Finland: Rovaniemi

Whilst camping in Tornio, Emz had read of this place in Finland called Rovaniemi, "the capital of Lapland and home to Father Christmas himself." I mean, it does sound like it'll be a cute and quaint city with cool architecture doesn't it? I'd also seen similar things on the internet, so it was decided that we'd do a day trip back up to the edge of the Arctic Circle to see this place. Well, I guess it was quaint and cute...if your definition of these terms is a concrete jungle stylised in that 'awe-inspiring' architecture of a communist Russia. But to us, this place felt like a wrong turn and a wasted trip. Thankfully, I was able to 'save the day' when I found that nearby to Rovaniemi, was a place called 'Santa Claus's Village', the home of Father Christmas himself. Now, if you ask Emz what she thought of this place, she'll say things like 'kitsch', 'tacky' and 'cringeworthy', but deep (deep deep) down, I think she really loved this place! I mean, as 30 something year olds, we got to sit on THE Father Christmas's lap! I mean, what's not to love?!😁Read more