…but think of the poor idiots behind!

Luosto is primarily a ski resort and has around 200 permament inhabitants. The town consists of a few hotels, a few shops and quite a few log cabins, all centred around the foot of the Luoston fells where hiking in summer and skiing in winter are the main attractions. If you want to know more about Luosto, please use the link opposite to access the official website – www.luosto.fi .

Our journey to Finland and Rovaniemi was made possible by the national airline of Finland – Finnair. Although we had some unforgettable flights (see diary pages) we were looked after nicely and the price hike on the ticket so close to the millennium wasn’t as extortionate as it could have been. You can find Finnair’s website at www.finnair.fi .

Our stay in Luosto was very special. Our accomodation was a log cabin, centrally positioned and within snowball throwing distance of the world-famous Hovi. The cabin had four on-suite bedrooms, each with two large bunk beds and a personal drinks cabinet (some people call them fridges) together with table and chairs. Other facilities in the log cabin included; Sauna, open fireplace, changing area, fully fitted kitchen, overhead projector(?!), TV and stereo. The view from the open french windows out into the wintery wilderness was excellent.

The Hovi was our main haunt at night, the bar was always open well into the early hours, serving Lapin Kulta and Hoff beer. Special nights were laid on, including a Karaoke night, and it must be said that the best place to be on the night of the new millennium was on the steps of the Hovi, watching fireworks explode in the snow-ridden heavens. The Hovi’s web site is at www.luostonhovi.com .

Some nights were spent cooking, but it soon became apparent that cooking time got in the way of drinking time and so the establishment on the right was visited regularly. The speciality of the restaurant Kerttuli was melt-in-the-mouth Reindeer with the world’s softest mashed potatoes, but for those of us who couldn’t bring themselves to eat Rudolph there was a wide variety of European dishes that were just as tasty. The Kerttuli website is at www.luoston-kerttuli.fi .

A special mention must be made to the supermarket in Luosto, the Tupasvilla. This is the place where we bought food to cook ourselves and all the other essentials like big bags of crisps and crates of Lapin Kulta. We were warned when organising our trip to Finland that the price of beer and food was astronomical, so maybe we fell lucky on having such a value for money place right on our doorstep. What’s with the internet in Lapland when a supermarket has got it’s own site? (http://tupasvilla.luosto.fi ).

Finally, entertainment during the day was provided by the ski resort (for skiing, snowboarding and sledging) and the Snowgames company, who kindly let us break a few of their snow mobiles. Snowgames can be found at www.snowgames.fi.

Other attractions include the University Botanical Gardens (Greenhouses boasting an amazing variety of flowers and plants), the Winter Garden of the City, Parliament House, and Helsinki/Linnanmaki Amusement Park, which features rides, booths, crafts, food, and shows (seasonal hours).

Also of interest is Aleksanterinkatu, Helsinki’s "Fifth Avenue" where the most upbeat addresses, stores and restaurants are found. In the summertime, many of the restaurants extend their tables out onto the sidewalks. Spend an hour with a stein of Koff, people watching. Visit Stockmann’s, Finland’s most important department store. Across from Stockmann’s, in front of the Old Student House and the statue of the Three Blacksmiths, musical groups perform al fresco.

The Zoo on Korkeasaari Island

The Zoo features snow leopards, pandas and mustelides among its specialties; many species only found in Northern Europe live here. There is a restaurant and cafe open May 1 to August 31. Opens 10 am all year round, closes 4pm in winter, 8pm in summer. Access: Bridge connection from Mustikkamaa during zoo hours throughout the year. Motorboat connection in summer from Hakanierni Square every half hour. Admission fee. Phone 1 99 81.

Light Festival Activities

In November and December, the annual Light Festival offers entertaining activities, including Helsinki Philharmonic concerts, antique & art fairs, chamber music, fashion and beauty shows, world-famous artists such as Luciano Pavarotti in concert, dog shows, agricultural fairs, special seasonal markets, an auto show, piano and other music competitions and exhibitions. While summertime may be enticing, the line-up of wintertime activities is tantalizing and diverse. Information on all activities during the Light Festival can be had at 169-3757 (The Tourism Office).

• Hamina. Even more Russian is this town located just 30 miles from the Russian border. Its most distinctive features are its old walls, an aesthetically designed octagonal town center, and dozens of 18th and 19th century wooden buildings. Underscoring the town’s strong Russian flavoring is the small but ornate Russian Orthodox Church.

• Lappeenranta. Located north of Hamina on Lake Saimaa, this historic town resides in Finland’s Lake District vacation region. It sports a spa, a 19th century fortified village, and the South Karelian Museum. The town is also a popular embarkation point for day-cruises along the Saimaa Canal to the Russian town of Vyborg. (No visa needed for day-trippers.)

• Naantali. This harbor town is eight mile west of Turku and home to Finland’s best spa: the Naantali Spa, which sports indoor/outdoor pools look out on the Baltic Sea. Note that Finnish spas are not "health" spas. The Finnish spa experience involves hearty dining, saunas, perhaps a massage, and dips into various hot-and cold-water pools. Naantali’s other prime attraction is Kultaranta, the pastoral summer residence of the Finnish President.

In modern times, the route consists of two branches of comfortably paved country roads and highways: King’s Road West (the 100 miles west from Helsinki to Turku) and King’s Road East (the 110 miles from Helsinki to the Russian border).