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 and 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)
Finland is the coldest northern country in the world (Norway is geographically a little further north, but the Gulf Stream brings mild warmth there, which is why the temperature on the fjord coast rarely drops below zero). Where to celebrate a classic Christmas if not in the north?
Indeed, this holiday is celebrated here on a truly national scale. Let's try to plunge into the unique atmosphere of northern Christmas. In Finland we are waiting for the New Year's Eve in Helsinki, Santa Claus's village in Rovaniemi, the announcement of the Christmas World in Turku, a sauna, alpine skiing and dog and reindeer riding.
We stock up on warm clothes and comfortable shoes, and - forward into the unknown!
Christmas symbols
For most visitors, Finland begins in Helsinki. The capital of a small state of five million is itself small: the entire center can be walked around in a few hours. Walking around Helsinki is all the more pleasant because they know how to deal with snow drifts: the central streets are heated, and on all other streets the snow and ice are regularly cleaned and instead of salt and reagents, they are sprinkled with eco-friendly granite chips, which are simply washed into the Baltic in the spring.
As in Russia, in Finland it is customary to decorate the Christmas tree for Christmas, and this is usually done on Christmas Eve, December 23. However, long before the holiday, at the beginning of December, seven-candlesticks - symbols of Christmas - appear on the windows of residential buildings and offices. Nowadays they are almost universally powered by electricity, but in the past real wax and paraffin candles were used. When a pile of seven candles is lit in every window, any city can be transformed. Helsinki, in combination with rich street illumination, becomes unrecognizable. Particularly beautiful at this time are the illuminated city cathedral, the Esplanade, the harbor and Aleksanterinkatu - the central street of the city with the best shops, including the famous Stockmann department store.
Illumination seems to disperse the dampness and winter gloom, evoking thoughts of an imminent holiday. Everyone puts on warm mittens and hats and goes out: at this time, the city streets are fun and beautiful, and sales begin in stores. This vibrant holiday feeling continues in Helsinki throughout December. From early morning, trading at the Fish Market opens in the harbor. Here they sell not only fish (and freshly caught here, in the waters of the Baltic), but also reindeer skins, colorful Sami hats and mittens and other typically northern souvenirs.
At the same time, far to the north, Finnish Santa Claus is preparing to deliver gifts. In Finnish his name is Joulupukki, which means “Christmas goat.” The origin of this name is interesting: before Finland adopted Christianity, rural youth dressed up in inside-out goat coats and birch bark masks. In this form, young people went from house to house, dancing and singing songs (like Russian carols), receiving for this the leftover food from the Christmas table. This name passed on to Father Christmas, who appeared later.
Visiting Santa Claus
Each northern country has its own residence of Father Frost (not so long ago it appeared here in Veliky Ustyug). Finnish Santa Claus officially resides on the Korvatunturi hill in Lapland. This mountain even has an official postal address where you can send your Christmas gift wishes. Grandfather's assistants - elves - live in neighboring caves and all year long they watch which of the children behaved well and which did not.
However, the mountain is located in the impenetrable taiga, so a closer place has been arranged for Santa’s guests: near the Lapland capital Rovaniemi, on the very Arctic Circle, in the village of Napapiiri, an entire Santa Claus village has been built. Here, in a modest wooden castle, a bearded Santa receives guests. These are mainly children - from very young to teenagers (however, here adults also begin to feel like children), Finns and guests from different countries. Santa has a pair for everyone kind words in many languages of the world, as well as a moment to take a photo together.
Adjacent rooms include gift shops and a post office where you can send a postcard with Santa's personal stamp. Visitors receive a colorful certificate of “conquest of the Arctic Circle” (the conventional line of the Arctic Circle crosses the entire complex in the form of a white stripe). Here you can rent a snowmobile or ride a dog or reindeer sled. The village is richly illuminated, New Year's melodies are constantly playing here and many elves in red suits and caps are bustling around. The smallest elves play and ride down the slides, the older ones work at the post office, in the gift shop and restaurant. All this creates a festive mood. Of course, children are delighted, but adults also feel like they are in a fairy tale.
Just a couple of kilometers from Napapiiri is Santa Park. It is similar to the village of Joulupukki, but has an entrance fee and a wider range of entertainment. Santa's residence here is arranged in the form of a huge cave with many secret corners. The elves teach those who wish to learn their ancient elven skills, Mrs. Claus offers to make gingerbread with her, the Ice Princess greets guests in the Ice Gallery, and finally, the “Seasons” mini-train runs through the cave.
Christmas world
Officially, the Christmas holiday, Joulu in Finnish, begins in Turku, the ancient capital of the country, on the old city square. At exactly noon on December 24, in front of a huge crowd of people, an ancient manuscript is read from the balcony of the former governor-general's house and the so-called Christmas Peace is proclaimed, lasting until January 13. This beautiful medieval tradition dates back to the 13th century, and the parchment text read today was established by Queen Christina of Sweden in 1670. Thus, the queen complied with the wishes of the Finnish peasants, who called for a peaceful and pious celebration of Christmas. The Royal Decree encourages people not to disturb the Christmas peace through illegal or indecent behavior.
Today, the declaration of peace is broadcast on radio and television not only throughout Finland, but also to other European countries. The celebration includes a choir and a military band performing Christmas melodies and ending with the Finnish anthem. The proclamation of Christmas peace lasts less than an hour, but leaves a deep emotional impression of the level of organization, national cohesion and loyalty to tradition.
After the anthem, everyone congratulates each other, and the square gradually empties. Finnish cities are almost dying out, and in small towns you may not even meet a single person all day. These days shops, restaurants and service companies are closed, flights are reduced public transport. However, this does not stop Finland from being a hospitable country. If on such a day you are faced with a serious problem (such as a sudden car breakdown, for example), knock on the nearest door. Finns are surprisingly friendly, they will always try to get to the bottom of the problem and help in any way they can.
Family celebration
Great luck will be an invitation to a real Finnish family at the Christmas table on this day. For breakfast on Christmas Eve, it is customary to prepare rice porridge with milk. Often the housewife puts one almond nut in the porridge “for good luck”: whoever finds it will have a happy year. The main thing Christmas dish- baked pork ham kinkku. It is cut into thick slices and served with Christmas dark beer or hot glögi. In the north of the country, they often eat venison with potatoes in lingonberry sauce and homemade cheese. And since in winter festive table it is difficult to diversify, traditionally the main emphasis is on home-baked goods; these days Finns even try to bake their own bread. And the table will definitely be decorated with flowers.
The celebration continues in the following days. But if December 25th is still a day of silence, on which it is customary to attend church and indulge in pious reflections, then on the 26th, fun, dancing and feasts begin, continuing medieval traditions. Skis, skates, and sleds are taken from the shelves, the Finns dress the children, take the dogs, and all the people go for a walk. After all, three days of a holiday, even such a colorful one, is so little. There is not a moment to lose. Finnish Christmas is a purely family and home holiday, and this is observed almost like a law: by December 24, all Finns, wherever they are, try to return home and reunite with their family. On this day, everyone visits cemeteries and decorates the graves of relatives. spruce branches and candles, and in the evening they gather for Christmas service in the church.
On a note! There are direct flights to Turku Airport from Helsinki. A high-speed double-decker train will take you from Helsinki in 2 hours (a ticket purchased in advance will cost 15 euros).
Finland, our closest neighbor, always welcomes Russians...
New Year tours to Finland are an opportunity to celebrate the holiday in an original way, change the picture outside the window, give your loved ones bright emotions and have a great time in another country, getting to know its nature, traditions and culture.
Finland, our closest neighbor, always warmly welcomes Russian tourists and is ready to offer them the widest opportunities for pastime. New Year's holidays in Finland will allow you to get acquainted with the cultural features of the country, try the national cuisine, see the sights, and, of course, meet Santa Claus or, as he is called in Finland, Joulupukki, his wife Muori and a whole army of elf helpers, from whom he is always the children are delighted. It is here in Lapland that you understand why Finland is considered the most New Year's country. The taste of magic is so clearly felt here; adults seem to be transported back to childhood and begin to believe in miracles. Well, this is a real haven for children. They will be able to help the elves at the toy factory, learn how to bake gingerbread, Christmas decorations, and will also be able to whisper into Joulupukki’s ear their deepest dreams, which he will certainly fulfill.
For the New Year, Finland offers a large list of entertainment for every taste - fishing, dog and reindeer sledding, magnificent ski slopes, shopping, the opportunity to ride snowmobiles and ice skates, discos, healing Finnish saunas and much more. -A lot of everything.
But there is one feature in Finland that distinguishes it from any other countries - the northern lights. This is what gives everything magic. It is thanks to him that your New year's night will be unforgettable. There is no need for fireworks here, here nature itself creates for you and it is truly amazing.
Before you buy a tour to Finland for the New Year, you should immediately decide which accommodation option suits you. You can stay in a cozy family hotel in Helsinki and find yourself in the very center of folk festivals, fairs and concerts. You can rent a cottage in Vuokatti or Tahko and enjoy skiing on magnificent slopes and cozy family evenings by the fireplace. Or you can go with the whole family to one of the SPA hotels in Kuopio - the largest and one of the most picturesque cities in the lake district, rent a large family room and have a great time visiting the water parks located right on the territory of the resort complex. Well, for real extreme sports enthusiasts and hunters of everything unusual, Finland has prepared unique option accommodation - glass igloos with a transparent roof and views of the northern lights.
Magnificent nature, a variety of accommodation options, high-quality European service, huge opportunities for entertainment, convenient transport accessibility - all these are good reasons to celebrate the New Year in the “land of a thousand lakes”. A bonus to this is the fact that the prices for New Year's tours to Finland are quite affordable, and besides, you can not spend money on a flight, but go on a trip to Finland by car.
It’s worth taking care of your New Year’s holiday in the fall. If you want to celebrate the New Year in a snowy fairyland, in the homeland of Santa Claus, then you need to go to Finland. There you can fulfill all your childhood dreams, plunge headlong into the holiday atmosphere, and relax in a way that you haven’t been able to do anywhere for a long time.
A nice bonus only for our readers - a discount coupon when paying for tours on the website until February 28:
- AF500guruturizma - promotional code for 500 rubles for tours from 40,000 rubles
- AFT1500guruturizma - promotional code for tours to Thailand from RUB 80,000
Until March 10, the promotional code AF2000TUITRV is valid, which gives a discount of 2,000 rubles on tours to Jordan and Israel from 100,000 rubles. from tour operator TUI. Arrival dates from 28.02 to 05.05.2019.
You always want to celebrate the New Year in something special, so that the holiday will be remembered for a long time and leave extremely positive emotions. Even adults are starting to believe in Santa Claus. I want a miracle to happen in the new year. To remember the New Year holidays with delight, you can spend them in Finland. Christmas in Finland is celebrated at midnight on December 24th. In the city of Turku you can hear the bells of the Cathedral. Christmas peace is announced and the Finnish national anthem is played. After this, the winter holidays begin. The bustle stops, everyone celebrates the arrival of Christmas.
In the homeland of Santa Claus you can see real reindeer sleighs. You can ride a snow scooter, snowmobile, or ice skate. Alpine skiing will bring a lot of pleasure to sports lovers. Even those who are not particularly keen on winter activities will be able to find entertainment. The snow and ice festival will give you an unforgettable mood and lead you into wild delight. To properly warm up after snow skiing and relax, you should definitely go to the Finnish sauna. This is something truly extraordinary! You can only visit it in Finland. There are no analogues of such a sauna anywhere in the world. If you compare, you can draw a parallel with French champagne, real Italian pasta or a Russian bath.
Preparing for the New Year celebration in Finland
New Year in Finland is difficult to separate from Christmas. Preparations for these two most important holidays begin in the fall. Bazaars open where customers are offered a large number of souvenirs and various attributes for the holiday. City streets are decorated with lights in advance. Garlands shine with colorful lights everywhere: in shop windows, cafes and on the roofs of houses. On Christmas Eve in Finland it is customary to light the lights on the Christmas tree. In the evening, families go to church for a festive service. Christmas in this country is usually spent at home at the family table with close relatives. After midnight, according to the tradition that has developed over many years, they begin the festive meal. It consists of national dishes. This is salted salmon, potato casserole, gingerbread.
New Year, unlike Christmas, is celebrated noisily and cheerfully, with friends and acquaintances. As a rule, companies go to a restaurant where they can try cuisine from different countries and have fun. The ideal holiday offer in Finland is a New Year's tour. The trip usually includes organizing a tour, celebrating New Year and Christmas, and sightseeing tours. There will definitely never be a dull moment. By choosing a suitable offer, you can immediately tune in to a wave of positivity and get ready for new pleasant discoveries in wonderful winter Finland. A trip can become not only a guide to the country, an acquaintance with its customs and culture. You can try to save a lot on your trip. The remaining money can be spent on gifts and souvenirs or on entertainment, which is abundant in Finland.
Which hotel to choose
A great option for relaxation is to rent a Finnish house with amenities. The rental cost will be lower if you travel with a group of 6 - 8 people or several families. In order not to overpay the agent for his services, you can find a cottage yourself. To do this, you should look on the Internet for Finnish sites where owners post advertisements for rent. You just need to agree on everything in advance. By November there are almost no vacant cottages. It is worth considering that the rental price usually does not include the price of bed linen and cleaning. You will have to pay extra for these services.
Radisson Blu Royal Hotel, Helsinki
Located in the center of Helsinki
Amazing
2840 reviews
Booked 52 times today
Book
Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel, Helsinki
The hotel is located next to Kaisaniemi Park
Amazing
4029 reviews
Booked 49 times today
Book
Clarion Hotel Helsinki
600 meters from the West Ferry Terminal
Amazing
Booked 113 times today
Book
Visa to Finland
If you are going to Finland for the New Year holidays, you should take care of obtaining a visa as early as possible. The closer the New Year is, the more tourists want to come to the country. The processing time for documents to enter the country is increasing exponentially. The Finnish embassy may simply not have time to review all the submitted documents.
Entertainment in Finland for children and adults
Now we will talk about what to do during the New Year holidays in Finland. The entertainment will captivate you with its variety. These include sports, cultural and entertainment programs, and just relaxation from daily routine. The most popular cities are Kupio, Kemi, Ylläs, Kainuu and, of course, Lapland and Helsinki.
Things to do in Kupio, Kemi, Ylläs and Kainuu
In Kupio you will have the opportunity to go sledding down the mountain and look at the log home of Santa Claus. The Snow and Ice Festival is held in Kemi. Here you can watch the construction of a hotel made of snow. In the town of Ylläs you can see Joulupukki. This is the local Santa Claus. If you are lucky enough to be here, you should definitely visit him.
In northern Finland there is a province called Kainuu. It hosts a special festive program, in which both children and their parents will take part with great pleasure. They will travel through a fairy-tale country where the Finnish Santa Claus lives. Guests are invited to get to it.
They must meet on their way many fairy-tale creatures that will delight them with one of their appearance. These are numerous gnomes, the goblin and the owner of the forest himself. The journey will take about two hours. The fairy tale will give you bright emotions and an unforgettable festive mood.
Let's go to Lapland
What to do in Lapland? And does such a place actually exist on the map? Lapland is a real place. Here is the residence of Santa Claus, to whom you can come and ask for gifts at any time of the year. He will listen carefully to the wishes of his visitors. Lapland is one of the quietest places in Finland. You can come here simply for the desire to be alone with yourself for some time. For those who love a peaceful environment and need an atmosphere of peace and quiet, better place can not found.
What interesting things does Helsinki offer?
How to visit Finland and not go to Helsinki? It is necessary to visit the capital of this northern country. You should start your acquaintance with it with a sightseeing tour of the city. It will help create the most complete impression of the city. The tour lasts 1 hour. During this time you can explore the main attractions. Here you can visit cathedrals, churches, libraries, museums. There is a museum here, which is located right in the open air. The city has old districts, and there are ultra-modern ones. For example, Ruoholahti. You can spend the whole day exploring the sea fortress of Sveaborg. It is located in the bay. A distinctive feature of the fortress is that it is located on six islands.
What to bring from Finland
Walking through the streets of snow-covered Finland, you cannot resist the temptation to buy something as a souvenir. It must be a unique item that can only be purchased in Santa's homeland. In addition, during the New Year holidays there is an opportunity to buy the goods you like at a profit. After Christmas, sales begin with discounts of up to 70%. If there is a sign that says “Ale,” it means that things are being sold at discounted prices.
From Finland you can bring home: magnets, key rings, thermometers with national symbols and local landscapes. Finland is famous for its quality sportswear. Russians buy their own activewear, children's jackets and overalls here. Popular products include fish, caviar, and chocolate. A Finnish knife or designer glass would be an excellent purchase. Of course, such things cost a lot. Finnish goods are distinguished by a high European level of quality.
