In exotic Santa land, for that adrenaline rush and peace

As one enters this capital city of Lapland - located in the northern Arctic Circle - from the airport, the silence and the wild expanse overwhelm one. As one moves on farther into the city, one realises with a start that there are no cars around for miles - a far cry from bustling Delhi.

The streets also look deserted, making one wonder about the people.

But these are initial impressions. The neat rows of hotels, restaurants and nightclubs - including an exotic one - beckon you for chilled out evenings and nights.

The best thing about this city, which is a commercial centre of Finland's northernmost province of Lapland, is that it can be visited both in summers and winters.

Compared to Indian summers, the summers here are cool and windy and the sun gives one a warm, cozy feeling lifting one's spirits. The Finns usually declare summers if it is over 20 Degrees Celsius.

During winters this city, where the sun never sets in midsummer, turns into a fairyland. Winters are also the time when Christmas carols ring in the air and one can even go for a ride on a reindeer-drawn sleigh - Santa Claus' favourite ride.