Finland (Suomi in Finnish) is a country of a thousand lakes, stunningly beautiful and idyllic landscapes of the Lake District, pristine national parks fabulous Lapland, vibrant cities and the amazing Åland Islands.
Tour operator ICS offers tours to Finland: New Year's, ski, city tours, sightseeing tours. By purchasing excursion tours to Finland, you get the opportunity to visit several cities in one trip - Helsinki, Tampere, Lahti, Turku, Savonlinna, etc. You can combine excursion services with relaxation in the lap of nature in one of the cottages on the lake, choose one of the famous SPA hotels where the price of your stay includes the use of an aquatic center or choose an active holiday - cycling, kayaking or hiking with an overnight stay in a tent, or going fishing. Everyone will find something of their own.
A winter holiday in Finland will undoubtedly be remembered for its fabulous snowy landscapes, reindeer and dog sled rides, and, of course, meeting Santa Claus, who lives near Rovaniemi, in Lapland.
Ski resorts in Finland are famous for their well-prepared slopes and well-developed infrastructure.
Description
Finland or, as the Finns themselves call it, Suomi, is a country of thousands of lakes in the east of the Scandinavian Peninsula; tours to Finland are wonderful in winter and summer. Beautiful forests and plains, numerous rivers and cozy beaches make this place ideal for outdoor recreation, as well as for fishing and various sports.
Geographical position
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The total area of Finland is 338,424 km². Its neighbors are Russia in the south, Norway in the north and Sweden in the west. The shores are washed by the waters of the Gulf of Finland and the Gulf of Bothnia of the Baltic Sea. The territory is divided into 12 lan (provinces). Finland also includes Åland Islands- about 6.5 thousand small islands off the southwestern coast of the country.
Climate
The climate in Finland is predominantly continental. The south-eastern part of the country has the highest average summer temperature in Scandinavia, and West Coast it is one of the sunniest places in Northern Europe. Summer in Finland is quite warm ( average temperature+19 +20°С). But winter can be very harsh and the thermometer at this time of year ranges from -3°C to -15°C. In June and July, the water in the lakes reaches +20°C, so these months are the most favorable for visiting the country.
Resorts
Helsinki
Helsinki is the capital of Finland, where beautiful nature and modern city. The fourth part of it consists of various park areas, and you can feel the fresh sea wind in the air. The architecture of the city has its own interesting features and in it one can discern both Eastern and Western European motifs. Historical Center city - this is Senate Square with majestic buildings Cathedral, University and State Council Palace.
Tampere
Tampere is a stunningly beautiful city that Finnish residents consider the most attractive place to live. It has more than 20 interesting museums, as well as the Särkänniemi amusement park with attractions, a zoo, an aquarium and the Näsinneula observation tower.
Mikkeli
Mikkeli is one of the most important centers active rest and sports in Finland. A place where you can visit a large number of amazing water parks and swimming pools, as well as enjoy many attractions. Among them is the country's largest wax museum.
Himos
Himos - real paradise for all lovers winter species sports This is an ideal place for a family holiday. Here is the most popular ski resort countries where, traditionally, a variety of sports and entertainment events are held annually.
Espoo
Beautiful cozy city, located in the south of the country. Every year attracts a large number of tourists with its fascinating nature and large number of interesting places. Here is the largest water park in Finland - Serena, the Mormon Temple and much more.
Lapland
Lapland, which is considered the birthplace of Santa Claus, lies above the Arctic Circle and is considered one of the most... amazing places Finland. Not far from its capital, Rovaniemi, in a cave cut through the Syvesenvaara hill, a Christmas themed Entertainment Center Santa Park, as well as fabulous workshops and the post office of “Santa Claus”.
Kitchen
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Finnish cuisine has a lot of features, the main of which are fish and meat dishes. Among the most famous and widespread fish dishes: freshly salted or hot smoked salmon (or “lohi”, as the Finns call it), the famous fish soup with cream and herbs, red caviar, which the Finns mix with sour cream and finely chopped onions and serve with toast , as well as rainbow trout or salmon in its own juice.
Main component meat dishes- game: venison with wild berries, roast with mashed potatoes and lingonberry jam, Karelian meat in a pot, poultry dishes. For dessert they usually serve assorted berries, buns and jelly. The preferred drink is coffee. It is also worth trying the products of the famous confectionery factory FAZER, which are offered in specialized cafes. Popular alcoholic beverages include homemade beer, various types of vodka (Koskenkorva-Vinna and Finlandia), and berry liqueurs infused with wild berries and herbs (Lakkalikeri, Puolukkalikeri, Karpaliköri).
Population
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About 5.3 million people live in Finland: Finns - 93%, Swedes - 6%, Sami people and Karelian peoples.
Religion
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About 87% of residents are adherents of the Evangelical Lutheran Church. It is a state religion along with Orthodoxy (1% of the population).
Time and work schedule
UTC +2
Time difference with Moscow: -1 hour. Switching to daylight saving winter time carried out simultaneously with Europe. Shops are open from 9:00 to 18:00 on weekdays, on weekends - from 9:00 to 14:00. Large stores can be open until 20:00. Banks are open from 9:15 to 16:15 on weekdays. Exchange offices work longer hours and seven days a week.
Language
The official languages of Finland are Finnish and Swedish. English and sometimes Russian are also spoken in the tourism sector.
Currency
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The national currency of Finland is the Euro (EUR). Currency can be exchanged in banks (the most favorable rate), specialized points, hotels, large supermarkets, airports and seaports, train stations and post offices. You can cash out at ATMs. Plastic cards are accepted everywhere.
Visa regime
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Finland is a Schengen country, so you will need a visa to travel there.
Transport message
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Main international Airport countries - Helsinki-Vantaa. In addition, Turku, Tampere-Pirkkala and Rovaniemi receive international flights. The whole country is entangled in a dense network railways. An alternative to the train for traveling between cities in Finland is a bus. Since the country has a fairly long sea coast, as well as a large number of lakes and rivers, it is well developed water transport. All ships operate on a schedule that is strictly observed. Helsinki has buses, trams and a metro. Tickets for any of these modes of transport can be purchased at newsstands, at stations or from the driver. Taxi fares may vary depending on the time of day. Both cash and credit cards are accepted for payment. To rent a car you need a driver's license, at least 1 year of driving experience, a passport and credit card as collateral.
To Finland for 1 day or weekend, as well as holidays: pampering or practical calculation? Why do people go to Suomi from St. Petersburg and Karelia, Veliky Novgorod and even Moscow?
Finland is Russia’s closest “western” neighbor. It's no joke: you've only traveled 200 kilometers from St. Petersburg and you're abroad. However, 2019 is not 1998, and the opportunity to see “what it’s like behind the Iron Curtain” is not the prevailing motive for Russians seeking to leave. What is it?
We dare to say that the majority seeks to change the situation, simultaneously “rolling back their visa.” And, which cannot be bought in Russian stores. Cheeses and butter produced by the famous Finnish concern Valio are the most common products confiscated by Russian customs officers from domestic tourists.
Also in the trunks there are large quantities of salted and smoked fish in vacuum packaging and red caviar. The latter is sometimes made in Russia. This is re-export...
Documentation
A trip to Finland by car requires not only a passport with a Schengen visa. But also a driver’s license (national ones will suffice), a vehicle registration certificate, plus a “Green Card” - foreign driver liability insurance.
Regardless of the method of travel, you must also stock up on travel insurance. Traditionally we recommend. Because it’s simple, understandable, without the infuriating desire to impose a bunch of useless options. You can pay online, and you don’t need to print anything—an electronic version of the policy is enough.
For 1 day
The basis for the unprecedented popularity of such border checkpoints as Brusnichnoye and Svetogorsk is the desire of residents of St. Petersburg to “roll back a visa.” In the minds of the majority, a Finnish visa is issued to everyone, and therefore it is the ultimate dream of tourists, many of whom do not intend to go to Finland as such.
But in view of the current rules of the Schengen Agreement, which state that a tourist must spend the most days in the country where (or at least enter there more times), the visa has to be “rolled back”. To then have the opportunity to travel to France or Germany, Spain or Italy.
The principle is simple: you enter Finland for a very short time, for 1 day. And that same evening you go back, having acquired the coveted stamp in your passport. And, of course, kilograms of cheeses, washing powder and what else?
Now you are formally clear before Finnish law. And you can go where you originally intended - for example, to the Canary Islands.
In recent years, matters have become more complicated because the Finns have become greedy. And they strive to issue a multiple visa for six months, maximum for a year. Why not?
After all, you don’t have to indicate the grounds for refusal, and when the validity period of the stamp expires, Russian tourists will definitely run to get a new one. Why do they need 35 euros (and 25 for services visa center)? They love visiting our beautiful country so much!
Popular checkpoints
Brusnichnoe is the closest checkpoint on the border with Finland for residents of St. Petersburg. And therefore, traffic jams for a couple of hours and queues of dozens of cars on Saturday morning are a common occurrence. Next, tourists go to and stock up on necessary (or seemingly necessary) goods.
About what you need to take with you on a trip. Let us remind you about one more absolutely necessary thing on a car trip - a thermos.
- A glass of coffee even at Russian gas stations costs 120-150 rubles in 2018, and in Finland... it’s actually not much more expensive. There is an opportunity to save - let's save! You can select the desired thermos model
Attention! The road that leads to Brusnichny winds along the Saimaa Canal. It is narrow and very dangerous in icy conditions, which is why it is nicknamed “The Road of Death.” The quality of the surface is good, but there is no guarantee that some scumbag will not start overtaking in a closed corner, despite the continuous strip and the limit of 60 km/h. In addition, the route is not lit at night and driving along it in the autumn-winter period promises even more pleasure.
The much less busy Svetogorsk checkpoint is used by those traveling to the less popular Russian tourists Imatra. It has not only the attraction of a waterfall “singing” to the music of Sibelius, but also a full line of such important supermarkets.
For weekends and holidays
The second most popular incentive for a weekend trip is a holiday on Finnish lakes. There are nearly a million of them in Suomi, they are kept in perfect order, and there are usually a couple of well-kept cottages on the shore.
Tourism
As a result, a Russian tourist with the money to relax in the lap of nature even for 2-3 days, not to mention celebrating the New Year, predictably chooses abroad.
- Where it’s a little expensive (even if you’re lucky, you can rent a cottage from 80 € per day, but generally prices start at 100-120 € - on holidays, of course, it’s more expensive), but you can count on cleanliness, tranquility, the absence of third-party drunken companies and in general very good time
Skis, sleds, a bathhouse, a deafeningly quiet pine forest, walks in the fresh air, a supermarket with a sea of (quality?) products 10 km from the place. Not bad, right?
- The border regions of Finland are, first and foremost, the most in demand. The surroundings of Rovaniemi are also in demand, ski resorts Levi and Ylläs, Ruka
During the holidays, the popularity of large Finnish cities like Helsinki and Turku lags behind. The contingent and tasks are different: not gatherings in a “warm” circle, but family holiday. Children need entertainment in the form of attractions, adults intend to wander around and see the sights. There are not many of them. But it’s usually enough to justify the trip...
Shopping trips
Shopping in stores in Lappenranta, Imatra and (to a lesser extent) Helsinki, we would put in third place. During sanctions, transporting cheeses from overseas to Russia has become a kind of national sport. “When are you for Oltermani?” - this question often appears on specialized forums.
Also from Finland they bring butter and fish, red caviar - as if there is not enough of it in Russian stores - other dairy products in the form of sour cream and yoghurt, clothes, and expensive alcohol from duty-free. And even washing powder - according to everyone, it is much better than domestic analogues.
Clothes are stocked mainly during the sales period (December and June), although in principle you can find things at a big discount in November or May.
In general, the clothing boom has declined in recent years. Since in Russia prices have fallen to such a level that it makes sense to bring only branded clothes from abroad.
- However, this is not entirely true in the case of children's clothing! It’s enough to go to Children’s World and compare the prices with those in Suomi...
Transit to Europe
Oddly enough, but in only fourth place in our ranking was a trip to Finland with the purpose of flying to one of the other Schengen countries. Enterprising people still search for and find last-minute airline deals. For symbolic money, they are ready to transport tourists from Vantaa Airport somewhere to Barcelona or Mallorca.
But in general, people have become lazy. After all, where is it easier to buy a package tour and go on a trip from Pulkovo or Sheremetyevo? Although it is more expensive.
Tours to Finland for 1 day
The Smak Travel company offers one-day tours to Finland from St. Petersburg.
Finland is located in close proximity to St. Petersburg. A trip to this European country is available to everyone. Especially if we are talking about a 1-day tour to Finland.
We offer:
- original excursion one-day tours from St. Petersburg to Finland;
- shopping and beauty tours;
- tours to Finland from St. Petersburg one day during the holidays.
Finland has all the conditions for relaxation or shopping. The proximity of Finland to St. Petersburg plays a favorable role. Finland is fast and inexpensive.
What kind of one-day tours to Finland are there?
One-day tours to Finland from St. Petersburg can be thematic and sightseeing.
Among one-day express tours to Finland, trips to individual cities such as Turku, Hämeenlinna, Helsinki, Lappeenranta, Tampere, Imatra, Kotka, Porvoo, etc. are popular.
Also popular among residents of St. Petersburg are two-hour shopping tours with a stop at shopping centers near Lappeenranta.
How to choose a one-day tour to Finland
Finland is Europe. For someone coming here for the first time, much will be new: a different way of life, architecture, traditions. A one-day tour is ideal for your first acquaintance with this country. For example, a one-day tour to Helsinki - the capital of Suomi. Such a trip will not take much time and will be inexpensive. The cost of a number of one-day tours per person can vary between one and two thousand rubles.
For those who are interested in goods from Europe, a shopping tour is suitable. This tour is also called “Finland for an hour”. You will visit large department stores and markets. When going on a shopping tour, keep in mind that there are some conditions for duty-free import of goods into Russia. For 2020, there are rules according to which one person can import no more than 25 kilograms of goods worth less than 500 euros. There is one more nuance: customs closely monitors whether you are carrying goods for personal use or for sale. If you try to bring several identical TVs, etc. across the border, problems may arise.
The travel agency “Smak-Travel” is ready to offer you any one-day tour. Call and our specialists will advise you on current offers.
What not to forget before traveling to Finland
To travel to Finland you need a visa. Even if we are talking about traveling for one day or an hour. The company’s specialists will assist in obtaining a visa as soon as possible.
For a one-day tour to Finland from St. Petersburg you need:
- valid international passport;
- valid Schengen visa;
- international insurance policy;
- when traveling with children, you will need their birth certificates;
- if the children are not yours, then you will need a notarized power of attorney to remove the child from the territory of the Russian Federation.
How much does a tour to Finland cost?
The cost of a one-day tour to Finland depends on:
- tour programs;
- transport;
- availability of a visa;
- season;
- Goals: sightseeing trip or shopping tour.
Our managers will announce the exact price for the tour. On our website you can see the approximate cost. Check with our operators for more details.
Book a tour to Finland from the company “Smak Travel”
- on our website you will find only current offers on tours to Finland for one day, available in the near future;
- our specialists will answer all questions related to choosing a tour;
- We help with visa and insurance registration;
- the guides who will accompany you are licensed;
- Having many years of experience in organizing tours from St. Petersburg to Finland, we know about all the features of organizing one-day tours.
You can leave an application for a tour to Finland from St. Petersburg for one day on the website or by phone. We will select the appropriate option, taking into account your desires and capabilities.
All one-day tours to Finland from St. Petersburg are carried out on large international class buses, with professional drivers and qualified guides with great experience work in this direction. The tour price includes: round trip bus travel.
St. Petersburg - Lappeenranta - St. Petersburg (tour to Finland for 1 day)
DAILY
in February from 750 rubles
One-day tour to Finland to the city of Lappeenranta with visits to shops and a walk along the promenade. Tourists have the opportunity to plan their own time.
St. Petersburg - Kotka - St. Petersburg (tour to Finland for 1 day)
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday
from 850 rubles
One-day tour to Finland to the city of Kotka. A short sightseeing tour of the city, visit beautiful park"Sapokka", with a unique landscape, easy shopping.
St. Petersburg - Imatra - St. Petersburg (tour to Finland for 1 day)
DAILY
in February from 750 rubles
A wonderful holiday on a one-day tour to Finland in the city of Imatra. Only here you can see the rapids of Vuoksa, the ancient castle hotel and visit the aquatic center with a water park.
St. Petersburg - Lahti - St. Petersburg (tour to Finland for 1 day)
from Friday to Saturday
from 1350 rubles
Holidays on a one-day tour in Finland in the city of Lahti will be interesting for lovers of shopping and have a relaxing holiday. A large number of shops and a swimming pool will help you have an interesting time...
St. Petersburg - Helsinki - St. Petersburg (tour to Finland for 1 day)
from Friday to Saturday, from Saturday to Sunday
from 1550 rubles
On a one-day tour to Finland in the city of Helsinki, you can walk through boutiques and department stores, visit the market on the embankment, sit in a cafe or in a park in the city center.
St. Petersburg - Jyvaskylä - St. Petersburg (tour to Finland for 1 day)
last Friday (on Saturday) of each month
from 1350 rubles
One-day tour to Finland to the city of Jyvaskyla. During your trip you will have the opportunity to visit shops, go to a water park or simply walk around the city enjoying the magnificent scenery.
Finland for 1 hour (tour to Finland for 1 day)
daily (by group selection)
from 950 rubles
A 1-hour trip to Finland is an opportunity to get your visa as quickly as possible, as well as visit the Lapland warehouse and fish store. This is also a one-day tour to Finland.
Please note that in one-day tours to Finland the following are possible: trip cancellations (in case of insufficient group size), additional trips and transfer of trips to other days, and also, to complete groups, it is possible to combine with other companies operating similar one-day tours in Finland.
Before you go on a day trip to Finland, be sure to read customs regulations and rules of conduct for tourists.
"Abis Tour" offers you one-day tours to Finland, as well as one-day and multi-day tours.
