Finland is one of the most conveniently accessible destinations. Just a boat ride away is a country many times larger than Estonia, with plenty to discover for the first, second, and tenth time. When planning a family vacation, the option of traveling often plays a big role. We introduce three options: by bicycle, by train, and by minibus.
Cycling to our northern neighbors
To travel by bike in Finland, you don't necessarily have to bring your own two-wheeler. Helsinki has a very smart bike rental network that allows you to approach the city in a new way. If you want to take your cycling further than Helsinki, it's good to remember that southern Finland is almost as flat as Estonia. This means fewer climbs and difficult descents, which means that a bike tour is also affordable for smaller travelers. You can cover a lot more ground by bike than on foot, so when talking about Helsinki, you can see more than just the city center in one day.
For example, Korkeasaari Zoo, which is located on a completely separate island. Therefore, a visit to the zoo is an experience in itself. Another place to visit that would take almost the whole day would be Suomenlinna. A fortress island that you have to take a boat to! But when you get there, you will find platforms with beautiful views, cafes, ice cream kiosks, museums, various walking trails and, of course, the ruins of the fortress. Leikkiluola is an underground playground - a great destination if stormy weather would otherwise ruin your travel day. On a good day, Linnanmäki Amusement Park with its 43 attractions awaits you. And by the way, children up to 5 years old can go on eleven children's rides for free!
By train through Finland
A long bus or car ride can make some children feel nauseous and ruin the trip. That's why many families prefer to take the train whenever possible, and in Finland it's a really good choice. You can move around a little more freely on the train, and many trains also have special play areas to make the train ride go faster. For example, the play area has a slide, a mini train, and a castle where you can dress up as a prince or princess.
You can take the train to almost every corner of Finland: Turku, Joensuu, Kuopio, Kajaani, Oulu, Rovaniemi and more. You can take a bicycle, a pram, a stroller and even a car on the train. Yes, Finnish trains can accommodate cars too! Namely, it is possible to use car trains in Finland – the car is loaded onto the train, there is a beautiful compartment for the passengers and when you reach your destination you can then explore the surroundings and return either on your own or by train again.
Off to Lapland!
Of course, it is most convenient to travel by minibus. You can pack everything you need for your trip into the vehicle while you are already in Estonia and make stops exactly when and where you are interested. And by the way, even northern Finland is accessible without sitting behind the wheel for hours. This can be done using the aforementioned car train. Combining a car and train ride is a good option to avoid driver fatigue and get a little glimpse of the country and reach Rovaniemi almost unnoticed.
One of the main attractions of Northern Finland is definitely Lapland, and Rovaniemi, the home of Santa Claus – a sparsely populated town, but its unique nature and interesting stories make it an exciting place to visit all year round. Yes, Santa Claus's main working hours are in the winter, but a summer visit is also fun.
In addition to Santa Claus, there are reindeer farms in the area where you can get to know the animals that are so characteristic of Lapland. Another favorite place for animal lovers would be a sled dog farm. Although sled dogs also work in the summer, especially hot weather is meant for them to rest. However, you can still get to know the sled dog puppies! Lapland also has a wonderful amethyst mine, where you can get to know the mine and take home some of your own amethyst. For those who want something more golden, the gold village in Tankavaara will be to their liking. You can take home any gold you find while panning!
Of course, it is a very good idea to combine all the options. If you don't have a car, or the travel group is larger than usual, you can rent a suitable minibus from Estonia and pack all your things neatly. In Helsinki, however, you can use the bike service offered by the city to explore. When you have eaten up your appetite in the capital, you can load your car onto a train and head towards another city. When you reach the final station by train, a car offers freedom in making travel plans and deciding where to go and when exactly to start your return journey.
You can rent a minibus for your trip. www.rendibuss.ee