Rovaniemi is the official hometown of Santa Claus on the Arctic Circle in Lapland, Finland and the ultimate Winter getaway! There’s snow on the ground for approximately six months of the year, which makes this European city feel like Christmas even in the off-season. Although the Coronavirus forced us to go home early, we were still able to enjoy many winter activities in just 48 hours. Without a doubt, we will be going back for more Nordic adventure! When to Go The best time to travel to Rovaniemi depends on what you are after – the constantly changing seasons all have their own characteristics and activities. Rovaniemi locals think their weather conditions are in a constant state of change and say there are up to eight seasons in a year: midwinter, snowy spring, spring, summer, harvest season, autumn leaf color, first snowfall, and Christmas. I think that you can go to a lot of other Nordic countries in Spring and Summer and get a similar experience, but the winter experience in Lapland can’t be beat! Who wouldn’t want to go meet the “real” Santa Claus, take a Reindeer sled ride, and snowmobile through the forest?!? The one winter activity that I was bummed for being closed was SantaPark. We wouldn’t have had time anyways since we had to leave early, but next time I visit, I would like to go during a time when it is open, which is end of June to early August for summer, and beginning of November to beginning of January for winter. Winter I, personally, would recommend visiting Rovaniemi in the Winter season. December and January are snowy months covered in the darkness of the Polar Night. The sun comes out in February and marks the start of the snowy, light-filled spring. March is often terrific for Northern Lights viewing, although unfortunately we were only there for two nights, and both nights it was snowing. Christmas is a special time of year to visit the Official Hometown of Santa Claus, although be warned that hotels book up a year in advance. I do feel that it would even more festive and cheery closer to Christmas, as compared to when I went in March. But even in March, you can meet Santa Claus, hear Christmas music, and see elves at work. Typical daytime temperatures in the winter: December: -20 to -10 degrees Celsius (-4 to 14 F) January: -30 to -15 degrees Celsius (-22 to 5 F) February: -20 to -15 degrees Celsius (-4 to 5 F) March: -15 to -5 degrees Celsius (5 to 23 F) Spring April is still considered a snowy month in Rovaniemi and Lapland, but the snow gradually disappears as May approaches. The ice on rivers and lakes starts melting, and big chunks of ice can be seen flowing downstream. In early April, the last of the Northern Lights displays can be seen. Towards the end of April, nights are too light for the Auroras to be spotted. In May, northern nature starts getting ready to blossom once again after a harsh winter. Typical daytime temperatures in the spring: April: 5 to 10 degrees Celsius (41 to 50 F) May: 10 to 20 degrees Celsius (50 to 68 F) Summer The Midnight Sun period officially lasts from early June until early July, but night are white throughout the summer. The warmest time of year brings people out in masses to celebrate various events until the wee hours, as the sun never goes down. Typical daytime temperatures in the summer: June: 15 to 20 degrees Celsius (59 to 68 F) July: 20 to 25 degrees Celsius (68 to 77 F) Autumn Early August is still considered summer by many, but by the end of the month, it’s definitely autumn in Lapland. The Northern Lights start appearing in late August, and September and October are ideal Aurora viewing months. Temperatures start dropping below zero in October, and first snow usually falls at around the same time period. A permanent snow cover is expected in late November. Typical daytime temperatures in the autumn: August: 10 to 20 degrees Celsius (50 to 68 F) September: 5 to 15 degrees Celsius (41 to 59 F) October 0 to 10 degrees Celsius (32 to 50 F) November: -10 to 5 degrees Celsius (14 to 41 F) Where to Stay When visiting Rovaniemi, I suggest staying in one of the accommodations located within walking distance of Santa Claus Village. Majority of your time will probably be spent here, so it is worth staying at one of the three conveniently located accommodations below. Santa Claus Holiday Village I stayed in the cute cottages in Santa Claus Holiday Village. The hotel greeted us straight away by picking us up from the airport and transporting us for free to our cottage, where we dropped our bags off before heading to reception. When we arrived to the cottages, I felt like I was in a Hallmark Christmas movie! The cabins are designed with traditional Finnish style. Each room has its own sauna, kitchen, and lovely Christmas tree on the porch. The holiday season was over, but it still felt like a Christmas Winter Wonderland! Santa Claus Holiday Village has 144 apartments in total. The reception is open 24/7 and has a desk just for tour bookings. You can choose between the classic or superior cottages or suites. All options include a free buffet breakfast. The location is fantastic as it is only 10 minutes from the center of Rovaniemi, 5 minutes from the airport, and a 2 minute walk to visit Santa Claus! The staff was always cheery and helpful. I thoroughly enjoyed my stay and highly recommend it for everyone considering a mid-budget accommodation. It was definitely a beautiful, romantic place that was super cozy. Santa’s Igloos Arctic Circle About a 10-minute walk from Santa’s Village, the Igloo Hotel should be considered if you are wanting a good view of the Northern Lights from the comfort of your bed. The
My third cruise was with Norwegian Cruise Line again and this time was to visit cities on the Baltic Sea. I set sail on the Norwegian Getaway from Copenhagen on an exciting vacation that was filled with history, art, and culture. Click on the linked headings to read more about each city. St. Petersburg, Russia After 2 days at sea, we reached St. Petersburg, Russia. Founded in 1703 by Peter the Great, it was the imperial capital for 2 centuries. It remains the country’s cultural center with venues like the historic Mariinsky Theatre hosting opera and ballet. Also the Russian Museum showcasing Russian art, from Orthodox icon paintings to abstract works by Kandinsky. St. Petersburg is also home to numerous parks and gardens. While in St. Petersburg, I witnessed the amazing Swan Lake ballet and also took a guided tour of the most iconic cathedrals of the city. Helsinki, Finland The next port was Helsinki, Finland’s southern capital that sits on a peninsula in the Gulf of Finland. Its central artery, Mannerheimintie, is flanked by institutions including the National Museum (tracing Finnish history from the Stone Age to the present), imposing Parliament House and Kiasma contemporary art museum. On busy Senate Square, you’ll find the neoclassical Helsinki Cathedral which stands in contrast with the Uspenski Cathedral and its cupolas. Tallinn, Estonia Tallinn, Estonia was my favorite port of call and is now my favorite Eastern European city. Tallinn, Estonia’s capital on the Baltic Sea is the country’s cultural hub. It retains its walled, cobblestoned Old Town, home to cafes and shops, as well as Kiek in de Kok, a 15th-century defensive tower. Its Estonian History Museum is dedicated to the country’s 20th-century history and its Gothic, towering Town Hall is among the Baltic region’s oldest. Stockholm, Sweden The only city that I had previously been to was Stockholm, Sweden. Laced by an ingenious network of waterways and bridges strung between a freshwater lake and the sea, Stockholm is easily seen on foot or by waterway cruise. Its gabled old townhouses peer over cobblestone streets, while its magnificent 17th-century palace sits watching over the harbor. The city is spread across a total of 17 islands and was founded in 1252 by a Swedish statesman Birger Jarl. Visby, Sweden The last stop on the cruise was Visby, Sweden. I had never heard of Visby before so I was pleasantly surprised at how much I liked it. The first thing that catches your eye when arriving at the Port of Visby, is the impressive cathedral and all the rooftops of the stone buildings in the town, surrounded by the mighty medieval town wall with its towers. Centrally placed, Visby was for a long time the natural meeting point for sailors and merchants from all over the Baltic region. Still today, you can enjoy the majestic merchants’ houses from 17th and 18th century along with almost 200 stone buildings – some of them dating back from the 12th century. Copenhagen, Denmark After one more day at sea, we arrived back at Copenhagen where I spent two days before heading back home. It is one of the largest cities in Northern Europe and is also one of Europe’s busiest hubs. On just about every street you will spot something beautiful.
Tallinn is the capital city of Estonia that is extremely photogenic with wonderful sights that include ancient churches, medieval streetscapes, and noble merchants’ houses. I really loved how walkable the Old Town is. On every single street, there was something beautiful to see. Tallinn definitely ranks very high on my list of European cities and is probably my favorite in Eastern Europe. St. Olaf’s Church is the closest attraction to the cruise port. It is only a 15-minute walk from the ship. The church is believed to have been built in the 12th century and to have been the center for old Tallinn’s Scandinavian community before Denmark conquered Tallinn in 1219. Its dedication relates to King Olaf II of Norway. The first known written records referring to the church date back to 1267, and it was extensively rebuilt during the 14th century. The City Wall that surrounds the Old Town has several towers. The first that I stopped at was Koismae Torn. The next was Loewenschede Torn, which was completed in 1373. A little further is Nun’s Tower, in which you can go up and walk along the wall. I then took a stroll through Toompark. It is the largest park in the bastion zone and is formed on the former earth forticifaction ground around the Shnelli Pond. The pond is the only remaining part of the moat that once surrounded the city. Taking a walk up the steep Toompea Hill from the park, I came to St. Mary’s Cathedral. It was originally established by Danes in the 13th century and is the oldest church in Tallinn and mainland Estonia. It is also the only building in Toompea which survived a 17th-century fire. Originally a Roman Catholic cathedral, it became Lutheran in 1561 and now belongs to the Estonian Evangelical Lutheran Church. A very short distance from the Cathedral is Toompea Castle. It has been in use since at least the 9th century and today it houses the Parliament of Estonia. You cannot enter the castle but can walk around the exterior in Governor’s Garden. Directly across from the castle is the beautiful Alexander Nevsky Cathedral. This orthodox cathedral was built to a design by Mikhail Preobrazhensky in a typical Russian Revival style between 1894 and 1900, during the period when the country was part of the Russian Empire. The Cathedral is Tallinn’s largest and grandest orthodox cathedral. It is dedicated to Saint Alexander Nevsky who in 1242 won the Battle of the Ice on Lake Peipus, in the territorial waters of present-day Estonia. Opposite of the cathedral is Danish King’s Garden, which is one of the most beautiful parks in Tallinn and serves as a remnant of the centennial Danish rule over the city. I then headed towards Freedom Square, which is a plaza on the southern end of the Old Town, where military parades and various concerts often take place. It is bounded on the east by St. John’s Church, on the south by Kaarli Boulevard, and an underground shopping center, and on the west by a Victory Column commemorating the Estonian War of Independence 1918-1920. Down the street is St. Nicholas Church, which was originally built in the 13th century. It was partially destroyed in the Soviet bombing of Tallinn in World War II. It has since been restored and today houses a branch of the Art Museum of Estonia, focusing mainly on ecclesiastical art from the Middle Ages onward. It is also used as a concert hall. There are lovely cafes across the street in which I had a few drinks while I enjoyed watching people walk by. On the next corner is Raekoja Plats, or better known as Town Hall Square. It is a venue for numerous small festivals or concerts like Tallinn Old Town Days, and several bars and restaurants are located in the vicinity. The square also hosts a market regularly, with many stalls selling traditional Estonian items and souvenirs. This is a fabulous place to eat lunch. Within the square is the ancient gothic Tallinn Town Hall. It is the only one of its kind in Northern Europe. Also in the square is the Town Hall Pharmacy (Raeapteek), which is the oldest in Europe that has continually operated in the same premises. It was first mentioned in town records in 1422. You can go and take a look at the small museum inside. Walk a little further and you will come to St. Catherine’s Passage. A charming example of medieval architecture, this narrow street is full of craftsmen’s workshops and artists displaying their beautiful work. At night, the passage is lit up nicely. After you pass through the passage, you will come back to the Tallinn Town Wall. Here you can take the stairs up and walk along the medieval defensive walls. There is a small entrance fee. If you follow the path of the walls and walk through the street market, you will come to Viru Gate. It is positioned on a trendy shopping street. The last church that I visited was Holy Spirit Church. Also called Church of the Holy Ghost, it is a medieval Lutheran church located behind Raekoja Plats, and lies opposite the Great Guild and Maiasmokk, Tallinn’s oldest cafe. I ended my day by walking down Pikk Street, Tallinn’s busiest and most picturesque street in the historic center of the city. It was perfect for an afternoon stroll and I found a nice spot to have a drink before heading back to the cruise ship.
Visby is the one stop on the cruise that pleasantly surprised me. Visby is Scandinavia’s best-preserved medieval town. It was a very photogenic destination with cobbled streets, pastel cottages, and historic buildings within the city walls. It has beautiful ruined Gothic churches. I visited during Medieval Week, which is definitely the week to go! I think my experience would have been much less exciting if I wasn’t there during their most famous week of the year. Everywhere you look, you are surrounded by knights, queens, peasants, and strumpets, dining, drinking, and dancing against a UNESCO World Heritage backdrop. The festival lasts for one week with 500 events and 40,000 visitors. During the week, you will witness jousting, markets, church concerts, street theater, fire shows, storytelling, walks, lectures, and more. You can get a full schedule on the Medieval Week on Gotland website. I started off my gorgeous day in Visbyat Almedalen Park. It is well known in Sweden as the central site of the annual Almedalen Week, an annual event in Visby, which is an important meeting place for everyone involved in Swedish politics. During the week, which takes place during the 27th week of every year, representatives from the major political parties in Sweden take turns giving speeches in the park. It was a nice place to walk around and get a good view from outside of the city walls. Visby City Wall is a medieval defensive wall surrounding the town. The oldest part of the wall is a defensive tower, today called Kruttornet (the Gunpowder Tower), which was erected at the harbor entrance in the 12th century, making it the oldest surviving non-religious building in the Nordic countries. After taking a look at the tower, I walked along the water and even took a short break to relax in the hammock. You will get some amazing views from the outskirts of the island. This would be an amazing spot to watch the sunrise or sunset. It is very peaceful here. From the walking point, you will see an entrance to DBW’s Botanical Gardens, the most beautiful park in Visby. A member of the DBW committee, submitted a proposal to create the botanical gardens in 1854. The objective was to spread knowledge of both horticulture and botany to all corners of the island. Upon entering, you can pick up an information map. The gardens are free to enter. Next to the gardens are where a lot of the Medieval festivities take place. The first ruin of the day that I saw was St. Clemens Ruin. Majestic arches, columns, walls, and a tower are all that is left from this 11th century church. Not far from it is St. Nicolai Ruin. It is another major ruin listed by UNESCO, which history reaches back to the 12th century. Having great acoustics, it hosts numerous concerts. From this ruin, I took an opportunity to get a good view of the City Walls. As the strongest, most extensive, and best preserved medieval city wall in Scandinavia, the wall forms an important and integral part of the Visby World Heritage Site. Built in two stages during the 13th and 14th century, approximately 3.44 km of its original 3.6 km still stands. Of the 29 large and 22 smaller towers, 27 large and 9 small remain. A number of houses that predate the all were incorporated within it during one of the two phases of construction. During the 18th century, fortifications were added to the wall in several places and some of the towers were rebuilt to accommodate cannons. Be sure to walk along the walls at some point. Next, I visited Helgeandskyrkan (Holy Communion Church), which was built in the early 13th century. From most places in Visby’s town center, you will be able to spot Visby Cathedral, also known as St. Mary’s Church, which is the only survived medieval church in Visby. It was originally build for German merchants and inaugurated in 1225. Around the year 1350, the church was enlarged and converted into a basilica. There are 400 graves under the church floor. While you are visiting the cathedral, make sure you take a walk up the stairs and get a wonderful view from above. If you are here during Medieval Week, you may also witness people jousting in the fields. The next ruin that I visited was Drottens Kyrkoruin (The Lord’s Church Ruin). It is the common name of the ruins of Trinity Church. The church was built around the year 1240 as a parish church for the Germans but was rebuilt during the latter part of the Middle Ages. Across from Drottens Church is St. Lars or St. Lawrence’s Church. It has a different shape from the other churches of Visby. Whereas they were inspired by German ecclesiastical architecture, St. Lawrence’s resembles the Byzantine churches of the east. The numerous staircases and passages In the walls are a distinctive feature. My favorite of the ruins is St. Katarina Ruins. The construction of St. Catherine’s Church was started in the 1250s and continued through the 14th century. It was actually never completed, and in the 1540s, it was partially collapsed during the worship. The pillars are still very impressive. The square beside these ruins is always busy. There is a central market and lots of restaurants and cafes for you to choose from. If you are into museums, Fornsalen (Gotlands Museum) is a great option. There are actually different options that you can choose from including the Historical Museum, the Art Museum, and Norby’s Rural Museum. The main museum is located near Packhusplan Fountain. The final ruins that I looked at were The Church Ruins of Saint Hans and Saint Peter. It is two combined church ruins that were erected in the 13th century and were dedicated to the evangelist John and the apostle Peter. The oldest (St. Hans) was probably the first stone church built on Gotland and happened around 1060. It was the parish church for the Gotlanders
I spent two lovely days in Copenhagen, the capital of Denmark. There is so much to see and do and I think I could’ve spent an entire week there without getting bored. If you are doing a baltic cruise, Copenhagen is a great place to start from. I stayed one night at the Annex Copenhagen Hotel, which is right near the Copenhagen Central Train Station and Tivoli Gardens. It shares a building with Absalon Hotel, which offers a little bit nicer, yet more expensive, room options. It is in a great location. I was able to walk or catch a short bus ride to all attractions. Day One I started the morning off with Rosenborg Castle. This impressive palace was built in 1606 and was used as the seat of Danish kings for about a hundred years. The castle was opened to the public in 1838 and it houses a museum which displays Royal Collections including the Crown Jewels and the Danish Crown Regalia. It costs 110 DKK for adults. The castle is surrounded by beautiful gardens, which is definitely worth visiting – especially in the summer when all the flowers bloom. It is, in fact, the oldest royal garden in the whole country. It was established in the 17th century to provide a place for the king to relax, as well as to supply the court with fresh fruit and vegetables. It was opened to the public at the end of the 18th century and it has become the most visited park in Copenhagen. About a 20-minute walk from the palace is Kastellet. This fortress is one of the best-preserved fortifications in Europe. It was built in 1663 as a fortress and since the 19th century, it has been used as a prison. The buildings inside the Citadel were used as military barracks and offices. The park is now a lovely place to take a walk. Be sure to walk all the way around the star-shaped island. You will come across Kastelsmollen. This windmill was built on the grounds of the citadel as a precaution so that there was a place to grind the grain for flour in the event of a siege. It is the only windmill in Copenhagen that still works. Not far from the fortress is the staple of Copenhagen, The Little Mermaid statue. Unveiled in 1913, the sculpture was a gift from Danish brewer Carl Jacobsen to the City of Copenhagen. The sculpture is made of bronze and granite and was inspired by Hans Christian Andersen’s fairy tale about a mermaid who gives up everything to be united with a young, handsome prince on land. There will usually be a crowd of people waiting to take a selfie with the mermaid, so if you wish to avoid crowds then it is better to visit early in the morning. Following the water back toward the other side of the fortress, you will come to St. Alban’s Anglican Church. It is the only Anglican Church in Denmark and serves members made up of over twenty-five different nationalities. It is free to enter the church and you will be warmly welcomed by someone handing you an information page in your language. The church is situated in the beautiful Churchillparken with Gefion Fountain. The fountain has a statue of a woman with four bulls in front of her set at the top. The statue represents the pagan goddess Gefion. According to a legend, she turned her own sons into bulls and used them to plough all the land she could within 24 hours. The land that she had sloughed was granted to her by the King Gylfe of Zealand, and eventually became Zealand, the main island of Denmark. Next, I took a 10-minute walk to Amalienborg Palace. The place complex, which serves as the residence of the Danish royals, consists of four palaces that are exact copies of one another, all organized symmetrically around small square. The statue of a man on a horse in the middle of the square depicts King Frederick V, who ruled the country in the 18th century. The palaces, built between 1750 and 1760, have been the home to the Danish monarchs ever since the Christiansborg Palace burned to the ground in 1794. While some of the palaces are not open to the public, the Christian VII’s Palace serves as a museum and is open to visitors for 105 DKK. Visit at noon if you want to see the changing of the guard ceremony. From the palace, you can get a great view of Frederik’s Church, popularly known as the Marble Church. It is easily recognizable by its large green dome, which is the largest of its kind in all of Scandinavia. Some say it was inspired by the famous St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. You can enter the dome to get a beautiful view of the the surrounding city. Admission to the church is free and the dome costs 35 DKK and only occurs at certain times throughout the day. On the same street is Alexander Nevsky Church, which is the only Russian Orthodox Church in Copenhagen. It was built by the Russian government in the late 1800s prompted by Princess Dagmar of Denmark’s marriage to Alexander Alexandrovich. Next, I walked through Saint Ann’s Square. Although it’s called a square, it is, in fact, a road filled with greenery and plants. The “square” was built over a canal. On the road you will pass by Garrison Church. If you walk for another five minutes, you will come to Nyhavn, the New Port of Copenhagen, which is my favorite area. It is a narrow port full of beautiful ships from the old times, lined by rows of colorful buildings. The port is now considered an iconic sight of the city. This is a great spot to have lunch as there are several restaurants along the water to choose from. You can also take a boat tour from this area. Across the street is
