Howdy! Today we are featuring a special destination, just in time for Christmas. If you have ever wanted to see the Northern Lights, take a sleigh ride, play with huskies and visit Santa all in one visit then you must travel to Rovaniemi, Finland – The Official Hometown of Santa Claus!
Take a journey with me as we explore this adventurous destination.
Activities
Your vacation is booked and you’re off to see Santa Claus, but what next? Rovaniemi has so much to offer in terms of activities. The first item you might want to check off of your list is crossing the Arctic Circle.
The most popular place to cross the Arctic Circle, is right in Santa Claus Village. By doing so you can even get an official certificate! Of course, completing this natural feat is almost impossible not to do while you are visiting, you can certainly experience your official crossing by doing a variety of other activities. Perhaps you want to snowmobile across, or take a sleighride, you can even take a husky sled, or reindeer sled to mark this occasion.
If you want to check the Northern Lights off of your bucket list, Rovaniemi is the destination for you. Midnight sun? Yep you can do that too. You can even go ice fishing, hiking, play golf, horseback riding, and winter swimming!
Accommodations
Of course you can always stay in a hotel, hostel or B & B, Rovaniemi has many other incredible accommodations you should absolutely try.
How about a glass igloo? You can stay in the heart of Santa’s Village in your glass igloo. This luxurious accommodation can include an outdoor hot spa and sauna. Glass igloos also provide you with the opportunity to experience the Northern Lights.
Another opportunity to experience the Northern Lights, is in the Arctic Treehouse Hotel. Overlooking the tree tops, the Arctic Treehouse allows you to experience the Lappish Heritage and Scandinavian décor.
The Arctic Snow Hotel is a wonderland entirely of snow. You can even have dinner in the Ice Restaurant!
Gastronomy
Experience food like never before. The options in Rovaniemi are endless and range from Nordic, traditional Lappish, sushi and Asian, to Tex-Mex, French, and Italian.
The Arctic Treehouse and Arctic Snow Hotel both have incredible dining options as well.
Of course coffee houses and bistros are in abundance for those quick bites or a moment of solitude to enjoy the beauty and wonder Rovaniemi has to offer.
COVID-19 Travel Information
And of course it is very important to understand the COVID-19 travel requirements before you visit Santa! Below are the guidelines:
- According to current restrictions in Rovaniemi: 30.11. – 3.1.2022 corona passport is required in all public indoor gatherings and events (over 20 people)!
- As of 9.12.2021 some sights and attractions as well as some activity providers may require corona passport from all their customers over 16 years of age.
- As of 4.12.2021 restaurants require corona passport from all customers over 16 years of age (excluding restaurants that do not serve alcoholic beverages).
- Wear a face mask: The strong recommendation to wear a face mask applies to all public indoor spaces in which a safe distance from others cannot be maintained (public transport, shops, restaurants, concerts).
- Ensure you maintain a 2 meter safety distance.
- Cough in the correct way: Cough or sneeze into a disposable handkerchief or your own sleeve.
- Take care of hand hygiene
- If you have any symptoms, please get yourself tested for coronavirus and self-isolate until you receive the test results.
So what are you waiting for? Pack your bags – Santa and his Reindeer are anxiously awaiting your arrival.
For more details on things to see and do in Rovaniemi, where to stay, it’s price points and more – contact your Travel Guru! Oh, and if you need a payment plan to fund your travel adventure – we got those too!
Namaste!