4 days / 3 nights from £495 pp
As befits the land of Santa Claus, Finland knows how to celebrate Christmas. In December Helsinki is brightened up by the many Christmas lights in the streets and shop window displays. Aleksanterinkatu, the main shopping street of the city centre, is an elaborately-decorated and illuminated Joulukatu ("Christmas Street"), opened by Santa Claus himself at the end of November. From this time, the large department stores have exotic Christmas window displays.
2010 Departure - 17 December (other dates on request)
Package includes:
- Direct flights from London Heathrow to Helsinki on British Airways (we can arrange flights from other aiports upon request)
- 3 nights hotel accommodation at **** Sokos Hotel Torni
- Breakfast at the hotel
- Return private airport transfers
- “Helsinki in December – a Christmas Shopping Experience” – provided to each guest and given at check-in – listing and information on major Christmas markets in Helsinki, as well as more off-the-beaten-track markets in and around the city how to get there; suggestions for additional Christmas shopping possibilities; Christmas concert listings; where to find good Finnish Christmas-style food and drinks; city map
- 1 1/2 hours of guide service in Helsinki
- Christmas Lunch Buffet at a local restaurant
Package price is £495 per person, based on availability and two people sharing a double or twin room. Single supplement is £150.
We can also arrange a day trip to Tallinn to visit the charming Tallinn Christmas Market
More about the Helsinki Christmas Market.....
In Finland good food is an essential aspect of Christmas. Many restaurants have special Yuletide fare on their menus. Finnish Christmas delicacies include star-shaped pastries filled with thick plum jam, gingerbread, rosolli (a salad of beetroot and other vegetables with herring) and Christmas ham. To drink there is traditional glögi, a spicy hot mulled wine, specially brewed dark winter beers, and hot chocolate and coffees fortified with a little rum or cognac.
Home-made food delicacies, gifts and decorations are sold by vendors who come from all over Finland to the special Christmas markets. The largest is the St. Thomas Market, held in the city centre Esplanaadi Park from 7 - 22 December in 2010. There is also an indoor Christmas market in the city centre in the Old Student Hall from 13 - 23 December. Several other local markets in the city and surroundings are known only to locals, but all our guests will receive a listing of these when they check-in, so they can experience the off-the-beaten-track markets only locals know. We also include a listing of Christmas concerts and other events of interest, as well as where to go for alternative Christmas shopping, and where to eat and drink Finnish Christmas style, including hidden cafes and bars serving winter beers – all to help you make the most of your pre-Christmas visit to Helsinki.
There are various Special Events in Helsinki during the Christmas Market period, including various Christmas music concerts, opera and ballet and plenty of opportunites to put on your ice skates.