First, I would like to say that Finland is COLD, and even more so around Christmas time. Not just your average wear a sweater cold, but wear three layers of clothing at all times and five pairs of socks, cold. With that, Finland is absolutely beautiful and has SOOO much to offer. As a trip leader, I was able to experience all of the wonderful excursions in Levi and do it with some amazing people.
Clothing
I thought I was prepared for the cold because I am from Virginia, and it can get quite cold in the mountains during the winter. I was not ready for the bone chilling cold in Helsinki. During the day, it was mostly okay because there was sun, but at night, it is like a whole different world (a frozen world). I was looking for shelter at each corner to warm up! I recommend wearing three layers of clothing at any point that you are outside, and as many socks that you can fit into your shoes. After I bundled up, even when we went to chase the Northern Lights, I wasn’t too cold and was able to enjoy my time.
Helsinki
Helsinki is a wonderful town to explore on your first day. I went to my first Christmas market and after, was able to join our travel group for local cuisine at Viking Harold. After dinner, we boarded the bus and headed to our first destination, Santa’s Village.
Santa’s Christmas Village
The best part about this Christmas was that I could see SANTA! Not only did I see him, but I also took a picture with him. At the photo opp., you are able to experience Santa’s house. Some doors to the workshop even have peepholes, so you can see Santa’s elves helping around in the kitchen or crafting with the baby reindeer at deer-daycare. It is a wonderful place to take your children, or if you’re a kid at heart, like me, to experience yourself.
While at Santa’s Village, you can jump over the Arctic Circle. Legend has it, if you make a Christmas wish while jumping over the Arctic Circle, your wish will come true. Of course, you can’t tell anyone your wish, and if you do, then it won’t come true. I can’t tell you my wish, but I can tell you that I made one, and it is coming true so far!
It is also worth a visit to Santa’s Post Office. Write a postcard to your favorite someone and send it through Santa Mail. The stamps alone are worth a visit. They are HUGE (and Christmas-themed, of course), and you can send them anywhere in the world from the village. I personally sent 2 postcards to different parts of the world and cannot wait for my family to receive them.
This tree is magnificent. It has flags from all over the world wrapped around it like Christmas lights. It was fun to search for our country’s flag and try to guess what some of the other flags were. It’s also just enormous, and a fun picturesque place to pose in front of!
Back to the cold, this was the temperature while in the village. Keep in mind that this is in Celsius, so it is 6 degrees Fahrenheit! COLD.
Christmas in Levi
After Santa’s Village, we made our way to the accommodation, and had some free time that evening to explore the little town of Levi.
On our 2nd day, we visited the Reindeer farm, and were able to take a Reindeer ride. During the reindeer ride, you are sat in a sleigh and pulled by Rudolph himself! Just kidding, Rudolph is too busy pulling Santa’s sleigh, so they sent a replacement. Luckily, this replacement is just as cute!
On the first night out, we were EXTREMELY lucky and were able to see the Northern lights. It was a Christmas Eve miracle. Not everyone can say that they are able to experience this in their lifetime, and I am very grateful that we had the opportunity. I will say, it is a bit difficult to see the Lights with the human eye. I recommend using your phone camera to get a good view. This works even in complete darkness. We were not able to see the lights for the rest of the trip, so if you are ever able to go when there is a high visual percentage, be sure to experience it!
Even though we took the buses to a special location to see the lights, we were also able to see them from our accommodation! It was so awesome to watch them dance across the sky, and to get a picture of the magical moment.
Our next excursion was the Husky ride. This is the optional excursion that you MUST do if you ever have the ability to go on this trip. A picture does not do this justice. You are pulled by a group of huskies (just like in the movies), where there is a leader and its pack. You are guided by a professional that stands on the back of the sleigh to keep you balanced. So, we assure you, it is safe! The scenery, while on the ride, is stunning. I have a 6-minute video of the ride, and it is the first thing that I show everyone who asks about the trip. I also got to kiss a reindeer, named Taegu, who may or may not be my new favorite (even over Santa’s nine)!
On Christmas Day, we offered the Ultimate Lapland Experience. You pull up to a beautifully decorated hut, and head to the saunas to change into your swimwear. I personally did not do the polar plunge, but it is a MUST if you want to have beautiful skin. No, really, submerging your body in freezing cold water apparently aids your immune system, and has anti-aging properties. Fun fact, the arctic water is warmer than the outside temperature (have I mentioned that it’s cold in Finland? LOL).
Our last excursion in Levi was snowmobiling. I was surprised at how difficult it was to steer the snowmobile in the snow. It likes to pull to the left or right depending on the tracks that are already made. I had so much fun doing this though and felt like a daredevil in the making.
Snow Village
On our way home, we stopped by the Snow Village. This village is nothing like Santa’s Christmas Village. It is a small village made completely out of snow. Each year, the snow village melts, and is rebuilt by its inhabitants. It changes in size and shape every year, so you can visit multiple times in your life, and it will never be the same! This year, it seemed to have an intergalactic theme.
HOME
You know that feeling you get after being on a long trip? This trip was a total of 7 days, and boy was I ready to go home to my family (especially because I missed Christmas with them). Although I was ready to go home, I had a wonderful time in Finland, and was able to enjoy a once in a lifetime experience.