Finnish tourist advice.

[dr_norbert]

Pardon this interruption but I wanted to reach many of my Finnish friends at once.

My parents want to celebrate their marriage milestone in northern Finland to see the Northern Lights for Christmas 2018.

My dad wanted to spend a few days in Helsinki and then spend most of the time in Lapland, particularly at this hotel: Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort, Sodankylä, Finland.

Is there other things around that area that we should consider doing/visiting? Thanks much in advance.

--Norbert

[Pariah]

Since it's around Christmas, it's probably a good idea to go check the Santa Claus Village (http://www.santaclausvillage.info/) in Rovaniemi, though it's a bit over an hour's drive (~130km) away from Sodankylä. The village of Sodankylä also has their own activity page if you haven't checked it already: http://www.visitsodankyla.fi/en/travel/welcome.php

[dr_norbert]

Great start - thank you!

--Norbert

[JArrow]

In Helsinki there is before Chritmas St Thomas's market (Or Helsinki Christmas Market in official english name) that have really good selection of finnish handcrafts on sale. http://tuomaanmarkkinat.fi/english-svenska/ Market is held just below main church and some old covermental buildings.

What are your parents interested in?

[dr_norbert]

We are all going to celebrate their wedding anniversary and the Northern Lights is the big event for them. But they will have ndoubtedly like to see typical things about Finnish culture. And food of course. :)

--Norbert

[Veripallo]

There is never a 100% guarantee that you will see the northern lights (I've seen them 2-3 times in my life), I suggest you google up some sites that predict them and monitor magnetic shifts. There are some sites that give fairly accurate predictions on the chances to see them but I don't remember which sites they were (and they were probably in Finnish only but I'm sure English sites exist too).

[shoddie]

http://www.snowvillage.fi/ I have no idea if this is close to your route, but it could be nice experience.

[dr_norbert]

Maybe I could ask this a different way. When you think of Lapland and activities there, what comes to your mind?

--Norbert

[Pariah]

Maybe I could ask this a different way. When you think of Lapland and activities there, what comes to your mind?

--Norbert

Hiking, fishing, gathering cloudberries, skiing during the winter :P

[Lukkimus]

Maybe I could ask this a different way. When you think of Lapland and activities there, what comes to your mind?

--Norbert

I believe the hotel will have a lot to offer for you as the y often have good selection of services by themselves, but to few that come to mind are going to reindeer or dog sledding(?), "motorsled safari" and such.

Be prepared for the cold.

[Barricade]

Snacking reindeers.

[dr_norbert]

I'm a little insulted no one has mentioned getting a Sauna and beatings with birch branches.

Or was I supposed to assume this? If so, I pay my respects.

--Norbert

[Veripallo]

The sauna goes without saying. As for the birch branches, they can be a bit harsh in December as they are no leaves then ;) I wouldn't recommend. But if you're in Lapland you could try look for opportunities to either swim in a hole in the ice or just crawl in the snow naked between session in the sauna. That's sort of activity is pretty Finnish.

[shoddie]

The sauna goes without saying... ...if you're in Lapland you could try look for opportunities to either swim in a hole in the ice or just crawl in the snow naked between session in the sauna. That's sort of activity is pretty Finnish.

This is the thing to do. It feels way better than it sounds.

[dr_norbert]

Thanks guys. You knew I was just poking fun. ;)

--Norbert

[dr_norbert]

My parents had a look at this thread. Thanks everyone for taking the time to post.

--Norbert

[JArrow]

The sauna goes without saying. As for the birch branches, they can be a bit harsh in December as they are no leaves then ;) I wouldn't recommend. But if you're in Lapland you could try look for opportunities to either swim in a hole in the ice or just crawl in the snow naked between session in the sauna. That's sort of activity is pretty Finnish.

If I remember correctly, Hotel Kakslauttanen has one of the biggest smoke-sauna of the world and nice clean pond for swimming.

[dr_norbert]

Wow, that sounds amazing!

--Norbert

[dr_norbert]

I just read a bit about the hotel and you are right about the smoke sauna. But what is that? I don't think I've had one like that! Exciting!

--Norbert

[Ihme_apina]

https://www.varusteleka.com/en/product/ ... rack/55471

Its kinda like this but not as good.