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 A Russian bus in the Arctic Circle in Rovaniemi by airis | Tips and photos of Rovaniemi tourist attractions and tourist traps, posted by real travelers and Rovaniemi locals. Rovaniemi Map |
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Yep, this is a tourist trap... The Finnish people say that Santa Claus / Father Christmas lives in Rovaniemi. Actually in the Arctic Circle, which is 8 km north from Rovaniemi.
In Santa Claus Village there are many different buildings built in a funny, half modern half traditional style. The village DOES resemble some winter fairytail story. There are shops, cafés, activities like reindreer or dogsledging, christmas songs, snowslides for children, the Arctic Circle borderline, a ice-sculpture park in some years, Santa Claus Post Office which actually GETS MAIL FROM ALL AROUND THE WORLD!!
And of course, the main character of this all, Santa Claus. Okey, warning, the following sentence contains a spoiler. Santa Claus is played by various actors who take turns. They speak many languages and they can say just some word in most of the languages that are heard in this tourist trap. That's maybe something that makes people happy! "Santa speaks my language!!!"
Then there's Santapark. It's supposed to be a sort of an amusement park, but it's actually not much fun. For youth and adults it's waste of time, for kids it's fun! :) It's just near Santa Claus Village (200m) and there's a tiny little Santa-train going between the two places just fot the fun for children! Santapark is actually a cave, so it might be an interesting way of having a small amusement park.
http://www.santaclausvillage.info/
Go to these places with humour!!! Take silly pictures, climb on snowpiles and do things ment for children even if you're an adult. That's a good way of making your trip to the Arctic Circle unforgettable, otherweis it would be a little boring... :) But if you take it with humour, it'll be fun! Leave a Comment
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Arctic circle is a few km north from Rovaniemi. The first cottage was built when Eleanor Roosevelt, widow of the former US president, visited the Arctic Circle in 1950. After that more and more tourists on their way to North Cape (Nordkapp) did stop there. So gradually more gift shops, restaurants and other buildings where built there. There is also the Office of Santa Claus, where you can meet him (free) and take a picture of you with him (about 18 euro). 500.000 visitors every year from all over the world.
A lot of people want to take pictures of themselves in the arctic circle. The place is more beautiful in winter, when the area is covered by snow. So far Santa has received nearly 8 million letters in his Main Post office. You can see some of the letters there. You can also mail Christmas greeting cards for example in summer, but the receiver will get them in Christmas. Just choose the correct mail box. Leave a Comment
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OK, so some might kill for this one as this is the soul heart of the tourism industry here, but its not my fault that most tourists that visiting Rovaniemi are here for average 48 hours and not interested in the real nature, history and culture of this region. All they come to see in Santa Claus and Reindeers.
So, to be honest, to my point all of this is a big fuss and big rip off, so each one can make his choices what to do, where to go and how to spend the money.
I am glad my kids are more interested in the lakes and forests then sitting on the lap of man dressed like Santa.
You can stop here, visit all the souvenir shops, hang around where there is no admission fee.
go north... Leave a Comment
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I think that Santapark is one of them, but don't tell them that I told you!! You will probably waste your money if you go there..!
Open: Daily 10-18 BUT there are exceptions which can be seen in www.santapark.com
BUT if you have young children I think they
will love Santapark! And Santapark is much BETTER place now AFTER the REFORMATION!! So, have fun if you end up there! :) Leave a Comment
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One BIG Tourist Trap:
Santa Claus Village, or Santa Park, or however it's called.
Simply don't go there. It's not worth any more words.
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They take Your money and give You just unpleasant service. That's it.
If You want to go snowmobiling, book Your safari from some smaller company. Even if it is a little bit more expensive, they serve You better.
Nature. Skiing, snowshoewalking, icefishing, getting to know Finnish mythology and so on. Leave a Comment
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WATCH THE TAXI YOU WILL SPEND AT LEASE 13 EUROS FOR A 5 MIN TAXI RIDE,
TAKE THE BUS FOR 3.50
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Well its a double edged sword as you have to meet Santa and children will love it, however 23 euros for a photo is a lot and really its all shops there so go prepared to spend if you have to!
Meet santa claus. He told us a lovely story about Rudolph on holiday lol. We went just before closing to see him which saved on all the queueing.
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There is a special post office at the Arctic Circle location where you can send special Christmas cards home, to relatives and friends. You can even ask them to send them to arrive only in the next Christmas Leave a Comment
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