{"id":218,"date":"2024-04-22T13:18:03","date_gmt":"2024-04-22T13:18:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.timetravels.com\/blog\/?p=218"},"modified":"2024-10-21T18:44:15","modified_gmt":"2024-10-21T18:44:15","slug":"saariselka-beyond-the-arctic-circle","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.timetravels.com\/blog\/saariselka-beyond-the-arctic-circle\/","title":{"rendered":"Saariselk\u00e4: Beyond the Arctic Circle"},"content":{"rendered":"
Blog homepage<\/a><\/span> \/ Lapland<\/a><\/span> \/ Saariselk\u00e4: Beyond the Arctic Circle<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n\n\n

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Saariselk\u00e4: Beyond the Arctic Circle<\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n\n

I still remember the first time I read about Finland back in 2010, it was a hot summer day in Vietnam. Living there my whole life, I am so used to only two seasons: the hot, and the hotter one. So I could never imagine how magical winter could be in real life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In my mind, Finland is like a snow globe covered by snow throughout the year. Three years of high school passed by, and I always knew that I wanted to see, the magical winter of Lapland.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Then autumn 2014 came in the blink of an eye, and my wish came true. I packed my stuff for studying abroad in Finland. Although I was in Kilpisj\u00e4rvi for my short internship, not until after my graduation, that my real destiny with Lapland started blooming. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

That was when I joined the Timetravels team.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"a<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

I was welcomed with a cake!!!<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I finally got to meet <\/strong>Santa Claus<\/strong> to tell him my wish and saw colorful Northern lights dancing in the arctic night sky<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you are planning your trip to Lapland someday, perhaps my adventure in Saariselk\u00e4 – the Finnish Winter Wonderland<\/strong> – could help you imagine how magical it is.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

CAUTION! Spoiler alert!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

ITINERARY<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It was a seven-day tour, particularly two days of traveling time by bus. So I had five days to enjoy Lapland<\/strong>. For me, it was a good amount of time, as I saved a bit more by traveling by bus, whereas the chance to see the Northern lights is higher as I stay relatively long. During these five days, depending on how many activities we choose, it could be either a super busy one or a relaxed one<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Personally, I joined all the activities so for sure I could talk about each of them, in case you wonder specifically. But first, let\u2019s look at the brief itinerary. The itinerary was changed several times according to the weather.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Day 1: <\/strong>Departure from Helsinki<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Day 2: <\/strong>Santa Claus village – Arrival in Saariselk\u00e4 – Free time<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Day 3:\u00a0<\/strong>Cross-country skiing – Aurora Hunting<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Day 4: <\/strong>Reindeer Farm – Arctic Ocean tour<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Day 5:<\/strong> Husky Safari – Snowmobile safari – Night snowshoe hike<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Day 6: <\/strong>Free time for other activities – Departure home<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Day 7: <\/strong>Bye Bye Lapland – Back in Helsinki \ud83d\ude41<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since I decided to join all the activities, I already expected quite an active schedule!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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ACCOMMODATION <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

THE PANIMOS – <\/strong>The genuine Lappish cottage<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"wooden<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The most common cottages there are known as Panimo Cottages. They usually can accommodate 6-8 people. I personally stayed in one of these Panimo, so I could give a review for it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

First of all, all Panimo cottages are located next to each other. The bus will park close to there within walking distance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Description:<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n