland besides skiing?
As it turns out, there are plenty of things to do: you can take snowshoes and walk along untrodden paths, exploring the local beauty).

Or you can ride in a sleigh with reindeer! And even feed them)

You begin to feel like a real Snow Maiden, being carried by magical reindeer through a winter fairy tale! I have never seen so much snow in my life! Brilliant, shimmering.
The weather on average was minus 20, but this cold is not the same as what we have in central Russia. The air there is dry, fresh, pleasant. The main thing is to dress warmly.
By the way, there are supermarkets along the road where you can buy good Finnish clothing from local brands. And also food. Shops close early, at seven in the evening. It’s generally very quiet and peaceful there; our man would probably get bored living there for a long time.
Their food is average, they like sausages, a lot of pickles different types. These are the most delicious, finely chopped, with mustard. Ideal to spread on bread and you can also add sausages.

They also have very tasty cookies, and good bread is baked in supermarkets. The meat is often already marinated, you just need to put it in to fry.
In addition to reindeer, you can go sledding with dog sleds in Finland. The cutest huskies, they drive, they puff, they bark, they try. You can control the team yourself, standing on special runners.

One day we went to the home of Santa Claus) the city of Rovaniemi, which is already beyond the Arctic Circle. We drove about an hour and a half from Kuusamo by car. Upon arrival, we met a huge number of our compatriots who arrived here with their children from St. Petersburg and Murmansk.
It’s funny, but there are two Santa Clauses living there) That is, two mini-towns, each with its own house of Santa Claus and the grandfather himself. Considering the influx of tourists, these two grandfathers are just coping). You can bring gifts with you, give them to Santa Claus, and he will give them to your children. Also on the territory of the Santa Claus village they stage various performances, master classes, a cafe, and an ice room (ice sculptures). It's a paradise for children! There is also a shop with the cutest souvenirs).
On the territory of the complex you can ride snowmobiles, in a sleigh with reindeer, or just walk around the territory, it’s very cozy there!

And, as we read, you can see the Northern Lights there! We tried to catch him for several nights in a row, but nothing worked) We’ll have to come back here again!

I wholeheartedly advise you to go to Finland for the New Year with your child and family! Believe me, you will get a lot of unforgettable impressions and a lot of fun!

I hope you liked my review and found it useful! I will be glad to help, I will answer all questions)

According to the ancient Finnish tradition, the New Year begins from December 31 to January 1. It seems that there is nothing surprising, everything is like everyone else. However, the Finns are closest to us, the Slavs, in the matter of celebration, since they begin to warm up long before the official date. The spirit of the New Year in Finland is always a miracle, a fairy tale and real magic. In addition, do not forget that the fabulous country of Suomi is the birthplace of Santa Claus. Moreover, not only Finnish children believe in its reality, but also many adults who, on January 1, tell fables about their meeting with the real Saint Nicholas.

New Year in Finland: traditions

The Finn planted a turnip, it grew very big, the Finn pulled the turnip out of the ground, brought it into the house and put it away until better times. According to tradition, he will have to store this same turnip throughout the year until it is time to harvest a new harvest. Behind New Year's table They will thoroughly clean it, wash it and put a small candle inside, and then give it to the children for fun.

How Finns celebrate New Year

On January 1, wild fun continues in all the houses of Finland, songs and loud children's laughter are heard, and festive processions and masquerades are held on the streets of crowds of people having fun. Tourists who visited Finland these days note that such a scale cannot be found in any other country in the world. One of new year traditions- this is setting fire to huge barrels of tar, thus the Finns show that the past year burns with the tar, and with it all the problems and failures, giving way to new beginnings. Another tradition that goes back far into antiquity is honoring deceased ancestors. A few days before the New Year, relatives come to cemeteries and light candles as a sign of respect for their loved ones. Bright lights in front holidays can be found throughout Finland, the residents of this country pay great attention to fireworks and festive illumination, which covers absolutely everything from the roofs and facades of houses to trees.

Finns are not original and more than anything else they respect family values, That's why main holiday every year they meet within the family. Unlike the older population of the country, young people prefer to hang out in various cafes or nightclubs. These days, the program in drinking establishments is designed in such a way that everyone can take part in the activities. These can be theatrical performances, performances by live musicians, and even all kinds of competitions, for which the winners receive considerable cash prizes or full payment for the bar. In short, Finns are charged with energy for the whole next year, and from the outside it may seem that for the rest of their lives. Why, our northern neighbors know how to go for walks, we have known this since Soviet times, and how they celebrate the New Year...

Santa Claus – Joulupukki

But the majority of local residents and numerous tourists are attracted not by the lights of drinking establishments, but by Lapland - the birthplace of Santa Claus, or as the Finns call him Joulupukki. Folk festivities in the homeland of Finnish Father Frost begin on December 30 and thousands of people come to Lapland in the hope of meeting a real, living Joulupukki, riding with him on a fabulous reindeer sleigh and, of course, receiving a memorable gift. Also, all lovers of the northern New Year will be able to ski, skate, snowboard and enjoy Finnish New Year treats.

New Year's Snow and Ice Festival

Another significant event in Finland is the New Year's Snow and Ice Festival, which is well known throughout the world and has been held regularly for many years. Ice sculpture masters sculpt such realistic figures that it’s hard to believe that it’s just ice. But the most exotic thing that attracts thousands of people every year is real ice apartments or an ice hotel. Even drinks and food at this ice hotel are served in special ice glasses and plates. Staying in such a hotel is not a cheap pleasure, but the impressions will last a lifetime.

New Year's gifts in Finland

Decent and thoughtful Finns carefully choose New Year's gifts, fortunately in Finland there are no problems with this, and Christmas and New Year's markets offer a huge range of goods for every taste. And don't forget about giant discounts. The most meticulous shopaholics claim that at such Christmas sales they manage to find things with a 90% discount. Therefore, empty shelves in Finland are not a sign of shortages or economic decline, but a real indicator of unprecedented discounts and ridiculous prices. Tourists and locals sweep away everything literally overnight.

New Year's table

Let's move on to the most delicious - New Year's, festive table. Every self-respecting Finn is simply obliged to eat a potato casserole, a piece of salted salmon, some chicken legs, a gingerbread dessert and generally anything else that fits on New Year's Day. Contrary to the belief that Finns drink vodka from morning to evening, the traditional Suomi drink is light beer. By the way, drunk Finns on New Year’s Eve are rather an exception to the rule. They try to control their alcohol consumption. Firstly, they think about their health, secondly, alcohol in Finland costs a lot of money, and thirdly, and most importantly, on January 2 you have to go to work, that’s how they celebrate the New Year in Finland. New Year in Suomi is undoubtedly a miracle, however, practical Finns, although they believe in miracles, prefer to reinforce their faith with hard work. Maybe that’s why they live so wonderfully and all their unrealistic dreams come true?

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How and where to spend the New Year holidays in Finland: tips and options

The time is coming when it's time to decide how and where you will celebrate this new year. If you believe the statistics, and you should believe them, then tens of thousands of Russians go to neighboring Finland for the New Year. Many people ask the question - why? After all, it’s also snowy and cold there and it’s very close! But wait: the country of Suomi has beautiful nature, here beautiful cities, you can rent a cottage on the shore of a lake, and simply in this country, New Year and winter are something special. If you are also planning to celebrate the New Year in Finland, then read reviews from tourists and see tips that will definitely be useful to you.

New Year in Helsinki

Everyone knows that Helsinki is not only a beautiful and modern city, but also the capital of Finland. The city has repeatedly been included in the TOP 5 most beautiful and cozy cities to live in. Also, the capital of Suomi is constantly included in the ranking of the best cities for tourists. By the way, the peak tourist season here falls precisely in the winter months; after all, this is a northern country.

What to do in winter in the city? Firstly, the city itself is very beautiful. There is a perfect combination of centuries-old buildings and modern architectural structures. The city is located in the Gulf of Finland and has a wonderful port, which is in no way inferior to other modern ports in the world.
But the main thing is why tourists come here: the sights. There are thousands of them in the city, and it is almost impossible to single out the main ones, since they are all beautiful.

Let's start with theaters, of which there are many in the capital. The main thing here, without a doubt, is the National Opera House. All the world's opera singers dream of performing there, but not everyone can afford it. It is also worth highlighting the Swedish theater, because the city was once mastered by the Swedes, the national theater and other lesser known ones.
As we have already written, the city has many attractions, and the entire city can be called one big attraction. But let’s highlight the main ones:
- Senate Square, where tourists and locals like to walk. A very beautiful place where there is a Cathedral, a university and, in fact, the Senate itself. There is also a monument to the Russian Emperor Alexander II. He is highly respected and loved in the country, since it was this emperor who granted the constitution to the country and expanded the autonomous rights of the country. In fact, it was thanks to Alexander the Second that the country gained independence and began to develop.
- the beautiful Suomenlinna fortress, which was built back in 1748. The fortress can be visited and excursion groups constantly come here.
- Cathedrals and churches are also beautiful places in the city and attractions. The most famous church is Temppeliaukio. It is famous for being carved out of the rock!
- If we talk about modern attractions, it is worth noting the Serena water park, which is the largest in Northern Europe.

To see and understand the city, you need to be there in person.

New Year's Eve at ski resorts

The nature of Finland is beautiful and unique. There is something to see and do here both in winter and summer. During the winter months, ski lovers come to the country because there are modern ski resorts here.

Officially, there are 18 ski resorts in the country. Tourists love them not only because of the opportunity to ski, but also for beautiful views and landscapes that open from the tops of the mountains.
The first resorts begin operating in November, and by December absolutely all of them open. By the New Year, almost all resorts are completely packed with tourists. It's hard to find here free place and a hotel with empty rooms. Tourists are attracted by cheap prices, as well as the opportunity to ski on beautiful slopes with simply stunning views.

Most resorts have several slopes that are suitable for experienced and beginner skiers. So if you love mountains and skiing, then choose ski resorts, you will definitely like it here.

New Year in Finland in a cottage by the lake or in the forest

Finally, we left what is most popular among tourists here. Yes, this is a holiday for the New Year in cottages by the lake or in the forest. More than half of visiting tourists rent a house and live in it for several days or weeks.

This pleasure is not that expensive. For example, a beautiful modern cottage with two floors for 7-12 people can be rented for only 8,000 thousand rubles per day! If each member of the trip gives this amount, the cottage will be yours for a week.

The advantages of this type of holiday are obvious. Firstly, the whole house will be yours and no one will bother you here if you behave within the bounds of decency. Secondly, such houses are located on the shores of lakes or in the forest. There is clean air, beautiful places and many opportunities for recreation and entertainment. Thirdly, agree - you would like to live like this forever.

So is it worth going to Suomi for the New Year?

Definitely worth it! Whatever holiday you choose, it's worth it. Do you like excursions and big cities? Then to Helsinki. Love the mountains. Sports and public celebrations? You urgently need to go to the ski resorts. And if you want solitude with nature, peace and quiet, then it’s better for you to rent a house in nature.

Do you think that the New Year must necessarily be accompanied by snow and frost, but your soul asks for travel and new impressions? There is a way out - go to the winter vacation 2017 to Finland: in the northern countries, like nowhere else, they know a lot about cheerful and bright Christmas festivities. And how many interesting things you have to learn, how many unusual dishes to try! But first things first…

Finnish New Year traditions

We advise you to come to Finland not on New Year's Eve, but on the 20th of December(in Finnish “December” or “joulukuu” - “month of Christmas”). It is at this time that wonderful noisy fairs, charity concerts, organ evenings in cathedrals are held in the cities of the country - and you can fully feel the atmosphere of the upcoming bright holiday.

The main winter holiday here is considered Catholic Christmas which is met December 25. The day before Christmas, on Christmas Eve, Finns thoroughly clean the house, try to complete all the small and large tasks they have started, always take a steam bath and sauna - in general, they restore cleanliness and order. And on December 23, the whole family decorates the spruce with flags, straw goats, paper and fabric toys, garlands and lanterns.

Anyone who considers the Finns a taciturn and gloomy people simply have not seen how dashingly and cheerfully they sled and skate on Christmas days. Winter fun very popular here!

Weather for New Year in Finland

Recently, Finns have named their favorite holiday "Black Christmas" due to lack of snow and “global warming”. It is quite possible that when you arrive in Helsinki or the surrounding area in December-January, you will find not bitter frost and high snowdrifts, but above-zero temperatures. Still, we advise you to take warm clothes and shoes with you for long walks and sightseeing. If for some reason you don’t have a down jacket, fur boots and a woolen hat, all this can be purchased on the spot - the Finns “ate the dog” in sewing clothes from frost-resistant and windproof fabrics.

If you organize your trip yourself, you can always check the cost of tickets on aviasales.ru and the cost of hotels on booking.com.

Where to go and what to do

How to spend a memorable and interesting time during the 2017 New Year holidays in Finland? Go for a walk around the festively decorated capital of Helsinki - it, like all large and small Finnish cities in December-January, is the most vibrant and enthusiastic spectacle - shop windows are lit with candles in intricate candlesticks, red, white and gold stars; flashing garlands are hung on the streets; you can hear drawn-out Christmas songs that create a festive mood.

New year's night from December 31 to January 1 is the only time of the year when fireworks are officially allowed.

It’s worth taking advantage of this and launching a couple of firecrackers that open with multi-colored balloons into the sky, or watch how the locals enthusiastically do it.

The center of city festivities on the main night of the year becomes Senate Square Helsinki, it is definitely worth a visit!

Just keep in mind that on December 31, local shops and cultural institutions are open until 18:00, with reduced hours. And January 1st is a day off - that’s it shopping centers, museums and others public places closed.

Dinner at one of the restaurants on holidays will not cost you much more than on weekdays. In addition to restaurants specializing in local cuisine, you can also find Spanish, Chinese, Italian, Japanese, Russian bistros, cafes and bars. So no one will go hungry!

And most importantly: come to Finland and not visit Joulupukki to his workshop village - simply unforgivable! The local Father Frost (or Santa Claus) lives right here in the city Rovaniemi(province of Lapland). Perhaps one day will not be enough to see all the wonders of the amusement park - there are... cozy hotels.

You can see which hotels are still available and how much they cost on booking.com. The link leads to a page with hotels in Rovaniemi.

A trip to the homeland of the “Christmas grandfather” should be planned in advance, even in the fall - there are a lot of people who want to see the winter fairy tale with their own eyes!

New Year's gifts in Finnish

Usually, new Year gifts Finns give to each other on Christmas Eve(Christmas Eve) and New Year's Eve. Needless to say, in December there is a real rush in retail stores. Presents can be very different; they directly depend on the preferences and desires of the recipient. The most popular of them: beautiful candles as a symbol strong family and friendships, intricate Christmas tree decorations, colorful postcards With warm wishes, equipment for winter sports (skis, skates, snowboards, ice skates, clubs, helmets and much more).

Surprisingly, since ancient times, on New Year's Eve, Finns have given each other Natural flowers! And they not only carefully present them in beautiful pots, but also decorate the house with them. These are white, blue, pink hyacinths, lilies of the valley, camellias and roses, as well as the Euphorbia Yulestian (or “Christmas star”), which has gained the love of Russians.

If you need taxi services on holiday in Finland, you can book in advance on the KiwiTaxi website.

What to bring from Finland?

So, you went to snowy Finland for New Year or Christmas. What should you bring to your family and friends as a gift, what things, besides traditional refrigerator magnets, should you buy as a souvenir of your trip?

Finns are very good at making products from deer antler and wood. Buy a traditional kuksu mug with an impressive wooden handle. The holes in it are intended for tying to a belt - in the old days this is how mugs were worn. Always with you - convenient!

Everyone knows that the Finns have achieved high skill in the production of warm products. This is understandable - their country is, for the most part, cold and snowy. Mittens, a hat or a blanket with a traditional pattern will please those who don’t like to be cold.

You shouldn’t ignore edible gifts either. Finland has very tasty baked goods: pies, gingerbread, waffles. And also excellent rhubarb liqueurs with berries - red currants, cranberries, gooseberries.

Features of New Year's Finnish cuisine

On New Year's Eve, Finns raise their glasses with champagne, and massive mugs with beer. There are dishes on the table from pork and the obligatory potato salad with a pile of onions, flavored with vinegar.

Much more treats are being prepared for our favorite winter holiday - Christmas. Cold appetizers are represented by beet salad, similar to our vinaigrette, as well as salted fish - whitefish, salmon, trout, salmon. The main hot dish of the Christmas table is pork ham with a side dish of baked vegetables.

Those who honor traditions must put a plate of thick rice porridge with almonds on the table. And those in whose houses there are children and sweet tooths (often in one person), bake houses from gingerbread cookies, pouring thick glaze over them, and pies with plum jam.

Finns drink hot spiced ladle, nuts and raisins, fruit and berry jelly, as well as a special variety of dark “Christmas” beer.

Hyvaa Uutta Vuotta! Hyvä Uutta Vuotta! Happy New Year!

We tell you what you need to do during the winter holidays.

Winter holidays in Helsinki should be spent in such a way that they will be remembered for a long time. Photo: myhelsinki.fi

Tickets to Helsinki for the New Year holidays have already been purchased, but you still haven’t figured out what to do there? A festival of lights, the longest-running Christmas market, a Finnish circus and a swimming pool overlooking the city make up the list of the best entertainment in winter Helsinki.

1. Lux Helsinki Light Festival

Almost the main disadvantage of traveling in winter is the short daylight hours, when there is very little time left for active exploration of city attractions. Helsinki solved the problem by organizing a free citywide light festival, Lux Helsinki, just for those who are ready to perceive beauty even after dark. A mesmerizing light show takes place every year in the center of Helsinki. To view all the light installations, you need to walk along a route several kilometers long, which covers the sights of the capital. No doubt, it will be very beautiful. The special festival map that you will find will help you find your way around.

Where: Kaartinkaupunki quarter
When: from 6 to 10 January from 17.00 to 22.00
Website: http://www.luxhelsinki.fi/en/

2. Dwarf trail in Suomenlinna Fortress

Meeting real Finnish gnomes is perhaps the most original reason to visit Suomenlinna Fortress in winter. “The Gnome’s Trail” is an annual Christmas quest, the rules of which are simple: you come to the fortress, take a map from the Tourist Center in the Coastal Barracks building at the pier, and use it to find everything secret places gnomes, and if you manage to do all this from 10.00 to 16.00, you will receive a well-deserved prize. Don't forget to bring nuts with you to feed the squirrels, who compete with the gnomes for the attention of visitors.

You can only get to the fortress by water. Ferries run from Kauppatori Market Square to Suomenlinna, you can see the schedule. The crossing takes 15-20 minutes, during which you can admire winter Helsinki and its surroundings from the sea.

Where: Suomenlinna
When: from December 2 to January 7
Website: http://www.suomenlinna.fi/ru/kavijallevenaja/tonttureitti/

3. New Year's Eve on Kansalaistori Square

The main night of the year in Helsinki should be spent on Kansalaistori Square, where all the most important and interesting things happen. Usually, already two or three hours before midnight, tens of thousands of people gather in the square. IN holiday program This year there is a musical concert, a New Year's show and a traditional fireworks display. In addition, there will be a separate party for children, which will take place in the early evening. You can familiarize yourself with the program in more detail.

4. Winter circus Hurjaruuth on the territory of the Cable Factory

You need to get to the winter circus show Hurjaruuth (ticket prices from 12 to 32 euros) for at least two reasons. Firstly, the two-hour show will impress even the most sophisticated adult viewer: the show combines elements of aerial acrobatics, video art and magic, and is accompanied by a live Teho Majamaki orchestra. Secondly, the circus performance is shown on the territory of the Cable Factory, which means you have an excellent chance to get acquainted with one of the main cultural centers of Helsinki. You could easily spend the whole day in this huge loft exploring the local museums, galleries and workshops. It’s also quite inexpensive here by Finnish standards: you can get into museums for 8 euros, and have lunch in a cafe for 6-7 euros. Read our guide to the Cable Plant.

Note:

Where: Tallberginkatu 1 A
When: December 29-31, January 1, 4-7
Website: http://www.hurjaruuth.fi/en/

5. Amanda's Fair

Even if you come to Helsinki at the end of December or in the first week of January, you have the opportunity to visit the Christmas market. The longest-running Amanda (Manty) fair will be located between the Kauppatori Trade Square and Esplanadi Boulevard around the Havis Amanda fountain. You need to come here for glög, traditional pastries, and souvenirs self made and, most importantly, for the festive mood.

6. Ice Park

The city's main skating rink is located very conveniently - right opposite the Central Railway Station, and the National Theater and the Athenaeum Art Museum are a stone's throw away. An additional bonus is a cozy cafe at the skating rink and music. Children are given a helmet free of charge.

Where: next to Helsinki train station, Rautatientori 1
Opening hours from December 25 to January 6:
Mon – Sat from 14.00 to 21.00
Sun from 10.00 to 18.00
The skating rink is closed on December 23, 24 and January 6.
Price: adults – 6 euros, children – 3 euros, students and pensioners – 4 euros
Website: http://www.jaapuisto.fi/info.html

7. Allas Sea Pool

Allas Sea Pool is the embodiment of a solid Finnish approach to the sauna. In addition to saunas, there are several swimming pools that are open all year round. The main attraction is to swim after the steam room in an outdoor pool with warm water or dive into a bath with cold sea water. It offers great views of the city, so you can watch the ferries in front of the bustling Kauppatori market while basking in the warm pool.

Where: Katajanokanlaituri 2 A
Opening hours in December:
Mon – Fri from 7.00 to 21.00
Sat from 9.00 to 21.00
Sun from 10.00 to 20.00
December 24 and 25 from 10.00 to 20.00
December 26 from 10.00 to 21.00
Check the website for opening hours in January.
Price: 12 euros, children (from 3 to 11 years old) – 6 euros, students, pensioners – 8 euros
Website: http://www.allasseapool.com/