Lapland: Santa Claus and Northern Lights. New Year in Oulu
New Year- magical time. Adults expect holidays and changes for the better, children expect magic and gifts. If you want to give your child a real New Year's fairy tale and plunge into the atmosphere of children's happiness, you need to go to the ends of the world - to Lapland! New Year at home Finnish Grandfather Frost - Joulupukki - is real magic, such a trip will be remembered for a lifetime.
In Finland, as in Europe in general, the main event of winter is Christmas, and according to the old style, December 25th. New Year is not celebrated so widely. So by the time the New Year arrives, Joulupukki will have already given Christmas gifts to Finnish children and will be entirely occupied with us, the guests. Joulupukki Residence is located 9 km from the city of Rovaniemi, right on the border of the Arctic Circle.
Santa Claus Village (Joulupukin Pajakylä) – this is the office and post office of Santa Claus, Santa Park, cottages for tourists, many shops and restaurants, a small deer farm. In winter, numerous slides are built on the square, from which you can ride for free. Near the village there is another amusement park - Arctic Winter World.
In the center of the Village there is a large Christmas tree, sparkling in festive attire, this immediately improves your mood!
Joulupukki Residence
There is about Santa Claus's house (Joulupukki) interesting legend: since it is in this place that the earth’s crust is very thin, with the help of special mechanisms Santa Claus learned to control time and, in particular, slow down the speed of the Earth’s rotation. And this little trick helps Santa visit everyone in the world on the eve of Christmas in one night and give everyone gifts. In order not to disturb the structure of the clock mechanism, guests move along suspended bridges;
Here you can watch and even pet a deer completely free of charge. The reindeer camp is located behind the main house;
You can get to the office to meet Santa Claus through a long fairy-tale corridor. The famous wizard himself and his gnome assistants joyfully welcome the guests. This happens every day, without weekends or holidays. There may be queues in December. Finnish Santa Claus speaks many languages, including Russian!
After the office, be sure to visit Santa Claus Post Office. Letters from children come here from all over the world with their requests and wishes, the elves sort them out and hand them over to Santa. You can find yours among the stacks! Write a letter with your child in advance and send it to the central Santa Claus post office: Santa Klaus, 96930 Arctic Circle, Rovaniemi, Finland. You can send cards to family and friends from Santa Claus's post office. All letters and cards are stamped with Santa's special seal and are immediately sent to their destination. A nice souvenir for your beloved grandmothers.
Entrance to the residence is free. Reindeer ride - 85 euros. Snowmobiling - 150 euros. Postcard - 2-4 euros. Souvenirs from 20 euros. An audience with Santa is free, a photo with Santa in his house is 17 euros.
From railway station Rovaniemi bus number 8 takes you to Santa Claus Village.
Santa Claus Village Websites:
- santaclausvillage.info
- santaclausholidayvillage.fi
Santa Park
2 kilometers from the village of Finnish Santa Claus there is a Santa Park for children theme park entertainment.
The legend is this: Once upon a time, Santa Claus was returning from a Christmas trip, and he was so captivated by the beauty of the local nature that right here, on the Arctic Circle, Santa and his elves set up a real amusement park for their many guests. In a huge cave, carved out of the rock by tireless dwarves, there is a whole underground city. This magical place- the only place in the world where you can cross the Arctic Circle underground and receive a certificate in honor of this geographical achievement! Magic coordinates of the Arctic Circle – 66° 33" 07"
Santa Park is a huge structure in the form of tunnels that are laid right inside the rock. Before you are greeted by elves and fairy tale characters, you have a long descent ahead of you. Carousels, activities with elves, colorful costume shows, cafes and souvenir shops.
Arctic Winter World Park
This amusement park is only open in winter - from early December to late March. Every year, entertainment is rebuilt here from snow and ice: slides for children and adults with fantastic lighting, a cafe and bar where drinks are served in ice glasses, ice sculptures and even an igloo hotel (Snowman World Igloo), where you can spend the night in a sleeping area. heated bag...
Official website of the park: arctice.fi
Entrance to the park is paid
Santa Claus Village is very popular place visits by families with children, especially during New Year holidays. People flock here who dream of not only enjoying the local beauty, but also once again returning to a distant fairy tale from childhood. "The Snow Queen", "Nils's Journey with the Wild Geese" - these fairy-tale places really exist. And if you're lucky, you can see the Northern Lights!
It is necessary to prepare in advance for such a trip. You can buy a ready-made tour, but it is much more convenient and cheaper to plan the trip yourself.
Book a hotel and buy tickets.
Option 1: You can get to the Arctic Circle by own car. From St. Petersburg to Rovaniemi is more than a thousand kilometers. Without taking into account traffic jams and crossing the border, the drive takes 12 hours, and before the New Year there are queues at the border, which means you definitely won’t be able to do it in a day, it’s better to stop overnight in the middle of the journey. This is especially true when traveling with small children. On the way there are inexpensive houses with family rooms and a sauna:
The most convenient way to get to Santa Claus is by plane. The city of Rovaniemi and the village are located Joulupukki is located next to the international airport, there are direct flights from Helsinki to the airport and the city's train station. From Rovaniemi train station, bus number 8 runs every hour to Santa Claus Village. Also, at Rovaniemi airport they will put a stamp in your passport in the shape of Santa Claus.
A trip with the whole family for just 3-4 days will turn into the most memorable childhood trip for your kids.
NEW YEAR AND CHRISTMAS IN LAPLAND 2020
No places
Rovaniemi is the capital of Finnish Lapland. The city that collects the largest mail in the world. And all letters are addressed to only one recipient - Santa Claus. This is where his office, fabulous gift-making workshops and post office are located. Here, in Santa's Village, is the most photographed view in Finland - a sign to the Arctic Circle. Every Guest of the city can take part in the ritual of crossing it and receive a memorable Diploma about this event. The collection of diplomas can be supplemented with a Diploma for driving a reindeer sled - this is taught professionally by the indigenous Laplanders. They will also share the tricks of driving a dog sled. The unique Santa Park, built into a cave, with original attractions and beautiful Christmas decorations is another most interesting “Santa Object” in the city. Rovaniemi - the city of eternal Christmas: here no one is surprised by encounters with gnomes - Santa’s assistants, and signs such as “Entrance only for Elves”, “Possession of the Snow Queen”, or “Trolls’ Home” are quite in the order of things. The New Year's fairy tale has taken up residence in these parts in earnest, and it begins at the ramp of an airplane arriving in official airport Santa Claus(!). We invite you to the city of the kindest winter fairy tale - Rovaniemi!
In our company you can always buy tours to Lapland. tour operators in Finland in Moscow, like us, offer tours to Lapland and Filand for the New Year 2020. Lapland for the New Year, tours and tours to Finland for the New Year are very popular among Russian tourists. Urgently purchase tours to Lapland 2019 and New Year tours to Lapland. We have Lapland tours at prices that every family can afford. Most popular holiday in 2020: "Lapland Santa Claus Tour". If you need tours from Moscow to Lapland or Lapland New Year 2019 tours, then you have come to the right place. Best hotels in Finnish Lapland and cottage holiday centers are waiting for you. There is little time left to book New Year's tours to Lapland 2020! The cost of a tour to Lapland starts from 500 euros, offers and prices apply early booking We wish you a pleasant stay.
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Lapland
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Lapland VIPPROGRAM 12/30/2019 - 01/04/2020: 12/30/2019 Arrival in Rovaniemi (direct flight Moscow - Rovaniemi, flight duration 2 hours 40 minutes, chartered flight. Regular flights via Helsinki are possible. Or by train, also with a change in Helsinki). Arrival at Santa Claus's personal airport. Meeting with a representative of the host company upon arrival in Rovaniemi. Transfer and accommodation at the selected hotel or cottage. For hotel guests: Information meeting All hotels/apartments have saunas. It is possible to order dinners (in hotels or in the city of Rovaniemi) and additional evening programs (optional). 12/31/2019 Breakfast at the hotel. A trip to where Santa Claus and his gnome helpers. You will be able to tell Santa your most secret dreams and wishes for gifts. At Santa Claus Post you can order congratulations to your friends and family for the next New Year, certified by the personal seal of Santa Claus. You can buy original souvenirs in picturesque shops. Here you will also see Santa Claus's gnome helpers: they help prepare and wrap gifts. Receiving a Diploma for crossing the Arctic Circle. A trip to Santa Park, located deep underground in a cave, is a real fairy-tale world for children and adults with attractions, a theater, souvenir shops and cafes; Here the Christmas atmosphere is present all year round. Here you can take part in making Christmas gifts together with the elves and even receive the proud title “Elf is Santa Claus's real helper” by taking a lesson at the elf school, and also watch a fairy-tale dance performance. Preparing for the New Year - all shops and Christmas markets are open (Christmas discounts apply!), buying New Year's gifts for loved ones. New Year's Eve dinner at the hotel. 01/01/2020 HAPPY NEW YEAR! Late breakfast at the hotel. Free time for relaxation, walks in the winter forest and sports (skiing, skiing, sleds/ice skates, etc.). . (reindeer and dog sledding, trips to the Lapland "spirits", children's programs "Visiting Mrs. Claus", "Search for the Snow Queen", "Visiting the Trolls", etc.). Optional -Dinner at the hotel/in the city. Hotels have saunas. 01/02/2020 Breakfast. Free time for rest and relaxation, winter sports - all shops and Christmas markets are open (Christmas discounts apply!). (reindeer and dog sledding, trips to the Lapland "spirits", children's programs "Fairytale Adventures visiting the Trolls", "Search for the Snow Queen", etc.). Optional - Dinner at the hotel. Hotels have saunas. 01/03/2020 Free time for rest and relaxation, winter sports - all shops and Christmas markets are open (Christmas discounts apply!), buying New Year's gifts for loved ones. (reindeer and dog sledding, trips to the Lapland "spirits", children's programs "Fairytale Adventures visiting the Trolls", "Search for the Snow Queen", etc.). The hotels have saunas, and the Cumulus Resort Pohyanhovi also has a swimming pool. Optional - Dinner at the hotel. 01/04/2020 Breakfast. Transfer to Rovaniemi airport. Flight to Moscow (charter flight). TOUR COSTPER ROOMIn Euro:
Included in cost: Air tickets “Moscow-Rovaniemi-Moscow” (direct flight, flight time 2 hours 40 minutes); Additional charges:
TOUR COSTPER ROOMIn Euro:
Included in cost: - hotel accommodation; - meals: breakfast (buffet), additional payment possible for dinner (half board); - use of the hotel sauna; - medical insurance. Additional charges: PRICE
FOR THE APARTMENT
, euro:
Included in cost: - accommodation in an apartment 6 days/5 nights - food - breakfast at the Nova Skyland Hotel restaurant - bed sheets - final cleaning Additional charge (optional): Additional charges: PRICE
FOR THE APARTMENT
, euro: Offer for a family of 3-6 people Additional charges: PRICE
FOR THE APARTMENT
, euro:
Included in cost: - air tickets “Moscow-Rovaniemi-Moscow”; - transfer airport cottage - airport; - accommodation in a Superior apartment, type A (see description below); - meals: half board (breakfast and dinner) - animation club for children Gingerbread Club - weather program; - daily visit to Santa Claus Village; - final cleaning; - medical insurance Additional charges:
Included in cost: - air tickets “Moscow-Rovaniemi-Moscow” (charter); - transfer airport-hotel-airport; - bed sheets - medical insurance. Additional charges: PRICE
FOR THE APARTMENT
, euro: Additional charges: CHRISTMAS TOUR 01/04/2020 - 01/09/2020 1 Santa Claus cottage Holiday Village PROGRAM: 01/04/2020 Arrival in Rovaniemi (direct flight Moscow - Rovaniemi, flight duration 2 hours 40 minutes, charter flight, preliminary: departure from Domodedovo, 11.00, Ural Airlines.). Arrival at Santa Claus's personal airport. Meeting with a representative of the host company upon arrival in Rovaniemi. Transfer and accommodation at the selected hotel/cottage. For hotel guests: Information meeting at the hotel - presentation of the region and recreation and entertainment programs, the possibility of ordering additional programs. The hotel has saunas, and the Scandic Pohjanhovi hotel also has a swimming pool. Dinner at the hotel (optional). 01/05/2020 Breakfast at the hotel. Trip to Arctic Circle to Santa Claus Village, where Santa Claus and his gnome assistants live in their House. You will be able to tell Santa your most secret dreams and wishes for gifts. On Santa Claus mail You can order congratulations to your friends and family for the next New Year, certified by the personal seal of Santa Claus. You can buy original souvenirs in picturesque shops. Here you will see and gnome helpers Santa Claus: they help prepare and wrap gifts. Receipt Diploma of crossing the Arctic Circle. A trip to Santa Park, located deep underground in a cave, is a real fairy-tale world for children and adults with attractions, a theater, souvenir shops and cafes; Here the Christmas atmosphere is present all year round. The hotel has saunas and a swimming pool (at the Rantasipi Pohyanhovi Hotel). Dinner at the hotel (optional). 01/06/2020 Breakfast at the hotel. Free time for rest and relaxation, winter sports, to prepare for Christmas - all shops and Christmas markets are open (Christmas discounts apply!), buying New Year's gifts for loved ones. (reindeer and dog sledding, trips to the Lapland "spirits", children's programs "Fairytale Adventures visiting the Trolls", "Search for the Snow Queen", etc.). 01/07/2020 MERRY CHRISTMAS! Breakfast. Free time for rest and relaxation, winter sports, to prepare for Christmas - all shops and Christmas markets are open (Christmas discounts apply!), buying New Year's gifts for loved ones. (reindeer and dog sledding, trips to the Lapland "spirits", children's programs "Fairytale Adventures visiting the Trolls", "Search for the Snow Queen", etc.).Dinner at the hotel (optional). The hotel has saunas and a swimming pool (at the Scandic Pohyanhovi hotel). 01/08/2020 Breakfast at the hotel. Free time for relaxation, walks through the winter forest on the Ounasvaara hill and sports (skiing, alpine skiing, sledding/ice sleds, etc.). Visit health center, gym. (reindeer and dog sledding, trips to the Lapland "spirits", children's programs "Visiting Mrs. Claus", "Search for the Snow Queen", etc.). Dinner at the hotel (optional). The hotel has saunas and a swimming pool (Skandik Pohjanhovi). 01/09/2020 Breakfast. Transfer to Rovaniemi airport. Departure to Moscow (charter flight) Attention: The host party reserves the right to rearrange excursions with the obligatory provision of the full scope of the declared programs. 03.01.2020 - 08.01.2020 Hotel Santa Claus 4+*
INprice included: - air tickets “Moscow-Rovaniemi-Moscow” (direct flight, charter); - transfer airport-hotel-airport; - accommodation in the selected hotel; - meals: in hotels of your choice, breakfast or half board; - use of sauna in hotels, - medical insurance. Additional charges: Arctic Light Hotel 5*
Included in cost: - air tickets “Moscow-Rovaniemi-Moscow” (direct flight) - transfer airport-hotel-airport; - accommodation at the Arctic Light Hotel; - daily breakfast (buffet); - medical insurance. Additional charges: PRICE
FOR THE APARTMENT
, euro: Included in cost: - air tickets Moscow - Rovaniemi-Moscow - transfer airport - cottages - airport (group) - accommodation in an apartment 6 days/5 days. - breakfast meals at the Glass Resort restaurant - bed sheets - daily cleaning - visit to Santa Claus Village every day and at any time - discount on admission to the territory of Snowman World (pass for 6 days at the cost of an entrance ticket for 1 day) - medical insurance Additional charges: 04.01 - 09.01.2020 TOUR COST per APARTMENT In Euro:
Included in cost: Air tickets “Moscow-Rovaniemi-Moscow”; Additional charges: Finnish visa 75 euros, children under 6 years old: 25 euros; TOUR COST per APARTMENT in euros:
Included in cost: - air tickets “Moscow-Rovaniemi-Moscow” (charter); - transfer airport-hotel-airport; - accommodation in a cottage of the selected type; - food breakfast (buffet); - bed sheets - medical insurance. Additional charges: EXCURSION PACKAGE "OPTIMAL":
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New Year in Rovaniemi - the village of Joulupukki - Finnish Santa Claus. Traditions. How to get there. Santa Park. Things to do. Prices for New Year's tours and hotels.
How to celebrate New Year in Rovaniemi, Santa Claus Village (Joulupukki) in Finland
A well-known saying says: how you celebrate the New Year is how you will spend it. If you want your life to be bright and eventful, give yourself and your loved ones an unusual holiday - a trip to Santa Claus in Finland.
Father Frost or Santa Claus
Every person knows from childhood that Santa Claus lives far in the north. For the New Year, he appears with his fabulous retinue, gives gifts, fulfills cherished wishes and returns to his mansion in the snowy forest.
To visit Santa Claus is the dream of every child. But not everyone knows why in Europe they call him Santa Claus, and where the Finnish Father Frost lives.
According to legend, his prototype was the Christian Saint Nicholas, known in Russia as Nikolai Ugodnik. In his earthly life, the saint helped everyone who found themselves in difficult situations, and especially favored the poor and children. To please them, he secretly left gifts for them. This is where the tradition comes from: at Christmas, everyone finds a gift from Santa Claus, as Father Frost is called in Finland, under the tree.
© skeeze-272447 / www.maxpixel.net / CC BY 2.0
Where does Santa Claus live?
If the Russian house of Father Frost and his retinue is located in Veliky Ustyug, the European Santa Claus lives in Finland, and not in magical palaces, but in real life. His homeland is distant Lapland. And the official residence is located near the city of Rovaniemi. The village of Santa Claus lies beyond the Arctic Circle. Or rather, the geographical parallel runs precisely through the territory of the settlement. Its coordinates are 66° 33" 07", and vacationers have fun crossing the Arctic Circle line several times a day.
There is a legend that the real house of Santa Claus is located in one of the caves of the three-headed Korvatunturi hill, 78 km from Murmansk on the border of Russia and Finland. So that no one would try to disturb his secluded home, Joulupukki (that’s his name) local residents) decided to move closer to people. Now the village of Santa Claus is open to guests, and anyone can see him and tell him about their wishes. A fairy-tale character comes to the office every morning on a reindeer sleigh, receives guests, reads letters and sends gifts. And at the end of the working day he returns to the mountains, to his secret workshop.
How it all started
The history of the village is surrounded by legends mixed with real events. It all started in 1950, when the wife of the American president, Eleanor Roosevelt, visited the local region. To entertain the high-ranking guest, and at the same time show the beauty of northern nature, a fabulous trip was arranged for her. They built a cozy wooden house in a deep forest, decorated a live spruce, hung lanterns and installed Santa Claus.
I liked the idea. Over time, they built a whole village here, thought out entertainment program, and tourists from all over the world bring their children to visit Santa Claus. Now he has a new residence, but the first temporary home still exists.
Fabulous Lapland, the domain of Father Frost, amazes the imagination with its pristine beauty from the first minutes. Tall snow-covered spruce trees, deep snow, ringing silence and, if you're lucky, the mesmerizing northern lights - the landscapes create a feeling of unreality from the first minutes. Even adult tourists willingly immerse themselves in a fairy tale and begin to believe in miracles again.
The Finns assure that the place was not chosen by chance. Allegedly, this is where the earth's crust is so thin that the Finnish Santa Claus is able to control time and slow down the rotation of the earth. Time manipulation is needed so that Santa can visit all the houses on the planet in one night. There is a clock mechanism installed in his house. Visitors make their way to the treasured door along passages and suspended walkways, while gears spin under their feet and molten lava gurgles.
Joulupukki House is open to everyone from 10 am to 5 pm every day absolutely free. Santa Claus is especially busy at Christmas, but the line moves quickly.
© Ulla / commons.wikimedia.org / CC BY 2.0
Visiting a fairy tale
Holidays in Santa's village in Finland are possible in summer and winter. But the New Year in Lapland will be especially interesting for young travelers.
The estate of Father Frost, the Santa Claus Village Rovaniemi hotel complex, the post office, cafes and restaurants stand around the square, in the center of which rises a decorated Christmas tree. There is no charge for visiting the village and visiting Joulupukki, but all other services are paid.
First of all, guests go to Santa Claus's house. At the entrance they are greeted by elves and dwarves in colorful costumes. After asking the adults what kind of toy their child would be happy with, the elf puts a badge with the desired image on his neck. Please note that you will have to pay for the gift!
Finally you enter. In a small room, a kind Finnish grandfather sits at a table covered with candles. You give him a prepared list of your cherished desires, take a photo, and receive a gift. This ends the audience. The next baby comes into the office, and other entertainment awaits you. By the way, a photo with Santa Claus costs 25-30 euros. It is prohibited to use your own camera.
Leaving the house, you find yourself in shopping arcades where Christmas souvenirs, decorations, dolls in national costumes, Finnish knives, and designer dishes are sold. Having bought a souvenir they liked, tourists go to the main post office.
© jeaneeem / flickr.com / CC BY 2.0
Santa Claus Mail
It is not difficult to send a letter to Santa Claus in Finland. Even if you don’t know the exact address, just write on the envelope: Santa Claus Village, Finland. Rest assured, the letter will reach its fabulous recipient. The elves sort the mail and convey your wishes to Santa. The exact address Santa Claus in Lapland for letters: Joulupukki, 96930 Arctic Circle, Finland. Every year about 600 thousand letters arrive at the local post office.
Official site fairy village – santaclausvillage.info.
If you are lucky enough to visit Santa Claus, the same elves will help you compose a congratulatory letter in the desired language and send it to your family and friends anywhere in the world. Each letter or card will have a special Santa Claus stamp on it. Correspondence is sent on the same day.
© Cédric Puisney / commons.wikimedia.org / CC BY 2.0
Fabulous entertainment
What else will make a visit to Santa Claus enjoyable? If you see a line with a mysterious inscription under your feet "Arctic Circle" know that before you is the border of the Arctic Circle. You will have to go through it more than once. In memory of this significant event, you can purchase a confirmation certificate.
Children and adults will find it interesting to visit:
- Husky dog kennel. Entry costs €5 per person or €15 per family. There is an additional cost for dog sledding;
- Deer farm. You can ride a reindeer for €28 (1 km) or €60 for a 3 km loop. Children's tickets are cheaper – €25 and €50;
- An exhibition of snowmobiles with rarities from the 60s and 70s.
Every year, with the onset of frost, the Ice Kingdom is rebuilt - snow figures, palaces of the ice princess, a hotel and a bar made of ice. Twice a season - on one Saturday in November and on December 23rd - Santa Claus invites guests to free attraction Snowman World - the world of snowmen. Tourists are taken for a ride in a reindeer sleigh, invited to ride down a hill on a “cheesecake”, and offered drinks from ice mugs.
Santa park
Not far from the village there is an underground Santa Park; Finland built it to attract tourists. The cost of entrance tickets in winter is 25 € for children, 33 € for adults.
Guests descend through a magical tunnel built deep into the rock. Here they are met by elegant elves, and fun entertainment awaits them:
- Mrs. Claus's bakery, where Joulupukki's wife will teach you how to decorate gingerbread cookies;
- a school of elves that teaches magical wisdom;
- the Nativity House, where exhibitions are held, products made from felt and wool are sold from reindeer skins;
- Angry Birds children's attractions;
- ride on the magic train “Seasons”;
- costume show;
- ice cave.
You can satisfy your hunger in a cozy, warm cafe, and buy a memorable souvenir in a local shop.
© Samuli Lintula / commons.wikimedia.org / CC BY 2.0
Zoo
Take the time to visit the world's only zoo located above the Arctic Circle. Just an hour by bus separates Rovaniemi from the kingdom of reindeer, bears, foxes, wolves and almost 200 other species of animals. Spacious enclosures stretch for 2.5 km in the middle of the forest. To prevent children from getting tired, sleighs and strollers are offered to guests at the entrance.
Tired visitors are welcome at Mur-Mur Castle, where elves and dwarves invite you to enjoy sweets and delicious cloudberries.
Information about the work of the Ranua Zoo can be found on the website www.ranuazoo.com. The entrance ticket will cost adults 14 euros, children – 12.50 euros.
Road to Santa Claus
On the map you will not find a point called “Santa Claus Village”; Finland is represented by several major cities. You will find the capital on south coast country, and the city of Rovaniemi is 800 km from Helsinki.
There are several ways to get to the place yourself:
- By plane. A modern one was built in Rovaniemi international Airport, accepting flights from Moscow and St. Petersburg. If in November a one-way flight will cost at least 8,840 rubles, then before the New Year prices rise to 15,600 and higher. An option with a transfer in Helsinki is possible.
- By railroad. Get to Helsinki by high-speed express " " from St. Petersburg (RUB 6,500 one way) or by train "
© timo_w2s / flickr.com / CC BY 2.0
What is the price of the issue
To make your dream come true, you need to decide on your finances. So, a trip to Lapland to see Santa Claus, cost:
- Organized tourists are offered bus tours from St. Petersburg from 26,000 rubles for 4 days;
- A children's tour from St. Petersburg costs 20,000 rubles;
- A tour to Lapland for 6 days with departure from the capital will cost €1,100.
Independent travelers must take care of the roof over their heads themselves. During the holidays prices go up. Having studied the reviews of predecessors, tourists prefer to stay in Rovaniemi or in one of the roadside hotels. In the village itself, housing is expensive. Judge for yourself: “Santa Claus Holiday Village”, cottage - for 5 nights with breakfast you will have to pay 217,482 rubles. for two. And this does not take into account the New Year's program.
The Santa Claus Hotel, Rovaniemi will cost less. For a night in a standard room, parents with a child under 13 years old must pay 3,900 rubles. (with breakfast) or 4270 rub. (half board). Gala dinner is included in the price.
The New Year will not lose its charm if you celebrate it outside the home. New Year's tours to the estate of Santa Claus will give you a cozy evening by the fireplace and a unique atmosphere of a fairy tale.
Visit Santa Claus: Rovaniemi and Ranua Zoo, 4 days
(departure from Helsinki)
Additionally upon request:
- Transfer by regular bus St. Petersburg-Helsinki-St. Petersburg - from 70 euros RT
- Transfer to high speed train allegro SPb-Helsinki-SPb - from 140 euros RT
- Transfer by train Repin Moscow-Helsinki-Moscow - from 190 euros RT
- Air flight Moscow-Helsinki-Moscow - from 200 euros
We ask you to check availability before booking your tour.
For this trip you must have a valid Schengen visa and health insurance.
Tour program:
1 day
Meeting with the group in Helsinki. Sightseeing tour in Helsinki. Departure to Oulu. Accommodation in a 3* hotel in the vicinity of Oulu (accommodation in double rooms). Overnight at the hotel.
Day 2
Breakfast. Excursion trip to Lapland to visit Santa Claus in the city of Rovaniemi.
Near the city of Rovaniemi, Joulukka is hidden in the forest - this is a magical forest village inhabited by elves and trolls - the most important helpers of Santa Claus! And right on the Arctic Circle, in underground cave in the Syväsenvaara hill, guests from all over the world are greeted by Santa Park (entrance tickets for an additional fee).
In Santa Park you can visit a myriad of secret places and entertainment, such as the Giant Snow Globe, Elven Post Office, Elven Toy Factory Gift Shop, Christmas Gingerbread Bakery, Secrets of the Elven Toy Factory Show, Santa Park Dance Show (3 times a day), Magic Train "Seasons" ", Elven Workshop, Calligraphy School, Angry Birds Playground, Elven School (5 times a day), Ice Gallery and Bar accompanied by the Ice Princess, you will also have the opportunity to visit the Champagne Bar and the Kota cafeteria, you will be able to cross the Arctic Circle, and don't forget to send a personalized Christmas video card via JoinMe Tube!
Return to the hotel. Rest.
Day 3
Breakfast. Free day in Oulu or, if desired, transfer to the northernmost natural Park world - Arctic Zoo Ranua (optional).
The zoo has a wide variety of services for the whole family - not only from the world wildlife, of which there are approximately 50 species of Arctic and northern wild animals: polar and brown bears, lynxes, wolves, moose, owls, reindeer and other representatives of the northern fauna, the habitat of which is as close as possible to the natural habitat. Especially in winter, life changes completely in a wildlife park. For many animals, the Arctic winter is their natural habitat and can be easily observed in the snow-covered park.
In winter, snow and ice sculptures are erected in the park, which form an integral part of the Polar Wildlife Park. Also at the zoo there is the opportunity to go skiing, snowmobiling, dog sledding and reindeer sledding (additional charge).
After a walk around the zoo, you can soak up the cozy warmth of the Lapland Chum restaurant, where you can have lunch and warm up near the fireplace.
At lunchtime, departure towards Helsinki via Oulu. Check-in at a transit hotel. Overnight at the hotel.
4 day
Breakfast. Arrival in Helsinki ~ 10:00.
Additionally, the following must be paid:
. If you are traveling alone: mandatory supplement for single occupancy at the hotel - 105 € (29.12.2019 - 135 €)
Additional payment upon request:
- Entrance fees to Santa Park - ~34.00€ \ ~28€ children from 3-12 years old, under 3 years old free
- Visit to Husky Park (without a trip) - 10€ \ 5€ for children 4-12 years old
- Visit to the Husky Park + sleigh ride pulled by Husky dogs - 30€ \ 15€ for children
- Sleigh ride drawn by reindeer - 18€ \ 14€ for children
- Trip to Ranua Zoo - 10€ and additional entrance fee (adults~15€, children~12€)
- Upon request, we offer you accommodation in a 4* hotel - ON REQUEST
Santa Claus Village in Finland is located next to small town Rovaniemi. A small village called Joulupukki invites you to visit Finnish Santa Claus all year round. Fabulous Lapland is not only a place where you can see the northern lights, but also the permanent habitat of the real Santa Claus.
People no longer want to celebrate the New Year in tropical countries, but rather head to the snowy region to Santa’s homeland. Even teenagers who have not believed in Santa Claus for a long time will believe in the fairy tale again when they find themselves in Lapland. They'll want to write a letter to Finnish Santa Claus and enjoy the kaleidoscope of entertainment this magical place has to offer.
Even if the New Year's celebration is planned at one of the ski resorts in Finland, visiting Santa Claus is very simple and does not take much time. From any city you can buy a plane ticket and fly to Rovaniemi, and there any public transport will take you to the fairy-tale village in just 10 minutes.
How to get there
The address of Santa Claus in Lapland is the village of Joulupukki, which is located 8 kilometers from the Finnish town of Rovaniemi. It is located 1000 kilometers from the Russian border. From St. Petersburg, with a visa, you can get there by train, plane or bus in just a few hours. First you need to get to the capital of Finland, then to Rovaniemi, and from there there are buses every hour.
Rovaniemi has an airport and a railway station, so residents of St. Petersburg have the opportunity to buy tickets to Santa Claus Village directly. From the railway station in Rovaniemi you need to take bus number 8. If tourists decide to travel to Finland in their own vehicle, then enter the name of the village of Joulupukki into the navigator device and you will arrive exactly at Santa’s house.
Story
Everyone knows that the real birthplace of Santa Claus is Lapland. They say that it was this magical symbol of the New Year that created the famous Northern Lights. The first tourist to visit this place was Eleanor Roosevelt. In her honor, the Finns built a hut, which can still be seen today.
Visit the village of Santa Claus better in winter, but Santa Park and the elves work there in the summer. After all, there are many children on earth and everyone writes letters that need to be processed and delivered to their destination. Santa reads every letter without exception, even if it was sent by email.
Santa Claus's summer house is located in the same village as the winter office; it began operating in 1950. There, on the shelves, volumes of books are crowded, containing the scoundrels of the whole country and obedient children who receive gifts from Santa every year. Finnish Santa Claus is helped by fairy-tale elves. To get to this magical house, you will have to go through a clock mechanism.
On a note! In the village you can always go with a group, where the guide will talk about the history of this place, and buy memorable souvenirs. Be sure to write a letter from Lapland and send it to your family, the envelope will have the seal of the Arctic Circle.
Opening hours, ticket prices
Finnish Santa Claus receives guests all year round, but there are also days when it is not possible to enter the village. To plan a train, it is better to know the exact schedule of reception days:
- From September to the end of November: from 10 am to 5 pm.
- From January 7 to the end of May - from 10 am to 5 pm.
- From June to the end of August - from 9 am to 6 pm.
- From December 1 to January 6 – enhanced schedule from 9 am to 7 pm.
Children under three years old can see Finnish Santa Claus for free, adults will pay about $40, and children from three to 18 years old will pay $35. This price includes not only a meeting with Santa Claus, but also a visit to Santa Park.
Letter to Santa Claus
In the village of Joulupukki, not far from Santa's house, there is a post office, which is crowded at any time of the year. Here you can write and send a letter to anywhere in the world with an imprint of the Arctic Circle, and also leave a message to Santa Claus. Be sure to purchase unique cards with the wonderful landscapes of Lapland and the Northern Lights.
Santa Claus' assistants, fairy-tale elves, work at the post office; they will help you compose an interesting text. If the child is small and does not yet know how to write, the elves will write a letter for him in any language in the world. Each visitor will have the opportunity to have a photo session with all the village residents, warm up by the fireplace and watch the elves deliver mail bags to Santa.
The residence of Father Frost in Finland has an official website, where every inhabitant of the earth also has the opportunity to send a letter to Santa Claus at in electronic format.
Write down the addresses of the resources and be sure to send the treasured message:
- santaclausvillage.info;
- santaclausholidayvillage.fi.
On a note! Sending one letter costs about $15. Remember, no matter what time of year the letter was written, if you put it in the red box, Santa Claus will read it on Christmas Eve.
Winter fun
Santa Park Rovaniemi is designed like Dreamland. It will be interesting for people of any age. There you can go on rides, visit an elf school, and take part in games and competitions. Each child can attend calligraphy writing classes and Mrs. Claus's bakery, which bakes fragrant Easter cakes. You can not only try delicious gingerbread cookies, but also take part in the process of their preparation.
Near Rovaniemi and in its territory there are many ski resort. You can organize your holiday there and visit Santa Claus on one of the days of your stay on Finnish territory. If you forget your equipment at home while on vacation, it’s no problem, you can buy it in any Finnish store.
Despite the fact that the village is open all year round, experienced tourists advise coming there in winter. Snow-covered paths and New Year's lights perfectly highlight the eve of the New Year. Walking along snow-covered paths, you involuntarily begin to believe in magic. You can make snowmen and play hockey with your whole group.
The village of Joulupukki offers entertainment for all ages:
- You can go ice skating on the frozen lake.
- Ride on snowmobiles, reindeer or dog sleds.
- Visit the ice houses and even have a tea party there.
- Try Finnish traditional dishes.
- Go ice fishing or take a steam bath in a Finnish sauna.
On a note! Every visitor to this fabulous place should meet Santa Claus's reindeer. They live not far from the magical grandfather's house.
Shops and restaurants
Dress warmly if you visit Finland in winter and after seeing the local attractions, go shopping. In each you can buy New Year's souvenirs for favorable prices.
If children visited the elf workshop, they will be able to take all the handicrafts they made with them. Be sure to buy Christmas decorations, slide paintings of the Northern Lights and Finnish delicacies.