finland

[feebletoe1492]

My wife and I are going to lapland ,finland this sunday........two questions 1/ what in the hell should I wear on the plane which will be suitable for travel and arrival? also 2/ anybody know the chances of seeing the northern lights?

[jno]

apparently this is supposed to be a very good year for the northern lights, so you've chosen well. But as to whether you'll get lucky, who knows.

http://www.laplandfin...r/Northern_lights.iw3

[HowardKennitby]

this site might help with climate

http://www.metoffice....helsinkiforecast.html

[feebletoe1492]

thanks guys......not sure what to wear though . could be sweltering on the plane or freezing in the arctic circle

[ethandron]

we're doing a northern lights cruise mid february, purely coincidental that it happens to be a good year for the lights this year as we didn't know when we booked. we have to fly to somewhere in norway to pick up the ship and have a fair few trips ashore booked, so have been wondering much the same myself, about what to wear. think we're going to go for layers which we can take off if/when we get too warm rather than stuff the suitcases full. we both have a padded down jacket thing which we'll be wearing too, along with our walking trainers (not taking walking boots). so for the flight i reckon it'll be jeans, t-shirt, brushed shirt, thin fleece, jacket. lots of thermals, thick socks and gloves in the suitcase.
hope you have a great time and get at least a glimpse of the lights :)

[feebletoe1492]

wow !!!!!! I have got the lot because its a flight straight to lapland with excursions like husky and reindeer sleighing and snowmobiles which I am looking forward too. They provide arctic snow suits for those . But I do appreciate the tips for travelling . Never seen the lights . good luck to you too

[jno]

it'll probably be rather chillier in Ravaniemi than Helsinki - the average *high* in January is 16.7F/-8.5C, and the low is 4.8F/-15.1C

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rovaniemi#Climate

If you've booked a package, the travel company can probably advise.

[HowardKennitby]

If you will be near shops you might be better getting the really cold weather gear when you arrive. I have no idea of prices but this might give you something to go on.

http://www.numbeo.com...t.jsp?country=Finland

[spudqueen]

My cousin and his wife went on Saturday to Norway on a northern lights trip, so I presume there's a fairly good chance of seeing them.

[HowardKennitby]

I can't believe it took me this long to remember this vital piece of information.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pN2ZJBh92SM

[feebletoe1492]

thanks for all that ! love the finland theme song

[slinkycat]

Don't know what to suggest for question 1, but as for question 2, as others have pointed out, its a good year for the Northern Lights, in fact its predicted to be the best its been for 50 years.
I'd be really interested to know how you get on as I'm in the very early stages of planning a holiday somewhere near the Arctic circle this year.

[LDC134]

You will love it :) we went on a very similar trip a few years ago but unfortunately didn't see the Northern Lights. I can't comment on your chance of seeing them, but regarding your q1, you should wear lots of layers, and make sure you have a proper pair of walking / wet weather boots to keep out the cold and ensure your feet stay dry. We bought ours from a specialist shop - they weren't expensive though, around the £ 30 mark and we bought ski coates from TK Maxx and then just borrowed / rented trousers (the specialist shop did clothing rental, and we could have rented boots too - but the boots and jacket have proved long term investments for us) We then saved money buying lightweight fleeces and thermals from Primark. It's not cold on the plabne but it certainly hits you at the airport !

Have a wonderful time.

[feebletoe1492]

thanks for that guys!!!!!!!!! im really praying to see the lights i believe its linked to solar flare activity......there was a bit of that earlier but I will be checking later plus its a new moon which should help. I actually went to tk max yesterday and bought some sunglasses as well . got balaclava,beanie,one of those furry hats which dangle down over ears, two pairs of long john trousers, many thermal tops long an short sleeved (primark) the thermal ones are now half price, trackies, bloody great pair of insulated thermal snow boots,mittens and gloves (waterproof) arctic jacket (matalan). Will listen to advice about what to wear on plane ...need euros, got travel insurance, passports ..check and tickets from transun (at least i think they are tickets) thanks alllllllllll !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[feebletoe1492]

wow what a holiday highly recommended. bloody cold remember to wrap up