Winter holidays in Lapland. Lapland is a winter wonderland! Lapland in winter

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September 25, 2014 2:54 Lapland, Rovaniemi, Saariselka - Finland November 2013

"Just think about it! How much curious, and sometimes even funny, he could hear and see if he were allowed to fly with wild geese across the country, to the north, all the way to Lapland! "

Niels Holgersson's Amazing Journey with Wild Geese

Lapland? Cool! What to do there? Such a dialogue inevitably happened to everyone to whom I informed about my intention to visit this region. But really, what is there? Everyone knows that in Lapland, Santa, snow and ... and this is usually the end of knowledge. Therefore, I will try to fill this gap. So let's go in order.

Santa is here!

This inscription inevitably meets anyone who passes a small village 5 km north of Rovaniemi. And, surprisingly, Santa is really here, and the village is nothing more than the village of Himself (Santa Claus Village)! Here is his house, on the roof of which the indicated inscription glows. Here you can turn to him face to face and ask your burning question about the prospects of getting, for example, a radio-controlled helicopter or a new Toyota Land Cruiser by the New Year.

According to one theory, Santa lives in the Arctic Circle. Therefore, right in front of its porch, there are pillars with a corresponding inscription, symbolizing this geographical attraction. You can cross this line back and forth or stand with one foot in the Arctic Circle, with the other in it. His post office is also nearby, perhaps even the first most visited place in the village. It is here that letters from children from all over the world come and it is from here that Santa's congratulations, sent by the hands of his temporary "assistants", leave all over the world. Each postcard and letter will receive an official Arctic Circle postmark. Postcards and stamps cost the same as in any other store. They don’t take money for the stamp. You can send it right away or by Christmas. There is also an amusement park, hotels, souvenir shops and everything you need to have fun at Santa's house.

But this is not his only home. The town of Kakslauttanen is located 250 km to the North, where his second residence (Santa's resort) is located. Santa's second house here looks bigger than the first, richer, bigger, brighter and, one might even say, more beautiful. The area around the house is decorated in an interesting way.

Everything is beautiful, but somehow everything is without a soul. For example, a gift shop has a very boring selection of goods. For an additional fee, you can stay with Santa, and even celebrate the New Year with You-Know-Who at a gala dinner.

Guess who these people are in the picture with the deer? The correct answer will be below

Snow

That's what Lapland really has a lot - it's snow. The northern climate here manifests itself in all its glory: winter starts early, ends quite late, summer is a polar day, winter is a polar night, elevation differences are small, and the area is covered with tundra forests, through which the main inhabitants of these places - deer walk. The nature around is mesmerizing: spruce trees covered with snow, many lakes with countless picturesque islets create the feeling of winter Narnia.

It is better to get to Narnia, as it should be, through the closet, dressing in it warmly and in layers. By the way, fur coats are not held in high esteem here, everyone prefers practical and warm sports winter clothes. In the event of a solemn evening, an evening dress is put on under it, and shoes are brought with them, as a "change". This allows you to stay irresistible throughout the evening and healthy and warm throughout your vacation. Now that everyone is properly dressed and in a winter fairytale, it's time to entertain yourself with something. And at the same time to answer the secret question ...

What to do there?

The main thing that tourists from all over the world come here for, and especially the inhabitants of Japan, is Aurora Borealis, an incredibly beautiful and mesmerizing natural phenomenon known as the Northern Lights. How and why this happens can be found from any source. But that's not the point. The main thing is the sensations that you experience watching the slowly shimmering colors in the dark night sky. They form simple shapes, stretch out into a smooth wide line, slowly disappear and just as slowly reappear. The dominant green colors of flashes can be replaced by a more rare "luxury" version with shades of red and blue.

According to the Sami beliefs ( indigenous population Lapland), the flashes of the Radiance are the traces of the tail of a large heavenly Fox. Observing the radiance is akin to meditation. You can abstract from everything external, even from a temperature of -21 degrees. Although sooner or later she can still win. Since this is a natural phenomenon, it is impossible to predict where, how and when it will be seen, as well as whether it will be seen at all. The main condition is a clear starry sky, better away from the light noise of the city. There are special sites that analyze solar activity and predict whether it is possible to see aurora on a given day and with what probability.

But the Shining - although the main thing, but still not the only entertainment in Lapland. Before continuing, here's a quick tour of geography. Rovaniemi is a pretty town in southern Lapland, while being the northernmost major cities Finland. Further north, up to the border with Norway and Russia, you can find only small towns and villages. During the trip, we based in Saariselkä (about 250 km from Rovaniemi to the North). Therefore, a further description of the activities is given on the example of this small, but very nice town.

So, when we say Lapland, we mean snow, and when we say snow, we mean all possible types of winter activities. Of course, first of all, these are skis (cross-country). For athletes in Saariselkä there is a large selection of very high quality tracks, for every taste and level of training. The tracks are processed by a snowcat every day, on the sides there is a ski track for the classics, and the middle is left for skating. By the way, the Russian cross-country skiing team from Murmansk trains in Saariselkä. Trains and then successfully performs at international competitions. For experienced skiers, there is all the infrastructure: the hotels have rooms for storing equipment, dryers, in stores you can buy all the necessary consumables, such as: ointments, paraffins and a bunch of all sorts of different and interesting jars and accessories. Any equipment you need can be rented from local tour operators. Therefore, even a poorly prepared athlete is unlikely to be able to avoid skiing, at least once per rest.

Those who do not consider themselves an athlete, but nevertheless still did not escape this fate, can sharpen their skis at the Laanikhovi hotel (from the entrance to the ski track to the right). First, on the way, you can stop and take a breath at a small themed bar on the territory of a tiny dog farm.

There is, in fact, a hut-bar, a mini-zoo with husks and deer, a tent with a fireplace and a couple more interesting buildings - all together, like a small village illuminated by lanterns. And already in the Laanikhovi hotel you can take part in a funny tradition - dancing in ski boots. Every day, from 14 to 17, since the 60s of the last century, people come here on skis and dance (as you might guess right in their ski boots). And, of course, they drink a little. The local band plays Finnish songs, the bartender prepares cocktails, and the couples whirl. In general, there is a very warm feeling when you see how the locals and tourists, sometimes not very young, have a great time talking and dancing.

This is an excellent sport for non-athletes: you scratch actively on skis, stop at a bar for a glass, then ski again with renewed vigor - and at the end of the route a delicious lunch and dancing. Then again on skis and back. Or, if such inhuman stress still undermines the skier's health, a taxi is called for delivery to the house (all taxis in Saariselkä and the surrounding area are equipped with a ski rack). Alpine skiing is also represented, although not so extensively. In Finland, in principle, there is no large difference in elevation, but the slides here, although small, are also there, and, subjectively, they are still higher than in the Moscow region. What is very important for many, the lifts are chairlifts.

Those who do not have the skills of downhill skiing with ingenious bindings can use the classic sleds. They can be borrowed free of charge in every hotel. Climbing the hill takes about half an hour along a pleasant road among snow-covered trees, the descent goes in the same place, only in the other direction and much faster. At the top, in addition to an excellent view of the surroundings, again to keep you energized, there is a nice cafe with everything you need. And also a gift shop. But be careful: while you, having lost your vigilance, relax and gain energy after climbing, your sleds can become easy prey for intruders who refute the proverb: "If you like to ride, love to carry sledges." Moral: Keep the sled in plain sight.

Snowmobiling is definitely the next major way to get around on snow. A snowmobile is not a toy, but a means of transportation, so there are special tracks, signs and even the police for them, which monitors compliance with the rules of snowmobiling. By the way, it was in Saariselkä that the Guinness record was set for the distance covered by a snowmobile on the water. Snowmobiling can also be booked from any local tour operator.

You can also ride deer and dogs. Well, yes, of course, the feeling that it is you who are driving the team is still deceiving, since they are running along a previously worked out route. But the charm of communicating with animals, and especially with Husks (if you choose a ride on dogs, it is very difficult to overestimate).

For Husky safari, they provide everything you need on the spot: overalls and, if desired, special shoes, hats and mittens. Then they are instructed. One person sits in a sleigh, another rules them, then they change. Dogs know the route, and control consists only in timely pressing the brake - on descents and to maintain the distance between the teams. The sled is harnessed to five dogs. Dogs run silently and easily, only on steep climbs they need help. But as soon as they stop, a deafening squabble begins with each other, with neighbors in the team. The Husky has two main pleasures - to eat and to run, and it remains to be seen which of them is the most important. The trip itself lasted about an hour, followed by tea and biscuits and a tour of the farm. Each dog has its own booth, the elders teach the younger ones. They even give to hold the puppies - and it is not clear who squeaks more - a frightened puppy or a satisfied guest.

There are also skates, snowshoes, curling and ice stock games, etc. After you get a good load on skis, sledges, ice skates ... (underline the necessary) you just need to go to the sauna. What about Finland without a sauna ?! Better yet, go to a traditional smoke sauna (there is one near Saariselkä in Kakslautannen). If the topic of baths and saunas is close to you, you will get great pleasure. There is Angry Birds Activity park especially for children (as well as frivolous adults). This is a small entertainment complex for those who like to climb, jump, ride and generally just fans of Angry Birds. Although it is a children's complex, as an adult, it is also quite possible to hang out here for a couple of hours. For example, feel like a bird - ride a bungee, breaking a pyramid of plush pigs at the end with your carcass, or jump into a foam pool, ride down slides and shoot, as expected, at pigs. There are few rides, but all are interesting and soundly made.

Those who do not feel like an athlete at all and want cultural attractions also have something to do. In Saariselkä itself you can get to a major international jazz festival, which is quite unexpected for such a small town. Ivari, the capital of the Sami culture, is a 20-minute drive from Saariselkä. It is worth starting here with Siida, a museum of Lapandian indigenous culture. Here you can see how people lived on this land for many hundreds of years. Also in Ivari is the Sami Parliament, a government body that influences Finland's policy towards small nations. You can walk along it, there is a mini-museum. By the way, in Finland they do a lot to preserve the Sami languages and culture - they mainly build schools and teach children there in Sami, as well as organize festivals and holidays. Russian Sami from the Kola Peninsula are also invited to attend. They say they come.

On the way from Saariselkä to Rovaniemi (or vice versa), you can visit a small nice town Sodankylä, picturesquely located on the river. There is a wooden church, one of the very few preserved pre-war buildings in the city, built already in 1689 (!!!), unfortunately, it is open to the public only in summer.

In Rovaniemi itself, it is worth visiting the Arktikum Museum. It's hard to miss: a large remarkable building in the form of a tall glass tunnel overlooks the river bank. There are many rooms inside - a kind of logically arranged labyrinth. The museum is dedicated to everything that can be found in the Arctic Circle: flora, fauna, natural phenomena, people and events that took place in Lapland from antiquity to the present day. Arktikum is not a collection of dusty exhibits at all, but a living adventure for visitors of all ages. For example, you can study the voices of local animals and birds, hear the endangered languages of the Sami peoples, go into the ice room, and those who are not yet lucky enough to see the real Northern Lights see its imitation.

Near Arktikum there is a mini-museum and a Finnish knife shop Martiini in the building of a former factory. In general, Rovaniemi is a very pleasant city. In the center there is Lordi Square (named after the scary guys who won the Eurovision Song Contest for Finland), and a beautiful bridge is thrown across the river. Nature lovers traveling the roads of Lapland will be richly rewarded with views of the herds of reindeer grazing in their natural habitat. They are not allowed close, but a lot.

For the patient - the correct answer to the question about the painting. It depicts ... the parents of Santa Claus.

Gastronomic tourism

It is impossible to remember deer and not touch upon the topic of food. For those who think that venison is tough, fibrous meat with a specific smell - here you will lose faith in it. Deer meat can melt in your mouth, be more tender than chicken and have the most seductive smells. Well-cooked meat isn't cheap. But everything that is cooked from reindeer in Lapland is incredibly tasty, and I especially want to mention the reindeer steak (very tender) and the traditional dish of finely chopped reindeer with mashed potatoes, lingonberry jam and pickles (especially at the Pirkon Pirtti restaurant in Saariselkä) ... For those who find the combination of meat, potatoes and jam strange - try it first, and if you don't like it - I have nothing more to say to you. Everything is made of deer, even carpaccio and burgers. In the center of Saariselkä Opposite the Panimo bar, there is a small burger shop called Grillo. The owner himself prepares the freshest burgers, sausages and other quick delights, from venison and not only. Spartan furnishings: three tables and heavy stools made of solid pieces of log. Very simple and pleasant atmosphere and very, very tasty food... However, the choice of drinks is not wide at all.

In addition to venison dishes, Lapland also makes cheese, which is unexpectedly called "bread cheese". It is made from cow's milk, molded into a large round cake and lightly fried at the end of charcoal cooking, which gives it its speckled appearance and name. The cheese is fresh, slightly elastic. Another magical local dish is made from it - a dessert made from Lapland cheese. Hot cheese simmered in a creamy sauce, served with cloudberries (or jam) and whipped cream (to taste). Reheated cheese slightly changes its consistency and squeaks pleasantly on the teeth, which is why it is sometimes called "squeaky cheese". When you go up the hill with a sled for a long time and at the top you find the only cafe with such an unearthly dessert, you understand that although you have not yet skated, you have already been rewarded for the climb.

In the center of the local nightlife, Panimo Bar is also a great place to dine. By the way, Finns usually do not eat in bars, preparing for this in advance at home or in other establishments. Therefore, there is practically no chance of a drink or a snack in the bar. But in Panimo, the soup of the day is brewed for the afflicted. One for the whole day, served with bread and butter. The portion is generous, the soup is delicious and new every day.

After eating it is sometimes necessary…. right! - drink up.

Our guide (Russian by origin), living in Finland, complained about the lack of a culture of drinking: they do not clink glasses, different drinks interfere and, in general, behave in every possible way wrong in this matter. But the lack of culture is more than offset by an abundance of enthusiasm. The state monopoly restricts the sale of drinks stronger than light beer throughout Finland. You can buy them only in Alko stores. But this is if in stores, but in any bar - no problem.

They drink a lot of interesting things here, ranging from hot fruit drink with vodka (for sugrev and maintaining strength, for example, on a ski track), and, of course, just beer, to liquorice and resin liqueurs that are quite unusual for our taste (for the first time), and also all kinds of cocktails based on them. Also popular is "cocoa mint" - a hot drink made from cocoa and mint liqueur, sometimes with a cap of whipped cream. This all, of course, sounds strange, but the taste turns out to be very pleasant.

If you suddenly happen to get to Lapland in the summer and are overcome by thirst ... but not alcoholic, but gold, you can try to quench it by yourself mining some precious metal. Such excursions are organized by tour operators in Saariselkä. And, if you are lucky, a reasonable question arises, what to do with the prey next? The answer is simple: as befits a gold digger - go to a bar and drink. At Panimo, the gold will be assessed and exchanged for the appropriate amount of beer or other pleasure drinks. But the main thing is that Panimo has a very correct atmosphere of a classic pub, both locals and tourists, and the bartenders themselves, relax here in their free time. A truly central place in Saariselkä, both in mood and spirit. They also brew 2 varieties of their own beer.

In Saariselkä, you can stay in one of the hotels, of which there are many for every taste. Or in the apartments, which are also widely represented here. If you are accommodated in an apartment, there is a large store in the city, where you can buy everything you need and live in your little winter fairytale far or close to people, whoever you like best.

Nearby, in Kakslauttanen, there is a large complex Kakslauttanen hotel and igloo village. Small houses of various sizes and igloos are scattered over a fairly large area. There are 2 types of igloos: snowy, traditional, where you can sleep without wind in a warm sleeping bag right on a snow bed. And, more comfortable, all glass. It is understood that from them one can observe the aurora borealis and / or stars. In theory, this sounds great, but now in fact: at the cost of a glass igloo of 300 (!!!) euros per night, you get a small sweet house in which there are two beds and a nook with a toilet and a washbasin, without a shower (the shower is in the sauna across the river, walk for about 7 minutes). And it's all. Behind the forest of radiance surrounding the igloo, to be honest, it's not very visible, you still have to go outside. Whether this pleasure is worth 300 euros is up to you. But remember (!!!): when leaving the house, always carry your keys with you, even if you are just looking out of the door. Otherwise, you will have to deal with a sweet and sociable, at first glance, owner of the complex. "You cannot move tables, because I am the owner here, and I said so!" - nervous and slightly hysterical behavior, which suddenly changed good nature and sociability, alerted us and it immediately became clear why the local staff was so well-trained and polite.

The Story of a Bad Man in Lapland (the only negative experience in the whole trip)

"This service is paid and will cost 50 Euro!" It was with this phrase that Jussi Eiramo, the gray-bearded owner of hotel complex Kakslauttanen hotel and igloo village and at the same time Santa's resort, and also acting Santa's in his own resort, when he was contacted at about 11 pm and told about the difficult situation in which the guests of his hotel got.

Meet Jussi

Given: 2 people peeking out for 10 minutes for the shine; -15 degrees already, and the air temperature continues to decrease steadily; closed igloo door, with a key inside; and the complete absence of any staff. In this hotel, no one will tell you, and you will not read anywhere yourself, that the doors here are self-closing, and the key must be kept with you at all times, and the locks can junk. You will also not be told that the reception closes early enough, that the 24-hour service phone on the door is a fiction, it has not worked for many years, and you will never be answered or called back. And no one here really cares that you have been hanging out for more than an hour in the cold at -18, because there is simply no one else to turn to and nowhere to call. But what really worries Jussi Eiramo is getting their 50 Euros. "They didn't pay!" - with such an angry call, he collapsed, half an hour after the gloomy girl with the keys still came around midnight and let the completely frozen people back into the house after several hours in the cold.

O good people in Lapland (thanks)

Many thanks to the guide Danila for the most interesting stories, the solution to all problems and good mood, to the driver Yukhe for the unprecedented skill in driving a huge iron monster. Even a skinny uncle with a long beard from a dog farm, bartenders at Panimo, the owner of a burger, waiters in a restaurant, aunt in a cafe on the mountain and everyone else we were lucky enough to meet in a week. All these nice and pleasant people made our trip really unforgettable. I would especially like to note the feeling that all this is done not for the high-speed pumping of tourist money, but because this is such a lifestyle. It seems to me that they all constantly live with this pleasant attitude towards each other and their guests, and this is very captivating. Therefore, in any place you feel calm and comfortable.

“And everywhere a beautiful and majestic land stood before him. Niels was very happy to have seen Lapland, but he would not want to live there. Akka was certainly right when she said that the new settlers could leave the local land alone, leaving it to its original inhabitants - bears and wolves, deer and wild geese, white owls and pied birds, and even Laplanders, who were simply created to live here. . "Niels Holgersson's Amazing Journey with Wild Geese

Santa and elves, white reindeer and friendly sled dogs, endless snow and northern lights - all this is Lapland.

It is worth visiting this Finnish province no matter how old you are, because the feeling of a real miracle will remain with the tourist even after returning home.

What to see in Lapland

Of course, the main pride of Lapland and, in fact, the meaning of the whole trip is the village of Santa Claus, speaking the local language, Joulupukki. Take a ride on his sleigh of reindeer, receive a gift from the hands of a fat bearded man, or send a letter home with the stamp “Arctic Circle. Lapland ”will be interesting not only for children. And although Santa is a winter character, his house is open to friends all year round.

A trip to Snowland will be fun for the toughest adults. This real city made of ice, where you can stay in an ice hotel, have a couple of cocktails in the bar with transparent tables or dance in the coldest disco in the world.

Well, women who have a weakness for precious stones should go to Luosto. This is the only mine in Europe where amethysts are mined. You can learn almost everything about them, admire unique specimens and even find yourself a small pebble in the spent ore. By the way, those who want more treasures, good and different, go to Kemi, where the Gallery of Gems is located.

And for the northern lights and unique shots, it is customary to travel to the Enontekiyo region. Here, among the high hills, not far from the harsh ocean, almost every night the sky shimmers with hundreds of colors.

Family fun in Lapland

Families with children will especially enjoy their holidays in Lapland. Most of the offered entertainment and excursions are designed for them. Just one trip to visit Santa is worth something. The same goes for the museums of handicrafts, reindeer riding and the construction of snow fortresses.

The inhabitants of Lapland themselves are always glad to have children, and they let them in for almost all entertainment with substantial discounts, or even free of charge. Most hotels offer options for staying with a child in a room without surcharges, babysitting services and children's animators.

In addition, parents will also like the tranquility in Lapland: there are very few nightclubs here, there is silence on the streets - it is almost impossible to meet a noisy party here. If you even dream of absolute solitude, you can always rent a house in the forest and get out of it only on pre-ordered excursions.

Winter tour prices and tickets

Holidays in Lapland are not as expensive as it is commonly believed. True, it is advisable to book tours or tickets in advance so as not to rush in search of "refuseniks" in the last days before winter holidays... By the way, a good option for those who want to save money - take vouchers for the second half of January. Nothing will change in nature, in the weather, or in excursions, but a trip will be 30% cheaper for you than a New Year one.

A tour to Lapland for two with train travel can be bought for 700 €. The price will include not only travel and accommodation, but also three meals a day and a festive program. But you will have to pay extra for all excursions, visa and insurance.

If you decide to organize your vacation on your own, hurry up to take care of the ticket issues. After all, if there are enough hotels in Finland, then flights departing to a cold country under New Year, not so many, and almost all of them are occupied by tour operators. Now you can still buy air tickets to Finland for 14,000 rubles, but closer to the holidays the prices for the same flights will significantly increase.

Give yourself and your children a winter fairy tale, go to Lapland and be sure - you will want to come back here more than once!

Lapland is the largest region in Finland in terms of area and, perhaps, one of the most amazing and attractive in terms of tourism, thanks to its magnificent landscapes, untouched nature and distinctive culture. Travelers come here both in summer and winter. These regions attract both extreme and adventure lovers and connoisseurs of quiet rest. We will tell you how to spend an unforgettable vacation in Lapland, as well as what to see in this amazing northern region.

Northern Lights in Lapland

History of the region

Finnish Lapland or Lappi is only part of a vast historical area that is divided between Suomi, Norway, Sweden and Russia. Despite the fact that Lapland has never been an independent state, the unique and distinctive culture of the indigenous people of the region - the Sami, a small northern people - has been preserved here.

A special page in the history of Lapland is the attacks of the "gold rush", which have swept the region three times in the last hundred years alone. The mining of the precious metal in the northern region continues today. By the way, just over twenty years ago, the fourth largest Lappish nugget was found on a tributary of the Ivalojoki River - this "treasure" weighed more than 140 kilograms.

Lappi has a particularly harsh climate: most of it is located north of the Arctic Circle, winter lasts almost six months. In the cold season, there are long polar nights, and in the warm - polar days.

Lapland in winter

Lapland in our minds is inextricably linked with the winter fairy tale and the New Year: that is why huge flows of tourists flock here in December and at Christmas. On New Year's Eve in Lapland, you should definitely visit the village of Santa Claus in Rovaniemi: in the official residence of the fairytale character, you can send a congratulatory letter, ride the slides, play snowballs and even take a photo with Santa himself. Also in the region you will find a lot of opportunities for active and eventful winter holidays. First of all, you should pay attention to the ski resorts of this region: here you can enjoy clean snow slopes, landscapes of pristine nature and enjoy plenty of snowboarding and alpine skiing... The most popular places winter sports destinations are Levi, Ylläs, Saariselka, Salla, Lapin, Luosto, Ounasvaara and Ukkohalla.

Winter in Lapland is also very common for dog sledding and reindeer sledding: the so-called "winter safari". For example, not far from the Lapland town of Ivalo there is a kennel for 140 animals: from here you can go on an exciting multi-day trip. There are farms where you can ride a reindeer with a breeze in the town of Luosta, in the Kuusamo municipality, near Rovaniemi and in many other parts of Lapland.

Snowshoeing and snowmobiling in Lapland is also popular, with travel opportunities to the Arctic Ocean and even the journey to and from Norway.

For especially brave tourists in winter Lapland there is also such entertainment as swimming in an ice-hole, which, by the way, is a centuries-old tradition for the peoples of this region.

Lapland in summer and autumn

In the warm season, it is worth going to Lapland to relax in pristine nature without the extreme conditions of a harsh polar winter. The only thing is that you should be well prepared for meeting the numerous Finnish midges and mosquitoes.

If you consider yourself to be amateurs extreme rest then in summer in Lapland you can go rafting on the rivers Muonionjoki and Tornionjoki. Connoisseurs of quieter leisure should go to the local forests for berries and mushrooms. Also, these northern regions are a great place for hiking with tents.

In autumn, you can go hunting in the untouched forests near the city of Rovaniemi and bring back real hunting trophies from here. In September, October and November, you can hunt a hare, wood grouse and even elk here.

By the way, two interesting events take place in Finnish Lapland in the summer. From June 27 to July 1, the international folklore festival "Yutayaset" is held in Rovaniemi, where you can see performances by musical groups performing songs and dances of the northern peoples. The Midnight Sun Film Festival takes place in Sodankylä from 13 to 17 June: during the wonderful white nights, you can watch films by famous Finnish and foreign filmmakers.

National parks

National parks are a special pride of the whole of Finland, and of course Lapland. It is worth going to these places both in winter and in summer, depending on what you want to see: snow-covered expanses or green forests. The largest national park in Lapland is Lemmenjoki, which covers an area of 3000 km²: here you can see bears, lynxes, wolves, otters and other representatives of the rich Finnish fauna. Reindeer breeders and gold diggers also work in the park.

Pallas Park─Ounastunturi will amaze you with its numerous gorges, in Pyhätunturi you can see some of the most ancient mountain formations on the planet, and in Urho Kekkonen you will get acquainted with the taiga nature and its many inhabitants: for example, finches, partridges and bears. V northern waters On the Baltic Sea, there is the Perameri Park, which has about 30 wild islands and picturesque reefs. You can get on it only by boat: you can take a boat taxi in the coastal villages of Kemi or Tornio: there is also a chance to see seals during the trip. At Lemmenjoki Park, the magnificent Ravadasköngas Waterfall awaits you, while in Riisitunturi you will see the famous Korouoma Canyon, which stretches for 30 km. Urho Kekkonen is worth a visit in order to enjoy the view of the Korvatunturi fell: as the legend says, it is she who is the home of the Finnish Santa.

Museums

The main museum in Lapland is considered to be Arktikum, located in Rovaniemi and dedicated to the life of the Polar Region. Also in the capital of Lappi is the Lapland Museum of Woodcutters, and in Kemi - an interesting gallery of precious stones. In the town of Tankavaara, located in the Sodankylä region, there is a museum dedicated to gold. Here you will get acquainted with the history of gold mining, and in the artificial pond you can try yourself as a hunter for gold sand. Five kilometers from the Luosto resort, on the Lampivaara mountain, there is an amethyst mine, which can also be visited as a tourist. By the way, Lampivaara is the only place where these stones are still mined in Europe.

In addition to unforgettable impressions from Lapland, it is worth bringing original souvenirs as a gift to friends and family. Usually, products made from deerskin and antlers, artifacts from the bark of the Arctic birch, the famous Sami hats, and mittens are usually brought from these regions. For representatives of the strong half of humanity, Finnish knives, for example, from Marttiini, will be an excellent gift. In the capital of Lapland, in the city of Rovaniemi, there is an exhibition hall located near the Arktikum building, where you can view a collection of knives and buy your favorite products.

Material on the topic

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Vuokatti Ski Resort - Family Ski Resort

The distance of 630 km from St. Petersburg to Vuokatti can be covered in a day by car or in 1 hour by plane from Helsinki to Kajaani Airport.

Vuokatti - popular ski resort for family vacations, 13 work here ski slopes of varying difficulty and 8 lifts, especially for children there is a 50 m long "magic carpet" belt lift. In addition to the ski slopes, the resort has year-round tunnels for cross-country skiing and snowboarding.

Fans of a comfortable stay in Vuokatti will find the upscale Spa Hotel Holiday Club Katinkulta. The hotel has a water park with all kinds of slides and a bath complex with several saunas. The hotel welcomes golf lovers in summer and skiing in winter. The presence of an indoor sports complex allows you to engage in various sports at any time of the year. It offers indoor tennis courts, squash and badminton courts, a gym and group fitness programs with an instructor.

Vuokatti - beautiful place for family holidays! An indoor Angry Birds Adventure Park opened here in December 2012. The park's adventure trails have climbing trails, crawling tunnels, bridges, slides and a zip line - all of these sturdy structures will withstand adults. To rest after sports entertainment, there is a fast food restaurant, lounges and wi-fi - here you can have fun with the whole family all day long!

Resort Iso-Syöte / Iso-Syöte - on the top of the mountain

At the very top of the hill stands the Iso-Suote hotel, surrounded by many cottages located in a fairy forest. The windows of the restaurant offer a panoramic view of the surroundings - you can watch the sunrises and sunsets, and if you're lucky, you can admire the northern lights.

The ski slope is located right outside the hotel. If you brought your ski equipment with you, then you will not need a car at this resort at all. True, novice skiers and children still have to get to the foot of the slope by transport in order to start skiing on simple gentle slopes, of which there are a sufficient number of them.

The youngest skiers are invited to visit the children's snow country "Lumimaa", where not only special lifts are provided for children, but also many other entertainments.

Ruka resort - skiing in Lapland

Ylläs Ski Resort - a ski resort in the Arctic Circle

"Snow Village" beyond the Arctic Circle

As a northern exotic, you can visit the "Snow Village". Every year, at the beginning of the winter season, a team of Chinese craftsmen comes here and, together with their Finnish colleagues, erects another snow masterpiece in a short time.

The snow hotel has several rooms where you can spend the night on ice beds - special sleeping bags are issued for this. Each room has an original design, however, there are no toilets or other amenities in the rooms.

Particularly popular at the hotel is the bar, where you can warm yourself up with, for example, blueberry vodka. And in the restaurant you can order the national Lappish food.

New Year in Finland. Cottage or hotel room?

If you are used to relaxing in hotels, please - all Finnish ski resorts have such accommodation options. But Finland is just interesting because you can try a new format - rest in a cottage in the middle of a fabulous winter forest. The cottage is not a hut "on chicken legs", it is a spacious 1-2-storey house with all the amenities - you will have an equipped kitchen, a sauna, several bedrooms, the living room will most likely have a fireplace, next to which it is pleasant to spend an evening with a glass of wine and for a pleasant conversation with friends. Of course, there are cottages not only in the forest, but also in resort villages close to shops and restaurants. Which option to choose is up to you.

It is especially convenient to travel to Finland with a friendly company - renting a large cottage is much cheaper than a hotel room, and even more fun. Spending evenings in the sauna, relaxing after skiing - what could be better ?!

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