Three Countries for a Scandinavian Christmas Vacation
Are you thinking about a Christmas in Scandinavia?
Here are some places to visit.
Norway
Sweden
Finland
Would you like to experience local Christmas traditions in Scandinavia? While they may share some seasonal customs, all Scandinavian countries have individual beliefs and their own unique ways of celebrating the holidays.
Three wonderful holiday countries
Lapland, Finland
Why Go:
The wilderness Urho Kekkonen National Park, a 90-minute flight from Helsinki, is an actual winter wonderland: traverse the frosty landscape via a reindeer-pulled sled, or go cross-country skiing on the Saariselkä trail.
Rovaniemi is the home of Santa Claus. Santa Claus’ Village on the Artic Circle is a great place to visit where you can find fun things, like meeting Santa Claus, visiting Santa Claus’ official Main Post Office, where he receives all his letters. Of course, meeting all of the elves is fun too.
Where to Stay: kakslauttanen is located the vast Lapland wilderness, towering pines loom above 40 fireplace-equipped log cabins and 20 domed “igloos” of thermal glass. From December through April, you can also stay in one of eight real igloos built from snow and equipped with down sleeping bags.
What is the Christmas Holiday Dinner: In Finland, the Christmas preparation starts a month in advance. The traditional meal is composed of ham, scalloped potatoes, salmon, rice porridge, and sometimes turkey. After dining, families often visit the cemetery to light candles to remember the decease. The evening also includes: a traditional sauna and a visit from Santa Claus.
Malmö, Sweden
Why Go: Helping create the Christmas mood are Malmo winters. They can be bracing with short daylight hours and occasional snow. But the flip side is the city begins holiday season celebrations early, building to a crescendo of romantic Christmas markets, ice rinks, and illuminations. Most spectacular is the Christmas finale. It starts in late November with “Shop Window Sunday” when more than 800 stores unveil their Christmas window displays simultaneously. Malmo’s main square turns into a magical fairyland.
Where to Stay: grandhotelgarden is a high-class and centrally located on Baltzarsgatan, that serves traditional Swedish Christmas dishes as part of an all-you-can-eat buffet on December 25th.
Holiday Dinner: If you like a traditional Swedish Christmas buffet, then make a reservation at elitehotelsavoy. You find a Swedish Christmas Julbord pronounced “yuleboard”), which could traditionally be over 100 dishes.
Trømso, Norway
Where to Go: The snowy city island of Trømso offers unparalleled views of the northern lights. Plus, there’s dogsledding, great food, and a mountaintop cable car.
Where to Stay: Clarionhotelbryggen is one of the only hotels that remains open during the holiday and its right on the harbor. Enjoy Tromso Sound from the roof’s streamy Jacuzzi.
Holiday Dinner: Stay put at the Clarion for a traditional Norwegian Christmas dinner at its restaurant, Astro. The chef serves basil-glazed filet of catfish and whole roasted filet of pork and recommends a side of French salt-baked Rosewald potatoes.
Traveling throughout Scandinavia:
Scandinavianrail travels throughout Norway, Sweden, and Finland in comfort. They offer selection of rail passes, train tickets, and scenic rail tours for exploring all the exciting destinations. From Norway’s scenic fjords and Finland’s Arctic adventures, to Sweden’s fashionable design.
Thanks for Stopping By:
Have a Merry Journey and please share your comments.
