Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
( 016-258-878;
www.visitkemi.fi
;4hr cruise €270; cruises mid-Dec-mid-Apr, summer 10am-2pm
Tue-Sat late Jun-late Aug)
This retired ice-breaker runs memorable, though overpriced, excursions. The four-hour
cruise includes a meal and ice-swimming in special drysuits. For extra cost you can choose
to approach and leave the ship on snowmobiles (reindeer visit included). The best experi-
ence is when the ice is thickest, usually March. Book well in advance. Note that kids under
12 aren't allowed to do the ice-swimming part.
Departures are from Ajos Harbour, 11km south of Kemi; transportation costs extra. The
Sampo
is out to pasture here in summer. You can visit the boat (€10; 10am to 2pm) but it's
just not the same without the crunching of the ice.
Sleeping & Eating
In summer the best place for a drink and a snack is down by the water, where old wooden
warehouses and a boat bar make lively and picturesque places to eat and drink.
Hotelli Palomestari
HOTEL
( 016-257-117;
www.hotellipalomestari.com
;
Valtakatu 12;s/d €94/129; )
The 'fire chief' is a block south and one west of the train and bus stations on a pedestrian
street, and offers friendly service and decent rooms with trademark Finnish furniture, in-
cluding a desk and sofa. There's also a bar downstairs with outside seating. It's signific-
antly better value on weekends and in summer.
Lumihotelli
SNOW HOTEL
( 016-258-878;
www.visitkemi.fi
;s/d/ste €190/320/350; late Jan-early Apr; )
The snow hotel's interior temperature is -5°C, but a woolly sheepskin and sturdy sleeping
bag keep you warm(ish) atop the ice bed. There are also 'Olokolo' sleeping pods with a
transparent ceiling for aurora-watching. In the morning you can thaw out in the sauna of a
nearby hotel. It's cheaper midweek.
Information
Tourist Office
TOURIST INFORMATION
