Perhaps you might get a little depressed?Science tells us that there is a measurable rise in mental health problems in the north of Finland during winter. We had daylight for about 6 hours between the hours of 10am and 4pm. You can also take the overnight sleeper train from Helsinki to Rovaniemi. Theres a lot to do at the Santa Claus village, and its a great place to check off a few of your winter activities. The December solstice (winter solstice) in Helsinki is at 23:48 on Wednesday, 21 December 2022. The indoor municipal swimming pool and the city library were packed on weekends with people of all ages. Phenomenal! In winter, cars will come with studded tyres, and the roads are well maintained. This is a particularly good option if you enjoy skiing or snowboarding, as its home to Levi, Finlands largest ski resort. The darkest time in Finland is during December; this is a tough time for students who cannot visit home during the holidays. Even though weve never caught a fish, weve always had a lot of fun ice fishing. Rovaniemi is on the edge of the Arctic circle, which is why you dont get the permanent darkness. When Sami Salomaa, the founder of Light Cognitive, moved to Finland after decades abroad, he found Helsinki's winter darkness a challenge to handle - hardly surprising, as the city's winter days can be as short as 6 hours. It felt easier the second and third times. Comment * document.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "ac98dc31f1485952ae9db97959509f4c" );document.getElementById("f959a0bfd8").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); Let me know when there's a reply to my comment (just replies to your comment, no other e-mails, we promise!). Building regulations state that windows in new buildings must be triple-glazed, and the latest technology enables window panes to function as solar panels. Finding the Universe contains affiliate links, meaning if you make a purchase through these links, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. The colorful autumn foliage is really pretty, especially in Lapland, but all over Finland too. But those features dont disrupt life. It also often sells out in advance. Open to the public,. Once you have explored some of the highlights of Rovaniemi, you will likely want to have your evening meal. You can reach Kittil by car or bus from Rovaniemi. We trudged toward the sound, but still no people, only desolate sidewalks. We were headed, in other words, to the absolute edge of Western civilization. If you plan to rent a car, you can arrange to pick up a rental car either at the airport or in the town center once you arrive. This is a very sparsely populated region, and is a focal point of the Smiculture. Extreme cold kills lone trekkers almost every winter in the wilderness, and cold rain can also be a problem in summer. Of course, theres lots more to do be in Rovaniemi and surrounds beyond everything weve listed here, which is why we think it makes for a great base to explore. This is found at Levi Summit, which you can reach by taking a lift from the ski resort. A group of children in Santa hats was singing holiday hymns. Ive written a whole post outlining my experience dog sledding in Lapland, which you should find useful. The development of building technology that saves energy and makes use of renewable natural resources has been emphasised in Finland. There are at least two million saunas in this country of approximately 5.4 million people and 2.6 million residential properties. If you want to travel by train you can take the train from Rovaniemi to Kemi, and select shuttle pick-up from the Kemi train station to the harbor. Youre obviously going to need somewhere to stay for your time in Rovaniemi. As the name suggests, husky sledding involves a team of huskies, and a sled. Life goes on. When we visited Saariselka, we stayed in the Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort. See our, Want to try some unique accommodation? Obviously everyones interests will vary, so do please adjust it to suit your personal preferences. You can do this yourself by finding somewhere away from the city lights. Launched in 1961, the Sampo is a genuine icebreaker built for serious arctic conditions. Weve also put this itinerary together to offer you flexible transport options. Thats it for our winter itinerary of Finland! Do you have a recommended tour that covers both rovaniemi and lapland ? The long gloomy winter may lead to unpredictable behavior and alcohol abuse. This experience needs to be booked in advance, which you can do here. It was a ghost town. Privacy & Terms, Moonrise and moonset times for Helsinki in December, * All times are local time for Helsinki. Do you think you'd sleep a lot more? After we walked a couple of blocks, we heard soft music way in the distance, in the direction of the city center. Bear Hill husky is our favourite husky operator in this region, and I actually took a two day husky safari with them. Of course, both sets of circumstances pose challenges for the human body - physically and mentally. The distance is 150km / 93mi. First winter. Theres no shortage of choice when it comes to winter adventures, so Ill just provide some options and let you decide what you might enjoy the most. Finnish Lapland in the north is probably most tourists' dream of a Finland winter wonderland with snow-covered trees, the chance to partake in all sorts of winter cold-weather activities (dog sledding, ice fishing, skiing, snowmobiling, etc. Your itinerary definitely suit to my plan. The driver will stand at the back of the sled to steer and brake, whilst the passenger relaxes and enjoys the view. Theres plenty to do here. I would definitely encourage you to visit the former at least, as this details the history of the fortress and the island. They take into account. Hi Laurence, this is really a great post that summarises what I need ! Finns plant flowers. With winter just around the corner, it's time to start celebrating the magic of winter weddings. Autumn can be a good time to visit Finland, but to be completely honest, October and November are the darkest months of the whole year. Extreme cold kills lone trekkers almost every winter in the wilderness, and cold rain can also be a problem in summer. The yearly Finlandia skiing marathon attracts more than 5,000 participants for its 60-kilometre course. You can check flight times and prices, andbook online here. And Finns? The best times of the year for viewing this incredible spectacle are obviously during the dark winter months, and other peak seasons are September through October, and February through . To do this, we store your data as outlined in our privacy policy. My pleasure Shelly, and thanks! Visibility deteriorates, roads are slippery, braking distances are longer and driving in deep snow gives drivers less control over their vehicle. Helsinki skyline and Helsinki Cathedral in winter, Finland. According to statistics, coffee consumption in Finland is 11.92 kg per year per inhabitant (in 2009), about 3.8 cups of coffee a day (compare this with 4.09 . About darkness. These cover a range of attractions, and the Helsinki card also includes transport around the city, which will save you walking around in the cold. You can see times and prices here. A fleece and jeans is a normal "I'm going out" outfit for a restaurant in Lapland. During winter, the body produces more melatonin (the neurotransmitter responsible for sleep patterns) due to the darkness which makes us tired and unmotivated. Various heating options are available, but district heating is an effective, economical and environmentally friendly way to heat a large number of properties. These are a good option because the Northern Lights are definitely not guaranteed, so doing another activity will ensure you are occupied and having fun, with seeing the Northern Lights as a bonus! Another excellent attraction that we enjoyed visiting in Kittil was Samiland. earthquake near hastings Servidores VPS NVME! An engine-block electric heater makes cars easier to start and reduces fuel consumption, and is a great boon for winter drivers who do not have a garage and leave their cars outside overnight. We joined Pinja and her father Juhamatti in the nearby communal sauna of the Joensuun Jkarhut, or Winter Swimming Center, otherwise known as the Polar Bears ice swimming club of Joensuu, the capital city of North Karelia. Is that feasible, and how does the Finnish government plan to do it? Hopefully this gives you plenty of ideas for the types of snowmobiling tours you can do from Rovaniemi. The vast construction and intricate sculpting, all made from real snow and ice was fascinating, but don't come expecting a cosy and warm night's sleep (obviously!). Im planning to head to rovaniemi and lapland for 8 days ,would you recommend signing up tours from websites like nordic visitor etc? Southern and Middle Finland boast with the biggest amount of snow in March. Your email address will not be published. Wed recommend either this half day hike or this full day hike. Seasonal Affective Disorder, also known as SAD, is a mental health disorder exhibited by people who would normally have good mental health in other parts of the year but express depressive symptoms during winter. Hiking By Snowshoe Around Beautiful Urho Kekkonen National Park. You can buy light boxes that are very easy to use that mimic the rays of the sun. There are a few options when it comes having a sauna in Finland. Alternatively, there are flights available from Kittil or Ivalo airports. Passing the ski resort of Ruka, the road passess into a dark forested area. I was going to live for six months in a far-off land, in the most sparsely populated, northernmost country in the European Union. Time and Date AS 19952022. Or you can book a day tour which includes your round-trip transport directly from Rovaniemi to the ice breaker. Produced by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, Department for Communications 1995 - 2022, Photo: Pekka Luukkola/Finnish Tourist Board, Finnish folk musicians lead listeners in exciting new directions, Starting over out in the country, Finnish farmer believes cricket cuisine could help heal the climate, Finlands carbon handprints and roadmaps show path to carbon neutrality by 2035, Produced by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, Department for Communications 1995 - 2022. Just read your detailed itinerary for Finland in Winter. The Arctic Circle marks the southern extremity of the polar day (24-hour sunlit day, often referred to as the midnight sun) and polar night (24-hour sunless night). You can also book an experience like this which includes your visit to Santa Claus and a snowmobile ride to a reindeer farm. Great to hear from you! For example, see this, If you want a more immersive and complete experience, they also offer a, We have a comprehensive guide to all our favourite, Finland is very cold in winter, and the key to a good trip is to pack appropriately! By telling us your country of residence we are able to provide you with the most relevant travel insurance information. Hundreds and hundreds of packed-together, bundled-up people were greeting each other. There are a number of permanent exhibits here, with the content on life in the arctic being my favourite. On all the tours Ive been on the guides have always ensured that people swap so both can have the experience of driving if they want. Coffee, clothing, snow play key roles. Subscribe to our monthly newsletter. I am from China. You wont have time to visit all of these of course, but we can definitely recommend visiting a few during your time in the city. There are no polar bears in the film but And whats a carbon handprint? Of course, theres also more to do in Helsinki than visit museums. Aha, I thought, even the Finns cant handle a snowstorm like this! In terms of time, weve put this guide together for around a week in Finland. In Rovaniemi, the darkest day of the year is the 22nd December, where theres only 2.5 hours of sunlight. Northern Lights over Lyngen, Norway's Troms county. Naturally theres more to Kakslauttanen than glass igloos. Serotonin is the neurotransmitter responsible for mood and levels rise with sunlight. Its a kind of encyclopaedia for me. Finally, find somewhere for a delicious evening meal, and retire, having gotten your first day of sight-seeing in Finland under your belt. Finland in my eyes is such a beautiful and amazing country with natural wonders, polar days and very different culture. Would you recommend Northern Norway for Northern Lights in December last week or Rovaniemi Finland? A cinnamon-sprinkled cappuccino chases the winter chill away.Photo: Rodeo.fi/Juha Tuomi. New York City had plenty of both in wintertime, too. Get out with fellow travelers, or friends and hang out at local cafes, restaurants and events. Don't channel your inner bear and hibernate. You can get to Santa Claus Village by driving, taking theSantas Express bus, a local bus, or by taxi. In the dead of winter, Finland can be a miserable place. Children waste no time rushing outside to make their first snowmen and find the nearest sledging hill, while adults dig out their winter sports equipment. They must be inside, watching TV, or fast asleep like hibernating bears. You can take a photo of you standing on the Arctic Circle marker, and can also arrange other activities such as a reindeer sled ride, a husky ride, or a snowmobile ride. When driving in autumn (and sometimes late spring), pay attention to the road surface and watch out for black ice. When the sea freezes there's even an avant (ice hole) you can plunge into to jump-start the nervous system! Once we were in Finland, I was surprised to learn that many Finns themselves have never fully adjusted to the reality of twilight falling so early in the mid-afternoons, and some of them become downright gloomy at the looming prospect of winter. We can suggest taking some time to go Christmas shopping (even if its after Christmas, you can stock up for the next one!). Weve tried a few different accommodation options, and have shortlisted the following as our favourites. So yes, you should be able to see the ice around you, and you will also get either a sunrise or sunset from the boat, depending on which cruise you take. Late availability on these dates: 23 Dec, 30 Dec. What time does it get dark in winter in Finland? Thanks very much! So the smaller cities in Finland are worth visiting, we have been to places like Oulu, Rauma and so on. So daylight hours in December are definitely limited. Snowshoes! It is a place for relaxation, tranquillity and deep thought. Winter was the time of year when I originally expected to feel miserable, push the eject button, and flee back to New York City. Its spectacular to view from the outside, but you can also go inside too of course. A warm house makes all the difference when it is -20 degrees outside. For example, this tour has you snowshoeing through the snow covered forests near Rovaniemi, before trying your hand at another popular Finnish winter activity ice fishing! She had a long and distinguished career in the Gulf of Bothnia, where for thirty years she kept the shipping lanes clear of ice. This covers a huge time period, from prehistoric times to the present day, and is an excellent way to learn a lot about the whole country. Remember the Finnish saying: Theres no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing.. I love this country and I heard that people are very cool l wish to visit finland. There are also several attractions in and around Rovaniemi to visit. If you're in the capitol when temperatures drop into the negatives, and darkness envelopes most hours of the day, head to the sauna at Lyly. This lets you walk without sinking in. The Helsinki card can be great value for money see our full review of the Helsinki card to see if its worth investing in for your trip. This sport has you drilling a hole into the ice on a frozen lake or river, and then using special ice fishing equipment to try and catch a fish. We recommend that you spend your first couple of days in Helsinki, the capital city of Finland. Post-Disaster Destinations: Is It Safe to Go? This is Finland's southernmost fell, and the region of Finland that gets more snow than anywhere else in the country. Vantaanjoki's water gets a little thicker. Many women and couples walked around briskly with Nordic poles, a pastime called Nordic walking that originated in Finland. Finally, a really popular activity that you must try while you are in Finland is to take a sauna. Indoor ice rinks all over the country serve individual skaters and clubs, but also hockey teams ice hockey is the biggest spectator sport. This will give you even more chances to see the Northern Lights, as well as stay at some really unique and more remote locations. If you dont have a car, the area by Arktikum is a popular spot. Id particularly recommend going hiking in the Korouoma National Park. If you are planning your own trip and booking your own transport, our recommendation for getting from Helsinki to Rovaniemi would be to either fly or take the overnight train. . Triple-glazed windows ensure that temperatures inside remain warm even when temperatures outside plummet.Photo: Rodeo.fi/Tuomas Marttila. The only thing to bear in mind is that there might not be snow everywhere in early November (this changes each year of course), so if you wanted snowy landscapes as well as the northern lights, its something to keep in mind. This itinerary covers a range of activities and sights in Finland. The latter are relatively new sports but they have rapidly become big favourites among the young and daring. First put on socks which draw moisture away from the skin and do not chafe, then some wool socks and finally comfortable, properly insulated winter footwear with non-slip soles. Suddenly realizing that Finland was to be my new home, I plunged into online research and searched out books at the library.
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