Rovaniemi
Lapland is the northernmost province of Finland and the European Union. Lapland’s energetic capital city Rovaniemi is the Europe´s largest town by land area. In Lapland there are approximately 190 000 inhabitants and the indigenous people of Lapland are Saami with population of approximately 7000. In Rovaniemi there are approximately 58 000 inhabitants. The province of Lapland has 17 municipalities and the area represents 30 % prosent of Finland´s total land area.
On the Arctic Circle, approximately 800 km north of Helsinki, at the junction of two great rivers, the Kemijoki and the Ounasjoki, the city which has grown round the Ounasvaara Hill recreation area is a part of nature itself. Lapland’s eight seasons provide the entire region with a wide range of attractive aspects. Lapland is known in Finland for its treeless fells and wildlife. The most famous fells are Saariselkä, Levi, Ylläs, Pyhä-Luosto (ski resorts), Korvatunturi and Halti, the highest fell in Finland. Reindeer, wolves and wolverines are among the best-known animals of Lapland. During the winter of six months there is a lot of snow and sometimes the temperature can drop to –40 ° C. The spring, when the days get longer, is very short. Summers can be very warm with 24 hours of daylight. The distinguishing feature of autumn is the famous autumn colours.
Most of the people work at provate and public services. The largest employers in total in Rovaniemi are e.g. town of Rovaniemi, Lapland Healthcare District, University of Lapland, BRP Finland, and Lappset Group.
Finland´s time zone is GMT+2.
Travel & Transportation
Rovaniemi is easily reachable by plane or by train. There are frequent flights from many European cities to Helsinki, the capital of Finland. From Helsinki to Rovaniemi, the heart of Finnish Lapland, you can take a one hour journey by plane or over night train. Rovaniemi airport is located 10 kilometres north from city and the railway station 1 kilometer distance from city centre.
Organizers make travel arrangements for speakers, other seminar guests are expected to make their travel arrangements by themselves.
If you choose to come to Rovaniemi by plane, please consult
Finnair
Blue 1
The easiest way from airport to hotel is to take Airport taxi, tel. +358 (0) 16 362 222. Taxis are available at the airport when the flight arrives. Airport taxi transports in the city area. Fee 9e/person. Taxi takes more than one customer at the same time.
The other option to arrive to city centre from airport is to take Airport Express (tel. +358 (0) 16 363 222) which is a mini-bus driving to all hotels at the city centre as well as to bus station. Airport Express costs 5 euros/person. Express departs from the airport immediatly after every Finnair flight arrives. Please check your hotel reception about the pick-up time from your hotel back to the airport.
If you choose to come here by train, please consult
VR Ltd. Finnish Railways
From railway station the easiest way to get to hotel is to take a taxi. There are usually taxis waiting when train arrives. In other cases phone number for taxi is +358 (0) 16 106 410.
Accommodation
We have reserved accommodation for the seminar guests in a four star Clarion Hotel Santa Claus located right in the middle of the city centre. The room rates are 69e / single room and 84e / double room. The prices incluce buffet breakfast. Guests will make all the reservations, possible changes to their reservations and cancellations directly to the hotel by themself. When reserving please mention code LEO/CLS09. The organizers arrange accommodation reservations for speakers.
Reservations are made on first come-first served basis. The hotel fees are payable directly to the hotel departure. No deposit is required. The hotel accepts all major credit cards.
Please make your room reservation early enough, there are only limited number of rooms available!
Other accommodation possibilites in Rovaniemi city centre are for example:
Thursday, 24 January 2008
Destination
