Christmas in Finland

by **ajdias** » Sun Nov 29, 2009 4:13 pm

For those staying on your own during Christmas days, are there any activities or cities worth visiting over the holidays?
I am thinking of taking a ferry to either Tallinn or Stockholm and staying over for 2-3 days. Traveling within Finland doesn't appear much interesting to me as there isn't much going on, to make it worth.

Or is there? Anything worth going by between 22 and 26 in a city that doesn't shut up entirely for Christmas?
All suggestions appreciated.

**Sponsor:**

by **Pursuivant** » Sun Nov 29, 2009 7:24 pm

Dunno, I was thinking of telling my boss to shove it and leave tomorrow to Brazil for two weeks... (un)fortunately they had sold out... 495 in a 3-star beach resort. Darn I need to find somewhere to go... *even* the goddamn Canaries....

by **irnbru** » Sun Nov 29, 2009 9:40 pm

I went to Stockholm for xmas in 2004. One of the dullest trips of my life. Everything was shut. Me and my wife seemed to be the only guests in the hotel. The hotel restaurant was closed most of the time too. We were living on sandwiches from the local kioski. Wouldn't recommend it. :thumbsdown:

by **Rosamunda** » Sun Nov 29, 2009 10:01 pm

I guess you need to head for a country that does not celebrate Christmas.... I think there are quite a few :wink:

Most of the Middle East, North Africa, etc.

And what about Spain? I have never been in Spain at Christmas but I have been there in January and Epiphany is a big holiday there so I guess maybe Christmas is not such a big deal as up here.

How about the UK? The sales start on Boxing Day. Probably plenty of restaurants open on 24th/25th.

by **sinikettu** » Sun Nov 29, 2009 10:50 pm

A Nice Day out for families is the Chistmas Fair at Lohja..very traditional around the church yard.
Glögi hot.. soup hot..chestnuts roasted..
Kid will love it.
12th and 13th December

by **sinikala** » Mon Nov 30, 2009 12:53 am

ajdias wrote:For those staying on your own during Christmas days, are there any activities or cities worth visiting over the holidays?
I am thinking of taking a ferry to either Tallinn or Stockholm and staying over for 2-3 days. Traveling within Finland doesn't appear much interesting to me as there isn't much going on, to make it worth.

Or is there? Anything worth going by between 22 and 26 in a city that doesn't shut up entirely for Christmas?
All suggestions appreciated.

The UK will be shut from midday on the 24th until the 26th ... in practice, very few shops open on the 26th, only the big stores.

Probably the only reasonably close place that doesn´t close over Xmas and won´t cost the earth to get to from here is Istanbul
http://www.worldtravelguide.net/country ... urkey.html
Just checked... Finnair dep 23.12 .... ret 26.12 .... €283 ... wish I could join you!

by EP » Mon Nov 30, 2009 1:18 am

Istanbul is great. If you consider it Europe, it is my favourite town in Europe. It can snow in December but there is so much to it that it does not matter.

I am off to Egypt for Christmas. Until I have grandchildren I will celebrate only every second Christmas at home in Finland. BUT being in a non-Christian country does not guarantee non-Christmas. Two years ago I was in Vietnam for Christmas, and I have never anywhere seen such eager Christmas celebrations. Not in the Finnish style, but very much commercial twinkle-twinkle US style. I asked about it, and people just said that "every good chance for celebration is good, so we celebrate every celebration".

by **jas_rho** » Mon Nov 30, 2009 1:38 pm

I have spent a Christmas in Tallinn. We went for 3 nights. If I remember right stores were open on the 24th and 26th so it's just the 25th when all the places are closed. Restaurants were still open of course though. We had a good time then too. Only scary part was when I went with the brother-in-law to a club on Christmas eve and he tried hitting on the wrong girl and a bunch of Russians (I think they were mafia) got pissed and told us it was our time to leave

We did.

by **ajdias** » Tue Dec 01, 2009 5:13 pm

Thanks guys, keep those suggestions coming, I am sure other users also find them useful.

So, is this a no to Finland? Just to give you an idea of where I am coming from, I'd be fine with 2/3 nights in Turku or Tampere if I hadn't been to those cities. Or if there was something special going on.

by EP » Tue Dec 01, 2009 5:38 pm

No, it is not a no to Finland. In Finland I would go to Ruka or someplace in Lapland where there is snow. But it is expensive at least in Christmas, and I suspect it is fully booked.

by **sinikala** » Tue Dec 01, 2009 6:45 pm

ajdias wrote:Thanks guys, keep those suggestions coming, I am sure other users also find them useful.

So, is this a no to Finland? Just to give you an idea of where I am coming from, I'd be fine with 2/3 nights in Turku or Tampere if I hadn't been to those cities. Or if there was something special going on.

I don't think there is much on in Finland over Christmas, there's plenty to do at New Year, but Christmas is a family time and quiet... as it is in England, and I assume in most other nominally Christian countries.

We usually drive down to visit the in-laws in Helsinki on the 24th, stay in a hotel downtown on Christmas eve (remember that many of the big hotels shut over Xmas), we visit the in-laws briefly again on the 25th and then make the 3 hour drive home. You barely see another face... even Helsinki is dead on those days.

by **Bubba Elvis XIV** » Tue Dec 01, 2009 7:13 pm

I'm not a Christmas fan at all...I'd love to bail to some Islamic country every year to get away from it.

What about North Africa? I think it's pretty cheap these days...Or do you want a Christmas?

Or....why not go home and visit the friends and folks? Or are you barred too? :lol:

by **Upphew** » Wed Dec 02, 2009 12:28 pm

Bubba Elvis XIV wrote:Or....why not go home and visit the friends and folks? Or are you barred too?

I live with mom, you insensitive clod!
- http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=insensitive%20clod

by **sinikala** » Wed Dec 02, 2009 6:06 pm

Bubba Elvis XIV wrote:What about North Africa? I think it's pretty cheap these days...Or do you want a Christmas?

Where have you seen cheap trips to North Africa ... the missus (and I) have been looking for flights to Tunis / Carthage that won't break the bank. Or are you talking Charm-el-snake?

by EP » Wed Dec 02, 2009 6:40 pm

In yesterday´s HS there were trips to both Tunisia and Sharm 250-300 €. Hotel included.