Fabulous journey to visit Santa Claus in Lapland. New Year with children in Lapland Holidays in Finland in winter with Santa Claus

Santa Claus Village in Finland is located near the small town of Rovaniemi. A small village called Joulupukki invites you to visit the Finnish Santa Claus all year round. Fabulous Lapland is not only a place where you can see the northern lights, but also the permanent home of the real Santa Claus.

People no longer want to celebrate the New Year in tropical countries, but tend to the snow-covered land of Santa's homeland. Even teenagers who no longer believe in Santa Claus, once in Lapland, will again believe in a fairy tale. They will want to write a letter to Finnish Santa Claus and enjoy the kaleidoscope of entertainment this magical place has to offer.

Even if the celebration of the New Year is planned at one of the ski resorts in Finland, getting to visit 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 deliver you to the fabulous 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 all 1000 kilometers from the Russian border. From St. Petersburg, having a visa, you can get 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 buses run every hour.

Rovaniemi has an airport and a railway station, so residents of St. Petersburg have the opportunity to take tickets to the Santa Claus Village directly. From the railway station in Rovaniemi you need to take bus number 8. If tourists decide to travel to Finland on their own vehicles, 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. The Finns built a hut in her honor, which can still be seen today.

The best time to visit Santa Claus Village is in winter, but Santa Park and the elves work there in the summer as well. After all, there are many children on earth and everyone writes letters that need to be processed and delivered to their destination. Santa reads all letters without exception, even if it was sent by e-mail.

The summer house of Santa Claus is located in the same village as the winter office, it began its work in 1950. There, on the shelves, volumes of books are crowded, where the scoundrels of the whole country and obedient children who receive gifts from Santa every year are inscribed. Finnish Santa Claus is helped by fabulous elves. To get into this magical house, you have to go through the clockwork.

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 relatives, 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 impossible to get into 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 the Finnish Santa Claus for free, adults will pay about $40, and children from three to 18 years old - $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, as well as leave a message to Santa Claus. Be sure to get unique cards with the wonderful landscapes of Lapland and the Northern Lights.

Santa's assistants work in the post office - fabulous elves, they will help you compose an interesting text. If the child is small and cannot write yet, the elves will write a letter for him in any language of the world. Each visitor will have the opportunity to have a photo shoot with all the villagers, warm up by the fireplace and watch the elves deliver mail bags to Santa.

The residence of Santa Claus in Finland has an official website, where every inhabitant of the earth also has the opportunity to send a letter to Santa Claus in electronic form.

Write down the addresses of the resources and be sure to send the cherished message:

• santaclausvillage.info;
• santaclausholidayvillage.fi.

On a note! Sending one letter costs about $15. Remember, no matter what time of the year the letter is written, if you put it in a red box, Santa Claus will read it on Christmas Eve.

Winter fun

Santa Park Rovaniemi is decorated like a fairyland. It will be interesting for people of all ages. There you can ride the rides, visit the school of elves, participate in games and competitions. Each child can attend calligraphy writing classes and Mrs. Claus's bakery, which bakes fragrant cakes. You can not only taste delicious gingerbread, but also participate in the process of their preparation.

Near Rovaniemi and on its territory there are many ski resorts. You can organize your vacation there, and visit Santa Claus on one of the days of your stay in Finnish territory. If you forget your equipment at home on vacation, it doesn’t matter, you can buy it at any Finnish store.

Despite the fact that the village is open all year round, experienced tourists are advised to come there in the winter. Snow-covered paths and New Year's lights, just in time to emphasize the eve of the New Year. Walking along the snow-covered paths, you involuntarily begin to believe in magic. You can make snowmen with the whole company and play hockey.

The village of Joulupukki offers activities 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 bath.

On a note! Every visitor to a fabulous place should get acquainted with Santa's reindeer. They live near the magical grandfather's house.

Shops and restaurants

Dress warmly if visiting Finland during the winter and after seeing the local sights, go shopping. In each you can buy New Year's souvenirs at competitive prices.

If the children visited the workshop of the elves, then they can take all the handicrafts made with their own hands. Be sure to shop for Christmas decorations, Northern Lights slides and Finnish delicacies.

Visit Santa Claus: Rovaniemi and Ranua Zoo, 4 days
(departure from Helsinki)

Additionally on request:

• Transfer by regular bus St. Petersburg-Helsinki-St. Petersburg - from 70 euros RT
• Transfer by high-speed train Allegro St. Petersburg-Helsinki-St. Petersburg - from 140 euros RT
• Transfer by train Repin Moscow-Helsinki-Moscow - from 190 euros RT
• Air flight Moscow-Helsinki-Moscow - from 200 euros

Please check availability before booking the tour.

This trip requires a valid Schengen visa and health insurance.

Tour program:

1 day
Meeting with a group in Helsinki. Sightseeing tour of Helsinki. Departure to Oulu. Accommodation in a 3* hotel near Oulu (accommodation in double rooms). Overnight at the hotel.

2 day
Breakfast. Excursion trip to Lapland to visit Santa Claus in the city of Rovaniemi.
Near the city of Rovaniemi, hidden in the forest is Youlukka - a magical forest village inhabited by elves and trolls - the most important helpers of Santa Claus! And right on the Arctic Circle, in an underground cave in the Syväsenvaara fell, guests from all over the world are greeted by Santa Park (admission tickets for an extra charge).
In Santa Park, you can visit a myriad of secret places and activities such as Giant Snow Globe, Elven Post Office, Elven Toy Factory Gift Shop, Gingerbread Christmas Bakery, Elven Toy Factory Mystery Show, Santa Park Dance Show (3 times a day), Magic Train “Seasons”, Elf Workshop, Calligraphy School, Angry Birds Playground, Elf School (5 times a day), Ice Gallery and Bar accompanied by Ice Princess, you will also have the opportunity to visit the Champagne Bar and Kota cafeteria, you will be able to cross the Arctic Circle, and don't forget to send your personal Christmas video card via JoinMe Tube!
Return to the hotel. Relaxation.

3 day
Breakfast. Free day in Oulu or optional transfer to the northernmost natural park in the world - Ranua Arctic Zoo (optional).
The zoo has a wide variety of services for the whole family - it is not only representatives of the wildlife world, of which there are approximately 50 species of arctic and northern wild animals: polar and brown bears, lynxes, wolves, elk, owls, reindeer and other representatives of the northern fauna, habitat which are as close as possible to their natural habitat. Especially in the winter in the wildlife park, life changes completely. For many animals, the Arctic winter is their natural habitat and can be easily observed in the snowy park.
In winter, snow and ice sculptures are erected in the park, which form an integral part of the polar wildlife park. Also in the zoo there is an opportunity to go skiing, snowmobiling, dog and reindeer sledding (extra charge).
After a tour of the zoo, you can soak up the cozy warmth of the Lapland Chum restaurant, where you can dine and warm up by the fireplace.
In the afternoon departure towards Helsinki via Oulu. Check-in at a transit hotel. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 4
Breakfast. Arrival in Helsinki ~ 10:00.

Additionally, you must pay:
. If you are traveling alone: ​​compulsory supplement for single accommodation in a hotel - 105€ (29.12.2019 - 135€)

Additionally, upon request, paid:

• Entrance fees to Santa Park - ~34.00€ \ ~28€ children from 3-12 years old, up to 3 years old free of charge
• Visit to the Husky Park (without a trip) - 10€ \ 5€ for children 4-12 years old
• Husky park visit + sleigh ride with Husky dogs - 30€ \ 15€ child
• Reindeer sleigh ride - 18€ \ 14€ child
• Trip to Ranua Zoo - 10€ and additional entrance fee (adult ~ 15€, child ~ 12€)
• On request, we offer you accommodation in a 4 * hotel - ON REQUEST

• 1 day Moscow, Saint Petersburg

  Joining / detaching from a group in European cities is carried out only after a written agreement with the direction managers, before booking air or railway tickets to the place of joining / detaching.

  Departure from the Leningradsky railway station by train No. 56 at 21:24 or by other train, meeting to receive documents in 40 minutes. before departure at car No. 3. See the guide, train and car numbers in the section a week before departure.

  2 day Saint Petersburg - Helsinki

  Arrival in St. Petersburg early in the morning (~05:19). Meeting at 05:30 at the main entrance to the shopping center "Gallery"..

  T transfer by busin Helsinki (~390 km),museums* to choose from: Museum of Natural History "Ateneum" "Kiasma"

  Overnight at the hotel

  Day 3 Tampere - Oulu

  Breakfast in the hotel.

  Morning sightseeing in Tampere Free time.

  Afternoon transfer (~480 km) to Oulu

  Overnight at the hotel.

  Day 4 Oulu - Rovaniemi*

  Breakfast in the hotel
  RovaniemiVillages of Santa Claus

  Santa Park

  
  New Year's Eve Dinner"Buffet" (included in price)take place in a cozy restaurant.
  
  

  Day 5

  Breakfast in the hotel. Inspection Oulu

  Ranua (~150 km), n visiting the Arctic Zoo

  Looking for the Northern Lights*Attention!). Return to the hotel.

  Day 6 Kuopio

  Breakfast in the hotel

  In the morning transfer (~280 km) toKuopio

  
  -
  - Riding * on "cheesecakes"

  Rise* to the Puyo lookout tower from €7, payable on the spot).

  Day 7 St. Petersburg

  Breakfast in the hotel.

  Day 8 Saint Petersburg - Moscow

  Departure by night train No. 55 at ~01:15and or by another train. Specify information on departure / arrival and wagon number - in the section .

  Arrival in Moscow at the Leningradsky railway station at 11:20 or other.

  If you purchase tickets on your own, it is important to leave St. Petersburg for your city no earlier than the main group. The fact that a tourist has a ticket for an earlier train than the main group does not constitute grounds for changing the group's schedule.

• 1 day Saint Petersburg - Helsinki

  DEPARTURE ON THE NEXT DAY FROM THE STATED DATE OF DEPARTURE.

  Meeting at 05:30 at the main entrance to the shopping center "Gallery"..

  T transfer by busin Helsinki (~ 390 km), sightseeing of the city with an attendant: Senate Square, Esplanade, Assumption Cathedral, monument to Alexander II, City Hall, Sibelius monument, Presidential Palace, sculpture "Havis Amanda". Free time. Possible visitmuseums* to choose from: Museum of Natural History (€15 adults / €7 children under 18), Museum of Fine Arts "Ateneum" (€17 adults / children under 18 - free of charge), Modern Art Gallery "Kiasma" (€15 adults / children under 18 - free of charge).

  In the evening transfer to Tampere (~180 km).

  Overnight at the hotel

  Day 2 Tampere - Oulu

  Breakfast in the hotel.

  In the morning, tour of Tampere with an escort: the Cathedral, the Town Hall, the Kaleva Church, Art Nouveau architecture, Tammerkoski national landscapes, etc. The city is located between two I lakes - Nasijärvi and Pyhäjärvi.Free time.

  Afternoon transfer (~480 km) to Oulu - one of the largest northern cities in the world, located on the coast of the Gulf of Bothnia.

  Overnight at the hotel.

  3 day Oulu - Rovaniemi*

  Breakfast in the hotel
  Free time in Oulu or full day trip (~190 km) toRovaniemi* (€60/€54 up to 12 years old, transfer + entrance tickets, purchase and payment only with the tour), visiting the Santa Claus Village - meeting with the real Santa in his residence, visiting the magic mail where you can order a "real" letter from Santas for Christmas, the largest center for Christmas-themed souvenirs.

  Crossing the Arctic Circle and getting personal certificates for memory. Excursion to Santa Park- a fabulous elves' cave, here you can ride the Christmas train, see the workshop of Santa Claus and his helpers - elves and gnomes, take part in the manufacture of Christmas gifts with the elves, watch a fabulous dance performance, etc. Return to the hotel.

  Only for the date 28.12: New Year's Eve in Oulu!
  New Year's Eve Dinner"Buffet" (included in price)take place in a cozy restaurant"Torilll" hotelSCANDIC OULU 4* (includes 1 glass of wine*). *alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks are ordered and paid extra on the spot.
  The program of the evening includes competitions, incendiary music and space for dizzying dances...
  23:40 departure from the hotel. New Year's Eve with a glass of champagnein the heart of the city next to the shopping and pedestrian streets of Rotuaari and Ainola Park.Festive festivities and fireworks.

  Day 4 Oulu - Ranua (Arctic Zoo)*

  Breakfast in the hotel. Inspection Oulu with an attendant: Cathedral, library, theatre, marketplace, etc. The symbol of Oulu is the market policeman, his statue is located at the entrance to the Kauppatori market.

  Free time, for those who wish, a trip * to Ranua (~ 150 km), visiting the Arctic Zoo * (€45/€42 up to 14 years old, transfer + tickets, purchase and payment only with the tour) - more than 60 species of rare animals (reindeer, lynx, wolverine, etc.) with ostentatious feedings.

  In the evening - possible excursion* In search of the Northern Lights (€25/€20 up to 16 years, transfer + ferry + small picnic;*Attention!It is important to remember that the Northern Lights are a natural phenomenon that depends on the whim of nature and cannot be guaranteed.). Return to the hotel.

  Day 5 Kuopio

  Breakfast in the hotel

  In the morning transfer (~280 km) toKuopio. Inspection of the city with an attendant - Puyo Tower on the mountain of the same name - the symbol of the city, the Cathedral in the neoclassical style, the museum quarter - small wooden houses of the 17th-19th centuries, where the life and crafts of past centuries have been preserved, in the center of the modern city.

  Free time or for those who wish:
  - Husky dog ​​sledding* approx. 1 km (€35 adults / €30 children under 13. 10 USD - obligatory non-refundable prepayment for the tour when buying a tour, additional payment on the route);
  - Riding* on "cheesecakes" (€9 adult - 1 hour, booking and payment upon purchase of the tour);

  Rise* to the Puyo lookout tower from €7, payable on the spot).

  In the evening, check into the hotel, relax and visit the pool, sauna and jacuzzi at the hotel.

  Day 6 St. Petersburg

  Breakfast in the hotel.

  In the morning transfer (~300 km) to the border with a stop for lunch*, subject to availability.
  Transfer to St. Petersburg (~195 km). Arrival in St. Petersburg after 23:30 pm, to the Gallery shopping center, there may be delays at the border, the time is approximate.
  With early arrival - free time without using the bus, luggage can be left in the storage room at the railway station.

I continue to talk about our New Year holidays in Finland. So, we decided to go to Lapland and see the Finnish Santa Claus.

On the Internet, we looked that you can get there from Helsinki by train, the journey will take 12 hours. Destination is the city of Rovaniemi (the capital of Finnish Lapland). The day before the trip, we booked a hotel room. If you decide to go spontaneously like us, then I still advise you to calculate the time so that you book two or three days in advance. Because it was already difficult to find the number during the day. The prices there are more expensive than in Helsinki.

Train tickets were bought immediately there and back. There were only seats left, like in an airplane. Not the most convenient option, but nowhere to go.

So, we bought tickets for the night train. Still, it’s not a desire to waste precious vacation hours for nothing. Trains in Finland are double decker. Their compartments are designed for two people. And seating. The train is clean, comfortable, there is a place to connect to charge the phone. And there's Wi-Fi too! The only thing that overshadowed the trip is that all 12 hours will have to sit.

We arrived in Rovaniemi in the morning, at an ordinary small station. And we got a little lost. Wherever you look, there is snow everywhere. And nothing else is visible. We followed the crowd and somehow came out to our hotel, since it was nearby. Therefore, I advise you, if you book a hotel, make sure that it is located in the center, not far from the station.

We slept all day and walked around the town. It gets dark very early in Lapland. It begins to brighten somewhere at ten o'clock in the morning, and at two o'clock in the afternoon it is already getting dark.

Our hotel was located in the center, we walked a lot, went to shops and bought souvenirs. By the way, in one store we met a Russian woman, she has been living in Rovaniemi for more than ten years. And she told us that the best souvenir from Lapland is cloudberry tea and this bookmark.

Bookmark made of deer skin, with its fur and antlers. Buying such a bookmark, you can say you are buying a whole deer))) We decided to listen to it and buy it.

The next morning we drove to Santa Claus Village. In the morning, we came back to the station where we arrived and there is a bus stop nearby, where the bus leaves for the village.

We drove for about 30-40 minutes.

And so they arrived. Of course, the beauty is breathtaking. Fabulous.

Music is playing, all the houses are beautifully decorated, Christmas trees are lit up.

The border of the Arctic Circle passes through the village. Let's cross it)))

Let's see what's here. There is a "Christmas House" where you can see various exhibitions dedicated to the New Year.

"Santa's Mail". Elves work here, they will help you send a beautiful card to your friends and relatives for Christmas. There are many beautiful postcards and cute souvenirs.

"Office of Santa Claus", where Santa Claus himself lives. You can take a photo with him, of course, for a fee.

The rest of the houses are cafes and shops. A lot of souvenirs.

There are also clothing stores. Of course, the Finnish brand Marimekko. In Finland, it is at every step.

New Years is a magical time. Adults are waiting for a holiday and changes for the better, children are waiting for 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 with your head - you need to go to the ends of the world - to Lapland! New Year in the homeland of the Finnish Santa Claus - Joulupukki - is real magic, such a trip will be remembered for a lifetime.

In Finland, as well as in Europe in general, the main event of winter is Christmas, and according to the old style, on December 25th. New Year's Eve is not widely celebrated. So by the New Year, Joulupukki will already give Christmas gifts to Finnish children and will take care of us, the guests. Residence Joulupukki is located 9 km from the city of Rovaniemi, right on the border of the Arctic Circle.

Santa Claus Village (Joulupukin Pajakylä) 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 big Christmas tree, sparkling in festive attire, it immediately improves your mood!

Residence Joulupukki

There is an interesting legend about the house of Santa Claus (Joulupukki): since it is in this place that the earth's crust is very thin, Santa Claus learned to control time with the help of special mechanisms and, in particular, to slow down the speed of the Earth's rotation. And this little trick helps Santa to visit everyone in the world on the eve of Christmas in one night and give gifts to everyone. In order not to disturb the structure of the clockwork, guests move along suspension bridges;

Here you can watch and even pet a deer for free. The reindeer camp is behind the main house;

You can get to the office to meet with Santa Claus through a long fairy-tale corridor. The famous wizard himself and his assistants, the gnomes, joyfully greet the guests. This happens every day, including weekends and holidays. There may be queues in December. Finnish Santa Claus speaks many languages, including Russian!

After office, be sure to visit the Santa Claus Post Office. Letters from children with their requests and wishes come here from all over the world, the elves sort them out and give them to Santa. Among the piles you can find your own! Write a letter with your child in advance and send it to Santa Claus Central Post Office: Santa Klaus, 96930 Arctic Circle, Rovaniemi, Finland. From the mail of Santa Claus, you can send a postcard to family and friends. All letters and postcards are stamped with Santa's special seal, and they 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.

Bus number 8 runs from Rovaniemi train station and takes you to Santa Claus Village.

Santa Claus Village Sites:

• santaclausvillage.info
• santaclausholidayvillage.fi

santa park

2 kilometers from the village of the Finnish Santa Claus, Santa Park is arranged - a children's theme amusement park.

The legend is as follows: Once Santa Claus returned 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 arranged a real amusement park for their many guests. In a huge cave carved into the rock by indefatigable gnomes, there is a whole underground city. This magical place is the only place in the world where you can cross the Arctic Circle underground and receive a certificate in honor of this geographical achievement! The magical coordinates of the Arctic Circle are 66° 33" 07"

Santa Park is a huge structure in the form of tunnels that are laid right inside the rock. Before you are met by elves and fairy-tale characters, you have a long descent. Carousels, activities with elves, a colorful costume show, cafes and souvenir shops.

Arctic Winter World Park

This amusement park is open only in winter - from the beginning of December to the end of March. Every year, entertainment is rebuilt 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 bedroom. heated bag..

Official website of the park: arctice.fi

Entrance to the park is paid

Santa Claus Village is a very popular place to visit for families with children, especially during the New Year holidays. People rush here who dream not only to enjoy the local beauties, but also to return once again to a distant fairy tale from childhood. "The Snow Queen", "Niels' Journey with Wild Geese" - these fabulous places really exist. And if you're lucky - you can see the Northern Lights!

It is necessary to prepare for such a trip in advance. You can buy a ready-made tour, but it is much more convenient and cheaper to plan a trip yourself.

Book a hotel and buy tickets.

Option 1: You can get to the Arctic Circle by your own car. From St. Petersburg to Rovaniemi more than a thousand kilometers. Without taking into account traffic jams and crossing the border, it takes 12 hours to drive, and before the New Year there are queues at the border, which means you definitely won’t be in time in a day, it’s better to stop for the night in the middle of the way. 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 Joulupukki, located near the international airport, there are direct flights from Helsinki to the airport and the railway station of the city. Bus number 8 runs every hour from Rovaniemi railway station to Santa Claus Village. And yet, at the Rovaniemi airport, you will be stamped in your passport in the form of Santa Claus.

A trip with the whole family for just 3-4 days will turn into the most memorable childhood trip for your little ones.