Finnish holidays

Christmas holidays - traditionally the hottest time for the holidays! According to the statistics of recent years up to 15% of residents of Russian cities in the vacation leave for a vacation abroad. However, with the financial crisis, the question "Where to go in the holidays?" For the majority of Russians was twice as severe. Spend 4-5 thousand euros on holiday with his family of 3-4 people at ski resorts in Austria, Switzerland or Spain can not all, but in today's economy even more. But if you go on holiday in Europe still wants a little money, you can become a great alternative to car travel. Of course, trying to get to by car to the Austrian or the French Alps, not to mention the Catalan Pyrenees, in the New Year holiday is unlikely to. But, say, a trip to Finland and Sweden can be quite what we decided to prove their own experience. Preparation for the New Year holidays in Suomi should begin no later than September. At this time, the choice of free houses for the holiday season is still quite large, so that you can find the best option: not far from the ski resort and not too far from the border. By early October, all the best houses, as a rule, already understand: the proposals are only in Lapland - in the 400-500 km from the Russian border. Roller coaster there, of course, higher and better, but the length of the route in this case, the increase in the half. After examining all the available supply, we stop at the cottage Leppyaniemi in central Finland on the shore of Lake Iso-Roine, 140 km north of Helsinki, 190 km from the border and 32 km from the nearest ski resort Sapp. Prices for villas, depending on the capacity range from 1000 to 2000 Euros per week. The average of the order of 200-250 euros per person (same week). In this case, inside is everything you need for a comfortable stay with friends. One or two living rooms, kitchen, several bedrooms, a sauna. At 15 meters from the entrance - is rich in fish lake which in winter becomes smooth as glass roller. On the shore - a gazebo for a barbecue. Payment by credit card cottage, get a voucher from the Finnish Agency. The next step - a visit to the Finnish Embassy for a visa. This too is better to take care in advance. Arriving at the embassy in late November - early December, will be rested in a huge queue of 500-600 people, reminiscent of the "scoop". Just like the good old days when buying furniture, washing machines and other shortages: lists, roll calls in the cold twice a day and a complete hopeless to get into the embassy earlier than 4-5 days. There are, however, an easier option - use the services of an accredited travel agency, but in this case, instead of the visa fee is 35 euros each visa will cost about 120-150 euros. Got my hands on the documents, proceed to the selection of cars. Ideal option for long-distance winter trips in terms of comfort and economy - a diesel SUV or four-wheel drive wagon. But the trouble is that the volume of the luggage compartments and cargo capacity of most models do not allow for a maximum load to take a sufficient number of things. Eight people, the same volume of luggage, skiing with boots and other road belongings fit into two cars is not easy. Therefore it is necessary to compromise. As comfortable passable wagon choose Volvo XC70 with the 2.4-liter diesel engine producing 185 hp D5. with. Latest multimedia system with DVD-player and two televisions in the headrests do not give bored passengers. A system is adaptive cruise control with collision avoidance function significantly facilitate the life of the driver. Enough to put on cruise control speed limit and a comfortable distance to the vehicle in front, and the system will independently manage the speed limits, slowing down Volvo as we approach the critical distance to the vehicle in front and accelerating XC70, as soon as you leave the left lane to overtaking or interfering with the front gone. Audible alarm and visual display on the windshield "wake up" in case of need for emergency braking. However, the trunk of Volvo, though great, but the capacity of vehicle (less than 600 kg) did not allow him to score the top. Therefore, as a second car to take a Mitsubishi L200 diesel with 2.5-liter 136-horsepower engine. In the comfort of "Japanese", of course, pales in comparison with the Volvo, but its covered cargo compartment to accommodate a full road and mountain belongings. Payload Mitsubishi allows him to score the top. The only negative - to overtake a long L200 is not too fitted. At full drive consumption of diesel catastrophically large - 22 liters, and on governance in relation to spring the car, he has virtually no effect. So in order to save fuel most of the route will likely have to do to rear wheel drive (11.4 liters per 100 km). December 26 around 7 am start from Khimki. And we're obviously not alone. From the periodicity of 5-10 minutes driving up and go to Finland several groups of 2-4 cars. In this case, a variety of vehicles is impressive: even catches Mini - clearly not the best car for the winter run length of 2500 km. The first stage, Moscow, Russia - Vyborg, about 830 miles, overcoming the same breath for 11.5 hours with three short stops for refueling the fuel tank and windshield washer reservoir. Expensive by Russian standards, is quite decent. Only a portion of a bypass around Novgorod, to which have not yet reached the hands of local road maintenance, disheartening abundance of potholes. The same part of the Novgorod road, which has already laid new asphalt and bumpers are dividing, generously strewn with ambushes DPS. At 20:30 arrive in Vyborg, located in the hotel with soviet-prosaic name of "Friendship" and go explore the local attractions, main of which - Vyborg Castle, founded by the Swedes back in 1293, is located just 300 meters away. From this holy fortress, built on a tiny island in the Gulf, and began the history of Vyborg («vi» in ancient Swedish means holy, «borg» - fortress). The next morning, about 8 are advancing towards the Finnish-Russian border. Before the checkpoint Torfyanovka - 55 km. Because of the shift change customs queue stretched for good 5 km. But after two hours of continuous "smoke breaks" finally facing a coveted barrier. Filling of declarations and "suppression of passports takes about 10 minutes. From the documents on the machine requires only TCP. Satisfied with a cursory glance into the trunk, custom gives the good and the gates of Russia opened. For those suffering in the neutral zone operates duty-free shop: Given the draconian alcohol prices in Finland, on the eve of New Year's quick stop here will save a few hundred euros. Finnish customs and border guard on the eve of work yet melancholic Russian. In the car the Finns do not look at all, we need only to ensure that the front windshield and side windows of cars entering Suomi not spotted toning. On the front and front windows is allowed only nominal toning, light permeability of the windscreen must be at least 75% front side windows - 70%. Occasionally check for Green Card - European counterpart OSAGO. The latter can be purchased directly at the border, but is 3-4 times more expensive than traditional insurance companies (from 2 euros / day). Studded tires in the winter in Finland is not compulsory, but highly recommended, because much of the road Suomi in varying degrees, nestled tightly groomed snow. Yellow and blue badge on the side informs that the Russian part of our rally came to an end, and we happily moved into the territory of the European Union. Severe penalties (from 115 euros for speeding at 15 km / h) and low speed limit (on most trails in the winter the maximum allowable speed is limited to 80 km / h) lead to a significant decrease in our average speed. The remaining 220 km to Leppyaniemi we overcome in 4 hours, stopping only once - to buy fish and caviar to the New Year's table. At the border with dozens of stalls selling fresh and smoked fish. We chose one of the shops "Savu-Kari» (Lepikonranta, Hamina), who for the past 10 years, encouraged by the Finns and the Russians delicacies own production. Here is everything Suomi fish delicacies: caviar, shrimp, freshest sea trout, salmon, whitefish, vendace, eel and sturgeon in fresh, salted and smoked by old Finnish recipes. About three o'clock in the afternoon, we finally get to the end point of the first part of our journey. Neat, almost fabulous log cabins Leppyaniemi could not be better contribute to the creation of the New Year mood. Anticipation of the week relaxing holiday on the quiet Finnish lakes with daily visits to the ski resorts helps get rid of the fatigue accumulated during the rally. The nearest hill - Sapp - located just 32 km from Leppyaniemi. But if you want diversity, you can reach and even up to two ski resorts - Messiah (about 60 km) and Himos (120 km). The cost of day ski passes about the same everywhere: from 29 to 33 euros. If desired, you can go see the old fortress in Hyamelinna or shopping in Tampere. Although the latter has no special meaning, because exactly one week later - the morning of January 3 - our road is famous for its shops in the capital of Finland. The best place for shopping in Helsinki - the largest in Finland and Scandinavia Trade Center Itakeskus (Turunlinnantie, 4), located at the entrance to the capital, 10 km from the center. Under the roof of a huge shopping mall collected dozens of stores most famous brands, which nicely showcases are complemented 30-70% holiday discount. A couple hours later, pretty filled up your luggage material assets, settles back into the car and go get acquainted with spiritual values. The latter is true, in Helsinki, not so much. From the viewpoint of the Finnish capital's sights - not the most advanced city in Europe. Parked his car directly at the market square in the port, the benefit of public holidays and weekends parking is free here, we go to the heart of Helsinki - Senate Square in the center of which flaunts established in the late XIX century monument to Russian Emperor Alexander II, and the top of the ladder is crowned by a massive mass Lutheran Duomo - the magnificent building of the Finnish capital. The level of recognition and attraction for tourists from the main cathedral of Helsinki can argue perhaps that Gibraltar of the North - was built in the middle of the XVIII century in one of the coastal islands of the Finnish capital's sea fortress of Suomenlinna, which is now the largest in Suomi collection of museums, parks and gardens. Given the paucity of cultural programs in Helsinki, to limit the scope of a single New Year's trip only in Finland would be unwise. Therefore, even a month before the trip, we booked tickets from Moscow to Helsinki ferry - Stockholm. One-day cruise to Stockholm and back in a four cabin, and carriage car round trip cost just 80 euros per person. On board the ferry - dozens of restaurants, dance floors, saunas, swimming pools, casinos, shops, including duty-free trade. So it will not be bored! Path to the Swedish capital is 16 hours. The next morning, the ferry is moored in a Scandinavian port. In contrast to the Helsinki, Stockholm is truly something to see. One day on the "pillaging" of the city is not too much, and although the presence of vehicles can significantly minimize the time spent on travel to the Swedish capital, the first acquaintance with Stockholm has decided to visit the city hall on the island of Kungsholmen, stroll through the winding streets of old town and a pair of organ concerts in the local cathedrals. Crowning excursion is a visit to the museum "Vasa", which houses the main historical highlight of modern Stockholm - The Swedish warship which sank in 1628 off the coast. Despite three centuries of sleep on the bottom of the Baltic Sea only in 1961, interrupted by the rise to the surface, "Vasa" is in excellent condition and is today the world's only ship such a ripe old age, which have reached us in its original form. Alas, the enchanting view of the handsome wooden XVII century, still has to come off to get back on deck prosaically, comfortable steel ferry Century XXI. But no choice: at exactly 17:00, he will reverse course in Helsinki, from which to begin the path to their homeland in the 1200 km long. Text: Alex boys photo: Alex Guy