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Big In Finland Search for: Search HomeMartín Waldman Santiago Hernández Contact us Helsinki Lapland Useful links HomeMartín Waldman Santiago Hernández Contact us Helsinki Lapland Useful links Search for: Search last update: Mar 04 2024 February 28, 2024 March 4, 2024 Go to comments by Santiago H Top 5 romantic spots in Helsinki Posted in Helsinki Even though the Finns prefer to celebrate the Day of Friendship” on February 14th instead of St. Valentine’s Day , they still know how to be romantic. The Finnish newspaper Nyt (the word for now” in the Finnish language ) has published a top-5 list of the most romantic spots in Helsinki . Since the list is in Finnish we jumped quickly to translate it, in order to tell you the places to steal a kiss in the capital of Finland. The list was gathered for St. Valentine’s, so these recommendations are thought for a moment of cold weather in Finland. Since we are now in the Ruska time and the cold is coming, we thought it is the perfect time to publish it. But do not worry: most of these places can be enjoyed during the Summer in Finland too. Romantic places in Helsinki Has your significant other ever told you that you need to make more romantic gestures? It has happened to all of us, I guess (not to me, but to a friend). If it is true in your case, you can surprise your other half with a trip to Helsinki and visit one of these ideal romantic spots. 1.- Hietaniemi beach. Hietaniemi is a nice neighborhood in Helsinki. It has a park-like cemetery where the state funerals take place and where important Finnish figures such as Alvar Aalto or Mannerheim rest forever. Nonetheless the Hietaniemi beach – the biggest beach of Helsinki – is the real romantic spot. The Hietaniemi beach, in summer, and at sunset time. That adds up to romance. Source (CC: by) . The beach is near the cemetery, but not adjacent to it. It lies next to a nice forest. During winter you can see the frozen sea from the beach. To bring romance to the next level, the newspaper suggests doing a picnic on the ice, with good winter clothing and a nice hot beverage. In summer, the picnic will be easier under the sun. 2.- Any place to ice-skate. Like in a movie where you can see people skating on ice in the central square of the city, the second recommended place for romance is an ice rink. There, your partner and you can spend hours skating while holding hands, next to many other couples. The best place for this, as the article recommends, is Kallion kenttä , in Helsinginkatu; and it also suggests to go and have something hot to drink at the shop Villipuutarha, next to the ice rink. Romance and ice: hand in hand . Source (by-sa-nd) . 3.- A coffee shop in the centre where you can get some hot chocolate : a table and some mugs filled with hot chocolate is the next romantic place that Nyt suggests. They give some concrete picks: café The Exhibitionists (Museokatu 28) and the Fazer café (Kluuvikatu 3). You two can also try, of course, authentic Finnish coffee – a beverage some people try to avoid because they say it’s bland. A romantic spot? A special coffee shop always works. Source (cc: by-sa) . 4.- The Helsinki Zoo : if you just met, walking around the zoo and asking each other which animal is your favorite could be pretty revealing of the other’s personality. At least that is what the newspaper says. If it is cold outside, you can go to the tropical houses of the zoo. A snow lion? No, it is a lion on the snow. Source (CC: by-sa-nd) . 5.- The daring option: the Vermo’r race track. Why don’t you do it like Henry Chinaski and take your other half to the race track? It isn’t the same because here the horses don’t sprint, they trot. The jockey does not sit on the horse, but behind it in a two-wheeled cart called Sulki . A little more Ben-Hur than Barfly, but with the couple. A trotting horse: metaphor about love from Nyt? Source (by-sa) . Do you know any other romantic spot in Helsinki that you can recommend to us? Have you visited any of the above spots? Share: Topics: Helsinki | Leave your comment! | Print This Post last update: Mar 04 2024 December 12, 2023 March 4, 2024 10 Comments by Santiago H A letter to Santa Claus: how to do it and his address Posted in Finnish traditions , Interesting facts When you want to write a letter to Santa Claus, you have to take into account that he is a busy man. We all know he lives in Lapland , specifically in Rovaniemi, where you can go and visit him in his office. Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus in their Lapland house. Source (CC: by) If Lapland is too far away for you this year, but you still want to tell Santa Claus your Christmas wishes and make sure your letter reaches him in the Arctic Circle in Finland, you’ll need to know how to write to him. Sending a letter to Santa Claus to his correct address Each year in late November, the Christmas season is inaugurated in Finland. Joulupukki (the Finnish name of Santa Claus) visits every Finnish city or town in person, usually in the main square, to wish everyone a merry Christmas. It is extremely easy to go and meet him because normally the streets near the center have a system of underground heating that melts the snow and makes it easy for people to walk around. You should know that any letter that says Santa Claus” will magically reach its destination: post offices all around the world are warned and know how to handle the letters to Santa Claus. But if you want Santa to know that you were so interested that you researched his address, you can put his correct one on the envelope. Some kids meeting Santa Claus in person . Source (CC: by-sa) Santa Claus and his elfs (called Tonttu in Finland) will appreciate this detail and will know you worked for your presents. This is his address : Santa Claus 96930 Arctic Circle, Finland That’s right: the letter to Santa Claus will go all the way North to the Polar Arctic Circle, the imaginary line above which the sun doesn’t rise at least for a day per year, and where it doesn’t set at least for one day a year. And here comes the best thing: if you add your return address, he will write you back. Isn’t that great? How to make your letter to Santa Claus better There is no magic recipe or template to make your letter to Santa Claus right, but there are some tips that will assure that you’ll be in his good graces. Santa Claus doesn’t want you to sugarcoat the truth. He knows if you’ve been bad or good, so lying in your letter will make you look bad. It is better to acknowledge that there are some areas where you can work on to be better next year, and tell him how you became a better person this year. Being good is a constant process. Thank him for last year’s presents, even if they weren’t 100% what you asked for. He has to handle a global operation each year after all. And don’t ask for too much! If you need something – a bike to ride to school with, something warm to wear for the extreme cold of winter in Finland – make sure to tell him that. He prefers to read that you wish for things you need, not just want. Joulupukki in Helsinki , allegedly measuring this girl’s back to send her a fitting coat. Source (CC: by). All those tips were given to me by Joulupukki in person, so if you want to be on good terms with him, tell him that you are friends of Big in Finland and you’ll get the VIP treatment. Good luck with this year’s Christmas gifts! This is our list of 12 ideas of Finnish Christmas presents , to give you inspiration. May Santa Claus and his Tonttu be generous, and you a good girl or boy. Do you have some extra advice for the letter to Santa Claus? Some tip that worked for you? Share: Topics: Finnish traditions , Interesting facts | 10 comments | Print This Post last update: Mar 04 2024 September 11, 2023 March 4, 2024 2 Comments by Santiago H The average Finnish man and woman Posted in Finnish people We have talked a bit about Finns, like what they appreciate most in life , their most popular names , and even how they look ....