Travel to Santa Park. Finland

   The idea to go to Lapland existed for a long time, and then we came across an offer from a tour operator to visit the residence of Santa Claus and took advantage of it. The whole trip was positioned as a journey into a fairy tale, fanned with magic and a sense of mystery and a holiday associated with the New Year, familiar from childhood.

   The trip was by bus, with a stop in Oulu. It was snowing all the time. The streets in the city were not sprinkled with anything, and the snow lay in a dense carpet everywhere. It was warm and after the St. Petersburg slush and chill, the falling snow was wonderful.

Cathedral

   The city is very quiet and calm, there are few cars. The evening walk was a great pleasure.

Downtown

City Hall building

   There is also Prisma, City market, Ryoka, in which we have replenished our stocks. By the way, the Finns move by bicycles with any amount of snow.

   And so, in the morning we moved towards Rovaniemi, which was 221 km away. All the way we saw luxurious forests.

   Forests in Finland are mostly private, but you can walk in them. All of them look very well-groomed. Often there are cozy houses with a Christmas tree in front of the entrance. These houses, sparkling with festive garlands, in a snow-covered forest seem fabulous.

   And here it is – Santa Park!

Entrance to Santa Park

   The park is carved into the rock. Visitors enter the park through a nearly 200 meter long passage connecting the outer entrance and the square at the heart of the cave.

The tunnel into the park is filled with sounds and howls.

   Central Christmas tree, symbolizing that it is always Christmas here.

   Here you are already met by elves. And you can begin an amazing journey around the world of Yolupukki. Yolupukki is a “Christmas goat”. Back in the 19th century he was portrayed in a goat’s skin and with small horns. Now he looks like Santa Claus, a “Christmas grandfather” who gives gifts to children for Christmas. His prototype was Nicholas the Wonderworker, known for his charity, it was he who secretly gave gifts to poor people with children. He has a wife Muori (the personification of winter). She is the one who will feed you gingerbread. His assistants Elves (gnomes) serve, who sit all year in “echo caves” and listen to how children behave around the world. And before Christmas, sort mail, help prepare and pack gifts.

So what can you do in Santa Park? First, cross the Arctic Circle underground.

Polar circle

When you pass under it, the North wind is blowing and it is snowing, and you can also get a certificate confirming that you have crossed the Arctic Circle.

Then, you can’t help but stop by the Ice Princess and visit her bar.

At the Ice Princess

Throne of the Ice Princess.You can even sit on her throne.

   In the park, you are sure to find Santa Claus’s mail, from where you can send a postcard, and it will definitely come by Christmas.

Santa’s mail

   Take a ride on Santa Claus’s Magic Train, which will take you through all seasons, and eventually, you will find yourself in the gnome’s toy workshop.

   Next, you will find the “Angry Birds” playground, where children will be able to frolic and even play on electronic devices. The truth is, it is mainly designed for younger children.

Playground

   Several times a day “Show of elves” is held. The plot was like this – toys were stolen from elves, and with the help of friends, these toys were found and returned.

“School of elves”, after passing which you will receive a certificate.

‘School of elves’

   In the School of Calligraphy, you can write all your wishes, and be sure to hit the drum to make everything come true.