Create successful ePaper yourself
Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.
86 STYLE | travel<br />
FIN FACTS<br />
If taking the children to Finland is pushing your<br />
sled too hard, they can always send a letter to<br />
Santa: Santa Claus Main Post Office, Santa Claus<br />
Village, Rovaniemi, Tähtikuja 1, 96930 Arctic<br />
Circle, Finland.<br />
The typical daytime temperature in <strong>December</strong><br />
is -20 to -10 degrees Celsius.<br />
Rovaniemi, population 60,000, was almost<br />
completely destroyed in World War II. In 1950,<br />
Eleanor Roosevelt, the wife of US President<br />
Franklin D. Roosevelt, came to witness the<br />
rebuilding process and wanted to visit the<br />
Arctic Circle. Officials built a cabin eight<br />
kilometres north of the city, which still stands<br />
today next to the Santa Claus Main Post Office.<br />
There are more reindeer in Lapland than sheep.<br />
While they all have an owner, they roam free<br />
and every visitor is bound to have multiple<br />
encounters – even on the dinner menu.<br />
In Finland, Christmas Eve is the main event of<br />
the holidays, and the night Santa comes with his<br />
presents. It is spent with the family, decorating<br />
the tree, drinking “glögi” (mulled wine) and<br />
doing the quintessential Finnish thing, bathing in<br />
a Christmas sauna. A visit to Christmas Mass at<br />
midnight is customary for many.<br />
How magical<br />
would a reindeer<br />
sleigh ride be? Even<br />
confined to ground.<br />
Arctic TreeHouse Hotel<br />
is just one of several<br />
stunning places to stay.<br />
The central plaza of<br />
Santa Claus Village.
Change language