New Year in Finland. Finland - the land of forest lakes and the birthplace of Santa Claus

Finnish Lapland or Santa Claus Village - the birthplace of Santa Claus, locals call it Joulupukki. Finnish Santa looks the same as the well-known Santa Claus - in a red coat, hat, with a white beard. In the 19th century, he was dressed in a goat skin and had goat horns (in Finnish Joulu - Christmas, pukki - goat), hence the name Joulupukki. His wife Muori is the personification of winter. According to legend, gnomes help him. They live in the Echo Caverns throughout the year. There they monitor the behavior of children by listening to them. Before the start of Christmas, the gnomes sort through the mail, helping to prepare gifts. Today Santa Claus Village is a popular tourist destination in Finland where people come from all over the world to see the real Santa.

The Santa Claus apartment near Rovaniemi opened in 1985, but its history began in 1950. Then a small wooden hut was built, and in the 60s a kind of office was built. Over time, a whole village appeared, workshops, a puppet theater, an amusement park, a sales office and a Santa Claus post office, where letters from the guys come.

People from all over the world come to Rovaniemi, so thousands of guest languages are heard here. Christmas atmosphere in Lapland all year round. Therefore, Christmas events are constantly held in the town. At any time you can watch international concerts, puppet theater performances, skits with gnomes and elves. Envoys of goodwill and thousands of guests have traditionally begun to gather in Santa's Workshop. Santa Park will be able to give all tourists a fairy tale, here you can plunge into your childhood and spend time carefree.

The Santa Park entertainment center was built in 1998 in the Syväsenvaara cave at the level of the Arctic Circle. At any time, a fabulous Christmas reigns here. To get to the park, guests must walk 200 meters along the passage from the outer entrance to the cave to its center. There are galleries in the cave where four attractions are located. They are divided into several categories: large (where children can ride with their parents or only adults), children's (only for kids), family (for everyone). Among the attractions stands out the amazing Carousel - Sleigh Ride. She will be able to "fly" through the northern landscapes, through the dark days of winter to the sunny nights of the solstice. Also unique are: Santa's Helicopters - they look like a cockpit with pedals in it, and Rudolph's Ride - a very fast ride that causes an adrenaline rush.

IN Lapland come to see Santa Claus, real Christmas and participate in interesting fun activities. But Lapland is not only a Christmas holiday. Here you can see the most beautiful nature of the North, taste amazing Tasty food Saami, visit year-round nature reserves and National parks. IN summer time Lovers of outdoor activities and pristine nature have a rest in Lapland. They participate in hiking trips, rafting on small forest rivers, fishing in local lakes and rivers. In winter, tourists ride sleds, sledges, run around the slopes ski resorts. Some travelers want to be away from the hustle and bustle, take a break from the outside world, be alone with beautiful untouched nature.

The city of Rovaniemi is best visited on the eve of the New Year. The thing is that the most famous place in the world is located here - the village of that same Santa Claus. And to come here during the holidays would be very handy. The village has something to see for both children and adults.

Home of Santa Claus

The Finns themselves believe that the New Year's magician, who is called Yelopukki in these parts, lives on the Korvatunturi hill, near the Russian border, and his main residence is located in Rovaniemi. The village is not very big. The main place in the village of Santa Claus is his office and post office, where more than half a million letters are received annually from children from different parts of the world. By the way, they say that, fortunately for adults and children, everything that is conceived almost always comes true, if it does not concern financial issues.
On the territory of Rovaniemi there is a deer farm, a complex of residential cottages, shops, restaurants, slides and attractions. On the main square of the village of Santa Claus, every tourist will see a dazzling beauty of a Christmas tree - a symbol of the New Year.
Before the New Year and Christmas, a large number of tourists come to the Santa Claus Village. Basically, these are families with children. All kids dream of meeting Santa Claus in person. This can be done just in time for the holidays. You just need to get to the city of Rovaniemi. In the famous village, travelers will be met by elves - Santa's helpers. They will lead you to the wizard's office, but you will have to wait there, because there will be a lot of people who want to. Tourists will spend minutes of waiting in a luxurious warm hall, and will not freeze in the cold.
Anyone can visit the Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi absolutely free. You will only have to spend money on a snack and buying souvenirs. Photo and video shooting on the territory is prohibited or will cost a lot of money. But, in none of the many other villages in Rovaniemi, you can feel like in a fairy tale. Here, even an adult will become a child for a while. Santa Claus Village is the most popular winter holiday destination among tourists. That is why, having arrived in Finland, the first thing tourists rush to visit such popular villages of Rovaniemi.

Opening hours and prices

Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi is open all year round, daily from 10 am to 5 pm. In the winter New Year's Eve season, the work schedule is extended by several hours. After visiting this amazing place from all the variety of Rovaniemi villages, you can ride reindeer. The price of a child ticket is a maximum of 12 euros, an adult ticket is 25 euros. Recall that the entrance to the village is free. In contrast to the closely related underground theme park - Santa Park.

“Take us, Suomi is a beauty,

In a necklace of transparent lakes!

(words from a song)

In Finland, first of all, you pay attention to the beautiful forests, alternating with numerous lakes and rivers. Forest and water are her element. No wonder the blue cross on a white background on the national flag means blue lakes and clear skies against the backdrop of white snow that covers the country in long winters. A brand tourism in Finland became Santa Claus.

Kotka – a city of ancient fortifications and parks

The first city from which acquaintance with Finland began was Kotka. In the Kotka region, the largest river in the south of the country, Kymijoki, flows into the Baltic Sea. Staying at the Cumulus Hotel, located 7 km from the city center, I explore the surrounding area.

Kotka and its surroundings are very interesting place. In the forest near the hotel, there are many stone boulders of various shapes.

The forest is rich in mushrooms, which grow even along the path next to the dwellings. There are also many bushes of red currant and raspberry in the forest. Having enjoyed the berries, which were very juicy and large, I watch with interest how Finnish families live. Right in the forest, there are several estates, or small farms, located at some distance from each other. I am watching one of them: in a clearing surrounded by a forest, there are several neat buildings, a garage, a playground. There is no fence.

Having examined the surroundings, I go to the city center. Kotka is located on an island, this road connects the island with the mainland.

Kotka is a city of ancient fortifications and parks. Its history is closely connected with the history of the Russian Empire. In those days, there was a stubborn struggle between Sweden and Russia for dominance at sea. By order of Empress Catherine II, the construction of a series of defensive fortifications on the coast began. Baltic Sea, and at the same time several fortresses and forts were built in Ruotsinsalmi Bay. The city of Kotka was founded in 1879, but earlier on the same place was the Russian fortress city of Rochensalm. Russian emperors have repeatedly visited the city. Just five kilometers from the center of Kotka, in Langinkoski, is his fishing hut. Imperial Majesty and Grand Duke of Finland Alexander III. The log cabin, built in 1889, has been preserved in its original form. Through household items, furnishings and other exhibits, the museum acquaints visitors with the life of the imperial family.

Kotka with a population of 55,000 people is considered a major port, industrial and cultural center of Finland. It can rightly be called the city of parks. I was impressed by the decorative water park "Sapokka" (the name is from the Russian word for boots, if you look at the map, it looks like a boot) - this is an oasis in the city center. "Sapokka" is also a boat pier and the center from where regular flights on boats.

It has a very beautiful collection of granite of different colors, mined on the territory of Suomi.

Sibelius Park is located in the very center of the city. This is a "green city living room" for citizens and tourists. IN last years many sculptures were installed in the park. First of all, the sculpture "Eagles" attracts attention, because "Kotka" in translation means "eagle".

The city is home to the world's only giant aquarium - the Maretarium Underwater Museum, where you can observe the underwater life of Finland. There are no other museums like this in Finland. In addition to 50 species of fish living in the waters of Finland, underwater nature is also represented here.

In Kotka are beautiful buildings which are in harmony with surrounding nature, - Orthodox and Catholic cathedrals.

The city is very compact, clean and cozy. The planting of maple trees on the central boulevard began already in the late 1800s, now these solid trees take tired tourists under their shady crown. I was pleasantly surprised that despite the modest size by our standards, the city has many parks, sculptures, cultural sites and large shopping malls. There is something to see here, as well as many opportunities for active recreation for tourists: sports complexes, golf courses, ski routes, courts, health trails, horse riding training in special camps, yachting. In a word, Kotka and its environs are a very interesting place.

Helsinki is the capital of Finland

Acquaintance with Finland continues in its capital, Helsinki, a city surrounded by the sea and islands, a city where nature and culture are in close contact. Helsinki was founded in 1550 by the Swedish king Gustav I Vasa north of the mouth of the Vanta River and moved in 1640 5 km to the south, to the coast of the Gulf of Finland. Helsinki remained a small settlement until 1812, when, after the conquest of the Finnish lands by the Russian Empire, the capital of the Grand Duchy of Finland was transferred here from Turku by order of Tsar Alexander I.

Already in the 1600s, a city market, a town hall, a church and a cemetery were located on the site of the Senate Square. Emperor of Russia Alexander I ordered to build a center worthy of a new capital. Apparently that's why architectural style its capital is somewhat reminiscent of St. Petersburg. The main attraction of the city and its center is the Senate Square. The surroundings of the Senate Square is a unique complex in the neoclassical style. It is dominated by four buildings designed in 1822-1852 by Karl-Ludwig Engel: the Cathedral, the building of the State Council, the main building of the university and the National Library. Above the entire ensemble rises the Cathedral Lutheran Cathedral, to which granite steps lead. The cathedral was built according to the project of K. L. Engel in 1852. Tsar Nicholas I donated a canvas painted by a Russian painter for the altar. By analogy with the model - Isaac in St. Petersburg - the figures of the apostles were installed on the roof of the cathedral.

In the center of the Senate Square is a monument to Emperor Alexander II. It is strange to see a monument to the Russian emperor on the main square of a foreign state. The question arises why it was not demolished. I remember that in 1809-1917 Finland, with the status of an autonomous Grand Duchy, was part of the Russian Empire. In 1863, Alexander II legalized the Finnish language, obliging officials to serve Finnish visitors in it, and not in Swedish, as was customary, for which the Finns still have the warmest feelings for the Russian Tsar.

On opposite side The main building of the university, decorated with Ionic columns, is located on the square. Engel designed it for main residence the tsarist governor-general, but in 1827, when a fire destroyed the university in Turku, a new building in the capital was given to this educational institution. There are newer additional university buildings on the nearby streets. The university library building is considered one of Engel's most remarkable creations. It is remarkable for its magnificent facade in the Empire style. On the outside of the building there is a bronze bust of Emperor Alexander I.

Not far from the Senate Square, in the Kataianokka quarter, the Orthodox Assumption Cathedral rises on a granite rock, but we did not manage to get into it, since it opens only during the service. Built in 1868 according to the project of A. M. Gornostaev, all of dark red brick, with golden onion domes, it leaves a special imprint on the white northern city.

120 meters from the Senate Square on the coast of the Baltic Sea is the Palace of the President of the country. The building of the palace was built as a private house. After the reconstruction, carried out according to the project of the architect Engel in 1843, it became the Finnish residence of the Russian Tsar. Since 1919, the official residence of the President of the independent Republic of Finland has been located here. However, now the residence of the current president is located in a different place.

The City Hall is located on the embankment not far from the Presidential Palace.

Nearby there is a sea port, from the piers of which you can take a ferry or a river tram on an excursion to the Sveaborg fortress.

There are more than 80 museums in the city. Among them are museums: postal, design, architecture, sports, tram, money, technology, the National Museum, the Helsinki Museum and others. Many have cozy cafes and museum shops.

The oldest stone building in Helsinki is the Sederholm House, currently one of the branches of the city museum. The house was built in 1757 by a merchant named Cederholm, who was once an influential person in many areas of Helsinki life.

Most of the sights of Helsinki are located within walking distance from the center. But you can use the services of a well-functioning and award-winning public transport city, which will quickly and easily deliver to any object in any part of the city.

A lot of interesting things can be seen primarily from the windows of the tram. It is very profitable to get acquainted with the sights of Helsinki during a tour on the 3T tram. This route seems to be made for excursions: the Finlandia Palace, the Parliament building, the National Opera, Senate Square are located along its length. You can take the tram at any stop, and the tour lasts about an hour. A flyer for the tram tour (as well as for other tours) can be purchased at Tourist Information.

In Helsinki, there is also a subway, which has only one line. She goes through Train Station and connects the city center with the southwestern districts. Part of the metro route is surface. The number of stations is 12. The entrance to the metro is indicated by the letter "M" inscribed in a red square.

One of the attractions is the church in the rock on Temppeliaukio Square, built in 1969. This is a completely unique project. Outwardly, nothing remarkable.

The internal volume of the temple is carved into the rock and its walls, not replete with decoration, are massive rocks. The dome of glass and copper rests on rock walls. The inner surface of the dome is made of copper plates laid in a spiral, which creates the illusion of a very high arch, although the distance from the floor to the top point is about 12 m. In addition to the place of religious worship, the church also acts as a concert hall, thanks to good acoustics and an idyllic interior. This is a very popular wedding venue.

At all times in Finland there was a cult of nature. Even in the capital, the purity of coastal waters and inland waters, the freshness of grass and trees are striking. There are many green parks in the city. Close to Cathedral Square Esplanade Park is located. The oldest trees of the linden alley were planted as early as the 1840s. At the eastern end of the park is a fountain decorated with a bronze figure of a naked girl. From the terrace of the nearby restaurant Kappeli, whose architecture resembles a winter garden, you can see the stage of the summer theater Espa.

One of the greatest sights of the city - the Sibelius monument - is located in the Taka-Töölö area in the Sibelius Park, which received this name in 1945 in honor of the 80th anniversary of the maestro composer Jean Sibelius. The monument by Eila Hiltunen was unveiled in 1967. The monument is a set of pipe cuts welded into a single whole, all this symbolizes the organ. Slightly to the side is the head of the composer. The memorial itself is a very beautiful place, especially in summer. There is a lot of greenery and flowers here. locals like to relax here, sitting on the benches or right on the grass.

The first monument erected in Helsinki was an obelisk with a gilded double-headed eagle. Its opening took place in 1835 near the port in memory of the visit to Helsinki of Emperor Nicholas I and his wife Alexandra. The obelisk was designed by Engel.

For families with children, Helsinki offers a lot of unforgettable experiences. You can visit the amusement park, travel through the underwater world sea life Or take a fun trip to the zoo.

All in all, the Finnish capital of 600,000 people is remembered as a city of European culture, known among other things for its hi-tech and design, which stands out for its charming simplicity.

According to information borrowed from Wikipedia, in 2011 Helsinki ranked first in the ranking of the 25 best cities in the world, compiled by the British magazine Monocle(in second place - Zurich, in the third - Copenhagen). In the same 2011, published by an international consulting company Mercer In the ranking of the safest cities in the world, Helsinki shares 2-4 places with Zurich and Bern (Luxembourg is in first place). In early 2012, The New York Times in its annual list of places on our planet that are worth visiting in the coming year, put Helsinki in second place (in the first place - Panama, in the third - Myanmar). Here it is, the capital of Finland!

Sveaborg fortress - the key to Helsinki

Sveaborg Fortress (Swedish Fortress) is located at the entrance to the harbor of Helsinki on the Suomenlinna archipelago in the Gulf of Finland of the Baltic Sea. The fortifications of the fortress are built on 7 rocky islands that make up the "Wolf Skerries". The construction of the fortress began in 1748 by the Swedes to protect the harbor. Instead of the planned 4 years, it lasted 40 and was never completed in the form in which its creator, Augustin Ehrensvard, conceived. The significance of this fortress can be judged by the fact that Sveaborg was called the "Swedish Gibraltar". On May 4, 1808, Russian troops besieged the fortress. After a short siege, the fortress was surrendered, despite the clear superiority of the Swedes in artillery (1000 guns against the Russians 40). Of the 8 thousand garrison, 5 people died. The commandant of the fortress, Admiral Kronstedt, was court-martialed on charges of treason, and his relatives in Sweden were forced to change their surnames. In 1809, Finland became part of the Russian Empire (Friedrichsham Peace).

The fortress gained military glory in 1855 during the Crimean War under the banner of the Russian Empire. Sveaborg was bombarded by the Anglo-French fleet. On July 28 (August 9), 1855, the enemy fleet, which approached Sveaborg, operated as part of 10 ships of the line, seven sailing frigates, seven steam frigates, two corvettes, one brig, four ships of a "special design", 16 bombards, 25 gunboats, two yachts and three transports. On August 9, an intensive bombardment began. After a two-day artillery battle, the squadron left Sveaborg, losing several mortar ships and causing minor fires and destruction in the fortress. The garrison of the fortress lost 44 lower ranks killed, 110 wounded, two staff officers, three chief officers, shell-shocked - four staff officers, 12 chief officers, 18 lower ranks.

After the Crimean War, the fortress was reconstructed, new fortifications and artillery positions were built, more modern guns were installed.

At the beginning of the 20th century, there were about 1,500 inhabitants in Sveaborg, not counting the garrison. Communication with Helsingfors (formerly called Helsinki) was supported in the summer by small steamers. The fortress housed a station for the Russian navy, docks, arsenals, a sailor's school, barracks, storehouses, powder magazines, fresh water tanks, and an Orthodox Cathedral. During World War I, Sveaborg was used as a base for the mine fleet.

In 1906, a major uprising took place in the fortress. During civil war in Finland (summer 1918) there was a concentration camp for the Finnish Red Guards, of whom many died of starvation and disease. Since that time, the fortress is called Suomenlinna (Finnish fortress) and serves as a naval base of the Finnish state. During the Winter War, the fortress was bombed several times. Soviet aviation, but without much success.

Currently, Suomenlinna is one of the most significant attractions in Finland and at the same time is an urban area where 850 Helsinki residents live. It is also included in the register of world cultural monuments by UNESCO. On the islands of the former fortress there are several museums, the naval academy of the Finnish fleet and a light security prison, the prisoners of which work to maintain the fortress in order. The fortifications include numerous artillery from the time of the development of the fortress, and all the cannons were cast in Russia and the inscriptions on them are only in Russian, mainly from the Perm Arms Plant.

Entrance to the fortress itself is free, you have to pay only when visiting museums.

Museum "Suomenlinna", which tells about the history of the fortress from the 1700s to the present day. The diatribe on display takes you on a journey through various exciting stages in Suomenlinna's 250-year history. The museum contains unique specimens of pre-revolutionary artillery Imperial Russia- the 6-inch siege gun of the 1904 model of the year and other weapons have been preserved.

Other museums in Suomenlinna: customs; Ehrensvärd; toys; military museum Manege - a museum of the Soviet-Finnish and World War II; submarine Vessico.

Getting to Suomenlinna is easy. Near the town hall there is a sea port, from the piers of which you can go on an excursion to the Sveaborg fortress by ferry. In summer, JT-Line "river trams" also depart from the neighboring pier.

Turku - the spiritual capital of Finland

Turku (Swedish name Abo) is the most ancient city Finland, former center trade in the 13th century. Until 1812, Turku was the capital of Finland, until the Russian emperor decided to move the capital to Helsinki, closer to Russia. Until now, Turku claims to be the second city in Finland, although in terms of the number of inhabitants (182,000) it is only in fourth place. The Aurajoki River flows through the city, at the mouth of which are Passenger Port and a castle. Already in the 12th century, following the Swedish conquerors, merchants arrived here and launched coastal trade. Gradually, a city grew here. The official date of its foundation is 1229, when Pope Gregory IX ordered the bishop's residence to be moved to the Aurajoki River.

Main tourist routes run in Turku along the banks of the Aurajoki River, where all the main sights of the city are concentrated, including a medieval cathedral and a castle - evidence of the former greatness of the city as a secular and spiritual center.

Turku is a city where past and present are intertwined, antiquity frozen in stone and modern urban culture, is considered the city of “a thousand and one legends”. The Turku archipelago is like a precious necklace of 20,000 green islands, small rocky islets and reefs. The Åland Islands are 6500 islands and skerries in the Baltic Sea. Today, Turku is a lively university city with a rich cultural tradition.

Being the capital of the province, Turku also serves as the administrative and territorial center of Southwestern Finland. Turku is a city of the highest industrial technology, largest center higher education. The university, the Abo Academy, the Higher Commercial and Polytechnic Institutes are located here.

Turku Cathedral is main temple of the Lutheran faith and the national shrine of Finland. It is considered the most valuable architectural monument countries. The history of the cathedral is closely intertwined with the centuries-old fate of the nation. The cathedral is not only a museum, it is a place of worship for the parishioners of the Cathedral parish and the parish of the Swedish-speaking population of the city, as well as a wonderful concert hall. The cathedral is over 700 years old. The construction of the cathedral was completed in 1300. The cathedral was named after two patrons: the Virgin Mary and St. Henrik, the country's first bishop.

The cathedral was expanded several times throughout the Middle Ages. The new altar part of the cathedral, which today is reminiscent of octagonal Gothic columns, was erected in the 14th century. The interior of today's cathedral was created mainly in the 30s. 19th century. main altar Cathedral depicts the Transfiguration of the Lord. Romantic in style, the frescoes depict the Life of Christ and two major events in the history of the country's religion. One of the frescoes tells about the origins of Christianity in Finland, depicting the moment of the baptism of the Finns by Bishop Henrik at the water spring in Kupitaa. Another fresco depicts the church reformer Mikael Agricola at the time of his handing over to King Gustav Vasa the New Testament, translated by him into Finnish. Many prominent personalities of Finland are buried in the cathedral and its side chapels.

The museum, located in the southern gallery of the Cathedral, presents models and drawings that tell about the different stages of its creation, medieval wooden sculpture, clothing and paraphernalia of the clergy, church utensils made of silver and tin: communion bowls, candlesticks, etc.

Old Great Square is the heart of Turku. From here begins the celebration of Christmas throughout Finland, after the Christmas peace is announced from the balcony of Brinkkala. The square is formed by four houses - the Old Town Hall, Brinkkala, the houses of Hjeltin and Juslenius, which are under state protection as architectural monuments of the 19th century, representing different styles.

Turku is proud of its past, which is guarded by numerous museums of the city: history; crafts "Luostarinmäki"; living history of "Kyulamaki"; fine arts; navigation and many others. And of course, you should definitely visit the medieval castle of Turku, which is the most popular attraction in the city. In the Sibelius Museum, in addition to the main exhibition dedicated to the composer, there is a collection of more than 350 musical instruments collected from all over the world, classical European and folklore. Here you can listen to musical recordings of classical and folk music.

Children in Turku are in for a pleasant surprise - the world of mummyrolls in the suburb of Naantali, located 19 km from Turku. This medieval Finnish city is home to the land of the Mummy Trolls, a fairy tale come to life by the Finnish writer Tove Jansson. A visit to Moommitroll Island is an unforgettable journey into the world of fairy tales.

In the Aboa Vetus Museum, tourists can wander through the medieval lanes and enter the ancient cellars, as well as see, with the help of archaeological finds and modern multimedia technology, the everyday life of people who lived in this place hundreds of years ago.

Turku is a large seaport. From here, saying goodbye to Finland, on a large sea ferry of the Finnish company "Silja Line" we set off through the Åland archipelago to the shores of the Swedish capital.

A few words about Finnish cuisine

Repeated trips to the Scandinavian countries give a reason to say kind words about breakfasts in hotels. Such an assortment and abundance in the buffet menu has not been seen anywhere else in Europe. There is literally everything and in a large assortment: meat and fish dishes, soft and hard cheeses, incl. sweets made from sheep's milk, all kinds of dairy products, nuts, even sprouted wheat grains, muesli, a large selection of bread buffet, an abundance of overseas vegetables and fruits in their natural form and in the form of salads, juices, coffee and tea of various varieties. And in Finland, dishes from northern berries and fruits are also served as desserts - cranberries, cloudberries, blueberries and baked goods that are very popular. Everything is so fresh and appetizing, it is simply impossible to resist the temptation to try everything, so in Finland it is not surprising to get better quickly and strongly.

The basis of Finnish cuisine is fresh and pure raw materials. In addition to vegetables, mushrooms, berries and fish, Finnish dishes are characterized by simplicity and purity of taste. Here are some daily meals national cuisine, changing depending on the season: burbot, rainbow trout, vendace, perch, whitefish, pike perch, herring salad, Finnish freshwater fish caviar, crayfish, salmon soup (cooked with milk, potatoes and onions); Karelian meat in a pot (a mixture of beef, lamb and pork); lamb, elk, venison, hare, duck, goose; chanterelles, mushroom soup puree from morels; pancakes, mämmi (a dessert made from rye flour with malt), gingerbread cookies, Easter, Christmas cakes and Shrovetide buns; strawberries, blueberries, cloudberries, lingonberries; soft berry kissel made from wild berries, served with milk or cream.

Most commonly cooked Everyday life Finnish dishes are Kalalaatikko and Maitokalakeito. Kalalatikko is a casserole of potatoes and herring covered with eggs, milk and flour. Maitokalakeito is sea fish stewed in milk.

Even in Finland they cook kalekukko - the fruit of all the best that is inherent in Finnish national character. It is said here that this dish is the highest of the virtues inherent in the Land of the Midnight Sun, namely, patience and perseverance, because. its preparation takes 6 hours. When ready, calecucco is a closed pie made from unleavened dough with fish filling.

Since Finland does not produce its own wines, therefore, a specific Finnish product is popular - liqueurs made from natural fruit and berry tinctures. As a gift, you can bring such liqueurs: "Lakkalikoori" (cloudberry), "Puolukkalikoori" (lingonberry), "Karpalolikoori" (cranberry), "Mesimarijalikoori" (Arctic bramble). And the liqueurs "Arktika", "Twenty two" have been familiar to us for a long time.

Impressions of Finland and its people

The history of Finland consists of three periods - as part of the Kingdom of Sweden (from 1155 to 1809), under the rule of the Russian Empire (from 1809 to 1917), as an independent state (from 1917 to the present).

The Finns themselves do not call their country Finland, for them this word is alien and is of Germanic origin. Finnish doesn't even have an "f" sound. For them, their country is Suomi, and they themselves are suomalayset (the people of Suomi). Suomi means "marshy land" (from the Finnish suo - swamp and maa - earth), and "Finn" - from the German finder (search, walk, i.e. "nomads" or "pedestrians"). Finland only geographically refers to the Scandinavian countries. Finns belong to the family of Finno-Ugric peoples, whose representatives are also Magyars, Karelians, Estonians, Komi, Mari, Mordovians, Nenets, Saami, Udmurts, Khanty, etc. Swedes and Saami also live in Finland. The total population is approximately 5.4 million people. The country has 2 official languages: Finnish and Swedish. When traveling around the country, you pay attention that all the signs are in two languages (while the names are completely different, that is, both Finnish and Swedish names are used at the same time). It is noteworthy that only a decade and a half was the first inscription in Swedish, despite the fact that the Swedes make up less than 6% of the population. And no one felt bad about it. The country has successfully developed and is developing, and this does not harm the lives of its peoples at all. In addition to the two official languages, Sami is widespread in Lapland and ... Russian, especially in the east and in the capital of the country. This is not surprising, given the close ties with the neighboring country. Russian-language schools and pre-school institutions operate in Helsinki, where their Finnish peers study together with Russian children. Parents reasonably believe that knowledge of the Russian language and communication with Russian children will be useful in their future careers.

Finns have a good attitude towards Russia and Russian-speaking tourists. However, this is not surprising, since the Finnish statehood itself arose thanks to the efforts and goodwill of Russia. It happened at the beginning of the XIX century, when Finland was annexed to Russia. Alexander I did not impose Russian orders here, but, on the contrary, gave Finland maximum political and economic freedom. Finland received broad autonomy within the Russian Empire. Moreover, the Finns not only retained their customs and language (the Russian language did not have an official status), but also for the first time in their history received a powerful impetus to development: writing was created, their own writers, artists appeared, the construction of Helsinki began, to which many people had a hand. famous Russian architects. The Finns had their own parliament and money (Russian money did not circulate), they were not drafted into the Russian army, Russian subjects did not have the right to settle in Finland or open a business, the Russian police did not have the right to arrest on the territory of the Grand Duchy, there was a border between Russia and Finland and customs barriers. From a disenfranchised Swedish province, Finland turned into an almost independent state. The final freedom of Finland was granted by V. I. Lenin after the October Revolution. And although later in the history of Russian-Finnish relations there were unpleasant moments associated with the winter campaign of 1939 and the Great Patriotic War, when the countries found themselves on opposite sides of the barricades, this did not spoil relations. The Finns immortalized the memory of our rulers with gratitude - a monument to Alexander II is installed on the central square of Helsinki at the foot of cathedral, there is no monument to Lenin, but one of the streets bears his name.

What did your acquaintance with Finland reveal during your travels? Finns are very fond of and proud of their homeland. Having gained full independence only in 1917, they staunchly defended their independence during the Soviet-Finnish war in the winter of 1939-1940, creating a strong defensive Mannerheim Line, in front of which Soviet troops were stuck in the snow for a long time. Having defended its independence, the country continued to build its state for its people. Now Finland is considered the best country to live in, it is among the world leaders in terms of living standards (criteria: general health, standard of education, life expectancy and income). It is believed that it is best to be born in Finland, education and medicine are the best in the world, although they are free. GDP per capita - $ 38,655 (2013), average monthly salary - 2,726 thousand euros. To the question: “How much and how much you need to work in order to live well?” Finland responded with the longest holiday in Europe, which lasts at least 5 weeks. A Finnish worker or employee can count on 30 days of vacation plus Sundays. Of these, 24 days can be taken in the summer, the remaining 6 days in winter time(from October 1 to April 30). With an increase in seniority, the total duration of annual leave automatically increases and can reach 6 weeks. Compared to other Europeans, Finns work little in terms of time spent at work (8 hours a day). But at this time they really work diligently and manage to do more, they are famous for their punctuality and serious attitude to work, and the concept of “quality” for them is a combination of pedantic hard work with high results. Finland is considered the most “fabulous” country for pensioners, although Finnish men retire at 65, women at 60 (with an average life expectancy of 75.31 and 82.46 years, respectively), the average pension is 1,344 thousand euros.

The Finns are very fond of their lake-forest region, they care deeply about the environment. The country is well-groomed and clean: the streets, parks, forests and lakes look perfect. Transport runs exactly on schedule. Finns are always very polite, open, honest. They simultaneously observe hospitality and keeping a distance, openness and isolation. They do not like to lose ground under their feet. Therefore, they often leave the bustle of the city for their summer cottages, enjoying nature and the silence of lakes, forest expanses and a bright winter landscape. I want to end my story about Finland and the Finns with words from her anthem:

Here is our everything, here is a bright paradise,

The joy of our days!

No matter how cruel the rock is,

He is with us, dear land.

Why should we love even more,

Holy and hot?

Northern fairy tale of Lapland

We are entering northern part countries of Lapland. One of its main attractions is the virgin nature. Lapland is the most exotic thing in Finland. Here, many things are perceived differently than in the rest of Finland. In addition to the four seasons known to us, there is also the mysterious time of kamos, or the polar night, when the sun does not rise above the horizon line. This is the time of blue, luxurious colors and peace. Lapland is mysterious northern country. The country of the Sami, deer, the Snow Queen and Santa Claus.

The climate of Lapland is subarctic, characterized by very snowy but mild winters and warm summers. average temperature The coldest month of January is -14˚С, and the daylight hours are 5 hours. Winter in Lapland lasts from November to May. On cold, clear nights, you can see the northern lights. During the Christmas period, when the sun does not rise above the horizon, you can admire the soft bluish twilight of the Polar Night, which creates a magical atmosphere for celebrating Christmas.

Real Lapland is separated from Finland not only territorially, but also culturally. Here the Karelian-Finnish epic ends and the world of trolls and fairy-tale creatures begins. It is a crossroads of cultural traditions and natural elements. Such pedestrians, calmly walking on the side of the highway, can only be seen in the North.

Deer feel like the true owners of this land, they walk calmly even with children.

Finland is rightfully considered a country of lakes. The country has 187,888 lakes, 179,584 islands and 5,100 rapids. Our first stop is in the city of Inari near the large lake Inajärvi. The place is very picturesque. The calm charm emanates from the lake. First impressions are fresh and juicy, just like the atmosphere itself. There is a nice shop on the shore, which has a large selection of original Finnish products.

Summer visit to Santa Claus

Through colorful forest landscapes interspersed with countless lakes and streams, our bus is approaching the Arctic Circle. The weather on this geographical conditional line here was clearly more favorable to us than when crossing it in Norway.

The famous Santa Claus Village is also located here.

When crossing the Arctic Circle, you can receive and bring home a colorful Certificate and photographs against the background of a conditional line and the “Arctic Circle” sign as a keepsake of this glorious event.

And this is an indicator of distances to some cities of the world.

The most important attraction in Finland is Santa Claus, in our opinion Father Frost. But in his homeland, in Finland, he is better known as Joulupukki. In translation, the name does not sound too pretty - the Christmas goat. The Finnish Santa Claus received such a strange nickname thanks to the villagers who put on a goat coat on Christmas night and carried gifts home. They say that it was these impostors who frightened Santa, so he no longer walks the streets on Christmas Eve, but sits in his winter residence in Rovaniemi and welcomes everyone. Santa Claus has become a brand of tourism in Finland, kids from all over Europe go to meet him. Santa is very hospitable and is waiting for everyone to celebrate the New Year and Christmas in Finland. Santa Claus Village is located just eight kilometers from the city of Rovaniemi to the north. Today, in Santa Claus Village, he has his own ward, which houses an office and reception areas.

Here, Santa Claus works hard all year round, receiving countless tourists from all over the world, listens to their requests, willingly takes pictures with everyone. We could not resist the temptation to personally meet him, talk and take pictures for memory, although the photos are not cheap. Santa Claus is a polyglot, he can speak 30 languages. He greeted me in Russian, inquired how I live and what desires I have, and wished me all the best. In addition to receiving a visitor, Santa has a lot of work with letters, mostly from children from all over the world. He reads them, answers many of them.

He has assistants who help him.

A little about the history of Santa Claus himself. Where did he come from and how old is he? If you delve into the past, it turns out that belief in Santa Claus is associated with a real person who lived in 300 in Asia Minor, in the city of Smyrna. His name was Nicholas of Myra, or Nikolaus of Smyrna. This bishop became famous for his generosity, kindness and extraordinary love for poor children, to whom he often threw gifts into the windows. Although these events took place a long time ago, but in this Turkish city located modern monument Nikolaus, who is standing in a red cap with a balabon and in which his northern brother Santa Claus, familiar to us, is easily recognized. Later Orthodox Church declared Nikolaus a saint. Temples were erected in his honor. By the way, the oldest church in Rus' was built to the glory of Nikolaus, known to us as Nicholas the Wonderworker.

The feast of St. Nicholas (St. Nikolaus or Claus), which is celebrated in December, is associated with the appearance of a kind grandfather who can work miracles and bring gifts to children. Whatever name he wears, Santa Claus lives in Lapland, near the border with Russia, on Mount Korvatunturi, along with his wife Muori and many hardworking gnomes.

The Village is also home to the main post office of Santa Claus, which is perhaps the most interesting in the world. This is a small hut where you can buy postcards, envelopes, branded stamps and stickers with the emblem of the Santa Claus mail. You can order a Christmas greeting for children, that is, fill out a special form, indicate the address and name of the child, and by Christmas he will receive a colorful envelope with an enclosed letter on beautiful paper with congratulations from Santa. Unfortunately, congratulations in Russian are not provided. He has his own address: Joulupukin kammari, 96930 Napapiiri, Rovaniemi, Finland. So you can write letters to him, as do about a million people, children and adults, every year, Santa Claus will definitely answer! At the post office, little gnomes and elves in funny hats and striped golfs are actively sorting out bags of letters.

In addition, Santa Claus has his own "Shopping Center" - many small shops and shops offering handicrafts and souvenirs for every taste.

We go to this store.

At the entrance to the store, despite the summer, there are Christmas trees and the pre-New Year atmosphere familiar to us reigns.

Here you can take a picture with the "gnomes". Children will be very interested.

In Finland, unlike other Scandinavian countries, monetary unit serves the euro and prices are somewhat lower compared to them. Here you can buy all kinds of gifts. In addition to New Year and Christmas souvenirs, the shops have a large selection of fur and wool clothing.

And around the Village is a stunning coniferous forest.

santa park

Not far from Santa Claus Village is Santa Park, a new and unique theme park opened in 1998. It is located on the way from Rovaniemi to Santa Claus Village in a huge artificial cave in a fell known as Syvesenvaara. In the park, regardless of the season, there is always a fabulous Christmas atmosphere.

Santa Park is the one mysterious cave in the depths of the Syväsenvaara fell with many attractions and attractions.

Here guests of Santa Claus can get an idea of what it is like real home, which is located in the north of Lapland, on the Korvatunturi fell. We were told that the hut in which Santa Claus lives with his wife, Aunt Mouri, is located on the Korvatunturi fell, 170 km from Rovaniemi. Only spirits can enter there. No one has ever been in this house. Here, in a mountain cave, the lovely helpers of Santa Claus, the elves, live and work. Through a passage of almost 200 meters, the path leads to a square in the heart of the cave.

Four corridors lead from the square to the spacious corridor surrounding the square. The area, together with the corridors, contains 4 attractions and other entertainment. Attractions are classified into categories: large (allowed for children with parents or not allowed at all), family (allowed for both children alone and with their parents) and children's (parents are not allowed). Among the attractions - "Christmas carousel" - the main attraction; a magical sleigh ride that takes you through northern landscapes and seasonal changes from snowdrifts and dark days of winter to sunny nights of the summer solstice; flying on "Santa Claus helicopters", which are actually a cockpit with pedals; Rudolph's ride, which is the only fast ride.

The park also has a play area for children, slot machines, a puppet theater, a cinema, a cafeteria and a gift shop. The multi-video center shows a real Christmas tale about Santa Claus flying on reindeer through the starry sky right above your head. You can visit the school of gnomes, led by Santa Claus himself. Time flies in Santa Park!

There is a train to Santa Park from the village where Santa's workshop is located, and a regular bus also runs. In winter, you can take a trip on a dog sled or snowmobile. Theatrical performances and slide shows, games and attractions, exhibitions and souvenir shops immerse you in the world of Christmas fairy tales and New Year's adventures. Here you can buy the best and most interesting gifts for friends and family. Open all year round. One of the most popular places in Finland. In numerous workshops, you can make crafts, decorate a festive gingerbread or learn some other magical skill. There is an opportunity to make a fabulous journey through time, riding in colorful wagons through the seasons, visiting the gallery of ice sculptures and a cafe where everything is made of ice. And if you're lucky, you can see Santa's most important helper - his reindeer named Rudolph the Red Nose.

Having been in this fairy tale, new year's eve you can go on a New Year's adventure. Meeting the New Year on the Ounasvaara fell is considered one of the highlights of the winter season in Rovaniemi.

Rovaniemi - the capital of Lapland

We stop for the night in the center of the city of Rovaniemi - in a small, but Scandinavian good-quality hotel "Aakenus". The hotel has a conference room, restaurant, sauna.

The city of Rovaniemi is located 8 km south of the Arctic Circle, at the confluence of two large northern rivers - Ounasjoki and Kemijoki.

Distance to Helsinki - 800 km, to St. Petersburg - 1025 km. Rovaniemi is the most Big city in Europe by area - 8016 sq. km - due to the inclusion of nearby territories in the city. But its population is 60 thousand people. This modern city where large shopping malls operate.

The capital of Lapland is a modern city with large shopping malls. In the Rinne supermarket, our attention was drawn to a large assortment of fish products.

In the city center, on the steep bank of the Ounasjoki River, there is a unique Arktikum Museum. There you can enjoy the Northern Lights in the Theater of Flashes, visit the ice cave and wander along the banks of the Arctic river, get acquainted with the Sami culture and the life of Rovaniemi in the past. Under the glass roof of Arktikum, partly underground, there are two independent institutions: the Arctic Center and the Regional Museum of Lapland.

From the city you can go on an excursion to the deer park and admire the reindeer, which differ from their counterparts in that both males and females have antlers, as well as visit a Siberian husky farm.

Ranua Zoo is located 80 km south of the city, where wolves, lynxes, wolverines, polar bears and many other animals live in conditions close to natural.

Light reigns in Rovaniemi in summer. The boundary between day and night is completely erased, the night as a dark time of the day exists only in the imagination.

Unfortunately, just as one cannot embrace the immensity, one cannot see in summer the charm that winter brings with it: a snow-white blanket covering the land of Suomi, trees dressed in white fur coats; one of the wonders of nature the northern lights; you can’t go skiing and sleighing ... Therefore, they left Rovaniemi with the hope of coming here in winter (best for Christmas) and with children. There are so many exciting things to do this time of year: underworld elves; sleigh rides pulled by reindeer or huskies; snowmobile safaris; night spent in the snow hotel.

5 reasons and opportunities to visit Lapland in winter:

- See one of the wonders of nature - the northern lights.

- Ride a sleigh pulled by reindeer or huskies.

- Go on a snowmobile safari.

- Go skiing on snow-covered slopes.

— Celebrate the New Year and Christmas holidays visiting Santa Claus. If we remember the proverb “How New Year If you meet him, you will spend him like that”, then the coming year should be expected to be filled with magic and fabulous events.

“Take us, Suomi is a beauty,

In a necklace of transparent lakes!

(words from a song)

In Finland, first of all, you pay attention to the beautiful forests, alternating with numerous lakes and rivers. Forest and water are her element.

No wonder the blue cross on a white background on the national flag means blue lakes and clear skies against the backdrop of white snow that covers the country in long winters. And Santa Claus has become the brand of tourism in Finland.

We are entering the northern part of the country - Lapland.

One of its main attractions is the virgin nature. Lapland is the most exotic thing in Finland. Here, many things are perceived differently than in the rest of Finland. In addition to the four seasons known to us, there is also the mysterious time of kamos, or the polar night, when the sun does not rise above the horizon line. This is the time of blue, luxurious colors and peace. Lapland is a mysterious northern country. The country of the Sami, deer, the Snow Queen and Santa Claus.

The climate of Lapland is subarctic, characterized by very snowy but mild winters and warm summers. The average temperature of the coldest month of January is -14˚С, and the day length is 5 hours. Winter in Lapland lasts from November to May. On cold, clear nights, you can see the northern lights. During the Christmas period, when the sun does not rise above the horizon, you can admire the soft bluish twilight of the Polar Night, which creates a magical atmosphere for celebrating Christmas.

Deer feel like the true owners of this land, they walk calmly even with their children.

There is a nice shop on the beach.

which has a large selection of original Finnish products.

Summer visit to Santa Claus

On beautiful roads through colorful forest landscapes, interspersed with countless lakes and streams,

Our bus is approaching the Arctic Circle.

The weather on this geographical conditional line here was clearly more favorable to us than when crossing it in Norway.

The famous Santa Claus Village is also located here.

And these are distance indicators to some cities of the world.

The most important attraction in Finland is Santa Claus, in our opinion Father Frost. But in his homeland, in Finland, he is better known as Joulupukki. In translation, the name does not sound too pretty - the Christmas goat. The Finnish Santa Claus received such a strange nickname thanks to the villagers who put on a goat coat on Christmas night and carried gifts home. They say that it was these impostors who frightened Santa, so he no longer walks the streets on Christmas Eve, but sits in his winter residence in Rovaniemi and welcomes everyone. Santa Claus has become a brand of tourism in Finland, kids from all over Europe go to meet him. Santa is very hospitable and is waiting for everyone to celebrate the New Year and Christmas in Finland. Santa Claus Village is located just eight kilometers from the city of Rovaniemi to the north. Here he has his own ward, where there is an office and premises for receiving visitors.

A little about the history of Santa Claus himself. Where did he come from and how old is he? If you delve into the past, it turns out that belief in Santa Claus is associated with a real person who lived in 300 in Asia Minor, in the city of Smyrna. His name was Nicholas of Myra, or Nikolaus of Smyrna. This bishop became famous for his generosity, kindness and extraordinary love for poor children, to whom he often threw gifts into the windows. Although these events took place a long time ago, but in this Turkish city there is a modern monument to Nikolaus, who stands in a red cap with a balabon and in which his northern counterpart Santa Claus, familiar to us, is easily recognized. Later, the Orthodox Church declared Nikolaus a saint. Temples were erected in his honor. By the way, the oldest church in Rus' was built to the glory of Nikolaus, known to us as Nicholas the Wonderworker.

In the Santa Claus Village, he works hard all year round, receiving countless tourists from all over the world, listens to their requests, willingly takes pictures with everyone. I could not resist the temptation to personally meet him, talk and take pictures for memory, although the photos are not cheap. Santa Claus is a polyglot, he can speak 30 languages. He greeted me in Russian, inquired how I live and what desires I have, and wished me all the best.

The photo is enclosed in a special envelope, which indicates the date and place of this memorable event.

In addition to receiving a visitor, Santa Claus has a lot of work with letters, mostly from children from all over the world. He reads them, answers many of them.

He has assistants who help him.

In addition, Santa Claus has his own "Shopping Center" - many small shops and shops offering handicrafts and souvenirs for every taste.

We go to this store.

At the entrance to the store, despite the summer, there are Christmas trees and the pre-New Year atmosphere familiar to us reigns.

Here you can take a picture with the "gnomes". Children will be very interested.

In Finland, unlike other Scandinavian countries, the currency is the euro and prices are somewhat lower compared to them. Here you can buy all kinds of gifts.

In addition to New Year and Christmas souvenirs, the shops have a large selection of fur and wool clothing.

On the territory of the Village there are cafes and restaurants, places for themed events.

Here you can also get acquainted with the life of the Finnish Sami, visit their homes, sit by the fire.

The smallest visitors of the Village willingly play and frolic on the playground.

And around the Village - a stunning coniferous forest.

santa park

Santa Park - this is the same mysterious cave in the depths of the Syväsenvaara fell with many entertainments and attractions.

Here, guests of Santa Claus can get an idea of what his real home is, which is located in the north of Lapland, on the Korvatunturi fell. We were told that the hut in which Santa Claus lives with his wife, Aunt Mouri, is located on Korvatunturi Hill, 170 km from Rovaniemi. Only spirits can enter there. No one has ever been in this house.

Through a passage of almost 200 meters, the path leads to a square in the heart of the cave.

Here, in a mountain cave, the lovely helpers of Santa Claus, the elves, live and work.

The park also has a play area for children, slot machines, a puppet theater, a cinema, a cafeteria and a gift shop. The multi-video center shows a real Christmas tale about Santa Claus flying on reindeer across starry sky right above your head. You can visit the school of gnomes, led by Santa Claus himself. Time flies in Santa Park!

Having been in this fairy tale, on New Year's Eve you can go towards New Year's adventures. Meeting the New Year on the Ounasvaara fell is considered one of the highlights of the winter season in Rovaniemi.

Rovaniemi - the capital of Lapland

We stop for the night in the center of the city of Rovaniemi - in a small, but Scandinavian good-quality hotel "Aakenus". The hotel has a conference room, restaurant, sauna.

The city of Rovaniemi is located 8 km south of the Arctic Circle, at the confluence of two large northern rivers - Ounasjoki and Kemijoki. Distance to Helsinki - 800 km, to St. Petersburg - 1025 km. Rovaniemi is the largest city in Europe in terms of area - 8016 sq. km - due to the inclusion of nearby territories in the city.

In the city center, on the steep bank of the Ounasjoki River, there is a unique Arktikum Museum.

Here you can enjoy the Northern Lights in the Theater of Flashes, visit the ice cave and wander along the banks of the Arctic river, get acquainted with the Sami culture and the life of Rovaniemi in the past. Under the glass roof of Arktikum, partly underground, there are two independent institutions: the Arctic Center and the Regional Museum of Lapland.

Ranua Zoo is located 80 km south of the city, where wolves, lynxes, wolverines, polar bears and many other animals live in conditions close to natural.

Light reigns in Rovaniemi in summer. The boundary between day and night is completely erased, the night as a dark time of the day exists only in the imagination.

Unfortunately, just as one cannot embrace the immensity, one cannot see in summer the charm that winter brings with it: a snow-white blanket covering the land of Suomi, trees dressed in white fur coats; one of the wonders of nature the northern lights; you can’t go skiing and sleighing ... Therefore, they left Rovaniemi with the hope of coming here in winter (best for Christmas) and with children. There are so many exciting things to do at this time of the year: the underground realm of the elves; sleigh rides pulled by reindeer or huskies; snowmobile safaris; night spent in the snow hotel.

Lapland is known to be the birthplace of Santa Claus (in his native Finland his name is Yolopukki). However, not everyone agrees with this, Americans, for example, believe that Santa lives at the North Pole. One way or another, 8 km from the Lapland city of Rovaniemi, Santa Joulupukki welcomes guests all year round. Here, among the snow-covered firs and birches, there is a whole economy: a post office, shops, an office, a cafe, a snow labyrinth.

An interesting fact: the first tourist to visit the place of residence of Santa Claus is the wife of the 32nd American President Franklin Roosevelt, Eleanor. She visited the village in 1950. A hut was built here in her honor and can still be seen today. And Lapland has amazing nature.

Husky sledding, Lapland

Daylight hours in Lapland are very short in winter.

Santa Claus Village near Finnish Rovaniemi

Winter forest and its inhabitants

The winter starry sky is considered one of the most beautiful. The constellations of Orion and Taurus rise to the zenith, you can see the two most famous nebulae: the Horsehead Nebula and the Greater Orion Nebula - it was the first of all that astronomers managed to photograph

In the forest

The Northern Lights can be seen during the day, but at night they are much brighter.

Despite the proximity to the Arctic, winter temperatures above the Arctic Circle in Finland are not too low: the average for January is -11 °C. But it's windy and snowy...

Road sign "Attention, deer!" on all roads in Lapland and many roads in southern Finland is not easy

Santa Claus Village in Lapland is, in fact, Santa's office, post office, souvenir shop, ice maze, huge snowmen, the luminous line of the Arctic Circle and many more wonderful structures

Reindeer and husky rides are one of the main winter fun

Office of Santa Claus in Santa Park. Santa Park is located in the real mountain. There is a school of trolls and a toy Railway.

Northern lights reflected in the water

Reindeer herders in Ruka, Finland. Ruka is one of the most popular ski resorts in the country.

Muonjoelven river rapids in Finnish Lapland at sunrise

white silence