Helsinki Christmas Markets
3 days / 2 nights, St. Thomas Christmas Market - Women's Christmas Market - Christmas Market Old Student House | 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.
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 market season begins with the Women's Christmas Fair at the Old Harbour (Vanha Satama) on 2 December 2009. The largest is St. Thomas Market, held in the city centre Esplanaadi Park from 7 to 22 December.
There is also an indoor Christmas market in the city centre in the Old Student Hall. 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.
| Departure | Departures daily: from December 11th, 2009 |
| Price | Radisson SAS Plaza Hotel**** $445 per person in double room $735 single room, 1 adult Sokos Hotel Helsinki *** $425 per person in double room $685 single room, 1 adult |
| Included | Return private airport transfers 2 nights hotel accommodations in twin-bedded rooms with private facilities (your choice) Scandinavian breakfast buffet daily "Helsinki in December - a Christmas Shopping Experience" - provided to each guest at check-in 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 Christmas Lunch Buffet at a local restaurant |
| Not Included | International airfare & Airport taxes Meals other than breakfast Personal insurance / personal items $25 Service fee |
| Please Note | Please note: minimum of 2 participants required. This is a non-escorted tour. The Main Christmas Markets in Helsinki Women's Christmas Fair, Vanha Satama 3-7 December (local handicraft market of items made by Finnish women) St. Thomas Market, Esplanaadi Park 8-21 December (major Christmas market with wide range of hand-made items, gifts, decorations, food and drink). There are various Special Events in Helsinki during the Christmas Market period, including various Christmas music concerts, opera and ballet according to schedule. Sport : Ice Hockey Santa Village info |
| Tour Options | International flights Additional nights Helsinki Visit to Santa Village at Arctic Circle St. Petersburg Art & Ballet tour Silja Line Cruise, Helsinki - Stockholm Tallinn cruise, Helsinki - Tallinn |
Day 1 ARRIVAL IN HELSINKI Transfer on your own to your city center hotel. Check-in and overnight at your city center hotel, within walking distance to St. Thomas Market and "Christmas Street".
Day 2 CHRISTMAS MARKETS (B) After breakfast at your hotel, discover the winter beauty surrounding Helsinki, the "Daughter of the Baltic". There are many special events in Helsinki and the city is dressed in festive Christmas lighting. You can taste and smell the Christmas atmosphere all along the city's beautifully lighted streets, while the markets display festive goods; a showcase for exquisite goods designed and made by the women of Finland, knitted goods, jewelry, leather and wood products, ceramics, toys, savories and sweets.
Radisson SAS Plaza Hotel**** or Sokos Hotel Helsinki ***
Day 3 DEPARTURE (B) Breakfast at your hotel. Check-out and end of program. Extend your stay or enjoy a journey to Finnish Lapland to visit Santa's Home in Rovaniemi.