Arctic events

Transcription

Arctic events

Ouluis on!
Oulu region - Arctic Gateway
Arctic events
- energetic
& unique
Freezing fuiesn
it
- winter activ
n
in oulu regio
One of the smartest cities in the world – oulu, finland
SHOPP
ING IN
OULU
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Table of
Oulu - the Capital of Northern Scandinavia
contents
Welcome to Oulu.................................................... 3
A smooth journey to the Oulu region.................... 4
The freedom of a rental.......................................... 5
Wintry Northern landscapes and Arctic ice trips....6
Skate or classic?...................................................... 8
Rotua ri
Piknik
The king of mass-start ski races............................ 9
A gateway to northern activities........................... 10
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Arctic ice trips......................................................... 12
The world’s fastest man on ice............................. 13
Syöte is a skier’s paradise..................................... 14
The winter’s coolest adventure is at Rokua......... 16
An active and relaxing holiday at Ukkohalla...... 18
The world of wellness and pampering .............. 20
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A hot and cold wellness mix................................ 22
Cultural delights in the Oulu region.................... 24
Welcome
to Oulu
Music to heat up the winter................................. 26
New Year’s Eve – let us entertain you!................ 28
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Highlights from the winter event calendar......... 29
The best in indoor activities................................. 30
Ice sports in the Oulu region................................. 31
Nature’s spring exhibition.................................... 32
High-flying adventure .......................................... 33
Northern nature favours the early bird............... 34
Your lodgings are surrounded by activities........ 35
A region full of flavour.......................................... 36
Arctic tastes in Northern cuisine...........................37
Nightlife in the Oulu region.................................. 38
Shopping in Oulu.................................................. 39
Service directory..................................................... 41
One of the smartest cities in the world............... 42
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Publisher:
Travel Marketing Oulu Ltd
Layout & editorial content:
Pohjolan Mylly
www.mylly.fi
Edition:
5000 copies
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Printed in:
Painotalo Seiska Oy
V
ibrant Oulu is a gateway to
the unique nature of the
North and the urban beat
of the city. Here, a modern business
and travel city meets the exotic calm
of the North.
In the Oulu region, you can smoothly combine an urban holiday with
diverse activities in the region. The
winter nature provides opportunities for motor sledding, skiing,
downhill skiing, and other winter
sports.
You can also experience the ice road
to Hailuoto island, or test the frigid
waters with a dip through a hole in
the ice. Read more on these and
other activities over the following
pages. Pleasant reading!
Oulu is on! - www.ouluon.fi
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Syöte
Yli-Ii
Ii
Ukkohalla
Haukipudas
Kiiminki
Hailuoto
Oulunsalo
Oulu
Oulu
Muhos
Raahe
Helsinki
Oulu region
is filled with
fascinating
destinations.
Liminka
Kalajoki
Rokua
Keskipiste
Vuokatti
Stockholm
Copenhagen
n
io
g
e
r
lu
u
O
e
h
t
A smooth journey to
T
he numerous daily flights to
the second-busiest airport in
Finland will take you to the
Oulu region in a heartbeat. There are
direct flights to Oulu Airport from
Helsinki, Stockholm, and Copenhagen, providing excellent connections to the rest of Europe.
Dozens of flights land daily at the
Oulu Airport. The flight to our region will go smoothly on board Finnair, Blue1 or Norwegian.
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Your introduction to Oulu is
guaranteed to be a pleasant one,
since the Oulu Airport welcomes
its guests pleasantly and provides
diverse services for the traveller.
Your airport experience will be
swift and easy, thanks to quick and
efficient security checks, effortless
restaurant and shopping services,
and great parking.
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a
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a
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The freedom
T
he Oulu region is filled with
fascinating destinations for
trips and visits, which are
easy to reach with a rental car. For
example, the skiing slopes of Syöte
and Ukkohalla, the wellness services
at Rokua, and the Vuokatti holiday
resort are all only a few hours’ drive
away.
Once you arrive at the airport,
just grab your luggage and head for
the rental points in the arrivals hall.
This might be a good occasion to re-
plenish your store of energy after the
flight, so why not enjoy the café and
restaurant services at the airport?
And the next thing you know, you
will be setting out towards your destination in a high-quality rental – in
complete freedom.
If you are not yet familiar with the
roads in the Oulu region, the navigator in your rental car will show you
the best routes and give a few pointers on destinations along the way.
A fleet of cars for your needs
Rental service providers in the Oulu region
include Avis, Europcar, Hertz and Sixt. Their
selection of vehicles is extensive, affording
you the choice between nimble city cars
and larger minivans or SUVs.
www.avis.fi
www.europcar.fi
www.hertz.fi
www.sixt.fi
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Wintry Northern landscapes
and Arctic ice trips
I
n winter, the people of the Oulu
region enjoy the purity of the
white blanket of snow and the
atmospheric lighting and quiet of
the polar night. The winter temperatures that can fall to -30 °C form
a bearing crust of ice on the water,
providing opportunities for real
Arctic adventures.
In winter, the sea ice carries skiers,
ice fishers, tour skaters and many
others, even cars!
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The king of
mass-start
ski races
Nearly a
thousand skiers
participate each
year.
A true crosscountry
experience.
Pin your number on and get on
the ski course, whether your style
Skate or classic?
– cross-country skiing in the Oulu region
Cross-country skiers have a wealth of routes to pick from the Oulu region’s trail map:
there are hundreds of kilometres of trail to ski, both on land and on the ice.
I
n Oulu, you can set out right
from the city centre, seamlessly
combining shopping with a few
laps of cross-country. Change into
ski boots from your high heels in
the Raksila exercise area and do a
few laps.
A true cross-country experience is
available on the trails a bit further
from the centre. The specialty of
the Oulu region are the sea trails,
which take the skier across the
frozen surface of the sea. You need
not fear too many slopes on the sea
trails, for there is even trail as far as
the eye can see on the ice. You can
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ski to the Liminka Bay Visitor Centre, for example, right across the sea
ice from Oulu, for a delicious coffee
and cake.
Take to the trail
from your doorstep
The profile of the Virpiniemi track,
a twenty-minute drive from the
bustle of the city centre, will begin
to challenge you with its inclines.
More uphill and downhill practice
can be had at the resorts of Syöte,
Vuokatti, Rokua, and Ukkohalla,
where the ski trails frequently start
from the doorstep of your accommodation.
If your lodgings happen to be located at the highest point in the
immediate vicinity, the outward
journey will begin with a relaxed
descent by some beautiful scenery.
Do remember, however, that when
you go downhill, you are going to
have to come up again.
Thanks to the versatile selection of
terrain and routes, you can devise a
skiing trip providing different challenges and experiences each day. The
many lean-tos and “kota” huts along
the ski trails afford comfortable resting stops.
is skate or classic. On 9 March,
the world’s oldest annual mass-start ski race, the Tervahiihto,
will be held for the 124th time on the sunny spring snows of Oulu.
T
he first Tervahiihto was held
in 1889, on the sea ice in the
spirit of the times, the course
being 30 verst long, a distance of
approximately 32 kilometres. The
name ‘Tervahiihto’ is rooted in the
times when the Oulu region was
a tar export power in the 19th century. The courses in the Tervahiihto, which profiled itself as a longdistance race from the start, have
been close to 100 kilometres long
at their best. Nowadays, you need
to wax your skis with a race of 33 or
65 kilometres in mind.
“Nearly a thousand skiers in both
the skate and classic categories participate each year in the Tervahiihto,
organised by the Oulu Skiing Club.
The Tervahiihto has long traditions
and requires a great amount of teamwork to organise, and it is notable
event among the many winter and
skiing events organised in the Oulu
region. Every year, skiers give positive
feedback on the course and the event
in general,” says the competition
manager of Tervahiihto, Veikko Anttonen with satisfaction in his voice.
Sunny weather, courses in good
condition, and pleasant company on
the course, what more could a skier
want? The event is a part of the Euroloppet series of competitions and
has been noted in international skiing circles, so international visitors
have also featured in the start lists of
Tervahiihto in recent years.
The importance
of kilometres
You need not take the Tervahiihto
too seriously, since those in the open
series tend to approach the competition in a jolly skiing trip spirit. However, the competition for victory is
fierce in the competition series.
“The best long-distance skiers in
Finland compete in the competition series, but in the open series
skiers primarily compete against
themselves. The event is also a social one, where skiers can meet their
skiing friends and rivals from over
the years,” says Anttonen.
The purpose of the Tervahiihto is
also to draw attention to the general
well-being of people and the importance of regular exercise. Entering
the Tervahiihto gives people a good
reason to take to the trails, because
no-one wants to do a 30–60 kilometre course without some prior
practice.
“Crossing the finish line is an unbelievable moment. After the finish
line, every skier is preoccupied with
the same question: did I do well, can
I do better next year?” says Anttonen
with a laugh, having tried some
mass-starts in his day.
Try it out for yourself!
www.tervahiihto.fi
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Week
programmes
The best way to acquaint yourself
with Northern activities is through a
week programme. Individual tourists can participate in these guided
activities, and most excursions are
suitable for children. The Go Arctic! week programme is valid until
the spring snows; further information is available at www.goarctic.fi.
Resorts also have their own week
programmes, detailed on their own
websites.
A visit to
a husky
kennel.
www.goarctic.fi
www.rokua.com
www.syote.fi
www.ukkohalla.fi
www.vuokatti.fi
A gateway to
northern activities
T
he winter in the Oulu region,
where snow is guaranteed, is
full of adventure to be experienced at the reins of a dog or reindeer sled, for example. Considerable
horsepower also churns the snows
coloured by the polar night and the
aurora borealis.
Travelling with a husky sled
A visit to a husky kennel will melt the
heart of the most dour of northern
farmers. The small and cuddly puppies make for jovial company, but the
most fantastic experiences await on
sled rides pulled by adult dogs.
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There are dog sled riders of various durations on offer, from a couple of hours to an overnight trip.
Every dog sled safari begins with
getting to know the passengers,
however, since who would take a
total stranger to see the finest views
in the area?
Once the dogs have been harnessed for the trip, it is time to once
more go over the instructions given
by your guide on steering a dog sled.
A pure white winter landscape, a dog
sled racing across it, and you at the
reins – a combination definitely
worth experiencing. Should you
so wish, you can also enjoy the ride
with a driver.
Steering a dog sled is easy, but
good exercise, so an open fire coffee break or some tasty food while
enjoying the atmosphere of a wilderness “kota” makes for a nice addition
to the programme.
The thrill of horsepower
Close your visor and get going! There
is sledding for days in the Oulu region. The sled routes criss-crossing
the snowy hills, even forest roads
and the ice on the bay will take you
to your destination in a swirl of snow.
You can sled by yourself in the
Oulu region, on a rented sled, for
example, but there are also motor
sled safaris that offer fabulous sledding experiences to choose from.
Programme service companies offer
diverse expedition packages, where
you can take a dip in the sea through
a hole in the ice, enjoy the heat of a
sauna, or eat a delicious supper
while reminiscing on the curves in
the day’s sled route, to mention a few
possibilities.
Motor sleds pack considerable horsepower, but travel goes
smoothly with just one horse as
well. Horseback treks into the
surrounding nature let you get acquainted with the area at a slightly more sedate pace. Treks are
planned according to the skill of
participants, so prior riding experience is not required.
A reindeer farm visit is fun for
the entire family
Reindeer, which are an inseparable
part of life in the North, are a familiar sight in the landscape of Syöte,
for instance. The best way to get to
know these lichen-munching antlerheads is a visit to a reindeer farm,
where you can also experience a
reindeer ride in winter.
A reindeer farm visit is an excellent trip for the entire family, since
there is plenty to see for everyone,
regardless of age. The eyes of the
little ones will light up when they see
the life of a reindeer farm and touch
the rough fur of a reindeer. Slightly
older children will be guaranteed to
enjoy an exotic reindeer sleigh ride,
while the stories of the host on life
at a reindeer farm and the habits of
reindeer will be vividly remembered
by the parents.
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Arctic ice trips
You need
to respect
speed.
An excellent
trip for the entire
family.
T
he nature of the North provides plenty to do on a winter holiday’s day. Slip iceskate blades under your shoes and
head out to the tour skating track
ploughed on the sea ice. Bring a
backpack loaded with snacks and
enjoy a new experience, courtesy of
Finland’s unique nature. And if ice
skating is not your thing, you can
also experience the track by walking.
Vacationers with a need for speed
will enjoy a motor sled ride. The
fast winter vehicle is well-suited for
driving on the ice in addition to the
many forest tracks. It is worth your
while to stop at the nearby islands,
such as Hailuoto, on your way. And
if you find the right spot, why not
stop for some ice fishing? The programme service guides, who know
the area like their own pockets, will
advise you on the best fishing spots.
Kiteboarding offers a taste of the
truly exotic. In this winter sport,
the wind carries you and your kite
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along on skis or a board, like sailing
on the ice. This sport can be sampled
on lake or sea ice, fields, or fells. You
should first familiarise yourself with
the technique at one of the many
kiteboarding courses on offer in the
Oulu region.
The world’s fastest man on ice
A
race track on the sea ice
and 331.61 kilometres per
hour on the speedometer.
In March 2011, off the coast of Oulu,
Nokian Tyres test driver Janne
Laitinen broke the world speed record for driving on ice.
Laitinen, who has been the Nokian Tyres test driver for more than 20
years, has had an exciting career that
has taken him to the most extreme
conditions around the world.
In the spring of 2011, the testing site was located off the coast of
Oulu, and the platform was a 14-kilometre ice track ploughed open on
the ice. The thermometer read -5 °C
and the weather was sunny, but very
windy. The result of the day’s testing
was set down in the history books,
as Laitinen broke the world speed
record for driving on ice.
– The test day was truly unique,
regarding the event and conditions
both. The ice track was exceptionally
Take the ice road
to the largest island
on the Bay of Bothnia
An island full of adventure, the frozen sea, and a car ride – what a brilliant combination for a day off! The
Hailuoto island off Oulu welcomes
visitors in winter by a genuine ice
road.
The journey to the largest island
on the Bay of Bothnia consists of
seven kilometres of sheer adventure, with your car cruising along
on the ice at 50 kilometres per hour
with the sea below. Please remember to maintain a safe distance to
other drivers, since the road really
is icy.
slippery and the final leg was quite
uneven, making my helmet hit the
roof from time to time. Water had
also seeped onto the ice in places,
Laitinen recounts the conditions on
the record-breaking day.
Test drives in extreme conditions
are always conducted on closed
tracks. Nokian Tyres has its own
testing centre in northernmost
Finland, in Ivalo, but on the day
of the world record, the company
sought out extreme conditions on
the ice track prepared off the coast
of Oulu.
– During the course of the day, we
tested the performance of the tyres
under extreme conditions, which
also afforded the opportunity to try
and break the world record. Achieving a record speed requires a perfect
performance, where perfect technology meets the perfect natural conditions, says Laitinen.
Respect for
extreme conditions
At top speeds, tyres are subjected to
immense forces and their diameter
is stretched by several millimetres.
It goes without saying then, that the
tyres played a crucial role in the record drive. The record was broken
with Nokian Hakkapeliitta 7 studded tyres.
When the car is going at more
than 330 km/h, it means travelling
more than 92 metres in one second.
How does that kind of speed feel on
an ice track?
– The topmost emotions are exhilaration and deep respect. Nevertheless, I didn’t have time to think
about anything else than keeping
the car under control while driving.
You need to respect speed, since
the car is constantly on the verge
of spinning, says the record man
Laitinen, remembering his achievement.
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Syöte offers
fantastic settings
for safaris.
I
so-Syöte, chosen as the best ski
resort in Finland in 2012 by the
Finnish Ski Area Association,
and Pikku-Syöte together constitute
the all-year tourist centre of Syöte,
located approximately 140 km from
Oulu and particularly favoured by
the piste-people.
On winter mornings, a crowd
of skiers take the SkiBus from the
Oulu city centre for the exhilarating
curves on the snowy slopes of Syöte.
The bus instantly comes alive with
the buzz of conversation created by
day-tripping skiers and families off
for a few days’ holiday.
The resort’s hotels, cabins and
apartments are located right
amongst the slopes, so you can
travel without a car perfectly well.
The services and activities are also
clustered within easy reach around
the ski centre.
SYÖTE
is a skier’s paradise
The southernmost fell region in Finland, Syöte, offers an
extensive range of diverse activities for tourists.
An abundance of slopes
There are roughly 25 slopes to
choose from at Syöte. The piste map
of Iso-Syöte features steeper slopes
with more bends, perfect if you’re
looking for a wilder ride, while
Pikku-Syöte is the favoured skiing
haunt of families.
SnowPark in Iso-Syöte is a popular skiing and shooting spot, where
the best skiers in the world have
filmed their snowboarding and skiing stunts. To the delight of avid
tricksters, the slopes have been expanded further in recent years. The
boxes, rails, and pipe in the Syöte
Central Park in Pikku-Syöte provide
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a wealth of options for some snowy
trickery.
Syöte is an excellent place to familiarise yourself with life on the
slopes, since there are plenty of
long and gentle inclines for you to
practise your turns, with a skiing instructor if you wish. The Children’s
Snowland is a fun place for the entire
family, providing a safe way to get
initiated into the secrets of downhill skiing and boarding. And when
you need a bit of a break from your
skis and boots, you and the children
can let off some steam on the sled
hill. You can also take a break from
the slopes to say hello to Musti and
Lysti, real live reindeer living in the
Children’s Snowland!
The thrill of the ice track
The wilderness around Syöte offers
a fantastic setting for safaris, such
as the motor sled and snow buggy
safaris, on which the true beauty
and grandeur of Northern nature
are revealed. Snow-shoe hikes and
cross-country skiing are also popular winter activities at Syöte.
You can satisfy your need for
speed at the Naamanka motor
sports centre, where you can legally
hit the pedal to your heart’s content.
The ice track lets you experience the
thrill of driving a race car safely under the direction of the centre’s staff.
After a few practice laps, it’s time to
see who among you is the race car
champion.
www.syote.fi
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Kickstart
your fitness
renovation.
The wintry
landscapes of
Rokua.
The winter’s coolest adventure
Active relaxation
is at Rokua
T
he Rokua area is a veritable
treasure trove for the natureloving traveller, since it is a
part of Finland’s first and the world’s
northernmost Geopark area. In winter, the terrain moulded by the ice
age is covered under a blanket of
snow, opening the door for a multitude of winter activities.
The area of Rokua Geopark, belonging to a UNESCO-protected
network of unique geological sites,
is criss-crossed by hundreds of ki-
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lometres of skiing trails, and skiing equipment can be hired from
the hotel. Due to the nature of the
terrain, brisk ascents alternate with
fast-paced descents, but there are
more level courses available as well.
Many nice resting places dot the
sides of the trails, providing the opportunity to rest for a while and have
a bite to eat.
Guided snowshoe safaris are also
available in the wintry landscapes
of Rokua. Snowshoes distribute the
Extreme sports are also available
at Rokua. The most cool-headed
winter travellers will want to test
the wildest of winter activities – ice
diving. Yes, it means diving under
the sea ice to explore life under the
winter seas. This activity does require prior experience of diving, so
participants must have successfully
completed a scuba-diving course.
If the idea of ice diving feels a little
too exotic for you, you can always
dive into slightly warmer waters.
The Rokua health & spa baths contain several pools to splash in. If you
take lodgings at the spa hotel, you
can walk to the pools in your robe
straight from your room.
Take a plunge into the pool section’s fitness pool to get some exercise, or slip into the relaxing pool to
enjoy some massaging bubbles, for
example. The spa windows provide
walker’s weight on an area much
larger than his or her foot, allowing
the snow to bear the walker. The
guide will give you a little refresher
on your snowshoe technique before
you set off, so that you can concentrate on enjoying the landscapes
during the safari. This easy, safe
and environmentally friendly sport
is a fantastic way to exercise, for children as well.
a beautiful view of the nature surrounding Rokua.
Rokua’s wellness services can also
kickstart your fitness renovation.
The resort’s diverse exercise and
testing services will challenge you
to take charge of your own fitness
and well-being.
Enjoy the food at Rokua
At Rokua, the pampering will continue uninterrupted as you move
from the treatments to the dinner
table. The spa hotel’s Á la carte menu
offers locally produced delicacies,
and organic food features prominently on the menu.
Local delicacies offered by the restaurant include mushrooms, berries,
vegetables, and fish. The restaurant’s
kitchen follows the seasons by using
in-season ingredients as diversely as
possible.
www.rokua.com
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One of the
snowiest areas
in Finland.
A cavalcade
of winter
experiences.
Have an active and relaxing
holiday at Ukkohalla
T
he village milieu of the Ukkohalla holiday home village is
located on the slopes of Kainuu’s most majestic hills, by the shore
of a lake. The holiday home village
is surrounded by ancient, primeval
forest. All of the nearly 300 holiday
homes in the area are located in the
immediate vicinity of the resort, just
a walking distance from the pistes
and services.
The Ukkohalla service centre
comprises the seven-sauna Hallan
Saaga sauna world, a spa, wellness
centre, Day Spa and the Saaga Restaurant. Ukkohalla Chalets, the new
apartment hotel just finished next to
the sauna world, offers high-quality
apartments right at the heart of the
services.
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The holiday home village has been
developed with respect for the surrounding nature. The tap water
comes from Ukkohalla’s own spring,
and holidaymakers will not need a
car, since the area has been built as
a compact whole.
Ukkohalla ranks among the snowiest areas in Finland, and winter vacationers will enjoy metre-high drifts
and marvel at the beautiful snowcovered trees. Ukkohalla boasts 17
skiing slopes and more than 150 kilometres of ski trails. The well-managed
and marked trails criss-cross the Ukkohalla area, so skiers will be treated
to one beautiful, hilly vista after the
other. The network of trails is suitable for both classic and skate skiing.
There are suitable trails for skiers of
all skill levels, from beginner to aficionado to professional athlete. The
rest stops by the trails afford the opportunity to take a break and enjoy
your packed lunch in the majestic
quiet of the winter nature. In the
autumn of 2012, an approximately
1.8-kilometre virgin snow trail will
be opened at Ukkohalla.
Ukkohalla features skiing slopes
of various level and difficulty, challenging first-timers and grizzled
alpine veterans alike. Three parks
are available for tricksters: the Junnupark, Halla Park and Treeride,
whose jumps and rails will entice
you to test your limits. Ukkohalla is
guaranteed to have snow every year,
and the alpine season continues until late spring.
Jump right into
pampering treatments from
your activities
In addition to cross-country and
alpine skiing, you can motor sled
on the more than 500 kilometres of
routes in the area, snowshoe, or visit
the husky ranches in the vicinity.
You can partake of all these activities either independently or under
the direction of a guide.
There are plenty of curves in the
Ajohalla test driving track, where
you can safely experience driving
in slippery conditions. While skidding about, you will pick up some
valuable insights on controlling and
handling your vehicle in winter conditions.
Sometimes, having a perfect vacation day requires nothing more than
an unhurried, relaxing moment, or a
bit of sprucing-up of your everyday
look. The Halla Day Spa will balance out your activity-filled days
with relaxing pampering and beauty
services, while the Day Spa Fitness
Club will entice you to exercise with
its diverse gym and various indoor
ball courts. The Hallan Saaga spa
and sauna world pampers holidaymakers with heat all year round.
Fun and experiential events
The events at Ukkohalla serve up a
cavalcade of experience. The winter’s most intriguing event is the
Snow Soccer World Championships, held on 2–3 February, where
1,000 players compete for the title
on snowy pitches.
As the name says, the tournament
is played in deep snow, providing
challenging conditions and wild,
frozen fun. To win requires team
work, stamina, and determination,
and it won’t hurt if you can play football. If the sport tickles your fancy,
you are welcome to play football at
Ukkohalla in the summer as well.
The largest and most international
summer event at Ukkohalla is the
Swamp Soccer World Championships, where more than 5,000 players contest the championship in six
series.
Welcome to Ukkohalla, the Kingdom of Well-Being.
www.ukkohalla.fi
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We can offer
fresh air, peace
and quiet.
P
eace and harmony feature
on the wishlist of more and
more travellers today as they
weigh the pros and cons of destinations.
“In recent years, the popularity of
wellness and pampering services has
grown visibly. People want to spend
money on services and well-being
instead of on material things, which
is also evident in the growing popularity of programme and experience services,” says Heli Kaikkonen,
CEO of Rokua Health & Spa.
People come to Finland and the
Oulu region in search of genuine
and different experiences.
“The closeness of nature has a
strong influence on the selection
and themes of wellness services.
We can offer fresh air, peace and
quiet; things that many people living in big cities cannot enjoy every
day. In Finland, you can also move
freely and do activities in the forests
thanks to the right of public access.
With respect to pampering services,
saunas and peat treatments are particularly in demand among foreign
travellers,” says Kaikkonen.
Pampering and wellness holidays are nowadays strongly identified with storytelling, which has
increased the popularity of package
holidays.
“People are more interested than
before in the background of the region, and in its activities, wellness
services and treatments. There is
also more interest in the origin and
preparation methods of food served
in restaurants. This challenges the
providers of wellness and pampering
The world of wellness
and pampering
Experience, discover, and hike in Finland’s pristine nature. Relax in the
quiet fold of nature and enjoy the power of pampering treatments. The
wellness and pampering services in the Oulu region are without compare.
20
services to invest in better and more
diverse services,” says Kaikkonen.
A break from the hectic routines of everyday life
The hurried rhythm of modern life
makes ever increasing numbers of
travellers choose wellness and pampering holidays. People come to the
Oulu region in search of wellness
services particularly from Germany, the Netherlands, and Russia, but
also from Japan and the rest of Asia.
“People want to get away from
their everyday lives and take their
minds off things for a while. Many
couples want to invest in their time
together, and retired people look to
exercise and wellness activities to
occupy their time. You can also take
a wellness holiday all by yourself,”
says Kaikkonen.
Wellness holidays are not only for
adults – there are plenty of things for
children to experience as well.
“Entire families take wellness
holidays here at Rokua. The unique
nature of Rokua Geopark fascinates
children, but their parents may not
be able to answer all of the questions it excites in them. Children can
learn about nature in a whole new
way with a planned programme and
professional guide,” says Kaikkonen.
The goal of wellness and pampering services is crystal clear.
“In my opinion, the most important thing about wellness and pampering services is that customers feel
better when they leave for home,”
says Kaikkonen, boiling down the
fundamental basics of wellness and
pampering.
21
A hot and cold
wellness mix
I
t is time to relax. Start your day
with a proper breakfast and set
out to enjoy the fresh air and outdoor activities. And for a true taste
of luxury, finish your day by relaxing
with some pampering treatments.
Wellness and pampering are not
all girl power; there are also plenty
of masculine options to choose
from. A couple treatment is a nice
way to be initiated into the mysteries
of pampering, since you can enjoy
the treatments with your partner.
Starting your fitness renovation is
also more fun to do together.
Of the treatment packages on offer, the hot stone massage is particularly worth trying. Being massaged
with warm stones is not only relaxing, but really effective as well, since
your muscles will warm up from the
hot stones, giving the massage an extra kick.
In addition to the multitude of
facial and pedicure treatments, the
exotic peat treatments on offer de-
22
A true taste
of luxury.
serve mention. The additive-free
peat used in the treatments will
rejuvenate your metabolism and
treat your skin. Peat masks, baths
and other treatments are available
in the Oulu region. After being subjected to the harsh winds of winter,
your skin will certainly enjoy these
refreshing treatments.
Well-being through a healthy
lifestyle
A fitness renovation is easy to combine with a holiday in the Oulu region. If you feel like changing your
lifestyle or your exercise programme
needs an update, you might want to
choose Rokua health & spa, with
its multitude of wellness and fitness
services, as your destination.
At Rokua, you can get used to
your new exercise programme and
lifestyle, free from the distractions
of everyday life. You can start exercising under the direction of your
own personal trainer at Rokua and
continue the programme at home,
under the supervision of the same
trainer. The Oulu region is known
for its advanced technology, so communication will be easily carried out
through electronic means.
Cool ice swimming
and hot saunas
To most Finns, the sauna is the best
place in the world, so the heat of a
sauna is an integral part of pampering. The warmth of a sauna will help
your muscles and mind relax after
a day spent on the skiing trails, for
example.
The selection of different types of
sauna in the Oulu region is extensive: traditional sauna, steam sauna,
smoke sauna, beach sauna, Russian
banya, infrared sauna – the list goes
on and on. The Finns truly are sauna
mad! The Hallan Saaga in Ukkohalla offers an entire sauna world to
bathe through. First-timers would
do well to start carefully and sit on
the lowest benches, only gradually
moving up towards the heat of the
highest seats.
It is customary to cool off in between throwing water on the hot
stones by taking a cool shower, or
even a dip in the freezing water
through a hole in the ice. A quick
dip into the frigid waters and skedaddle back into the sauna – that
is the recipe for a successful ice
swim. And why do Finnish people
willingly plunge into the ice-cold
water? You have to experience the
sensation of well-being that takes
over after a little dip to believe it.
So, be brave and experience the refreshing power of frigid water and
Northern nature!
More information
on wellness and
pampering services:
www.rokua.com
www.ukkohalla.fi
www.sokoshotels.fi
23
Oulu Music Festival 2012: Pyörteitä, Photo: Vili Kellokumpu
The touch of
rock´n´roll
and arctic
events.
T
he Oulu region is the gateway
to the Arctic North, which
makes for an interesting
combination of history, culture and
nature. Oulu combines the diverse
offering of events and happenings of
a modern technology hub with the
calm and purity of the North. And
when you add a touch of rock’n’roll,
the cultural offerings just couldn’t
get any better.
The city’s museums and art galleries contain plenty to see all year
round, presenting fascinating stories from the history of the Oulu
region and intriguing perspectives
on works of art.
Oulu is also a strongly musical
city, as witnessed by the listing of
concerts and events. The Oulu Music Festival in March features everything from chamber concerts to
rock opera and rhythm music. The
city’s gnarly rock club, Club Teatria,
often hosts international stars and
top bands.
Naturally, the Arctic nature also
features in the events in the Oulu
region. The Ukkohalla travel resort
hosts the annual Snow Soccer World
Championships, and yes, the game
really is played in deep snow. In
early spring, you might even spot a
reindeer-drawn sleigh in the urban
landscape.
Cultural delights in
the Oulu region
24
25
Oulu Music Festival 2012: Pyörteitä, Photo: Vili Kellokumpu
The
Oulu Music Festival 2012: Ice Music, Photo: Riku Turkki
Oulu
Music
Festival
10–28 March 2013
High-quality
musical
experiences in
Oulu region.
Artistic Director Jaakko Kuusisto,
Photo: Jonas Lundqvist
Music to heat up
the winter
T
he Oulu Music Festival brings
Finnish and international
artists to the Oulu region
in March. The programme of new
Artistic Director Jaakko Kuusisto
includes the Jesus Christ Superstar
rock opera, stage premieres, chamber concerts and a diverse selection
of rhythm music – a smorgasbord of
quality treats for those with a taste
for music.
26
Close to the audience
Holy Week at Club Teatria
Kuusisto, a distinguished conductor and composer, has built the programme of the Oulu Music Festival
from near and dear productions.
“In planning the programme, the
most important thing is to keep
abreast of current phenomena. You
can’t build concerts around individual themes in a festival of this size;
rather, you have to create high-quality musical experiences for a variety
of audiences.”
The municipal amalgamation of
2013 will be evident in concerts
being organised in the municipalities to be joined to Oulu and
events will be taken to institutions.
“It is our task to take music to where
the people are,” says Kuusisto.
In addition, master classes in
the violin, viola, cello , and rhythm
music will be held for the first
time in the history of the festival.
“The purpose of the master classes is
to give young musicians the opportunity to develop under the tutelage
of internationally renowned musicians and mingle with the masters,”
says Kuusisto.
The Oulu Music Festival reaches
its climax in Holy Week with the
Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim
Rice cult rock opera, Jesus Christ
Superstar, first produced on Broadway in 1971. The other hits of Webber, recipient of an Oscar and three
Grammys, include the musicals Cats
and Phantom of the Opera.
Jesus Christ Superstar will be
performed twice in the original
English at Club Teatria. The opera
stars Hannu Lepola (Jesus), Sami
Hintsanen (Judas), Saara Aalto
(Mary Magdalene), Tuukka Haapaniemi (Caiaphas), Marzi Nyman
(Herod) and Anssi Valikainen (Pilate). Oulu Sinfonia will perform
the music in the piece, and other
performers include the dance group
of the show dance students of Oulu
University of Applied Sciences, and
a 60-person mixed choir and vocal
group assembled from the students
of music schools and members of local choirs. A total of more than 160
performers will take the stage!
The Nordic Music On Top Jazz
Festival, spreading into various
spaces around Oulu, will also be
held in connection with the Oulu
Music Festival. Strong women will
perform at Club Teatria, when
the radiant Jo Stance and the undisputed queen of African music,
Angelique Kidjo, take to the stage
together with the Norrbotten Big
Band. The three stages in the Oulu
City Theatre will be booked full
with diverse line-ups and a wide selection of rhythm musicians will entertain you in the city’s nightclubs.
The Festival is a meeting place for
musicians native to the Cap of the
North, where Finnish, Swedish, and
Norwegian performers and cultural
producers can mingle and network.
“I was particularly enamoured
with the JAZZhouse concept executed in the 2010 Oulu Music
Festival, where the audience could
roam the premises of the Oulu City
Theatre and enjoy the music of diverse line-ups. It’s fantastic that this
event can be organised once more,”
says Peter Hauptmann, Project
Manager of Music On Top.
The Oulu Music Festival 10–28
March 2013. More details available
at www.omj.fi
27
Highlights from
the winter event calendar
The Oulu region offers a diverse selection of engaging events.
A wide
variety of
artists.
Some of the gems of this winter’s event calendar are presented below.
Music is the
universal
language.
New Year’s Eve
– let us entertain you!
The New Year’s party and show put on by the Rio Theatre and Sokos Hotel
Arina will dazzle Oulu residents and visitors alike with its glamour.
T
he memorable celebration, featuring brilliant musicians and
artists, will begin at the Sokos
Hotel Arina, where a delicious dinner will be served. After dinner, the
evening continues at the Rio Theatre, where the next few hours will
take you on a musical tour through
the decades. Anastasia Trizna and
Regina Shevakova – talented singers
and actors both – shine as the stars
of the show.
The New Year’s party will see
the premiere of a fabulous musical
show to be enjoyed by all, regardless of age or native language.
“Music is the universal language,
28
so we will play songs in English,
Finnish and Russian. The evening
is above all a musical show and concert, but some theatrics will also
be involved,” says Trizna, who will
take the stage on New Year’s Eve.
The music of Frank Sinatra, Ella
Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, the Beatles and ABBA will be heard during
the evening, without forgetting the
top hits of today.
“We have selected both internationally known songs and
some less well-known gems for
the programme. Classics from
Russian movies of the 20s, allout rock’n’roll, and modern pop
will all make an appearance,” says
Trizna of the concert’s diverse programme.
The women fronting the band at
the Rio Theatre have a long history
of performing together.
“We studied music and theatre
together in St Petersburg, and have
performed together often since
then. By the way, Regina is a fantastic rock singer, with a tremendous
voice for jazz as well,” says Trizna
and welcomes all friends of good
music to see the show.
www.teatteririo.fi
www.sokoshotels.fi
A rocker’s joint
– Club Teatria
A choice for the entire family
– the Reindeer Carnival
The gnarly rock club Teatria will
host an imposing amount of stage
presence over the winter. On 20
December, the walls of the former
industrial hall will buckle with the
power of hard rock, as Swedish
group Europe lands in Oulu. Fans
of slightly heavier stuff will rejoice
on 9 February, when the emissaries
of death metal, Cannibal Corpse,
let their show rip. The club hosts a
wide variety of artists, being filled
to bursting with black-clad metal
fans one night and twinkling with
the sugariest of pop melodies the
next.
The Oulu city square will host the
family Reindeer Carnival in February. The event, held on 16–17 February, will feature the official reindeer
sprint, where nimble-footed reindeer and their jockeys compete in
the clear winter weather. You can
also try your hand at lasso throwing and enjoy the nice carnival atmosphere in the city square. The
Reindeer Carnival is also the inaugural weekend of the Snow World
activities in the city square, Nallikari, and Syöte. Two more Reindeer Carnivals will be held in late
winter: in Syöte on 21 February, and
in Nallikari, Oulu on 2–3 March.
Set your sights on the trophy
– the Snow Soccer World
Championships
The Snow Soccer World Championships, contested in the snowy setting
of Ukkohalla in February, constitute
Arctic fun at its best. On 2–3 February, the contestants plunge into the
drifts for some football, resulting in
much hilarity, lost shoes, and hotly
contested games. The fast-paced
weekend will naturally also feature
a bit of raising the team spirit and
celebrating the championship.
www.ukkohalla.fi
www.mericitytunturi.fi
For interpreters of feeling
– the Oulu Tango Festival
Oulu embraces the fiery passions of
tango right after the turn of the year,
as the Oulu Tango Festival makes
the city ring with the tunes of Argentine and Finnish tango on 3–13
January. During the festival, you can
of course enjoy the fantastic performances, but also take dancing lessons that will sweep you away in the
elegant convolutions of the tango.
www.tangonjuhlaviikko.fi
29
Fun for
the whole
family.
The people of
Oulu are sportscrazy.
Photos: Jussi Määttä
The best in indoor activities
W
hen you’ve had your fill of
frost, it is time to engage
in some indoor activities.
Time in the Oulu region flies by just
as quickly indoors, since there are
endless activities available, from
karting to wall-climbing to the wonders of the science centre.
For youngsters hungry for knowledge, the science centre Tietomaa
just outside the centre of Oulu is
definitely worth experiencing. As
they tour the centre with the children, the adults in the family will
also find themselves ticklish with
excitement over, for example, the
Tietomaa ski jump simulator. Dinosaurs come to life on the largest
film screen in Finland.
The gravity exhibition of the science centre is an inspiring experience
for budding young scientists, while
the super fun illusion exhibition will
30
muddle the senses of visitors in a hilarious way. The most imposing part
of Tietomaa is the 45-metre observation tower. A glass elevator will take
you to the top, letting you enjoy a
fantastic view of the city on the way.
King of the race track, master
of the ball game
The tight chicanes and fast 50-metre
straight of the Oulu Karting Center
will entertain your whole party. The
curves in the track profile will pinch
your stomach like they should, and
the bridge crossing the track provides
a bit of an extra challenge. You can
practice teamwork with your wife,
sibling, or friend in tandem cars.
The indoor exercise centres in the
Oulu region are filled with activities
to occupy your holiday time. Adventurous types will be eager to take up
the challenge posed by the climbing
walls in the Virpiniemi Sports Institute, and ball game enthusiasts can
enjoy their favourite sports on the
high-quality indoor courts of the
Oulu region. In most places, you will
be able to hire the necessary equipment at the counter.
In the Angry Birds Activity Park,
the largest indoor Angry Birds activity park in the world, the irascible
avians encourage visitors to try out
various sports, ranging from skateboarding to golf. The hours will
simply whizz by amidst the indoor
playgrounds, adventure courses,
and games arena – the activity park
is thousands of square feet in size.
www.ouluon.fi
www.tietomaa.fi
www.sportskartingcenter.fi
www.virpiniemi.fi
www.vuokatti.fi
Experience the thrill of ice
sports in the Oulu region
O
nly the best is good enough
for visitors to Oulu, particularly where sports are
concerned. The people of Oulu pack
the seats to cheer for their team or
favourite athlete all year, only the
disciplines change with the seasons.
The ice hockey and bandy matches in the Raksila sports centre just
outside the city centre attract thousands of enthusiastic spectators in
winter.
You will know game night by the
crowds converging on the ice hockey
arena, as the supporters of Oulun
Kärpät, the city’s team in the top tier
of Finnish ice hockey, throng towards
the arena in their yellow-and-blacks.
Entire families – mums, dads, grandchildren, grandparents – all flock to
the seats when the game is on.
A warm-up show heralds the arrival
of the night’s heroes and stokes the
audience’s appetite for the game. You
will quickly be caught up in the atmosphere by the intensity of the game
and the noise of the crowd, chanting
for its favourites. During the intervals,
sausage with ketchup, mustard, and
onions from one of the many kiosks
in the arena is mandatory.
The ice hockey season lasts from
September until late spring and culminates with the play-offs, in which
Oulun Kärpät has frequently had
success. The team’s fans have celebrated the Finnish championship
four times in the 2000s.
Tickets are available from the
ticket office at the arena before the
game, but to be certain of getting
a seat, you should get your tickets
in advance from the Stockmann
department store or the Prisma
supermarket next to the arena. The
people of Oulu are sports-crazy, so
the tickets sell fast.
A winning culture also thrives
on the artificial ice rink in Raksila,
next to the ice hockey arena, where
Oulun Luistinseura (OLS) battles
in the top tier of Finnish bandy. The
successful club’s outdoor matches
are true Arctic sports spectacles in
the dark winter nights.
Bandy is a gripping, fast-paced
game, and watching an outdoor
bandy game is a fantastic experience.
You can look forward to fast and
furious action, the ice screeching
under the players’ skates, and flamboyant goal celebrations – bandy
is a higher-scoring game than ice
hockey. Remember to dress appropriately for the cold, so that you will
be free to concentrate on the game.
31
n
o
i
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i
b
i
h
x
e
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i
r
p
Nature’s s
well
the Oulu region
f
o
le
p
o
e
p
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th
as
of little insights,
ll
fu
d
n
a
,
g
n
si
ri
ration of birds.
surp
ig
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m
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e
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ng fo
Nordic nature
ill break or waiti
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know, speculatin
High-flying adventure
Experience the
exhilarating
speed.
T
I
n winter, the Kiiminki River
that flows through the area of
Koitelinkoski, approximately
20 kilometres from Oulu, is silent
under the weight of ice. Despite its
apparent stillness, the river is merely marshalling its strength for the
fantastic display that will begin as
April turns to May. The spring thaw
creates a mighty roar, banging, and
splashing, making the movement
of the enormous ice masses not
32
only impressive to watch, but also
glorious to listen to. The thawing of
river ice in the North is a thrilling
display of nature, where the power
of flowing water sweeps enormous
ice floes downstream, often creating
big dams and causing floods.
Once the ice is gone, the foaming
Kiiminki River rapids are filled with
rafters. You can experience the exhilarating speed and feel the sharp turns
in your guts in perfect safety, guided
by the professional programme and
experience service staff.
With the advent of spring, the
streets of Oulu come alive with a
whole new bustle, with the spring
sun and warm air tempting people
outside. The airways will also be
crowded, as the migratory birds
migrate to their summer nesting
areas. Small wonder the Oulu region is one of the favourite haunts
of bird-watchers.
he Oulu region is known as
one of the best bird-watching
destinations in the world.
There are hundreds of species to
spot and photograph.
The diverse landscape of the Oulu
region brings birds such as the swans
and cranes of the marshes, BlackTailed Godwits and Temminck’s
Stints of the coasts, and owls and
wildfowl of the forested areas to
the region. Some birds only pause
for a moment to enjoy the bounty
of the area, whereas others take up
residence in the Oulu region for the
summer.
The Liminka Bay Visitor Centre,
only a 20-minute drive from Oulu,
is a fantastic destination for anyone
interested in bird-watching and photography. More than 100 different
species nest in the area, and up to
250 different species are observed
on the bay each year.
The location of Liminka Bay provides a feast of southern and northern species for binocular-toting
bird-watchers.
An outing for
the whole family
The Liminka Bay Visitor Centre
provides a wealth of useful information and expert assistance to ensure
the success of your bird-watching
trip. Thanks to the short distances
involved, the whole family will be
able to take part in bird-watching.
The wide boardwalks even make
the bird towers accessible for baby
carriages.
You should definitely make time
for a visit to the Visitor Centre’s
Eight Seasons of Birds exhibition,
which follows the passage of time
from a bird’s perspective. This experiential exhibition sheds light on
things such as how birds wintering
in the North survive the Arctic conditions.
www.liminganlahti.fi
33
Northern nature favours
the early bird
N
A fantastic
destination for
bird-watching and
photography.
34
ature photography is not for
late risers, since you need
to set out to the scene at
cockcrow. Early mornings in the
Oulu region can be rewarding, however, since the sunrise and nature of
the North make for a spellbinding
combination.
In winter, you can capture majestic creatures such as Great Grey
Owls or Snowy Owls on your earlymorning camera.
– In addition to the owls, ”eagleshacks” are a winter speciality. Hidden away in your shack, you can
photograph Golden Eagles about
their everyday business from December to March. The Black Grouse
start their display in March, and as
the spring turns to April, the spring
migration begins, which is the golden season of bird photography, says
Jari Peltomäki, manager of Finnature, a company that organises bird
watching and nature photography
trips.
The Oulu region also affords great
opportunities to photograph predators, such as wolverines and wolves,
in winter. Around the middle of
April, bleary-eyed bears arise from
hibernation and present themselves
for photography.
– Luring the animals to the photography site is mostly based on
feeding that has continued at the
same spot for several years. Thanks
to the regular feeding, the chances
for spotting animals are good, but
you always need a bit of luck as well,
says Peltomäki.
Finnature and Wild Brown Bear
organise experiential animal watching and photography excursions in
the Oulu region.
A record year for
aurora borealis
The Arctic nature of the North will
give zing to the archive of any photographer.
– Aurora borealis peak in sevenyear cycles. This winter will be another good one, so now is a unique
opportunity to photograph the aurora. I already took some fabulous
shots of the aurora in Syöte last year,
says Peltomäki, eagerly awaiting the
photography of the coming winter.
There are full-service bird and
nature photography trips available
in the Oulu region. In addition to excursions lasting several days, eighthour animal watching and photography trips, which are also open to
individual travellers, are organised
in the Oulu region. The guides are
proficient in several languages and
will impart valuable information on
the nature of the region.
– This is fantastic territory for
a nature photographer, since the
Oulu region is easily accessible and
contains plenty to shoot, says Peltomäki.
More information on nature photography excursions:
www.finnature.fi
www.wbb.fi
Your lodgings are
surrounded by activities
Y
ou will be guaranteed a good
night’s sleep in the Oulu region, since it is easy to find
lodgings to your liking from the extensive supply of accommodation.
There are both hotels belonging to
global chains and atmospheric cabins available – the choice is yours.
The high-class hotels in the city
centre will delight you with the
quality of their rooms, but most
of all with their excellent location
close to cultural entertainments and
shopping. Good-quality, characterful alternatives are available outside
the immediate hum and bustle of
the centre.
In travel resorts, suitable accommodation awaits you right in the lap
of diverse activities. By lodging in the
midst of the fascinating Northern nature, your sleep will be first-class.
Choosing lodgings at a spa is an
excellent way of combining winter activities with the warmth and
bubbles of a spa.
Atmospheric cabin
accommodation
The travel resorts in the Oulu region are perfect for experiencing
the freedom and atmosphere of
cabin accommodation. You will enjoy the activities and opportunities
provided by the resort, yet heat your
own sauna and relax by a log fire at
the end of the day.
The sweet dreams offered by the
peaceful cabin environment can be
enjoyed either in a swanky timber
villa or a slightly more modest cabin.
Right in
the lap of
diverse
activities.
35
Combine
delicious tastes
with memorable
experiences.
Darker flavours
in winter and
lighter ones in
summer.
A region full of flavour
The flavours of the Oulu region can be sampled at relaxed lunch
joints, restaurants offering international cuisine, and atmospheric
fine dining establishments.
T
he delicacies of the area’s
Mediterranean restaurants
will leave you speechless, the
flavours of the Russian restaurant
are complemented by the elaborate
furnishings and, if you’re looking for
something a bit less complicated,
why not enjoy a steak at an atmospheric Viking restaurant. There
are also many Oriental eateries to
titillate your taste buds – why not
have sushi or other Japanese delicacies, for example? Barbecue-lovers
36
are treated to a wealth of barbecued
goodness, made from only the finest
ingredients.
One of the best ways to get acquainted with the local food and
restaurant culture is to try the Oulu
menu, always prepared from the best
ingredients in season at any given
time. Several restaurants in the city
offer the menu, which pays tribute to
traditional food, delicious and pure
flavours, and local ingredients. You
can enjoy the Oulu menu on more
than one occasion, since each restaurant has assembled a menu befitting its own concept and style.
Not every restaurant in the Oulu
region has the most traditional sort
of milieu, so you may have the opportunity to combine delicious
tastes with memorable experiences.
For example, you can enjoy fantastic
food under the aurora borealis on
the top of a fell, or in a “kota” restautant in the lap of pristine nature.
Arctic tastes in Northern cuisine
T
he culinary offerings of the
Oulu region are guaranteed to
sate your appetite, but when
you eat out, its worth doing it well.
The cold winter gives a unique
taste to local ingredients, and few
countries can offer food with an
Arctic flavour.
“The wild nature of the region
gives Oulu a real edge, providing a wealth of opportunities and
good, pure ingredients for cooking. The sea and rivers and lakes of
the region supply us with fish and
crayfish, while the forests are full
of mushrooms, berries and herbs,”
says Tommi Tuhkanen, proprietor
of the Hugo Restaurant in Oulu.
Tuhkanen, who was enticed to
Oulu in 2007 after several years
abroad, trusts in local food.
“You should always favour local
ingredients, but only if they’re the
best quality. The truth is that 80% of
making a good dish depends on the
ingredients, and 20% on the skills of
the chef,” says Tuhkanen with a laugh.
The restaurant’s foreign customers have praised the quality of food
in Oulu.
“Many diners have been surprised
that such quality restaurants exist
up here in the North. Reindeer and
fish are especially attractive ingredients for our international guests,”
says Tuhkanen.
A happy restaurant
experience
The four seasons of the North are
multiplied into twelve in the area’s
restaurants, since the growing seasons set limits on the availability of
ingredients.
“Especially side dishes are dictated by the season, but we naturally also theme our menus by the
seasons, offering darker flavours in
winter and lighter ones in summer,”
says Tuhkanen, shedding light on
the secrets of menu design.
According to Tuhkanen, the recipe for a happy restaurant experience
is a simple one.
“Consistency is the secret. It all
starts with the first slice of bread
brought to the table and ends with
the last cup of coffee. Excellent
service and good wine are also important as a matter of course. Good
individual performances create the
basis for a good restaurant experience, but it’s the whole that counts,”
says Tuhkanen.
37
Nightlife in
the Oulu
region
The gems
of Finnish
design.
Oulu is a
rock’n’roll
town.
Shopping in Oulu
T
You won’t need to pack
he centre of Oulu is full of
nice shopping streets and
tempting shop windows. In
addition to Finnish design and international brands, the shelves are
stocked with local products.
On the shopping street Rotuaari,
running clear across town, you will
find the grand Stockmann department store as well as clothing and
furnishing boutiques. The recently
renovated shopping parade is comfortable to walk on in winter as well,
since it is heated and thus remains
free of snow and ice.
Your shopping list should definitely include winter sportswear and the
gems of Finnish design, such as the
beautiful Iittala dishes and interior
decoration products. And for something to take home, why not take a
look at products featuring the adorable Moomins? You are sure to find a
fun and useful present from amongst
the many quirky characters. If you
would like to purchase something
locally made, you couldn’t do better
than a Polar heart rate monitor.
it in too early in the
Oulu region. Local bars
and nightclubs offer
plenty of excitement
until the early hours.
S
ome of the restaurants in the
Oulu region transform into
popular party spots as the
evening progresses, so you may not
need to change venues to keep the
evening going after dinner. In addition to Fridays and Saturdays, the
pubs and nightclubs of the city are
also packed on Wednesdays.
In the Oulu city centre, you can
hit the dance floor in trendy clubs,
where the night pulsates with the
hottest hits of the day, and the party is guaranteed to keep going all
night. There are also many dancing
38
spots geared for more mature tastes,
where you can enjoy the best classic
songs in good company.
The bars in Oulu have live music most days of the week. Oulu is
a rock’n’roll town, so local bands
frequently take the stage. And if
you feel like doing a bit of singing
yourself, then you have chosen
the right city for your holiday. The
people of Oulu are enthusiastic
karaoke singers, so you can grab a
microphone in more than one restaurant in town.
Afterski favourites
The nightclubs of the region’s travel
resorts attract skiers with their relaxed
atmosphere. As the evening goes on,
the best afterski establishments fill up
with holidaymakers that have spent
their days on the slopes and trails.
A band is usually there to liven up
the party, and the dance floors are
packed with ski people. And when
your body, worn out from all that
dancing, needs a rest, your accommodations will not be far, since your
cabin or hotel room will most likely
be just around the corner.
39
Service directory / Travel Marketing Oulu Ltd co-operation partners
Floors and floors
of shopping
It is easy to lose track of time wandering around Stockmann, trying
on clothes, fiddling with objects, and
enjoying the café. The top-quality
department store has four floors to
shop in.
After stepping through the main
doors, you will be greeted by the
beguiling scents of the cosmetics
department. Go up the escalator,
and you will find yourself surrounded by the latest in fashion.
Stockmann’s selection of clothing
includes the best quality brands for
both men and women. The third
floor will give you ideas and materials to decorate your home. The
department store’s music and electronics department is also housed
here. On the top floor, you can pamper yourself and your companions
with good food. And before you
head home, take the elevator to
the Delicatessen department on the
ground floor and grab some local
delicacies to take away.
Across the street from Stockmann is located the Pukumies
clothing store, brimming with top
international and Finnish brands
in formal attire and leisure wear.
Around the next corner waits
Mick’s, specialising in youth fashion and stocking a selection of
trendy outfits. The Prisma supermarket in Limingantulli, a short
distance from the centre, features a diverse selection of hobby
products, clothing, electronics,
household items, and convenience
goods.
No matter where you shop, the
service in Oulu is always friendly. All
of the stores, boutiques, cafés and
restaurants are concentrated within
a small area, so your day on the town
will be far from arduous.
40
Accommodation
Airport Hotel
www.airporthotel.fi
BEST WESTERN Hotel Apollo
www.hotelapollo.fi
BEST WESTERN Hotel Samantta
www.samantta.fi
BEST WESTERN Ukkohalla Chalets
www.ukkohallachalets.fi
Cumulus Oulu
www.cumulus.fi
Emolahti Hiekat Camping
www.emolahti.fi
Holiday Inn Oulu
www.finland.holidayinn.com
Hotel Iso-Syöte
www.hotelli-isosyote.fi
Hotel Pikku-Syöte
www.pikkusyote.fi
Lasaretti Hotel Restaurant
www.lasaretti.com
Kalajoki Camping
www.kalajokicamping.fi
Spa Hotel Sani
www.kalajokiresort.fi
Nallikari Holiday Village
www.nallikari.fi
POHTO Hotel Kortteeri
www.pohto.fi
Radisson Blu Hotel Oulu
www.radissonblu.com
Rokua health & spa
www.rokua.com
Scandic Oulu
www.scandichotels.com
Sokos Hotel Arina
www.sokoshotels.com
Sokos Hotel Eden Oulu
www.sokoshotels.com
Virpiniemi Sport Hostel
www.virpiniemi.fi
Surrounded
by the latest
fashion.
Tempting offers
and great bargains
The centre of Oulu is full of life and
bustle at Christmastime, as bargains
abound to spur on the Christmas
shopping. The annual sales begin after Christmas, just before the turn of
the year, making a tour of the shops
worth your while. A quick stop in
a nice-looking store can easily take
longer than intended, as one fan-
tastic bargain after another catches
your eye.
Watching the life of the city go by
through a café window makes for a
pleasant interlude to your shopping
spree. So take a break from your
rounds for a steaming cup of coffee
and a fresh cinnamon bun. The centre of Oulu has multitudes of cosy
cafés to serve travellers.
Restaurants
Amarillo
www.amarillo.fi
Anna & Albert
www.anna-albert.fi
Coffee House
www.coffeehouse.fi
Fransmanni
www.fransmanni.fi
Grill it!
www.grillit.fi
Harald
www.ravintolaharald.fi
Heinäkenkä
www.karaokebar.net
Hevimesta
www.hevimesta.com
Hot NightClub
www.hotnightclub.fi
Kantis
www.kantis.net
Karaoke Bar
www.karaokebar.net
Karaoke Pub Aitta 22
www.karaokebar.net
Maikkula Estate
www.maikkulankartano.fi
Nightclub Tähti
www.nightclubtahti.fi
Paloaseman Ullakko
www.paloasemanullakko.fi
Pepper´s
www.karaokebar.net
Pub Graali
www.graali.fi
Pub Linja 25
www.arina.fi
Restaurant Hugo
www.ravintolahugo.fi
Restaurant Toripolliisi
www.toripolliisi.fi
Rosso
www.rosso.fi
Sokeri-Jussi Tavern
www.sokerijussi.fi
Torero
www.torero.fi
Vanha Paloasema Bar & Bistro
www.vanhapaloasema.fi
Wilbert
www.karaokebar.net
Yöhuikka
www.yohuikka.fi
Culture and events
Local arts and crafts
museums in the area
www.ouka.fi/ppm/maakunnallinen/
yhteystietoja.htm
Iin Kulttuurikauppila Art Centre
www.kulttuurikauppila.fi
Sailor’s home museum
www.ouka.fi/ppm/
merimiesmuseo
Meri Oulu Cultural Society /
Summer theatre Meri Oulu
www.merioulu.fi
Oskari Jauhiainen museum
www.jauhiaisenmuseo.fi
Oulu City Theatre
teatteri.ouka.fi
Oulu Cultural Events Association
www.oulunjuhlaviikot.fi
Oulu Museum of Art
www.ouka.fi/taidemuseo
Oulu Symphonic
www.oulusinfonia.fi
Northern Photographic Centre
www.pohjoinenvalokuvakeskus.fi
Northern Ostrobothnia museum
www.ouka.fi/ppm
Pro Piknik Festivals
www.piknik.fi
Qstock
www.qstock.org
Teatteri Rio theatre
www.teatteririo.fi
Turkansaari open-air museum
www.ouka.fi/ppm/turkansaari
Find out more about culture
and events in the Oulu region at
www.ouluon.fi
Activities and
programme services
Finnature
www.finnature.fi
Go Arctic!
www.goarctic.fi
Kiiminki River
www.kiiminkijoki.fi
Maritime Oulu/ M.S. Oulu
www.merellinenoulu.com
Oulu Lines
www.oululines.fi
Oulu Sports & Karting Center
www.sportskartingcenter.fi
RTG Sales
www.rtgsales.fi
Science Centre Tietomaa
www.tietomaa.fi
Stone Age Centre
www.kierikki.fi
Vauhtipuisto Speedpark
www.vauhtipuisto.fi
Wild Brown Bear
www.wbb.fi
Other services
Avis
www.avis.fi
BusinessOulu/
Oulu City Tourist Office
www.businessoulu.fi,
www.visitoulu.fi
Europcar
www.europcar.fi
Finavia
www.finavia.fi
Hertz
www.hertz.fi
Huiput bus tours
www.huiput.fi
Keskipisteen Matkailu
Tourism Services
www.keskipiste.info
Konffa PCO
www.konffa.fi
Merilä Manor
www.utajarvi.com/
merilankartano
Oulu City Tourist Office
www.visitoulu.fi
Oulu Congress Techniques
www.oktoy.fi
Oulun koru jewelry
www.oulunkoru.fi
Oulun Taksipalvelut taxi service
www.ouluntaksipalvelut.fi
Pukumies Oulu
www.pukumies.fi
Sixt
www.sixt.fi
Stockmann Oulu
www.stockmann.com
Vocational College Luovi
www3.luovi.fi
Find out more about shops,
restaurants, cafés and other
services in the Oulu city centre at
www.rotuaari.info
Municipalities and regional
travel destinations
Municipality of Hailuoto
www.hailuoto.fi
Municipality of Haukipudas
www.haukipudas.fi
Iilaakso
www.visitii.fi
City of Kalajoki
www.kalajokimatkailu.fi
Municipality of Kiiminki
www.kiiminki.fi
Municipality of Liminka
www.liminka.fi
Municipality of Muhos
www.muhos.fi
Municipality of Oulunsalo
www.oulunsalo.fi
Rokua
www.rokua.com
Syöte
www.syote.fi
Ukkohalla
www.ukkohalla.fi
Virpiniemi
www.virpiniemi.fi
Vuokatti
www.vuokatti.fi
41
The leap from
ideas to finished
solutions.
One of the smartest
cities in the world
42
O
ulu, nominated the most
intelligent community in
Europe in 2012, is an attractive, active city that is also the
youngest in Europe – the average
age of Oulu residents is 34.5 years.
Oulu was the only European city
to make it to the final seven in the
Intelligent Community Forum’s
Intelligent Community of the Year
competition. In Oulu, innovations
truly have made the leap from ideas
to finished solutions. The products
of Oulu, inspired by the innovative
atmosphere, are known globally.
Today, products made in Oulu filter exhaust gases in Hong Kong and
waste water in European holiday
resorts, illuminate service stations
intelligently, reduce greenhouse gas
emissions in Hungary, and produce
green electricity in France.
Oulu is an internationally significant centre of expertise in various
fields of high technology. The city’s
central industries include information and communications technology, nanotechnology, cleantech
and life science. Oulu’s success has
been made possible by the city’s rise
to the status of a world-class R&D
centre, where companies, research
institutes, and educational institutes
cooperate seamlessly.
In the Oulu region, there are no
limits for creativity and success. Ap-
proximately one thousand creative
companies operate in Oulu at the
moment. Recent years have seen the
emergence of games, online and mobile services, and SaaS software on
a broad front. Unique applications
for 3D Internet, which will revolutionarise the user experience, are
currently being developed in Oulu.
Expertise in Oulu
An innovative, forward-moving atmosphere has given birth to several
success stories in the technology
industry in Oulu. Success is based
on high-quality training and bold
actors, who have never lost faith in
their chance for success.
The city of Oulu was founded in
1605 and earned its spurs on the international markets as a powerful
exporter of tar in the 19th century.
Up to half of all tar exported from
Finland passed through Oulu in
those days. Oulu metamorphosed
from a tar city to a high-tech one
over the course of a century, as tar
first gave way to lumber in the 20th
century, followed by the emergence
of industry and technology. However, success has always been the
companion of expertise in Oulu
over the centuries, as the city’s business life has time and again renewed
itself in changing and challenging
circumstances.
Did you know?
• Technopolis Oulu, founded in 1982, is the first technology village
in the Nordic Countries.
• More than 200 international companies operate in Oulu, including Nokia and Google. These companies primarily represent the
ICT, bio and energy industries.
• Oulu is a university town, and 16,000 students are enrolled in its
multi-disciplinary university.
• Oulu is covered by the open and free wireless panOULU network.
• Oulu is a top expert in wireless technology, and the production
chain of wireless products and systems is unbroken from design
to manufacture in the city. Only a handful of cities in the world
can match this achievement.
43
Experience
Oulu Region
www.ouluon.fi
44

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