The new year spent in Finland will be remembered by tourists for a long time. Every year thousands of people come here from different places around the world. The approach of local residents and the administration to organizing the celebration allows you to make a lasting impression on guests. Local New Year programs are striking in scope. Among the entertainment are popular winter hunting, skiing and more. 
Features of New Year's holiday in Finland
Many Russians love to spend holidays in Finland. On winter holidays, an influx of tourists. One of the main advantages of such tours is an affordable price. In addition, tour operators offer many options for travel programs. So in almost every round there is an opportunity to visit the local Santa Claus or to see the northern lights and become a participant in a winter dog safari.
The guests of Finland are pleased with a developed infrastructure, a high level of service, goodwill towards foreigners and a stable political situation.An important factor has also become a good ecology, which attracts families with children. All this allows you to forget about the routine of everyday life and have a great holidays. Already in December 20, Finnish cities dress up in Christmas appearance. Street illumination during this period is particularly lively. Incredible compositions of light bulbs attract the gaze and fascinate.
Most cafes, shops and restaurants are closed during this period, as the Finns prefer to spend the Christmas holidays with their families. They drink the so-called gleg and eat fragrant gingerbread.
Finns love to celebrate noisy. Mass celebrations are really crowded here. The Finns decided to go to visit each other and ride the countryside. The familiar Russian New Year in the restaurant will be unavailable. Walks on New Year's Helsinki with visiting cereal establishments are excluded. All "catering" at night closed.
Many centuries ago, Lutherans, who are the majority of Finns, introduced the custom of starting preparations for the holidays in a few weeks. They attended Christmas services in the churches and organized all sorts of thematic events. One of the nice traditions was small gatherings, the so-called “Little Christmas”. For the most part women gather for them. They make Christmas toys, bake gingerbread. Now this tradition can most often be found in the form of corporate parties with gleg and the same gingerbread.
It must be remembered that the Finnish frost is no less severe than the Russian. Therefore, you should carefully prepare for the trip here: thermal underwear, warm clothes and shoes with anti-slip soles will be a prerequisite for high-quality and safe rest.
New Year's Finland: entertainment and attractions
The first trip to Finland should be marked by a tour of Helsinki. December 31, you can go to the Senate Square and become part of a noisy crowd. Here guests will enjoy a fun open-air disco, a laser show, fireworks and other New Year attributes. The event starts at 18.00, and it will have to finish at 02.00 on January 1. To carry and drink alcohol at this time on the square is prohibited.
Those who have already enjoyed the main sights of the capital should visit Linio. Tourists come here to watch the amazing ice sculptures. There is also a beautiful comfortable hotel, an old picturesque chapel and a restaurant. The local sculpture gallery takes guests on a journey through the snow maze. An interesting gastronomic experience will be dishes from the "ice" bar.
Not far from Rovaniemi there is the resort of Saariselke. Here both tourists and Finns prefer to spend time. It is also recommended to visit Porvoo or Levi. In Levi, those who like skiing and snowmobiles will feel better. For lovers of silence and solitude, it is possible to rent a cozy cottage far from the city bustle and disappear into a winter fairy tale.
Lapland - the birthplace of magic
Those who want to fully experience the New Year's magic, you can spend holidays in Lapland. Guests here will meet the mass entertainment of all kinds of character. For active tourists are offered ice fishing, dog sledding and snowmobile riding.
The most famous Finnish ski resort Ruko is also located in Lapland. There is also a national park "Oulanka". But the most interesting place in Lapland, of course, remains the residence of Santa Claus. Every child will be happy to come here, and adults have something to see. Be sure to visit the zoo "Ranua" and the museum "Arktikum." The exposition is mostly devoted to the nature of the region.
At least once here you need to try local venison dishes. The taste of this unusual for Russian meat can leave an indelible mark in the memory. Unforgettable emotions will be left in the memory of the country's guest legendary northern lights. An interesting experience will be the observation of this natural phenomenon from the glass needle, which the Kakslauttanen hotel rents to tourists.
New Year Finland Accommodation
Most Russians traveling to Finland choose the simplest accommodation methods. For this region, the most common is to rent lonely cottages, where you can accommodate the whole family or a large company. Such services are offered in many localities, so you can choose at your discretion. Most often compatriots can be found in the city of Vuokatti, which is located in the center of Finland, Rovaniemi and the Lake District. The closer to the border with Russia, the more often you can hear the Russian language.
The cost of living, as always, depends on the arrangement of the cottage and its location. So a house for 6 people per week will cost 900-1500 euros. To get maximum pleasure from the trip, you should consider a few points. If you want to go shopping and see the sights, then the rest should be planned for a longer period, as for New Year and Christmas, all institutions, shops and museums are closed.
If you choose a full tour with accommodation in a hotel, a trip to Vuokatti Pak Land for 8 days will cost from 80,000 rubles, and in Rovaniemi for 6 days from 84,000 rubles.
Guest reviews about the New Year holidays in Finland
Feedback from tourists about traveling to Finland is mostly positive. Locals are good-natured and responsive, they are happy to help.
Those who have already studied the most popular destinations for Russians are recommended to visit Kotka and Hamina. There are a lot of interesting things here, even for those who are far from the first time coming to Finland.
Tourists warn that it is necessary to find out in advance what can be imported and exported from Finland, otherwise an inexperienced traveler risks remaining, for example, without purchased alcohol.
The roads here are good, so traveling by your own car can be an enjoyable experience. Also in the reviews, it is noted that prices are not always acceptable, but the local service is worth it.
