Get Guardian on GoogleTravelling outside the shores of one’s country during the Christmas season is a culture explored by Christians who can afford it to see what the favourite festive season looks and feels like elsewhere. What better time to see the world if not the most beautiful season of the year?
Of course the ‘Christmas Spirit’ radiates in every ambience where it is celebrated, but it is always a delight to see how the best festive season in Christianity is celebrated from other geographical locations.
Take the trip to Rovaniemi in Finland
Rovaniemi is a city in northern Finland and the capital of the Lapland region – a city rich in history, culture and northern magic.
It is known as the ‘Official Hometown of Santa Claus’ based on a mid-20th-century folklore, a pivotal visit by the United States First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt in June 1950. Her visit marked the first visitor attraction on the Arctic Circle in Rovaniemi and laid the historical foundation for what eventually grew into the modern Santa Claus village.
Travelers who want Arctic Finland without trekking deep into the wilderness make Rovaniemi their destination.
Arctic Circle in Rovaniemi
Rovaniemi is surrounded by Arctic nature and the seasonal landscapes are striking.
At the Arctic Circle in Rovaniemi, a traveller’s magical journey is guided by the values of authenticity, giving, creativity and a constant sense of wonder.
Rovaniemi packs Santa Claus Village, husky farms, sledding activity, and a beautiful evening at the northern lights into one Arctic city.
Rovaniemi is more practical than Aesthetic
Rovaniemi may not necessarily be defined as aesthetics in modern terms as it was rebuilt after being burnt down during the war in 1944, so the streets are practically structured for modern functions with standard commercial buildings, shopping centers, and restaurants rather than a fairy-tale old town.
However, the wonders of the city such as the forest trails, reindeer farms, husky kennels, and dark skies are what make it a place to behold.
The ease of movement in Rovaniemi
Unlike other cold-weather destinations, at Rovaniemi there is ease of movement without having to struggle with an intense crowd in one place.
Ease of accessibility is what makes the city a perfect destination for travellers at Christmas as Flights connect through Helsinki without much hassle, and the city is small enough that you are never more than a short drive from snow-covered forest.
