PRE CONFERENCE TOUR TO LAPLAND  

Lapland is the northernmost province in Finland and for the most part located above the Arctic Circle.  Northern Finland is one of the few places left in the world where you can explore untouched nature and rugged wilderness and experience moments of silence and calm you never imagined, only to return to the comfort of your cottage or hotel room in no time.

It is the very abundance of space that permits both adventurous spirits looking for a day walk in the fells and those in search of tranquillity to enjoy this Nordic wonderland. The provincial capital and biggest city, Rovaniemi, sits on the Arctic Circle that dissects the area, and this is also where you’ll find the One True Home of Finland’s most popular resident: Santa Claus. Not only can you visit Santa’s workshop, or send the most special greetings ever to friends and family, you can even meet the man himself in person!

But Lapland is much more than Santa Claus and reindeer - although these creatures are an important and conspicuous part of Lapp culture, and you may encounter more reindeer than people on your travels through this thinly populated part of the world. The opportunities for outdoor activities are truly endless: the fells and mountains of the far north are superb, inspiring walking territory, and also increasingly popular with mountain bikers.

The tour to Lapland starts from Helsinki Railway Station on Thursday  June 26 at 19.30 (7.30 pm.). The tour group will have a group ticket, 'handled' by Rev Hannu Majamäki  email: hmajama@gmail.com  or hannu.majamaki@evl.fi  Be in good time (40-45 minutes before the estimated departure time) at the Railway Station. Hannu Majamäki, your host in the train, will inform you about the meeting place over there. Hannu's mobile: +358 500 703 367

We will have sleeping wagons with single cabins or cabins  for 2-3 persons. The train arrives at Rovaniemi on Friday morning June 27 at 7.30 am.

The train from Rovaniemi to Tampere departs on Sunday evening June 29 at 21.00 (9 pm.) and will arrive at Tampere on Monday  June  30 at 5.50 am.

From Rovaniemi there will be bus transportation to our destination  Fellhotel Vuontispirtti (http://www.vuontispirtti.fi/) which is located  in the village of Raattama, close to the Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park in Western Lapland 230 km from Rovaniemi. See map http://www.multimap.com/maps/?hloc=FI|raattama

The Pallas-Ylläs National Park (http://www.luontoon.fi/page.asp?Section=5161) is the third largest National Park in Finland and is ideal for those seeking the peace and tranquillity of untouched nature. The scenery in Pallas is among the most breathtaking in Finland. The long and short hiking trails enable you to enjoy it to the full.

Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park has around 350 km of marked hiking trails. There are several nature trails in the National Park, which are not very demanding and have information boards on the area’s natural features and culture. There are many options for day trips.

The Arctic Circle Exhibition Centre. Crossing the Arctic Circle is a significant event; it is up to you how you cross it. Then you can purchase the original certificate.

The first building to be erected at the village in 1950’s was in honour of the visit by USA’s former first Lady Mrs Eleanor Roosevelt to Rovaniemi. Today you can find at the Arctic Circle village the Santa Claus Village, Santa’s Main Post Office, Christmas boutiques with local handicraft, souvenir shops, Christmas exhibition etc. http://www.arcticcircle-information.fi/arcticcircle.html

Arktikum is a science centre and a museum in Rovaniemi. The exhibitions of the Arktikum lead you through Arctic areas’ and Finnish Lapland’s history and modern day. You can see the Northern Lights multivision show almost every day in the Polarium Theatre. Arktikum also arranges several temporary exhibitions and events related to Northern themes.

The new arctic exhibition The Arctic in Change deals with the current changes in the Arctic.
Northern Ways is an exhibition about stages in man and nature in the North. Find out about the life of the moose and bear in the wild, take a glimpse at city birds and pearl catching. The exhibition also features Sámi culture, with its costumes and languages, and small-scale models of Rovaniemi from 1939 and 1944.  http://www.arktikum.fi/

The University of Lapland’s Arctic Centre is a research and science centre located near the Arctic Circle.  The Arctic Centre conducts internationally high-level multidisciplinary research, carries out project services, maintains an Science Exhibition, Information Service and a library, and also provides education. The Institute with its Science Centre exhibitions is located on the banks of the Ounasjoki river at the striking Arktikum and is one of Lapland’s most visited tourist attractions. About sixty people work at the Arctic Centre.  The aim of the Arctic Centre is to become the top-level unit for Europe’s Northern Dimension and knowledge of the Arctic.
http://www.ulapland.fi/contentparser.asp?deptid=9015

PRICES

465 euros / person in  double  room at the hotel/ double cabin in the train
563 euros / person  single room at the hotel /single cabin in the train

For registration for this tour contact the following:

Contact person for registration: Ms Leena Siukola
Email: leena.siukola@lomalinja.fi                                                                                  Tel: +358 3  3140 3312                                                                                     Responsible organiser: Travel Agency  Lomalinja Oy   www.lomalinja.fi/sivut/yritys.htm

Contact person and local guide in Rovaniemi, Lapland:
Pentti Tepsa, University Chaplain  (University of Lapland  Rovaniemi)
email: pentti.tepsa@evl.fi

NB. The weather in Finnish Lapland has been rainy and windy during the past two weeks, but it changes rapidly. Please, check the latest  weather forecast in the community of Muonio (close to Pallas-Ounastunturi National Park) http://www.fmi.fi/weather/local.html?kunta=Muonio