The Republic of Finland is one of the Nordic countries. The country is inhabited of people with unique charm and guts that themself are a genuine tourist attraction.
The Santa Claus Village has a unique meeting place where hundreds of thousands of visitors from all over the world come to meet Santa Claus on every day of the year. You can enjoy reindeer sledging, snowmobile for children, sliding on snowracers, eating delicious smoked salmon and of course meet the Santa Claus himself. Rovaniemi is the place where the fairytale becomes true.
Santa Claus Office is the place to go in Christmas time. It`s located in Santa Claus Village in Rovanimei, Lapland, in Finland. There come thousands of visitors from all over the world to meet Santa Claus on every day of the year, and of course especially in Christmas where presents show up. Rovaniemi is the place where the Christmas fairytale becomes true.
How could the driver control the two lead dogs who were desperate for love? In the front of all dogs these two made the situation a little bit confusing for a time, but the driver in the tour operator Huskypoint knew fortunately how to control them. And then the sledge started in full speed.
Finland marked the 70th anniversary of Winter War against Soviet Russia on the 30th November 2009! It woke up terrible memories, but it also give time to look forward. Music and culture exchange have often shown ways to build relations between nations, and that has also helped Finland and Russia. Probably the most amazing concert ever in the world was the Total Balalaika Show in Helsinki, Finland, in 1994.
On 26th November in 1939, Soviet Foreign Minister V.M. Molotov accused Finnish troops of firing at the Russians across the 800-mile (1,300-kilometer) border near the village of Mainila, in southeastern Finland. It was just a bluff and excuse to start the war against Finland, but due to Finns ghost soldiers the war didn`t end up as the Soviet rulers wanted.
Finns marked on Monday 30 November the 70th anniversary of the Winter War. Finland`s brave soldiers were camuflaged in white uniforms. It made it difficult for the Red Army to fight against a invisible enemy. The Finns Soldiers emerged from the snow, looking like ghosts and frightened the enemy almost to death. They hold off Stalin's Red Army for 105 days ....
Visitors in Helsinki are now offered new opportunities to experience the city in the winter season, such as Sofia Wisdom of Silence, Cosy Finnish Sauna Evening, Finland Spa, FoodSightseeing, Kallbådan Seal Safari, Walking tours and Casino Experience. These adventures complement existing offerings and further enhance the urban experience in wintertime.
In 1714 the stone fortress Olavinlinna in Finland was surrounded by the Russian enemy. Inside the Swedish garrison was starving. Their hungry horses screamed in pain. It was a critical situation. Suddenly the horses stopped screaming and silence fall. The soldiers felt relieved for a while until the know what`s happened: the horses had been slaughtered for food, but it was more to come. Today Olavinlinna is one of Finland`s biggest tourist attractions, and the site is used for the annual opera festival.
The green belt is a result of an established cooperation between Finland and Russia in order to preserve nature reserves. Many parts of this green belt consist of unspoilt natural forests and marshes, where bears, wolves, wild forest reindeer and other rare animals still roam undisturbed.
In the Destination of Excellence in Finland (DEEF) competition, Wild Taiga has been selected as Finland`s emerging tourist destination 2008, highlighting the local culture and way of life. In this region there are great opportunities for observation of bears, uncommon species of birds, rare mammals like flying squirrel or carnivores like wolverines.
A cottage by a lake, totally silence, a hot sauna and cold beer, is just what you need to reload your batteries and heal your soul. I found myself deep in the ancient forest in northern Finland. As Lonely Plane`t describe Finland on its website; the country offers natural beauty, lots of elbow room and the fine art of the sauna. By the sunset I soaked up the magical atmosphere in the largest unspoilt wilderness in Europe.
Guided by mysterious figures in the forest, I found my way to the reconstructed Stone Age village in Kierikki Stone Age Centre, Yli-Ii, in Finland. Here I got a fascinated insight in the Stone Age life. People who lived at that time used symbols and rituals to strengthen their existence. They were also in contact with forest spirits. Something for the X-files?
Especially Merry Christmas to people with genuine passion for travelling. It's time to spread joy and bring smiles to faces! Whether people believe in Santa Claus or not, they continue their traditional Christmas celebration. People wait for the arrival of Santa Claus on Christmas Eve. He is the world`s best traveller and the most popular person!
I dream about White Christmas song Bing Crosby for over 60 years ago. This dream can be mostly realized in the wilderness in Rovaniemi in Finland. It`s especially fun to drive reindeers. And even more: here its great opportunities for a wide range of winter activities. So take your time!
The opening celebrations of the Christmas Season are taking place at the Santa Claus' Village in Rovaniemi Saturday 24th November 2007. In Santa Claus Village you can meet Santa Claus and cross the Arctic Circle all year round. The mysterious place Korvatunturi in Finnish Lapland is where Santa Claus lives with his helpers, the elves. For a long time ago he decided to meet people whole the year around.
