Page Text Content
An untouched wilderness just waiting to be explored, greets the visitor to Finnish Lapland.
finland
remote & natural
Finnish Lapland, stretching north from the Arctic circle, is an enchanting remote region of rivers, lakes, forests and gentle hills or fells. The unspoilt landscape offers a unique range of activities and cultural attractions and is the home of the `white nights', when the sun does not sink below the horizon. From early June to early July the sun does not set and visitors can experience the magical midnight sun. The changing seasons are very prevalent in the arctic and autumn is known as `ruska' when Finnish people celebrate the magnificent colours.
in a word
Summer seems to arrive in Lapland almost overnight when nature flourishes with the lengthening days and arrival of the midnight sun. Wildlife, unburdened by the snow is free to roam through the wilderness and reindeer can often be spotted grazing by the road side. There are festivals throughout the year, closely linked to nature and the changing seasons. Midsummer is celebrated on the weekend closest to the summer solstice on June 21st and virtually the whole population heads for the country. The sauna is an integral part of Finnish life and there are saunas of every type and size across the country. It is customary following the hot sauna to take a refreshing dip in a lake or cold shower followed by a cold beer. 34 Rovaniemi, the gateway to Lapland and home of Santa Claus, is a small modern city on the Arctic Circle. Located at the meeting point of two important rivers, the Kemijoki and Ounasjoki the town was an important trading post and resting point for travellers. Following the war, the city was completely destroyed and gradually rebuilt and is a great base for a range of activities that take you into the surrounding wilderness. In the far north the forests thin out as the terrain rises. Saariselkä is a small resort surrounded by fells and wilderness and is close to Inari on the vast Lake Inarjärvi, the centre of Sámi culture. Gold miners still work in the area and it is well worth a visit to experience the remote arctic landscape.
|
inbro